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    30Jun, 2023
    How Much Does Data Loss Really Cost?


    “Contrary to what many may think, very small organizations are just as enticing to criminals as large ones, and, in certain ways, maybe even more so.”  — Verizon’s extensive Data Breach Incident Report 2022

    You always hear how data loss has a significant impact on businesses, especially small businesses.

    Yet, how much does it really cost?

    IBM and Ponemon Institute’s 2022 report put the cost for a SINGLE data record lost at $164 or $4.35 million per incident in total.

    Our latest eBook explores:

    • Why data loss costs so much
    • What causes data loss
    • Best practices to protect your data

    Instant Access to the ebook How Much Does Data Loss Cost? today!

    26May, 2023
    Tackle These Four False Assumptions about Cyber Attackers

    There’s one big assumption about cyber attackers that we regularly refute: “It can’t happen to me.” At this point, most businesses do recognize the serious nature of the cyberattack threat. Yet other assumptions about cyberattackers may also make your business vulnerable. Educate your employees about these four main misconceptions. Raising their awareness can help secure your systems against social engineering attacks.

    Start with the assumption that any technology is 100 percent safe. This is as misguided as the idea that your business won’t be a victim of a cyberattack. Some employees may believe that Google and Microsoft activity is always secure. That’s not the case.

    Google and Microsoft have massive market shares, and it makes sense that bad actors target their cloud storage and content distribution. Once they’re in, they have ample opportunity to scam people.

    Another false assumption is that threat actors go in blind with a scatter-shot approach. In fact, many social engineers do their research first. They learn what they can about your employees, your org chart, and what your business does. This helps them to develop more credible attacks.

    Cybercriminals take the time to build rapport before initiating an attack. They may send unassuming conversational emails first, which helps them lull your people into seeing them as a trusted source. After establishing false security, criminals make an urgent request or plea for help.

    Counter these misconceptions too

    Cyberattackers may also make their play over the phone. So, don’t assume that your online interactions are the only thing to protect. There are hundreds of thousands of “vishing” threats every day. The bad actor may send an email without any malicious links or attachments, but there’s a number to call. If your employee calls in, they’ll talk with a convincing criminal. The bad actor might act as a call center or customer service agent.

    Also warn employees against the assumption that responding to an existing email is always safe. It is much easier than they might think for someone to hijack a colleague or client’s email inbox. Then, the criminals use a pre-existing email thread to send a malicious attachment or URL, or use the connection to ask the employee to perform some action for the threat actor.

    Finally, emphasize the point that anything is fair game. Cybercriminals will attack anyone, in any way they can. This includes leveraging current events, pop culture, and even international health crises. One campaign exploited victims by offering early access to Season 2 of the streaming success “Squid Game”, and during COVID lockdowns, hackers offered free masks or free tests to get people to download infected files.

    There is money in cybercrime – a lot of it. The bad guys are highly motivated and always looking for new ways to exploit human weaknesses. Discuss cybersecurity assumptions with your employees and put protective measures in place to secure your IT. Our experts can help. Contact us today at 555-5555.

    Tackle These Four False Assumptions about Cyber Attackers

    There’s one big assumption about cyber attackers that we regularly refute: “It can’t happen to me.” At this point, most businesses do recognize the serious nature of the cyberattack threat. Yet other assumptions about cyberattackers may also make your business vulnerable. Educate your employees about these four main misconceptions. Raising their awareness can help secure your systems against social engineering attacks.

    Start with the assumption that any technology is 100 percent safe. This is as misguided as the idea that your business won’t be a victim of a cyberattack. Some employees may believe that Google and Microsoft activity is always secure. That’s not the case.

    Google and Microsoft have massive market shares, and it makes sense that bad actors target their cloud storage and content distribution. Once they’re in, they have ample opportunity to scam people.

    Another false assumption is that threat actors go in blind with a scatter-shot approach. In fact, many social engineers do their research first. They learn what they can about your employees, your org chart, and what your business does. This helps them to develop more credible attacks.

    Cybercriminals take the time to build rapport before initiating an attack. They may send unassuming conversational emails first, which helps them lull your people into seeing them as a trusted source. After establishing false security, criminals make an urgent request or plea for help.

    Counter these misconceptions too

    Cyberattackers may also make their play over the phone. So, don’t assume that your online interactions are the only thing to protect. There are hundreds of thousands of “vishing” threats every day. The bad actor may send an email without any malicious links or attachments, but there’s a number to call. If your employee calls in, they’ll talk with a convincing criminal. The bad actor might act as a call center or customer service agent.

    Also warn employees against the assumption that responding to an existing email is always safe. It is much easier than they might think for someone to hijack a colleague or client’s email inbox. Then, the criminals use a pre-existing email thread to send a malicious attachment or URL, or use the connection to ask the employee to perform some action for the threat actor.

    Finally, emphasize the point that anything is fair game. Cybercriminals will attack anyone, in any way they can. This includes leveraging current events, pop culture, and even international health crises. One campaign exploited victims by offering early access to Season 2 of the streaming success “Squid Game”, and during COVID lockdowns, hackers offered free masks or free tests to get people to download infected files.

    There is money in cybercrime – a lot of it. The bad guys are highly motivated and always looking for new ways to exploit human weaknesses. Discuss cybersecurity assumptions with your employees and put protective measures in place to secure your IT. Our experts can help. Contact us today at 941-447-8582.

    25May, 2023
    Supercharge Your Business Operations with our ChatGPT AI Cheatsheet

    As a business professional, you have probably heard that AI is changing the game. That’s why I wanted to share our ChatGPT cheatsheet with you.

    With real-world examples, our cheatsheet shows how ChatGPT can help your business. From hiring to sales and marketing, AI can optimize your operations and help give you a competitive edge.

    Don’t miss out on this opportunity to harness the power of AI for your business. Download our ChatGPT Cheatsheet now and unlock the potential of AI in your operations.

    Download the cheat sheet here – no email required!

    If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help! 941-447-8582

    All the best,

    Doug MacDonald, The Document Warrior

    21Mar, 2023
    8 Signs you need new IT support

    When your IT provider isn’t providing the quality support you can experience:

    • Lost employee productivity
    • Security breaches
    • Lost business revenue
    • Low return on IT investment
    • Employee turnover
    • Business downtime
    • Drop in reputation with customers

    None of these are good. Learn eight indicators that you’re suffering with subpar IT support. These include poor communication, suffering outages again and again, or seeing your business lag behind the competition.

    Don’t settle. Sure, change is difficult, but you don’t want to be held back by these IT provider issues. For Instant Access and no email required, Download 8 Signs You Need a New IT Support Provider to make sure you’re making the best choice for your business.

    2Mar, 2023
    Top 10 Ways to Find Cyber Security Gaps

    You may trust that you’re protected against cyber security flaws. Yet you need to take proactive steps to find and close any security gaps that put you at risk. Our infographic shares 10 top strategies to identify weaknesses and take action. 

    The advice includes:  

    • Monitor infrastructure 
    • Audit cybersecurity policies
    • Train employees 
    • Develop a disaster recovery plan
    • Consider third party/vendor risk
    • Partner with a managed service provider

    The systems you build and networks you maintain are inevitably vulnerable. Cut your risks today. Call Douglas MacDonald, SWFL Regional Account Manager at 941-447-8582.

    7Feb, 2023
    IT Services Agreement or Block Hours Support: Which Is Best for a Small Business?

    There are many types of IT support available for a business, and the two most common are “managed services” and “block hours support.” In this article, we’ll look at what these are, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and which one might be right for you.

    What Is Block Hours Support?

    With block hours support, you pre-pay a single provider for a certain amount and type of service. It’s usually a “block” or fixed number of hours, but it can also be a fixed dollar amount or an amount for a specific project.

    What Are the Advantages of Block Hours Support?

    Block hours support is usually cheaper than hiring your own staff. The provider has skilled staff with up-to-date training, so they can quickly and efficiently handle your needs. Your provider can also give you a bulk discount when you purchase more hours at a time.

    And with a block hours agreement, you pay only for what you need. For example, you can save money by maintaining only the infrastructure and staff you need when you need it. That allows you to avoid a closet full of expensive hardware that you thought you were going to need or staff that don’t have enough to do.

    What Are the Disadvantages of Block Hours Support?

    Block hours support is what’s called a “break/fix” type of service. In other words, your provider isn’t usually involved until you have a problem. You wait until something goes wrong, and then call your provider to fix it.

    That doesn’t give you the advantage of constant monitoring and management that can prevent problems before they start. That’s especially important for things such as cybersecurity, where it’s best to detect an attack and prevent damage instead of trying to fix it.

    In addition, everyone’s IT operations are unique, so it helps to have someone who’s familiar with your setup when you need help. But a block hours support provider usually can’t guarantee that you’ll always get the same technician or even the best technician for your job. That means your service might be slower or less effective than a more comprehensive approach.

    Reacting to a problem after it occurs also means you could experience more downtime. It could be hours before your provider can respond to your call and fix the problem. If you can’t afford to wait, you probably need a more proactive solution.

    What Are the Advantages of a Managed Services Agreement?

    With a managed services agreement, you typically have the option of more comprehensive services. For instance, instead of just reactive troubleshooting, your provider can continuously monitor and manage your processes such as cybersecurity.

    They can also provide more “premium” services, such as more comprehensive management and even strategic planning.

    What Are the Disadvantages of a Managed Services Agreement?

    Compared to “block hours support,” the main disadvantage of a managed services agreement is cost. Your contract will usually be a fixed monthly fee, which you pay regardless of whether you use any services. Typically, larger organizations use more services, so this isn’t an issue for them, but for smaller businesses, it could be that contracting for managed services is overkill that could cost you money.

    Which Solution is Right for You?

    Block hours support works well if you don’t have a very large or complex operation, and you can afford the downtime you might experience when a problem arises.

    Larger organizations can take advantage of premium services to help them save more on their operations.

    Want help assessing your outsourced IT needs? Give us a call at 941-447-8582.

    7Feb, 2023
    4 Tech Trends to Know About for 2023

    A new year is an opportunity to start afresh. This is also true for your technology initiatives. Your business can begin 2023 on the right foot by considering these important IT trends.

    #1 Cloud migration

    The pandemic pushed businesses to work remotely. Even those that said they’d never work from home saw benefits. Now, with cloud computing battle-tested, many offices are choosing to remain remote or at least hybrid, even though they could now go back.

    So, expect the move to the cloud to continue for businesses looking to enjoy:

    • increased productivity and output;
    • ability to scale up and down as needed;
    • capital and space savings;
    • consistent user experience across devices;
    • easier upgrades and security patching, as IT teams can manage this all in the cloud.

    Migrating to the cloud also brings sustainability benefits. Cloud data centers are more energy efficient than on-premises IT infrastructure.

    #2 Automation

    Any opportunity to streamline processes can support competitive advantage. That’s why many digitally savvy businesses are embracing automation.

    Improve human capital use by automating workflows that take abundant employee time. You can free up employees to work on higher-value initiatives. Plus, you can reduce the risk of human data entry or data processing errors. You’ll also cut the security risk from human involvement with sensitive data.

    Platforms such as Power Automate and IFTTT (IF This Then That) make it simple.

    #3 Multi-factor authentication

    The days of securing business technology in a single, contained setting are gone. With digital transformation, businesses are growing more diffuse. People want to access business systems from any device, whether in the office or off-site.

    Yet the old approach of trusting that the user, device, or application is who or what it claims to be no longer works. Frequent data breaches prove the importance of avoiding repeating passwords across sites. Hackers can use leaked credentials to get access and take action in a business network.

    Multi-factor authentication (MFA) makes that compromised access more difficult. The bad actor needs to have the username and password to a separate device for verification.

    As MFA gains momentum, expect to see more use of password managers and authenticator apps. Managers keep and secure all the unique, strong passwords people need to make. Authenticators help verify users are who they say they are.

    #4 Optimizing IT budget

    This is not a new trend, of course. Still, with the uncertain global economic outlook for 2023, it is a higher priority. As inflation and rising costs hit businesses, optimize IT budgets to align with your goals. This can improve user and customer experience, and help you corral costs.

    Many businesses reach out to managed service providers (MSPs) for help reducing spend. Our IT experts can also help you to migrate to the cloud, automate, and secure your systems. Contact us today at 941-447-8582

    27Dec, 2022
    5 Questions Execs Need to Ask about Cybersecurity

    Cybersecurity is a constantly changing field. A new technology is developed to keep criminals at bay, but soon after, bad actors find a way around it. As a business leader, you have a lot to manage, but don’t overlook the importance of managing cybersecurity risks, too. Asking these five questions prioritizes keeping data and systems protected.

    You already know the importance of protecting data. Leaked or stolen personal information can be devastating for your business reputation, but there’s so much more involved with cybersecurity. Your employees may be working from home more, which means you have remote equipment to manage. You could have Internet of Things endpoints, and automatic ordering and fulfillment adds more points of entry to secure.

    Execs need to know what is being done to identify, protect, and detect. Plus, they should have a good idea of how the business is set up to respond and recover. These five questions can help you manage cybersecurity efforts.

    #1 What assets and entry points do we have that need protection?

    You need to have a full inventory of what you have to protect; otherwise, you can’t expect your cybersecurity to be effective. Determine what needs monitoring and management, as well as your priorities.

    Asset inventory management helps ensure all licensing and manufacturer upgrades are current. This keeps your tech patched against the latest known threats.

    #2 How are we securing our technology?

    Taking a multi-layered approach is best. Besides antivirus software, your business also needs firewalls (even many firewalls). Still, it doesn’t stop there. You can also take advantage of:

    • identity and access management tools;
    • encryption;
    • vulnerability scans;
    • penetration testing;
    • employee training in defending against cyberthreats.

    #3 How do we detect problems?

    Be proactive about detecting incidents. Many breaches are not immediately detected, which makes the damage worse. Build capabilities to identify any vulnerabilities before the bad guys do.

    Most antivirus software detects malware, spyware, ransomware, and more. You’ll get an alert of a risk and be able to cut the risk. You can also collect and analyze security logs to help identify potential threats.

    #4 What is our plan in the event of an incident?

    Few of us think at our best in crisis situations. It’s much better to anticipate the worst and think ahead. Leadership can make a plan to respond to ransomware, establish a disaster plan, and consider business continuity. You can also determine everyone’s roles and responsibilities. Learn who needs to be alerted, and decide who will do so. It all helps you get back to business as usual more effectively.

    Once you have business recovery plans in place, test them. For instance, you don’t want to wait until a cyber incident to learn that your data backup wasn’t working.

    #5 What are we doing to create a cybersecurity culture?

    You may think about company culture as mission and values. That influences hiring, employee engagement, and business success. Yet you can also encourage an environment that motivates cybersecurity behaviors. Help your team members understand they have a role to play in championing security.

    You might establish a cybersecurity culture by:

    • asking these five questions;
    • encouraging regular backups;
    • discouraging people from downloading software without prior approval;
    • establishing a bring-your-own-device policy;
    • educating employees about threats;
    • communicating who employees can contact if they suspect malware or phishing.

    The more you know

    Learning more about cybersecurity can only help your business. A managed service provider is a great resource for answers to these questions. Partner with us today. Call 941-447-8582.

    20Dec, 2022
    Top Tips for Your Year-End Tech Review

    Many of us look forward to January 1 as a fresh start. But before we get to hit that refresh button, it’s a good idea to look back too. No, we’re not saying you need to go sit by a waterfall and meditate on your IT infrastructure, but there are benefits to doing a year-end tech review.

    What is a tech review?

    In a tech review, you can accomplish several key things. First, you can gain a clear picture of what the IT infrastructure looks like. After all, technology is always evolving. You can determine what assets you have and how employees are using them. You’ll also revisit your tech spending and whether it’s achieving business outcomes.

    A tech review also gives IT staff a chance to clarify roles and responsibilities, as well as mission.

    Doing this at year’s end is common because many businesses slow down around the holidays. This means your team can focus more on the tasks of a thorough and effective tech review.

    You may have a budget you’re looking to use by the end of the fourth quarter. With a tech review in hand, you can make sure you spend money on technology that will make a real impact.

    A tech review, done at any time of year, also offers you the ability to:

    • improve productivity;
    • mitigate risk;
    • streamline workflow;
    • update and upgrade;
    • enhance employee engagement.

    Steps for your tech review

    There are many steps to take in an effective annual review of your technology. Read the main ones here.

    Perform an IT inventory

    Make sure you know all your tech assets and where they are in their lifecycle. This is a good time to identify current hardware and software in need of upgrade or replacement. Then, you can plan ahead and avoid security risks or unplanned downtime.

    Review your IT outcomes

    You should be spending on IT to achieve certain business goals. Now’s the time to consider whether your technology is doing what you wanted it to do. A Harvard Business Review study found that 77% of respondents see an IT strategy–implementation gap. So, at least you’re not alone in needing to ensure your tech initiative aligns with business outcomes.

    Update tech guidelines

    You probably have policies in place governing how your IT is used. Revisit these annually to ensure you are keeping up with the way your tech is evolving. For example, if your people are remote more often, make sure your guidelines match those tech deployments.

    Survey employees

    Ask the people who are using your technology not only about what they are using but also how they are using it. This can help you identify areas to improve, upgrade, or automate. Or you might find out people are using software that IT didn’t vet first!

    Good questions to ask include:

    • What applications do you use most often?
    • What applications do you resist using?
    • Which technology tools can’t you do without?
    • Which technology do you wish our company had, and why?
    • Do you do any manual, repetitive processes?

    Explore cybersecurity

    You can ask employees whether they have experienced a cybersecurity threat this year. But you’ll also want to review your data to see if there are any indications of cyberattacks. Also, examine and revise your firewall settings to make sure they are as current as can be.

    It’s also useful to have a third-party IT professional perform a vulnerability scan. A penetration test is a more involved way to identify weaknesses you might consider.

    Review your findings and prioritize new technology

    Drawing on the input you’ve received and the data you’ve gathered, decide what actions to take. You might want to replace redundant software or some with poor user experience. Or you may need to invest in hardware such as computers or servers. You could also find opportunities to automate manual tasks to boost your productivity.

    Even if you have the budget for it, avoid making all your changes at once; it can be too overwhelming. Don’t expect your team to automate a process while also transitioning to new hardware. Bring your decision-makers together to decide on priorities and plan purchases and rollouts.

    We review for you

    Don’t have the resources or know-how to do a year-end technology evaluation? Our experts can investigate your IT infrastructure for you. Contact us today at 941-447-8582

    14Dec, 2022
    Improve Your IT Budget Forecasting

    As the year comes to a close, you have to write the IT budget and spending benchmarks. You must understand the current IT infrastructure and forecast technology needs. This article shares three key areas to improve forecasting and maybe save budget too.

    #1 Unexpected IT expenses

    First, it helps to identify where you are blowing your IT budget. Often IT budget inaccuracies can be traced back to unexpected tech expenses. Repairs, replacements, and unanticipated upgrades can all throw your budget out of whack. Unfortunately, emergency repairs and last-minute technology improvements are the most costly.

    But without a crystal ball, you can’t predict what’s going to happen, right? Still, you can make a plan that allows you to avoid wasting money on the break-fix model. Partnering with a managed service provider (MSP), you will typically pay a set monthly fee. Then, if something does go wrong, you have IT experts at the ready to address the issue.

    Plus, a good MSP will work to determine the expected life cycles of your tech assets. That way, you can anticipate hardware or software upgrades and budget accordingly. Further, your MSP should work proactively to prevent unexpected downtime. They can help protect you from cyberattacks and keep software and hardware updated and patched.

    #2 Bloated IT infrastructure

    Overlapping and wasted resources are another big IT budget drain. You could be paying for many devices that do the same thing, or you may be continuing to license software that your team no longer uses. Or it may be software that everyone uses, and you could be getting a much better deal. You might also be paying for tech you haven’t upgraded, so you aren’t getting the full return on your investment.

    An MSP can help identify these kinds of issues. Bringing in an IT expert provides an objective view of your infrastructure. They can suggest performance improvements and streamline processes. They may also suggest subscriptions or other packages that can help you save funds.

    #3 IT and business misalignment

    The plan is always to build a budget for an IT strategy that helps achieve business goals. Yep, doing so depends on your tech know-how and good communication.

    Further, tech-business alignment has grown more difficult as infrastructure has changed, plus, the workforce is now more distributed. The business could have on-premises technology as well as cloud-based software. Employees could be bringing in their own devices and/or working remotely. As a result, business tech needs to be doing more. Plus, it needs to keep up with rapid evolutions and cybersecurity threats.

    Yet investing in IT-business alignment improves budgets, and benefits workers and customers. Potential advantages include:

    • reduced digital friction;
    • improved user experience;
    • greater customer engagement;
    • cutting costs;
    • improving productivity;
    • gaining visibility of business processes;
    • faster delivery times and speed to market;
    • growing your competitive advantage;
    • driving innovation.

    Work with an MSP to bridge business acumen and IT expertise. Then, you can better calculate the financial impacts (costs and ROIs) of your IT plan.

    Need help understanding IT budget pitfalls and spending benchmarks? We can help plan for tech spending supporting your business objectives going forward. Contact us at 239-239-9050