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...
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Ellie Shaw
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....
Cyber Treats: How Hackers are Stealing Millions With Zero Coding Experience (Inside the RaaS Economy)
Play Cyber Treats Trivia We've made a short trivia quiz to test your cybersecurity knowledge! Click here to play on Interacty or paste https://interacty.me/projects/7328b43acd252461 into your address bar. Ransomware-as-a-Service: When Hackers Get...
Cyber Treats: Firewalls, and Why Your Business Can’t Go Without One
Ever wonder what stands between your sensitive data and hackers? It's not just antivirus software. Say hello to my little friend. Firewalls are small boxes that filter network traffic, providing security and control over what’s allowed into your system. Hardware...
Got a Digital Lucky Charm?
Luck is Not a Cybersecurity Strategy. While lucky shamrocks and leprechauns make for charming tales over a pint, they make dangerous cybersecurity strategies. Protect your data with more than wishful thinking. Many businesses operate with the "luck of the Irish"...
Protecting Against Cyber Attacks
What makes a business a target? Cybercriminals are scanning for targets across every industry and every size of business. Let's explore who they're targeting and, more importantly, how to keep your organization off their radar. Industries Commonly Targeted by...
Cyber Treats: Tax Time Tech Tips
What was it Ben Franklin said?Maybe that the only two certain things in life are phishing scams and taxes? Something like that... According to IRS data, tax scams spike in January and February and intensify through April. Last year, scammers targeted numerous business...
Cyber Treats: Tech Tips? Check.
Cold Weather? Check. Snow? Check. New Year's Tech Tips? Check. Staying busy this January? Here are some quick tech tips to help you stay safe and work more efficiently. Maybe consider tacking these onto your resolutions? ✅ Restart PCs and...
Cyber Treats: The Cybersecurity Crystal Ball
Cybersecurity Crystal Ball We don't have one... but we can get pretty close by examining the top cybersecurity concerns of business and IT leaders as we enter the new year. Why gen-AI tops the list of technology concerns: The rise of generative AI has resulted in...
Cyber Treats: Texting Troubles
The FBI's Warning Against Texting - Here's What to Do. What the FBI’s advice on encrypted messaging means for your business. Back in October, there was a large-scale cyber attack on Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen. The NSA has since said that this was an attack...
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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...
Switching IT Providers in Peoria: What to Expect When You Move to Facet
Switching IT providers does not have to be painful — but it does require a plan. In our experience, the vast majority of transitions are completed within 30 days for small and mid-sized businesses across Peoria and Central Illinois. The only time it runs longer is...
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...
