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
What Does Cybersecurity Actually Look Like for a 50-Person Company?
For a 50-person company, cybersecurity means a layered set of protections that cover your endpoints, your email, your network perimeter, your data backups, and your people. It does not mean buying one tool and hoping for the best. The right setup balances real...
Should You Hire an In-House IT Person or Use Managed IT Services?
For most Central Illinois businesses with 25 to 150 employees, managed IT services cost 40 to 60 percent less than hiring an equivalent in-house team, while providing broader coverage, stronger cybersecurity, and 24/7 support. The average IT manager salary in the...
What Does 24/7 IT Support Actually Mean, and What Should Your SLA Include?
24/7 IT Support Around-the-clock IT support means a real person is available to respond to your technology emergencies at any hour, any day of the year. But "24/7 support" is one of the most overused and under-defined promises in the managed IT industry. Some...
The True Cost of IT: What Peoria Businesses Actually Pay for Managed Services
A Guide to Managed Services Pricing for Peoria and Central Illinois Managed IT services in the Peoria and Central Illinois market typically cost between $100 and $200 per user per month. Nationally, that range stretches from $110 to $400 depending on what's included,...
Managed vs. Co-Managed IT: Which Model Fits Your Business in Peoria?
Managed IT means an outside provider handles all of your technology — helpdesk, security, monitoring, planning, and vendor management. Co-managed IT means that provider works alongside your existing internal IT person or team, filling gaps in coverage, expertise, or...
