Volume III, Issue 11 (November, 2017)

I Didn’t Know You Did That!

Let Verus be your WatchGuard Managed Security Service Provider

What is a Managed Security Service Provider?
A managed security service provider (MSSP) works as an extension of your organization to fill any IT security gaps through managed service offerings, such as initial deployment and configuration, ongoing maintenance, monitoring, reporting, and more. These types of managed security services are critical for organizations that do not have the required resources or expertise to ensure continuous protection and a strong security posture – all while reducing the need for dedicated headcount.

Getting Started, Staying Ahead
Avoid the complexity of managing your network security. WatchGuard MSSPs work with you to understand your needs, and then design, deploy, and configure the perfect solution for your business. They can provide ongoing management to reduce downtime, increase performance, and ensure that your security stays ahead of the cyber criminals.

Security as a Service
WatchGuard MSSPs specialize in prevention, detection, and response services that provide total protection against the most advanced threats. They partner with you to learn your business, and then build and enforce security policies to protect your data. Through proactive and reactive security solutions that are delivered as a managed service, you can focus on what you do best, and let them take care of all your security needs without disrupting day-to-day business operations.

Reporting and Insight
Get tailored reports delivered automatically with the information you need to make informed business decisions. Understand your work environment, demonstrate compliance adherence, and show the true ROI of your IT expenses. WatchGuard MSSPs are equipped with advanced monitoring and reporting tools to deliver ongoing insights across your most critical functions, including valuable analytics about your customers through Wi-Fi engagement.

Take the First Step in Securing Your Network
Verus is pleased to not only be one of just seven WatchGuardONE Platinum Partners in North America, but also a Managed Security Service Provider. If you are interested in moving to a security as a service model, contact your sales representative today, or call 763.354.2200, or email sales@veruscorp.com.

 

 

NEWS & NOTES

Verus to host Cisco Spark Board demo and social hour Nov. 28

Let us show you the coolest collaboration technology to come along in the workplace in over a decade. Cisco Spark Board technology will revolutionize the way you meet with your coworkers and customers. Save money and gain simplicity with this new technology.

Verus and Cisco would like you to come check out what the Spark Board is capable of, and enjoy a free gift for the first 25 registered organizations who have never worked with Verus before, and free food and drinks  for all.

Join us at our offices, 201 85th Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, MN, 55433.

To register, email events@veruscorp.com with the subject line “Spark Board.”

 

WatchGuard Advanced Technical Training returns on Dec. 5

Verus invites you to join us and WatchGuard’s Ryan Poutre on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for a complimentary Advanced Technical Training course! The course will include an in-depth training on Threat Detection and Response (TDR) as well as a portion of the training on the WatchGuard WiFi Wireless Intrustion Prevention System (WIPS). The session will be held at the Verus offices, 201 85th Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 and a free continental breakfast will be served.

To register, email events@veruscorp.com with the subject line “WatchGuard Training.”

 

Verus 15th Anniversary Party a tremendous mix of learning and fun!

Thank you to all of the over 120 people who came out to join us as we celebrated our 15th Anniversary on Oct. 12 at Pinstripes-Edina. From the technical sessions by WatchGuard and Cisco, to the vendor social hour with Tegile, CensorNet, Ruckus, Cologix, and Sophos, and the food, drinks, and entertainment, Verus is looking forward to the next 15 years and beyond of serving our customers like you!

Congratulations to all of the prize winners, including the grand prize of the Polaris Sportsman 450 HO, Joseph VanDam of All-Terrain Financial Advisors.

 

Verus packs 9,288 meals for Starving Children
and donates $2,043.36 in matching funds

Over 25 people, including Verus employees, family, customers and family, and friends, came together last month at Feed My Starving Children’s Coon Rapids location to pack 43 boxes of food, with 9,288 meals, enough to feed 27 kids for one full year. Verus also donated the cost of the meals, $2,043.36, to Feed My Starving Children.

Verus would like to thank everyone who came out for this enjoyable and fulfilling event. Stay tuned. Verus is planning to do this again in February 2018, and hoping even more customers can join us!

 

 

INDUSTRY NEWS

Tegile Systems announces IntelliFlash N-series NVME Arrays

The N Series array from Newark, Calif.-based Tegile, which during VMworld was acquired by Western Digital, is a new line of arrays based completely on high-performance NVMe all-flash technology. Tegile introduced two models in its N-series. The 5200 was designed to provide a complete capacity write per day, and provides about 1.5 million IOPs of performance. The 5800 is targeted at up to three complete capacity writes per day with up to 3 million IOPs. Capacity of the 5200 and 5800 arrays can be expanded via an additional array or by the addition of external SAS-based storage shelves. They include multiple protocols, data reduction, data protection, automated data healing, high availability, and more.

 

Cisco’s Australian CTO discusses failure of IoT projects, IoT Phase 2 program

Three quarters of all Internet of Things (IoT) projects are “failing”, according to Cisco’s Australian CTO Kevin Bloch, primarily because they have been designed to solve individual problems, and have become siloed and unsupported as a result. “The inaugural phase of IoT is characterised by numerous point solutions from a multitude of new — often startup — vendors. Typically, these solutions have been designed to solve a particular societal problem such as lighting or parking. In each case, a complete IT stack needs to be built in support of the solution,” Bloch explained. “Eventually, customers find themselves with multiple siloes from multiple vendors that don’t interoperate, are not cybersecure, use different protocols, and generate more complexity at greater cost.” According to Bloch, this is why Cisco is constructing an “IoT Phase 2” foundation, which consists of a platform that is able to cope with multiple different sensors, vendors, applications, and data interchanges. The CTO added that IoT projects are also failing due to a lack of cybersecurity, qualified skills by those running them, project definition, governance, and support.

 

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Creative use of your Thanksgiving meal leftovers: Next Day Turkey Primavera

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked penne pasta
• 8 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2/3 cup julienned carrot
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 large fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow summer squash
• 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
• 1-1/2 cups shredded cooked turkey
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute asparagus and carrot in butter for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, yellow squash and zucchini; saute until crisp-tender.
2. Stir in the turkey, tomato, dressing mix and cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
3. Drain pasta; add to vegetable mixture and toss to combine. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss again. Yield: 4 servings.

 

 

GOOD MEDICINE