Datalyst Blog

There’s a lot of hardware in the modern business setup, and most of it is computerized to some degree. As such, ridding your business of any of it has become a more involved process than it once was… all in the name of data security.

The simple fact is that more devices than ever have memory, which can easily cause serious problems if you are not careful.

Every business owner knows that a new hire’s first few weeks set the tone for their entire career with the company. While you’re busy teaching them the ropes of their new role, there is something else just as vital to cover: keeping your company data safe.

Building a security-first culture doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here is how to navigate the first 30 days to ensure your new team members start off on the right foot.

Misplacing a file can be annoying and stressful, especially if that file is important. On complex networks, it could potentially be in multiple different locations, perhaps on a local network device or somewhere in the cloud. In moments of dire need, knowing how to locate such important files makes you a standout (and standup) employee, so let’s explore ways to find “lost” files, even if they’ve seemingly disappeared into the ether.

AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot have moved from hype to expectation. SMB leaders now expect their teams to work faster and smarter with AI support — drafting content, extracting insights from meetings, and turning data into decisions. But whether Copilot delivers on that promise depends on something most businesses overlook.

In every office, there is a hero. They are the ones who clear their inbox before they leave, manage five Slack threads simultaneously, and pride themselves on a five-minute response time. We value these people because they make things happen. Unfortunately, that same high-speed, can-do attitude is exactly what hackers are looking for.

Have you ever reached for your phone to check a quick notification, only to look up forty minutes later feeling drained, agitated, and behind on your schedule? For a business owner, this is more than just a bad habit, it’s a thief. While you are busy protecting your revenue and managing your team, these habits serve as an invisible tax on your focus. 

We’ve all been there: the Wi-Fi drops during a high-stakes meeting, or the TV remote ignores your commands for the tenth time. In a moment of pure frustration, you give the device a love tap, and—as if by magic—it starts working again.

Whether you call it percussive maintenance or just asserting dominance, that physical jab feels like a victory. While that slap might provide a temporary fix, you’re actually playing a high-stakes game of planned obsolescence.

Moving to the cloud is supposed to be the action any business can take to help them scale aggressively. For most companies, it comes with a fair amount of waste. Imagine signing up for a pay-as-you-go gym, but they keep charging you for classes you forgot to cancel and lockers you aren't using. That’s effectively what cloud waste is; a sad, empty locker you pay for.

We’ve all been there. You’re flying through your inbox, trying to reach inbox zero before a meeting, and you click a link in a shipping notification. The page doesn't load quite right. You stare blankly and your anxiety spikes.

That moment happens a lot and it is a fork in the road for your company’s security. In many organizations, that employee’s next thought isn’t: “I should report this,” it is: “If I tell anyone, I’m going to get fired.”

You've heard the grumbling, seen the memes, and probably even felt it yourself: that vague, all-powerful entity known as the algorithm. It's blamed for everything from political polarization to your inexplicable obsession with people eating military rations. What exactly is it, and what digital giants are pulling its strings?

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a solution that has grown more popular over the past decade or so, primarily because more employees already own devices capable of running work-related applications. The employee gets to use a device they already know and love, while the employer saves money from the cost of equipping that employee. That said, the security risks associated with BYOD can undermine an ill-prepared implementation and open the door to potential legal action.

As a business owner, you’re juggling a dozen things at once. The last thing you need is a digital crisis. Yet, a single click on a malicious link can bring operations to a screeching halt, costing thousands and damaging your hard-earned reputation.

The threat is real, but protecting your business doesn't have to be a Herculean task. These essential cybersecurity practices are your first line of defense.

These are turbulent times. Social media is an undeniable force in our modern lives, for the good and the bad. Anyone that has gotten into a discussion on their favorite social service knows how it can escalate very quickly. Navigating these digital mediums with intention is key to making it a positive and productive part of your life.

In this month’s newsletter, we wanted to roll out some pretty simple social media tips to live by, helping you to build a healthier and more meaningful online presence.

Cybercriminals don’t always go after the toughest targets—they go after the easiest ones. Businesses without even the most basic protections are at the greatest risk.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to revisit your defenses and make sure you’re not leaving the door open. Here are the essentials to get started—and the next steps to take your security even further.

If you want your devices to keep running smoothly, including utility and security, you need to ensure they are updated. Updates sometimes cause problems beyond what they solve, however. What looks like a routine patch or update could impact your important applications, and if you’re not careful, you could potentially cause a downtime scenario simply by being proactive with your updates.

Any business can face a variety of disruptions, from natural disasters to cyberattacks. While many organizations understand the importance of preparing for the unexpected, not all of them have a solid plan in place. A well-crafted business continuity plan (BCP) is crucial for protecting your employees, customers, and bottom line.

Here are some key dos and don'ts to consider when creating your business continuity strategy.

In a lot of ways, your business’ IT is just like a chair; you want it to feel stable, steady, and secure, not unbalanced and unsteady. In particular, a reliable security strategy depends on three legs: your people, your processes, and your technology. Let’s look at how you can use this “stool” approach to IT security to improve your company’s resiliency to potential threats.

We often publish articles about the cloud and how it’s impacting the world of business, but one thing you can never get away from is how important security is to this mission. Regardless of the use, the cloud is only helpful if it’s secure, and it can actively hold your business back if you neglect this important aspect of its operations.

A backup is mandatory for any business, but not all backups are the same. You’ll want to be prepared for more than just a simple server crash; you’ll need geographical redundancy that can protect your business even in the face of disasters that destroy your servers or physical location. Yes, local backups are helpful, but you’ll need the power of geographical redundancy to overcome the most horrific disasters that could strike your business.

Acquiring a competitor can be a rewarding and profitable move, but it's crucial to inspect their technology to avoid any unwelcome surprises. A thorough IT audit helps you understand what you're getting and prevents a valuable investment from becoming a money pit. Let’s take a look at some of the things you need to assess before agreeing to take on growth through an acquisition.