IT Insights for Small Business Owners
Practical technology advice, security tips, and IT guidance. Written in plain English for business owners, not IT people.
The PHP Flaw Hitting the News Right Now: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Millions of exploit attempts in 24 hours. If your website runs WordPress or any PHP-based software, here is what happened and what to do about it today.
Mobile Devices Are Your Biggest Unprotected Endpoint
Laptops get managed. Phones and tablets mostly do not. Here is what that gap actually exposes and what small businesses should have in place.
The Real Cost of a Data Breach for a Small Business (It's Not Just the Ransom)
Most small business owners picture a breach as a one-time cost. It is not. Here is what the full bill actually looks like, and why most businesses that go through one never fully recover.
AI-Powered Phishing: Why the Scam Emails Are Getting Harder to Spot
Phishing emails used to be easy to catch. Bad grammar, odd formatting, a request that made no sense. AI changed that. Here is what the new version looks like and how to defend against it.
MFA Is Not Optional: What Small Businesses Keep Getting Wrong
Most small businesses have turned on multi-factor authentication somewhere. Very few have it set up correctly. Here is where the gaps usually are and what they cost.
Business Email Compromise: The Fraud That Looks Like a Normal Email
Business email compromise is not a hacking story. It is a fraud story. And it costs small businesses more per incident than ransomware.
Security Awareness Training: What It Is and Why Most Small Businesses Get It Wrong
A once-a-year compliance video is not security awareness training. Here is what it actually looks like and why it matters more now than it used to.
HIPAA Compliance and IT: A Checklist for Small Healthcare Practices
HIPAA's Security Rule puts specific requirements on how a practice's IT is set up, not just its paperwork. Here is a practical checklist for where most small practices fall short.
What Law Firms Need to Know About Client Data Security
Client confidentiality is an ethical obligation, not just an IT preference. Here is what law firms actually need in place to protect case files and privileged communications.
How to Budget for IT Support: A Planning Guide for Small Businesses
Budget season is when most small businesses guess at their IT costs for next year. Here is how to build a real IT budget instead of copying last year's number.
New Employee IT Onboarding: A Practical Checklist for Small Businesses
A new hire's first day goes smoother when their accounts, hardware, and access are ready before they walk in. Here is a checklist that covers what usually gets missed.
Cloud Backup and Disaster Recovery: What Small Businesses Actually Need
Backup and disaster recovery are not the same thing, and confusing them is how businesses discover the gap the hard way. Here is what small businesses actually need to have in place.
What Is Dark Web Monitoring and Should Your Business Be Using It?
Stolen credentials from your business may already be for sale online. Dark web monitoring tells you when that happens so you can act before an attacker does.
Is Your Business Wi-Fi a Security Risk? What Small Business Owners Need to Know
Most small business Wi-Fi networks are set up once and never revisited. Here is what a poorly configured network exposes you to and how to fix the most common problems.
What Small Businesses Need to Know About the FTC Safeguards Rule
The FTC Safeguards Rule requires financial service businesses — including tax preparers and CPA firms — to have specific security controls in place. Here is what it means and what you need to do.
How to Protect Your Business from Ransomware in 2026
Ransomware attacks on small businesses are up. The businesses that recover fastest are the ones that prepared before something happened. Here is what preparation actually looks like.
5 Signs It Is Time to Switch IT Providers
Most small businesses wait too long to make a change. If any of these sound familiar, it is worth having a conversation with someone else.
Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365: Which Is Right for Your Small Business?
Both platforms work. The right choice depends on how your team works, what software you already use, and what your IT needs look like. Here is a straightforward comparison.
What Is Microsoft Copilot and Should Your Small Business Be Using It?
Microsoft is rolling Copilot AI into every part of 365. Here is what it actually does, what it costs, and whether it is worth turning on for your team right now.
How to Know If Your Small Business Is Ready for Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance is not a substitute for good security. Insurers are checking your controls before they write a policy. Here is what they look for and how to make sure you qualify.
What to Do With Your IT After Tax Season: A Post-Tax Checklist for CPA Firms
Tax season is over. Now is the best time to review your IT setup while things are quiet. Here is a practical checklist to work through before next January.
Does Your Small Business Need a Password Manager?
Weak and reused passwords are behind a large share of small business breaches. A password manager solves the problem and takes about an hour to set up. Here is what to know.
Why Phishing Attacks Still Work (And What to Do About It)
Phishing is not a new problem, but it keeps working. Here is why even careful employees get fooled and what small businesses can do to reduce the risk.
Does Your Small Business Have an Incident Response Plan? Most Don't.
Most small businesses have no plan for what happens in the first hour of a cyberattack. Here is what an incident response plan actually looks like and why your cyber insurance may already require one.
What to Look for in an IT Partner for Your CPA Firm (A Chicago Accountant's Guide)
Looking for IT support for your CPA firm in Chicago? Here is what managing partners actually need to look for, and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
What Is EDR and Why Does 24/7 Security Monitoring Matter for Small Businesses?
Antivirus is not enough anymore. Here is what EDR and around-the-clock SOC monitoring actually do, and why small businesses handling client data should pay attention.
How to Lock Down Your Microsoft 365 Tenant (A Practical Security Checklist)
Your Microsoft 365 tenant is the front door to your business. Here is how to make sure it is not standing open.
AI at Work: What Small Businesses Need to Know Before Using ChatGPT with Client Data
Your team is probably already using AI tools. The question is whether they are doing it safely.
5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)
Most small business breaches are preventable. Here are the five most common security gaps we see, and what you can do about them today.
Is Your Business Ready for the Cloud? A 10-Point Checklist
Cloud migration can cut costs and improve reliability, but only if you are prepared. Work through this checklist before you migrate anything.
7 Microsoft 365 Features Your Team Is Probably Not Using
You are paying for Microsoft 365. Here are seven features already in your subscription that can save time and improve your security.
How to Evaluate Your IT Setup Before January: A CPA Firm Checklist
January comes fast. Here is a practical checklist to work through before tax season starts so your firm is not scrambling when it counts.
Why Your CPA Firm Needs MFA Before Next Tax Season
A stolen password is all it takes to lose access to your client files and email. Here is why multi-factor authentication is the single most important step your firm can take right now.
What Happens to Client Data in a Breach? What CPA Firms Need to Know
A data breach at a CPA firm is not just an IT problem. Here is what actually happens to your client data, what your obligations are, and what it means for your firm.
How Much Should a Small Business Pay for IT Support in Chicago?
IT support pricing varies widely and the cheapest option rarely stays cheap. Here is what small businesses in Chicago should expect to pay and what to watch out for.
Break-Fix vs. Managed IT: What Is the Difference and Which Do You Need?
Some businesses pay for IT support only when something breaks. Others pay a flat monthly rate for ongoing coverage. Here is how to figure out which model actually makes sense for your business.
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