Central Illinois manufacturers face growing cyber threats because they combine high-value intellectual property, operational technology that's difficult to update, and connections to larger supply chains. Attackers know that production downtime costs manufacturers...
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Ellie Shaw
AI-Fluent Leaders: A Practical AI Webinar Series for Business Owners and Executives
AI isn't waiting for you to figure it out. It's already in your business—whether you've approved it or not. Your employees are experimenting with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and automation tools right now. Some are saving time. Others might be exposing sensitive data...
Cyber Treats: AI is Changing the Game for Business Leaders and Hackers Alike
Phishing emails sound human. Deepfake voices clone your CFO. Malware adapts mid-attack.AI attacks are getting scarier. But here's the other side: AI also powers business growth. Automation accelerates operations. Intelligent tools sharpen decision-making. The...
Cyber Treats – Scary Cyber Stories to Tell in the Dark
Enter if You Dare. Ringing the doorbell AND saying "trick or treat," also counts as 2FA, just FYI. This Year's Cybersecurity Nightmares We don't like to get too spooky here at Cyber Treats, but this year had sophisticated attacks, massive breaches, and threats...
Cyber Treats: Rolling Out the Welcome Mat (Guest Wi-Fi)
Wi-Not? Guest Wi-Fi Dos and Don'ts Most routers have a default “guest network” setting, but for both home and business networks, “flip it on and forget it” isn’t a great strategy for guest Wi-Fi. What’s the danger? While your average visitor may just need to...
Cyber Treats: Rogue Downloads
What's Up With Shadow IT? Sounds cool; is not cool. So you’ve got a document you need to send to your accountant yesterday… but the file’s too big to attach in an email. What’s there to do? The correct answer is to contact your IT team (us!) so we can...
Cyber Treats: ClickFix Attacks
Forget Everything You Know About Ransomware Well, don't do that exactly, but keep this in mind: Interlock ransomware doesn't necessarily arrive in your inbox disguised as a fake invoice or urgent payment request. This threat lurks on legitimate websites that have...
How To Plan For A Ransomware Attack (Avoid Losing Everything and Paying Massive Ransoms)
Why Having a Plan Pays Off How To Plan for a Ransomware Attack (and Avoid the Worst-Case Scenario) "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." I've seen this Chinese proverb recently adapted to describe business continuity:...
In-House vs. Outsourced IT: Total Cost Analysis for Peoria Businesses
A comprehensive guide to understanding the true costs of IT staffing decisions for Central Illinois organizations Executive Summary Bottom Line: For most Peoria businesses with 25-150 employees, outsourcing IT to a managed service provider costs 40-60% less than...
Cyber Treats: Three AI Tools We Love
Listen to the Cyber Treats podcast below, made with AI, then learn how to make your own! AI tools are everywhere these days, but which ones are actually worth your time? Here are three that our team swears by—and some crucial security tips for using them safely....
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Recent Posts
CMMC 2.0 Compliance for Manufacturers: What Central Illinois Defense Contractors Need to Know
The Time for Adoption is Now CMMC 2.0 certification is now required for manufacturers bidding on Department of Defense contracts in 2026. Phase 1 implementation began November 10, 2025, which means self-assessments are already appearing in new solicitations across the...
Why Central Illinois Manufacturers Are Prime Targets for Cyber Attacks in 2026
Central Illinois manufacturers face growing cyber threats because they combine high-value intellectual property, operational technology that's difficult to update, and connections to larger supply chains. Attackers know that production downtime costs manufacturers...
AI-Fluent Leaders: A Practical AI Webinar Series for Business Owners and Executives
AI isn't waiting for you to figure it out. It's already in your business—whether you've approved it or not. Your employees are experimenting with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and automation tools right now. Some are saving time. Others might be exposing sensitive data...
How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Provider in Peoria, IL: A Central Illinois Business Owner’s Guide
The recent rise in ransomware attacks targeting Central Illinois businesses has made one thing clear: cybersecurity is no longer optional. Whether you're running a manufacturing facility in East Peoria, a medical practice in Bloomington, or an agriculture business in...
Cyber Treats: AI is Changing the Game for Business Leaders and Hackers Alike
Phishing emails sound human. Deepfake voices clone your CFO. Malware adapts mid-attack.AI attacks are getting scarier. But here's the other side: AI also powers business growth. Automation accelerates operations. Intelligent tools sharpen decision-making. The...
