If you want to find unsanctioned cloud apps in a small business, don’t start by writing a policy. Start by looking at everyday browser activity.
Most small businesses don’t operate in a clean, perfectly designed cloud environment. They operate in the one that evolved naturally—built through small shortcuts and quick fixes:
Most small businesses don’t struggle with security because they don’t care.
They struggle because their security wasn’t built as a single, coordinated system.
Instead, protections tend to grow over time—adding one tool to handle a specific problem, another to meet a requirement, and another to address the latest scare. On the surface, that can look like strong coverage.
Ransomware usually isn’t a sudden attack—it builds slowly.
In many small businesses, it starts days or even weeks before files are encrypted. Often, the first step is something simple, like a successful login that never should have worked.
Technology evolves rapidly, and our gadgets can quickly become outdated. According to data from Statista, consumers replace their devices about every 2-3 years. However, it can be tricky to determine when an upgrade is necessary.
Password managers are essential for keeping online accounts safe, especially for small businesses. They store all your passwords in one place, but are they hackable?
Password managers act like digital vaults, saving all your passwords securely. You only need to remember one master password, making it easier to manage multiple accounts.
In today’s fast-moving world, small businesses want to work smarter, not harder. The involvement of AI tools can definitely help you achieve that. They can make your work easier and faster. Let’s explore some AI tools that can boost productivity in your small business.
AI tools are software programs that use artificial intelligence. They help users complete their tasks efficiently and effectively. Over time, these tools learn from data, acting like intelligent assistants that assist you in completing your work.
In 2025, cyber threats are prevalent and can target small businesses just as much as large corporations. These threats can aim to destroy computers, steal data, or take money. Understanding what they are and how to protect against them is crucial for small businesses.
Cyber threats come in many forms, some old, some new, and very tricky. Here are some of the most common ones small businesses should be aware of.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding rapidly, with more devices connecting to the internet every day. However, this growth also brings new security risks. Let's explore some ways to keep your IoT devices secure.
Cybersecurity insurance is still a pretty new concept for many SMBs. It was initially introduced in the 1990s to provide coverage for large enterprises. It covered things like data processing errors and online media. Since that time, the policies for this type of liability coverage have changed. Today’s cyber insurance policies cover the typical costs of a data breach. Including remediating a malware infection or compromised account. |
Many small businesses make the mistake of skipping policies. They feel that things don’t need to be so formal. They’ll just tell staff what’s expected when it comes up and think that’s good enough. But this way of thinking can cause issues for small and mid-sized business owners. Employees aren’t mind readers. Things that you think are obvious, might not be to them. |
Cloud file storage revolutionized the way we handle documents. No more having to email files back and forth. No more wondering which person in the office has the most recent copy of a document. Between 2015 and 2022, the percentage of worldwide corporate data stored in the cloud doubled. It went from 30% to 60%. A majority of organizations use cloud storage of some type. Typical services include OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and others. |
While many companies have moved most of their workflows to the cloud, there is still a key component of office operations that is location-based. This would be employee computers. Most companies still rely on desktops and laptops to allow employees to access critical software and as their main workstation. |
One of the most important applications we choose is our internet browser. When on a computer or a mobile device, we work in that most of the time because many applications are now cloud-based, so accessing them means going through your browser. Over the years browsers have come and gone. A little over a decade ago, Internet Explorer was the head of the pack, and now that browser is retired, Google’s Chrome has been in the top spot for several years. |
Your business faces all sorts of threats that can disrupt your operations. A comprehensive continuity plan can help address them. Carrying on with business as usual is easy when nothing out of the ordinary is happening. But the fact is, crises can strike anytime. And when it happens, you need to be ready to pivot your operations quickly, safely, and efficiently. |
Working from your computer or smartphone is convenient, but it can also be distracting. To maintain productivity, you should install effective Google Chrome Extensions. Google Chrome is arguably the most popular browser on the planet. It’s best known for allowing faster loading of websites, optimized performance, and an intuitive interface. As a result, it can help your team complete their daily duties much faster. |
As you may have known, there are billions of emails sent every day around the world. In those emails, the opportunity for malware and viruses to make their way into your inbox seems to be very possible. Of those billions of emails, less than 3% actually contained dangerous attachments that could do harm to your small business. Less than 3% of those billions of emails translates into millions of emails. The best way you can protect your small business is by knowing exactly how to spot the threat when it comes in.
Some dangerous emails are harder to spot than others. The bad guys are becoming more and more sophisticated in their attacks. If you come across the following signs, you can assume the email is dangerous.
Small businesses face IT challenges every day—slow computers, security risks, outdated software, and hidden vulnerabilities. Learn how our Free IT Check-Up can help!
