IN THIS ISSUE:
The Risks And Benefits Of Smart Technology
- In this article, we provide an overview of some of the benefits of smart technology and offer practical tips to help keep your devices safe from a cyberattack.
Stop Juggling and Start Winning - How Adding a Project Manager to Your Team Can Change The Game For Your Business
- This article highlights how adding a project manager can transform small to medium-sized businesses to ensure your IT projects are completed efficiently and on budget.
CTG On The Move: Using Mustaches And Mile To Make A Difference
- Last month, CTG joined Movember—growing beards and raising awareness for men’s health.
This online publication is provided compliments Brett Harney, President of CTG Click Here to download to enjoy offline!
The Risks And Benefits Of Smart Technology...And 7 Things You Can Do Now To Protect Your Smart Environment
While smart technology can do everything from enhance efficiency by automating routine tasks, to allowing employees to focus on higher-level strategies, this technology is often overlooked as being a device that needs to be protected from hackers.
Our world is so interconnected that smart technology has become a cornerstone of both our homes and businesses. Devices that once seemed like luxuries—such as door cameras that notify us of arrivals and virtual assistants that manage our schedules—are now integral parts of our daily lives. However, the convenience of these devices comes with a caveat: they do still require specific security measures to help protect your data.
Smart devices, by their very nature, are connected to the internet, making them potential targets for cybercriminals. A device with insufficient protection, such as a security camera with a default password, can become a gateway for hackers. These intruders can exploit weak security to access personal information and even conduct surveillance through your own cameras.
7 Things You Can Do Now To Protect Your Smart Environment
To ensure the safety of your smart technology, consider the following steps:
1. Update Default Credentials: As soon as you activate a new smart device, replace any default usernames and passwords with unique, robust alternatives.
2. Strengthen Your WiFi Security: Regularly update your WiFi password, especially if it’s been unchanged for an extended period or is duplicated across multiple services.
3. Implement Multifactor Authentication: Activate multifactor authentication to add an additional layer of security, requiring a secondary form of verification beyond just a password.
4. Maintain Device Updates: Keep your devices up to date with the latest firmware and software updates, which often include critical security enhancements.
5. Utilize Separate Networks: If available, connect your smart devices to a separate network from your primary devices. This segregation can prevent a compromised device from providing direct access to your most sensitive information.
6. Avoid Use Of Devices On Public WiFi: Public WiFi is highly insecure, allowing hackers to intercept sensitive data like login credentials and emails through "man-in-the-middle" attacks. Poor monitoring also enables attackers to create fake networks that trick users into exposing their devices to malware or data theft.
7. Avoid Using Work Devices For Personal Use: Using work devices for personal tasks, such as online shopping, social media, or personal email, increases the risk of cross-contamination between personal and business data. This can expose sensitive company information to unintended vulnerabilities. This can expose work devices to threats such as phishing, malware, and ransomware.
The integration of smart technology into our lives should not be taken lightly. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of a smart home or office without leaving yourself open to digital threats.
HOW CORPORATE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP CAN HELP
CTG provides cybersecurity solutions tailored to SMBs, including network monitoring, installation of secure systems, and comprehensive training to help protect your devices and data. With services like WiFi optimization, VPN implementation, and security audits, CTG equips businesses with the tools and strategies to mitigate risks and confidently embrace smart technology.
Call us at 330-655-8144 or click here to complete the form to schedule an appointment for a free cyber security audit for a review of your smart devices.
2024 Newsletter Archive
Free Cyber Security Audit Will Reveal Where Your Computer Network Is Exposed And How To Protect Your Company Now
The first five clients that email info@ctgusa.net and respond in the subject line with “YES WE WANT THE SECURITY AUDIT FOR FREE” will receive at no cost or obligation, our highly skilled team of IT pros will come to your office and conduct a comprehensive cyber security audit to uncover loopholes in your company’s IT security.
After the audit is done, we’ll prepare a customized “Report Of Findings” that will reveal specific vulnerabilities and provide a Prioritized Action Plan for getting these security problems addressed fast. This report and action plan should be a real eye-opener for you, since almost all the businesses we’ve done this to discover they are completely exposed to various threats in a number of areas.
To Get Started And Claim Your Free Assessment Now, Call Our Office at 330-655-8144 or Visit https://ctgusa.net/aspirin-msp/
TECH TRIVIA
What should you do if you receive an email with a suspicious link or attachment?
A. Open it, it’s from your boss.
B. Don’t click it! Report it your MSP or IT manager ASAP.
C. Reply and ask if it’s legitimate.
D. Ignore it, and leave it in your inbox.
(Answer below)
Stop Juggling and Start Winning...How Adding A Project Manager Can Change The Game For Your Business
How CTG Can Help
Here’s how we can help enhance your business processes and eliminate the stress of IT project management:
Gearing up for new projects in 2025? If you’re running a small to medium-sized business, you know that managing IT projects can feel like juggling flaming swords while balancing on a tightrope. One moment, everything’s fine—then the next, you’re faced with missed deadlines, vendor miscommunications, and a tangled mess of tasks that no one can seem to tackle.
It’s no secret that small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are often juggling a lot. From cybersecurity to software updates, infrastructure cabling, and beyond, the sheer volume of IT tasks can leave business owners feeling overwhelmed. Imagine trying to update your phone system while securing your network and integrating new software—all at the same time. Without a dedicated project manager, it’s easy for these essential tasks to fall through the cracks or get tangled in a web of miscommunication and delayed deadlines.
In many cases, SMBs end up relying on their in-house team to handle everything, which leads to burnout and mistakes. Or worse, they hire a third-party vendor with no clear direction or strategy, leading to more chaos and wasted resources.
Why Adding a Project Manager to Your Team Makes All the Difference
Think of your project manager as the MVP of your IT projects. Their job isn’t just about overseeing the technical details; it’s about coordinating teams, managing timelines, and keeping everything running according to plan. They handle the day-to-day details, ensuring that no task is left behind and that your projects stay on track. With a project manager at the helm, you get clear communication, more efficient processes, and less stress for you and your team.
How CTG Can Help
Here’s how we can help enhance your business processes and eliminate the stress of IT project management:
Cybersecurity Services
We make installation, training, and reporting a breeze to help with solid protection, round-the-clock monitoring, and relentless support to fend off cyber threats before they even touch your business.
Phone and Internet Installation
You’ll get everything you need under one roof including: contract management, billing support, and scheduling to post installation. Our onsite training ensures your end users can confidently use your new technology, so your business can communicate with ease and reliability without missing a beat.
Infrastructure Cabling
We help you design, implement, and
optimize scalable, efficient network infrastructure that will support your business growth. Whether it’s a complete cabling overhaul or adding new connections to an existing network, we’ll make sure you stay up-to-date every step of the way.
Software Installation and Implementation
Installing and implementing new software should be a strategic move, not a logistical nightmare. CTG can handle the entire software lifecycle—from planning and installation to ongoing monitoring. We ensure that the software you use works for your team, not against them, making the transition smooth and setting you up for long-term success.
Training, Billing Issues, Moves, Adds, and Changes (MAC) Support
Change is inevitable in any business, and managing transitions doesn’t have to be a headache. Our customer support professionals help you navigate training, billing issues, and any necessary changes with ease. Whether it’s a system upgrade or a new addition to your team, we are there to help your business continue running smoothly through every transition.
Ultimately, hiring a project manager to oversee IT tasks for small to medium-sized businesses can significantly reduce the stress and confusion that often comes with managing multiple projects. With a project manager in place, businesses can avoid common issues like missed deadlines, vendor miscommunications, and burnout from overloading in-house teams. A project manager helps streamline processes, ensure clear communication, and keep projects on track, allowing the business to focus on its core goals while staying organized and within budget. This leads to more efficient project execution and less room for costly mistakes.
Ready to take control and stop the chaos? It’s time to get your IT projects in line and make 2025 your year of success. Whether it’s cybersecurity, infrastructure upgrades, or software implementation, CTG is here to guide you every step of the way.
Visit our blog for 5 Must-Know Tips for Streamlining Your IT Projects and Avoiding Chaos to learn how to take your IT management to the next level. Or, if you’re ready to take the first step in getting your projects organized, call us at 330-655-8144 or email us at info@ctgusa.net to schedule an appointment with one of our Business Development Representatives. Let’s work together to turn your IT challenges into big wins!
2024 Newsletter Archive
TECH TRIVIA ANSWER
What should you do if you receive an email with a suspicious link or attachment?
The answer is:
B
To report a suspicious email, do not open any links or attachments. Call your IT security team, forward the email, and then delete it. If possible, mark it as spam or phishing to help prevent future attacks. This process helps protect against phishing and malware.
CTG On The Move:
Using Mustaches And Miles To Make A Difference
In November, Corporate Technologies Group joined the Movember movement to raise awareness for men’s health, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. The men tackled the challenge of growing out our beards (some of us with more success than others), while the women of CTG supported the cause in their own way—by walking the dog, hitting the treadmill, or swapping their lunch hour for a group walk and clocked an impressive total of 298 miles for team CTG! Though our beards may have been a bit itchy - every donation, every step walked, and every awkward beard selfie helped move the needle in a meaningful way.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported us—employees, families, and donors. If you missed the chance to donate during Movember, don’t worry, it’s not too late, you can still make a difference! Contributions are accepted year-round. Visit the official Movember site here to make a difference! Check out our LinkedIn page to see the beard selfies!
2024 Newsletter Archive
