The Better Business Roundtable is a monthly live segment that features business experts from our community. These amazing leaders bring a wealth of experience about owning and running a business that they share with other companies in our area. We are honored that our CEO Tom McDougall was asked to be a part of such a wonderful group of business leaders. Other participants include: Dan Staller, Market President at Starion Bank, Chad Flanagan, partner in Charge of Business Valuation at Eide Bailly, and Tyler Leverington, Corporate Attnorney at Ohnstad Twichell Law Firm.

Each year, High Point Networks recognizes team members for their outstanding performance, superior dedication, and the positive impact they have made throughout the past year. The achievable awards in 2020 include the 5 Year Recognition, 10 Year Recognition, Teamwork, Extra Mile, Growth, Outstanding Newcomer, Lewis & Clark, and the most prestigious High Point Award.

How do data centers work - this is a question that is often asked and rarely answered in simple terms. Chances are, your business has a data center as part of its IT infrastructure. You may know a little about the needed security or that it is related to your computer system, but aren’t sure what exactly this technology does. 

Are you aware of the different types of cyber security threats for small businesses? Do you have a plan in place to prevent them from occurring in the first place and to minimize the effects of a successful cyberattack?

It doesn't seem possible but 2020 is almost over!  We have added a few more awesome individuals to our HPN family over the last few months!  Hanna Thompson joins us as a project manager out of our West Fargo, ND office, Greg McKillip joins us as a new Account Manager that will oversee our new Oklahoma territory, Jess Widmark joins our marketing team based in Sioux Falls, SD & Ashley Matelski joins our inside sales team, she will be working remotely from Brandon, FL!  Our team is always growing and looking for talented individuals to join us in providing the best service for our clients.

Plenty of people claim to be different types of technical consultants, none of which provide real help to businesses, often leaving the question of “what is IT consulting” unanswered. Because this job title is so vague, it can be difficult to determine whether your company needs to hire an individual in this role.

Have you been debating the advantages and overall effectiveness of hiring a professional for IT infrastructure management? Are you curious to know how the end user, your operating systems, and even your human resources team may benefit from a proactive approach to systems management and network monitoring that stems from IT infrastructure management?

Do you know whether or not your data center security standards are up to date? If you’re not sure or have to research it, chances are, your data center security measures need an overhaul. 

As of late July, 2020, we are excited to announce that we have expanded our service area to Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as Southwest Iowa.

The Wolves Are Back

In this episode of Two Wolves in a Bar, our very own Sr. Security Consultant, Dean Sheley, and Arctic Wolf's Lead Product Marketer, Matt Duench, discuss the reasons why Security Operations are such a critical component of a successful Security Operations Center (SOC).

Each year, High Point Networks invests significant time in cultivating future talent through our internship program. We maintain close partnerships with many educational institutions within the communities we serve, many of whom are our customers. They are a key piece in providing a strong foundation for these students in their educational journey and specified area of study.

As IT threats continue to rise, it is necessary for organizations to protect their company’s most vulnerable assets. In 2019 alone, there were 1,473 data breaches with over 164 million data records exposed and millions in lost revenue. With the world of technology always evolving, it is important to stay ahead of these threats and be prepared when an incident does occur.  

Welcome to the Wolf Bar

We are excited to announce that our new partner, Arctic Wolf, will be teaming with us to deliver an informational video series on SOCaaS. In the first installment of Two Wolves in a Bar,  our very own Sr. Security Consultant, Dean Sheley, and Arctic Wolf's Lead Product Marketer, Matt Duench, discuss various topics surrounding SOCaaS such as the interest and demand for the service as well as the simplicity of SOC licensing.

We have all seen the headlines and read horror stories about companies who have been targeted by cyber-criminals. Millions of dollars have been lost in revenue, productivity and, in a lot of cases businesses have had to shut their doors.

Another couple months gone by means another couple months of new faces here at High Point Networks. Our team is always growing and looking for talented individuals to join us in providing the best service for our clients.

It's no secret that the recent Coronavirus outbreak has affected many (if not all) organizations in some way. The rising pandemic has caused a spike in businesses having to quickly transition to a remote working environment in an effort to follow safety guidelines and keep operations afloat. When rapid changes are made to an organization's IT environment, safety precautions can be overlooked and can increase your risk of cyber threats.

Social engineering is the art of manipulating people so they give up confidential information. The types of information these cyber-criminals are seeking can vary, and range from passwords, bank information, or access your computer to secretly install malicious software. Senior Security Consultant, Dean Sheley, provides specific examples of how to protect your company from falling victim to these attacks. It's all about knowing who and what to trust. It is important to know when and when not to take a person at their word and when the person you are communicating with is who they say they are.

Senior Security Consultant, Dean Sheley, provides insight on how your business can avoid these threats hidden within a global pandemic. Discover how to protect your end-users from phishing attacks, malicious mobile-phone software, and other security threats that are becoming more common with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dear Valued Customers,

High Point Networks announced the completion of its acquisition of Managed Security Service Provider, Vermillion Technologies. The Vermillion Technologies purchase accomplishes the High Point Networks mission to expand its managed services offerings throughout the United States. Customers will benefit greatly from the expanded services and technical expertise the newly joined companies provide.

High Point Networks announced the completion of its acquisition of Colorado-based value-added reseller West-Tech Communications. The WestTech Communications purchase accomplishes the High Point Networks mission to expand further into the Colorado region. Customers will benefit greatly from the expanded services and technical expertise the newly joined companies provide.

High Point Networks today announced that the acquisition of EarthBend, LLC’s VAR division was final. In July, the company announced its intent to purchase the assets & Employees of the South Dakota based technology company. This transaction represents a unique and significant opportunity to boost the level of technology services offered across all of High Point Networks coverage area. EarthBend brings complimentary technology products and services to the already enhanced technology portfolio offered by High Point Networks.