#itbestpractices

[likitakans]

Building a Resilient IT Infrastructure: Best Practices and Strategies

In today's fast-paced digital world, where technology underpins nearly every aspect of business operations, the importance of a resilient IT infrastructure cannot be overstated. As we progress through 2024, the IT landscape is fraught with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, natural disasters are more frequent and severe, and system failures can occur at any time, potentially crippling business operations. Against this backdrop, ensuring that your IT infrastructure is robust, secure, and capable of withstanding disruptions is not just a best practice—it's a critical necessity.

The concept of IT resilience goes beyond just having a disaster recovery plan in place. It encompasses a comprehensive strategy that includes risk assessment, redundancy, regular maintenance, employee training, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies. The goal is to build an infrastructure that not only recovers quickly from disruptions but also minimizes the chances of those disruptions occurring in the first place.

Imagine the impact of a major system outage on your business—lost revenue, damaged reputation, and decreased customer trust. Now, imagine if that outage never happened because your IT infrastructure was designed to anticipate, mitigate, and swiftly respond to potential threats. This is the power of a resilient IT infrastructure.

In this blog, we will explore the best practices and strategies for building a resilient IT infrastructure that can safeguard your business against the myriad of threats it faces today. From comprehensive risk assessments to leveraging cloud services and advanced automation tools, we'll cover the essential elements that contribute to a resilient IT environment. Whether you're an IT professional looking to bolster your organization's defenses or a business leader aiming to ensure operational continuity, this guide will provide valuable insights and actionable steps to help you achieve IT resilience.

Join us as we delve into the intricacies of building a resilient IT infrastructure, highlighting the importance of proactive measures, multi-layered defenses, and continuous improvement. In an era where downtime can translate to significant losses, investing in IT resilience is not just about protecting your business—it's about empowering it to thrive amidst uncertainty and change.

Let's embark on this journey to fortify your IT infrastructure, ensuring that your business remains robust, secure, and resilient in the face of any challenge that 2024 and beyond may bring.

Understanding IT Resilience

IT resilience refers to the ability of an organization to maintain acceptable service levels during and after any kind of disruption. It encompasses not just disaster recovery but also the robustness and redundancy built into IT systems to prevent and mitigate failures.

Best Practices for Building a Resilient IT Infrastructure

Comprehensive Risk Assessment

Start by conducting a thorough risk assessment to identify potential threats to your IT infrastructure. This includes evaluating the likelihood and impact of different types of disruptions, such as cyberattacks, hardware failures, power outages, and natural disasters. Understanding these risks will help you prioritize areas that need the most attention.

Implement Redundancy

Redundancy is a critical component of IT resilience. Ensure that there are no single points of failure in your infrastructure by implementing redundant systems, networks, and data storage. This can include using multiple data centers, redundant network paths, and backup power supplies.

Regular Data Backups

Regularly back up all critical data and ensure that backups are stored in multiple locations, including offsite or in the cloud. Automated backup solutions can help ensure that data is consistently backed up without human intervention, reducing the risk of data loss.

Disaster Recovery Plan

Develop and maintain a comprehensive disaster recovery plan (DRP). This plan should outline the steps to be taken before, during, and after a disaster to restore normal operations. Regularly test and update the DRP to ensure it remains effective and aligns with your current infrastructure and business needs.

Use of Cloud Services

Cloud services offer inherent resilience through their distributed nature. Leverage cloud infrastructure for critical applications and data storage, ensuring that you can quickly scale resources and recover data in the event of an on-premises failure.

Network Security

Strengthen your network security by implementing robust firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. Ensure that all systems are patched and updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. Additionally, adopt a zero-trust security model that verifies every access request regardless of its origin.

Employee Training and Awareness

Human error is a significant cause of IT disruptions. Regularly train employees on best practices for cybersecurity, data handling, and incident response. Create a culture of security awareness where employees understand the importance of following protocols and reporting suspicious activities.

Regular Maintenance and Monitoring

Regularly maintain and monitor all components of your IT infrastructure. This includes updating software, replacing outdated hardware, and continuously monitoring system performance and security. Proactive maintenance can help identify and address potential issues before they escalate into significant problems.

Automation and Orchestration

Use automation tools to manage and orchestrate routine tasks such as system updates, backups, and monitoring. Automation reduces the risk of human error and ensures consistency in executing critical processes. It also allows your IT team to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Collaboration with Experts

Partner with IT resilience experts and service providers who can offer specialized knowledge and solutions tailored to your business needs. Collaborating with experts can help you stay updated with the latest resilience technologies and best practices.

Strategies for Ensuring IT Resilience

Adopt a Proactive Approach

Instead of reacting to disruptions as they occur, adopt a proactive approach to IT resilience. This involves continuous monitoring, regular testing, and updating of resilience measures to ensure they are effective and aligned with evolving threats.

Implement a Multi-Layered Defense

Use a multi-layered defense strategy to protect against different types of threats. This includes physical security measures, network security, endpoint protection, and application security. Each layer adds an additional level of protection, reducing the likelihood of a successful attack.

Leverage Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Incorporate AI and ML technologies to enhance threat detection and response capabilities. These technologies can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate potential threats, allowing for quicker and more effective responses.

Ensure Business Continuity

Integrate IT resilience with your overall business continuity planning. This ensures that all aspects of your business are prepared to maintain operations during a disruption. Regularly conduct business continuity drills to test the effectiveness of your plans.

Stay Compliant with Regulations

Ensure that your IT infrastructure complies with relevant industry regulations and standards. Compliance not only helps avoid legal penalties but also enhances the overall security and resilience of your IT systems.

Conclusion

Building a resilient IT infrastructure requires a comprehensive approach that addresses all potential threats and ensures that your business can continue to operate smoothly during and after a disruption. By following these best practices and strategies, you can create a robust and resilient IT environment that protects your business, enhances operational efficiency, and ensures continuity in the face of any challenge.

Investing in IT resilience is not just about preparing for the worst; it's about enabling your business to thrive in an increasingly uncertain world. Stay proactive, stay secure, and build the resilient IT infrastructure your business needs to succeed.

[gsoftcloud]

Deploying applications to VMs demands a streamlined approach. You need to consider several factors and follow pre-defined procedures to get the best results. Check out this blog penned by our Chief Cloud Officer, Sibin Vincent, where he outlines the key steps to consider before deploying applications to VMs.

#virtualMachines #deploymenttips #itinfrastructure #cloudcomputing #techsolutions #systemadmin #itbestpractices #virtualizationstrategy #datacentermanagement #digitaltransformation

[advisedskills]

In this video, we're taking a look at a case study that examines the successful implementation of ITIL 4 practices in a leading technology company that provides cloud services through Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

The company experienced rapid growth, which led to increased complexity in its service delivery and management. By adopting ITIL 4, they were able to streamline their processes, improve service quality, and increase customer satisfaction.TechCloudAdvanced Inc. is a global technology company specializing in cloud services and solutions, with a primary focus on AWS and Azure.

They serve a wide range of customers, including small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises, and government organizations. The company offers various services, such as cloud migration, infrastructure management, and managed services.

As TechCloudAdvanced Inc. experienced rapid growth, they encountered several challenges: Inefficient processes and inconsistent service delivery across their global teams. Fragmented communication and coordination among different teams, leading to delays and errors, and Difficulty in meeting customer expectations and SLAs (Service Level Agreements).

Check out this video to learn about the solution to the case study utilizing ITIL 4 Practices, and thus the potential value of ITIL 4 practices in general. For more info, head here: https://www.advisedskills.com/about/news/356-cloud-and-itil-4-a-successful-implementation-of-itil-practices-for-cloud-servicesaws-azure

Don't miss this chance to learn from the experts.

Seize the opportunity and register for the ITIL 4 Foundation course at Advised Skills - it's your stepping stone to mastering IT service management and boosting your career in this rapidly evolving field.

[professionalcoursescertification]

📌 Key Features of ITIL 4 Foundation Certification 🌐

ITIL 4 Foundation equips professionals with a modern, flexible, and business-driven approach to IT service management. It covers service value system (SVS), guiding principles, ITIL practices, and how to align IT with business goals. This certification enhances efficiency, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement in organizations. At Knowledgewoods, we help you master ITIL 4 and drive digital transformation with confidence!

#ITIL4 #ServiceManagement #DigitalTransformation #ITBestPractices #Knowledgewoods #ProfessionalGrowth #ITCertification #BusinessSuccess #ITServiceManagement #CareerBoost

https://www.knowledgewoods.com/renew/itil-foundation.html

[ilearnfromcloud]

Why is IT blueprint development important to your business?

🔥🚀 Unraveling the Essence of IT Blueprint Development for Business Success! 🚀🔥 Welcome back to our video series! In this episode, we delve into the pivotal role of IT blueprint development in achieving your business goals seamlessly. Discover the compelling reasons why you can't afford to ignore this strategy. As we journey through this informative series, remember to stay engaged and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Let's dive into the key points: Aligning IT with business goals Reducing risks and uncertainty Improving communication and collaboration Boosting efficiency and productivity Enhancing security and compliance Stay tuned for the next part where we explore the main types of IT blueprints. 🌟🔧 🤔 Check out the full article to learn more: https://bit.ly/3P594Ub #ITBlueprintDevelopment #TechSuccessGuide #BusinessEfficiency #TechStrategy #SeamlessIT #RiskReduction #CollaborationMatters #EfficientTech #SecurityEnhancement #BusinessAlignment #ProductiveIT #ComplianceInsights #ITStrategy #TechInvestment #BusinessOptimization #BlueprintBenefits #InnovationDriven #ITBestPractices #StrategicPlanning #BusinessAdvantage #TechTransformation #ITExcellence #FutureReadyIT #EfficientProcesses #TechEmpowerment

[valevpn]

🧐 Maze Ransomware: All You Need to Know

In recent years, ransomware attacks have become a significant threat to individuals and organizations worldwide. Among the various ransomware strains, Maze ransomware stands out as one of the most notorious and sophisticated. In this article, we will delve into what Maze ransomware is, and crucial steps to protect yourself from falling victim to this malicious software.

Read on 👉 https://www.valevpn.com/post/maze-ransomware-all-you-need-to-know

MazeRansomware #RansomwareThreat #Cybersecurity #DataProtection #MalwareAttacks #DataBreach #CyberThreats #ITSecurity #DigitalSecurity #ProtectYourData #MazeLeakSite #RansomwareProtection #CyberSafety #DataPrivacy #InternetSecurity #NetworkSecurity #IncidentResponse #PhishingAwareness #OnlineSafety #RansomwareAwareness #DataRecovery #CyberDefense #RansomwarePrevention #SecureBackup #RansomwareResponse #ITBestPractices #InformationSecurity #DataSecurity #RansomwareVictims #OnlineThreats #ITTraining

[digitalexperiencemonitoring2021]

4 Best Practices for IT to Support Hybrid Work in 2022

Increase Employee Visibility and Optimize Application Performance with Digital Experience Monitoring

I hate to say this, but #Omicron is at the doorstep. According to the CDC website, there have been over 60M cases in the US so far. As a result, companies like Google and Apple are delaying returning to the office while some call the return date as now ‘history’. Although we cannot predict the nature of the virus, we have some best practices to help our customers and IT manage their employee experience in a hybrid distributed environment.

Gain Proactive Control by Localizing the Problem

You probably have offices in multiple locations and want to monitor the application and network performance of multiple mission-critical apps such as Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday, and so on that your team members rely on every day. Whether you deploy sensors in a public cloud or on-prem, visualizing the uptime and availability of different services on a map is critical. That way, your team can pinpoint issues faster, troubleshoot right away and minimize disruption.

In the following example, you will see that Microsoft Teams has a service problem on a specific site. Click the sensor link to learn more details about the health of the Teams AV application based on metrics such as jitter, packet loss, bit rate, etc.

For more information, see our video on How to Monitor Teams AV Performance.

Manage Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Collaboration App Sprawl

Your sales team uses Salesforce to manage customer relationships, so you now have the Slack messaging app that comes with the CRM. Windows also offers Microsoft Teams as another collaboration tool. Some users may use Zoom or WebEx for video conferencing. Each tool serves its purpose for different departments, but this leads to a collaboration app sprawl that you need to manage.

As an admin, you often have to answer questions such as: Can we support all of these tools in our ecosystem while still offering employees the highest call quality? What is the system and company-wide usage behavior for these apps? How do various problems with Wi-Fi and network connectivity affect the audio-video performance and availability of communication tools? Where do most of the problems come from?

Track the network activity of all your collaboration tools from an endpoint device to the cloud. View all KPIs in a single dashboard and optimize performance for glitch-free meetings.

Understand User Engagement through Benchmarking User Digital Experience

As more and more employees start working remotely (including me!), our contact with the outside world is through a standard web browser (Google Chrome, Internet Explorer) or with communication tools such as Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Slack. In addition, we access SaaS applications every day or use the Teams Desktop app to collaborate on projects. But how do network administrators collectively assess overall performance and objectively measure the productivity level of their employees?

In the lower-left column, you will see two scorecards that provide baseline digital experience scores and trend analysis within a company. The higher the score, the better the engagement levels. After onboarding new employees, compare their experience scores with the rest. Clicking on each of these scorecards provides more detail on troubleshooting.

Learn more about Digital Experience Monitoring and aggregation of scores.

Solve Business Problems with Real User Monitoring Data Widgets

Since the beginning of the pandemic, IT and business have become more aligned and this is obvious. Before the pandemic, when everyone worked from the office, there was physical visibility and personal interaction. But now, the shift towards visibility of experience is accelerating and ensuring that remote interactions and meetings during a conference call run smoothly.

Companies want to know how many users working from different locations are having poor experiences with their Wi-Fi, network, or desktops? How did Microsoft Teams migration or new application rollout go? Was the mass introduction of high-performance workstations a long-term success for all employees? Can the costs or investments be justified? Your team will be accountable and invited to provide inputs to these issues.

We already offer multiple templates, but you can create your custom dashboards and visualization reports and stay confident when your answer executives. Drill into each of these widgets and discover meaningful, actionable data.

IT Makes Work Better with Synthetic Monitoring and RUM

We hope these tips have been helpful. Sooner or later, you will need to optimize your monitoring strategy in 2022 to include digital experience monitoring and consider several remote employee issues that hinder productivity. From locating a problem to customizing your dashboards, support teams can do a lot with Exoprise. So, get an idea of our platform and see for yourself why a mix of synthetics and real user monitoring is more valuable for your organization.

Request a demo, and we will be happy to answer all your questions.

Originally published on www.exoprise.com/blog on Jan 18, 2022

[gsoftcloud]

Steps to Consider before Deploying Applications to VMs.

Virtual machines, or VMs, are an integral part of the cloud computing landscape.  

With VMs, you can abstract away resources from a physical machine and create an isolated computing environment. You can use this environment to test applications, backing up data, and more.  

However, deploying applications to VMs demands a streamlined approach. You need to consider several factors and follow pre-defined procedures to get the best-intended results. Check out this blog penned by our Chief Cloud Officer, @Sibin Vincent, where he outlines the key steps to consider before deploying applications to VMs.