Services
| Managed Services | Project Services | Risk Assessment | Management Services |
Managed Services
We constantly monitor and patch your servers and workstations, so that you don't have to worry about them. This is a continuous service and has a monthly flat rate. Stabilize your IT costs by being proactive in monitoring and correcting issues before they cause downtime and loss of productivity. This service also helps you comply with the new Massachusetts Privacy Law 201 CMR.
Our Network Operations Center (NOC) monitors and provides alerts on hundreds of applications and key Windows services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We can often take remedial action before you know you have a problem. Add our fully managed US based Help Desk option to keep you staff productive and your IT costs down.
Since "one size" does not fit everyone, Automation Concepts will tailor a Managed Service Plan to meet your specific needs.
ACT-GMS - With ACT-GMS we'll manage your SonicWall firewall and store your sys-log data to help keep you compliant.
Project Services
Project Services are one-time service contracts designed for large projects. This can be designed as "block-rate" or time and materials.
» Massachusetts Privacy Law
This law regulates how you gather, store, and dispose of information regarding residents of the Commonwealth, including their social security numbers, driver's license numbers, or financial account information. Automation Concepts can guide you through the process of becoming compliant. We'll assess your company's needs, using our unique four-part process (collect, catalog, evaluate, designate), and give you feedback about how you can become compliant.
» Networking
Automation Concepts has been involved with networks since the first networks became commercially available. Designing and managing even the simplest networks requires an in-depth understanding of not only network technology, but also of how the client will use the network. Well-structured and managed networks are essential. Even with firewalls in place, poor network configurations, or policies, leave the door wide open to savvy commercial hackers. In face of such threats, tape backup systems are totally inadequate and often don't even function. Having Automation Concepts perform an initial Discovery Review with follow-up maintenance visits can get your network up to today's standards and keep it there.
» Network Security
Automation Concepts can recommend and supply a wide range of security related products. We focus on solving problems rather than selling products. We have a long successful history of implementing the products in our line-up. Some of our preferred products can be viewed below.
» Penetration Testing
Today computer security has become a major concern for businesses. Businesses want and need to be able to take advantage of the Internet for advertising, commerce, and dissemination of information, but they are concerned about being hacked. The best way for these companies to evaluate the vulnerability of their systems is to have independent computer security professionals attempt to break into these systems. After all, a pair of fresh eyes will bring a fresh, unbiased assessment, and mirroring the attack of a hacker will reveal vulnerabilities.
Hacking is a felony in the United States and most other countries. When it is done by request and under a contract between an Ethical Hacker and an organization, it is legal.
An Ethical Hacker is an individual who is hired by an organization to test security by attempting to penetrate that company's networks and/or computer systems using the same methods and tools as a Hacker, but they do not damage target systems or steal information. Instead, they evaluate the vulnerabilities in a company's system and create a comprehensive report with recommended solutions for the management and IT staff. The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (The EC-Council), certifies Ethical Hackers through training and testing. C-EH=certified ethical hacker. Automation Concepts is proud to have achieved this sought after certification.
Penetration tests can be conducted in several ways. The most common difference involves how much starting knowledge a company chooses to give the ethical hacker. Black box testing assumes no prior knowledge of the infrastructure to be tested, and the testers must first determine the location and extent of the systems before commencing their analysis. At the other end of the spectrum, White Box testing provides the testers with complete knowledge of the infrastructure to be tested, often including network diagrams, source code, and IP addressing information. Gray Box testing combines black box testing and white box testing in varying degrees. The relative merits of these approaches are debatable. Although some critics argue that Black Box testing most closely simulates the actions of a real cracker, this opinion ignores the fact that any targeted attack on a system most probably requires some knowledge of the system, and any insider would be in possession of as much information as the system owners. In most cases it is preferable to assume a worst-case scenario and provide the testers with as much information as they require, assuming that any determined attacker would already have acquired this. (Definitions courtesy of Wikipedia)
Risk Management
» Risk Assessment
Aside from addressing obvious risks, not many small businesses engage in risk analysis. What if you arrived at the office to find all your file servers stolen or your office destroyed? You get the idea. Insurance may cover the cost of a new file server, but only you can replace the data. Before you can manage your risks you need to identify them. Automation Concepts can help you in this process. Once you have identified a risk, you can take steps to reduce the risk or transfer the risk. Insurance is a good example of risk transference. Known, secure, and encrypted off-site
» Disaster Recovery
If you do not have a Disaster Recovery Plan in place you need to call us today. We have been through disasters with other companies and we can tell you what to plan for, what to document, and what to store off-site and how. A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is a blueprint for recovering access to hardware, software, data, and other facilities after some sort of disaster (natural or otherwise).
» Business Continuity Planning (BCP)
Business Continuity is the logical extension of Disaster Recovery Planning. Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is aimed at keeping a business or organization running during and after a disaster rather than recovery from one. A Business Continuity Plan for a small business may be as simple as a printed manual stored safely offsite, containing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of critical management staff, clients, and vendors. A BCP may also include offsite hardware, software, and data backups along with any encryption keys required for retrieval. Clients may also wish to securely store a list of key functions that need to be performed, the names of the people responsible for each function, and the order in which these functions need to be performed.
Management Services
» System Audit & Third Party Verification
Many companies have IT staff they trust completely while others companies have some doubts. A third party reviewing your systems and procedures can often detect vulnerabilities. These reviews are often done in partnership with your IT staff to create a team with a common goal.
» Strategic Planning
Automation Concepts is the perfect choice when it is time to focus on the future. We are there, in the field, on the line, day after day. We know how to cut to the bottom line. We can communicate in the Board Room and the Computer Room as "translators". Working as "Technology Guides", we can turn management vision in to system design and implementation.
» Technology Advocate
Companies often invest heavily in a new technology but get bogged down in the implementation and adaptation by its users. Part of this problem is caused by lack of ownership resulting from the failure to have users involved in selection process. Another reason is the technology lacks an advocate to promote it use and benefits to the general user community. From providing classes to impromptu training, software needs to be used before you can get that return on your investment.
» Budget Review
Budget planning can be a difficult process. Understanding the cycle of obsolescence of computer equipment can be even more difficult. From planning for expansion or just planning to survive, our insight can help you prepare financially for the coming year(s).
» Interim CIO/IT Manager
Sometimes the loss of key IT staff member can come as a surprise and sometimes it needs to be a surprise. Whether it is picking up the pieces from an unexpected departure or protecting your systems from a possible disgruntled employee during a transition, Automation Concepts can step in on an interim basis to help manager your IT resources.