Operating systems are the backbone of any computer or device. Whether it’s your phone, a tablet, or a computer, the operating system controls how the device works, allowing you to run apps, browse the web, and complete tasks. For businesses, having up-to-date operating systems is especially important. Let's look at why this is critical and what can happen if businesses don’t keep up!
k_Street Consulting, LLC Blog
Think about how many online accounts you have. With so many accounts, it’s important to make sure they’re secure. Creating strong passwords is one of the best ways to protect your accounts from hackers. Here’s how you can create passwords that are hard to crack and keep all your online accounts safe.
Your business requires you to make certain compromises. Still, when it comes to building a network of vendors that can help you realize your goals, you have to take some time and carefully select the people you want to have long-lasting relationships with because constantly changing vendors can cause plenty of problems for you. In this month’s newsletter, we discuss how to get the most out of your vendor relationships.
Small businesses today are in a prime position to thrive, thanks to a surge in innovative technologies that are affordable and work to boost efficiency. In the past, access to cutting-edge technology was often reserved for large corporations, but today small businesses can now gain quick access to these technologies and can have a real positive effect on the way they go about doing business. Let’s take a look at some of the best technologies small businesses can use to try and compete with the big boys.
Two-factor authentication has become a must-have for any online-connected account that relies on password protection. The benefits of the technology are pretty straightforward. Instead of just filling out your password for authentication, a user needs to have another method in order to access an account. In this month’s newsletter we thought we would take a look at how to enable 2FA on your Microsoft account, which includes Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Organizational cybersecurity is more important than ever, with an increasing number of threats requiring constant vigilance. To stay ahead of these dangers, cybersecurity experts and network administrators are continuously developing new solutions. This month, we’ll highlight three key innovations that are helping businesses navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Every business has to choose how they network their office. Most businesses choose the ease and convenience of wireless networking to allow their employees the freedom to use their mobile devices, IoT tools, and other devices. This month, we look at some of the best tips for setting up your organization’s Wi-Fi network.
Network security is a major issue for any business that relies on password-protected systems—and who doesn’t? With so much at stake, it’s important that every user uses passwords that are not only complex and secure but also easy to remember. This month, we will discuss how the passphrase is the answer to keeping your password-protected accounts secure.
Many organizations have become reliant on cloud computing due to its cost efficiency and accessibility to computing resources. However, complications with data security often arise. One way to gain control and maintain accessibility is to use a private cloud. This article explores why a business might choose a private cloud over more affordable public cloud platforms.
A business has to have people who know how to balance its spending to cover its bases and keep the company healthy. For the small business it is often a matter of choices. In this month’s newsletter, let’s go through some of the ways that keeping it simple might just be the best strategy in terms of their technology.
There’s no doubt that data is valuable. It can improve many different aspects of a business, most notably operations, customer relations, and marketing. The more data you have, the more specific actions you can take to improve your business. But it can also be a real problem if you don’t have a plan for managing it. Let’s discuss some problems your data can present and how to avoid them.
Adversity is an inevitable part of doing business. Every administrator, manager, and employee will face challenges at some point. Overcoming these obstacles is crucial for maintaining efficient operations and fostering a resilient work environment. Here are some effective strategies to help you navigate adversity in business.
Do you have trouble keeping up with your email inbox? You’re not alone; business professionals all over the world struggle to get to the fabled “inbox zero.” If you want to change the way you manage your inbox for the better, you should consider the RAD method. It might just change your life.
The proposed ideas here come from Nick Sonnenberg, founder and CEO of Leverage.
Doing business using the cloud is now commonplace, but every business is different and needs to fit its IT infrastructure to its operational requirements. This is possible, but trying to fit a one-size-fits-all solution into a complicated operational structure will cause more harm than good. In this month’s newsletter, we wanted to give five general tips to consider when you want to deploy the cloud in your business.
Automation has been a hot-button issue in the business world over the past few years. Many business owners have tried to find ways to automate some of their operations, while workers wonder if this strategy develops as people in the know suggest it will, they could be out of a job. We think that automation is actually a massive benefit for organizations and workers alike. This month we will go through a few tools that small businesses can easily leverage to use automation to their advantage by taking a look at some of the tools that companies depend on.
Cyberthreats are increasingly sophisticated, and businesses have to do what they can to address these issues. Since cyberattacks can have a massively negative impact on your business, it stands to reason that you need a platform in place to enhance your employees’ awareness of Internet-based threats. This month we look at the top three IT security concerns businesses face and what should be done to confront them.
Fringe technology encompasses innovative and unconventional tech solutions that are not yet mainstream but can potentially make a significant impact. Small businesses can utilize these technologies to gain a competitive edge, boost efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. Here are some examples of fringe technologies that small businesses can adopt.
Big data has become an invaluable asset, not just for large corporations but also for small businesses. Using the vast amounts of data your business creates to help you make more effective decisions is easier than ever. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll look at how small businesses are tapping into the power of big data:
Every business is looking to technology to enhance their ability to support their operations and provide a better customer experience. Maximizing the value you get from your technology involves a combination of optimizing usage, staying updated, and using the tools and resources you’ve chosen efficiently. Here are some strategies:
Firewalls are a mainstay of network security. At its core, the firewall acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the Internet. Its primary function is to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Think of the firewall as a gatekeeper scrutinizing every packet of data that attempts to pass through. Let’s take a look at the different types of firewalls and some of their key functions.
Technology is a major pain point for just about all businesses, whether you’re a small mom-and-pop store or a medium-sized (and quickly growing) name in your community. You’ll always have the technology to upkeep, from computers and servers to software solutions or point-of-sale registers. This month, we want to discuss how managed IT solutions can help you maximize your resources by offering a simple, easy, and cost-effective alternative to hiring multiple in-house technicians.
Microsoft's cybersecurity vulnerabilities have been making headlines recently. These lapses in security are causing concern for customers worldwide. The impact of these vulnerabilities is far-reaching. It affects network security and increases the risk of data breaches, causing somewhat of a ripple effect.
Is your business frequently grappling with the challenges of implementing new solutions, whether software or hardware? Consider harnessing the power of virtualization in the cloud to address these issues head-on. With the right tools, virtualization can open up remarkable opportunities to enhance your business' operations while bolstering its security and flexibility.
Software plays a major role in business, regardless of what type of business you run. Whether you use a CRM, a point-of-sale system, or your software profile is a little more complicated, you need to understand a few things about modern software in order to get the most out of it. Let’s take a look at three things you need to know about modern software.
We love to highlight how technology helps businesses thrive, particularly small and medium-sized businesses with a lot of growth potential but limited by their budgets. This is why we provide SMBs with managed IT services specifically designed to drive business growth. If you have yet to consider outsourcing your IT needs, you could be missing out on a golden opportunity to alleviate many of the pain points your organization suffers from on a daily basis.
Most businesses need to confront IT innovation, as technology moves pretty fast. If you don’t have a plan to at least consider the technology, you could be easily left in the dust. In this month’s newsletter, we will discuss some pretty transformative technologies that are evolving quickly and can help your business improve its overall innovation.
All organizations rely on their information systems to be consistently available when required, with some businesses being unable to function without them. When these systems undergo necessary maintenance, such as software patches, it can pose challenges for employees who rely on their continuous availability. In this discussion, we delve into the proactive approach to IT maintenance, exploring its strategic benefits in preventing downtime for businesses.
You’ve probably heard of augmented reality by now. If you are a fan of sports on TV, especially. Every time your favorite team faces a 4th and 1, the lines that you may take for granted on the field is AR. It augments the image with overlays of information that makes what you are looking at more immersive. As businesses continue to evolve, integrating augmented reality can be a game-changer. Let's explore four compelling ways in which augmented reality can work wonders for businesses.
For competitive people, hearing the words “can’t win ‘em all” is infuriating. You want to win! These words, however, are completely true. Sometimes in business, you just lose. You may not be able to meet every deadline or win every sale, but there are things you can do to put your business in the best position to meet your goals. Today, we thought we would list a few things having the right technology strategy can do to help your business.
Picture this scenario: while going about your daily routine, an email lands in your inbox, purportedly from a cybersecurity company. The alarming claim is that you've become the target of a hacking attack. Despite lacking IT expertise and being unfamiliar with your security agency's protocols, you trust the message and promptly respond. Little do you know, the email is a cleverly disguised cyberthreat, and you find yourself ensnared in their trap.
World Backup Day, observed on March 31st annually, serves as a designated occasion to underscore the critical importance of regular data backups for ensuring data continuity. Although this day effectively highlights a fundamental best practice, we firmly advocate for a continuous commitment to maintaining and safeguarding backups rather than confining such awareness to a single day.
The web is filled with all types of content, and depending on where you live, it can be regulated by a myriad of organizations from all sections of society. From internationally recognized trade organizations to governments to industry regulators, there are a lot of moving parts in data regulation as it now stands. That leads to people wanting more control over data and censorship. Let’s take a look at cyber censorship and how it's a bigger issue than you might think.
Your business' IT security effectiveness relies heavily on how well your technology works. With this in mind, educating your staff on their responsibility to safeguard your business’ digital assets is important. Let’s explore the key priorities businesses need to consider to establish a robust security training platform that works to protect those assets.
Customer expectations have shifted quite a bit over the past couple of years, and one thing they notice now is how information is broadcast. Embracing digital signage can offer numerous advantages that traditional signs simply cannot match. If you're contemplating the integration of a digital signage strategy into your business, here are several compelling reasons to consider it.
Each year, on March 31st, World Backup Day serves as a dedicated reminder, bringing attention to the critical role of regular data backups in ensuring the seamless flow of information. While this awareness day effectively highlights a fundamental best practice, we strongly emphasize the need for an ongoing commitment to the continuous maintenance and safeguarding of backups, extending far beyond the limitations of a single day.
Your business communications platform needs to work at every level of your organization, but sometimes the underlying technologies get a tad bit antiquated and your strategy needs revision. Rebuilding your communications isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible either. Here are four tips to help you enhance your communication strategies.
As mobile technology becomes ingrained in daily life, businesses must confront the fact that it is a whole new thing that has to be managed. Over 85 percent of the global population is actively using smartphones, and that means that with the benefits, there is also the substantial risk of cyberthreats targeting these devices. Let’s take a look at how mobile devices can be an untapped resource for your business.
Maintaining positive customer relationships is an extremely important consideration for every business. One of the best tools any business can use is the customer relationship management (CRM) platform. While most CRMs have similar features, some come with more advancements; and higher costs. Today, we will get into what type of CRM you should consider for each level of business.
Digital access relies on passwords as keys, but they are often neglected and left unprotected by users. Unfortunately, not everyone takes the necessary precautions to safeguard their passwords, and the prevalence of online scams surpasses that of physical pickpocketing.
Effective password management is imperative for businesses to uphold the security of online accounts and sensitive data. Here are five strategies to optimize password management:
Ensuring the safety and security of digital data is a key component to sustaining a smooth functioning business. In light of the increasing reliance on digital information, the implementation of robust Data Backup and Disaster Recovery strategies have become more important than ever. This month, we aim to discuss key components of an effective disaster recovery strategy, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding business data backups.
Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to trick users and businesses into falling for their traps. With cyberthreats on the rise, and online risks becoming more detrimental to businesses, it’s definitely something that all businesses need to have protections in place for.
A new attack involves ransomware being disguised as some of the most prominent business-related software tools.
Security is a hot topic among businesses, especially where technology and data are concerned. If you want to ensure that you are doing all you can to protect the important assets and customer data on your infrastructure, you’ll want to work with a managed service provider who can offer all the services you need to make security a top priority. Here are just a few of them.
Obtaining professional insights is invaluable and it can be difficult to do as fees for consulting have shot through the roof. IT consulting plays a pivotal role in providing businesses with a profound understanding of their technological environment. Here are various ways in which IT consulting enhances a business' approach to technology, fostering informed and strategic decision-making.
Small businesses, like any other entities, can be vulnerable to various computer scams. Scams can have an unsettling effect on how your business runs, as it always keeps doubt—even if you do everything you can to mitigate risks—to whether you are going to be the victim of a horrible Internet-based scam. Here's a list of common computer scams that small businesses should be aware of.
Successful businesses often need to adapt to changing market conditions, consumer preferences, and industry trends. This means that they have to not only understand their business, but they also need to stay open to making innovative changes. Let’s look at six examples of changes that the average business may need to make to remain successful.
Voice over Internet Protocol is undeniably useful as over 30 percent of businesses now use the technology as their predominant communications method. Many people don’t know that beyond telephony, VoIP plays a significant role in modern collaboration by integrating with other communication and collaboration tools. Here are some of the key ways VoIP enhances collaboration and provides major benefits for businesses of all sizes.
Businesses are relying on technology more and more. As they implement more technology, controlling their support costs is important for any organization if they plan to manage their budget effectively. With between three and six percent of a business’ revenue being spent on technology, going over the monthly budget can have negative effects on your business’ ability to spend elsewhere.
Printing has long been an integral aspect of doing business. In recent years people have witnessed a significant decrease in the necessity for printed materials. Despite this trend, many businesses continue to spend unnecessary resources on superfluous printing. Like every business, cost is a factor. We’ll offer you three valuable recommendations for consistently decreasing your printing expenses.
It's essential for every responsible business owner or manager to maintain vigilant oversight of their operations. Often, the demands of running a business can obscure a clear view of its functioning. Let’s explore the significant advantages that a conscientious monitoring platform can offer your organization.
Phishing attacks present a significant problem for the sustained stability of organizations. That is because they are a pervasive threat and come in several different forms. This month, we will outline some of the ways that phishing can affect an organization and a couple of things that you can do to keep them from being a problem.
Cloud computing has emerged as a paramount asset for businesses. Nearly every business leverages some form of cloud computing, with an impressive four-out-of-five opting for multiple Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, virtualized cloud-hosted computing environments, or other cloud-based solutions. Let’s delve into the advantages of embracing cloud computing.
Your IT is a big deal, even if you don’t think it is. Managing IT is indeed a substantial and often complex responsibility that can be more extensive than some business owners initially realize. It demands your attention, and not just because you pay for it, but because a properly managed IT strategy can have major benefits for your business. A realistic perspective can go a long way toward setting you up for success. Let’s outline some ways your business can lose control over its technology budget.
When it comes to running a business, it's not a single task but a web of interconnected responsibilities that collectively determine its efficiency. For smaller businesses, this web can feel even more intricate, demanding more from their limited workforce. This month, we want to shed light on the substantial impact that even modest technological investments can have on a business's operations.
Scaling your business' technology infrastructure is crucial for sustainable growth. With the right strategies and tools in place, you can effectively optimize your operations and enhance productivity. Let’s delve into key approaches and considerations when it comes to scaling your business' technology.
Cybersecurity has become a paramount concern for individuals and organizations alike. With the constant threat of cyberattacks and data breaches, it is crucial to have robust security measures in place. This is where cybersecurity consulting comes into play. Below, we will explore the various ways in which consulting services contribute to enhancing cybersecurity.
Gaining efficiencies inside your business can make a world of difference to how it runs, but also how it is viewed by your customers. An efficient business can do more and react much faster than one that is constantly struggling to streamline things. Let’s look at five things you can do to create a more efficient workflow.
Getting the right technology for your business needs isn’t always easy. You may try something that you’ve read about and it doesn’t work out for you. You are then out a lot of money, and your business is left less productive and less efficient. In this month’s newsletter, we thought it would be good to go through some of the tools that can improve your organization's operations.
Technology is more than just a tool for business; it is the business. That’s why it is essential to ensure that your business’ technology works for you and not against you. This is easier said than done. It takes technicians with refined skills from experience working in the field to understand how to keep all the technology your organization relies on working effectively. Let’s take a look at why managed IT services are a huge benefit for any business that relies heavily on technology.
Does your business rely on the strength of its information systems? If so, you understand just how important cybersecurity is to the health of your organization. In a near-constant attempt to maintain organizational cybersecurity, many organizations have started changing the way that they approach data and network security, by moving their security efforts to the edge of their network. This is called edge security, and there are some very intriguing benefits.
If a business is in operation today, it needs to have preparations in order to protect itself and its data from potential disasters—a fact that has only become more pressing as digital data has become the norm. Let’s take a few moments to go over what today’s businesses need to include in their disaster recovery preparations to ensure that their data remains protected.
We always try to communicate the numerous benefits of managed IT services, but when your business is happy to have their own internal IT department, those benefits tend to look less appealing. For organizations that rely on the expertise of their internal IT staff, they may not think they have a need for—or simply can’t afford—an outside IT presence. This misconception may actually be harming their businesses. Today, we will introduce co-managed IT services, and how they can be leveraged to maximum benefit.
Finding affordable data storage isn’t the challenge it used to be. In fact, some sources say the costs are dropping by 20-to-30 percent annually. This means that businesses that thought cost was a roadblock to using the cloud for their data storage needs, can rest assured that they can confidently go on and secure the amount of secure cloud storage they need.
Businesses have been starting to embrace the Internet of Things (IoT) for quite some time now as they can see the benefit of using devices to streamline parts of their business processes that may not be actively engaging. There is another growing trend in the space that is more sophisticated and could be one of the most transformative technologies in the near future, this is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This month, we discuss what the IIoT is and how it can be used by certain companies to massive benefit.
Businesses have been put through the wringer over the past couple of years, and for the small business owner, this could have you asking a lot of tough questions. It’s even more stressful because, unlike large enterprises, a lot of the issues are directed at you. This month, we thought we’d take a look at a couple of questions that need to be addressed when going through periods of uncertainty.
Every organization needs to have specific strategies on how to maintain productivity. This can be doing things like getting new technology, changing strategy, and even hiring new employees that are more aligned with your expectations. The latter can be a challenge as different people need different situations in order to be their most productive. Let’s take a look at how to establish and communicate your expectations for your business.
Phishing is the most widespread attack vector for modern day hackers. They are continuously evolving, getting more and more sophisticated, and therefore more dangerous. In this month’s newsletter, we are going to go through what makes a phishing attack and how to give your organization the best chance at keeping them from being a major problem for your business.
While “redundant” isn’t typically used as a complimentary descriptor, it very much is when it comes to your business’ data and data backups. This is because you want to make sure that you always have a backup copy ready to go. Let’s consider what a business that doesn’t have this redundancy present in its data is vulnerable to experiencing.
The Internet of Things is usually a term used to describe the billions of devices that are now connected to the Internet. For a business, however, confronting an IoT strategy can be confusing. Not only do they need to consider the innovation aspect that smart devices create, they also need to prioritize the security of these devices as many of them don’t come with any cybersecurity features whatsoever.
We focus a lot of time and effort on securing our clients with our cutting-edge tools and industry best practices. Our adversaries, the hackers, on the other hand, have come to understand that the way they will be successful is to get their contrived messages in front of the least knowledgeable people in your organization. Let’s take a look at how hackers choose their targets to get a better understanding of what their strategy is.
Cloud computing has become one of the most utilized technologies in business today, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. It makes it possible for nearly any business to acquire advanced technologies that they could not afford previously, and use them to level the playing field with larger, more capital-rich companies. This month we thought we’d talk a little bit about how moving to the cloud can benefit you and your business.
Opening a new location can be difficult. When is the right time to expand? If you think you’ve reached that point, you will need to ascertain how to use technology throughout multiple locations. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll discuss some of the considerations you have to make in order to get the technology that will help you move into your new location and sustain the demands that it will put on that technology.
Printing is costly, and a lot of organizations have done their best to reduce their exposure to unnecessary costs. With nearly everyone having a computer on them all the time, it seems as though the costs of printing can be reduced entirely. Unfortunately, businesses don’t always see how digital resources can help you stabilize costs. This month, we thought we would go through how your organization can use those digital resources to significantly reduce printing costs.
We spend a lot of time on cybersecurity, because it is so important for your business. One of the most important parts of any cybersecurity effort is the antivirus. Oftentimes, it is one of those things that once it’s in place, you don’t have to pay any mind to. Unfortunately, like anything else, you need to give your organizational antivirus a little TLC if you expect it to work the way you need it to.
Mobile computing has become a crucial part of many businesses. Unfortunately, it isn’t always cut and dry as far as the use of these devices is concerned. Sure, they have proven to be a useful tool, but they also have been known to cause significant distractions. If you are looking for a way to maximize the benefits of mobile computing, these four tips can help you.
Cybersecurity is quickly becoming one of the leading risks that businesses of all shapes and sizes face. Cyberattacks are expensive, they risk your continuity, and they could even get you in hot water when it comes to compliance regulations, local and state regulations, and virtually any entity you are associated with.
It might feel like this is an insurance company’s way to nickel and dime business owners, as premiums will continue to rise, especially for businesses that aren’t meeting certain requirements, but the truth is, with so much risk, the entire world needs to adjust for cybersecurity.
For the average business, communication is important, but it may just be viewed as a tool to conduct business. Nowadays, there are a lot of tools that not only facilitate direct communications, they are fashioned in a way that promotes collaborative endeavors. Let’s go through some of the most noteworthy tools.
When it comes to your business’ cybersecurity, passwords are a pretty critical part of the system. This means that making sure they are secure is just as critical…however, that is not to say that this is easy. We, however, wanted to make sure that creating sufficiently secure passwords for all of your accounts is a far simpler prospect by the time we’re finished here.
Business continuity is one of those things that can easily be overlooked as most businesses do whatever they can to focus on the job at hand. Unfortunately for the unprepared business, there are a lot of situations that can happen that can interrupt its ability to function optimally. Having continuity strategies in place can save organizations a lot of time and money as they are able to get back up and running effectively quicker.
Technology is remarkably important to just about any business endeavor, so it stands to reason that you should be especially scrutinous with your IT spending so you get the most out of your investment. If the total cost of ownership breaches what you deem affordable, how can you expect to get a return on your investments? Let’s go over what your business needs and how that translates into costs for your company.
To sustain any type of relationship, there needs to be some open and clear communication. The worse communication is between two parties the more inefficiency there will be. Obviously, inefficiency can lead to disaster for any organization that depends on consistency so this month we thought we’d give you four ways to improve communication throughout your organization.
It was only a few decades ago that purchasing a couple of computers for a business was almost the same investment as purchasing a decent company van. In 1986, a business could spend $3500 on a single Compaq Portable II, which was a 24 lb monstrosity with a tiny 9-inch screen. Alternatively, a Chevy Astro Cargo Van cost about $7800 around the same year.
In today's digital world, SMBs need to establish a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to protect themselves from a range of potential threats. Whether it's a small business with a handful of employees or a large corporation with thousands of workers, every organization is vulnerable to cyberattacks. That’s worth stressing because so many business owners think they are immune simply because of the size of their organization.
Let’s say that, right now, someone was attempting to break into your network…could they do it? Is there some vulnerability present on your network that has left you open to attack? This is a question you need to know the answer to so that you can resolve it.
One way to get this answer is by bringing on a professional to perform a penetration test on your business IT.
Few parts of your technology infrastructure will have such a profound impact on your operations as your communications systems. Whether it’s your email or your phone systems, you’re bound to use them on a daily basis, and you’ll feel a significant deficit in your operations without them. Today we want to look at one particular solution and ask if it’s right for you (hint: it is): Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.
Travel has become pretty commonplace for businesses, and today, business travelers can do more than ever thanks to dynamic mobile computing tools. In this month’s newsletter, we will outline some of the most important mobile technologies available to help serve a business while its people are on the move.