You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 company to land in a cybercriminal’s crosshairs. In fact, small and mid-sized businesses are now the #1 targets – not because they’re more valuable, but because they’re easier to break into… and more likely to pay.
And here’s the brutal truth: While a big corporation can absorb a multimillion-dollar hit, most SMBs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area would never recover.
According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the average breach now costs $4.88 million. That’s not just the ransom. It’s downtime, lost customers, legal bills, compliance penalties, and the long-term brand damage that no insurance policy can fully fix.
The Cybersecurity Game-Changer: EDR
The good news? You don’t have to sit back and hope you’re lucky. There’s a tool that’s stopping cyberattacks before they cause chaos – and it’s quickly becoming the new standard: Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR).
Think of EDR like a 24/7 digital security guard for every workstation and server in your business.
Traditional antivirus: Blocks only known threats.
EDR: Monitors everything – every login, every file change, every unusual pattern. If something suspicious happens – like ransomware spreading or a login from Moscow at 3 a.m. – EDR isolates the threat instantly before it can take down your network.
Why You Can’t Afford to Wait
Cybercriminals aren’t kicking in the front door anymore – they’re logging in with stolen passwords. They hide malware inside legitimate files. They wait months for one employee to make a single mistake.
EDR is built for this new reality – detecting, containing, and killing attacks before they turn into a $4.88M headline.
Insurance May Now Require It
Here’s a detail many business owners miss: Cyber insurance carriers are starting to require EDR. Without it, your claim could be denied – just like trying to collect fire insurance without a smoke detector.
Your Next Step
If you’re not sure whether your business has this protection in place – or if it’s configured correctly – it’s time to find out.
Mirrored Storage can run a no-cost security review that shows exactly where your vulnerabilities are, without tech jargon or scare tactics.
Why Identity-Based Attacks Are the #1 Threat to Your Business
Cybercriminals aren’t smashing windows anymore—they’re walking through the front door using your login credentials.
This new wave of cyberattacks, known as identity-based attacks, is now the top method hackers use to compromise businesses. Instead of brute force, they’re using stolen usernames, passwords, and social engineering tactics to impersonate trusted users—and it’s working.
In 2024, 67% of major security incidents were linked to compromised credentials, according to a leading cybersecurity firm. If big names like MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment can be brought down by login-based attacks, smaller businesses are absolutely in the crosshairs.
How Hackers Are Getting In
These attacks often begin with something as simple as a leaked password. But today’s tactics are more sophisticated—and relentless:
Phishing emails that mimic legitimate requests and trick employees into entering their login info.
Fake login pages designed to harvest credentials.
SIM swapping, which allows hackers to intercept text-message-based 2FA codes.
MFA fatigue attacks that bombard users with login requests until they click “approve” by accident.
Supply chain targeting, where attackers compromise third-party vendors like call centers or IT help desks to gain access.
4 Ways to Protect Your Business
You don’t need to be an IT expert to defend against these threats. Here’s what every business should do:
1. Enable Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security—but not all MFA is created equal. App-based MFA (like Authenticator apps) or hardware security keys are far more secure than SMS-based codes.
2. Train Your Team
Even the best technology fails if your people don’t know how to spot a scam. Provide regular training on phishing, suspicious emails, and reporting protocols.
3. Follow the Principle of Least Privilege
Employees should only have access to the systems and data they need to do their jobs. Limiting access can prevent a compromised account from turning into a full-blown breach.
4. Ditch Weak Passwords
Encourage the use of password managers and support passwordless options like biometrics or security keys when possible. The fewer passwords in play, the less there is to steal.
Final Thought: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Hackers are evolving—and so should your defenses. The right partner can help you stay one step ahead without overcomplicating daily operations.
Is your business at risk from credential-based attacks? Let’s find out. 👉 Book a free discovery call to assess your current security posture and identify gaps: Link
Power outages. Ransomware. Server failures. Natural disasters.
These disruptions don’t wait for a convenient moment—and when they strike, your internal IT team can be quickly overwhelmed.
That’s where co-managed IT proves its value. Your co-managed partner shouldn’t just be assisting with day-to-day operations—they should be actively preparing your business to survive and thrive through the unexpected.
Backups alone aren’t enough. If your systems go down and your team can’t access tools, files, or communicate with clients, even a small disruption can turn into a serious business failure.
Co-Managed IT Is About Continuity, Not Just Support
Most internal IT teams are stretched thin. They’re great at handling tickets, managing users, and putting out fires. But what about disaster recovery planning? Cloud redundancy? Compliance audits? Off-site failovers?
That’s where your co-managed partner comes in.
A true co-managed IT provider extends your team’s capabilities by proactively helping you:
Design a business continuity plan
Implement off-site backups and cloud infrastructure
Test and simulate disaster recovery scenarios
Ensure remote work readiness
Maintain compliance with industry standards
Backup vs. Business Continuity: Don’t Confuse the Two
Too many businesses think “our data is backed up” means “we’re protected.” Not quite.
Backups restore your data.
Continuity ensures your business keeps running—even when disaster strikes.
A well-coordinated continuity plan developed between your internal IT staff and your co-managed partner answers questions like:
How fast can we recover our key systems?
Where can our employees work if the office is offline?
Which platforms and data are mission-critical?
Who leads the recovery process on both sides?
And it includes:
Verified, encrypted, off-site backups
Clearly defined RTOs and RPOs
Remote access infrastructure
Redundant hardware and cloud failover systems
Annual disaster recovery testing
If your current co-managed provider isn’t driving these conversations, they’re just a help desk—not a strategic partner.
Real Disasters. Real Impact.
These aren’t hypothetical scenarios:
Wildfires in California destroyed entire offices—some had no off-site recovery in place.
Flooding in the Southeast wiped out local servers—weeks of billing and records lost.
Ransomware hit thousands of small businesses—many discovered their backups had never been tested.
These are the exact moments your co-managed IT partnership should shine. If they aren’t ready, you’re exposed.
Questions to Ask Your Co-Managed IT Provider Now
Don’t wait until a disaster forces you to scramble. Sit down with your provider and ask:
How quickly can we recover from a ransomware attack?
Are our backups encrypted, tested, and stored off-site?
What’s our plan if a fire or flood takes down the building?
Can we stay compliant if disaster disrupts operations?
Is our remote work environment resilient enough to handle sudden disruption?
If your co-managed IT provider can’t confidently answer these, it’s time to reevaluate.
Co-Managed IT Is More Than Extra Hands—It’s Your Disaster Insurance
You can’t prevent every storm, outage, or breach. But you can make sure your business doesn’t miss a beat when they happen.
A good IT partner helps your internal team. A great one empowers them with enterprise-grade continuity planning.
Want to see how resilient your business really is?
🛡️ Book a FREE Network & Continuity Assessment Let’s make sure your next disaster doesn’t turn into your biggest disruption. 👉 [Insert Link]
Business Interrupted: The Disaster Your Co-Managed IT Partner Should Be Planning For
Power outages. Ransomware. Server failures. Natural disasters.
These disruptions don’t wait for a convenient moment—and when they strike, your internal IT team can be quickly overwhelmed.
That’s where co-managed IT proves its value. Your co-managed partner shouldn’t just be assisting with day-to-day operations—they should be actively preparing your business to survive and thrive through the unexpected.
Backups alone aren’t enough. If your systems go down and your team can’t access tools, files, or communicate with clients, even a small disruption can turn into a serious business failure.
Co-Managed IT Is About Continuity, Not Just Support
Most internal IT teams are stretched thin. They’re great at handling tickets, managing users, and putting out fires. But what about disaster recovery planning? Cloud redundancy? Compliance audits? Off-site failovers?
That’s where your co-managed partner comes in.
A true co-managed IT provider extends your team’s capabilities by proactively helping you:
Design a business continuity plan
Implement off-site backups and cloud infrastructure
Test and simulate disaster recovery scenarios
Ensure remote work readiness
Maintain compliance with industry standards
Backup vs. Business Continuity: Don’t Confuse the Two
Too many businesses think “our data is backed up” means “we’re protected.” Not quite.
Backups restore your data.
Continuity ensures your business keeps running—even when disaster strikes.
A well-coordinated continuity plan developed between your internal IT staff and your co-managed partner answers questions like:
How fast can we recover our key systems?
Where can our employees work if the office is offline?
Which platforms and data are mission-critical?
Who leads the recovery process on both sides?
And it includes:
Verified, encrypted, off-site backups
Clearly defined RTOs and RPOs
Remote access infrastructure
Redundant hardware and cloud failover systems
Annual disaster recovery testing
If your current co-managed provider isn’t driving these conversations, they’re just a help desk—not a strategic partner.
Real Disasters. Real Impact.
These aren’t hypothetical scenarios:
Wildfires in California destroyed entire offices—some had no off-site recovery in place.
Flooding in the Southeast wiped out local servers—weeks of billing and records lost.
Ransomware hit thousands of small businesses—many discovered their backups had never been tested.
These are the exact moments your co-managed IT partnership should shine. If they aren’t ready, you’re exposed.
Questions to Ask Your Co-Managed IT Provider Now
Don’t wait until a disaster forces you to scramble. Sit down with your provider and ask:
How quickly can we recover from a ransomware attack?
Are our backups encrypted, tested, and stored off-site?
What’s our plan if a fire or flood takes down the building?
Can we stay compliant if disaster disrupts operations?
Is our remote work environment resilient enough to handle sudden disruption?
If your co-managed IT provider can’t confidently answer these, it’s time to reevaluate.
Co-Managed IT Is More Than Extra Hands—It’s Your Disaster Insurance
You can’t prevent every storm, outage, or breach. But you can make sure your business doesn’t miss a beat when they happen.
A good IT partner helps your internal team. A great one empowers them with enterprise-grade continuity planning.
Want to see how resilient your business really is?
Your smartphone is your lifeline to clients, emails, bank accounts, passwords, and business conversations. But here’s the unsettling reality: tracking your phone—and everything on it—is shockingly easy. And it doesn’t take a sophisticated hacker to do it.
From jealous exes to disgruntled employees to cybercriminals targeting your company, anyone with the right app or phishing link can spy on your messages, monitor your location, or access sensitive data—without you ever knowing.
For business owners, that’s more than an invasion of privacy. It’s a threat to your entire operation.
📲 How Phone Tracking Actually Works
Phone tracking isn’t some Hollywood-level hack. Most of the time, it’s disturbingly simple. Here’s how it’s done:
Spyware Apps: Installed secretly to log calls, texts, GPS, and even turn on your mic or camera.
Phishing Links: One tap on a malicious email or SMS can install tracking software silently.
App Permissions: Many apps ask for way more access than they need—and run location services in the background.
Stalkerware: Disguised as system tools or utility apps, it hides in plain sight and avoids detection.
These tools are often legal to purchase, marketed as “monitoring” or “parental control” apps—but they’re commonly misused.
⚠️ Why Business Owners Should Be Seriously Concerned
Let’s face it—your phone is a mobile vault.
Think of what’s on it:
Sensitive client communications
Banking access
Stored credentials
Internal documents and photos
Employee and customer data
If someone gains access to your phone, they could walk right into your business systems—no firewall or brute force required.
📉 The average data breach costs U.S. small businesses $120,000. (Source: Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report)
That breach could start from the phone in your pocket.
🕵️ Is Your Phone Being Tracked? Watch for These Signs:
While spyware is designed to stay hidden, there are red flags:
Rapid battery drain
High mobile data usage
Phone feels hot while idle
Strange apps or unfamiliar icons
Weird background noises during calls
Frequent crashes or freezing
One issue doesn’t confirm spyware, but if you notice multiple symptoms, it’s time to investigate.
🔐 How to Stop Phone Tracking (Before It’s Too Late)
If you suspect your phone’s been compromised, act fast:
Run a Mobile Security Scan Use a trusted mobile antivirus or anti-spyware app to detect and remove threats.
Review App Permissions Disable location, microphone, and camera access for apps that don’t need them.
Update Your Phone’s OS Many security vulnerabilities are patched in routine updates. Don’t ignore them.
Do a Factory Reset (If Needed) If spyware can’t be removed, wipe your device clean and reinstall only trusted apps.
Strengthen Access Controls Enable biometrics and multifactor authentication for all important apps and logins.
🧠 Your Phone Is a Business Asset—Treat It Like One
As a business owner, your phone isn’t just personal—it’s your mobile command center. And that means securing it isn’t optional—it’s critical.
Cybercriminals are always looking for easy entry points. And nothing’s easier than an unsecured smartphone that’s always online, always nearby, and often overlooked.
✅ Take the First Step: Get a FREE Network Risk Assessment
We’ll help you evaluate your digital security—including mobile vulnerabilities—so you can keep your business, your team, and your clients protected.
Think compliance is only for big corporations? Think again.
In 2025, regulatory agencies are cracking down on all businesses—especially small and midsized ones. If you’re collecting sensitive data, processing payments, or handling customer information, you’re already in the compliance game—whether you like it or not.
And if you’re not playing by the rules? It could cost you tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars.
🔍 Why Compliance Is No Longer Optional
Regulatory bodies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are now laser-focused on data protection and consumer privacy.
And they’re not just issuing warnings anymore—they’re issuing fines, and lots of them.
⚖️ Which Regulations Apply to Your Business?
Here are three major regulations that most small businesses don’t realize apply to them—until it’s too late:
1. HIPAA – Protecting Health Information
If you handle protected health information (PHI)—even indirectly—you must comply with HIPAA.
Recent updates now require:
Encryption of all electronic PHI
Regular risk assessments
Staff training on data privacy and security
A documented breach response plan
💸 Case in point: A small healthcare clinic was hit with a $1.5 million fine in 2024 after a ransomware attack revealed inadequate data safeguards.
2. PCI DSS – Handling Credit Card Payments
If you accept credit or debit cards, you’re on the hook for PCI compliance. That means:
Secure data storage
Ongoing network monitoring
Encrypted transmissions
Tight access controls
💸 Noncompliance fines? As high as $100,000 per month, depending on the issue and how long it’s been unresolved.
3. FTC Safeguards Rule – Financial Data Protection
If you collect any kind of consumer financial data, you’re expected to:
Create a formal security plan
Appoint someone to manage your program
Conduct regular risk assessments
Use multifactor authentication (MFA)
💸 Failure to comply can cost up to $100,000 per incident—and $10,000 per person held responsible. That’s not a typo.
💣 Real-World Fallout from Compliance Failures
One small medical practice thought they were too small to be a target—until ransomware locked their files.
$250,000 fine from the HHS
Weeks of downtime
Loss of patient trust and revenue
They weren’t just out money. They were nearly out of business.
✅ 5 Steps to Stay Compliant (and Protected)
Perform Regular Risk Assessments → Know where your weak spots are—before hackers or regulators find them.
Strengthen Security Measures → Use encryption, firewalls, endpoint protection, and MFA.
Train Your Team → Your people are your first line of defense. Make sure they’re prepared.
Create a Response Plan → What happens if you get breached? Plan now, not later.
Work with Compliance Experts → Don’t go it alone. Partner with IT and compliance professionals who know the landscape.
🚨 Don’t Wait Until You’re Fined to Take Compliance Seriously
Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about protecting your reputation, your data, and your business’s future.
🎯 Ready to See Where You Stand?
We offer a FREE Network & Compliance Assessment to help uncover gaps in your current security and compliance posture.
It’s quick. It’s painless. And it could save you thousands.
Why Cutting Corners on IT Support Can Undermine Your Internal Team (and Your Business)
If your business has an internal IT team, co-managed IT support can be a smart, scalable way to extend your capabilities without overloading your staff. But be careful: not all co-managed IT providers are created equal.
A low-cost co-managed agreement might seem like a win at first—affordable monthly pricing, supplemental support, a few extra tools. But dig deeper, and you’ll often find those “budget” providers are quietly cutting corners, leaving your internal team exposed, overwhelmed, and under-supported when it matters most.
Here are five hidden pitfalls we see time and time again with cut-rate co-managed providers—and how they can sabotage your IT operations and bottom line.
1. Security Gaps That Put Everyone at Risk
Your internal IT team might have a solid foundation, but true cybersecurity takes layered protection—and budget co-managed partners often stop at the basics.
We’ve seen providers install bare-minimum antivirus, skip multi-factor authentication, and offer zero guidance on endpoint security or user awareness training. That leaves your internal team holding the bag when something goes wrong—and in today’s cyber landscape, it’s only a matter of time.
Worse, without advanced protections, your cyber insurance claims could be denied. A good co-managed partner should strengthen your security posture, not leave it up to chance.
2. Incomplete Backup Strategies That Leave Data Unprotected
Your IT team might be backing up critical servers—but what about Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, CRMs, and third-party SaaS apps?
Most budget MSPs ignore those platforms entirely or rely on the default retention policies. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Even worse, many don’t offer immutable backups—a non-negotiable for ransomware resilience and cyber insurance compliance.
In a true co-managed model, your partner should complement your backup efforts with comprehensive coverage and regular testing, not guesswork.
3. Unexpected Fees That Break the Budget
Budget co-managed IT providers often advertise low monthly rates—but then charge extra for after-hours support, on-site visits, or even emergency escalations. This creates friction, slows response times, and forces your team to think twice before calling for help.
That’s the opposite of what co-managed IT is supposed to be.
Look for a partner who offers predictable, flat-rate pricing and acts like a true extension of your team—not a metered vendor.
4. “Not Our Job” Mentality Around Vendor Support
When your team needs help troubleshooting phones, internet, or printers, a good co-managed provider should jump in—not point fingers.
Many cheap providers refuse to work with third-party vendors or charge extra just to coordinate on your behalf. That leaves your in-house team stuck in the middle, chasing down support for tech they didn’t even implement.
We believe in full-stack support. If it touches your network, it’s our job to help fix it—period.
5. No Strategic Oversight, No IT Roadmap
The most damaging shortcut of all? Lack of leadership.
Inexperienced co-managed providers often push tasks to junior techs without offering any real IT strategy. That leaves your internal team without a sounding board for big-picture decisions or long-term planning.
With the right co-managed partner, you should expect:
A dedicated technical account manager
Proactive reviews of your cybersecurity, compliance, and backup posture
Strategic guidance for future upgrades, projects, and budgeting
Collaborative planning—not reactive firefighting
Bottom Line: Co-Managed IT Should Make You Stronger—Not Weaker
Your internal IT team is already juggling a lot. A true co-managed IT partner should make their job easier, provide peace of mind, and cover the gaps—not create new ones.
If your co-managed support feels more like a cost center than a force multiplier, it’s time for a second opinion.
Want to know what your current co-managed agreement might be missing? Let us take a look—for free.
We’ll review your environment, evaluate your risks, and provide honest feedback to help you strengthen your internal team with the right support (not just cheap support).
Support ends October 14 , 2025—every day you delay costs more than you think.
“We’ll Handle It Later” Is A Budget Killer
Post-EOL, Microsoft stops issuing security patches and bug fixes. That leaves you footing the bill for every vulnerability, crash, and compatibility snag. The longer you stay on Windows 10, the higher the hidden costs:
Hidden Cost
Why It Hurts Now—not Just Later
Security Gaps
Unpatched systems are hacker magnets. One breach can wipe out years of profit (and your reputation).
App & Device Incompatibility
Popular CRMs, accounting suites, printers, and security tools are already dropping Windows 10 support. Lost function = lost revenue.
Productivity Drains
Slow boots, random crashes, and “hang-ups” steal 10–15 minutes per employee per day. Multiply that by payroll—ouch.
Emergency Upgrades
Rush hardware orders + after-hours IT labor = 30–50 % premium over planned projects.
Compliance Risks
HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and other mandates require supported, secure OSs. Fines and lawsuits dwarf upgrade costs.
Smart Companies Are Acting Now
Inventory & Audit – Identify which PCs can make the jump to Windows 11 and which need replacement.
Consolidate & Streamline – Retire redundant software, tighten licensing, and trim support overhead.
Strengthen Cybersecurity – Pair the OS upgrade with multi-factor auth, next-gen AV, and robust backup testing.
Plan The 2025 IT Budget – Spread hardware purchases across quarters to dodge supply-chain spikes and cash-flow stress.
Your 4-Step Action Plan
Run Compatibility Checks – Confirm CPU, TPM, and RAM meet Windows 11 requirements.
Test Critical Apps – Verify each line-of-business tool runs flawlessly in the new environment.
Order Hardware Early – Laptops and desktops still face lead-time fluctuations. Secure your stock while prices are stable.
Partner With Proven Pros – Our team handles scheduling, data migration, and user training—so you skip downtime and surprises.
Don’t Wait To Panic In October
A smooth, budget-friendly transition takes planning time that’s disappearing fast. Book your FREE Network Assessment now—we’ll map the exact devices, apps, and security gaps to fix before Windows 10 turns into a liability.
It’s almost vacation time. You set your out-of-office auto-reply and start dreaming about beaches, road trips, or conference breaks. Your inbox begins to quietly respond on your behalf:
“Hi there! I’m out of the office until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Name] at [email address].”
Sounds helpful, right?
Unfortunately, it’s also exactly what cybercriminals love to see.
That friendly auto-reply can quickly become a hacker’s roadmap — giving them everything they need to time an attack, impersonate your team, and trick someone into clicking, wiring money, or handing over sensitive credentials.
Why Hackers Love Out-of-Office Replies
Even a short, well-meaning message can contain:
Your full name and title
How long you’ll be away
Who’s covering for you (with their email!)
Internal roles or team structure
Travel info or conference details
This creates two major risks:
1. Timing Advantage: Hackers now know you’re unavailable — meaning you won’t be checking your inbox or spotting fraud. 2. Targeting Precision: They know exactly who to impersonate and who to manipulate (often someone with access to money or sensitive files).
From there, it’s phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) 101.
How These Attacks Typically Play Out
Your OOO message hits a malicious inbox.
A hacker spoofs your identity — or your listed backup.
An “urgent request” is sent to someone in your office:
A wire transfer to a vendor
Login credentials for a system
Sensitive client documents
The team member, moving fast and trusting the name they recognize, follows through.
You return from vacation to a fraud incident and financial loss.
Who’s Most at Risk?
If your organization includes frequent travelers — especially executives, sales teams, or remote staff — and someone else is managing their communications (like an admin or assistant), the risk doubles.
Admins are often:
Fielding requests from multiple contacts
Authorized to send payments or access files
Trusting senders they think they recognize
One realistic-looking spoofed email can be all it takes.
How To Protect Your Business from OOO Exploits
The solution isn’t ditching auto-replies — it’s using them more strategically and reinforcing your security posture. Here’s how:
✅ 1. Keep OOO Messages Vague
Don’t list backup contacts unless absolutely necessary. Keep location or itinerary details out of the message. Better:
“I’m currently unavailable. I’ll respond as soon as I return. For urgent matters, please contact our main office.”
✅ 2. Train Your Team to Verify Everything
Never fulfill urgent requests involving money or credentials over email alone.
Always confirm requests through a second channel — phone, text, or in person.
Assume urgency = red flag.
✅ 3. Enable Email Security Protections
Use anti-spoofing tools (like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC).
Implement advanced spam filters and BEC threat detection.
Segment email access and use role-based permissions.
✅ 4. Turn On MFA Across the Board
Multifactor authentication makes it much harder for attackers to access inboxes, even with stolen passwords.
✅ 5. Work with a Proactive IT & Cybersecurity Partner
A co-managed IT partner should be actively monitoring for:
Suspicious login attempts
Unusual email behavior
Phishing campaigns
Credential compromise alerts
If your current provider isn’t flagging threats while your team is offline, they’re not doing enough.
Want to Vacation Without the Cyber Risk?
Your OOO message shouldn’t become an open door for hackers. Our team helps businesses build layered security systems that work — even when your team is away.
Book a FREE Security Assessment Today We’ll assess your email configurations, review vulnerabilities, and show you how to keep things locked down while you’re off the grid.
If your only touchpoint with your co-managed IT provider is when something breaks — or once a year at contract renewal — it’s time to rethink the relationship.
Technology doesn’t sit still, and neither do the cyber threats targeting your business. That’s why quarterly check-ins with your co-managed partner aren’t optional. They’re essential.
But here’s the problem: Most internal IT teams don’t know what to ask. Or worse — they don’t realize what their co-managed provider should be proactively bringing to the table.
That’s why we’ve built this cheat sheet. These 7 questions should be part of every quarterly conversation — to ensure your internal IT efforts are backed by a partner who’s not just filling gaps, but actively driving business continuity and security.
1. What Vulnerabilities Have You Identified in Our Environment?
Your co-managed provider should always have a pulse on your infrastructure. Ask them:
Are there systems that still need patching?
Is antivirus or EDR up-to-date across all endpoints?
Have there been any red flags or near misses in the last 90 days?
You don’t want to discover a vulnerability after it’s been exploited. A proactive partner brings this to the table before you even ask.
2. Have Our Backups Been Tested Recently — And Are We Backing Up the Right Data?
You might have local backups. You might have cloud. But if your co-managed provider hasn’t tested recovery in the last quarter, that’s a problem.
Make sure they’re answering:
When was our last full restore test?
Are we covering mission-critical systems and cloud data?
Are backups stored securely off-site?
What’s our RTO/RPO — and has that changed?
Your backups are only as good as your ability to restore them — fast.
3. Are End-Users Following Security Best Practices?
Even the best internal security stack can be undone by human error.
You should be reviewing:
Unusual login attempts or shadow IT behaviors
Whether MFA is enforced company-wide
Whether end-user phishing training is current and effective
Who clicked what — and how quickly it was caught
A good co-managed IT partner helps coach your team and close the human loopholes.
4. How Is Our Network and System Performance Trending?
Your internal team already fields enough tickets. Let your co-managed partner help solve the root causes:
Are recurring slowness or outages being logged?
Are we hitting capacity on any hardware or SaaS licenses?
Is there an optimization opportunity we’ve overlooked?
Better performance = fewer tickets and a more productive team.
5. Are We Still Compliant With Industry Regulations and Cyber Insurance Requirements?
Your compliance burden doesn’t disappear just because you share IT responsibilities.
Ask your partner:
Are we up to date on HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, or state-level laws?
Have policies or frameworks changed since last quarter?
Are we aligned with evolving cyber liability insurance requirements?
A strong co-managed partner helps keep you audit-ready and legally covered.
6. What IT Investments or Upgrades Should We Be Planning For?
You don’t need surprises. You need foresight.
Get insight into:
Licensing renewals or software nearing end-of-life
Hardware replacement timelines
Security tools worth budgeting for
Any project recommendations for Q2/Q3
If your partner isn’t helping you plan ahead, they’re not helping you grow.
7. What Cybersecurity or Tech Trends Should Be On Our Radar?
The right co-managed IT partner isn’t just filling support tickets — they’re thinking like a CIO.
Ask:
Are we falling behind on any emerging threats or standards?
Are there automation, cloud, or AI tools we should consider?
What are similar companies doing that we’re not?
Where could we be more secure — or more efficient?
It’s their job to keep your internal team competitive, not just reactive.
If You’re Not Having These Conversations, That’s a Red Flag 🚩
If your co-managed IT provider can’t clearly and confidently answer these questions — or worse, if they never bring them up — it’s time to reevaluate the partnership.
Co-managed IT isn’t just a help desk extension. It’s a strategic alliance. You need a partner who helps you stay ahead of threats, avoid outages, reduce internal workload, and scale smart.
✅ Want a 2nd Opinion?
We offer FREE Security Assessments designed specifically for co-managed IT environments. Whether you want to benchmark your current provider or validate your internal practices, we’ll show you exactly where you’re solid — and where you’re exposed.
It’s a sunny June morning. Half your team is on vacation. The other half is juggling coffee shop Wi-Fi and spotty hotel connections.
And then it happens:
Your system crashes.
The printer won’t print.
Shared files vanish into the void.
A phishing email just slipped past your filters.
You call your IT person… but they’re out of office, too.
Now what?
Your business stalls. Your team scrambles. And your vacation just got hijacked.
Sounds dramatic? Maybe. But unrealistic? Not at all.
Summer is Great for Vacations — Terrible for Reactive IT Support
Most business owners underestimate how much tech quietly holds everything together… until it all breaks. And when your only IT resource is on PTO, you’re stuck.
That’s the fatal flaw of reactive IT support: It works fine — until it doesn’t.
The “Just call Bob if something goes wrong” approach might get you by during slower seasons, but summer? That’s when it all hits at once:
Servers still overheat.
Hardware still fails.
Hackers don’t take vacations.
And when no one’s available to respond, downtime and damage pile up — fast.
Reactive IT = Playing Catch-Up While Firefighting
If your IT plan is built around fixing things after they break, you’re signing up for:
Costly downtime while you wait for help
Security breaches slipping through unnoticed
Minor glitches turning into major repairs
Zero support when your “go-to” person is MIA
It’s not just inconvenient. It’s a liability — especially in June, when vacation calendars are packed and remote work is the norm.
Proactive IT = Peace of Mind, Even from a Beach Chair
A proactive IT partner doesn’t wait for disasters — they prevent them.
They monitor your systems around the clock, apply updates before vulnerabilities are exposed, and ensure your business keeps running… whether your team is on-site or on a surfboard.
Here’s what you get with a proactive approach:
24/7 monitoring and maintenance
Security updates before you’re vulnerable
Regular backups and tested recovery plans
A team of experts (not just one person)
Predictable costs with fewer tech surprises
No more scrambling. No more waiting. No more “out of office = out of luck.”
The Real Cost of Waiting Until It Breaks
Downtime can cost small businesses hundreds to thousands of dollars per minute. And if it’s a cyberattack? You could be looking at permanent reputational damage on top of financial loss.
Reactive IT doesn’t just cost money — it creates chaos.
Don’t Let Tech Trouble Crash Your Summer
This summer, protect your business and your PTO.
Let us assess your current setup and show you how a proactive IT strategy keeps your operations running smoothly — no matter where your team is.
