Risk assessment: A Value model

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Mirror Storage

Risk assessment: A Value model

Risk assessment means looking at all the conditions, situations and threats that exist that could damage or bring down your business. Risk assessment is all about identifying the external and internal threats that exist and measuring the likely consequences if that threat becomes reality. A data security risk assessment would identify what data you have, how you use it, how confidential it may be, how it is affected by regulations and the ways it could be compromised. A major focus of a data security assessment is cybercrime.

In terms of developing an IT staff, the alternative approach to building out a team is to determine your IT staffing needs in terms of risk assessment. That means evaluating risk and directing staffing resources to those areas where the risk is greatest and the consequences most severe. Basically, it is an evaluation on the ROI of your IT staffing in light of identified risk. In particular, what is the return on your risk management investment? The goal is to evaluate risk in light of business and operational consequences. Put simply, which point of failure leads to the most destructive consequences. Once that is determined your limited IT resources can be directed at those most critical areas.

In the short term, you can try to find the specific applicants that have what you need to plug the holes. Is that workable given the challenges to hiring? The market is very competitive.

The alternative is an MSP. Using a Managed Service provider for at least some of your most critical needs can be a very effective way of targeting your IT resources to where you are most vulnerable.

You have more freedom to move resources to where they are most needed.

Opting for an in-house IT team limits you in terms of scalability. You cannot just add or reduce the strength of your IT team anytime. Choosing a managed services provider, however, provides the flexibility to scale up or scale down your IT investment to suit your business needs.

You are better prepared for IT emergencies

Having a service contract with an MSP helps you tackle IT emergencies better because you get access to top-level IT expertise. An MSP’s core business is IT so they are naturally more knowledgeable and up-to-date when it comes to the latest IT challenges, including cybercrime. Plus, an MSP can deploy more resources if need be to solve your IT emergency, helping your business get back on its feet sooner.

You will be ahead of the curve

The IT industry is constantly evolving. The in-house IT team may find it challenging to keep up with the latest trends and norms of the IT industry as they will be caught up in managing the day-to-day IT activities at your office. Also, IT is a very broad field, and only a diverse IT team has the depth to cover all of the different areas. With an MSP, you don’t have to worry about how technology is changing. A good MSP will not only be up-to-date with the latest in tech but also advise you on what tech changes you need to make to stay ahead of the curve.

The lesson for hiring IT is that you should focus resources, be they in-house or external, on the areas where your business is at highest risk from a single point of failure or a cyber attack. Not all IT needs are equal, and traditional models don’t always recognize this. A Managed Service Provider can also assist you in determining a hierarchy of your IT needs.

How DFW Business Leaders Can Eliminate Costly IT Headaches with Co-Managed IT Support

Posted on May 29, 2025 by John Neibel

When your systems go down, everything grinds to a halt—productivity, communication, revenue.

It’s not just inconvenient—it’s expensive.

Just ask MGM Resorts. During a major cyberattack last summer, their systems collapsed: room keys stopped working, casinos shut down, and online bookings vanished. The result? Millions in losses.

For midsized businesses in Dallas/Fort Worth, the same risks apply—just on a smaller (but no less painful) scale.

Whether it’s downtime from internet outages, nonstop help desk tickets, or cybersecurity gaps, one thing’s for sure: your business can’t afford IT problems.

Why Internal IT Teams Are Struggling

Even with an in-house IT department, many businesses face:

Overworked tech staff
Delayed upgrades and maintenance
Poor cybersecurity hygiene
Reactive (instead of proactive) support

That’s where co-managed IT services come in. We don’t replace your IT team—we enhance it.

What Is Co-Managed IT?

Co-managed IT is a hybrid support model where your internal team partners with a specialized IT provider (like us) to:

Offload repetitive tasks
Strengthen cybersecurity
Gain access to enterprise-grade tools
Get proactive strategic guidance
Scale support as your business grows

You keep control. We add bandwidth, expertise, and peace of mind.

Quick Health Check: Is Your IT Really Supporting Your Business?

Run through this checklist and see how your current IT setup stacks up:

✅ Are tech issues resolved quickly, or does downtime drag on?
✅ Does your team have access to enterprise-level tools and monitoring?
✅ Are updates, patches, and backups handled proactively?
✅ Is there 24/7 threat detection—even on weekends and holidays?
✅ Does your IT roadmap align with your business growth strategy?
✅ Are employees trained to spot phishing and cyber risks?
✅ Are projects delivered on time and within budget?
✅ Do you receive regular reports on network health and security?
✅ Is your internal IT team supported—or just constantly putting out fires?

If you answered “no” to more than a couple, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Why DFW Businesses Are Turning to Co-Managed IT

Here’s how a co-managed IT partner can transform your business:

🚀 Reduce IT Overload – Offload patching, ticketing, monitoring, and other day-to-day tasks
🛡️ Boost Cybersecurity – Implement advanced threat detection, compliance tools, and endpoint protection
📈 Scale Without Stress – Adapt your IT infrastructure to growth without adding full-time hires
🎯 Gain Strategic Insight – Tap into deep expertise in cloud, networking, compliance, and security
💡 Enhance Efficiency – Free your internal team to focus on high-value initiatives

Ready to Eliminate IT Problems for Good?

If your internal IT team is overwhelmed, or you’re tired of recurring tech issues, co-managed IT could be the solution you’ve been looking for.

📞 Schedule a FREE 15-minute discovery call to see how we can reduce your IT headaches, strengthen your cybersecurity, and help your business grow—without the chaos.

👉 Book your call now or call us at 214-550-0550 to get started.

Staffing should address risk first and foremost

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Mirror Storage

Staffing should address risk first and foremost

For any business, but especially a smaller one without deep pockets, the consequences of some disaster may mean the end of the business. As a result, risk evaluation becomes critical. There are an endless variety of events, from mishaps to major disasters that challenge your viability. Risk management inventories all of the possible risks that could befall the organization and places them in a hierarchy of significance. At the top are single points of failure disasters or extreme events that would shut down the business, at least temporarily. Risk management then works to channel limited resources toward mitigating the most serious risks. Here are some examples of risk in the IT area that could be especially damaging if left unprotected

Data Security and Cybercrime –
1. Loss of data – Failed backups or human error can lead to lost data. Every business needs to have the IT expertise to ensure that quality backups are maintained, preferably in real-time
2. Data breaches – More significantly, data is constantly at risk from crime. From malware to ransomware, viruses and cyber attacks can destroy a small business. Consequently, quality IT support is most critical in this area. It should be an issue of highest priority.
Hardware redundancy – Your entire physical IT infrastructure represents a vulnerability. Single points of failure could shut down your business. Proper design of your infrastructure, and 24/7 monitoring of it is, again, a risk mitigation factor. How much evaluation has been done to determine your level of risk?
Natural and human-made disasters – How prepared is your IT infrastructure to continue operations in the event of a flood, fire, or natural disaster that prohibits access to your physical location? How would you handle a long-term power of broadband outage? IT professionals skilled in disaster recovery can help you mitigate the risk in the face of a major event.
The point here is not to list all the possible risks you face, but to recognize that IT support should be focused on the most critical areas. Whether you bring them in-house or use the services of an MSP, resources should be directed first at areas where the risk is greatest.

How can an MSP help support a risk-focused IT strategy?

Hiring individual in-house support can be expensive and slow – Given the tight labor market, finding ideal candidates can be exceptionally difficult, and as a consequence, too expensive. An MSP represents a faster way to bring on support and can be utilized only when and where the most critical services are needed.
Up-to-date support – Over-worked in-house IT staff in a small company may be too busy putting out fires to keep up with the latest developments in specific corners of their field. As a result, you may lack the knowledge depth needed on narrow but critical areas. IT is a very broad field, and only a diverse IT team has the depth to cover all of the different areas. With an MSP, you don’t have to worry about how technology is changing. A good MSP will not only be up-to-date with the latest in tech but also advise you on what tech changes you need to make to stay ahead.
Scalability – The size of your in-house IT support staff is, in the short term, static. If you experience peak demand times, resources can be stretched to the point of being overwhelmed. .Choosing a managed services provider, however, provides the flexibility to scale up or scale down your IT investment to suit your business needs.
24/7 monitoring and availability – Until your organization gets big enough, an in-house IT staff cannot be available 24/7. Nor can it provide 24/7 monitoring for that part of your business that must be functional all the time. An MSp has the resources, because of economies of scale.

In the end, don’t think of IT support as “IT Hiring” instead, think of it as staffing. What is the best use of limited resources to meet your most immediate vulnerabilities? That is the best perspective to take on IT support when resources are limited.

🕵️‍♂️ Shadow IT: The Hidden Security Threat Inside Your Business

Posted on May 22, 2025 by John Neibel

Posted May 21, 2025 by John Neibel

Your team might be using apps and tools that your IT department doesn’t even know about. It’s not sabotage. It’s Shadow IT — and it’s quickly becoming one of the biggest cybersecurity risks for businesses today.

🚨 What Is Shadow IT?

Shadow IT refers to any technology—apps, cloud services, software—that employees use without approval or oversight from your IT department.

It often looks like this:

Employees saving documents in personal Google Drive or Dropbox accounts.
Teams using unapproved tools like Slack, Trello, or Asana to collaborate.
Staff installing unauthorized messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram on company devices.
Marketing departments experimenting with AI tools and automations without verifying their security.

They’re trying to get work done faster. But without knowing it, they’re opening the door to massive security vulnerabilities.

🔓 Why Shadow IT Is So Dangerous

When your IT team can’t see it, they can’t protect it. And that’s when trouble begins.

Here’s what Shadow IT can cause:

Unsecured data sharing – Sensitive information could be exposed in personal cloud apps.
Unpatched vulnerabilities – Unauthorized software may miss critical security updates.
Compliance violations – Tools outside your approved tech stack could trigger HIPAA, GDPR, or PCI penalties.
Malware exposure – Fake productivity apps can carry ransomware, spyware, or ad fraud.
Credential theft – Apps without MFA make it easier for attackers to hijack employee accounts.

🧪 Real-World Example: The Vapor App Scam

In March, over 300 malicious apps were found on the Google Play Store, disguised as health and utility tools. They’d been downloaded over 60 million times — bombarding users with invasive ads, stealing credentials, and even rendering phones unusable.

These apps weren’t on company-approved lists — yet they ended up on devices anyway.

This is the real-world risk of Shadow IT: employees install seemingly helpful tools that turn out to be Trojan horses.

🙋‍♀️ Why Do Employees Use Shadow IT?

Usually, they’re not trying to break the rules. They’re just trying to:

Be more productive
Avoid clunky, outdated company software
Save time while waiting for IT approval
Or… they simply don’t realize it’s risky

Unfortunately, good intentions don’t stop bad consequences.

✅ How to Take Control of Shadow IT

Stopping Shadow IT requires more than policies — it takes visibility and education. Here’s how to start:

1. Publish an Approved Software List
Maintain a regularly updated list of secure, IT-approved apps employees can use confidently.

2. Restrict Unauthorized Installs
Use endpoint policies and permissions to prevent unsanctioned apps from being installed on company devices.

3. Train Your Team
Help employees understand that Shadow IT isn’t just “bending the rules” — it’s a security liability.

4. Monitor for Unauthorized Tools
Use network monitoring or EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) to flag and block unapproved software in real time.

5. Strengthen Endpoint Security
Deploy advanced security solutions that detect risky behavior, malicious downloads, or unauthorized access attempts.

🛡 Don’t Let Rogue Apps Become a Business Crisis

Shadow IT is silent, sneaky — and often completely invisible to leadership until a breach happens.

Let’s fix that.

Start with a FREE Network Security Assessment.
We’ll help you identify unauthorized tools in use, uncover hidden risks, and lock down your network before a small oversight becomes a major incident.

👉 Click here to book your free assessment today

Forego the standard IT staffing model?

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Mirror Storage

Forego the standard IT staffing model?

From the outset, even the smallest start-up is reliant on an IT infrastructure. Digital technology cannot be avoided. For small-to medium-sized businesses, developing and bringing on staff to support that IT infrastructure is often a low priority compared to ramping up operations and meeting the revenues goals necessary to stay operational. Resources to address IT needs may not be available (for at least, perceived to be unavailable) Management is focussed on revenue growth and meeting operational and business requirements. Management may also be incentivized to direct available funds in these directions, rather than building out a robust and sufficiently risk averse IT infrastructure. Also, management may not have the background that provides sufficient experience to identify areas where IT staffing is necessary to maintain a stable and sustainable business.

In a small- to medium-sized business beginning to explore the development of an IT support staff, or even in a large organization undergoing significant transformation, there may be a tendency to begin the process of IT staffing with a top level individual–a CTO, IT director or IT manager. Once hired, that individual would be relied on to begin the process of building out an IT staff.

Problems facing organizations: initiating an IT staff build-out

For any organization, from a small firm looking to bring on its first dedicated IT staffer to a large organization, there are a number of hurdles that may be encountered. One of the most immediate is the shortage of available IT professionals. No matter what your needs, it may be difficult to find appropriately skilled applicants to meet your staffing requirements. This may mean that following the top-down development model may cause risky delays in your goal of protecting and securing the IT infrastructure needed to remain competitive. The job market in IT is especially competitive. This is just one reason we are suggesting that you consider setting aside the top-down build-out model and take a different approach.

Another reason that the top-down model may be problematic, especially for small- to medium-sized businesses, is that it may be a little too “perfect.” When resources for IT staffing are limited, creating the IT department that covers everything can be unrealistic. Creating this traditional model takes time and resources to make sure you have the IT support that possesses all the diverse skills needed to meet the many requirements of a sound IT infrastructure. As a result, this model may not truly meet the immediate/urgent needs of a developing or transforming organization. As ever, the perfect may be the enemy of the good.

So how does a firm looking to strengthen its IT infrastructure and protect itself from vulnerabilities–from cyber attack to single point of failure– protect itself? Lack of available applicants and limits make traditional build outs unrealistic. And will also take too long to address urgent needs.

In our next blog post we discuss a value based approach

🖨️ Is Your Office Printer a Cybersecurity Time Bomb?

Posted on May 15, 2025 by John Neibel

Posted May 14, 2025 by John Neibel

If you were asked to list the biggest cybersecurity risks in your office, you might say phishing emails, ransomware, or weak passwords.

But would you think of your printer?

Most wouldn’t — and that’s exactly why it’s such an easy target.

Printers often sit quietly in the corner, unnoticed. But behind that hum and stack of paper is a powerful device that processes some of your company’s most sensitive information — and it’s often wide open to attack.

🚨 Printers Are Prime Targets for Hackers

In one real-world test, Cybernews attempted to hack 50,000 printers. The result? They gained control of 56% of them — over 28,000 machines. Why? Because most organizations overlook printer security entirely.

Let’s break down why that’s a problem.

🔍 Why Hackers Love Office Printers

1. Printers Store Sensitive Documents
Payroll reports, HR files, legal contracts — many printers have built-in memory or hard drives that store copies of everything you print, scan, or copy. If compromised, those files are exposed.

2. Default Passwords Are Still Common
“admin/admin” or “123456” — sound familiar? Many businesses never change the factory settings, making it laughably easy for hackers to gain control.

3. They’re a Gateway Into Your Network
Your printer connects to your Wi-Fi and internal systems. If breached, it can serve as an open door to install malware or move laterally across your network.

4. Print Jobs Can Be Intercepted
If your documents aren’t encrypted, hackers can intercept them before they hit the printer. That contract you thought was secure? Not so much.

5. They Can Be Used to Spy
Modern printers can scan to email, store digital files, and access cloud storage. A hacker with control could steal every scanned document or email sent through the device.

6. Outdated Firmware Is a Huge Risk
Like any other tech, printers need updates to patch vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, most businesses never update printer firmware.

7. Discarded Printers Can Leak Data
When you toss out an old printer without wiping its memory, you might as well hand over your company’s confidential files to a cybercriminal.

✅ How to Lock Down Your Printers – Starting Today

Change the Default Password
Use a strong, unique password just like you would for a server or admin account.
Update the Firmware
Regularly check for manufacturer updates or ask your IT provider to manage it.
Enable Secure Print / Encryption
Activate Secure Print and encryption to prevent interception of sensitive files.
Restrict Access
Use PINs or user authentication for sensitive print jobs. Limit who can access specific printers.
Wipe Stored Data
Manually clear memory where possible, and destroy or sanitize hard drives when disposing of old printers.
Put Your Printer Behind a Firewall
Treat it like any other endpoint — and secure it accordingly.
Monitor Printer Logs
Track usage and flag suspicious activity like after-hours printing or remote access attempts.

🧠 Still Think It’s “Just a Printer”?

Printers are no longer just basic office tools. They’re network-connected computers with storage, internet access, and security vulnerabilities.

And if you’re protecting your servers but ignoring your printers, you’re leaving a gaping hole in your defense plan — one hackers are more than happy to exploit.

🛡️ Don’t Let a Printer Be Your Weakest Link

If you’re unsure whether your printers are secure, we can help.

Schedule your FREE Network Security Assessment today — we’ll review your entire network, including printers, and identify hidden vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do.

👉 Click here to book now

✈️ The Fake Vacation Email That Could Empty Your Bank Account (Or Infiltrate Your Business)

Posted on May 8, 2025 by John Neibel

Summer travel is heating up — and so are cyber scams.

Posted May 7, 2025 by John Neibel

Cybercriminals are preying on eager travelers by sending fake booking confirmations that look incredibly real. These phishing emails impersonate airlines, hotels, or travel agencies and are designed to do one thing: steal your money, your data — or both.

Even smart, security-conscious users are getting fooled.

🎣 How the Scam Works

Step 1: The Fake Email Lands in Your Inbox
It might look like it’s from Delta, Marriott, Expedia, or Hertz. It may include:

Legit-looking logos and branding
A fake but familiar “customer service” number
A subject line meant to trigger urgency, like:
- “Flight Itinerary Updated – Action Required”
- “Your Hotel Booking Needs Confirmation”
- “Your Trip to Miami Is Confirmed – View Itinerary”

Step 2: You Click the Link
The email asks you to log in, confirm details, or update payment info. The link sends you to a fake website that mimics the real thing — and captures whatever info you enter.

Step 3: Your Info (or Device) Gets Compromised
From there, hackers can:

Steal your travel account credentials
Process unauthorized credit card charges
Infect your device with malware
Gain access to sensitive files or accounts

🧠 Why This Scam Works So Well

It looks authentic. The logos, formatting, and sender info are often spot-on.
It creates urgency. People panic over flight changes and booking errors.
It catches people off guard. Travelers are often busy, distracted, or excited — perfect conditions for careless clicks.

🏢 A Personal Threat — And A Business Risk

If your team books travel for conferences, sales meetings, or client visits, this scam isn’t just a personal threat — it’s a company-wide vulnerability.

A single click from your office manager, travel coordinator, or executive could:

Compromise corporate travel accounts
Expose your business credit cards to fraud
Introduce malware into your company network

✅ How to Protect Yourself and Your Company

Go direct. Don’t click links — log in directly at the airline, hotel, or travel site.
Check the sender’s address. Look out for subtle fakes (like @deltacom.com instead of @delta.com).
Train your team. Educate anyone who books or manages travel on how to spot these scams.
Use MFA. Multifactor authentication adds a layer of protection even if credentials are compromised.
Lock down email security. Deploy tools that filter phishing emails and block malicious links.

🚨 Don’t Let a Fake Email Become a Real Crisis

Cybercriminals are counting on you to be too busy — or too trusting — to spot their trap. Don’t give them that chance.

If your business handles team travel, expense management, or uses shared email accounts, you’re a prime target.

Let’s make sure you’re covered.

📅 Schedule your FREE Cybersecurity Assessment today.
We’ll scan for vulnerabilities, check your defenses, and help protect your team from costly scams like this one.

👉 Click here to book your assessment now

The Most Common — And Costly — IT and Cybersecurity Mistakes Business Owners Make

Posted on May 1, 2025 by John Neibel

Posted May 1, 2025 by John Neibel

“What’s the biggest mistake business owners make with IT and cybersecurity?”

I get that question a lot. And honestly, there’s no shortage of answers.

After years of working with companies across industries, one thing is clear: too many business owners treat IT and cybersecurity like an afterthought — until it’s too late.

Here are the most common missteps I see time and time again — and how to avoid them.

1. Being Reactive Instead of Proactive

Most business owners only take cybersecurity seriously after something breaks, gets stolen, or goes offline. By then, the damage is done — and recovery costs soar. Taking a proactive approach isn’t just smarter — it’s cheaper. Prevention always costs less than remediation.

2. Relying on Free or Consumer-Grade Tools

Sure, free antivirus software and off-the-shelf routers might seem like budget-friendly choices. But they weren’t built to protect a business. One ransomware attack or data breach and those “savings” will vanish — fast. Think of it this way: if you wouldn’t run your business using a free spreadsheet app, why would you trust your entire network and client data to free or outdated tech?

3. Underestimating the True Cost of Downtime

It’s easy to say, “We’ll be fine if we’re down for a few hours.” But what happens when your systems are offline for a full workday or more? Employees can’t work. Customers can’t buy. Revenue stops. And reputations suffer. A smart IT strategy keeps your business running even when disaster strikes.

4. Failing to Plan for What’s Next

Cyber threats are constantly evolving. What worked last year may not protect you today. Many businesses fall behind because they never reassess their IT systems or update their defenses. Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time task — it’s an ongoing responsibility.

So What Should You Do?

Here’s the bottom line:

✅ Stop taking shortcuts. Cheap fixes now cost more later.
✅ Think long-term. Cybersecurity is a commitment, not a checkbox.
✅ Work with experts. The right partner can help you stay secure, efficient, and ahead of emerging threats.

If your IT and cybersecurity strategy needs a second opinion — or a total upgrade — we’re here to help.

📅 Book your FREE 10-minute Security Assessment today and let’s make sure your business isn’t one click away from a crisis.

👉 Schedule Now

Would you like a shorter version for LinkedIn or a visual script for InVideo?

You said:

both please

ChatGPT said:

Absolutely — here are both versions:

🔹 SHORTENED LINKEDIN VERSION 🔹

Title: The 4 Biggest IT & Cybersecurity Mistakes Business Owners Still Make

💻 Still treating IT and cybersecurity like an afterthought? You’re not alone — but that mistake could cost you everything.

Here are the 4 most common issues we see: 1️⃣ Waiting until something breaks to act
2️⃣ Relying on free tools that weren’t built for business
3️⃣ Underestimating the real cost of downtime
4️⃣ “Setting and forgetting” security instead of updating it

IT isn’t just about tech. It’s about keeping your business alive and thriving.

✅ Be proactive
✅ Use business-grade tools
✅ Review and adapt your defenses
✅ Partner with experts

Ready for peace of mind?
📅 Book your free 10-minute Security Assessment now → https://go.scheduleyou.in/NvSNiTs?cid=is:~Contact.Id~

#CyberSecurity #SmallBusinessIT #BusinessContinuity #ManagedIT #ITSupport #DFWBusiness #DataProtection