Managed IT Services Blog

Insights from GDS About Managed IT, Connectivity, Cyber Security & More

How to Strengthen Security with Microsoft 365: Best Practices for SMBs

As cyber threats become more advanced, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly becoming targets. Microsoft 365 offers robust tools to protect your organization if they're implemented correctly.

Why Microsoft 365 Is the Smart Choice for Modern Businesses

Perhaps you know about Microsoft Office, the software you would install on five computers under the same user to save some money, so you can type and do spreadsheets. But Microsoft 365 is more than just Word, Excel, and Outlook. It’s a comprehensive productivity platform designed to help modern businesses collaborate more efficiently, reduce IT overhead, and scale securely.

The Overlooked Threat: Why Operational Technology Demands Your Attention

As more businesses embrace digital transformation, there’s one critical area often left behind: Operational Technology (OT). From factories to utilities to energy producers, OT systems run our physical infrastructure — but they’re increasingly at risk.

Understanding the USCG's New Cybersecurity Rule: What Maritime Operators Need to Know

In January 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard officially released its long-anticipated final rule on cybersecurity within the Marine Transportation System (MTS). This regulation marks a pivotal shift in how maritime operators must approach their cybersecurity posture—not just in terms of compliance, but in their day-to-day operational integrity.

Storm-Proofing Business Continuity with NOMAD™ Remote Access

In today’s climate, business continuity planning isn’t optional, it’s essential. Each year, hurricanes and natural disasters disrupt operations across the Gulf Coast, costing businesses days or even weeks of productivity. At GDS, we’ve developed a multi-layered hurricane readiness strategy centered around our proprietary remote access solution: NOMAD™.

SOC 2 Type II Certification—The Gold Standard in Trust

Security certifications aren’t just logos on a website, they’re proof of performance. At Global Data Systems, we proudly maintain our System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2) Type II certification to give our clients confidence in how we manage, process, and protect their data.

Why Every Business Needs a Network Security Assessment in 2025

The threat landscape is growing more complex by the day. From ransomware attacks to insider threats and zero-day exploits, businesses of all sizes are being targeted.

Cybersecurity is No Longer Optional for SMBs

Why Cybersecurity is No Longer Optional for SMBs

With threats becoming more advanced and widespread, cybersecurity isn’t just an enterprise concern anymore. Small and midsize businesses are now prime targets—and often the least prepared.

A Hurricane Preparedness Plan for Business Leaders

Storm-Proofing Your IT: A Hurricane Preparedness Plan for Business Leaders

When hurricanes hit, the biggest damage isn't always physical - your operations, data, and technology are on the line too.

How Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services Stop Threats

How Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services Stop Threats

MDR gives businesses a powerful defense against modern cyberattacks by combining expert monitoring, rapid response, and automation.

How Deepfake Technology Ups the Ante for Modern Cybersecurity Strategies​

A finance worker at a multinational company thought he was on a video call with the organization’s CFO and other colleagues he recognized. As instructed, he wired $25 million to facilitate a secret transaction.

Compliant with Applicable Cyber Security Laws and Regulations?

Are You Compliant with Applicable Cyber Security Laws and Regulations?

Organizations of all sizes and in every sector must comply with a growing number of cyber security laws and regulations. Although the U.S. doesn’t have an overarching security and privacy law like the E.U.’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the federal government has an alphabet soup of mandates covering various types of data. State government agencies and even many private sector organizations must comply with these rules.

Benefits of Private Cloud

The Best Way to Reap the Benefits of Private Cloud

Public cloud usage continues to grow, but savvy organizations are taking a more strategic approach. Instead of automatically moving workloads to the cloud, they’re identifying the best platform for each application and service based on cost, performance, security, and other factors. In many cases, they’re finding that a private cloud is the better approach.

it backup solutions​

How Managed IT Services Can Help Reduce the Risk of Insider Threats

In November 2023, Daniel Rhyne went rogue. As a core infrastructure engineer for a New Jersey-based industrial company, Rhyne remotely accessed the company’s computer systems using an administrator account. On Nov. 25, 2023, he sent an extortion email to certain company employees, warning that IT administrators no longer had access to company systems and backups had been deleted.

it backup solutions​

How Fully Managed Backup Reduces the Risk of Devastating Downtime

On June 18, 2024, CDK Global was hit with a ransomware attack that took down many of its core systems. While it was attempting to recover from that incident, the company was hit with a second cyberattack. CDK Global provides management systems for car dealerships, and more than 15,000 new car dealers suffered downtime due to the incident. It took more than two weeks for all systems to be restored. A consulting firm estimates that the attack collectively cost the dealerships more than $1 billion.

Hardware-as-a-Service Is the Ideal Model for Many Organizations

Why Hardware-as-a-Service Is the Ideal Model for Many Organizations

Traditionally, the IT industry has focused heavily on hardware. Organizations purchased, implemented, configured and maintained an array of hardware assets, periodically upgrading them to take advantage of the latest technology. Despite the advent of the cloud and the growing emphasis on applications, many organizations still have a large fleet of IT hardware assets.

Contact Center Solutions

Contact Center Solutions: Why You Should Invest in Ways to Improve Customer Experience

Small to midsize enterprises (SMEs) recognize the vital importance of a high-quality customer experience (CX). That’s why SMEs are making strategic investments in contact center solutions that enhance customer interactions and improve customer experience overall.

Strategies for Cyber Defense Against Escalating Threats to OT Systems

Strategies for Cyber Defense Against Escalating Threats to OT Systems

The National Security Agency recently issued an urgent warning about threats to operational technology (OT) systems and critical infrastructure. Multiple federal agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), coauthored a report highlighting the threat of pro-Russian hacktivist groups. The report provides recommendations for hardening OT systems against threat actors.

Cloud ACD , automatic call distribution automatic call distribution system

How Can a Cloud ACD Help Your Contact Center?

Customers don’t want to wait on hold to speak with an agent, only to be transferred to a different agent. They don’t want to repeat their issue multiple times to different agents. They expect the agent who first picks up the call to resolve their problem quickly and accurately.

 Outsourcing network perimeter security to a managed security service provider

Should You Outsource Network Perimeter Security?

There is only one surefire way to protect your networked computer systems from unauthorized access, malware attacks and other security breaches.

How to Overcome the Challenges of Remote IT Support

How to Overcome the Challenges of Remote IT Support

Most American workers prefer remote and hybrid work over traditional in-person work models. In a recent Morning Consult survey, 2% of employed adults in the U.S. chose hybrid work, and 23% preferred to be fully remote. Just 46% wanted to work in the office exclusively.

A Look at the 7 Layers of Layered Network Security

A Look at the 7 Layers of Layered Network Security

Cyberattacks are relentless and complex, with many attempting to exploit multiple vulnerabilities to infiltrate their target. No security tool, on its own, can stop all threats. That’s why it’s critical to implement a layered network security strategy.

6 Ways UCaaS Can Benefit Government Agencies

6 Ways UCaaS Can Benefit Government Agencies

Thanks in large part to 24x7 connectivity, consumers have come to expect fast response from the companies they do business with. Now, citizens have come to expect the same level of service and communication from government agencies. They expect to have simple access to accurate, up-to-date information and seamless communication with the right government personnel. They also expect services to be delivered and problems to be solved quickly, effectively and transparently.

Managed Security Services: Cost-Effective Access to the Security Skills You Need

Managed Security Services: Cost-Effective Access to the Security Skills You Need

Most organizations are keenly aware of the current cyber threat climate. They see the headlines about large enterprises and government agencies being hacked, and they’re making major investments to upgrade their security infrastructure and strategy.

top managed service providers

The Top 3 Benefits of Working with a Local or Regional Managed Services Provider (MSP)

Partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) makes good business sense, given the complexity of the IT environment and tech talent shortage. More organizations are turning to top managed service providers to support their technology assets and address growing security threats. Managed service provider companies also give customers the flexibility to adapt to new opportunities and changing market conditions.

Get In Touch

310 Laser Lane
Lafayette, Louisiana 70507
Office Hours: Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5p.m.
Contact Us >

24 / 7 / 365 Support

Our dedicated support
staff are available by
phone 24 hours a day.

Phone: 888-435-7986

Time to simplify your IT?

3 Muskateers Marketing Pixel