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Leading IT specialist Cornerstone Business Solutions has warned that hundreds of North-East organisations could be leaving themselves wide open to cyber-attacks similar to the one that paralysed NHS systems over the weekend.

A number of hospital trusts are still suffering ongoing disruption following Friday’s ransomware virus that is believed to have affected 200,000 machines in 150 countries.

But Cornerstone managing director Chris Petty says that Teesside organisations would be making “a big mistake” to believe the danger had now passed.

And the Stockton firm, whose customers include Middlesbrough FC, training organisation TTE and Teesside-based Butterwick Hospice, has issued some simple steps for businesses of all sizes to follow to protect themselves against the effects of a cyber-attack.

Petty said: “We don’t want to spread any unnecessary alarm, but it’s very possible that hundreds, maybe even thousands of North-East firms are leaving themselves wide open to cyber-attack, especially smaller businesses.

“Although it has only hit the headlines following the attack on the NHS at the end of last week, this particular ransomware has been around for a while – and it’s fair to assume it’s not about to disappear.

“Cyber-attacks are a real and present danger. We know of several local organisations that have been the subject of this particular ransomware in the past.

“It’s crazy for an organisation with the size and importance of the NHS to have had systems running on Windows XP. Microsoft ceased to support XP a couple of years ago, which means there have been no security updates.

“Like any organisation running an out-of-date sytem, the NHS was leaving itself wide open to a cyber-attack. They have been relying on a system that I wouldn’t recommend to my grandma.

“Anyone who is still on XP should be looking to urgently update. It’s crazy to have kit of that age. IT equipment typically has a three-year lifespan, though most organisations probably wait five years to update their kit.

“Of course, everyone thinks it won’t happen to me, but I’ve seen a grown man cry after losing all of his data from his PC. He basically ran his entire business from his computer so he lost everything because he had failed to carry out regular backups.

“Ultimately, though, there is no need to panic. The most sensible thing for everyone to consider is to avoid opening emails if they are in any way suspicious of their contents or the sender. Simply delete it completely.”

Cornerstone has issued the following advice for organisations to follow to help protect their IT security:

Backups

Backing up your data on a daily basis is the most important action. This will mean that even the worst case scenario means losing only a day’s data. Business that do carry out daily backups should also check that the backup is working as it should, paying particular attention to any notifications they receive. An offsite backup solution is safest.

AntiVirus

All businesses and individuals should ensure that their antivirus is up-to-date and enabled. Antivirus should be installed on every server, PC, laptop and tablet within a network. If you have machines that have not been used for a while, check to make sure they have the required protection before connecting them to your networks. Don’t rely on free antivirus protection. This may provide some protection but it is not enough. It’s the equivalent of having a house alarm that only protects your back door.

Malware Protection

Malware is software specifically designed to disrupt, damage or gain access to a computer system.

Some Antivirus products claim to offer Malware protection as well as Antivirus Protection. There is no product on the market that can rightly claim this, so a product specifically designed to protect against Malware is recommended, in addition to a recognised and up-to-date Antivirus product.

Security Policy

All staff should reset their passwords immediately and ensure that the new password includes: i) At least eight characters, ii) At least one uppercase, iii) One number and one special character.

Windows Updates

Ensure your machines are fully up-to-date with Windows Updates. If you haven’t checked or updated your machine for a while then do it now. Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server are no longer supported by Microsoft and are therefore vulnerable. Disconnect Windows XP PCs or laptops from your network.

Common Sense

Don’t open any emails that you are suspicious of. If you don’t recognise the sender then delete these emails immediately by pressing and holding the “shift” key and pressing delete. This will permanently delete the email instead of sending it to your deleted items. NEVER click on any hyperlinks in emails unless you are 100% sure of their source.

The shortlist has been announced for the heats of the North East Awards, with some of the region’s largest firms set to do battle with the rising stars of our business community.

The awards celebrate some of the best companies in the North East, with heats taking place in three parts of the region – Tyneside and Northumberland; Durham , Sunderland and South Tyneside; and Teesside – and the winners then going to the regional final in April.
Read the full article…

Award-winning IT specialist Cornerstone Business Solutions has made a superfast start to rolling out ultrafast broadband across the North-East, with more than 60 businesses on Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park signing up at the first opportunity.

Recently voted Best IT Services Company in the Northeast in the UK Corporate Excellence Awards, Stockton-based Cornerstone aims to provide the service to SME businesses across the region as the only Business Partners of Virgin Media Business across the entire region.

Running on next generation optical fibre cables, Virgin Media Business’s ultrafast business broadband – with speeds of up to 300Mbps – is more than three times faster than the next fastest available on the open market.

After much success in Hartlepool, Cornerstone made the bustling industrial estate of Riverside Park their first target area in Middlesbrough after identifying areas with poor broadband speeds.

Acting like an instant upgrade for devices and apps, superfast broadband will allow businesses to move easily between cloud apps and video streams while copying massive files and loading new web content.

“We’ve been welcomed with open arms,” said managing director Chris Petty. “It’s a no brainer for most businesses because we’re talking about by far the fastest broadband speeds ever so it’s a fantastic product.

“There are literally dozens of business parks around the North-East with poor broadband speeds. People are trying to run 21st Century businesses but are being held back due to poor broadband.

“Everybody wants things faster, whether it’s emails, web pages or online backups. We all know how frustrating it can be with slow bandwidth.

“Some of the Riverside Park organisations who’ve signed up for our 300Mbps service were previously struggling along on incredibly slow broadband speeds so this is going to revolutionise their business.

“Others we’ve spoken to were paying up to £6,000 a year for a leased line, while we’re offering a similar service for £40 a month.

“It’s understandably proving massively popular, so we’re expecting many more to sign up, both on Riverside Park and across the North-East.

“We’re targeting Teesside Industrial Estate and the Team Valley next.

Cornerstone, who have also been shortlisted for the Apprentices category in the North East Business Awards, have partnerships with global technology brands such as Sage, IBM, Microsoft, VMware, Dell and Cisco, together with Virgin Media Business.

• Pictured (above): Chris Bibby of Cornerstone Business Solutions (left) with Martin Gilbey of Midas, one of more than 60 Riverside Park businesses to sign up for Virgin Media Business ultrafast broadband.

http://teesbusiness.co.uk/2017/03/01/award-winners-corner-the-market-for-ultrafast-broadband/

Cornerstone Business Solutions managing director Chris Petty explains how your business could be held to ransom…

We’re under attack – and it could cost us big time if we don’t ensure we’ve got the right defences in place.

Cyber-attack is increasing like never before and it’s all a result of a virus more commonly known as ransomware.

Ransomware stops you from using your PC. As the name suggests, it holds your PC or files for “ransom”.

2016 has been the year ransomware held the UK, the rest of Europe and the US hostage.

With the FBI estimating that losses to be incurred in 2016 will top $1 billion, how can you be sure you’re ready to face the ransomware threat?

Once your files are encrypted, there are only two choices: restore from backup or pay-up – with no guarantee of getting any data back. The obvious preventions are the norm: antivirus, anti-malware, security access rights, patch management and daily backups

You need a back-up that’s disconnected from the network, otherwise the virus can get to your back-ups too.

The best option is offsite back-up – but that can be costly for large amounts of data, so use USB devices or tapes.

Even if you do have a back-up routine, you need to regularly check that you can do a restore and that you are backing up the correct data.

It’s natural to think it won’t happen to us, but crossing our fingers and hoping for the best could mean failing to taking action was the most expensive thing you never did.

Prevention is the best form of protection.

If you’d like any guidance or would like Cornerstone to check your data security levels please contact us for a chat on 0845 2232400.

Chris Petty
Managing director
Cornerstone Business Solutions

http://teesbusiness.co.uk/2016/12/14/are-you-using-protection/

TEESSIDE IT specialist Cornerstone Business Solutions has strengthened its bond with flagship client Middlesbrough Football Club by carrying out a major contract to upgrade the Riverside Stadium’s cabling and increase internet speeds for the Premier League club

Stockton-based Cornerstone, who are on target for a best-ever £2 million turnover, fitted the Riverside with a full fibre backbone whilst fully re-cabling the stadium including the installation of new high-quality CAT6 cabling to the refurbished media facilities, corporate suites, office locations and kitchens.

Cornerstone staff also spent the summer upgrading Boro’s leased line connectivity to dramatically increase the stadium’s broadband speeds, whilst carrying out new IT installations for new recruits as the club celebrated a long-awaited return to English football’s top division.

In their role as Middlesbrough FC’s Official Technology Partner, Cornerstone has catered for the club’s IT requirements at both the Riverside and the Rockliffe Park training ground in Hurworth, near Darlington, for the last nine years.

As the club’s unofficial IT department, their services to the football club cover not only IT but the stadium’s Sage accountancy system, document management systems and ticketing systems.

Up to three members of the firm’s IT engineering team are also based themselves at the club every match day at the Riverside.

The two-way partnership means Cornerstone also sponsor the club’s popular Family Zone within the Riverside’s East Stand, featuring arcade machines and giving young fans the chance to take on members of the Boro first team squad at FIFA 17 on a large screen within the concourse.

Cornerstone, who have recently recruited three new staff to take their team to 25, also hire a match day executive box at the Riverside whilst sponsoring the official MFC app and the club’s wine coolers.

Cornerstone managing director Chris Petty said: “It was a significant project to carry out against the clock but a magnificent one that we were all delighted to be part of, too. As a proud Teesside company, who better than Middlesbrough FC to have as our flagship customer?

“Cornerstone has become a name synonymous with business IT on Teesside and a major factor in that has been our close working relationship with the football club.

“As a quirky example, our pitchside advertising even features on FIFA 17 video game that will be seen by millions of people around the world.

“Everyone at Cornerstone is a massive Boro fan, so it’s a real coup for us to have the club on board while they know we’re always happy to go the extra mile to give them exactly what they need.

Fellow director John Storey, who spent a large part of his summer at the Riverside overseeing the detailed installations and cabling, added: “We worked our socks off over during football’s close season to bring the football club’s cabling, internet speeds and IT infrastructure up to the demanding Premier League standards.

“We have a long-standing contract to act as the club’s IT department and we’re working with club staff on a project that will see us plan for future technologies.

“We’re proud to be carrying out such an essential role for our local football club at such a momentous time in their history. Our IT role supports not only all operations at the Riverside Stadium but also Aitor Karanka’s coaching staff and the Academy infrastructure at Rockliffe Park.

Based on Preston Farm in Stockton, Cornerstone’s other key clients include training company TTE, Camerons Brewery, law firm Endeavour Partnership, Butterwick Hospice and international technology group MAP.

https://www.neechamber.co.uk/our-members/news/cornerstone-kick-off-mfc-cabling-and-it-contract

Teesside IT company Cornerstone Business Solutions has strengthened its relationship with flagship client Middlesbrough FC by undertaking a major contract at the Riverside Stadium.

Cornerstone, which is on track to report £2m turnover, fitted the Premier League ground with a full fibre backbone while fully re-cabling the stadium, including installations in the refurbished media facilities, corporate suites, office locations and kitchens.
Read the full article…

Cornerstone Business Solutions managing director Chris Petty talks about the latest Cloud-based solutions for Tees businesses…

If it’s in the Cloud it must be better, right? Well, maybe. And maybe not. Is it really better or is it just better marketing?

Think of any technology today and you’ll most probably find a “Cloud” version that’s perfect for your needs – or at least that’s what the Cloud companies want you to think.

Everyone today is talking about Cloud-based solutions and Cloud computing. It seems to be what everyone wants, and any company providing any sort of software or service wants to have a Cloud version.

You’ve probably all heard of either Dropbox, Onedrive, Google Drive, Box & Amazon Cloud Drive – and there are plenty more.

You can view your files from any phone, tablet or computer that’s connected to the Internet, and the Cloud can also provide backup for files so they’ll never disappear if your phone gets lost or your computer crashes.There’s also obviously the Apple icloud but that doesn’t work with Android and is meant to work only within the Apple ecosystem.

All of these offer a free basic starting point and small data storage as standard. As our data grows and we require more space we then have to pay a monthly fee to continue. These are great but is that the right solution for you?

All of these have fantastic marketing and, at first glimpse, look like the perfect solution. In some cases they actually are.

But before jumping straight into a Cloud solution, I’d advise you to consider what your business requirements are – for instance, what files you need to share and whether you want more than one person to be able to change a document at the same time. Calenders, CRM, accounts, payroll and office locations (especially internet speeds) are all factors to take into consideration.

I’ve experienced businesses rushing into the wrong Cloud solution. When they do, it’s not so much a costly mistake but more of a frustrating and timely error which we can all do without.

The Cloud is great, and it offers us great flexibility within our businesses.

We have a wider choice and that can make it complicated, which is why it’s always best to consult your local business IT experts to ensure you get the best advice for your systems now and in the future.

Chris Petty
Managing director
www.cornerstonebs.co.uk

http://teesbusiness.co.uk/2016/09/14/do-you-have-your-head-in-the-cloud/

When the Linked-In profile for the boss of one of Teesside’s leading IT firms says his interest are ‘Football, Going to the Gym, Drinking/Socialising’ you know it will be an interesting chat. Mike Hughes went to Stockton to meet Chris Petty, MD of Cornerstone Business Solutions and the man behind the Skylive Airshow.
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Teesside IT experts Cornerstone is expanding as the business closes in on a record-breaking £2 million turnover for the first time.

Based on Preston Farm in Stockton, Cornerstone Business Solutions has already increased their team to 22 with the recruitment of four new staff – with more to come – plus a new apprentice as they build on their best ever year that saw them win three or four new customers every month to add to existing clients Middlesbrough Football Club, Camerons Brewery and Butterwick Hospice.

Managing director Chris Petty, below, said: “Teesside was our focus last year and we’ve achieved what we want with massive local growth, though we have customers right across the North-east, down to Leeds and as far north as Aberdeen.”

“We have been looking at the potential to expand into Leeds but right now our focus remains closer to home. Why rush around the country looking for new customers when there are enough here on our doorstep?

Cornerstone have recently hired three new members of staff and an apprentice is the latest new addition to a team that includes four staff members who first joined the firm on apprenticeships.

Petty added: “It’s fantastic to be creating more local jobs, while we’re big believers in apprenticeships. In a multi-skilled business such as ours, apprenticeships are the best way to learn on the job all the stuff you can’t learn in the classroom.

“Obviously you’ve got to invest time in apprentices – and we’ll certainly do that – but if you find a gem then you’ve potentially got a long-term member of staff who can contribute to the company for many years to come. Three of our existing staff started with us as apprentices.”

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/business/business-news/teesside-firm-expanding-after-best-11619382

Business leaders swapped their laptops for sleeping bags as they slept rough for the night to raise £40,000 towards a new not-for-profit Teesside restaurant that will give job opportunities to the long-term unemployed.

The Victorian Street at Preston Park Museum played host to 59 businessmen and women as part of CEO Sleepout, a national fundraising phenomenon that began on Teesside.
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