In March of 2021, a highly sophisticated cyber attack on Microsoft’s business email software created a world-wide security crisis. More than 60,000 victims of the hack have been reported globally, including many small to mid-sized businesses who were susceptible to the security breach. Microsoft explains that the hack exposed and capitalized on vulnerabilities in their Exchange Server mail and calendar software.
Because the hackers specifically targeted long-standing weaknesses in the Exchange Server, businesses who hadn’t updated their technology and shifted to the cloud-based Office 365 version found themselves exposed to the security breach. While Microsoft updates have been released, eliminating the susceptibility to the Exchange Servers is nearly impossible.
What does this mean for your business? It means the next Exchange Server hack is always on the horizon. The good news: you can take steps right now to ensure that the next time Microsoft is breached, it doesn’t impact your data, employees, and clients.
Take three quick steps this week to avoid the next Exchange Server breach:
- Determine if your business is using Microsoft applications through the Exchange Server or Office 365: The Microsoft Exchange Server is often referred to as a ‘client’ application, because the server is held on-site at your business, and Office 365 is web-based, so there is no physical server that you need to maintain. If you’re not sure which version you’re using, it’s easy to tell. If you can’t access your inbox and calendar from any internet browser, you’re probably using the Exchange Server.
- Decide to move your company to the cloud: A small investment to migrate your company’s operations to the cloud, including the shift to Office 365, significantly increases the security of email, calendars, and overall data. It also has the potential for serious cost savings long-term, because you will no longer have to maintain a server (or hire staff to maintain it).
- Contact CloudFast– our experts will handle the transition for you: If it sounds overwhelming, don’t worry- it can be easy and fast. All you have to do is decide to move forward.
You can start to increase your security right now! Learning more takes seconds. Email info@cloudfast.com with the subject line “Help my business avoid future Microsoft hacks”. Moving your business to cloud-based operations protects you from future Exchange Server hacks, and gives your employees the opportunity to safely access Microsoft products from any computer in any browser.
