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Our CyberRisk program is Leapfrog’s comprehensive, customizable management program that secures your people, processes, and facilities in addition to your technology. It’s based on our Ring of Security approach to full protection that covers your entire organization.

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We’re excited to offer our comprehensive CyberRisk HealthCheck or Ring of Security Assessment at a special introductory rate of $1,500 each (regularly priced at $2,500).

  • The CyberRisk HealthCheck, performed by our expert Strikeforce team assesses your organization’s risks and identifies ways to enhance security, improve network performance, increase regulatory compliance, and save money.
  • The Ring of Security Assessment provides Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) consulting, focusing on your people, processes, facilities, and technology. Our ERM framework offers tailored recommendations covering Risk Strategy, Governance and Risk Compliance, Security Operations, and Human Capital.

Bundle & Save! Bundle both the HealthCheck and Ring of Security Assessment at a low price of $2,500 for extra savings.

Plus, if you sign a contract for any eligible managed security or service solution by the end of the year, we’ll credit the full cost of your HealthCheck and/or Ring of Security Assessment back to you.

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Insights and advice from the Leapfrog team.​

Featured

The Critical Shift: Navigating the End of Windows 10

As the end of life (EOL) for Windows 10 rapidly approaches in October 2025, businesses must face critical decisions regarding their IT infrastructure.

Read More

Featured

How to Avoid a Major Security Incident, and What to Do if One Occurs.

Every day, your business faces countless security risks, with nearly 4,000 cyber threats and attacks occurring globally.

Read More

Save money and improve your security posture. Contact us now for $$ off through the end of the year.

Terms of the promotion in order to qualify for full credit:

  • The Health Check and/or Assessment must be completed by Leapfrog Services before 12/31/24
  • The new managed IT or security services contract must be signed by 12/31/24
  • New services: monthly recurring revenue must be at least $2,500
  • Service contract must be at least 12 months in length
  • We have limited capacity and will honor the offer until all slots are filled through 12/31/24.

The Critical Shift: Navigating the End of Windows 10

As the end of life (EOL) for Windows 10 rapidly approaches in October 2025, businesses must face critical decisions regarding their IT infrastructure. As the most popular operating system among businesses, with a global market share that has floated around 30% the past year, this transition will have significant financial implications. Companies will need to upgrade not only their software but potentially their hardware as well, impacting budgets worldwide.

What does this mean for me?

While Windows 10 will continue to function after the EOL date, there will be several negatives to continuing usage:

  • No longer receive security updates, increasing your vulnerability to cyber attacks
  • No longer receive bug fixes
  • No more technical support
  • Newer applications (apps) and software may not be compatible
  • Slower and overall poor system performance, decreasing productivity

Some of these negatives might appear as minor inconveniences, but continuing to use Windows 10 can cost catastrophic amounts of revenue and reputational damages if your company experiences a breach, hack, or ransomware attack. As Emmett (Trey) Hawkins, CTO of Leapfrog Services, states, “The largest attack surface for any business is its computers.”

What are the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11?

Windows 11 brings several important improvements over Windows 10, making it more secure, faster, and easier to use. It has stronger security features, like built-in protections against malware and ransomware, along with better hardware-based security. Performance is also improved with faster start-up times, better use of system resources, and longer battery life for laptops. Additionally, it supports Android apps, expanding its functionality. With future updates focused on Windows 11, it’s a more future-ready option than Windows 10.

So, what’s the dilemma?

Microsoft requires essential hardware and specific computer processors to run Windows 11. For reliable Windows 11 operation, computers need a multi-core processor, an 8th-gen Core CPU or above, 4GB of RAM, and a TPM 2.0 chip — Microsoft lists the hardware requirements.

What are my options?

With the EOL for Windows 10 approaching next year, IT leaders need to take action. Upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t just about new features; it’s about securing your organization and staying ahead of potential risks.   Organizations can pursue a range of responses below to avoid business disruption:

Option 1 – Slowly integrate New Hardware with Windows 11 into an infrastructure with Older Hardware and Windows 10

  • Running two different operating systems in a single environment is a challenge for your IT team. Successfully managing components that don’t run universally takes more time and effort. It’s also riskier for your IT environment when some computers are less secure than others.

Option 2 – Switch to a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

  • If it’s impractical to replace older computers, a good option to consider is switching to a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, or VDI, as part of your digital transformation. VDI, also referred to as Desktop as a Service, is a centralized, super-secure, and high-performing platform with the latest technology that allows users to access a company’s servers, files, apps, and services from any device. Microsoft’s Modern Desktop platform includes the benefits of cloud-based management, improved security, and streamlined user experiences.

Option 3 – Replace all outdated equipment and upgrade to Windows 11

  • In addition to being able to run all the Windows 11 security features while keeping workers productive, newer devices can run the latest, most effective security tools, especially Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). Leapfrog considers EDR a must-have tool to meet updated industry standards and cyber insurance requirements.

Incorporating these necessary upgrades into your 2025 budget

Waiting until the last minute to migrate from Windows 10 could lead to rushed decisions, missed budgets, and technical debt. Planning now can help mitigate risks and ensure a seamless transition. As a best practice, IT leaders should start working with their business partners to establish a clear plan for upgrading or replacing systems.

Finding the right balance between security and productivity is a puzzle as old as the PC. In this case, keeping older computers and/or older software can cost you both.

Unfortunately, it can be a paradigm shift to consider buying all new computers for your IT environment in a single year.

“Most organizations follow the traditional three-year or five-year lifecycle planning model, which replaces a percentage of the organization’s computers each year — it makes sense when the priority is managing cash flow. But the traditional model is no longer ideal because it may not be enough to keep companies secure,” says CTO Trey Hawkins.

The new lifecycle model moves from time-based lifecycle planning to security-based lifecycle planning. Today, the priority is to replace computers based on their ability to keep companies secure rather than their age.

As the EOL for Windows 10 draws near, the decision to upgrade to Windows 11 becomes increasingly critical. The risks associated with continuing to use an unsupported OS are substantial, from security vulnerabilities to decreased productivity. By understanding the benefits of Windows 11 and carefully considering the available options, IT leaders can make informed decisions that balance security, productivity, and financial considerations. Planning and proactive upgrades will ensure a smooth transition and safeguard your organization against future threats.

Do you need help making this upgrade? With 25 years of MSP, MSSP, and cyber risk management experience, Leapfrog is an industry leader in providing IT that works seamlessly and cybersecurity services that manage any risk. Contact us today to get started.

Download a PDF of this article.

 

How to Avoid a Major Security Incident, and What to Do if One Occurs.

Every day, your business faces countless security risks, with nearly 4,000 cyber threats and attacks occurring globally. A ransomware attack strikes a company every 14 seconds, leading to potentially devastating financial consequences. From phishing emails to brute force attacks, any suspicious activity can be considered a security event. Once sensitive data is compromised, the situation escalates to a full-blown security incident. Small businesses are even more vulnerable, since they typically lack resources to implement strong cybersecurity measures. Being aware of these threats and having a robust incident response plan is crucial to safeguarding your business.

How do I minimize the amount of security events?

There are several ways to implement security measures for your business:

Assess Your Current Cybersecurity Posture

  • Evaluate Existing Security Measures: Review your current cybersecurity practices, including firewalls, antivirus software, and data encryption.
  • Identify Vulnerabilities: Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential weaknesses in your IT infrastructure and processes.
  • Understand Compliance Requirements: Determine any industry-specific regulations or compliance requirements that apply to your business.

Implement Preventative Measures

  • Firewalls and Network Security: Install and maintain firewalls to protect your network from unauthorized access. Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor for suspicious activity.
  • Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data – both at rest and in transit – to protect it from unauthorized access.
  • Access Controls: Implement strong authentication mechanisms, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), and enforce least privilege access policies.
  • Employee Training: Provide regular cybersecurity training to employees to help them recognize and avoid phishing attacks and other social engineering threats.

Establish Detective Measures

  • Monitoring and Logging: Use security information and event management (SIEM) systems to monitor network traffic and log activities for potential threats.
  • Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and address potential security gaps.
  • Incident Response Plan: Develop and document an incident response plan to quickly address and manage security incidents when they occur.

Define Corrective Measures

  • Incident Response Procedures: Establish clear procedures for responding to security breaches, including containment, eradication, and recovery processes.
  • Data Backup and Recovery: Implement regular data backups and ensure that you have a robust disaster recovery plan in place to restore systems and data after an incident.
  • Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update your cybersecurity policies and procedures based on lessons learned from security incidents and evolving threats.

Engage with Cybersecurity Experts

  • Consult with Experts: Engage with cybersecurity consultants or managed security service providers (MSSPs) like Leapfrog to gain additional expertise in implementing and maintaining your strategy.
  • Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and best practices to ensure your strategy remains effective.

Communicate and Document

  • Document Your Strategy: Clearly document your cybersecurity policies, procedures, and incident response plans.
  • Communicate with Stakeholders: Ensure that all stakeholders, including employees and partners, are aware of and understand your cybersecurity practices and policies.

How do I know if my company’s data has been compromised?

Other than the obvious signs of a complete system crash or alerts from your protection methods, many data breaches may be subtle. Watch for unusual traffic volumes or suspicious activity across your infrastructure. Mixed-up data or the addition of unrecognized software can also be an indicator an event has occurred.

A dark web monitoring service will continually monitor the dark net market and other data stores for your information and alert when it is found.  Alerts would be sent to you on what has been discovered and recommendations on actions to be taken to protect yourself before the information is leaked, sold, or used to compromise your organization.

What should be done if a security incident has occurred?

Quick responses to incidents are key in minimizing fiscal damages and protecting a company’s reputation. Once a threat has been noticed, avoid panic and communicate effectively with your team.  Having a plan ready to implement before a compromise is critical to being able to act with speed and have an effective outcome. Containing the incident, securing the network, and preserving log data should be the top priority.

Remember – cybersecurity is a continuously evolving method of protection. Your strategy must consistently be updated to address new types of threats, your technology should always be up-to-date, and your entire IT infrastructure needs to be monitored for vulnerabilities.

Having a plan in place BEFORE an event could potentially save your business.  Knowing who to contact and what to have prepared for law enforcement, insurance, and technology providers will help each of these organizations move quickly, saving valuable time and money.

Consider partnering with a third-party provider that offers IT and Cybersecurity services, such as Leapfrog, to ensure your IT operates seamlessly and securely. Read more about the benefits of  Outsourced IT Services for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (leapfrogservices.com) .

Leapfrog offers peace of mind by protecting, monitoring, and defending your IT infrastructure. Their team of trained professionals consistently performs surveillance on your IT environment.  If a security incident occurs, multiple teams respond to work alongside your CSO and internal team. To learn more, leap over for a conversation.

Contact us today at: 866.260.9478 to talk with our experts.

Download a PDF of this article.