Small Business Cybersecurity Checklist (2026)
Most cybersecurity checklists are written for companies with IT departments. They reference tools and processes that cost six figures to implement and assume you have a security team to manage them. This checklist is different. Every item on it is realistic for a small business with 15 or fewer devices and no in-house IT staff. […]
Ransomware Protection for Small Businesses: What Actually Works
A dental office in Alabama lost every patient record in 2024. The owner clicked a link in an email that looked like it came from their insurance portal. Within four hours, every file on the server was encrypted. The ransom demand: $45,000 in Bitcoin. They didn’t pay, but the recovery still cost them over $12,000 […]
What Does a Managed IT Provider Actually Do All Day?
You signed up for managed IT. You’re paying a monthly fee. The helpdesk answers when you call. But what are these people actually doing all day? When nothing is broken and nobody is calling, what justifies the invoice? Fair question. Most managed IT providers do a poor job explaining this. You get a monthly report […]
Do Small Businesses Really Need Managed IT? 7 Signs You’ve Outgrown DIY
You didn’t start your business to manage computers. You started it to do the thing you’re good at. The IT stuff just sort of happened. Someone set up the Wi-Fi, someone else figured out the printer, and your cousin installed antivirus on everything three years ago. It worked fine when you had two employees. Now […]
What Are Managed IT Services? A Plain-English Guide for Small Businesses
If you run a small business and your IT plan is “call someone when it breaks,” you’re not alone. Most businesses with fewer than 15 employees handle technology the same way they handle plumbing: ignore it until there’s a flood. Managed IT services are the alternative. Instead of reacting to problems, someone watches your systems […]
7 Questions Every Business Should Ask During an MSP Audit
An MSP audit isn’t an interrogation; it’s a structured evaluation of whether your IT support delivers what you’re paying for. But like any evaluation, the quality of answers depends on asking the right questions. Many businesses approach audits passively, accepting whatever information their MSP volunteers. That’s a mistake. The questions you ask, and how you […]
Understanding MSP Pricing Models: Per-User vs Per-Device vs Flat Rate
When comparing MSP proposals, you’ll encounter wildly different pricing structures. One provider quotes $150 per user monthly. Another offers $75 per device. A third proposes a flat $5,000 monthly fee. How do you compare these apples, oranges, and bananas? MSP pricing model isn’t just about the monthly total; it’s about how costs scale as your […]
The Complete Guide to Backup Verification
Your MSP says your data is backed up. But have they actually tested whether those backups work? Discover why backup verification is critical, how most MSPs cut corners, and what you should demand from your provider.