The Hidden Risks of Chatbots: Who’s Really Listening to Your Conversations?

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Chatbots like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and newcomers like DeepSeek are becoming essential tools in our digital lives. Whether you’re drafting emails, planning your schedule, or researching a topic, these AI assistants are always ready to help.

But as these tools become more ingrained in our day-to-day routines, so do concerns about data privacy and security. Behind their friendly interfaces, what exactly are these bots doing with your information? And more importantly—who else might be listening?

Yes, They’re Collecting Your Data Whether subtle or obvious, every chatbot interaction collects something. That might be your location, device info, browsing activity, or even your typing style. So the question isn’t if they’re collecting your data—but how much, and what they’re doing with it.

Here’s How Major Chatbots Handle Your Data:

  • ChatGPT (OpenAI): Collects your prompts, device details, IP address, and usage data. Some of this data may be shared with third-party vendors to improve services.
  • Microsoft Copilot: Captures everything OpenAI does—and more. It tracks browsing history, app interactions, and may use this data for personalized ads or product improvements.
  • Google Gemini: Logs conversations to enhance its services. Data can be retained for up to 3 years and reviewed by humans. Although not used for targeted ads today, policies could change.
  • DeepSeek: Arguably the most invasive. It tracks your chat history, device and location data, and even typing patterns. This data helps improve AI models, target ads, and is stored on servers in China.

What Are the Risks?

  • Privacy Breaches: Sharing sensitive details—even unintentionally—can result in that information being accessed by developers or third parties.
  • Security Threats: Some chatbots, like Microsoft Copilot, have been proven vulnerable to misuse, including for spear-phishing and unauthorized data extraction.
  • Compliance Violations: Using platforms that don’t align with laws like GDPR could land your business in legal trouble. Some organizations have even banned ChatGPT to stay compliant.

How You Can Stay Safe You don’t have to ditch your digital assistants—but you should use them smartly. Here’s how:

  • Don’t Overshare: Avoid entering confidential or personally identifiable information unless absolutely necessary.
  • Check Privacy Settings: Many platforms let you opt out of data collection or minimize sharing. Use these tools.
  • Use Enterprise Controls: Platforms like Microsoft Purview give businesses more control over how AI is used, securing sensitive data and ensuring compliance.
  • Stay Updated: Privacy policies evolve. Keep an eye on changes so you’re always in control of your data.

The Bottom Line Chatbots are powerful tools, but they come with real data privacy risks. Understanding how your data is collected and used is the first step in protecting yourself and your business.

Want to be sure your organization is secure in this AI-driven landscape? Start with a FREE Network Assessment. We’ll help identify vulnerabilities, assess your current tools, and put the right safeguards in place.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today.

Hackers Are Moving Beyond Ransomware – Welcome to the Era of Data Extortion

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Think ransomware is your biggest cybersecurity threat? Think again.

Hackers have shifted tactics. Instead of encrypting your files and demanding payment for a decryption key, they’re stealing your sensitive data and threatening to leak it unless you pay up. This strategy is called data extortion, and it’s a rising threat to businesses of all sizes.

In 2024 alone, there were more than 5,400 data extortion attacks reported globally – an 11% increase from the year before (Cyberint). And unlike traditional ransomware attacks, there’s no recovery key or system restore option. If your data gets out, it’s out.

How Data Extortion Works Here’s what makes data extortion so dangerous:

  • Hackers breach your systems and steal confidential files: client records, employee information, financial documents, intellectual property.
  • They contact you with a threat: pay a ransom, or they leak the stolen data online.
  • No encryption needed: Because they don’t lock your files, they bypass many ransomware defenses entirely.

Why This Is Worse Than Traditional Ransomware While ransomware disrupts your operations, data extortion threatens your reputation, your compliance standing, and your legal stability.

  • Reputational Damage: Leaked data can permanently erode trust with clients, partners, and employees.
  • Compliance Penalties: Data leaks often trigger investigations and fines under GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulations.
  • Lawsuits: Legal claims from victims of the breach can result in significant financial damages.
  • Ongoing Extortion: Hackers may come back again and again, demanding more money with every threat.

Why Hackers Are Embracing This Method It’s faster, stealthier, and often more profitable:

  • Quick Hits: Data theft is faster than encrypting entire systems.
  • Low Detection Risk: Data transfers can blend into normal network traffic, making them harder to catch.
  • Higher Success Rate: The emotional and financial pressure to protect leaked data often compels victims to pay up.

Your Old Defenses Aren’t Enough Basic firewalls and antivirus tools won’t stop this. Data extortion attacks use tactics that are harder to detect and prevent:

  • Infostealers to harvest credentials.
  • Exploits in cloud storage platforms.
  • Covert data exfiltration disguised as normal traffic.

What You Can Do To Stay Safe To protect your business against data extortion, you need a layered, modern cybersecurity strategy:

1. Adopt a Zero Trust Security Model

  • Assume no device or user can be trusted by default.
  • Enforce multifactor authentication (MFA).
  • Use strict identity and access management (IAM).
  • Continuously monitor connected devices and user activity.

2. Implement Advanced Threat Detection

  • Use AI-powered security tools that detect unusual data transfers.
  • Monitor for unauthorized access and cloud activity.
  • Deploy data loss prevention (DLP) solutions that block exfiltration attempts.

3. Encrypt Your Data

  • Encrypt sensitive files at rest and during transfers.
  • Use secure communication channels for all data exchanges.

4. Backup Your Data And Have A Recovery Plan

  • Maintain secure offline backups to recover quickly from an attack.
  • Regularly test your disaster recovery plan.

5. Train Your Team

  • Educate employees to recognize phishing and social engineering.
  • Implement strict protocols for handling and sharing data.

Are You Ready For The Next Generation Of Cyber Threats? Data extortion isn’t a future threat – it’s happening now. Don’t wait until your business is on the line.

Start with a FREE Network Assessment. Our cybersecurity specialists will evaluate your current setup, identify vulnerabilities, and help you build a proactive defense.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment.

Cybercriminals are evolving. Is your cybersecurity strategy evolving with them?

What Happens To Your Applications When Windows 10 Support Ends?

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Mark your calendar: October 14, 2025 – the official end of support for Windows 10. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security patches, bug fixes, or technical assistance. But here’s the bigger picture: it’s not just your operating system that’s affected. Your critical business applications could face serious consequences too.

So what should you expect? Let’s break it down.

No More Security Updates = Increased Risk When Windows 10 support ends, so do the updates that protect your systems. This opens the door to potential cyberattacks.

How Your Applications Are Affected:

  • Data Breach Risk: Without security patches, vulnerabilities stay wide open for exploitation.
  • Compliance Violations: In industries like healthcare and finance, running on unsupported software could land you in hot water with regulators.
  • Business Interruptions: One successful attack can bring operations to a halt.

Compatibility Will Start Breaking Down Software developers won’t support outdated platforms forever. As Windows 10 becomes obsolete, your apps will stop working as expected.

What That Looks Like:

  • Frequent Crashes: Apps may become unstable or stop launching.
  • Missing Features: New software versions won’t work on outdated systems, leaving you behind.
  • Weakened Security: App updates often include critical security enhancements that won’t function properly on Windows 10.

Vendor Support Will Vanish It’s not just Microsoft walking away. App and hardware vendors will stop offering help for anything running on Windows 10.

Expect:

  • No More Tech Support: Third-party vendors will end support for products on Windows 10.
  • Tool Compatibility Issues: New integrations and updates will be built for Windows 11 and beyond.
  • Hardware Limitations: Future devices might not work with your old system.

Performance Will Take a Hit Sticking with an outdated OS slows everything down. As software becomes more advanced, older systems can’t keep up.

The Business Impact:

  • Sluggish Apps: Slower performance means reduced employee efficiency.
  • More Downtime: Older systems crash more often, interrupting workflows.
  • Higher Costs: Maintaining outdated infrastructure demands more IT time and resources.

What You Should Do Now To keep your applications running smoothly and securely, take action:

  1. Back Up Your Data – Safeguard your important files before making changes.
  2. Plan Your Upgrade Path
    • Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to see if your hardware supports Windows 11.
    • Budget for new equipment if needed.
  3. Work With A Trusted IT Partner(Highly Recommended)
    • Get expert advice on the smoothest, safest upgrade strategy.
    • Minimize disruption with guided migration.
    • Ensure robust security throughout the transition.

Don’t Procrastinate Waiting until the last minute increases your exposure to security threats, compliance issues, and operational disruptions.

Start today with a FREE Network Assessment. We’ll evaluate your environment, check app compatibility, and create a smart upgrade plan.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment and ensure your applications and systems stay protected.

Don’t leave your business vulnerable. Take the proactive step now and future-proof your technology.

The Overlooked Factor That Can Make Or Break Your Business

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When business owners think about what drives success, they usually focus on customer service, product quality, and financial management. But there’s one vital element that often gets overlooked because it doesn’t seem exciting: your technology.

Yes, technology. It might feel like a background player, but it’s actually the backbone of your business operations. If your systems go down, your sales stop. If your team can’t communicate, collaboration suffers. And if your data isn’t secure, your reputation and bottom line are at risk.

As we move into Q2, now’s the perfect time to ask: Is your technology pushing your business forward, or holding it back?

The Real Cost Of Poor IT Support Many companies settle for “just good enough” IT because they believe it saves money. In reality, it can quietly cost you in major ways:

  • Downtime Kills Productivity: Unreliable systems cause interruptions that disrupt workflows and frustrate employees. Even one hour of downtime during peak operations can cause lost revenue and harm your brand.
  • Security Risks Are Skyrocketing: In 2024, cyberattacks rose 75% year over year. Businesses saw an average of 1,876 attacks per week. Outdated systems and lack of protection leave you wide open.
  • Missed Growth Opportunities: Falling behind in technology means missing out on automation, integration, and analytics that competitors are using to work faster and smarter.
  • Low Morale, Unhappy Customers: Frequent IT issues create friction for your team and frustration for your customers. That frustration turns into bad reviews, lost clients, and employee turnover.

How Great IT Support Powers Growth Partnering with the right IT provider isn’t just about tech fixes. It’s about using technology as a strategic asset to boost productivity, secure your business, and fuel growth.

1. Boost Productivity With Smart Tools

  • Automate Routine Tasks: Tools like Microsoft Power Automate or Zapier free your team from repetitive work.
  • Collaborate Anywhere: Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, and cloud file sharing let your team work in sync from anywhere.
  • Connect Your Systems: Integrating CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce with other tools keeps everyone organized and efficient.

2. Build A Fortress Around Your Data

  • Layered Security: Firewalls, endpoint protection, and secure e-mail gateways are just the beginning.
  • Zero Trust Security: Ensure only verified users can access sensitive systems.
  • Train Your Team: Phishing simulations and awareness training empower employees to be your first line of defense.

3. Plan For Growth, Not Just Today

  • Scalable Infrastructure: Cloud platforms like AWS or Azure grow with you.
  • Turn Data Into Strategy: Tools like Power BI deliver insights you can act on.
  • Strategic Road Maps: A proactive IT partner will build a plan to align your tech with your business goals.

4. Save Money & Stay Agile

  • Predictable Costs: Managed IT means consistent monthly fees instead of surprise repair bills.
  • Prevent Downtime: Regular maintenance keeps systems healthy and operational.
  • Cut Infrastructure Costs: Cloud migration reduces the need for expensive hardware and upkeep.

Tech Upgrades That Drive Impact To stay competitive, consider reviewing:

  • Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, VoIP
  • Cloud Services: Azure, AWS, Google Cloud
  • Cybersecurity Essentials: MFA, endpoint protection, IAM, secure backups
  • Analytics Platforms: Power BI, Tableau
  • Automation Tools: Zapier, Power Automate
  • CRM Systems: HubSpot, Salesforce
  • Hardware: Modern servers, SSD workstations, and Wi-Fi 6 networking gear

Let’s Talk About Your Tech We’re currently offering a FREE Network Assessment to help identify risks and opportunities in your current IT setup.

Ready to turn your technology into a growth engine? Call us at 214-550-0550 or schedule a consultation here. Let’s make sure your tech is working as hard as you are.

A Rising Cyber Threat Every Business Owner Must Take Seriously

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Business Email Compromise (BEC) is rapidly becoming one of the most dangerous and costly cyber threats facing businesses today. While these scams have been around for years, cybercriminals are now leveraging AI-powered tools to make them even more sophisticated, convincing, and damaging.

📉 In 2023, BEC scams led to a staggering $6.7 billion in global losses. And the threat is only growing: a recent study by Perception Point found a 42% increase in BEC incidents in the first half of 2024 alone. With AI refining their attack strategies, hackers are more successful than ever at tricking businesses into handing over sensitive information and funds.

If your business isn’t actively defending against BEC attacks, you’re at serious risk. Here’s what you need to know—and how to protect your company before it’s too late.

What Is Business Email Compromise (BEC)?

BEC scams go beyond typical phishing attacks. Instead of relying on malware or suspicious attachments (which email security tools often catch), cybercriminals exploit human trust by impersonating legitimate individuals—executives, vendors, or financial institutions—to deceive employees into:

🔹 Sending fraudulent payments
🔹 Sharing sensitive company data
🔹 Changing banking details for future transactions

These attacks are highly targeted, well-researched, and incredibly difficult to detect, making them one of the most financially devastating forms of cybercrime today.

Why BEC Attacks Are So Dangerous

Unlike traditional cyberattacks that rely on hacking or brute-force malware, BEC attacks exploit trust and social engineering tactics—which is why they’re alarmingly effective. Here’s what makes them so destructive:

💰 Severe Financial Losses
The average loss per BEC attack exceeds $137,000, and in most cases, once the money is gone, it’s impossible to recover.

⏳ Operational Disruptions
A single fraudulent transaction can cripple business operations, triggering financial audits, legal issues, and workflow chaos.

🤝 Reputational Damage
If customer or vendor data is compromised, trust takes a major hit—and in today’s digital age, rebuilding that trust isn’t easy.

📉 Employee Morale & Security Concerns
Employees who fall for a BEC scam may feel guilty and vulnerable, which can impact workplace morale and productivity.

Common BEC Scams You Need to Watch For

Hackers use various deceptive tactics to infiltrate businesses. Here are some of the most widespread BEC schemes:

📌 Fake Invoices – Attackers impersonate a vendor and send a realistic-looking invoice, requesting payment to a fraudulent bank account.

📌 CEO Fraud – Cybercriminals pose as company executives, pressuring employees to send money under tight deadlines.

📌 Compromised Email Accounts – Hackers gain access to a real employee’s account and send fraudulent requests to unsuspecting colleagues.

📌 Vendor Impersonation – A trusted third-party vendor’s email is spoofed, making fraudulent payment requests seem legitimate.

How to Protect Your Business from BEC Attacks

The good news? BEC scams are preventable—if you have the right security measures in place. Here’s what you can do:

1. Train Your Team to Spot BEC Scams

🔹 Educate employees on recognizing phishing emails, especially those marked “urgent” or requesting payment changes.
🔹 Require verbal confirmation for any financial transactions or sensitive requests.

2. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

🔹 Even if a password is compromised, MFA acts as a safety net, blocking unauthorized access.
🔹 Enable MFA on all email accounts, financial platforms, and cloud applications.

3. Test Your Backups—Before It’s Too Late

🔹 Regularly restore data from backups to ensure they work correctly.
🔹 A faulty backup during a cyberattack could be disastrous for business continuity.

4. Strengthen Your Email Security

🔹 Use AI-driven email filters to detect and block suspicious emails before they reach your inbox.
🔹 Regularly audit access permissions and revoke employee credentials immediately upon departure.

5. Verify Every Financial Transaction

🔹 ALWAYS confirm large payments or sensitive financial requests via a secondary communication channel (e.g., a phone call).
🔹 Never trust last-minute banking changes via email—always verify directly with the requester.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

Cybercriminals are evolving faster than ever—but you don’t have to be their next victim. By training your team, securing your systems, and verifying financial transactions, you can protect your business from devastating BEC scams.

✅ Want to ensure your business is truly protected?
Start with a FREE Network Assessment to uncover vulnerabilities, secure your systems, and stay ahead of cybercriminals.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!

🚀 Let’s stop BEC attacks before they stop your business. 🚀

How Dallas/Fort Worth Business Owners Can Eliminate Costly Tech Problems with Co-Managed IT Services

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This scenario isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a costly disaster. Just look at what happened during the MGM data breach last summer: electronic room keys stopped working, casinos shut down, and online reservations disappeared, costing the company millions.

As a business leader, you rely on technology to keep operations running smoothly. But what happens when the Internet goes down, emails stop working, or your team struggles with constant IT issues? Productivity grinds to a halt, frustration builds, and your bottom line takes a hit.

For companies with in-house IT teams, overwhelmed staff, growing cybersecurity threats, and limited resources can lead to inefficiencies and costly downtime. That’s where co-managed IT services come in—providing the extra support, expertise, and proactive strategies needed to eliminate tech problems before they start.

If your IT department is stretched too thin or reactive instead of proactive, it’s time to consider a better way. Co-managed IT support works alongside your internal team to fill gaps, enhance cybersecurity, and provide strategic guidance—without replacing your IT staff.

Does Your IT Support Meet These Critical Standards?

Use this quick checklist to evaluate whether your current IT setup is truly protecting your business and empowering your in-house team:

✅ Do IT issues get resolved quickly, minimizing downtime?
Your team shouldn’t be stuck waiting for hours (or days) for help.

✅ Does your IT team have access to enterprise-level tools and support?
Even the best IT staff can struggle without the right technology and expertise.

✅ Are security patches, updates, and backups managed proactively?
If these tasks get overlooked, your business is at risk of cyberattacks and data loss.

✅ Do you have 24/7 monitoring to detect threats before they cause damage?
Cybercriminals don’t keep business hours—your network security shouldn’t either.

✅ Does your IT strategy align with your business growth plans?
Technology should evolve with your business, not hold you back.

✅ Is cybersecurity training provided for your employees?
Your team is your first line of defense against cyber threats—education is essential.

✅ Are IT projects completed on time and within budget?
Delayed IT projects can cost your business money and competitive advantage.

✅ Do you receive clear, detailed reports on IT performance and security?
You should always know the health of your IT environment.

✅ Is your internal IT team supported instead of overwhelmed?
A co-managed IT partner ensures your staff can focus on high-value tasks instead of putting out fires.

Why Co-Managed IT Might Be the Right Fit for Your Business

If your business has an internal IT team but still faces ongoing tech challenges, co-managed IT can help you:

🚀 Reduce IT workload – Free up your IT staff by offloading repetitive tasks like monitoring, patching, and help desk support.

🚀 Strengthen cybersecurity – Get advanced security solutions, threat monitoring, and compliance support to keep your business protected.

🚀 Enhance IT efficiency – Leverage enterprise-grade tools, expert guidance, and strategic planning to optimize your technology.

🚀 Scale effortlessly – Ensure your IT infrastructure can keep up with business growth without overburdening your team.

🚀 Access specialized expertise – Gain access to experts in areas like cloud management, compliance, and cybersecurity without hiring additional full-time staff.

Ready to Eliminate Costly IT Problems? Let’s Talk.

If your internal IT team is struggling with workload, cybersecurity challenges, or keeping up with technology demands, co-managed IT could be the game-changer you need.

📞 Schedule a FREE 15-minute discovery call to learn how our co-managed IT services can help your business eliminate tech headaches, strengthen security, and enhance IT efficiency.

Click here to schedule now or call us at 214-550-0550 to get started.

Can a small business use AI?

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Can a small business use AI?

One area where AI tools can help even the smallest business is in sales and marketing. Every business is marketing and selling in the online digital world. Marketing on social media is a given for every business, and can be a game-changer for a small startup. However, a lot of the tasks of marketing on social media and through your website can involve tedious, time consuming tasks. Marketing tools that use AI can help with drip email campaigns, website visitor tracking, and understanding where each customer exists in the sales funnel at any given moment. Other digital tools that increase customer engagement and drive sales are available and are an excellent introduction to AI as a marketing tool. Using these tools, you can focus your limited sales resources on other, more critical tasks such as closing a sale with a customer that is now ready to buy and not simply exploring vague options. These AI tools are readily available and your MSP can guide you in the adoption and use of them.

AI and that data you collect

An MSP or MSSP can also be a resource for data protection. As you begin using such tools, you amass enormous amounts of data about prospects as well as customers. How you hold, use, transmit and store this data is subject to some data regulations, either by your state, a federal agency, or even the European Union. Regulation is growing because of the increasing concern about an individual’s online privacy. Because so much personal data is being collected about each of us, there is increasing concern about misuse of that data, protecting it from bad actors, and other privacy rights issues. While you may not be physically located in a state that has data privacy regulations, if you conduct business in a state or country that regulates data privacy, you are likely subject to their rules. An MSP or MSSP is an important resource to determine where you are subject to those laws. More importantly, if you are subject to those laws (e.g. HIPAA, The FTC Safeguard Rules, the CA Privacy act or the General Data Protection Regulation of the EU), you may also be required to prove that you have developed protocols for the protection of data as defined under those regulations. It isn’t enough to say “everything is safe.” You may have to provide evidence you have created the specific data protection protocols specified under the regulation.

In short, AI can be a helpful tool to grow your business, but it comes with responsibilities and concerns that may not have concerned you before. An MSP is an important resource as you wade into the world of marketing, sales, and other operational areas.

Why Cybercriminals Target Tax Season – And How You Can Protect Your Business

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As tax season rolls around, businesses are focused on organizing financial documents, filing returns, and meeting tight deadlines. However, this busy time also attracts cybercriminals, who see it as the perfect opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities when employees are distracted.

Hackers are constantly seeking ways to steal sensitive data, scam businesses, and create chaos. In this post, we’ll explain why tax season presents a prime opportunity for cybercriminals, and how you can stay ahead of potential threats.

Why Tax Season Is a Magnet for Cybercriminals

  1. Increased Exchange of Sensitive Data During tax season, businesses exchange large amounts of sensitive financial and personal information, both internally and with third parties such as accountants and payroll providers. This creates numerous potential points of vulnerability that hackers can target, especially through fraudulent emails.
  2. Tight Deadlines Lead to Mistakes The pressure to meet tax deadlines can cause employees to let their guard down, making them more susceptible to phishing scams and malware. Rushed actions can result in errors, such as clicking on malicious links or opening infected attachments.
  3. Higher Volume of Emails With the influx of emails related to tax forms, payment requests, and compliance updates, cybercriminals take advantage by crafting phishing emails that look legitimate, aiming to steal sensitive information or access financial accounts.
  4. Widespread Scams Targeting Taxpayers Hackers often impersonate trusted organizations like the IRS or tax preparation services, trying to convince businesses to share confidential data or make fraudulent payments.

Common Tax Season Threats to Watch Out For

  • Phishing Emails: Fraudulent messages that appear to come from the IRS, your bookkeeper, or tax services, asking for sensitive information or leading you to malicious websites.
  • Fake Invoices or Payment Requests: Scammers send fake invoices or payment demands to trick businesses into wiring money.
  • Ransomware Attacks: Cybercriminals may encrypt critical financial data and demand payment to unlock it.
  • Social Engineering: Phone calls or emails pretending to be accountants, payroll providers, or other trusted sources to extract sensitive information.

How to Safeguard Your Business During Tax Season

  1. Educate Your Team Help employees recognize common scams, such as phishing emails, and train them to:
    • Verify email senders before opening attachments or clicking on links.
    • Be cautious of urgent payment requests or strange account changes.
    • Report any suspicious emails immediately.
  2. Secure Your Communications Use encrypted methods for sharing sensitive tax documents, such as secure portals or file-sharing tools, rather than relying on email.
  3. Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA) Require MFA for access to financial systems, email accounts, and any platforms related to tax activities. This adds an additional layer of security in case login credentials are compromised. MFA is crucial: If your password is compromised, MFA can still protect your accounts. Be sure to enable this feature wherever it’s available.
  4. Conduct a Cybersecurity Audit Work with your IT provider to identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems before they can be exploited by cybercriminals. This should include:
    • Updating software and applying necessary patches.
    • Securing network endpoints and devices.
    • Verifying the integrity of your data backups.
  5. Double-Check Financial Requests Always verify financial requests, especially those involving large sums or sensitive accounts. Confirm requests using a second communication method (e.g., a phone call) to verify authenticity.

Keep Hackers at Bay This Tax Season

Tax season doesn’t have to be a free-for-all for cybercriminals. By staying alert, training your team, and implementing proactive cybersecurity measures, you can protect your business from becoming a victim of cybercrime.

Make sure the only thing you’re filing this season is a successful tax return—not a cybersecurity incident report. Start by scheduling a FREE Network Assessment to uncover potential vulnerabilities and ensure your systems are prepared to face any challenge.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment now!

AI: Can you avoid the risks it carries?

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AI: Can you avoid the risks it carries?

Are there risks to AI? Absolutely! There are end-of-the-world predictions about the use of AI. For a business, many of the risks are a bit less extreme, but they are also very real. For example, in the area of content creation. There are a variety of risks that you open yourself up to. One of the key ones is the trustworthiness of the content created. You expect generative AI to create an accurate explanation or description of a topic, event, thing, or idea, However, can you, in fact, completely rely on that? The answer is probably a qualified no. The level of “qualified” depends on a variety of factors. Your AI generated content is only as good as its sources, and that can create real questions for readers. Also, an organization using AI to create any type of video, text, image, or audio content needs to be concerned that it may include proprietary information that you need permission to use. This means material created by generative AI could suddenly veer off into copyright infringement.

AI is also being used in areas such as recruitment. However, there has been research suggesting that bias can sneak into AI decisions as a result of the source data the tools are using. Bias is a concern not limited to the one example of recruitment. It can have consequences in areas where AI is making marketing decisions, and can taint medical and legal recommendations AI might provide. As a result, AI cannot go “unmonitored.” Review by humans and other tools is a best practice that is needed to improve accuracy and trustworthiness. This, in turn, may cut into the efficiencies that are perceived to be created by AI. Also, a lot of AI–Chat GPT to just take one example–isn’t going to necessarily incorporate consideration of regulation and compliance requirements. Many countries, individual States in the US, and US federal agencies are implementing data security regulations that are designed to protect the Personal Information of individuals. In many cases violations include civil penalties. In the case of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, fines are significant.

Finally, if you are considering stepping into AI, your MSP can provide guidance. Our recent list bears repeating: Eight ways an MSP can help you approach an AI solution.

Step one: Assess potential uses of AI. Your MSP should have a solid understanding of your entire business and how AI might contribute. They can help you start with small steps and move from there.

Step two: Understand your KPIs and organizational goals, from the top down. Before jumping off and adopting AI just because it is there, evaluate your KPI’s. Where do you perceive you need a boost?

Step three: Propose a possible range of AI solutions. An MSP will be knowledgeable about the variety of applications out there and lead you to select those most appropriate for your goals. Remember, they should be directed toward assisting KPI improvement.

Step four: Estimate the solution’s ROI. Remember, measurement is important. And you can not do everything. So identify each potential AI solution’s ROI. As mentioned above, AI isn’t just a trendy tool to adopt just “because.”

Step five: Ensure compliance: For example HIPAA, PCI. HITRUST. ISO27001, SOC1, SOC2 or similar legal and industrial standards. AI is a powerful and potentially intrusive tool. Compliance is critical.

Step six: Implement the solution. An MSP can implement the solution for you. Most business owners do not have the resources available for what can be a time-intensive project.

Step seven : Manage tool-related risks. As noted, there are best practices available. Monitor to ensure your outcomes with AI are accurate, trustworthy, defensible, transparent and meet regulations.

Spring-Clean Your Computer Network

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Spring is finally here, bringing the perfect opportunity to declutter—not just your office, but your IT systems as well. A thorough “spring-clean” of your business technology can help eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen security, and improve overall performance. By refreshing your IT infrastructure, you can operate more efficiently, minimize costly downtime, and focus on growing your business without tech distractions.

Where should you start? While the standard “delete old files and update your software” advice is important, here are five additional strategies to truly optimize your business systems this season.

1. Conduct a Comprehensive IT Audit

Spring is the ideal time to take a deep dive into your entire IT environment, from hardware and software to user access and security policies. As you conduct this audit, pay special attention to:

  • Outdated hardware – Identify devices nearing the end of their lifecycle that could be slowing down operations.
  • Underutilized software – Review software licenses and eliminate subscriptions you no longer need.
  • Redundant systems – Remove duplicate tools or processes that don’t align with your workflows.

💡 Pro Tip: Work with your IT provider to identify and prioritize necessary improvements, ensuring your IT budget is spent wisely.

🔔 Important Reminder: Windows 10 support will end in October 2025. If your business is still using Windows 10, now is the time to start planning your transition to ensure uninterrupted support and security.

2. Clean Up Your Active Directory for Better Security

Your Active Directory (or equivalent system) is the backbone of your network’s security and efficiency. However, without regular maintenance, it can become cluttered with unnecessary user accounts and outdated permissions, leading to security risks.

  • Remove inactive user accounts – Former employees’ accounts create unnecessary vulnerabilities.
  • Review and update permissions – Ensure employees only have access to the data and systems necessary for their roles.
  • Document all changes – Maintain a record of modifications to prevent confusion or errors in the future.

A well-maintained directory isn’t just about organization—it’s a crucial layer of protection against unauthorized access and data breaches.

3. Optimize Your Network for Hybrid and Remote Work

As hybrid and remote work remain a standard practice, it’s essential to ensure your network is optimized for seamless collaboration and security.

  • Upgrade your VPN – Ensure your virtual private network (VPN) is secure, scalable, and capable of handling increased remote access.
  • Assess bandwidth usage – Identify bottlenecks that slow productivity and address underutilized resources.
  • Enable encrypted file-sharing – Use secure document-sharing tools to reduce data exposure risks.

It’s also a good time to review vendor security policies. Past data breaches have shown how crucial it is to work with third-party vendors that prioritize cybersecurity. Make sure you’re taking all necessary precautions to safeguard your data.

4. Test Your Backups with a Full Restore

Having a backup system is essential—but when was the last time you tested it? Too often, businesses discover that their backups are corrupt, incomplete, or impossible to restore only after a disaster occurs.

  • Perform a full restore test to ensure your backup system works as expected.
  • Measure recovery time – Document how long it takes to restore critical systems and identify areas for improvement.

💡 Remember: A backup is only as good as its ability to restore your data when you need it most. Unexpected disasters happen, and preparation is key to minimizing downtime.

5. Update & Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Strategy

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their attack methods, so your cybersecurity strategy should evolve, too.

  • Review endpoint protection – Ensure all business and employee-owned devices used remotely are secured.
  • Update your incident response plan – Train your team on the latest threats and verify that your emergency contact lists are up to date.
  • Invest in advanced monitoring tools – AI-driven security solutions can proactively detect and neutralize threats before they cause damage.

🔒 Cybersecurity Best Practice Alert: The old advice to frequently change passwords is outdated. Today, using long, complex passwords or passphrases combined with multifactor authentication (MFA) is the best way to secure your accounts.

A Clean IT System = A More Productive & Secure Business

Spring-cleaning your IT infrastructure isn’t just about getting organized—it’s about ensuring your business runs smoothly and securely year-round. By taking these steps now, you can reduce downtime, enhance productivity, and stay ahead of emerging cyberthreats.

Want to take your IT optimization even further? Start with a FREE Network Assessment to identify vulnerabilities and ensure your systems are operating at peak performance.

Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment today!