The Simply Smarter Blog

Navigating the world of IT and security can be very overwhelming. With so many facets like software, cybersecurity, and network infrastructure, it’s challenging for small and medium-sized businesses to pinpoint exactly what they need.

While it may be evident that your business requires robust technology, you may be wondering if investing in a Managed IT Services program that involves outsourcing your IT needs to a specialized provider, as so known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), is worth your while. Here are the top five reasons business owners might hesitate—and why now is the time to reconsider.

The educational landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Classrooms, once adorned with traditional teaching tools, have evolved into digital hubs where connectivity is no longer a luxury but a fundamental requirement. In fact, recent studies highlight the staggering growth of connected devices. Parks Associates, an IoT market research consulting firm, revealed the number of connected devices per US internet household has increased from 8 devices in 2015 to 17 in 2023.  By 2025, more than half of all educational institutions will have implemented a complete software as a service (SaaS) cloud model.

One of the best precautions organizations can take to establish security best practices is to promote proper data management among its employees. Data is generated with every individual’s click, search and interaction online, leaving a trail of data behind while navigating various websites and services. This trail of data, known as "digital exhaust," can leave the individual, and consequently their employer, vulnerable to data breaches and privacy violations if not properly managed and secured. 

As companies increasingly rely on digital platforms for operations, marketing and customer engagement, they inadvertently generate vast amounts of data. The misuse of this sensitive information not only risks compromising customer trust but also opens the door to potential legal and financial repercussions. For businesses, the challenge lies in harnessing the power of digital exhaust for strategic advantage and safeguarding against its pitfalls. Let's dive into the concept of digital exhaust, its implications, and how to manage it effectively.

Cybersecurity remains top of mind for businesses as our world becomes more digitized. A recent report from IBM discovered that on average globally, the cost of a data breach was $4.45 million in 2023. Cyber-attacks continue to rise, so we sat down with Tony Roessler, Managed Network Services National Manager at Sharp, to share insights on common attacks and best practices that you can take to best protect yourself and your business from a potential breach.

Have you ever been involved in a conversation with your IT department and thought, "What does that even mean?" Well, you are not alone. Understanding the myriad of security acronyms can be a daunting task, and with the security landscape's constant evolution, even experienced IT professionals occasionally encounter unfamiliar terminology. Whether you are seeking clarity on the latest trends, exploring critical concepts, or simply looking to expand your security vocabulary, you've arrived at the right destination. Below, you will find five frequently used security terms and acronyms and the definitions associated with each.

This year, Verizon released its latest “Data Breach Investigations Report” (DBIR) that analyzed 16,312 security incidents, of which 5,199 were confirmed data breaches.* In contrast to last year’s report, this year’s focused more on the actual data breaches to bring concise and actionable findings to the table. It’s overarching conclusion: in a time of so much uncertainty, hackers found new avenues to exploit the human element, using the same tried and true tactics.

You might only see the action on the playing field, but behind the scenes, it takes a lot of technology to support college athletics. Today, schools and their athletes need to stay ahead of the competition more than ever by incorporating collaborative digital tools for everything from personalized training apps to video capabilities for reviewing plays and archival footage. It’s no exception for Army Athletics of West Point, the oldest of the five American service academies educating cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.

Verizon recently released its latest “Data Breach Investigations Report” (DBIR) that analyzed 23,896 security incidents, of which 5,212 were confirmed breaches*, in the timeframe from Nov 2020 to October 2021. The hefty report, which for a data-filled technical piece demands your attention with cheeky jargon, offers the latest insights into how threat actors are operating, who they’re targeting and the attack methods that are delivering results. It’s overarching conclusion: this was one insane year in cybersecurity. Strap on your swimmies and let’s dive into the key findings of the report as well as some plain English explanations.

Every morning, you wake up and go through your routine before heading into the physical office or home office to start your day. When you get to your desk, you log into your computer and open your email. While sorting through your mailboxes, you notice that essential emails such as an RFP you were expecting, an invoice you’ve been waiting for, or important messages from vendors and partners are sitting in your spam folder. You might ask yourself, “how did these end up in here?” - a question that gets asked more frequently than you would expect. Missing these emails is not only frustrating, but it can also affect your business’s bottom line. Read on to learn why emails are marked as spam and how you can improve email deliverability.