The coronavirus pandemic has caused very trying times for people around the world. You would be hard pressed to find someone who hasn’t been impacted in some way. Schools are closed, unemployment rates are high, people are working from home, and many small businesses and large chains are simply not operational during this time. There are many suggestions to getting as much information on the virus as possible. Some are even turning to Supercomputers.

The biggest questions we have are: When will this all be over? When is viable treatment going to be introduced? And when will a vaccination be available to the masses? These are all great questions along with: How will we get the answers to these questions? 

Some entities, including the United States government, have turned to supercomputers to assist with researching the virus. The White House Office of Science and Technology and the U.S. Department of Energy have reached out for help to learn more about the virus. Some of the companies include IBM, AWS, Microsoft and others. Some of the companies include IBM , AWS, Microsoft and others.

What the Supercomputers are actually doing

Together all of the companies helping have assembled 16 supercomputer systems that have 775,000 cores and 34,000 GPU’s (Graphics Processing Unit). This combination of power has not been seen from companies collaborating for the same thing. IBM and their collaborating companies are responsible for running huge collections of data for modeling. Some if the models include molecular modeling, epidemiology, and bioinformatics. These will help to try to collect as much information as possible to learn more about the virus each day.

Molecular modeling is the science of representing molecular structures numerically and simulating their behavior with the equations of quantum and classical physics. These supercomputers are seeing how the virus acts using physics. 

Epidemiology is the application of this study to the control of health problems and how it affects a population (in this case everyone on the planet).

 Bioinformatics may be the most important part of what the supercomputers are doing. It is a rather new branch of data science used for solving biological problems. It is dependent on the first two functions that were previously mentioned. It can lead to how we deal with this pandemic as far as a cure and treatment options. It may even help advise the public on what to do during the pandemic.

What is needed? 

Now that we know what these supercomputers are doing, what do they need to perform to the best of their ability? The answer is simple… data and lots of it. The more data reported, the more analysis tests the supercomputers run. This means the more accurate information about the virus and how to stop it is generated. The numbers being reported to the public and directly to these companies need to be accurate. They are not just collecting data from the United States. They are trying to take information from wherever they can get it. This means if countries are not reporting the correct data, the results from the supercomputers will not be as accurate.

Reporting accurate information is the most important part to the success of the supercomputers. Without it, the results of their analysis would be unreliable and all for nothing. Luckily, the supercomputers have filters to sort reliable data from unreliable data and give different results based on how they sort the information that is presented to them. 

What Progress Has Been Made So Far?

After collecting large volumes of data at all times, the supercomputers are starting to make conclusions about what can be done and possibilities for treatments and cures. After collecting such large amounts of data, the supercomputers are working on models that will be viewed by researchers who work with the data and results. Researchers want to focus on the spread of the virus and mitigation of the spread, drug repurposing, as well as new developments for therapeutic candidates. 

Researchers are also focusing on the effectiveness of social distancing, density of the virus within populations of all sizes, and how to deal with reaching maximum capacity in hospitals across the country. This virus is something that has never happened in our lifetime, so collecting information will not only benefit us now, but in the future as well.

Solutions we come up with can help for generations if something of this nature happens again. Lives are at stake so the supercomputers, researchers, and the companies invested in this are all hands on deck in order to help us decide what our next move will be and how we can put a stop to this pandemic. 

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With the COVID-19 outbreak there are now a lot of people working remotely from home. This not only complicates communication issues on projects and causes motivation problems to get work done. It can also show cyber security threats that you may not be aware of. There is so much to worry about including the safety of your company’s important files and documents. Other worries can be cloud services, and network. All of which could all be at a serious risk without you even knowing. Now more than ever hacker threats are relevant to everyone. Let’s discuss steps that you can take at home to make sure all of your information and network is safe.

Strong Passwords

One of the easiest ways to stay secure while working from home is to set up strong passwords. This includes not using the same or similar passwords on different accounts. This is because if one does get hacked your other accounts will be safe. A strong password is made up of a long string of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. While these passwords are difficult to remember, there are tools to help. Password Managers Password managers are very helpful and will create, remember, and autofill strong passwords for you so you don’t have to. The best thing is, you only have to remember on strong password.

Another way to assist with strong passwords is to use two factor authentication.This adds an extra step to logging into an account. It will verify that it is someone within your company or yourself trying to log in. The verification step will be in the form of an email or text asking you to verify the login.

Some two factor authentication tools are now using facial recognition or a fingerprint scanner for the second step. This is a sure fire way to make sure you know who is logging into your accounts and when.If it’s not someone who should be on the account, you can decline access with the two factor authentication tool.

Install and Backup

Another way to secure your network at home is to install updates regularly and backup all of your important data. Updates are something that most people find inconvenient, but they are super important to keep up on. Most updates to applications and software contain patches to security networks to keep their users safe from cyber attacks.

Manually looking for updates is not typically something any of us do which is fine. Most devices today are able to update applications and software automatically. You can even schedule them to happen when you’re asleep. Most devices have automatic updates that run from 2 to 6 a.m. depending on your device. This way, updates won’t get in the way of your day to day activities, and you will still be safe from attacks. 

Backing up data is also important for a secure network. If you have fallen under a cyber attack, important data can be completely wiped from your network and lost forever. Backing up your data will make sure all of your important data is always available and never lost. Hardware backups are an option, but, today, cloud storage and backup services are the most popular options. With a cloud backup service, you can customize your backup data and storage options. 

Sketchy Emails 

One thing to be aware of, especially during the time we are living in currently, is sketchy emails. With the pandemic, we should expect a great increase in suspicious interactions from people looking for access to your information. These can be in the form of emails, phone calls and even text messages. These messages, across all formats, will be targeting credit card information and account takeover fraud.

To spot these emails and texts, look for odd email addresses and grammatical errors in the body or subject line and do not click on any links provided unless you trust the sender. If the email does look legitimate and you click on a link, check to make sure it has a “https” and a padlock next to the URL to verify that it is a secure website. 

At the very least we can take one last step to ensure we are safe and it’s a very simple one: password lock your device. This will easily prevent anyone from seeing confidential information on a device and most modern devices encrypt all data until the device is unlocked.

This is not just a time of uncertainty for everyone’s physical health, but for the health of our privacy when we are all put in a more vulnerable position. With the amount of information we have at our disposal, we can take these steps to make a safer home environment to prevent us from cyber criminals. If all of these steps are taken, your network and personal information should be safe whether you are working from home or in an office.

During this time of uncertainty when people are working from home, getting work done can be a challenge. One of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to stay connected with colleagues and how to manage work responsibilities. A few ways to stay connected are video calls, chat rooms, and interconnected systems. 

Video Calls 

Video calls are a key option to stay in touch with your work environment. A few platforms to consider are Slack, GoToMeeting and Skype. These allow your team to feel like everyone is together, discuss current projects, and give updates on clients. They can also be used as a space to set up future meetings. 

Work shouldn’t be the only thing discussed in your company’s video calls. Office banter is something that keeps us all motivated and can be one of the biggest reasons we like our jobs. Your sense of culture and community can be lost during the current quarantine situation, so catch up with coworkers during video calls. This will lead to the sense of community that keeps everyone motivated in the office. 

Chat Rooms 

Chat rooms are a way to stay connected whether you’re in the office or not. They’re a great way to communicate with coworkers while working from home, and Slack is an excellent tool for this. Different threads can be created so conversations about specific topics can be organized, and there is a personal message setting for one-on-one conversations. As previously discussed, Slack also offers a video call setting that can be used for group or one-on-one conversations. Slack is a catch all application for the challenges we face while working away from the office. 

Chat rooms are helpful because they allow for constant communication throughout the day. A video call can be scheduled to meet with everyone, but it may not be ideal every time you need to communicate with a coworker. A chat room allows for a conversation to take place and documents to be shared, so everyone can stay caught up with what is going on. People also like separation of work and home, so a group message thread may not be the best option. This is why we recommend a platform like Slack. 

Interconnected Systems

An interconnected system is probably something your company already uses while in the office. It’s imperative to the survival of your business at a time when things are changing on a daily basis. An example of an interconnected system is Google Drive. This platform will allow everyone to share and edit any document in real time. It’s also easy to access and organize projects on an interconnected system like Google Drive. If you and your company aren’t together, this will help everyone keep up to date on projects and allow for collaboration and feedback on projects without long and confusing email chains or text threads. 

Another great interconnected system that allows your office space to feel like they are all together is Microsoft Teams. With this system you will be able to collaborate on projects together as if you were in the same space. You will never have to frantically search for files again. In Teams you can access, share, and edit Word docs, PowerPoint, and Excel files in real time. Microsoft Teams also allows for text thread chats within your company, individual face-to-face calls, and video conferencing so that you and your team will always feel connected and together. 

In a time when things are uncertain, we have to stay focused on what we can control. Work, whether it’s done in an office or not, is something that will keep us occupied as well as being something we all take pride in. All of these platforms and tips on staying connected will help your company continue producing the best product or service possible at all times.

To find out how we can help, contact us today!

Spring is a time to freshen our lives. As you begin your annual spring cleaning, one thing you may forget about is your I.T. systems. Getting your I.T. system clean and clutter-free can make it easier to organize and adjust your I.T. system as needed. Here are some tips to spring clean your I.T. department.

Clean Your Enterprise Data

Enterprise data is supposed to: 

• Organize data 

• Precisely define data 
• Easily integrate and effectively retrieve data for internal and external communication

If your data isn’t clean, then all of this may not be possible. Your big data collection will be less reliable and more difficult to retrieve and communicate with other people. One easy way to freshen up your enterprise data is to use an industrial-scale automated approach to filter out irrelevant data. This way your company has the data it wants and will be able to communicate it as accurately as possible.

Always freshen up your data. The actions taking place that are intended to save time and money might end up costing more of both. Now that your data is up-to-date and clean, there are things that can be done to improve your I.T. solutions.

Update and Delete

When looking at your company’s software systems, there may be some clutter that needs tending to. Your company has probably changed or updated software systems being used, but have you to update and delete old software? By removing unused, duplicate, and old software, your company will run much more smoothly. There will be less for your network to support which will save you time and possibly money, especially if you were paying for software that hasn’t been used in quite some time. 

Once your company has gotten rid of all of the unwanted software, it’s time to check for updates on the current software that is in use. Updating your software will maximize productivity for any I.T. needs your company may have. Once you have done what has already been outlined, there is only one more thing that your company must do in order to finish your I.T. spring cleaning. 

Stay Organized

Spring cleaning may not be the most fun and entertaining activity, whether it’s at home or with your company. But there is a way to prevent having to do a fresh spring cleaning every year, and that’s by staying organized. If you stay on top of updates and manage your big data year-round, there will be no need to go through spring cleaning every year.

This is an ever-changing world, so updates are coming almost daily for the software you use. Big data is being collected at higher rates which is great, but it also means there is a need to keep after it more than ever. Then the data will be reliable for you and your company to use on a daily basis.

Once you have done your cleaning, you need to set-up a clear, well-defined plan, so you can keep after it. Devote time to cleaning, updating and deleting on a basis that your company sees fit, so it can maximize productivity and there will no longer be a need for seasonal cleaning any time of year.

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What is Business I.T. Alignment? This is an important question to ask when planning for your business’s future. Business I.T. Alignment uses information technology systems in a collaborative and interconnected manner across office disciplines and departments. In an ever-changing world, business and information technology will forever be connected.

The potential for how far information technology can help your business grow reaches new heights every day. However, achieving this dream is a daunting task. Companies cannot answer a very simple question as they embark on this alignment journey, “Where do we start?”

The first step to achieving Business I.T. Alignment is to know where information technology can help your business succeed. Whatever your business is doing, I.T. will be involved. In order to capitalize on its presence, you need a plan as to how much involvement will be needed from a third-party company, like Peak I.T. or your own I.T. division.

This can include monitoring a multi-site network, offering help desk solutions, running constant data backups, providing network hardware, or a myriad of other I.T. solutions. Once you have a plan and a clear-cut vision for where I.T. will be needed, you can move on to review your current Business I.T. Alignment. 

The next step should be to ask, “What is my vision for how I.T. can help my business and how is I.T. helping my business right now?” If you have a clear-cut vision from the previous step, then the first half of this should be easy. Assessing your current Business I.T. Alignment may be more difficult. If this is something your company has put off in the past, you must prioritize where I.T. can help immediately to start moving towards alignment. 

Once you have prioritized where I.T. is needed, then your company can start weighing its options to achieve this alignment. Make about what options you have to solve your problems and weigh each option carefully. Some important questions to ask when considering how to solve your problems can be…

• Do you take the operation in-house or do you outsource it?
• What is the budget?
• How soon can each solution be implemented?
• What is the longevity of the solution? 

Once you have all of these questions answered, your plan will be ready for implementation with a few final actions.

The last few steps in this process are to create your custom implementation plan. This is where all of your planning comes into place with the selected solutions. This should be a written out plan that clearly defines and describes the course of action for everyone involved. It will help make your team and company aware of changes taking place, and the impact it will have, both positive and negative, moving forward.

Not everyone likes change and if your company is going through a big change when trying to align your business and I.T. solutions, regular meetings should take place to make sure everyone involved is comfortable, confident and compliant with the approach. A smooth transition is what every company has in mind and constant communication with a well thought out plan will help achieve this.

Even with a well thought out plan and good execution, you will have to evolve. Constant evaluation of the plan is needed in order to reach alignment and I.T. companies, like ours, can help if outsourcing this task is built into your plan. Like anything else in your company’s life, adjustments to your plan will be needed due to unforeseen changes. The decision to involve more I.T. solutions in your company in order to achieve alignment is a very important one and will soon be unavoidable. Following these steps will help your business grow with proper alignment.

To find out how we can help, contact us today!

A critical decision any company must make in growing a business is deciding which efforts should be accomplished with team members in-house and what should a business should outsource. When it comes to developing the right I.T. solution, this decision has a drastic and direct effect on the performance of the company. From general operational functions and security, to potential increases in payroll and a need for larger office space and equipment, it is one that requires a thoughtful approach. 

With the threat of cyber security becoming a prevailing concern for businesses in any industry and of every size, as well as our growing dependence on computers and other forms of technology to drive our operations, more and more companies are seeing the benefits of what outsourcing their I.T. solutions can offer them. However, in order to find the right partner, a company must discover the right reasons why outsourcing I.T. solutions is right for them.

SECURITY IN AN UNSECURED WORLD

In today’s connected world, data security is a topic that is on every business owner and manager’s mind. Security hackers show no favoritism when it comes to the size of an organization. Every business is at risk. I.T. security is the biggest challenge organizations face and, when it comes to small and medium sized businesses, the impact of security threats can be more severe. Threats to your computer network security grow by the day.

Ransomware attacks happen every 14 seconds to businesses in the United States like yours. The result of these attacks is an estimated $6 Trillion in damages by 2021, according to Juniper Research in 2019. As technology and networking experts trade in their professional badges for criminal masks to use their insider information to grant themselves access to your company’s computer network without permission, your tactics need to be equally as dedicated to preventing their unwanted attacks. Hiring an outsourced I.T. solutions company, like Peak I.T., can easily identify, solve, classify and properly address the major security vulnerabilities, as well as detect threats and respond to cyber threats before they even happen.

FOCUS ON YOUR BUSINESS AT HAND

Developing a successful and competent I.T. department takes a significant amount of time. Implementing an I.T. solutions team to develop and account for the ever-changing digital world is a daunting task. By choosing to outsource a professional and accomplished company for your I.T. solutions allows you to focus on your main goals as a business, while leaving your I.T. solutions in the capable and profssional hands of experienced experts in the field. Time is the most valuable resource any company possesses, so maximizing the productivity of the businesses’s core focus and functionality, while relying on a vetted I.T. solutions partner to protect your operations and data, ensures your organization is operating at peak performance.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Every company is looking to gain a competitive advantage over their competition. Whether it is producing a product quicker or more economically, or providing a service more timely, every organization wants to outperform their competitors for the benefit of their customers. Outsourcing your company’s I.T. solutions provides a valuable competitive advantage. An ideal I.T. solutions partner provides a secure network with necessary features and benefits to operate your business more efficiently. From file sharing, communications, security and troubleshooting when needed, I.T. solutions experts are there to ensure one of your business’s competitive advantage is being able to operate at peak levels 24/7. With continued training, monitoring and proactively searching for ways to create a more optimal performance environment, finding the right I.T. solutions provider offers a competitive advantage that your competition will never be able to overcome.

BE MORE EFFICIENT

Being effficient is a goal every company should strive to achieve. Getting the right tasks done in the right amount of time is something most businesses cannot achieve on their own. Outsourcing your information technology duties is a great way to be more efficient. I.T. solutions experts are familiar with the way businesses operate. They deliver experience, expertise, resources and teams of data driven developers to your company without you investing resources and time. The ideal I.T. solutions partner will help your business reach new heights by developing solutions that lead to an increase in customer satisfaction, lower employee stress because of techonology functioning properly and an overall safer way to conduct your business.

Your company is built to perform a service or provide a product for others. Ensuring the security and safety of the I.T. solutions you implement is too great of a responsibility to not have it in the hands of trained professionals. Outsourcing your I.T. solutions is a way to guarantee you not only a safe and secure network powering your operations, but it also provides a more efficient and economical way to operate your business. A team like Peak I.T. can deliver solutions that allow you to get back to focusing on what really drives your business forward while gaining a competitive advantage with the most trusted name in I.T. solutions. 

So, when it comes to managing your I.T. solutions, who do you trust?

To find out how we can help, contact us today!