5 Signs It’s Time to Update Your Software (And How to Do It Safely)

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Software updates can seem like a hassle, but ignoring them can make your systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers are constantly searching for weak points, and outdated software is often an easy target.

So, how do you know when it’s time to update? And should you always rely on your computer to tell you? Here are five clear signs that it’s time for an update, along with tips on how to update safely.

1. Your Software Is No Longer Supported

If your software provider has stopped releasing updates for your current version, it’s a major warning sign. Unsupported software is often riddled with vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. Keep an eye out for announcements about end-of-life support for your software, and upgrade before you’re left exposed.

Tip: Don’t wait until the software stops working. Proactively plan for updates and migrate to newer versions while full support is still available.

2. You Notice Slower Performance

If your software suddenly becomes sluggish, it could be outdated. Newer versions are typically optimized for better performance, while skipping updates can leave you with buggy, slow software.

Tip: If performance dips, check for pending updates in the software settings or download the latest version directly from the provider’s website.

3. You Receive Security Alerts

Has your antivirus or security software flagged vulnerabilities in an application you use? This is a strong sign that an update is overdue. Outdated software leaves the door open to security threats, so take these alerts seriously.

Tip: Use a trusted antivirus program that can detect vulnerabilities and notify you when updates are needed. Always verify update alerts before acting on them to avoid falling for phishing scams.

4. It’s Been More Than 6 Months Since Your Last Update

If you haven’t updated your software in over six months, chances are you’re due for one. Many providers release updates regularly to fix security flaws and improve functionality.

Tip: Instead of waiting for update notifications, set a reminder to check for updates on a regular basis—especially for critical software like operating systems and antivirus programs.

5. New Features Have Been Announced

Sometimes software updates come with exciting new features. If you’re hearing about tools or functionalities you don’t have, it’s a sign you’re behind on updates.

Tip: Follow your software providers’ blogs or sign up for notifications to stay informed about the latest improvements and features.

How to Update Safely

Updating software is essential, but it’s important to do it safely. Here’s how to ensure a smooth and secure update process:

Verify the Source: Only download updates from the official provider’s website or a trusted app store. Avoid third-party websites or suspicious links.

Back Up Your Data: Before any major update, back up your important files. If something goes wrong during the update, you’ll have a safety net.

Restart Your Device: Once the update is complete, restart your computer to ensure all patches and new features are fully installed.

By staying on top of your software updates, you not only improve performance but also protect your systems from cyber threats. Don’t wait until vulnerabilities are exposed—keep your software current to ensure a secure network.

Need help managing your software updates? Call us at 214-550-0550 or click here to schedule a consultation. Stay safe and stay updated!

How Can an MSP Keep Your Business Safe?

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How Can an MSP Keep Your Business Safe?

Are you a small- or medium-sized business that is in need of a more complete, dependable IT solution to support your business than you presently have? When your main focus is running your business, everything else becomes an afterthought. Other support operations tend to take a backseat. However, your business depends upon a reliable, stable “always running” IT infrastructure and you probably find that isn’t always the case. Even if you have an in-house staff, it isn’t large enough to put out fires and handle strategic planning and provide 24/7 support when something goes wrong. That is why many businesses large and small rely fully or partially on the support of a Managed Service Provider (MSP).

So what are the typical services available from an MSP? There are many different types of support that can be provided to clients. In this e-guide we will break them down.

Managed IT Services

This is the overarching set of services that define the purpose of an MSP. Generally, a business will sign a service level contract with an MSP for a set of defined IT services for a period of time. One advantage typically derived from such an agreement is that the contract provides that you get 24/7 emergency support with priority. Typically, if you have a crisis and call a provider, the non-contract clients take a lower priority. This can mean longer down times and those mean revenue losses. Also, your contract with an MSP means that you can do a better job predicting your IT expenses into the future, and predictability is always a benefit for any enterprise.

Cyber Security Services

One specific area of expertise that everyone needs, no matter how small the business, is up-to-date, ongoing protection against data theft and cyber crimes. An MSP can bring a depth of knowledge that is difficult to create in-house. Ransomware and data theft are rampant. Cyber criminals attack businesses of any size ( in fact, small ones can be more vulnerable. And smaller businesses often don’t have the deep pockets to recover from the revenue losses of a cyber attack). This is a very specialized sector of IT management where businesses frequently choose to use the services of an MSP because of its complexity. Also, keeping up-to-date with the latest malware, and handling 24/7 monitoring can be very labor intensive if done in-house.

Compliance Management

  • There are a number of data protection laws (HIPAA, FERPA, CA Privacy Act, GDPR, FTC Safeguards Rule) out there that not only provide penalties if a data breach occurs, many of them mandate specific protocols to better ensure your data is protected. Avoiding a data breach isn’t enough. Some of these protocols can be quite demanding and some require periodic testing and are subject to audits. Samples of the types of requirements mandated by some of these laws may include.
  • Designating one individual to oversee data protection and security
  • Conducting a risk assessment – This means analyzing what data you possess, where it is stored, and in what ways it is vulnerable.
  • Creating safeguards to address all potential areas of vulnerability
  • Designing and documenting tools to secure your data and tracking access
  • Tracing the location and security of all data whether it is at rest or in transit.

An MSP can be a critical resource in designing these safety measures and ensuring your company is in compliance and remains so. Handling compliance issues and audits can be a big distraction when you are trying to run your business and drive revenues.

The S.E.C.U.R.E. Method: How to Stop Phishing Emails

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Phishing attacks are the most common type of cybercrime for one simple reason—they work. Every day, over 3.4 billion spam emails flood inboxes around the world, with phishing attempts leading the charge. These attacks have been the most frequent form of cyber attack for years because they’re easy to execute, easy to scale, and still fool countless people. Now, with AI tools like ChatGPT, it’s even easier for cybercriminals to craft emails that look and sound more convincing, making it harder to spot a phishing attempt.

Phishing scams can have devastating effects on your business if you’re not careful. That’s why, in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’ve created this guide to help you and your team identify phishing emails and understand the critical importance of stopping them.

The Dangers of Phishing Attacks

Phishing emails aren’t just an annoyance—they pose a real and significant threat. Here are four major risks of falling victim to these attacks:

Data Breaches
Phishing attacks can expose your company’s sensitive information to hackers. Once accessed, this data can be sold on the dark web or held for ransom. Even if you pay, there’s no guarantee the criminals will return it. This can lead to legal issues, financial loss, reputational damage, and a loss of trust from your customers.

Financial Loss
Cybercriminals often use phishing emails to steal money directly, whether by tricking businesses into paying fraudulent invoices or authorizing fake transactions. The financial impact can be severe and long-lasting.

Malware Infections
Phishing emails frequently contain malicious links or attachments. Clicking these can lead to malware infections, which can disrupt your operations, result in data loss, and require costly cleanup.

Compromised Accounts
If an employee falls for a phishing scam, their account could be compromised. This gives hackers a foothold inside your business, allowing them to launch further attacks or access confidential company data.

These dangers are just the tip of the iceberg. Fortunately, there are effective steps you can take to defend against phishing attacks.

Introducing the S.E.C.U.R.E. Method to Identify Phishing Emails

To help you and your employees spot phishing emails before they cause harm, follow the S.E.C.U.R.E. Method:

S – Start With the Subject Line
Is it strange or off? Look for odd patterns like “FWD: FWD: FWD: review immediately” or anything that seems unusual.

E – Examine the Email Address
Do you know the sender? Is the email address misspelled or unfamiliar? Be cautious if the sender’s address is slightly altered from a legitimate one.

C – Consider the Greeting
Is the greeting generic or unusual? Phishing emails often use impersonal greetings like “Hello Ma’am!” or “Dear Customer” rather than addressing you by name.

U – Unpack the Message
Does the email create a sense of urgency, encouraging you to click a link or download an attachment? Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true or pressures you to act fast.

R – Review for Errors
Are there grammatical mistakes or odd spellings? Phishing emails often contain errors that wouldn’t be present in legitimate business communications.

E – Evaluate Links and Attachments
Always hover over links to check their destination before clicking. Avoid opening attachments from unknown senders or those you weren’t expecting.

Protect Your Business From Phishing Attacks

Even with the S.E.C.U.R.E. Method in place, it’s essential to have a cybersecurity expert monitoring your network and blocking spam emails before they reach your team. Phishing attacks are frequent and effective, but with the right precautions, you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

If you need assistance training your employees on cybersecurity best practices, implementing a strong security system, or simply want an expert to assess your current setup for vulnerabilities, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 214-550-0550 or click here to schedule a consultation with our team.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—protect your business from phishing scams today!

Leveraging your business data to drive better business outcomes

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Leveraging your business data to drive better business outcomes

Smaller firms may hear about AI and how data is driving the big corporations of the world, but they often don’t realize that they can do the same. The size and age of your business doesn’t have to be a limiting factor in whether you use data. Today’s blog is a quick look at data management for the small firm.

The first lesson is: don’t take your data for granted. The basic business model for some large IT companies is monetizing the data that they collect. While this may not be your goal, you probably collect a great deal of data about your customers, prospects, and operations. An MSP can help you make better use of that data. Here are just three examples:

Marketing

Data tells you who is interested, when they’re interested, and in what they are interested. Data can tell you where each individual prospect sits in the sales funnel, so your marketing messages reach them exactly where they are. It can also track the performance of your online marketing initiatives.

Forecasting and Sales

Customer Relationship Management applications exist because of the data that can now be collected. They monitor sales efforts, nurture leads, and work to improve customer engagement.

In-house and Operations

Data can track all manner of things in your production of goods or services, identifying where resources are being spent in each step of the process. Data can also be used in scheduling and pricing, although these tools can have human resource and customer relations implications that need to be carefully considered.

Planning and the Future

Technology is more than just something to run your business today. It can be a source of innovation for the future of the business, pushing it in new directions. You should be taking a proactive view of technology as a strategic tool for the long-term growth of the business. How can new technology help with in-house software development, infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, and product innovation? Questions to ask in this context would be “can technology improve the delivery of products and services, or improve qualitatively the nature of the product or service itself?” As part of C-suite plans to stay competitive and thrive in the market, leadership needs to understand what new technologies are available for future innovation. However, that means you need technology support that is focussed on strategic planning; understanding new technologies that can move the business forward. For an SMB, Managed Service Provider can be the CIO/CTO that understands your business and helps plans for the future.

In summary, most SMBs are limited in how they can make use of technology in their strategic planning. As a result, this may compromise their capacity to remain competitive in the long-term. Consider using an MSP as a strategic partner in your long term planning.

Windows 10 Support Ending: What It Means for Your Business

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Mark your calendars! Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. While your PCs will still function after this date, Microsoft will no longer offer essential services such as:
Security updates
Non-security updates
Technical support

Without these services, your system becomes more vulnerable, so it’s crucial to prepare for the change.

Why This Matters for Business Owners

Increased Security Risks
Once support ends, your computer will no longer receive security patches, leaving it exposed to cyber threats like viruses, malware, and hackers. Protecting your business data should be a priority, and upgrading to a supported version of Windows is a critical step.

Software Compatibility
Many software applications are updated to stay compatible with the latest operating systems. After Windows 10 reaches its end-of-life, you might find that some of your key programs stop working smoothly—or at all.

Compliance Concerns
If your business handles sensitive information or adheres to industry regulations, using an unsupported operating system could lead to compliance violations. Staying current is essential to avoid fines or legal issues.

What Are Your Options?

Microsoft recommends transitioning to a newer version of Windows before the October 2025 deadline. However, not all devices running Windows 10 are compatible with Windows 11. If your hardware doesn’t meet the requirements, you’ll encounter errors during the upgrade process.

If your device isn’t Windows 11 compatible, consider the following:

Purchase a new PC that meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements

Pay for extended Windows 10 security updates, available for up to three years (but no longer free)

Switch to an alternative OS like Linux

Use a technical workaround to upgrade incompatible PCs

Ignore the deadline (we do not recommend this option)

Whatever you choose, back up your data before making any changes. This protects your important files and minimizes the risk of data loss during the upgrade process.

Plan Ahead

While there’s speculation that Microsoft may extend the support deadline, it’s not a guarantee. Waiting until the last minute could put your business at risk, leaving you without security protections.

The best approach is to consult with your IT provider to determine the right strategy. If your computers are relatively new, paying for ongoing security updates may be a cost-effective solution. On the other hand, if your devices are older, investing in new PCs might be more practical. A tech expert can help ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your operations.

Need Help with Your Transition?

Our team is here to assist you. Schedule a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call to discuss the next steps for a smooth transition to Windows 11. Contact us at 214-550-0550 or click here to schedule your consultation.

Don’t wait—start planning now to ensure your business remains secure and compliant!

Roadmaps for Data Security and for Strategic Planning

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Roadmaps for Data Security and for Strategic Planning

It is time you were encouraged to stop looking at the technology you use to run your business as just some reliable piece of invisible infrastructure that hums along in the background.

Instead, business owners should look at technology from a strategic perspective. What can technology do to support business in the future? How can new technology help your present business evolve and adapt to new market demands and customer expectations? For instance, AI is a new technology that may create serious disruption in many industries. Failure to think into the future could put a business at a disadvantage. Unfortunately, most small businesses face two challenges that make it difficult to incorporate new technology into their strategic plans.

  1. In-house staff focus more on maintaining existing technology – For many SMBs, in-house IT staff resources are limited. As a result, much of their time and attention must be focused on putting out fires and handling emergencies. Beyond that, day-to-day maintenance and support of your IT infrastructure is probably stretching them past the breaking point.

  2. Leadership expertise in SMBs is concentrated entirely on running the business and growing revenues. Very simply, SMB leadership’s skills are in their specific industry. Management needs to be focused on the product or service and driving revenues. The issues get back to “core competencies.” A business that gets distracted from its core competencies may damage its focus on quality and meeting customer expectations.

Because of these two challenges, SMBs tend to not integrate technology into long-term strategic planning. They simply don’t have the luxury of devoting resources to IT planning. There is a solution, however. An MSP has the depth and breadth of resources that you could never hope to build and manage internally. To do so would drain management focus and be financially unsupportable.

What can an MSP bring to a small business? Here are six areas where an MSP can help a small business act strategically and integrate technology into long-term growth plans.

Building a Technology Roadmap

At the heart of a technology roadmap is this question: “Can technology improve the delivery of products and services or improve qualitatively the nature of the product or service itself?” A technology roadmap works to develop a complete, concrete answer to this question. It is a long-term planning document that defines how and what technology should be incorporated into the growth of the business. Individual parts of a roadmap will address specific aspects of the company’s technology such as software development, infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, and product innovation. A technology roadmap that includes product innovation is especially important. The roadmap may also include research and development initiatives.

Creating a Security Roadmap

A security roadmap is the result of a risk management analysis. By analyzing the vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure, including cyber security threats, an MSP can create a security roadmap that identifies all the actions that need to be taken to fortify your IT infrastructure as much as possible. Like a technology roadmap, it is a specific plan for ensuring that your data, network hardware and software remains safe from cybercriminals. Data is critical to your business. It is proprietary and it is also very vulnerable to theft. A data breach can be a real threat to the viability of your business. The legal and reputational consequences can take down a small business. A security roadmap can include:

  • Determining what regulations govern your data (HIPAA, GDPR, FERPA, etc.)
  • Developing access protocols
  • Training employees about human vulnerabilities to cybercrimes, such a phishing
  • Creating effective backup procedures, which are a particularly important defense against ransomware attacks

Microsoft Copilot: Techniques to Boost Your Business Productivity

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Even if you’re tired of hearing about AI, the reality is that those who embrace it, find the right tools, and learn to use them efficiently WILL get ahead of those who resist change. However, navigating the countless AI-powered programs on the market can be overwhelming, which is why we want to spotlight one that we fully support: Microsoft Copilot.

Microsoft Copilot is an advanced AI-driven tool that automates routine tasks, analyzes data, facilitates collaboration, and more. Seamlessly integrated across popular Microsoft applications like Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams, Copilot can significantly boost your productivity. Yet, many businesses underutilize its capabilities. Here are seven ways you can leverage Microsoft Copilot to enhance efficiency in your organization.

1. Automate Routine Tasks

Routine tasks like data entry, scheduling, and managing emails can drain your time and energy. Microsoft Copilot can handle these tasks for you, freeing up your time to focus on more strategic activities. Imagine starting your day with a clear inbox and a well-organized schedule without lifting a finger.

2. Streamline Data Analysis and Reporting

Data is crucial for making informed decisions, but analyzing it can be time-consuming and often requires technical expertise. With Microsoft Copilot, you can effortlessly sift through large datasets and quickly generate comprehensive reports. Whether you need insights into sales trends, customer behavior, or financial performance, Copilot delivers actionable data in minutes.

3. Enhance Customer Support

Quality customer support is key to business growth. Copilot can help you develop scripts for customer service representatives, edit emails for professionalism, automate responses to common inquiries, and even route complex issues to the appropriate team member. This results in faster response times and happier customers.

4. Accelerate Content Creation

Creating content for emails, presentations, and marketing campaigns can be time-consuming. Copilot can draft emails and blogs, generate creative ad copy, craft sales pitches and presentations, and even create social media content—all while maintaining consistent messaging. Whether you’re working on a newsletter or a social media post, Copilot ensures the content creation process is smooth and efficient.

5. Simplify Financial Management

Microsoft Copilot can assist in drafting budget proposals, creating financial summaries, forecasting, organizing invoices, tracking expenses, automating data collection, and generating accurate financial reports. By keeping your finances in check with real-time data, Copilot makes monitoring financial health and planning for growth much more manageable.

6. Optimize HR and Operations

Copilot can help your HR and operations teams accomplish more in less time. Use Copilot to:

  • Manage documentation such as employee manuals, policy documents, and FAQs, keeping them up-to-date.
  • Develop training modules and educational content for new hires or ongoing employee development.
  • Generate templates for performance evaluations and feedback forms personalized for each employee.
  • Ensure compliance by staying informed about legal changes and updating necessary documentation accordingly.

7. Streamline Task and Workflow Management

Keeping track of tasks and deadlines can be challenging. Copilot integrates with tools like Microsoft Planner and Project to help you organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. By streamlining task and workflow management, Copilot helps keep projects on track and team members accountable, fostering a productive and organized work environment.

While this list only scratches the surface of what Microsoft Copilot can do, it’s clear that there’s no magic button to make your business run itself. However, leveraging tools like Microsoft Copilot can get you closer to that goal. From automating routine tasks to enhancing collaboration and financial management, Copilot offers a wide range of benefits that can significantly boost your productivity. By embracing the power of artificial intelligence, you can focus on what truly matters—growing your business.

And remember, no matter how advanced technology becomes, nothing replaces the value of hard work and dedication. So, integrate these tools, but keep pushing forward with the grit and determination that got you here in the first place. If you need help setting up or leveraging Microsoft Copilot in your organization, our team of experts is here to assist.

Give us a call at 214-550-0550 or book a FREE Network Assessment here.

An MSP can help you prepare your business for tomorrow’s market

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An MSP can help you prepare your business for tomorrow’s market

Many small businesses tend to view an MSP as the local fire truck. Available when an emergency happens, they rush in, put out whatever tech fires broke out, and then leave. This is also known as the “break-fix” approach to technical support. However, an MSP can bring many types of value to a small business. In particular, an MSP can function as a strategic partner for a small business. Technology needs to be part of your long-term strategic planning. MSPs have the ability to devote energy to understanding emerging trends that can help your organization develop a “technology roadmap.” This is a long-term strategy document that outlines how and what technology should be used going forward. The roadmap takes a proactive view of technology as a strategic tool for the long-term growth of the business. Individual parts of a technology road map will address specific aspects of the company’s “technology” such as software development, infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, and product innovation. A technology roadmap that includes product innovation is especially important. Questions to ask in this context would be “can technology improve the delivery of products and services, or improve qualitatively the nature of the product or service itself?” The roadmap may also include research and development initiatives. As part of C-suite plans to stay competitive and thrive in the market, leadership needs to understand what new technologies are available for future innovation.

Here are just a few examples of how an MSP’s specialized staff with expertise can help.

Software Development – Strategic IT should be evaluating the present software applications and addressing improvements and re-designs that will address potential customer demands.

Infrastructure Upgrades as the Business Grows – There are many examples, but a simple one is redundancy. As a business grows, it becomes increasingly important to address redundancy. The larger the business, the more complex the infrastructure becomes. It is important that businesses look throughout the infrastructure and identify the single points of failure that need to be addressed and developing real-time work arounds and disaster recovery plans is an increasingly complex task that requires significant resources and attention.

Digital Transformation – Digital transformation refers to taking tasks and using digital tools to improve efficiency and response. This can mean anything from moving from in-house servers to the cloud, using SaaS, creating online portals for sales and marketing, to just about anything you can imagine. A new example is the use of AI, especially machine learning which can be used to develop more effective inventory planning and offer more precise marketing responses to individual prospects.

Security Roadmaps – A security roadmap is similar to a technology roadmap, but with a very tight focus. Ensuring your data remains safe from cybercriminals, internal error, and software or hardware breakdowns is the goal of a security roadmap. Your data is critical to your business. It is proprietary and it is also very vulnerable to theft. A data breach can be a real threat to the viability of your business. The legal and reputational consequences can take down a small business. A security roadmap can include:

  • Determining what regulations govern your data (HIPAA, GDPR, FERPA, etc.)
  • Developing access protocols
  • Training employees about human vulnerabilities to cybercrimes, such a phishing
  • Creating effective backup procedures, which are particularly important defense against ransomware attacks

Data Management: Everyone knows that data is valuable. The basic business model of some of the largest IT companies hinges partly on the value of data for advertising. But for even the smallest business, significant amounts of data can now be collected. An MSP can help an SMB use that data to tighten inventory, for example. Three ways data helps your business succeed.

Marketing – Data tells you who is interested, when they’re interested, and in what they are interested. Data can tell you where each individual prospect sits in the sales funnel, so your marketing messages reach them exactly where they are. It can also track the performance of your online marketing initiatives.

Forecasting and Sales – Customer Relationship Management applications exist because of the data that can now be collected. They monitor sales efforts, nurture leads, and work to improve customer engagement.

In-house and Operations – Data can track all manner of things in your production of goods or services, identifying where resources are being spent in each step of the process. Data can also be used in scheduling and pricing, although these tools can have human resource and customer relations implications that need to be carefully considered.

In short, there are a lot of areas where technology can be used to not only run your business today but can propel your business forward. Technology that is viewed strategically, not just as a tool to get things done today, can drive revenues and help a SMB remain competitive as the market changes. An MSP has the deep experience and resources to understand your business and contribute to your strategic planning at the C-suite level without requiring the resources necessary to build it up from within.

The CrowdStrike Outage: How to Prevent a Future IT Crisis

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When 8.5 million Windows devices—including those used by airlines, banks, and hospitals—suddenly displayed the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death,” panic set in. Many feared a massive cyber-attack. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, but the true cause of the outage is equally alarming and something every business owner should take seriously.

What Exactly Happened?

On July 19, 2024, millions of Windows devices crashed, triggering an endless reboot cycle and displaying the infamous blue screen. The result? Massive global disruptions. Airlines were forced to ground flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in airports. Electronic health record systems went offline, causing delays and cancellations of non-emergency medical procedures. Major banks also experienced outages, leaving customers unable to access their accounts. These are just a few examples of the chaos caused by what’s now being called the largest IT outage in history. It almost brings back memories of the Y2K scare, doesn’t it?

If It Wasn’t a Cyber-Attack, What Was the Cause?

While many suspected a cybersecurity breach, the real culprit was a flawed software update from CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity company. The issue originated with a routine sensor update for their endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform, Falcon. Unfortunately, a flaw in the update—specifically for Microsoft Windows—caused widespread system crashes due to its deep integration with the Windows OS.

So, how could a multibillion-dollar company release an update with such a critical flaw? CrowdStrike representatives later revealed that a gap in their testing process was to blame. A flaw in the content validator tool failed to detect the problem, leading engineers to believe the update was safe for release. As a result, the update caused Windows systems to enter an endless reboot cycle, leading to the widespread “Blue Screen of Death” issue.

CrowdStrike acted quickly to fix the problem, but the damage was already done. Insurers now estimate that the outage will cost US Fortune 500 companies over $5.4 billion.

Why Should This Matter to You?

This incident highlights just how reliant we are on technology and how a single software flaw can have a catastrophic impact on global IT infrastructure. When it comes to managing your company’s technology, you can’t afford to cut corners. Here are three key steps to protect your business:

  1. Work with a Reliable, Knowledgeable IT Professional
    Even large organizations like CrowdStrike can make mistakes. However, you can minimize your risk by partnering with an experienced IT team. Their expertise in managing updates, backups, and continuous monitoring ensures your operations run smoothly and prevents minor issues from escalating into major disasters.
  2. Ensure Rigorous Software Testing
    A trustworthy IT team should handle this for you. Rigorous testing can catch flaws before they cause widespread issues, safeguarding your business from potential disruptions.
  3. Develop a Robust Disaster Recovery Plan
    Mistakes and unexpected issues are inevitable, but being prepared can make all the difference. A comprehensive disaster recovery plan enables you to take swift action, keep your business running, and minimize damage. Many organizations affected by the CrowdStrike outage had to halt operations because they lacked a solid plan. Don’t be caught off guard—have a Plan B in place.

Don’t wait for a crisis to take action. Ensure your business is prepared by partnering with an experienced IT team. We offer a FREE, no-obligation Network Assessment, where our experts will evaluate your current systems, identify potential vulnerabilities, and create a comprehensive plan to protect your business from future outages. Your company’s security and continuity depend on it.

Call us at 214-550-0550 or click here to book your FREE Network Assessment today!

MSPs can focus on issues you don’t have time for

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MSPs can focus on issues you don’t have time for

Every business relies on technology to function. From simple things like email, VoIP, and the internet, all the way to predictive analytics for inventory and sales, digital technology is at the root of every business. Unfortunately, no matter how much small- to medium-sized businesses may rely on their IT infrastructure to operate, they often try to “get by” with their in-house IT staff to keep things running. In this blog, we will discuss the value a Managed Service Provider brings to an SMB: a value that cannot be replicated in-house.

First, it is important for a business owner to realize that an IT infrastructure is not a static entity. Nothing is “plug-and-play” in today’s business environment. There is no “build it and forget it.” Because everyone relies on technology that must be running 24/7, businesses need to be proactively monitoring the performance and availability of critical infrastructure, such as servers and networks. There are just so many things a business has to worry about. Cyber criminals are always coming up with new threats, so anti-virus software isn’t enough. Consequently, active endpoint monitoring needs to be happening around the clock.

So, why is an SMB limited in its ability to meet all of its technology needs in-house? One reason is management focus. Business owners need to focus on core competencies. They need to focus on running the business and producing revenue-driving goods or services in their area of expertise. Diverting focus to managing an IT team in-house may not be an ideal use of their time. It may also not be an ideal use of their skills. Additionally, resources are limited, and an SMB loses the advantages of economies of scale when it tries to do everything in-house. In a smaller operation, IT staff often need to focus on day-to-day functions, including putting out fires. This limits their time to think strategically and determine ways that technology can innovate and keep the business competitive in the longer run.

So what can an MSP offer that the in-house IT staff cannot?

A Managed Service Provider is staffed by IT practitioners whose sole focus is technology. Many focus only on specific industries. This means that your MSP organization is composed of individuals who have specialized experience and training in one specific area of technology such as cyber security, cloud computing or network infrastructure. MSPs also have the resources to invest in continuous training and professional development. That means keeping up with the latest developments in technology and emerging trends. If focused on one industry, they analyze competitive changes in that industry and how technology can provide strategic advantages for their clients. MSPs also can set aside time for attending conferences, webinars, and networking events to share knowledge and stay ahead in their field. They are also more likely to have the resources to provide their consultants with access to professional publications and newsletters.

Why is this so important? First, analyzing present problems and performing routine maintenance tasks isn’t necessarily “routine.” New threats and changes can create disruption in existing configurations. (Anyone who has downloaded a new software upgrade is aware of that!) Secondly, in-house tech staff, except for those in the largest organizations, are more task focused than strategic. This isn’t due to a lack of awareness of the value of planning and development. It is primarily a resource problem that is inherent to SMBs. Unfortunately, the result is that in-house staff may not be able to contribute at a strategic level, thus limiting the ability of the organization’s leadership to incorporate new technology into long term plans.