Important Safety Announcement
HP Notebook Computer and Mobile Workstation Battery Safety Recall and Replacement Program

Dear Valued HP Customer,

In cooperation with various government regulatory agencies HP has announced a worldwide voluntary safety recall and replacement program for certain notebook and mobile workstation batteries.The potentially affected batteries were shipped with certain HP notebooks and mobile workstations sold worldwide from December 2015 through December 2017. These batteries were also sold as accessories or provided as replacements through HP or an authorized HP Service Provider.

HP’s primary concern is for the safety of our customers. The batteries have the potential to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to customers. For this reason, it is extremely important for customers to check whether their batteries are affected.

HP has developed a BIOS update for customers whose battery is affected by the recall program that will put the battery into “Battery Safety Mode”. Customers should discontinue use of batteries affected by this program immediately by placing them in Battery Safety Mode. Once the battery is put into Safety Mode, customers may continue to safely use their notebook or mobile workstation by connecting to an HP power adaptor.

HP will provide onsite battery replacement services by an authorized technician for each battery affected by this recall program at no cost.

Note:

Not all batteries in all products listed below are affected. If the validation process indicates that a battery is not affected, it may continue to be used, and a replacement is not necessary.
How to determine if your Batteries may be affected
The following table provides a list of HP products affected by this recall.
ProBook
HP Probook 640 G2
HP ProBook 645 G2
HP ProBook 650 G2
HP ProBook 655 G2
HP ProBook 640 G3
HP ProBook 645 G3
HP ProBook 650 G3
HP ProBook 655 G3
ZBook
HP ZBook 17 G3
HP ZBook Studio G3
HP ZBook 17 G4
x360
HP x360 310 G2
Pavilion
HP Pavilion x360
ENVY
HP ENVY m6
11
HP 11 Notebook PC

Serial Numbers of notebooks and mobile workstations that were sold with potentially affected batteries

The serial numbers of products shipped with batteries affected by this recall fall within this numerical range: xxx550xxxx – xxx750xxxx

Additionally, these batteries may have been sold as accessories or replacement batteries for the HP ZBook Studio G4 Mobile Workstation or for any of the products listed above.

Validating potentially affected batteries

HP’s primary concern is for the safety of our customers. HP encourages you to check the batteries of any of the potentially affected notebook computers and mobile workstations listed above, plus any batteries purchased as accessories or spares, or provided as replacements through HP or an authorized Service Provider.

HP has put in place a process to facilitate battery validation and replacement ordering for customers with 5 or more potentially affected batteries to validate.

HP has developed a bulk battery validation utility which can be deployed by each individual customer, on the customer’s installed base, to identify notebook and mobile workstation serial numbers and battery component numbers. The regional Bulk Process teams will then verify the data and process the bulk order for battery replacements as applicable. All batteries affected by this recall will be replaced at no cost to you.

Please note that the Bulk Process will be managed in English only.

For more details on the BIOS update to put the battery in Battery Safety Mode, guidance through the bulk battery validation and replacement ordering process, and to obtain the battery validation utility, please contact the relevant regional Bulk Process team at one of the following email addresses:

• For Europe, Middle East and Africa: EMEABulkBatteryRecall@hp.com
• For Asia Pacific: APJBulkBatteryRecall@hp.com
• For North America: NABulkBatteryRecall@hp.com
• For Latin America: LABulkBatteryRecall@hp.com

Note:
The validation process may indicate a battery is not affected. Less than 3% of the potentially affected products sold during this time period include batteries that are affected by this safety recall.
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Contact HP
If you have questions on the HP Notebook and HP Mobile Workstation Battery Safety Recall and Replacement program please go to Contact Us on the program website at www.hp.com/go/batteryprogram2018

Strengthens Leadership in the Printer Repair Business Across New England

For Immediate Release
January 3, 2018
Contact: Michelle Carlow, 508.528.7720
mcarlow@ctsservices.com


Bellingham, MA – As 2017 came to a close, CTS Services, Inc. opened a new market with the acquisition of competing printer service company Laserserv Imaging of Chelsea, MA and Alton, NH. At a time when many IT service companies are struggling to deliver good service while trying to grow the business, CTS Services, Inc. is leveraging its reputation in the market place and its relationship with printer manufacturers.
 
“We’re committed to welcoming the LaserServ Imaging customers to CTS and in offering each of them the same exceptional service that all of our customers enjoy,” said Michelle Carlow, President of CTS. “Based on talking to a few of their accounts so far, I am confident that they will like the level of service we are able to provide for them.” Carlow continued “Our goal is make the transition as transparent as possible for the LaserServ accounts as well as to expand the portfolio of services we deliver to them, including large format and specialty printer sales and service, computer and notebook repair service, networking, and all display media.
 
In acquiring LaserServ Imaging, CTS will be able to leverage its partnership-level status with all major printer vendors including Epson, HP, Xerox and many more. The move gives the company a stronger foothold in southern New England. “This is an exciting time for our company,” said Ms. Carlow, “ and our employees are happy to experience our growth strategy as it develops.” The company is optimistic about the economy and the prospects for growth in 2018. “We’re already seeing an upswing in IT investments for the year ahead.”
 
# # # #
 
 
CTS Services, Inc., in business since 1986, is a leading, full service IT Support company providing remote, on-site, and depot services to small and medium sized businesses in all industries in Massachusetts, and throughout New England. For more information please visit www.ctsservices.com or call 508.528.7720

For Immediate Release
December 5, 2017
 
Bellingham, MA – CTS Services, Inc., a local IT services and support company and Authorized Epson Partner serving the SMB marketplace, announced today that is has been awarded factory authorization for servicing and repairing the Epson Colorworks GP-C831 Label Printer and the Epson Colorworks TM-C3500 Label Printer.
 
“Our ability to service these specialized printers allow us to serve our clients in new ways,” said Michelle Carlow, president of CTS Services, Inc. “The BS5609 certification of these printers opens new markets for Epson, and our service and repair capabilities allow us to serve their clients nationwide via our repair depot, and to provide local service across all of New England. We’re very excited.”
 
The Globally Harmonized System For Hazard Communication creates certain challenges for printing compliance of labeling. Epson's ColorWorks C831 Labeling System offers an industrial-strength inkjet label printer is ideal for GHS large format drum and chemical labels and more. It combines all the benefits of a rugged color inkjet printer with the accuracy of an 8-pin tractor feeder and is the first inkjet printing solution that has been BS5609 certified. With Epson's ColorWorks C3500 inkjet label printer, you can dramatically reduce label costs, increase operational efficiencies and print high-quality, durable labels on demand in four colors (CMYK) at speeds of up to 4 inches/second.
 
# # #
 
CTS Services, Inc. is a full service IT Support company providing remote, on-site, and depot services to small and meddium sized businesses in Massachusetts, and throughout New England. For more information please visit www.ctsservices.com or call 508.528.7720

Your business is too important to simply invite hackers in to torment you and encrypt your data or otherwise paralyze your operations. It happens every day in the small business arena, and the nightmare that one client experienced need not happen to you. Keep in mind, hackers have automated tools to exploit your vulnerabilities for fun and profit. You need to shift from knowing this is an issue to taking action to protect your assets.
 
It is time to fully realize that your business is under attack by malicious hackers. You need to lower your attack vector so hackers are unable to exploit your company.
 
Here’s what happened recently to a client that should have acted before the problem arose:
 
A manufacturing company choose to stay vulnerable by ignoring smart IT advice. They kept their Windows 2003 Server running, they still had Windows XP machines connected to the network, and they had some scattered USB drives on desktop devices for a “local backup”.
 
This “open invitation” led a hacker to install a crypto virus on a server, as well as gain access to all of the other easy-to-identify servers in the network, without a password. The company’s data were encrypted and held for ransom. Even the backup data on the USB drives were encrypted, making an up-to-date recovery impossible. Fortunately, and after 80 hours of IT consulting work to restore data, the company was able to use a 7-month old backup file to at least partially recover and become functional. All avoidable, of course, with a sound data protection and technology deployment plan. Migrating away from XP, once and for all, and upgrading to current server software along with smart data backup is a good start.
 
You might be unknowlingly leaving the door wide open for hackers to come in and ruin your business.  Whether you are highly vulnerable, or as protected as can be is a choice. This choice is clear as you take a close look at your exposure.
 
Hackers have enough tools to succeed without you making it too easy for them. When they find a company that is “just begging” to be hacked, they get a certain thrill in punishing the unsuspecting or ignorant victims, and those who are in full denial about cyberthreats.
 
My message:
 
Make it difficult for hackers by taking steps to lower your vulnerability. Smart IT security decisions can help you reduce exposure and minimize your attack vector.

1. Make it difficult for hackers by giving servers on your network disguised names, removing the word “server”. Instead of “factory server” call it by a desktop name, such as Bill’s Desktop 01. Something that a hacker will not bother to attack.

 

1. USB drives as a back-up strategy is foolish. Yes, backup to a USB as a backup to your backup is it helps you sleep better, but do not leave it connected to the machine. Crypto viruses will encrypt the data on your USB drives, too! Your disaster recovery plan should include an ioSafe fireproof solution. We can help you select the right ioSafe solution.
   

 
Your Decision:
 
Choose the maximum protection you can afford for the risk level you can accept. We’ll assess and advise you, and help you implement the best solution. Since way back in 1986, when CTS Services, Inc. started, our goal has been to keep your business up and running. Now, we’ve added to that value statement; We help you protect your company’s IT assets. Better.
 
Call to discuss your fears and concerns, and to address your questions about risking your business to hackers.
 
Sincerely,
 
Michelle Carlow
President, CTS Services, Inc.

PS: References: I invite you to explore the below links, or simply google the phrase “IT attack vector” and discover what might be a new vocabulary in your IT or business world. Then, if you are feeling vulnerable and at risk, call to discuss a strategy for protecting your company better. Our resident IT security expert staff can help you implement a smart strategy.
 
https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/cert/2013/10/vulnerabilities-and-attack-vectors.html
 
http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/attack-vector
 
https://eforensicsmag.com/attack-vector/

You've got a business to run, and locking down your network, to the degree that you can, is essential. You know that, and since our job is to help keep your business up and running we continue to shine a light on cybersecurity. Making matters more challenging is the shortage of cyber security talent in this relatively new IT field. No wonder small businesses are vulnerable!

The trap that small businesses fall into is the false belief that hackers and cyber-creeps are only interested in large businesses and governmental agencies.  The truth is that your business is likely more vulnerable than you think, and constant vigilance is required.
 
Here are a few things you should know:

• The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued a draft of a cybersecurity self-assessment tool. The Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder is a self-assessment tool to help organizations better understand the effectiveness of their cybersecurity risk management efforts. NIST Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews announced the release of the draft document and said: "The Baldrige Cybersecurity Excellence Builder answers a call from many organizations to provide a way for them to measure how effectively they are using the Cybersecurity Framework. The Builder will strengthen the already powerful Cybersecurity Framework so that organizations can better manage their cybersecurity risks."
  

We recommend you grab the 35-page self-assessment to bring   yourself up to date. We also recommend that you take advantage of our FREE 28-point network evaluation. Call to schedule an appointment and we'll help you assess the integrity of your network.

• As reported in Security Magazine: A recent survey conducted by the Ponemon Institute of nearly 600 IT staff from businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees found that more than 50 percent have suffered a cyber-attack within the past 12 months. The report, "The 2016 State of SMB Cybersecurity," can be downloaded here.

The fact that only 14 percent of the companies surveyed rated their cyber defenses as highly effective sheds light on the specific challenges small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) face. With limited budgets and lack of IT staff that are devoted to cybersecurity issues, the task of keeping your business safe in an ever increasing digital world is daunting.

• 50% of SMBs have been breached in the past 12 months
• The most prevalent attacks against SMBs are web-based and phishing/social engineering
• 59% of SMBs have no visibility into employee password practices
• 65% of SMBs that have a password policy do not strictly enforce it

 Rather than summarize the report, best for you to grab it here in its entirety.  

• Take steps to prevent a data breach. You have heard it before... but it cannot be stressed enough. Hackers love lackadaisical password policies and if you are not enforcing a rigorous password protection plan you are inviting them to steal your most precious company data. Grab these five tips for SMB Data Breach Prevention.

• Finally, The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), a division of Homeland Security, has published a web resource to help you bolster your cyber security profile. Check it out here.

We are well aware of the scarcity of cybersecurity expertise in small businesses. This fact alone makes it doubly difficult for SMB organizations to keep up with trends and protection strategies. The above resources are designed to help you stay current.

We're here to help you minimize your risk. Our Managed Services Program offers a complete suite of services which can also be unbundled to address specific issues. It all starts with a consultation or our free 28-point network evaluation.
 
 Here to help you keep your IT systems secure.

Sincerely,

Michelle Carlow
President
CTS Services, Inc.