Posts Tagged ‘Cyber Security’
Help Us Secure Our World this Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Help Us Secure Our World this Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CSAM), an international initiative that educates everyone about online safety and empowers individuals and businesses to protect their data from cybercrime. Even amidst large-scale data breaches and cyberattacks, Cybersecurity Awareness Month reminds everyone that there are simple, effective ways to keep yourself safe online, protect your personal data, and ultimately help secure our world.
Outsource Group is proud to be a Champion and support this online safety and education initiative this October.
The theme is Secure Our World! This initiative reminds us that there are simple actions we can take every day to protect ourselves, our families, and businesses from online threats.
CSAM focuses on the top four ways to stay safe online:
1. Use strong passwords and a password manager 🔑
2. Turn on multifactor authentication 🔰
3. Recognize and report phishing 🎣
4. Update software ⚙
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. For more information about ways to keep you and your family safe online visit https://lnkd.in/eU_sZX28 and https://lnkd.in/eYiABmx
For more information on how we can help reduce your cybersecurity risk Contact – Outsource Solutions (osgroup.co.uk)
Employee Spotlight – Jonny Weir
Employee Spotlight – Jonny Weir
Our employees are the backbone of the Outsource Group, consistently delivering exemplary service and security to our customers. Today, we’re excited to post the next in our “Employee Spotlight” series with Jonny Weir, where we highlight the incredible work our staff do to drive Outsources’ success.
🌟 Meet Jonny, our indispensable Senior Account Manager. He’s the joker of the pack and provides our customers with first class service, always on hand to make sure each of our valued customers are guided expertly on their digital and cyber security journey’s.
We took some time out to ask Jonny some questions on his vital role at Outsource Group in our Employee Spotlight series:
1. What is your job title?
Depends on the day, officially Senior Account Manager but when Sandra is in the office its official coffee maker.
2. How long have you worked for the Outsource Group?
I have been blessing Outsource Group with my presence for coming on 6 years.
3. What is your favourite thing about working for the Outsource Group?
It’s definitely not the people like everyone says!!!… only joking although the people are all great. I would have to say the customers I get to work with on a daily basis.
4. What was your motivation for picking the career you now work in?
Being totally honest I didn’t want to work in IT, but my careers teacher arrived at the house when I couldn’t get into tech to be a spark and told my mum she had enrolled me in an IT course, as a few people know I used to be an engineer (that’s the running joke but I was)
5. What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
Working for a company that stands by its staff. It also would be completing projects with customers and seeing how they have grown on both their digital and security journey.
6. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Probably still asking Eamonn for that new coffee machine, still working with Outsource, driving to keep being the number one MSSP.
If you are interested in joining our team Visit our Careers Page, or contact us at recruitment@osgroup.co.uk with your details and we will contact you for a chat.
Sandra achieves Cybersecurity Accreditation
Sandra achieves Cybersecurity Accreditation
Sandra Quinn recently became the first female student in Northern Ireland to achieves cybersecurity accreditation following her completion of the OCN NI Level 4 Certificate in Cyber Security at South West College, supported by the Skill Up Programme.
Sandra is employed by Outsource Solutions and following 7 years as an Account Manager and feeling she had gone as far as she could in the role, she received a recommendation for the Cyber Security programme at South West College and quickly enrolled on the 15-week part time programme.
Reflecting upon the opportunity, Sandra said that as a mature student returning to study she felt very much at ease on the course and added that she was able to complete the course around her work and family commitments. Sandra believes the course ‘gave her an edge and helped add benefit to her customers.’ The course also provided a stepping stone for Sandra to undertake a follow-on Cyber Essentials course.
Nicola Quinn, Head of Business and Industry Support, South West College, added;
“The Skill-Up programme has been designed to provide new training opportunities for those engaged in the workforce in Northern Ireland and courses have been developed in collaboration with employers to meet the needs of local industry emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandra’s success on the Cyber Security programme demonstrates the impact that Skill Up can have and why it is vital to reskill and upskill our workforce and we are delighted that through her completion of the training, Sandra has been promoted to the position of Cyber Security Consultant with Outsource Solutions.”
Further information about the Skill Up programme alongside a list of courses available can be found on the South West College website at Skill Up | South West College (swc.ac.uk)
Family Fun Day at Outsource HQ
Family Fun Day at Outsource HQ
On Saturday, August 24th, the Outsource Group hosted a spectacular Family Fun Day at our headquarters, celebrating everything family-related. From tiny paws to little feet, our staff, their families, and furry friends enjoyed a day brimming with delicious food and bouncy fun.
Our team works incredibly hard throughout the year, so it was only fitting to offer them some well-deserved rest and relaxation. We invited their cherished family members to Outsource HQ for a day filled with laughter, joy, and togetherness. The event featured a variety of activities, including bouncy castles, face painting, and games for all ages. We were even fortunate enough to have the rain stay away, allowing everyone to fully enjoy the sunny day! 🌞
The Family Fun Day was a fabulous event that truly highlighted the spirit and camaraderie of the Outsource family. It was heart-warming to see our team members bond with their loved ones and colleagues in such a relaxed and joyful setting. The smiles and laughter shared throughout the day were a testament to the strong sense of community and support that defines Outsource.
We believe that events like our Family Fun day at Outsource HQ, are essential for fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. By bringing our extended Outsource family together, we strengthen the connections that make our team so special. We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to making this day a memorable one.
For those interested in joining our dynamic and supportive team, we invite you to explore our careers page to see our live vacancies and learn more about what it’s like to work at Outsource. Whether you are looking for a role in sales, marketing, IT, or any other department, we have exciting opportunities available.
Thank you once again to everyone who made the Family Fun Day a success. We look forward to more events that celebrate our incredible team and their families.
Visit our careers page to see our live vacancies and learn more about what it’s like to work at Outsource. Whether you are looking for a role in sales, marketing, IT, or any other department, we have something for everyone. Join us and be a part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.
Check out our careers page for more information: Careers, Jobs – Outsource Solutions (osgroup.co.uk)
#FamilyFunDay #OutsourceGroup #TeamOutsource #Community #WorkLifeBalance #JoinOurTeam #CareerOpportunities #EmployeeEngagement #CompanyCulture #FamilyFirst
Outsource Partners with Palo Alto
Outsource Group partners with Palo Alto in significant new deal
Outsource Group has partnered with California-based Palo Alto Networks – the world’s leading cyber security firm – in a new deal that sees the Antrim-headquartered company become the only Palo Alto Cortex Managed Security Service Provider Partner (MSSP) on the island of Ireland.
The arrangement is expected to be worth several million pounds in new business to Outsource Group. The exclusive status means Outsource Group can sell, configure and deploy Palo Alto Networks’ highly regarded suite of AI-powered cyber security products across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with Palo Alto’s full confidence and support.
The company has invested over one million pounds on its journey to become an approved Palo Alto Cortex MSSP. This has included investment in staff, training and cutting-edge technology, achieving a range of technical certifications and a rigorous Palo Alto Networks assessment process.
Terry Moore CEO Outsource Group says that this is another step on Outsource Group’s journey to become “the number one security partner of choice for businesses across the UK and Ireland”.
“As a security first focused business, it made perfect sense for us to partner with Palo Alto Networks, the global leader in cyber security, as we continue to build on our existing security focused solutions and services,” he says.
“This gives us a unique position in the marketplace, combining Outsource Group’s expertise, knowledge and experience on the ground in the UK and Ireland, with Palo Alto’s technology which is breaking new ground in the use of AI for cyber security defence,” he continues.
“The rigorous assessment undertaken by Palo Alto of Outsource Group’s expertise and capabilities and the ultimate agreement to enter into a working partnership and formal appointment of Outsource as the only Cortex MSSP on the island is a strong endorsement of our strategic security first approach,” he adds.
The new arrangement represents the latest significant investment by Outsource Group in its cyber security offering. In recent years, Outsource Group also acquired ANSEC AI, considered one of the leading cyber security consultancy businesses in the UK and Ireland. The company currently counts some of the largest, most complex and most cyber security-focused organisations in Europe as customers.
For more information please visit Palo Alto MSSP & SOC Provider – Outsource Solutions (osgroup.co.uk)
Cyber Security Is Essential in our Digitally Connected World.
According to Forbes “The year 2020 broke all records when it came to data lost in breaches and sheer numbers of cyber-attacks on companies, government, and individuals.”
Ignoring the problem of cyber crime only increases the threat risk, potential reputational damage and financial loss to your business. Use of online services, smart devices and digital transformation across every industry means that cyber security is not just an issue for enterprise business’, but for SME’s, smaller business’ and individuals alike.
If you spend anytime online you should consider how cyber-safe your devices, network and personal data are.
At Outsource we believe in leading by example. As we advise, support and implement security controls for customers the least we can do is make the effort to prove our own internal security protocols are strong enough to pass rigorous independent audits and challenges on an annual basis.
We have been independently assessed and been awarded certification to confirm that we comply with the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Plus Standard.
Theses audits includes external/internal penetration testing and comprehensive reviews of areas including;
– Boundary Firewalls & Internet Gateways
– Secure Configuration
– Patch Management
– Access Gateway (User accounts)
– Malware Protection
No business can ever be 100% secure against external threats, but accreditations such as CE and definitely CE Plus will mitigate your exposure significantly.
What is Cyber Essentials?
In order to adopt good practices in information security, the UK government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills released a government-endorsed scheme called Cyber Essentials in 2014.
The scheme was introduced to ensure the protection of data, and to help companies understand how data can be used, secured, or compromised. The scheme ensures that data is protected from common cyber threats online. Organisations can gain one of two Cyber Essentials badges, and it’s backed by the Federation of Small Businesses, the CBI, and many insurance companies who offer incentives to businesses.
The Cyber Essentials certification is required for any suppliers to the UK government who handle any sensitive and personal information, and any companies bidding for government contracts must achieve this certification.
Cyber Essentials Plus is the highest credential offered by the NCSC.
Cyber security threats are constantly evolving and what works today won’t necessarily work tomorrow, which is why it’s so important to continually review and refine strategies to keep your business safe and protected.
At Outsource we are committed to continually developing our processes and striving to deliver the highest possible standards that everyone can benefit from.
To find out more about ways you can assess and improve your business readiness to security vulnerabilities get in touch.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) website also has further info on Cyber Essentials Plus Certification as well as advice and steps you can take to protect you and your business from cyber crime.
