Why is Business Planning Important?

Can you believe we’re already near the end of 2025?!?! Where has this year gone?!?!

In between scrambling to get ready for Thanksgiving and thinking about all the Black Friday deals you need to get, have you thought about planning out the next year for your business? Now is a good time to start the planning process, even if it’s just jotting down some goals and targets for next year.

Now you might ask “why is a technology company writing about business planning?”. Great question. Business planning is an important part of the CBTech Support process. CBTech Support evaluates its clients’ environments on a regular basis and uses that information to help inform the business planning process. As part of the planning process, you’re looking at what you want to accomplish in your business next year, and technology will play a part in that. It’s important to know what areas of technology will have the biggest impact on your business, such as where there is a large security gap or a disconnect in your workflow, where you’d like to implement AI, or even something as simple as when you want to replace some old computers. It’s also important to know what you want to achieve so that you can make sure your current technology can help you get there; and if not, what might be needed to make it happen. The good news is you can start with small steps just to get the ball rolling. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if you would like an introduction to someone who can help with the business planning process.

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When “Internal” Emails Aren’t What They Seem: A New Phishing Threat

Phishing emails are nothing new, but attackers have found a fresh way to trick people — by making their emails look like they’re coming from inside your own company. This method takes advantage of a Microsoft feature called Direct Send, which was designed for things like printers and scanners that need to email documents without logging in. Unfortunately, hackers are abusing it to send phishing emails that appear “internal.”

Why does this matter for small businesses? Because most of us are conditioned to trust emails from coworkers. When something looks like it came from inside, we’re more likely to click a link or open an attachment without a second thought.

Three Lessons Your Business Can Learn

  1. Don’t assume internal means safe.
    Even if an email looks like it came from a colleague, pause and think before acting. Double-check unexpected requests by phone or chat instead of relying on the email alone.
  2. Convenience often comes with risk.
    Features that make technology easier (like letting devices send mail without a password) can sometimes create openings for attackers. It’s a reminder that “set it and forget it” isn’t a safe approach with technology.
  3. Verification is key.
    Strong checks — whether technical ones like email authentication or human ones like calling to confirm a request — make it harder for attackers to slip through. A quick moment of verification can prevent major headaches later.

Cybersecurity threats are always evolving, but the principles of awareness and cautious action stay the same. By keeping these lessons in mind, you can reduce the chance of falling victim to the latest tricks.

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Time to Unplug: 5 Easy Ways to Disconnect from Screens and Reconnect with Life

As summer winds down, let’s take some time to assess the screen time habits that we’ve all had for the past 8 months. If you’re anything like us, you’ve been glued to your devices, keeping up with news, streaming TV and movies, watching sports, working, working, working… We thought it would be a good time for some tips on how to unplug, whether you’re taking a trip or just want a day away from technology.

  1. Start with a Single Screen-Free Hour
    You don’t have to go full digital detox to make a difference. Try setting aside just one hour each day with no phone, no TV, and no laptop. Use that time to take a walk, read a book, cook a new recipe, or sit quietly with your own thoughts. You’ll be surprised how recharging one quiet hour can be.
  2. Go Old School with Activities
    Remember board games? Or paper books? Or puzzles? Plan one low-tech activity each week that gets you or your family interacting without devices. It’s a great way to connect, slow down, and even spark conversations that don’t involve a screen.
  3. Create Tech-Free Zones
    Designate specific areas in your home—like the bedroom, dining table, or front porch—as tech-free zones. These spaces can become sanctuaries for mindfulness, rest, and genuine face-to-face interactions.
  4. Plan a Mini Unplugged Getaway
    Even a day trip can do wonders. Go hiking, visit a park, or head to a small town nearby—anywhere with spotty cell service works great! Leave the laptop at home and put your phone on Do Not Disturb. A few hours offline in nature or a new setting can refresh your energy and perspective.
  5. Reflect on What You’re Reclaiming
    Journaling at the end of your unplugged time can reinforce the benefits. What did you notice about your mood? Did you sleep better? Were you more present with others? These small wins can motivate you to make unplugging a habit, not just a seasonal reset.

We’re not anti-tech—in fact, we love how it helps us stay connected and get work done. But finding balance is key.

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5 Tips for Buying a College Student a Computer

Choosing the right computer for your child heading off to college can feel overwhelming. With countless brands, features, and price points, it’s important to focus on what really matters for academic success, day-to-day use, and longevity. Here are the top five things to keep in mind as you shop:

1. Check the School’s Recommendations First

Before falling in love with any laptop or desktop, visit your child’s college website and search for technology requirements. Many programs—especially those in design, engineering, or computer science—have specific hardware or software needs. Some schools also have partnerships that offer discounts or preferred support for certain brands.

Pro Tip: If the school recommends Windows or Mac for compatibility reasons, stick with that. It could save headaches later on.

2. Portability & Battery Life Matter More Than You Think

College students are constantly on the move—between dorms, classes, libraries, and coffee shops. A lightweight laptop with all-day battery life is a must. Look for something under 4 pounds with at least 8-10 hours of real-world battery performance.

Ideal Specs: Ultrabooks like the MacBook Air, Dell XPS 13, or Lenovo Yoga are popular for good reason—they balance power, portability, and endurance.

3. Performance That Lasts Beyond Freshman Year

You don’t need to buy a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, but you do want something that will stay responsive for 4+ years. Aim for:
– Processor: Intel i5/i7 or Apple M-series (M2 or higher)
– RAM: 16 GB is ideal (8 GB is okay for basic needs)
– Storage: 512 GB SSD for fast boot times and room to grow

Bonus Tip: Avoid spinning hard drives—they’re slower and more prone to failure.

4. Durability and Warranty Coverage

College life is tough on tech—spills, drops, and backpacks overloaded with books happen. Look for a device with a reputation for build quality and consider adding accidental damage protection or extended warranty coverage.

Nice-to-haves: Spill-resistant keyboard, reinforced chassis, or AppleCare+ / Dell Premium Support.

5. Don’t Forget the Extras

Accessories and software can make a huge difference:
– Cloud backup (Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud) for peace of mind
– Noise-canceling headphones for dorm study sessions
– Portable external monitor for multitasking in tight spaces
– Security software or university-provided antivirus protection

Also, if your student will be video conferencing a lot (hello, remote classes), invest in a device with a decent webcam and mic—or upgrade with external ones.

This purchase isn’t just about specs—it’s about setting your student up for success with a tool they’ll use every single day. Focus on reliability, portability, and how it fits with the demands of their academic life.

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Should You Implement Security Awareness Training in Your Business?

Cybersecurity is a critical component of business operations and is the responsibility of both the business and its employees. It requires a concerted effort from every individual within the organization: each employee has a hand in maintaining security and must be aware of their actions and the potential impact.

Security awareness training, when provided on a weekly or monthly recurring basis, helps individuals understand different threats they might be exposed to in their personal and work lives. The training typically focuses on the digital realm but might also include scams that operate via face-to-face or postal service methods. The goal of the training is to elevate an individual’s awareness of these threats so they can recognize them before falling victim, or at least help them mitigate any damage if they do fall victim.

So why should your company implement this training, and why more often than just once a year or quarter? In short, human nature. Without delving into the psychological, here are a few key points:

  1. humans are creatures of habit
  2. we all have a natural tendency to want to help
  3. as humans we have a natural fear of the unknown or unexpected
  4. we all have short memories and shorter attention spans

Here is a quick example of why regular training is necessary: a salesperson was on the phone with a client discussing an ongoing project. The client asked the salesperson to sign a document and send it back, to which the salesperson replied that they had not received it yet. The client said they would send it over immediately and ended the call. The salesperson saw a new email in their inbox from the client and opened it. They clicked the link to view download the file and were taken to a webpage with a field asking for their email address. They were taken to another webpage upon entering their email address, and their web browser immediately popped up a warning saying the site was unsecure. They stopped what they were doing and called their IT company. The IT company reviewed the email and pointed out some of the red flags in the body of the email, as well as the strange looking web address that the download link led to. Not long after, the client called to say that their email account had been compromised, and the salesperson should not open any emails sent from the client’s account. The salesperson’s training allowed them to recognize the potential threat and stop before any damage was done.

Implementing a training program that regularly educates users about threats, tests their knowledge, offers additional training when necessary, and is engaging, will help your company avoid many common threats that technology alone cannot mitigate while not impacting employees’ productivity. This article points out why security awareness training is more important than ever as phishing attacks are the top avenue for ransomware delivery: http://bit.ly/3IUAdWX.

If you have questions about implementing security awareness training in your company, contact us here: https://bit.ly/CBTech-contact

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Why Cyber Insurance Is a Must-Have for Your Business

Whether you’re managing project schedules in a construction firm, client records at an accounting practice, or patient data in a veterinary clinic, your business is a target. Cyber threats aren’t just for big corporations anymore. Small businesses—especially those with 15 to 75 employees—face increasing risks from cyberattacks. And the consequences can be devastating without the right protections in place.

Here are three compelling reasons why cybersecurity insurance is no longer optional:

  • Data breaches are no longer just a big business problem
    Small businesses in industries like construction, financial services, and veterinary care are being targeted more frequently because cybercriminals see them as low-hanging fruit—valuable data, but often with weaker security. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, nearly half of all data breaches involve small to midsize businesses.
  • The financial fallout can be devastating
    For small businesses, the average cost of a cyberattack ranges from $120,000 to over $1 million depending on the breach’s scope. These costs often include legal fees, data restoration, notification of affected parties, regulatory fines, and business downtime. Cybersecurity insurance helps cover these damages and provides access to expert breach response teams—essential for businesses that can’t afford extended downtime or legal exposure.
  • Your clients and partners expect it
    Today’s business ecosystem is interconnected. Clients and vendors don’t want to inherit your risk. More contracts require proof of cybersecurity insurance, and many industries (especially finance, insurance, and healthcare) have regulations that make it a prerequisite for working with larger firms. Even without formal requirements, having coverage shows that your business takes data security seriously, which builds trust and credibility—critical in service-oriented industries where client relationships are everything.

Cybersecurity insurance isn’t just about covering costs after a breach—it’s about protecting your reputation, meeting the expectations of clients and partners, and giving your business the resilience it needs in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.

Not sure if your business is properly protected? Schedule a 15-minute cybersecurity readiness call with us. We’ll help you understand your risk, what insurance providers look for, and how to strengthen your defenses. Contact us here: https://bit.ly/CBTech-contact

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Escaping Winter? How to Work Remotely

Escaping to a warmer clime is looking very attractive as we in the Northeast get another round of snow. While enjoying that warmer weather, you might need to finish up some details to close a last-minute deal or access that critical file because you’re the only one that can handle it (hopefully that’s not the case). Luckily there are many ways to securely access business resources outside the office.

The first place to start is with your technology services provider. They should be able to tell you what methods are available to you, as well as help you implement something that fits your needs, budget, and security concerns, if they haven’t already. And security is big!

Of course, the ways to get to what you need are as varied as the types of resources you want to get to. It all depends on what you need to get to: files like documents or spreadsheets, or applications like QuickBooks. Each business is going to have different requirements, regulations, and budgets, et cetera, that will determine what method or methods can be used. This brings us back to: your technology services provider will know what methods fit your situation best.

When accessing your work data remotely, it’s crucial to be cautious of public Wi-Fi networks. These networks can be insecure and prone to cyber-attacks. It’s best to avoid using them altogether when accessing sensitive work data. Instead, consider using your phone as a personal hotspot or find a secure and private network such as a hotel’s business center or dedicated coworking space.

Cloud-based file-sharing services are a great way to securely access your work data remotely while on vacation. These services, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive, offer advanced security features, such as encryption, access controls, and two-factor authentication, to ensure the protection of your data. You can store and access your work files and documents from anywhere with an internet connection. And the good news is that most companies already use these services, so see what your company’s technology services provider has set up.

Enjoy your warm weather (and don’t work too much)!

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Why is business planning important?

The end of the year is upon us: it’s Thanksgiving in the US, and soon to be the end of year holidays. In between scrambling to get ready for Thanksgiving and thinking about all the Black Friday deals you need to get, have you thought about planning out the next year for your business? Now is a good time to start the planning process, even if it’s just jotting down some goals and targets for next year.

Now you might ask “why is a technology company writing about business planning?”. Business planning is an important part of the CBTech Support process. CBTech Support evaluates its clients’ environments on a regular basis and uses that information to help inform the business planning process. As part of the planning process, you’re looking at what you want to accomplish in your business next year, and technology will play a part in that. It’s important to know what areas of technology impact your business, such as where there is a large security gap or a disconnect in your workflow, or even something as simple as when you want to replace some old computers. It’s also important to know what you want to achieve so that you can make sure your current technology can help you get there; and if not, what might be needed to make it happen. The good news is you can start with small steps just to get the ball rolling.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if you would like an introduction to someone who can help with the business planning.

Happy Turkey Day!

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