News
Tip of the Week: How to Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
There is a seemingly infinite number of cybersecurity threats out there, but there are few threats more dangerous than ransomware. If a business hasn’t taken precautions against it, ransomware can (and will) find ways to extort money, hold data hostage, and threaten that organization’s continuity. Today, we want to cover what ransomware does, what you need to do to prevent it, and what to do if you’re attacked. What is Ransomware? Ransomware locks down your business’ files through encryption, then
How to Keep Your IT From Holding You Back
Many businesses think of IT as nothing but an expense, often represented by losses on your budgeting reports. You might dump countless dollars into your IT only for it to eat it all up without providing any discernible return on investment. Here’s the truth about IT: when it’s managed properly, it can represent opportunity and investment rather than expense. First, you need to reframe your mindset about technology—and it all starts with looking at the original IT management model: break-fix IT. The
Microsoft SharePoint: What It Is (And What Your Business Can Do With It)
Centralized Document Management and Version Control There’s nothing more frustrating than doing work multiple times, yet this happens frequently when teams don’t have a centralized document management tool with version control. SharePoint provides a secure, central place where your business documents can live, and with robust version control, you can know when documents are last edited or saved. Additionally, you can revert back to a prior version of a document if you need to. There won’t be any
Business Data: Ask the Right Questions, Get Smarter Answers
How Did We Get Here? Autopsy of a Data Graveyard Your data didn't become useless on purpose. It happens for a few common reasons. They include: Data silos - The classic culprit. Your sales data lives in your CRM, your accounting data is in QuickBooks, and your customer support logs are in a completely different system. Because they don't talk to each other, you can never get a complete picture of a customer's journey.Dirty data - This is a silent killer. Typos, duplicate entries, and missing fields
Stop Your Sprawling Software-as-a-Service Spend
If Left Unchecked, SaaS Sprawl Introduces Business Issues Of course, there’s the issue that you’re likely thinking of: all the wasted money that SaaS sprawl contributes to. This is certainly something to consider, but it is far from the only problem present: Security Concerns When unauthorized software is used, it exposes your data to various security risks. For instance, is that free service using an insecure server to store your data? That’s a data breach waiting to happen. Compromised
The IT Safety Lecture
The more IT you use, the more conscientious you have to be to ensure that an action you—or your staff—takes doesn’t unwittingly put your business at risk. Today, we’ll go through some ways for you to do your best to stay secure. Let’s get started. I'm going to start with a relatable scenario. Imagine your phone is stolen. What's the first thing you worry about? Your data, obviously. Your photos, contacts, banking apps. Imagine that kind of concern on a corporate scale. Our data is our livelihood. IT
How Strategic Technology Investments Boost Productivity
While many people have heard the saying work smarter, not harder, this approach only works if employees are engaged with the tools you’ve chosen to outfit your business with. Even though new gadgets and software are exciting for most workers, the true benefits come when these investments directly boost productivity, helping businesses succeed. Experts have constantly debated the exact link between technology and productivity. In the late 20th century, the Solow Paradox highlighted this issue, noting
Why Double and Triple-Extortion Are So Scary
Ransomware is bad, and you can’t take any chances with it if you want to keep your business safe. Understand that it might seem like we’re exaggerating, but we’re not; ransomware really is as bad as it comes, and when you’re faced with double or even triple extortion, you’ll be put in a tough spot that no business owner wants to find themselves in. Today, we want to cover what these terms are and why they’re so bad. How Double-Extortion Works If you refuse to pay a ransom, you’ll likely be targeted by
What Is Legacy Technology Costing Your Business?
It is certainly tempting to squeeze every last drop of life out of existing equipment. After all, why spend money on new computers or servers if the old ones still technically work? You may view this as frugal, but ironically not spending on the updated IT your business needs can lead to leaving significant revenue on the table. The truth is, holding onto outdated hardware can silently, yet significantly, bleed your business dry. It's not just about the upfront cost of new technology; it's about the
Windows 11 is here!
Windows 11 is here — and so is Symphona, guarding your upgrade every step of the way. New systems bring new features… and new vulnerabilities. Whether you’re upgrading your team or rolling out company-wide changes, our experts ensure your transition is secure, seamless, and fully protected.Upgrade with confidence.We’ve got your back — and your data.
Transform Your IT from a Money Pit to an Asset
Many businesses are under the impression that their IT, despite being a necessary cost, is just that: a bottomless pit for the company’s hard-earned money. However, this impression could be a sign that the business is not utilizing its technology effectively. Let’s look at three signs that your organization might need to reconsider its relationship with IT spending and how they contribute to your company’s overall impressions of IT (as well as its productivity). Any of These Sound Familiar?“I want to do
Do You Really Know Your Numbers?
Do You Really Know Your Numbers?Josh Gardner Director of Client Accounting & Advisory Services @ Symphona | Helping small business owners get control of their finances If you’ve ever wondered whether your books are even right… if you’ve felt like you’re guessing at margins or worried you might be bleeding cash without realizing it — you’re not alone. What most business owners are really missing is a clear picture of their profit and loss statement. Your P&L should tell the story of your business: what it
