With very few exceptions, all businesses rely on technology to some degree, and most rely on it heavily. But businesses differ in terms of how they view their IT investment. Some view technology as a money pit that they can’t live without – a necessary evil. Others view technology as a tool that can help them compete in an economy of “disruption.” They know that in the 21st century, the companies who use technology as an engine for innovation and transformation (think Uber) are the ones likely to succeed.

While there are certainly valid reasons for some business owners to view their IT as a necessary evil, it is possible for every business – regardless of size – to transform their technology into an engine for growth.

The number of widespread cyber security issues in the news seems to be growing, doesn’t it? VPNFilter – malware that affects consumer and small-business grade routers and other network devices – is just the latest threat to make headlines.

The FBI is advising everyone to restart their home or small business routers to mitigate the effects of VPNFilter. But how does this affect your business? Read on to find out.

As your managed IT services provider, we want to provide as much awareness as possible of the latest scams and tactics that may put your data and company assets at risk. One such tactic that we’ve seen in play recently is pop-up phishing – a type of social engineering attack used by criminals to trick people into giving access to their computers and/or payment information.

Cyber security is a nebulous concept for many business leaders. There are, it’s true, a complicated array of risks to data security, and, as a result, it can be easy to throw one’s hands up and ignore them all together. After all, you have a business to run, and that’s complicated enough. However, as countless companies making news headlines have found out, turning a blind eye to cyber security can be catastrophic for your business.

If you’ve ever worked with a Managed Services Provider (MSP), you’ve probably heard the term “vCIO.” “What does that mean?” you might have wondered. You might have been told that the “v” stands for “virtual,” and CIO stands for “Chief Information Officer”—the position in a corporate environment responsible for aligning technology strategy with business strategy. The idea is that, with the MSP, your business will have a virtual CIO – someone to provide strategic technology consulting.

But not all vCIO services are created equal. Just because two MSPs both offer vCIO, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you can expect the same thing from both of them. The right kind of vCIO service is truly valuable. But, in some cases, it doesn’t amount to much more than project sales pitches.

Most parents recognize that the internet is not always a safe place for kids. Connected devices offer great opportunities for fun and for learning, but they also present serious dangers for kids of all ages, such as cyberbullying, sexting, and exposure to inappropriate content.

When you think of your company’s IT costs, what comes to mind? Odds are, hardware and software top the list, as well as the costs of IT support, like salary and benefits for in-house staff or fees for an outsourced IT provider. These costs are easy to quantify and predict. The problem is that they are just the tip of the iceberg. Within your organization, there may be hidden costs associated with your IT that can linger under the surface and hinder your business’s growth.

Here are three examples of hidden IT costs that many businesses face:

2017 was a year of highly-publicized malware attacks and security vulnerabilities, and it appears that 2018 will be no different. You may have heard about Meltdown and Spectre—two widespread security vulnerabilities—in the news recently. But how do they affect your business, and what (if anything) can you do about it? Read our quick guide below to find out.

For many business owners, a new year sparks renewed focus on putting ideas into action that will help their businesses grow.

As you sit through brainstorming sessions and consider ways to do things differently in the new year, don’t forget to pay attention to the health of your technology systems. Odds are, you rely on technology to communicate, make business decisions, and complete projects. In other words, it’s just as crucial to your success as a new hire.

Last week, Facebook released Messenger Kids, a version of its popular Messenger app designed specifically for kids under 13. These younger kids are technically not allowed to create full Facebook profiles, so Facebook developed Messenger Kids as a standalone app with some important parental control and safety features.

Still, while Facebook seems to have put a lot of effort into safety, some parents may feel uncomfortable with allowing their children to use this app. To help you make the best decision for your family, read on to learn what Messenger Kids does well, as well as what concerns it might still raise for some parents.

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