Everyone knows how damaging data breaches can be to a business, but few actually realize that 81% of these hacks are not the result of elaborate scams carried out by sophisticated hackers. They happen because of poor passwords.

Do what you can to prevent your business from being targeted.

It’s no coincidence that we have so many ways to say we made a mistake: botched, flubbed, mishandled, misjudged, mucked, messed, screwed or goofed up – just to name a few.

As a leader, you’ll hear each of these (some more than others, and likely some more explicit than the ones I’ve named here) pretty often.

On January 14, 2020, the world will bid a fond farewell to the beloved Windows 7 operating system. Well, sort of. Microsoft has declared that, after that date, it will no longer update or support the system. It’s the final nail in the coffin for a trustworthy, oft-touted software package that’s been running on fumes since newer versions hit the scene.

Businesses can no longer afford to relegate cybersecurity to the bottom of the budget, not with cyberattacks targeting any business regardless of size, strict security, and privacy regulations surrounding data. Businesses with a small or limited budget have the advantage of partnering with a managed IT services provider (MSP) for their cybersecurity needs.

People are constantly searching for an easier way to keep their email inboxes in order, customize their email signatures, and improve group communications. The good news is that Microsoft Outlook has these features built in, you just need to know where to look.

Steve Jobs was a notoriously exacting boss. He constantly held himself to the highest standards of business and creativity and drove himself, and those around him, to greatness. But in his own words, one of his greatest strengths wasn’t the quality of his mind, but his strength of belief.

It’s easy to imagine the hackers attacking your network as a team of computer masterminds. But in reality, the vast majority of data breaches don’t occur from some genius hacking into the mainframe. According to Trace Security, a full 81% of breaches happen as a result of poorly constructed passwords.

In today’s constantly shifting technological landscape, where fresh viruses and the new security patches designed to protect against them arrive by the week, it takes a proactive approach to stay abreast of all the changes. This is why, in 2019, more small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are ditching their outdated break-fix strategies and making the switch to a managed services provider (MSP) for their IT needs.

By Andy Bailey

I’m about to share an unpopular opinion: the self-made CEO is a myth. No successful entrepreneur or business leader is a self-made man or woman. If you think you are, you need to take a long, hard look in the mirror. Behind your successes are countless contributions from family, friends, teachers, mentors and coaches.