--- title: Insights (2) description: Insights and Information for IT Professionals from the Ballast Services Advisory Team (2) --- [![](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/ballast-website-theme/images/logos/logo_header.svg)](http://ballastservices.com) Services [About Us](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/about-ballast) [Insights](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights) - [Cybersecurity Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/cybersecurity) - [Advisory Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/advisory-services) - [Professional Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/professional-services) - [Secure Managed Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/secure-managed-services) Risk Assessments + Penetration Testing + SOC Services + Threat Detection & Response + EDR + MDR + Vulnerability Management + Privileged Account Protection + Security Awareness Training Trusted Executive Advisors + Executive Partnership CIO/CISO + Merger + Acquisition  Flexible + Cost-Effective Project Services + Essential IT Design & Engineering + Cutting-Edge Automated Tools  + Stabilize, Optimize & Secure IT. Monitor + Secure IT + Improve IT + Expert Support [Get In Touch](http://ballastservices.com/contact-us) Menu + - Services - [Cybersecurity Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/cybersecurity) - [Advisory Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/advisory-services) - [Professional Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/professional-services) - [Secure Managed Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/secure-managed-services) - [About Us](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/about-ballast) - [Insights](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights) [Get In Touch](http://ballastservices.com/contact-us) # Ballast Insights ## Read Ballast’s best-practice case studies, real-time alerts and after-action reviews to keep you up to date with IT and security trends. - [All](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/all) - [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) - [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) - [Press Release](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/press-release) - [Professional Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/professional-services) - [Advisory Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/advisory-services) - [Critical Cyber Alert](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/critical-cyber-alert) - [All](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/all) - [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) - [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) - [Press Release](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/press-release) - [Professional Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/professional-services) - [Advisory Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/advisory-services) - [Critical Cyber Alert](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/critical-cyber-alert) Filter Categories ![MSSP Alert’s 2022 Top 250 MSSP- Ballast Services Profile](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2118407213.jpg) [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) ### [MSSP Alert’s 2022 Top 250 MSSP- Ballast Services Profile](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/mssp-alerts-2022-top-250-mssp-ballast-services-profile) April 27, 2023 Ballast Services is proud to be featured as a spotlight profile with MSSP Alert's Top 250 MSSPs for 2022. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/mssp-alerts-2022-top-250-mssp-ballast-services-profile) ![Why Privileged Account Management Is Key to Your Business Security](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Security%20concept%20Lock%20on%20digital%20screen%2c%20illustration.jpeg) [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) ### [Why Privileged Account Management Is Key to Your Business Security](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/why-privileged-account-management-is-key-to-your-businesses-security) April 18, 2023 Privileged account management (PAM) is a security strategy that controls and monitors access to sensitive information and systems within an organization. The goal of PAM is to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to sensitive data and systems and that their access is limited to the minimum necessary for their job function. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/why-privileged-account-management-is-key-to-your-businesses-security) ![Why Cost Optimization Matters in IT](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Graphical%20chart%20analysis.jpeg) [Advisory Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/advisory-services) ### [Why Cost Optimization Matters in IT](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/why-cost-optimization-matters-in-it) April 13, 2023 Cost optimization is the process of identifying and implementing strategies to reduce costs while maintaining or improving the quality of services. It's a continuous process that helps IT executives ensure that their organization's technology investments are aligned with the organization's goals and objectives. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/why-cost-optimization-matters-in-it) ![Banking Industry Shake Ups Introduce New Cyberattack Campaigns](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Cyber%20Security%20Concept.%20The%20Word%20of%20Red%20Color%20Located%20over%20Text%20of%20White%20Color.-1.jpeg) [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) ,  [Critical Cyber Alert](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/critical-cyber-alert) ### [Banking Industry Shake Ups Introduce New Cyberattack Campaigns](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/banking-industry-shake-ups-introduce-new-cyberattack-campaigns) March 27, 2023 Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to exploit people's fears and emotions to trick them into divulging sensitive information or downloading malicious software. One common tactic is to use newsworthy events to conduct social engineering and phishing campaigns which are designed to manipulate people into doing something they should not, such as clicking on a link or providing login credentials via timely fraudulent communications that appear to be related to a news event.  [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/banking-industry-shake-ups-introduce-new-cyberattack-campaigns) ![Server Patch Management Best Practices](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Technician%20walking%20in%20hallway%20of%20server%20room.jpeg) [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) ### [Server Patch Management Best Practices](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/server-patch-management-best-practices) March 14, 2023 Businesses are increasingly dependent on technology to enable their operations, and the security of their digital assets has become a constant pressing concern. In addition to implementing proactive measures to secure their infrastructure, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, companies should prioritize server patch management as a key component of their vulnerability management practice. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/server-patch-management-best-practices) ![Ballast Services, Inc Recognized on CRN’s 2023 MSP 500 List](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/f97a11fc-45cc-4d10-a15d-1fe6b4bf3853-jpg.jpeg) [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) ,  [Press Release](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/press-release) ### [Ballast Services, Inc Recognized on CRN’s 2023 MSP 500 List](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/ballast-services-inc-recognized-on-crns-2023-msp-500-list) February 23, 2023 Ballast Services, announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Ballast to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Security 100 category for 2023. CRN’s annual MSP 500 list identifies the industry-leading service providers in North America who are driving a new wave of growth and innovation for the channel through forward-thinking approaches to managed services, helping end users increase efficiency and simplify IT solutions while maximizing their return on investment. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/ballast-services-inc-recognized-on-crns-2023-msp-500-list) ![Phishing attacks are bombarding SMBs- 2022 Report](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Closeup%20of%20young%20male%20theift%20in%20sweatshirt%20with%20hood%20transfering%20money%20from%20bills%20of%20stolen%20creding%20cards.jpeg) [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) ,  [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) ### [Phishing attacks are bombarding SMBs- 2022 Report](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/phishing-attacks-are-bombarding-smbs-2022-report) February 17, 2023 Watch Out! Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are constant targets of cybercriminals due to the assumption that they have weak security protocols in place. One of the most common forms of cyber-attacks against SMEs is phishing, which is an attempt typically using email, or collaboration platforms such as Teams and Slack. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/phishing-attacks-are-bombarding-smbs-2022-report) ![Cyber Criminals Are Targeting Your Industrial Controls: How to Protect Your Organization](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Cyber%20Security%20Concept.%20The%20Word%20of%20Red%20Color%20Located%20over%20Text%20of%20White%20Color..jpeg) [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) ,  [Professional Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/professional-services) ### [Cyber Criminals Are Targeting Your Industrial Controls: How to Protect Your Organization](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/cyber-criminals-are-targeting-your-industrial-controls-how-to-protect-your-organization) February 08, 2023 Industrial control systems (ICS) are the backbone of modern manufacturing and critical infrastructure such as energy production and these systems are attractive targets for cybercriminals. Critical infrastructure and manufacturing capability are often targeted by cyber groups with nation-state support to create strategic geo-political outcomes. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/cyber-criminals-are-targeting-your-industrial-controls-how-to-protect-your-organization) ![The Shortage of Cybersecurity Workers in 2023 Creates Trouble for Mid-Size and Enterprise Businesses](https://blog.ballastservices.com/hubfs/Close%20up%20of%20businessman%20drawing%20way%20out%20of%20labyrinth.jpeg) [Secure Managed Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/secure-managed-services) ,  [Professional Services](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/professional-services) ,  [News](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/tag/news) ### [The Shortage of Cybersecurity Workers in 2023 Creates Trouble for Mid-Size and Enterprise Businesses](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/the-shortage-of-cybersecurity-workers-in-2023-creates-trouble-for-mid-size-and-enterprise-businesses) February 02, 2023 Cybersecurity is a mission-critical aspect of business operations, and the shortage of skilled workers in this field is a growing concern in 2023. Even with an increase in layoffs in many areas of the IT industry, there are an estimated 530,000 open cybersecurity positions in the United States as of January 2023. [Read Insight](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/the-shortage-of-cybersecurity-workers-in-2023-creates-trouble-for-mid-size-and-enterprise-businesses) [❮](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/1) [1](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/1) [2](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/2) [3](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/3) [4](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/4) [5](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/5) [❯](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights/page/3) ## Let's Get Started ### We help keep your company, end users and data protected. Connect with us to learn more about how we can help you modernize, optimize, stabilize and secure your technology investments. Back to Top [Get In Touch](http://ballastservices.com/contact-us) - [Cybersecurity Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/cybersecurity) - [Advisory Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/advisory-services) - [Professional Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/professional-services) - [Secure Managed Services](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/services/secure-managed-services) - [About Us](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/about-ballast) - [Insights](https://blog.ballastservices.com/it-insights) (888) 450-4322 | 3689 Tampa Rd Suite 340, Oldsmar, FL 34677 Copyright © 2023 Ballast Services Inc. All Rights Reserved.  [Privacy Policy.](https://23611281.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy)