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...
Category: Newsletter Features
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: 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...
Cyber Treats: “We’ll Get to It Later?”
Paying a premium? Make sure you qualify for the payout. Cyber liability and data breach insurance policies can protect your business in a cyber attack, but only if you have the required protections in place. Picture this: A mid-sized manufacturing company felt their...
How Private is That VPN?
And should your business use a VPN? The Truth About Some Popular VPN Apps “Thanks so much to (insert VPN provider here) for sponsoring this video.” Sound familiar? VPNs bill themselves as a safeguard against getting your identity stolen on the internet, but many...
Cyber Treats: Online Shopping and Mobile Device Management
3 Tips for Safer Online Shopping According to the FTC, shopping scams were the second-most reported in the US in 2023--and they're at their worst during the holidays. According to TransUnion’s 2022 Global Digital Fraud Trends report, there was a 127% increase in daily...
Cyber Treats: Ready for a Quiz?
CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the October Popcorn Giveaway, Jenni of JM Industrial Supply! Watch for our next drawing in November--you could be our next winner! Ready to put that cybersecurity knowledge to the test? We've put together a Halloween-themed...
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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...
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...
