Optimizing cloud spend is a priority for organizations of all sizes. Without proactive management, on-demand resources can unexpectedly inflate monthly bills, leading to unnecessary expenses. In a recent webinar, Access Point’s CIO Anthony Rivera and Director of Infrastructure Services Kevin Hartwig, shared their expertise on practical ways to control and reduce cloud costs. In this article, we share some of their insights.
Most organizations focus on agility and scale when it comes to cloud solutions, yet a reliable backup plan remains the backbone of a stable environment. Even small oversights in your backup process can turn into bigger complications, which we’d like to see you avoid. Here, we offer our experience-based insights on the fundamental steps businesses can take to bolster their backup strategy, drawing on our combined backgrounds in IT, security, and DevOps.
As cloud adoption accelerates, so do the stakes for keeping data and systems secure. In early 2025, a major tech conglomerate suffered a high-profile breach when a misconfigured cloud firewall exposed sensitive data from millions of customers across multiple continents. Investigations revealed that overly broad access permissions and poor visibility into their overall security posture contributed to the incident—underscoring the fact that, despite sophisticated tools, even a single gap in configuration can unravel an entire security program. Below, Anthony Rivera and Kevin Hartwig explain how to prevent such missteps by strengthening identity controls, segmenting networks, guarding data, ensuring compliance, managing your security posture, and creating a culture of awareness.
In many organizations, outdated applications slow down daily operations and introduce security risks. Modernizing these systems can be difficult, but clear strategies and reliable practices can streamline the effort. Learn how a well-planned modernization journey yields tangible results for both users and the bottom line.
My wife, Kelly, was a pediatric nurse, having worked in healthcare for over 30 years. I'm biased, but she always got high marks in her profession, from both her peers and from patients for whom she provided care. She provided a level of care that was absolutely critical to ensure patients receive consistent, high-quality treatment across all stages of care. The importance of documentation, communication and a continuity of care was imperative – children’s lives depended on it. But what does continuity of care look like outside the world of healthcare? In the realm of cybersecurity consulting, the principle of continuity is just as vital and plays a pivotal role in safeguarding organizations from evolving cyber threats.
Managing access in the cloud can be stressful. Who should be granted access? What if credentials get exposed? Should you err on the side of security or usability? If you work in Identity and Access Management (IAM), you are likely familiar with these stressors. But there’s good news: Following a few key principles can simplify navigating IAM while at the same time strengthening your organization’s security.
In the cloud computing space, it’s important to understand that using a cloud service provider (CSP) isn’t a “set it and forget it” relationship. The shared responsibility model clearly divides security, compliance, and operational tasks between CSPs and the organizations that use their services. However, nothing solidifies these concepts like seeing them in real-world examples. This article explores three brief case studies—each drawn from a different cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS)—to highlight how responsibilities shift across the spectrum.
Cybersecurity isn’t just a corporate giant’s concern. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) frequently land in the crosshairs of cybercriminals, often because they lack the resources to put robust defenses in place. Here’s a quick look at how you can begin preparing a flexible, cost-conscious Incident Response Plan (IRP) to help your business limit damage and recover more quickly from the most common cyber threats.
A Project Management Office (PMO) can strengthen cybersecurity initiatives by applying structured processes, resource coordination, and risk management best practices to compliance requirements. Below are key examples of how Access Point’s PMO provides concrete, day-to-day benefits in typical security projects such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC certifications, and other security enhancements.
Every business works with vendors, suppliers, and other third parties to get things done. But these relationships come with risks—especially when it comes to cybersecurity. If a vendor gets breached, your data or systems could be exposed. This is why third-party risk management (TPRM) matters.
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), regulatory and industry compliance can feel like more of a burden than necessary. Many of the most critical compliance measures are also the most straightforward to implement. Below are 5 practical steps any SMB can take to meet regulatory demands without breaking the bank.
Small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) often struggle with cybersecurity because they have limited budgets and limited internal expertise. Hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) isn’t always practical—or affordable. That’s where a Virtual CISO (vCISO) comes in.
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month winds down, we're pleased to share one last feature from Pierre Reed, the Chief of Staff at Access Point Consulting. He explores the importance of fostering a security awareness culture within organizations. Discover how building this culture can empower your team to better protect against cyber threats.
