Just as quickly as the hype surrounding SOPA and PIPA erupted and then simmered, a similar law has recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) was introduced to the House back in November and was pushed through on Thursday, April 26^th.  The latest internet privacy legislation draws many comparisons and contrasts to its malevolent cousins SOPA and PIPA, but one overriding aspect stands strong: CISPA infringes on our Constitutional rights as American citizens.

According to a shocking new report from the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, roughly half of Massachusetts residents (about 3.2 million) have had their personal information breached or compromised over the past four years. This staggering number is the result of nearly 1,800 acts of thievery including the theft of peoples’ credit card numbers and social security numbers. Often these criminal acts are the result of hacking personal accounts and websites, but in the case of one Massachusetts management firm, similar damage was incurred by simple negligence. After being slapped with a substantial monetary fine, this management firm reached out to NSK Inc in hopes of becoming compliant with Massachusetts data regulation, 201 CMR 17.00.

If there’s one person excited about playoff hockey it’s self-described “HUGE hockey fan” Patrick Sullivan, NSK Inc’s Corporate Accountant. When this Arlington, MA native and current Billerica, MA resident isn’t watching the Bruins vie for their second Stanley Cup Trophy in as many years, he’s making sure NSK’s funds are all in order by managing all of the money, budgeting, and financial reporting.

Tired of having to move suspicious looking emails and correspondence from your inbox to your junk mail folder on a daily basis? Imagine being able to open your account and not have to wade through the seemingly endless amounts of spam and malware. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Don’t fret because NSK Inc. wields a service so profound that it may actually make your life…well your email life at least, much easier. SecureTide, is a fully-managed email protection service that removes 99% of unwanted email before it ever reaches a user’s specified network.

When he’s not prowling the sidelines of the Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center as a volunteer coach, Chris Renzi moonlights as NSK Inc’s Outside Sales Representative. Chris began working for NSK in May 2010 and has helped the Boston-based IT consulting company grow by leaps and bounds. His duties include meeting with prospective clientele, structuring deals with prospects, attending networking events, and working the phones. However, it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Higher costs, lower productivity, and legal issues are just some of the risks a company can be exposed to by simply surfing the web. Malware, formally known as malicious software, is the most omnipresent agent of chaos when it comes to web-based offensive content. Whether your company is a small, medium, or large sized business, it can be particularly helpful to install software that combats malicious content automatically.

In July 2006, NSK Inc took a big chance on a small-town girl from West Virginia and hasn’t once thought twice about it. Annie Eastwood, NSK’s Human Resources Representative, could easily be described as the heart and soul of the Boston-based IT consulting and outsourcing firm. Besides organizing the payroll and weighing expenses and taxes, Annie is an integral part of the hiring process. She evaluates resumes (roughly 300 per week, per position) and schedules interviews, but it’s her perceptive nature that really sets her apart.

People often consider the only threat against their computers to be a virus. This is common misconception that often leads to detrimental system damage. A virus, in fact, is a specific threat that falls into the broad category of malicious software, or malware. Malware is used to disrupt computer operations, gather privileged information, and gain unauthorized access by hackers and frauds. Here are a few items that you might not know, but should learn to differentiate when it comes to malware.

 Inside NSK: Michael McGowan, Senior IT Consultant

I recently stumbled across an article describing data loss horror stories from 2011. The most disastrous occurrence described a server being struck by lightning, subsequently set on fire, and incurring water damage from the fire department’s attempt to extinguish the fire. Amazingly, the provider was able to recover all of the data from the charred servers because the company had their data backed up through a cloud service as part of their disaster recovery. Unfortunately, not everyone has a back up recovery plan or is subscribed to a cloud provider who can restore data after such a detrimental disaster. Choosing the right provider who offers the right services is a matter of patience, rationale, meticulousness, and a little bit of common sense.