Hiring an IT consultant in Alexandria VA begins with discovering your business’ goals, then evaluating IT consultants based on their fit for you. Making the right choice is easy when you know what your company needs to succeed.

Knowing where your business is and where you want to be will help you better evaluate your future IT consultant. The right IT partner will expertly support your business with the technologies that make the most sense for you. During your search process, consider the following points for evaluating the right IT consultant for you in Alexandria!

Ask for Recommendations

Before beginning your search online, check in with people you trust in your network to see if they’ve had success with any IT consultants in the Alexandria area. They may have recommendations for you which will make it easier to start your search for the right consultant.

If you can’t locate reputable candidates through personal recommendations, it’s best to begin your search locally. National organizations aren’t always able to cater to your business’ individual needs and probably won’t be able to conduct an in-person visit should your issue require it.

 Evaluate Their Skills

Remember that just because a potential consultant may have a lot of experience doesn’t mean that experience will be a good fit for you. You’ll need to assess your candidate’s skills based on your needs and whether or not they can deliver on your objectives when hiring an IT consultant in Alexandria VA.

For instance, consider whether or not the consultant is familiar with the technologies you use. Have they worked with other businesses similar to your industry? Have they provided results that align with what you’re looking for? During the interview process, determine whether or not the consultant understands your goals and has an approach for how to meet them.

 Assess Their Communication

Evaluation of your IT consultant’s communication begins the second you reach out to them. How easy is it to schedule an interview, get in touch with them after the interview, and ask questions? If they’re too busy to take your call now, chances are you won’t be able to reach them if there’s a problem.

When hiring an IT consultant in Alexandria VA, you can and should ask questions about how they would approach your company’s IT issues. Your potential candidate should be able to communicate clearly in terms you and your team understand. You want a consultant that’s going to be a resource for you, not a hindrance to your goals.

Value Transparency

Cost shouldn’t be your sole determining factor when it comes to hiring an IT consultant. Placing a high value on experience, communication, and transparency can help you determine the right fit for your business and avoid needless hassle during this process.

Although the best consultant for your company may not always be your cheapest pick, they will advocate for your best interests and be fully transparent in their efforts.

True professionals won’t overcharge you for their services or unnecessarily provide you with IT equipment you simply don’t need. A consultant that’s honest and credible will be worth their cost and be instrumental to your business’ success.

 Finding the Right IT Consultant

Your company’s IT success will partially depend on how well you know what you need and communicate this to your potential consultant. Finding the right candidate is all about determining how well this person or firm can help you meet your goals.

An IT consultant can provide invaluable insight into your company’s technology to set you up for future success. When searching for a consultant in Alexandria, evaluating the above points can help you find your best fit!

Cyber attacks are growing in both frequency and severity, particularly against small businesses. Industry experts estimate that cybersecurity incidents will cost businesses over $5 trillion within the next five years alone.

Malicious hackers know the majority of smaller organizations are not prepared against network security breaches, making them popular targets for cyber attacks.

Smaller companies must implement a robust security strategy to defend sensitive information against ever-present cyber threats. In the past year alone, 47 percent of small businesses experienced a cyber attack—and out of those, 44 percent experienced more than one.

The average cost of a cyber attack has exploded from $34,000 to just under $200,000 per single incident, according to Hiscox’s 2019 Cyber Readiness Report. This is a setback that many small businesses can’t recover from.

Every Organization Is at Risk to Experience a Breach

Small businesses across all types of industries are vulnerable to security breaches. As IT infrastructures become more complex to support the growing digital demands of today’s companies, security measures need to evolve to support these sophisticated setups.

Cyber criminals are already way ahead of the curve, so much so that virtually every organization will experience a breach at some point. For small companies today, it’s not a matter of if a cybersecurity incident will happen, but when.

Making small business network security a priority is a must as cyber attacks continue to grow. Unfortunately, most organizations of this size aren’t yet on track.

With cyber criminals exploiting network vulnerabilities companies may not even be aware of, developing an approach based on your particular risks is key to successfully mitigating these devastating attacks. Many organizations have no type of plan in place in the event of a breach, let alone the necessary protection to prevent an infringement in the first place.

For Small Businesses, the Damages Are Difficult to Overcome

Could your business handle a $200,000 security breach? What about multiple breaches?

The damage, for most of these smaller companies, can quickly add up.

This is particularly true if a threat infiltrates a system and goes undetected—which is entirely possible when network monitoring and automated threat detection mechanisms aren’t in place.

In addition to monetary damages as the result of cyber attacks on small businesses, these companies also have to shoulder legal fees, compliance penalties, loss of reputation, and loss of customers.

These consequences can easily bankrupt a business. In fact, an estimated half of small businesses close within six months after a cyber attack.

Organizations are constantly at risk and need to adopt a comprehensive security strategy to prevent a cyber threat, mitigate damage should an incident occur, and adopt risk management policies. By doing so, these companies can protect their assets and make it easier to recover after an attack.

Enhance Your Network Security

Taking a multifaceted approach to cybersecurity is your best bet to avoid a cyber attack. Most small companies house sensitive information, and so are at risk of being targeted by malicious hackers.

Here are a few steps you can implement as part of a more extensive strategic approach to augment your small business network security.

While cyber attacks on small businesses can originate inside or outside a company, employees are often considered the biggest threat to smaller organizations. A reported 43 percent don’t receive regular cybersecurity training, and eight percent have received no security training whatsoever.

But the mindset that employees are responsible for helping to maintain network security is crucial to preventing an attack.

All personnel at an organization should receive cybersecurity training every few months to stay current on the latest attacks and do their job to prevent a breach.

Whether it’s recognizing and reporting a phishing email or identifying when something isn’t right in the network.

Need Help Implementing the Right Approach?

Implementing the right cybersecurity approach for your business can feel difficult if you’re not an IT professional. But that’s not an excuse to ignore the protection you need in the event of a cyber attack.

Contact us at Solvere One today to learn more about how we can help your small business implement the best approach to comprehensive network security!

Managed IT services is a term that companies see when looking for professionals to help them better manage their IT needs.

If you’re a business owner in Washington DC and weighing your outsourcing options, considering managed services makes sense.

But what are managed services, exactly? Here’s what IT providers mean when they say managed services.

Allows a Managed Service Provider to Handle Your IT

Managed services let a company to trust their IT needs to an IT provider, also called a Managed Services Provider (MSP).

An MSP is responsible for maintaining a company’s IT operations through services such as remote monitoring, updates and maintenance, problem resolution, support, and much more.

Managed services is a more sophisticated type of support where instead of waiting for something to break and then calling a professional to fix it, an MSP will spot problems before they happen and work to avoid emergencies and keep your network running smoothly.

Proactively Manage IT Concerns

MSPs offer new and better ways to locate problems within a network that most companies are unable to implement on their own without an IT team or employee.

MSPs put specific systems in place—including a combination of manual and automated monitoring—so they’ll be alerted instantly when a problem is on the horizon. MSPs work with the company to proactively manage IT issues and keep the cost of IT operations controlled.

Dedicated managed service providers in Washington DC will be aware of any network issues and work to fix them so that you don’t experience a costly and debilitating disaster.

Cost-Effectively Maintain Operations

No business today can afford to wait until something breaks to fix it. Even if a company manages its own IT, having different people fix different issues can be time-consuming and expensive, especially for a small company.

MSPs provide businesses with a cost-effective solution. By helping you implement technology that enhances performance and reduces risk, MSPs help keep your expenses predictable.

Managed IT services are typically offered for a flat monthly rate, depending on what services are included. Some companies will offer different service packages that may consist of both remote and on-site support in Washington DC.

Your business will have the option for the MSP to partially or fully manage your IT needs, although typically the benefits of having your IT needs fully managed far outweigh the cost.

Benefits of Managed Services

Your MSP can help you further understand what are managed services under their definition, but typically their goal is to improve your business operations while reducing IT cost.

Managed services can help your business see major benefits which include:

• Around-the-clock maintenance. Typically MSPs are responsible for 24-hour monitoring and support to ensure your systems are always running.
• Optimization. MSPs keep your network secure and supported, allowing you to optimize your systems and boost the efficiency of your operations.
• Enhance security. Managed services can patch vulnerabilities in your network, keeping your data safe from cyberattacks.
• Managed vendor relationships. MSPs can help you control expenses by managing your vendors so you can get the right equipment you need for the right price.

Perhaps one of the best benefits of having managed services is peace of mind. When you know an experienced professional is keeping a close eye on your networks, you can operate your business with enthusiasm.

When you want to improve the way you manage your company’s IT needs in Washington DC, consider enlisting the help of an MSP. When all your IT tasks are managed, you can better run your business with minimal risk of disaster or downtime. Managed services might just be the missing link in your business strategy for success!

BYOD, short for bring your own device, is a workplace policy that many companies are beginning to adopt that allows employees to use their own private devices to access company networks, files, and applications. What was once thought to be bad policy has quickly evolved into a preferred method of doing business at many companies.

As technology continues to change at an  increasingly rapid pace, IT departments are struggling to keep up. Further, with an increasing percentage of people in the workforce having their own smart devices, tablets, and laptops, employees are increasingly wanting to use their own devices to access corporate data.

While there are certainly negatives associated with BYOD, there are many positives as well, which we will discuss in the sections below.

Advantages  of BYOD

There are some key advantages to implementing a BYOD strategy at your place of business. Cost savings, employee satisfaction, and productivity gains are the most common advantages associated with BYOD policies. Employees like using their own devices and are more familiar with their own devices, making them more productive than they would be if they use a device that they are less familiar with. By allowing employees to bring in their own devices, you as a company can save considerably on hardware costs and device maintenance.

BYOD Risks

While BYOD offers many benefits, it comes with risks as well. For example, what happens if an employee’s device is lost or stolen? What data should employees be allowed to access from their personal devices? Company issued devices often have higher levels of security and company assigned passwords while personal devices often have lesser strict security and password requirements.

Another concern is implementation itself. With a number of devices, successfully integrating all devices into the company network could be difficult and may even prove to be costly, minimizing the hardware cost savings recognized by BYOD policies in the first place.

BYOD Integration & Consulting in Washington, DC

Ultimiately, whether or not BYOD policy is right for your business is up to you. If implemented correctly with careful attention to detail and security risks, BYOD policies can be an excellent way to lower costs and improve employee productivity and satisfaction.

If you’re considering BYOD integration or need consulting, Solvere One can help. We have IT professionals on staff that have overseen BYOD implementation for companies large and small. Let us help you. Call us at (202) 905-2722 or simply fill out the contact form on the right to get started!

Here at Solvere One we love Apple products. As an Apple Authorized Reseller, we have undergone additional apple training and place added emphasis on selling and service Apple products and services.   We love when our clients use Apple products because they’re easy to use and the issues Apple products have tend to be more minor than hardware from other companies.  While they tend to have fewer issues, no product is perfect.  When you have a problem with your Apple product, we want to help.  Whatever the problem is, we’re here to resolve it.

Here are the most common Apple computer problems we fix:

Common Apple Computer Problem 1: Running Out of Disk Space

Ok, so this problem can affect any computer with a hard drive, and it’s a minor problem at that, but it’s something we can certainly help out with.  Most of the time this can be solved through a few simple steps such as emptying out the trash, uninstalling programs that are no longer used, getting rid of downloaded program images and cleaning up some temporary files.  What if everything is too important to get rid of? We can clone your current hard drive onto a larger drive – or provide computer backup solutions – which brings up to issue and solution number two.

Common Apple Computer Problem 2:  Drive Cloning / Transfers

If you have a computer long enough, this will eventually be an issue. Either your current hard drive fills up, you want to upgrade to a faster drive, or you want a new computer all together,  Solvere One is here to help you transfer data from one drive to the other. The great part about this is you can choose what to keep! You want to clone your entire drive as-is? We can do it! You only want the important files? We can do it!  The transfer itself won’t take longer than a few hours and then you’ll be right back to work where you left off! That is if you remember your password, which brings us to problem number three.

Common Apple Computer Problem 3: Password Resets

So you’ve powered up your Apple computer, got your coffee, and you’re ready to send out those important emails.  There’s just one problem, you can’t locate that little black book that has all your passwords in it and you can’t get logged into your Apple computer.  Don’t worry about it, Solvere One is here to help! Whether we reset it using an admin account of our own, or reset it using the command line or another tool, we’ll get it reset and get you back to work.  Once you’re logged in, you can get back to sending out that email, which brings us to problem number four.

Common Apple Computer Problem 4: Email Application Configuration

One of the most important things for a company in this day and age is email.  Having the right email application can go a long way in improving team communication, client communication, and overall productivity.  Solvere One is here to help with configuring whichever email application you or your company chooses to compliment your Apple product. We can help with the first time use and set-up, or help troubleshoot and figure out any issues that occur down the line. If it’s a first time set-up that we’re helping out with, there’s a good chance you’ll want our help with the issue covered in problem number five.

Common Apple Computer Problem 5: Mapping Network Drives

In a world where the cloud rules, there are still a good amount of companies who choose to host their files locally on network drives and share them out with their users.  We can help with setting up network drives, but once it’s set up, the most important part is getting the users connected to them.  This is a very fixable problem one of the more common support issues we resolve. While mapping a drive on an Apple product can be a little different than a Windows computer, it’s still a quick fix for us.

Request Apple IT Support

After seeing our top five issues it’s important to remember that while the issues are the most common one’s we fix on Apple Products, these issues can affect any PC out there as well.  All of these are rather minor problems but can completely inhibit the flow of day-to-day business which is why every problem, no matter the size, is a priority for Solvere One.

If you are experiencing any of these problems with your Apple computers—or any other Apple product—contact us today for flat-rate Apple IT support.

• Allows for maximum amount of email uptime
• Only pay for the amount of Office licenses  needed
• Certain subscriptions come with downloadable versions of Office desktop software
• It’s licensed based which means it’s entirely scalable so you never pay for more than you need
• There’s no need to host your own email server
• And most importantly, with Microsoft’s release of Android, iPhone and Windows phone apps, it’s now available from almost any device you own!

Office 365 for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone

Microsoft’s recent Office 365 apps launch for iPhone, Android and Windows 7.5 or 8 opens a door to the one billion or so smartphone users across the globe. Also consider that mobile devices, like phones and tablets, are proving to be more powerful and productive in today’s on-the-go society. Couple that with the declining PC market and it only makes sense that Microsoft would want to put one of its largest money makers in the hands (literally) of as many user’s as possible. While there are a few mobile app Office competitors, none of them have the years of experience and know-how that Microsoft does. The competitors are also limited in that you can only use them on the operating system you purchased them on. For example: if you buy an iOS Office app like Quick Office, you can’t use that app on Android without repurchasing it.

Office 365 Apps

So let’s get to the important stuff, what you can do with the Office 365 mobile apps:

• Access documents stored in SkyDrive
• Make quick edits to documents
• View and edit email attachments
• View supported charts, graphs and animations
• Create new Office documents
• Share documents
• Use Lync to stay connected with organization members
• Access to Skype and Yammer

Office 365 on Other Mobile Devices

While there are currently only mobile applications for Android, iPhone and Windows, all other devices can access the SkyDrive website to view and interact with their cloud stored documents. Unfortunately at this time, iPad users will have to use the Web-app view rather than the mobile applications as Microsoft has only released a version for the iPhone.  This Microsoft website has all of the details for the individual operating systems and their respective devices.

What you need to Access these Office 365 Apps

It is important to remember that a valid Office 365 subscription is necessary to access the mobile applications and their features.  There are different subscriptions for different business needs, so feel free to head to Microsoft’s Office 365 plan comparison page for more details on those.  If you have any questions about how Office 365 can benefit or help your business use our Contact Us page and let us know!  We are Microsoft partners and have the expertise to help ensure your business is utilizing its IT resources to their full potential!

As a result of growing cybersecurity incidents, the United States government is increasing its cybersecurity requirements for contractors to reduce risk.

Previously, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) 800-171 standard outlined cybersecurity controls for contractors who handled controlled unclassified information (CUI). However, many contractors neglected to get in compliance, as they were only required to self-certify.

Now, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the new standard going into effect starting June 2020. The CMMC will require contractors to be certified by a third-party to be considered for any future work with the government.

Here’s what you need to know about CMMC certification in Washington DC if you’re a Department of Defense (DoD) contractor.

What Exactly Is CMMC?

CMMC expands on the measures outlined in 800-171 and combines controls from other publications into one mandate. CMMC has five levels:

Not every contractor will need to attain certification for every level. For example, your work with the DoD may only require that you have a Level 3 certification, but for others, a Level 5 may be needed. You can only achieve DC CMMC certification if you have implemented all of the controls for your particular level.

Unlike 800-171, you cannot self-certify with the CMMC. You must seek an audit with approved third-party auditors, also called approved third-party assessor organizations, that will audit and award you a certification level based on your cybersecurity practices.

As the CMMC develops, controls could change, so working with an experienced managed services provider who’s current on CMMC developments for your certification needs could be helpful.

When Certification Will Be Required

Beginning in June 2020, vendors for specific DoD programs will be required to attain CMMC certification in Washington DC. Before being considered for these contracts, you must be certified at the level specified in the Request for Proposals.

Beginning in October 2020, all contractors for all DoD programs will need to have DC CMMC certification to bid for contracts. Eventually, all government contractors will be required to be CMMC certified on some level, so it’s important not to wait to get started with the process!

How to Get Started With CMMC Certification In Washington DC

To get started with the certification process, you’ll first need to identify what level you’d like to obtain or need to achieve for your current or future work with the DoD. Remember, if you’ve complied with 800-171 standards, you should be able to attain a Level 3 certification.

Next, you’ll need to decide if you have the resources to implement the necessary cybersecurity controls in-house. Vendors who can do this are typically those that have full-time IT staff, IT departments, or have IT as their core function.

If this isn’t you, your ideal move is to consider outsourcing your certification process to a managed services provider in DC. Find a provider who’s experienced in CMMC compliance, as they’ll be able to assess your current cybersecurity practices and develop a strategy to help you qualify for the needed certification level.

Why Outsource?

Outsourcing your CMMC certification needs is often the most effective way for contractors to implement the necessary controls. Providers not only have the talent and resources to effectively remediate your cybersecurity practices, but can maintain them as the standard develops and changes.

Whether you decide to handle your certification needs in-house or outsource, your next step is to obtain a Readiness Assessment from a third-party to see where you’re at in regards to meeting the certification level for your DoD work. If you’re working with a consultant, they can perform this assessment, which will uncover any vulnerabilities or missing processes that would prevent you from obtaining CMMC certification in Washington DC.

Once you’re in compliance with the controls and have documentation from your consultant, you can seek certification from an accredited third-party auditor to become certified to bid on contracts or continue your work with the DoD.

Don’t Wait to Get Certified!

If you’re a contractor with the DoD, it’s important not to wait to get certified with the new standard. It takes time to implement all the measures in CMMC, and it also takes time to get an audit done. Working with a consultant can help the process go smoother and get you in compliance faster than most vendors can manage with their in-house staff. With the certification deadline just a few months away, most contractors can’t afford to wait to get certified!

Millions of people are now working from home due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic. If you’re suddenly finding yourself in your pajamas at one in the afternoon, it’s time to consider some working from home tips.

It’s certainly possible to stay sane and productive while working from home, even if your living arrangements make doing so challenging. Here’s some of the best advice for working from home to help you through this unconventional time!

Have Good Posture

It’s time to forgo the couch and have an office space that supports proper posture. Now that you don’t have the excuse that you’re stuck at work, take this opportunity to move plenty throughout the day.

You can even walk outside while doing phone calls or during breaks to promote physical health!

Use Your Time Wisely

Distractions at home can make it easy to waste time, whether your 15-minute break turned into an hour-long Netflix binge or you spent an unreasonable amount of time looking for something to eat.

The best advice for working from home includes maintaining a schedule and using your time wisely.

Prep meals or snacks, or schedule something to do on your break that needs to be done around the house, such as doing a load of laundry or grabbing the mail.

Limit Interruptions

Life at home can easily interrupt your workflow. Between noise from your neighbors, disruptions from your family, or social media notifications, distractions can quickly kill your productivity.

Research shows it takes over 23 minutes to get back on task after being interrupted.

With so much time at stake, curbing your distractions make sense. Invest in noise-canceling headphones if you need to and turn social media notifications off, then get to work!

Don’t Feel Guilty for Taking Time for Yourself

It’s still important to take time for yourself and have downtime outside of work. Whether you schedule this time in your breaks or have relaxing time after work, don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself.

Exercise, get chores done, or have a video call with a friend. It’s more important than ever to keep your immune system as healthy as possible, so let yourself rest when needed and do things you enjoy outside of work!

Keep Your Workspace Tidy

Your desk can quickly get cluttered when working from home, especially if your office is in an unconventional area.

Keeping your workspace tidy—even if you can only manage a desk clean-off once a week—can help you start with a fresh perspective and not feel weighed down by all the things in your office area.

Prioritize Your Tasks

When considering working from home tips, there are few things more important than prioritizing your tasks.

With a different routine, it can make projects you’d normally focus on feel far away.

Plan what you’d like to get done each day in order of importance. That way, even if you’ve only accomplished a couple of tasks, they will have been the most important ones!

Take Advantage of Your Prime Time

If you know you work better at a certain time of day, really take advantage of that time and commit to distraction-free working until your next break.

Getting into a workflow can feel difficult when you’re working from home, especially if you’re new to the work-home scene—but when you hit your stride, take advantage of it!

Make Time for Those That Matter

Checking in with people is so important when so much is going on in the world.  Whether it’s your parents or coworkers, make time for those that matter.

Video calls can help ease the feeling that you’re alone 24/7, and can social connections can have a positive impact on your mental health, especially when it feels like you’ve been stuck inside for days on end.

Be Mindful of Your Mindset

Your mindset matters when it comes to your productivity. When looking for advice for working from home, one of your greatest advantages is your ability to influence your mindset.

Determine what you can control and what you can’t.  Work around any obstacles that are preventing you from doing your best work.

Do activities that you know make you happy to create some positivity around your current situation—you can do this!

Know When It’s Time to End for the Day

It can be challenging to know when to stop working when you’re working from home.  Your work and home life begin to blend together, and it can be difficult to ignore unfinished tasks or unread emails.

However, know when it’s time to end for the day, and when you’re not working, you’re not working—so don’t be tempted by responsibilities that can wait until tomorrow!

Consider these working from home tips to help you stay sane, happy, and productive during this time!