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Great Chief Information Officers are invaluable resources for any organization. They are also expensive, and for good reason. It’s a high-profile job with a lot of responsibility. They create business value through technology and plan strategically for business growth. They ensure that the company’s technology systems and processes are aligned with business goals.

There is a change in organizations across the US and globally. Remember the IT person? The one who walked through the office halls, arriving at cubicles and offices to help colleagues, fixing technical issues, as well as checking computers and machines like the ones in the server room? For most companies, that’s now a thing of the past.

Make your average workday a better day and save some time on your email communications with these Microsoft Outlook tips.

Digital disruption is affecting every type of company out there, regardless if you’re small, mid-sized or large.

Leading Chicagoland IT and Consulting Firm Announces New Leadership Hire and Office Space

The biggest problem companies face when it comes to cybersecurity is often not the technology; it's the people. And hackers (often called “bad actors”) know this. That’s why it takes more than strong IT to keep your company safe. It “takes a village.”

In today’s digital economy, where all businesses are now tech-enabled, organizations globally are well-aware of how vital technology is to future success. To keep up with industry standards and stay ahead of competitors, businesses must make investments in their information technology.

Despite companies feeling bullish on growth, Chief Executive Officers understand that cyber-attacks are a top risk facing organizations. CEOs in the US, particularly, are the most vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity.

When it comes to deciding on an individual to take on a leadership role for the Information Technology department at your small to mid-size business, selecting the right person is crucial but complicated.  

As your business flourishes, you are bound to experience “growing pains.” Changes happen quickly and unexpected issues can arise.

The General Data Protection Regulation, otherwise referred to as GDPR, is in effect as of May 25th, 2018. It is a legal framework which sets guidelines for processing and collecting personal information of people that are in the 28 countries in the EU (European Union).

Whether an organization is considered a small, medium or large size business, cybersecurity expertise is needed. Without it, the company is vulnerable to attack and is putting their risk in the hands of others.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become more accessible for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to utilize the latest technology to better automate their processes and reach their growth goals.

Many small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique challenges when it comes to technology. Although most of these companies could benefit from purchasing updated hardware and equipment, it is not always financially feasible or advisable.

Nearly all small business leaders appreciate that technology can help them improve their revenue and are seeking out ways to better integrate technology into their growth plans.

Industry experts agree that outsourced IT support (often called IT managed services) can be broken down into three distinct levels, each one increasingly providing greater, more forward-looking IT support solutions for your business.

The year 2017 demonstrated a marked increase in awareness regarding the importance of cyber-security amongst small and medium sized enterprise (SME) owners; however, many of these businesses are still not prepared to face the consequences of a cyber-attack.

Many business owners are surprised to learn that a large portion of hacks are inside jobs. For example, disgruntled employees or suppliers, or a former employee with a grudge.

You no longer need to pay a receptionist just to answer your landline during business hours. These days, small business owners are not tied to an office or computer in order to stay connected. Business owners are no longer required to sit at their desks all day managing dozens of calls.

Don’t put off your business’s technological needs for another year. Take the time to analyze how you manage your current IT needs and use the questions below to decide if it is time you invest in dedicated IT support.

Despite a spike in the number of small businesses targeted by hackers, a recent report published by Paychex concludes that most small business owners are not concerned about cybersecurity threats. Paychex, a provider of integrated human capital management for small to mid-sized businesses, found that an astonishing 68% of small business owners are not worried about their business being hacked.

Data storage and security is a growing concern for many small business owners looking for a way to store larger amounts of data in a secure location. Small businesses are more frequently becoming the target of hackers and suffering catastrophic system failures forcing their owners to actively seek out solutions when it comes to having adequate data storage and security.

How often should a business update their disaster recovery plan? Unfortunately, many misinformed business owners believe that developing a disaster recovery plan is a one-time task. This can be a costly and devastating lesson for businesses in the face of a real disaster.

Last month, our CEO Brian Brammeier presented on hacking and what to do once you have been hacked. Some of the key takeaways from this presentation are:

Businesses are actively seeking out ways to implement IT automation technology to streamline processes, improve web application performance, provide consistency to customers, and to save money by replacing costly employees with technology.

During the past year, the capabilities and usage of virtual assistants has grown exponentially. New products and advanced technology are being introduced into the market at a record pace. An online poll conducted in May 2017 found the most widely used assistants in the U.S. were Apple's Siri (34%), Google Assistant (19%), Amazon Alexa (6%), and Microsoft Cortana (4%).

If your organization were hacked and its critical data held for ransom, would you know how to respond? No system is completely impenetrable to determined hackers, which is why every organization needs to be prepared with a Hack Action Plan.

BYOD, which stands for bring your own device, is becoming increasingly popular in both the workplace and in the classroom. Businesses and schools across the country are implementing policies requiring employees and students to purchase and bring a personal electronic device to perform necessary tasks everyday there is work or school.

On September 25th, the South Suburban Small Business Association (SSSBA) is hosting a panel discussion entitled: “Working Securely”: Business Continuity Planning at their annual luncheon. 

Skilled IT workers are in high demand. The following tech skills round out Computerworld’s Top 10 list for the most sought-after skills by hiring managers during this past year.

On July 30, 2017 HigherGround’s Kent Welch was chosen to judge the Woodfield Area Children’s Organization (WACO) "Best of the ‘Burbs" contest at Wingfest. This fundraiser’s goal was to help WACO purchase more than 400 new winter coats and take approximately 500 disadvantaged children Christmas shopping in December. 

Businesses are eager to start internet of things (IoT) initiatives, but efforts are hindered by shortages of workers with the latest skills necessary to progress with these projects. IoT platforms are designed to save businesses money, improve decision-making via access to new data resources, increase staff productivity, provide better visibility into the business and improve the overall customer experience.

Last month, our CEO Brian Brammeier presented on the importance of business continuity technology and testing at an Illinois CPA Society event. For a copy of this informative presentation in its entirety click here...

While most businesses are aware of the threat of digital extortion, many lack the level of protection necessary to successfully combat an attack. According to a recently released report by the Financial Times, malicious attacks have surpassed human error as the leading cause of data loss.

Businesses spend billions of dollars every year working on their websites and launching apps to increase their online and mobile presence. If you are going to invest that much money into growing your online presence, it is equally important to invest in adequate cyber-security to protect your interests.

Do you remember the first time you started getting random popups on your computer? That turned out to be spyware, requiring you to start running programs like Webroot and MalwareBytes to fix it. Now the same thing can happen to your mobile phone.

You most likely have heard about the recent ransomware cyber-attack WannaCry that has impacted more than 250,000 devices in over 150 countries across the nation. Countries throughout Europe were hit the hardest, and several large companies and organizations were cripplingly impacted; including banks, hospitals, and government agencies.

Do you own a small to midsized health and wellness practice? Focusing on building your clientele and providing top notch services to your clients should be on the top of your to-do list. However; it is important to take the time to consider your technology needs and to explore some options on how to address them.

Many small businesses are forced to find out the hard way they were not prepared for a disaster. Hacking, fire, flood, or extended power failure can happen at any time and destroy your business. You may not even realize how dependent your business is on technology until you loose access to your network devices and data.

Do you own a successful family business? Check out these five simple tips on how to improve your business’s technology without having to spend a fortune.

As more businesses update to VoIP in an effort to improve communications with customers and employees, a number of low-quality equipment retailers and service providers are offering substandard advice on how to upgrade to VoIP. Depending on the nature of your business, many customers’ first impression of your business will be made over the telephone. It is worth investing in the right VoIP equipment and service provider to guarantee a favorable impression.

Contemplating whether you should invest in cyber security insurance for your small business? Learn more about the protection offered by this type of insurance, the types of coverage available, and the pros and cons associated with purchasing a cyber security policy in the article below.

Is your business prepared for a cyber attack? Recent data from Symantec’s 2016 Internet Security Threat Report shows that small businesses are becoming a larger target for cybercriminals. Last year, cybercrime activity targeted small businesses 43% of the time.

Whether you are a business owner in search of a managed service provider to handle your business’s standard IT needs or if you are currently handling your company’s own IT related tasks and are contemplating outsourcing, learning more about common misconceptions associated with IT services will help you to decide what is right for your business’s needs.

Make a commitment to grow your business in 2017. Free up your time and resources so you can devote them to business development and existing customers. Even if your business only has a small number of employees, you should not have to handle your own IT management. Spend your time doing what you do best; working hard to develop your business, manage your staff, and taking care of your customers. Your ROI will make you regret not outsourcing your IT needs sooner.

To ensure HIPAA compliance and avoid heavy fines, your practice must develop internal policies and procedures supporting all aspects of HIPAA legislation. It is your responsibility to train staff in implementing and following HIPAA policies and procedures enforced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Are you looking to pressure test and update your current business continuity plan (BCP)? If not, you should be. Testing your Business Continuity Plan (BCP) not only provides essential employees with real case scenario experience in carrying out your business’s plan of action; it also helps you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your plan. This article will provide you with some tips on how to test your BCP and objectively analyze the results.

Whether you are considering transitioning your business to a remote workforce utilizing VoIP technology or if you are a start-up exploring the available options for launching your business, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of how to use VoIP technology to manage a remote workforce will help you determine if it is the right fit for your business.

Specialty insurer Beazley has analyzed their clients’ data breaches thus far in 2016 and concluded that ransomware attacks will be four times higher this year compared to last year’s number of attacks. During the first nine months of 2016, Beazley Breach Response (BBR) Services unit managed 1,437 data breaches on behalf of clients, compared to 931 breaches during the same period last year.

Is your business considering making the switch to Office 365 cloud storage? There is a lot of contradictory information circulating around on the web concerning cloud storage and what it entails. This article will provide you with some helpful truths about cloud storage to help you determine if this is the right move for your business.

This past year alone, one in five small to mid-sized businesses have been victims of some form of cybercrime. Cybercrime is criminal activity that involves the internet, computer technology, or a computer system. Cyber criminals target businesses looking for ways to illegally generate revenue. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to protect your business against cybercrime and to make sure all of your employees are aware of the dangers associated with this rapidly growing criminal threat.

Business servers crash on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many businesses find out the hard way that their continuity plan and system backup hardware is deficient. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure continuity in the event of a server crash. Follow these steps to ensure your business will be back up and running as normal within minutes of a crash:

Thinking about switching to a managed IT service provider to handle your business’s data management and security needs? If any of these three signs apply to you and your business it is time for you to hand the reigns over to a professional:

Are you considering hiring a managed IT service provider to handle your business’s security, maintenance, and network needs? Many small to mid-sized businesses make an attempt to tackle their own IT needs. This can prove to be a costly and dangerous mistake.

While larger healthcare systems have made significant progress in complying with HIPAA rules and in implementing adequate controls to safeguard Electronic Protected Healthcare Information (ePHI) from external and internal threats, small practices are still struggling to achieve full compliancy.

SMBs are faced with a myriad of challenges on a daily basis: Generating revenue Servicing clients Managing employees and other physical assets Navigating an ever-increasing regulatory burden