Business Interrupted: The Disaster Your Co-Managed IT Partner Should Be Planning For

Posted on July 23, 2025 by John Neibel

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.

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

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.
👉 https://go.scheduleyou.in/ydgAXWJHb?cid=is:~Contact.Id~

Business Interrupted: The Disaster Your Co-Managed IT Partner Should Be Planning For

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Mirror Storage

Questions Every Business Should Be Asking Right Now

If disaster strikes tomorrow, can your business stay operational?

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.

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

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]https://go.scheduleyou.in/ydgAXWJHb?cid=is:~Contact.Id~Link

Your Phone Is Being Watched — And You Might Not Even Know It

Posted on July 16, 2025 by John Neibel

Think your phone is secure? Think again.

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.

📅 Schedule your FREE IT Risk Assessment today

8 Ways an MSP can help implement an AI solution

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Mirror Storage

8 Ways an MSP can help implement an AI solution

AI has some real attractions, and now that it has become so advanced, it has gained the attention of the public and the media. However, just because something is a fad, doesn’t mean that it is either new or something everyone needs. Before an organization, especially a small- to medium-sized business, initiates the use of AI in its business processes, it needs to understand that because the tool is so powerful, it also comes with some real risks. Although its predictive capabilities can be transformative for business, they can also be wrong or present legal and ethical issues. As a result, businesses should utilize the experience and skills of experts with a deep knowledge of AI and how it may be applied to your specific organizational goals.

Eight ways an MSP can help with an AI solution

AI, on its own, is a complex tool. It is also a tool that can be misapplied. Remember, the term artificial is key. To be used effectively and wisely, AI needs to be applied by someone with experience using it in your particular business. An MSP can offer the following to help you begin to integrate an AI solution into any aspect of your business.

Step one: Are there potential places where you might use AI? This is where your MSP can be of help. They understand your business and can help identify where it might assist your operations or marketing, for example.

Step two: Understand your KPIs and organizational goals, from the top down. It is obvious, but too often forgotten. What are your goals? What are the measures of success? What do you identify as the key strategies? AI needs to fit into that framework.

Step three: Narrow down a range of possible AI solutions. An MSP is going to have enough depth of knowledge of AI applications to steer you to the most appropriate ones. goals.

Step four: Estimate the solution’s ROI. Measurement matters. You need to understand the costs and ROI of each possible collusion. Just because it is trendy doesn’t mean AI makes sense in all cases. This will guide you to make the most effective use of your resources.

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

Step six: Get it up and running. An MSP can implement the solution for you. Most business owners do not have the resources available for what can be a very time-intensive project.

Step seven: Manage risks. Post-implementation: AI is a sophisticated tool, and things can go wrong and need ongoing monitoring, an issue that most businesses do not have the in-house resources to address. Examples of ongoing tasks include password management, security patches, and updates, as well as monitoring response

Step eight: Ongoing evaluation for effectiveness and reliability. Remember, nothing is stagnant in business. Technologies change, the competitive environment changes. Your organization moves forward. Make sure you commit to ongoing reviews of the effectiveness of your chosen solution.

In the end, AI can be useful. But, as with any powerful tool, it can cause a lot of trouble if used by an organization without experience. Small-to-medium-sized businesses lack the in-house IT resources and depth of knowledge to implement and maintain an AI infrastructure. An MSP can bring that to the table.

The Compliance Blind Spot: What You Don’t Know Can Cost You

Posted on July 9, 2025 by John Neibel

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.

👉 Click here to schedule your FREE Compliance & Security Assessment

Eight ways an MSP can help with an AI solution

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Mirror Storage

Eight ways an MSP can help with an AI solution

Step one: Assess your organization’s potential use of AI. Basically, with the holistic understanding of your business that an MSP has, they can evaluate where there is opportunity, and prioritize where to implement first

Step two: Understand your KPIs and organizational goals, from the top down. Before you do anything, it is essential to articulate your specific goals. What do you identify as the key strategies and how will you measure your success?

Step three: Propose a possible range of AI solutions. Here is an area where your MSP can be of particular value. An MSP will be knowledgeable about the variety of applications out there and lead you to select those most appropriate for your goals.

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. This will guide you to make the most effective use of your resources.

Step five: Ensure compliance: For example HIPAA, PCI. HITRUST. ISO27001, SOC1, SOC2. 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. This is a post-implementation issue that most businesses do not have the in-house resources to maintain long term. Examples of ongoing tasks include password management, security patches, and updates, as well as monitoring response

In the end, AI can be useful. But with any powerful tool, it can cause a lot of trouble if used by an organization without experience. Small to medium sized businesses lack the in-house IT resources and depth of knowledge to implement and maintain an AI infrastructure. An MSP can bring that to the table.

The Hidden Cost of “Cheap” IT — Especially in a Co-Managed Environment

Posted on July 2, 2025 by John Neibel

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).

👉 Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment