There’s a common notion that Macs are the most reliable computer brand because they are less likely to get viruses or crash often — but they do. Like any other computer, Macs aren’t immune to coffee spills, theft, and cybercrime. And when these things happen, we often panic. Here’s why the Time Machine is your […]

A data breach can happen to anyone, even to the most secure businesses or financial institutions — and cybercriminals could even attack your company’s network. How can you be sure your network is completely hacker-safe? As a business owner, you can’t afford a data breach, as it could cost you your clients and reputation. Employing […]

Compared with Windows computers, Macs are less likely to crash or get infected with a virus. Although that’s true, Macs are as vulnerable to theft, spills, and other events that could render a computer useless. Fortunately for Mac users, Time Machine offers a simple way to restore data. What is Time Machine and why should […]

One of the most well known benefits of the cloud is it boosts cost efficiency. By moving to the cloud, small- and medium-sized businesses no longer have to worry about purchasing high-end equipment or maintaining full-scale data centers. However, there are quite a few costs associated with the cloud, so it’s important you know how […]

There are many different ways to transfer files between Android phones and computers; however, most of these methods require an internet connection on both the phone and the computer during the process. So, if you are about to be off the grid for quite some time or would just rather transfer files without the internet, […]

The trail of devastation left by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma has reminded us once again that coastlines and even entire regions of the country can be demolished by natural disasters. While catastrophes cannot be prevented, planning around them with a well-crafted disaster recovery (DR) strategy can help minimize the damages and keep your business alive. […]

Businesses that store and process large volumes of data need a highly organized storage and backup system. Although there are various ways to do this — like keeping them on multiple devices or putting them on external hard drives and memory cards — these are not very efficient and can also be misplaced. Google’s new […]

When a new iOS update is released for iPhone, it’s exciting. In fact, you may be so amped that your trigger finger gets the best of you, and the next thing you know you’re saddled with a new iOS that is causing you headache after headache. To avoid this fate, it pays to think wisely […]

The old saying, “Pack your own parachute,” comes to mind when I think of data backups or, more specifically, data RECOVERY. However, how many people actually know how to pack their proverbial data backup “parachute” and instead rely on someone else – be it an employee or vendor? If that’s you, read on. Since the absolute WORSE time to check your backups is AFTER a data disaster, all company CEOs ought to know the answers to the following questions NOW so they aren’t unpleasantly surprised later when data gets erased and they’re scrambling to get back up and running: Where EXACTLY is your data being backed up, and how do you get access to it? If it’s being hosted in a remote place, you ought to have the account information and a direct contact you can call if your vendor or employee goes missing with this information. Ideally, it should be in your network documentation that is kept in your operations manual or somewhere you can easily access it if necessary. Who’s responsible for monitoring the backups to make sure they are working? When data is lost, the finger pointing starts. It’s not uncommon to hear, “Well I thought (they/he/she) was in charge of our backups!” only to discover that this person (be it a vendor or employee) actually has no idea that they had such an important responsibility. Keep in mind that many offsite backup companies allow you to store your data there, but they won’t agree to ANY responsibility for whether or not the data is being backed up correctly, completely or in a format that can be restored. How often do you run a test restore? The only way to know if your backups are working properly is to… conduct a test restore or “fire drill” of your data. We recommend running this once a month at a minimum to verify that you can actually restore from your backups in an emergency. If your data is lost, what’s the process required to restore it? Some business owners don’t realize that their raw data backups would take a LOT longer to restore than they imagine. If you are not “imaging” your data (a process that takes a snapshot of your server as is) you will have to reload all of your software, set up the network, reconfigure your settings and THEN restore the data – a process that can take the better part of a week PROVIDED you still have your original software discs and licenses. Our Free Backup Audit will give you the answers to these critical questions. If you don’t know the answers to these questions, give us a call to schedule a FREE inspection of your backup process. At a minimum you’ll know for sure that your data is safe and in a format that can get you back up and running again FAST. Call: xxx-xxx-xxxx or email us at: yourname@yoururl.com