NewsBattling Cybercrime by Adding Cloud Internet Security to SD-WANMacy Kirk04/06/2020Meriplex NewsHOUSTON, April 6, 2020 – Meriplex, a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider that securely powers enterprise organizations, announces its partnership with iboss, the leading provider of cloud native Secure Access Service Edge (“SASE”) to organizations and their employees secure access to the Internet on any device, from any location. With business security requirements for modern enterprises ever-evolving, cloud Internet security is a valuable infrastructure component for conducting a strong digital business, connecting with customers, and driving business growth. This secure SD-WAN solution will be essential to organizations as it brings all the capabilities and features of VMware SD-WAN by VeloCloud, seamlessly paired with iboss, a leading internet cloud security technology, all managed and supported by Meriplex experts. “As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve the need for cloud security is no longer optional, but critical to protect your business from costly attacks,” said Dusty Corning, Chief Technology Officer at Meriplex. “Meriplex has taken the next step into building a robust and secure SD-WAN offering, partnering with iboss, to integrate cloud security and protect our customers.” iboss secures Internet access on any device, from any location, in the cloud for over 4,000 organizations worldwide. Built on a proprietary containerized architecture designed 100% for the cloud, users are always connected to the iboss cloud to ensure all Internet traffic is secured for compliance, web filtering, malware defense and data loss at all times. iboss’ SASE enables network security to go where users go, with elastic and instant scaling to meet the demands of the cloud-first future. “We are excited to partner with Meriplex to provide network security as a service, delivered in the cloud,” said Paul Martini, iboss Co-founder and CEO. “As applications move to the cloud, it is critical to protect those applications with a cloud-security solution. iboss integrates seamlessly with Meriplex Managed SD-WAN to provide the end user with the best experience possible ensuring fast and secure connectivity for comprehensive networking and security.” Meriplex utilizes the best cybersecurity frameworks to select the best products for their customers that will offer proven protection while reducing risks. Together, Meriplex and iboss prepare organizations for the dynamic IT landscape and direct security leaders in the right direction for the cloud-first future. The iboss cloud is the easiest path to transition network security from network security appliances to Security as a Service, delivered in the cloud. The Gartner Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) model defines the future of network security shifting from network security appliances to the cloud. iboss is the only vendor to date that can transition all capabilities found in traditional web gateway proxies and network firewall appliances to the cloud. With Meriplex and iboss, organizations can bundle all benefits for Cloud Security and SD-WAN, including speedy branch deployment, automation and visibility into your WAN, and secure connectivity to the cloud, into one cost-effective, turnkey solution. Meriplex offers a unique, co-managed service that allows organizations to operate in tandem to gain complete visibility and control into their solution. About Meriplex: Meriplex is a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider specializing in intelligent networks, cybersecurity, cloud communications and managed services for the mid-enterprise market. Using a collaborative approach, we provide pioneering, secure and reliable solutions customized to advance business growth. To learn more, visit www.meriplex.com About iboss: iboss is a cloud security company which provides organizations and their employees secure access to the Internet on any device, from any location, in the cloud. This eliminates the need for traditional security appliances, which are ineffective at protecting a cloud-first and mobile world. Leveraging a purpose-built cloud architecture backed by over 190 issued and pending patents and more than 100 points of presence globally, iboss protects more than 4,000 organizations worldwide. To learn more, visit https://www.iboss.com/.... Read more...Creating a Fun and Educational Space for Your Kids Amidst COVID-19Macy Kirk03/27/2020Meriplex NewsWith businesses asking employees to work from home and schools closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health crisis, parents are in a scramble to find daily educational activities that will keep their kids on track and occupied. Let’s be honest. It’s not easy taking an important call with a bored son or daughter pulling at your sleeve. While some teachers are able to conduct classes online, a wide array of eLearning resources can also help during this difficult period of social distancing and quarantine. The Meriplex team has assembled some of our favorites for parents who, like many of us, may be feeling a little overwhelmed. Education Activities Scholastic Learn at Home by Scholastic launched a program designed for pre-k through grade 9 that includes daily reading and writing lessons to keep your kiddos educated and entertained. Lots of videos, too! Khan Academy Khan Academy, a free online learning resource, offers lessons, exercises and quizzes for kids and young people 2-18 along with daily schedules for parents to organize at-home learning. ABC Mouse ABC Mouse has more than 850 lessons in math, social studies, art, music and more for kids 2-8. Take advantage of a 30-day free trial. BrainPop BrainPOP is offering free access to students to keep their studies moving forward. Subjects include science, social studies, English, math and more. Crash Course Crash Course is a YouTube channel offering informative videos that feature a wide range of subjects from anatomy to world history. Designed for grades 9 through 12. Space Foundation Discovery Center The Space Foundation supports pre-k through grade 12 with curriculum that utilizes space principles to integrate science, technology, engineering and math for STEM-based learning. CK-12 CK-12 provides free and customizable educational resources aligned to state curriculum standards for pre-k through grade 12. National Geographic for Kids National Geographic brings geography, social studies and science to life by teaching kids about the world and how it works through videos, games and quizzes. PBS Kids PBS Kids offers free content to help kids 2-8 in each of the four key areas of childhood development: cognitive, social, emotional and physical. Includes videos and other digital content. HippoCampus HippoCampus is a free academic website that delivers rich multimedia content including videos, animations and simulations on general education subjects. Designed for middle school, high school and college students. Physical Activities GoNoodle GoNoodle gets kids up and moving around to fun but engaging content and games to move their bodies, excite their minds and help them be the best they can. Cosmic Kids Yoga Cosmic Kids Yoga is a YouTube channel offering yoga, mindfulness, and relaxation, designed for kids ages 3+ KidStrong KidStrong is a science-based training program that helps kids focus on brain, physical and character development Outdoor Activities Nature Scavenger Hunt Shamrock Hunt Chalk Art Remember, parents, we’re all in this together. We hope this list helps! About Meriplex Communications Meriplex is a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider specializing in intelligent networks, cybersecurity, cloud communications and managed services for the mid-enterprise market. Using a collaborative approach, we provide pioneering, secure and reliable solutions customized to advance business growth. For more information, visit www.Meriplex.com and follow the company on LinkedIn. ... Read more...Remote Workforce CybersecurityMacy Kirk03/23/2020Meriplex NewsWith more and more businesses shifting quickly to a remote workforce due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health crisis, an increasing cyber-threat is looming over those that have not fully secured their digital work-spaces. Cybercriminals are ready to take advantage of the pandemic, hoping that the gullible or distracted will give them the opportunities they need to carry out scams. The door to passwords and data can be opened with just one careless click or download, leaving remote employees and businesses vulnerable to ransomware and malware attacks. As we adapt to this unprecedented situation, the Meriplex cybersecurity team recommends that businesses revisit protocols for remote employees or establish new ones without delay. We’ve put together a cybersecurity checklist to help you get started. A Remote Workforce Cybersecurity Checklist Social Engineering. In a social engineering attack, cybercriminals manipulate employees into giving up passwords, banking information or other sensitive data. They can also gain access into computers to obtain this information directly. From there, they can send links or downloads to social contacts, baiting them into clicking and spreading the attack. To protect against a social engineering attack, your remote employees should: Stay up to date with your company’s online cybersecurity awareness and training Install an anti-spam / phishing solution Double check email headers and click only on recognized emails from the outside Passwords. It’s now more critical than ever that all team members have strong passwords on every device, including home networks. Without strong passwords, cybercriminals can get into an employee’s Wi-Fi and data or even into your company’s network, potentially launching a harmful or even catastrophic attack. To strengthen password vigilance, ask that your remote employees: Start using passphrases Never share passwords Never use a public computer Deploy MFA (multi-factor authentication) Endpoints and Bring Your Own Devices. Personal devices often don’t have the layers of protection that surround company devices. This can leave both a remote employee and your entire business vulnerable. To guard against cyber-crime related to personal devices, make sure every remote employee has: Anti-malware + firewall Cloud internet security Zero trust architecture with SSLVPN Internet Access. When remote employees use personal Wi-Fi, it opens businesses up to a host of cybersecurity threats. If those employees are also sharing an internet connection with their kids or using IoT devices that don’t have the same level of protection afforded by a company network, the risks only grow. To set up your best defense against an internet attack: Protect your company data in transit with cloud internet security Provide online cybersecurity awareness and training Ask remote employees to use a VPN connection Protect devices with HIPS + firewall Software Updates. Ignoring critical software updates can leave employee devices and your entire business vulnerable to ransomware and malware attacks. To ensure that your software is working for you rather than against you: Check that your operating system is running on the latest version Don’t let your employees ignore any software updates For the most critical updates, utilize automated updates Internal Resource Access. As your remote workforce grows, employees will be accessing your internal resources from outside your company network with greater frequency. Without the right solutions in place, those resources – and your business – can be put at tremendous risk. To secure your internal resources, including your data: Update all VPN software and firmware Deploy SSLVPN instead of IPsec Stringent cybersecurity protections for your remote workforce are no longer just an option. They’re a necessity. If you aren’t able to check off these security measures as “done,” please reach out to Meriplex today. We’re here to help give your business the resilience it needs to weather the challenging days ahead. About Meriplex Communications Meriplex is a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider specializing in intelligent networks, cybersecurity, cloud communications and managed services for the mid-enterprise market. Using a collaborative approach, we provide pioneering, secure and reliable solutions customized to advance business growth. For more information, visit www.Meriplex.com and follow the company on LinkedIn. ... Read more...COVID-19 UpdateMacy Kirk03/16/2020Meriplex NewsUpdated as of 3/25/2020 As a Telecommunications IT provider, Meriplex is defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) as an Essential Critical Infrastructure employer in the Communications and Information Technology Sectors. As an essential business, it is our responsibility and duty to continue providing our services to maintain the national infrastructure. Our offices remain open and operating. Two weeks ago, Meriplex implemented our business continuity plan that addressed remote work schedules and imposed recommended hygiene and social distancing requirements among many other protections and procedures. Our workforce is available to maintain critical functions and provide our valued partners with safe and secure services. Our plan will be to continue to support our onsite and remote customers. Our on-site technicians are instructed to follow all social distancing and hygiene requirements. We will make every best effort to work with our customers to complete each project as safe and securely as possible. Updated as of 3/18/2020 At Meriplex, our teams are continuously monitoring the latest information and updates regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and want our customers and partners to know we are keeping the well-being of all personnel top of mind. As such, we have implemented the following, additional, safety precautions to ensure the well-being of our employees and our customers. Meriplex employees are required to meet the below criteria before scheduling on-site work: Meriplex employee will travel to site from no further than 20 miles away, maximum Meriplex employee must have a clean bill of health Meriplex employee will have not traveled outside the US in the past 60 days Meriplex employee will be on site no more than 2 hours and will only need access to IT closet Onsite work can be performed prior to or after business hours or during lunch hour(s) Updated as of 3/16/2020 As you are already aware the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is fast-evolving and is causing disruption internationally. Meriplex Communications recognizes the seriousness of the situation and the uncertainty this may be causing. We wanted to take the opportunity to share with you what we’re doing and what you can expect from us during this time. We have instituted several best practices including establishing travel and meeting restrictions for Meriplex employees, their families, and visitors. We have focused on ensuring that all precautions are taken as it relates to a clean and sterile environment in our office. At this time, we have also implemented a full COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan including but not limited to, strategic remote work as needed to ensure there is no interruption of services to our customers. We’re following local health guidelines, alerts from the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the advice and updates provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) (see the links provided below) so that we can deliver business as usual. World Health Organization Coronavirus disease Center for Disease Control and Prevention-Coronavirus With an uptick in remote workers due to COVID-19, virtual collaboration and VPN connectivity is a high priority for minimal disruption to business productivity. Meriplex, as a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider, can assist quickly in providing these tools for your business to operate normally. If you are in need of these solutions, please reach out to Meriplex, so we can assist your business during this crisis. Meriplex has empowered a team of people to keep an eye on the changing situation so that we can keep our customers updated as we go. We are here to provide transparency to our customers about supply-chain and any delays to ordering. About Meriplex Communications Meriplex is a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider specializing in intelligent networks, cybersecurity, cloud communications and managed services for the mid-enterprise market. Using a collaborative approach, we provide pioneering, secure and reliable solutions customized to advance business growth. For more information, visit www.Meriplex.com and follow the company on LinkedIn. ... Read more...Taking SD-WAN to the Next-LevelMacy Kirk11/13/2019Meriplex NewsHouston, TX – November 13, 2019 – Meriplex Communications, a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider that securely powers enterprise organizations, announces it’s working with Dell EMC for a newly launched, SD-WAN solution powered by VMware. This collaborative SD-WAN solution will be desirable to organizations as it brings Dell EMC next-level capabilities to the market coupled with a well-established, leading MSP partner. “The market is quickly migrating away from private networks to proactively managed secure SD-WAN solutions,” says David Henley, Meriplex CEO. “We are excited about this opportunity to be the first Managed Services Provider to partner and co-market with Dell EMC utilizing the VeloCloud technology. With SD-WAN’s disruptive entrance to this highly competitive industry, Dell EMC and Meriplex will work together to further accelerate the transition and ensure an excellent customer experience.” Dell EMC SD-WAN powered by VMware, a Meriplex Solution With Meriplex delivered Dell EMC SD-WAN powered by VMware, organizations can increase network uptime and cut MPLS-driven costs, allowing for an effective approach of automation and intelligence to overcome constantly evolving network challenges. Organizations will leverage their investment in existing WAN infrastructure while taking advantage of all the features and capabilities of SD-WAN: Enhanced Cyber Security: With business security requirements for modern enterprises ever evolving, end-to-end data security is the most valuable infrastructure component for conducting a robust digital business, connecting with customers, and driving business growth. SD-WAN protects organizations through enhanced centralized and next-gen firewall capabilities and the ability to integrate cloud security solutions. Speed to Deploy New Branches Organizations with increasing M&A activity and organic growth need to rapidly open and operate new branch locations. SD-WAN eliminates prolonged wait times for circuit installation turnups, and with zero-touch capabilities, technical expertise on site is not necessary, allowing branch locations to start running instantaneously. Cloud Connectivity: As cloud-based applications increase the necessity for high network performance, organizations now expect better reliability, dexterity, and flexibility from their WAN to maximize the cloud’s economies of scale. SD-WAN allows this transformational shift from rigid, outdated WAN architecture, to move SaaS applications into cloud environments, enhancing business growth and providing better QoS for end-users. Managed Solution: DIY SD-WAN takes a copious amount of time away from an IT department’s ability to focus on business-critical projects. Many lack the first-hand experience and expertise to configure complex network integrations. With a Managed SD-WAN solution, organizations free up their technical resources for higher business priorities and rely on an MSP, like Meriplex, to proactively monitor and manage the network 24/7 with SD-WAN experts. With Meriplex and Dell EMC, organizations can bundle these benefits for SD-WAN, including integrated cloud security, speedy branch deployment, and connectivity to the cloud, into one cost-effective, turnkey SD-WAN solution. Meriplex offers a unique, co-managed service that allows organizations to operate in tandem with Meriplex to gain complete visibility and control into their solution. About Meriplex Communications Meriplex is a managed IT and SD-WAN solutions provider specializing in intelligent networks, cybersecurity, cloud communications and managed services for the mid-enterprise market. Using a collaborative approach, we provide pioneering, secure and reliable solutions customized to advance business growth. For more information, visit www.Meriplex.com and follow the company on LinkedIn. For questions and more information about Dell EMC SD-WAN powered by VMware, a Meriplex solution, please email dellsdwan@meriplex.com... Read more...
