What does United Network Associates (UNA) do?
As a full-service IT management company specializing as a Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), we assist our clients in the administration, maintenance, and security of their IT systems. Our team of seasoned experts and IT professionals diligently adheres to the needs of our users, ensuring seamless operation. We offer comprehensive IT support, including 24×7 Monitoring, Network Administration and Management, Server Administration and Management, Storage and Cloud Services, Help Desk Support, and Cybersecurity services. With our extensive expertise, we provide a wide range of services, guaranteeing the optimal efficiency of your user base.
Where is UNA located?
United Network Associates, Inc. is headquartered in Farmingdale, New York, conveniently located across from Republic Airport. UNA maintains a secondary location at the Plainview Technology Incubator, which provides technology collaboration and supplemental workspace opportunities. UNA’s specialists are all based in New York and serve clients within the New York Metro area and across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
What is an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP)?
UNA is an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) that remotely manages a client’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems on a proactive basis. We handle various tasks such as IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity services, and technical support. We ensure the smooth operation of servers, networks, and storage, while also providing threat detection, firewall management, and data protection. By offering strategic IT planning, we help businesses align their IT strategies with their goals, ensuring scalability and efficiency. This approach allows businesses to reduce costs associated with hiring and training in-house staff, gain access to specialized IT expertise, and focus on their core activities while we manage their IT operations.
What is the difference between a MSP and an IT company?
When comparing an IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) to a basic IT company, the key distinction lies in the approach taken by each entity. Basic IT companies primarily offer traditional IT services, where they respond to issues after they arise (break/fix). In contrast, MSPs adopt a proactive stance by implementing measures to prevent 99% of breakage and cyberattacks. This proactive approach involves ensuring that systems are consistently maintained and secured around the clock. While MSPs also provide break/fix services when necessary, their primary focus is on proactive maintenance and security.
What is the difference between a MSP and an IT Consultant?
Professionals in both areas of focus will assist you in selecting the most suitable business technology to support your company’s future objectives. Both parties will then implement this technology for you. An IT consultant can withdraw from the engagement after implementation. A managed services provider (MSP) will provide ongoing support for your company’s IT infrastructure for an extended period, fostering a long-term partnership that ensures your technology operates at peak performance and maximizes the benefits in terms of efficiency and security.
What kind of companies are a good candidate for IT Managed Services?
Businesses of all sizes and across various industries utilize IT Managed Services for different reasons. Small to medium-sized companies seek the assistance of a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to offer comprehensive IT services, enabling them to concentrate on their core business operations while effectively managing operational costs. Larger companies engage a MSP to augment their in-house IT staff, delegating tasks to the MSP, thereby freeing up resources for more strategic initiatives. Companies that require round-the-clock monitoring and immediate alerts seek the support of MSPs to ensure continuous coverage.
What is an Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?
UNA is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) offering a wide range of cybersecurity services to its clients. We manage and monitor IT systems, providing solutions such as managed firewalls, identity and endpoint threat detection and response, vulnerability management, managed SIEM, and security awareness training.
By outsourcing these critical security functions to UNA, clients can relieve the pressure on their internal IT staff, allowing them to focus on their core operations while ensuring robust protection against cyber threats. Our 24×7 Security Operations Centers (SOC) are staffed by real people, providing continuous, around-the-clock monitoring and response to security incidents. This helps organizations maintain a strong security posture in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
What is Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)?
Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software tools, used by IT managed service providers, enables monitoring of the clients state of their IT assets. These tools detect abnormal behavior, critical statuses, and security breaches on the assets. RMM tools facilitate patch control, ensuring that equipment is always running secure and updated software. Additionally, they enable equipment self-notification to IT management, facilitating the creation of service tickets and prompt responses to minimize downtime for users. The monitoring tools are tailored to specific methods and customized thresholds based on the organization’s requirements.
What does a Firewall do on a network?
A firewall is a device used for network security that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic. The Firewall decides whether to allow or block traffic based on a defined set of security rules. Firewalls establish a barrier between secured internal networks untrusted outside networks, such as the Internet. A firewall can be hardware, software, or both.
Why do I need a VPN on my laptop?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) establishes a secure and encrypted connection between your laptop and your company’s resources. This “tunnel” ensures that all data transmitted between your device and the Internet is safeguarded from unauthorized access. Utilizing a VPN significantly enhances your privacy and security, particularly when accessing public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in hotels, cafes, or airports.
How do I know my computer system is secure?
Network Security Scans or Assessment should be conducted. UNA offers a comprehensive suite of network scanning capabilities that can identify vulnerabilities within your IT environment. These scans can range from external scanning, which involves the validation of your IP addresses for security purposes and the detection of potential vulnerabilities, or internal, which focuses on assessing the security of your internal systems.
How does UNA handle IT Help Desk Support?
Our team of highly skilled IT professionals provides direct IT support to end users. When a user initiates contact with our support line, our UNA IT Help Desk staff collaborates with the end user to remote access their systems and effectively manage the issue in real-time.
To expedite resolution, UNA serves as a third-party liaison to all technology vendors with which you have established partnerships. Should a software-related issue arise, our UNA help desk promptly engages with the software company, facilitating a collaborative troubleshooting session to resolve the end user’s problems swiftly and efficiently.
In June 2020, UNA was recognized with an award for its exceptional IT Help Desk Services in Farmingdale, NY. With over three decades of experience, UNA is committed to providing exceptional computer user support to its valued clients.
What is your response time?
Customers can contact our Help Desk and receive assistance from a live technician during business hours. Response times to specific issues are contingent upon the severity of the problem encountered by the client. Our objective is to fulfill your requirements by optimizing uptime and promptly addressing issues as they arise. Over the course of our 30 years in business, we have consistently demonstrated our commitment to providing unwavering support to our customers when they require it.
Will UNA come to my office when I have a problem?
The vast majority of IT issues can be resolved remotely. However, when an emergency arises, an upgrade, or changes are required that require an on-site visit, our technicians will be dispatched and work on-site. UNA can dispatch technicians to your site as required or requested.
What if there is a problem at night, during the weekend, or on a holiday.
UNA is a Managed Service Partner (MSP) that provides help desk and IT management operations. Our clients who opt for managed services gain access to continuously active monitoring and a dedicated team of specialists who are readily available to address any urgent issues. As the reliance on IT systems continues to grow, UNA is recognized as a reliable partner who will be there to assist you whenever you need it.
What if I have an internal IT person or staff?
For growing organizations, employing dedicated internal IT staff to handle routine technical user issues can be highly cost-effective. The evolving need for data stewardship presents a unique challenge that is also best addressed by specialized internal IT personnel. Organizations such as this rely on UNA for the most advanced and critical IT system support and configuration. In a co-managed IT engagement, the managed service provider (MSP) assumes the role of an extension of your technical team. This collaborative approach offers end-users the optimal combination of expertise and cost-effectiveness.
What is supplemental staffing or augmented staffing?
Additional temporary IT staff, also known as supplemental staff, is an extension of the in-house IT workers for projects, upgrades, or planned modifications. Augmented staff is that additional staff to not only supplement the existing staff with more physical workers but also to enhance the team with technicians and specialists for specific needs. UNA provides this augmented and supplemental staffing option for organizations with internal IT staff that require additional assistance. Whether the internal IT staff needs extra hands for an upgrade or in the event of an emergency, having a supplemental IT staffing option is a valuable resource for growing businesses.
Can you develop an IT security policy?
UNA can develop tailored IT security policies specifically designed for your organization. Given the paramount importance of compliance and cybersecurity in the realm of organizational growth, these policies are indispensable for the seamless execution of daily operational procedures, ensuring the robust security of your network, and safeguarding against potential data loss or theft. UNA’s comprehensive Cybersecurity services encompass a range of solutions, including policy formulation and revision, compliance certification, cybersecurity testing, employee training, and security assessment services.
What types of cloud solutions does UNA provide?
UNA offers a variety of cloud solutions tailored to different platforms and services. For Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, UNA provides setup, migration, and ongoing management and security to ensure seamless collaboration and productivity. With Azure and AWS, we offer infrastructure management, including virtual machines, storage, and networking, as well as advanced services like AI and machine learning. UNA also provides and manages Cloudflare for enhanced security and performance, Dropbox for secure file storage and sharing, and Adobe software for creative and document management solutions. These services help businesses optimize their cloud environments, improve security, and ensure efficient operations.
What is Managed Endpoint Detection and Response (MDR)?
Managed Endpoint Detection and Response (MDR/EDR) is a cybersecurity solution designed to provide comprehensive protection for endpoints such as laptops and desktops. This service is fully managed and monitored by a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC), which detects and investigates threats, triages alerts, and facilitates the remediation. Managed EDR focuses on identifying and stopping malicious activities by analyzing behavioral patterns and detecting anomalies, such as ransomware and unauthorized access attempts. The solution also includes features like persistent foothold detection and open port monitoring to strengthen perimeter defenses. By leveraging UNA’s MDR, businesses can ensure robust endpoint security with minimal false positives and effective threat mitigation.
Why would I need email security services?
UNA’s email security filtering service provides robust protection against a wide range of email-based threats. This service employs sophisticated, multi-layered detection engines to filter out spam, malware, and advanced threats such as phishing and zero-day attacks. By eliminating 99% of spam with a very low false positive rate, UNA’s email security filtering service helps maintain email continuity and protect the organization’s infrastructure from disruptions. Additionally, the service includes features like graymail management, which helps declutter inboxes, and self-service options for end-users to manage blocked and permitted senders, thereby improving productivity and reducing help desk calls. Overall, UNA’s email security filtering ensures a secure and efficient email environment for businesses.
UNA can also provide optional email encryption services, which ensures that sensitive information is protected during transmission. An email encryption feature is easy to use, allowing employees to send encrypted emails by using specific criteria or keywords in a message.
What is a SIEM (Security information and Event Management) service?
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) service is a cybersecurity solution that provides real-time analysis of events and alerts generated by software and network hardware. SIEM systems collect, aggregate, and analyze data from various sources within an organization’s IT infrastructure to assist in the detection, investigation, and response to potential security threats. UNA offers both a traditional SIEM service and a more modern Managed SIEM service.
UNA’s Managed SIEM offers a streamlined and efficient approach to cybersecurity by combining advanced smart filtering technology with 24/7 monitoring from our Security Operations Center (SOC). This service focuses on capturing the most critical security data, reducing the noise and complexity often associated with traditional SIEM solutions. Clients can achieve robust threat detection and response capabilities without the unpredictable costs and over-complexity of traditional SIEM models.
What is a Security Operation Center (SOC)?
UNA’s 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) provides continuous, around-the-clock monitoring and threat detection, leveraging a team of expert security analysts to protect against cyber threats. Unlike automated systems, UNA’s SOC combines human expertise with advanced technology to identify, analyze, and respond to potential security incidents in real-time. This service includes detailed incident reports and remediation steps, ensuring that threats are swiftly addressed and mitigated. By offering persistent monitoring and expert analysis, UNA’s 24/7 SOC helps organizations maintain a robust security posture and effectively defend against sophisticated cyber attacks.
What’s the difference between a Network Security Assessment, Vulnerability Management, and Penetration Testing (PEN Test)?
Network security assessment, vulnerability management, and penetration testing are components of a robust cybersecurity strategy, but they serve different purposes.
Network security assessment involves identifying, classifying, prioritizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities within an organization’s IT infrastructure. It relies heavily on tools to scan systems for known vulnerabilities, providing an overview of potential security weaknesses based on standards or compliance requirements, along with a summary of remediation options. UNA can provide a one-time network security assessment, but our Vulnerability Management service is recommended.
As a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), UNA offers Vulnerability Management which is an ongoing service of conducting scheduled network security assessments to continuously monitor and remediate vulnerabilities within an organization’s IT infrastructure. This service has become increasingly requested to meet the compliance requirements of regulatory bodies and insurance companies.
Penetration testing, or ethical hacking, is a more focused and intensive approach provided by a third party. It involves simulating real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities and assess the security of specific systems or applications. By conducting penetration testing, organizations gain a deeper understanding of how vulnerabilities can be exploited and the potential consequences of such exploits. This knowledge empowers them to take proactive steps to strengthen their defenses and meet strict compliance requirements.