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Tag: #DataProtection

Why Your Business Needs a Tech-Ready Continuity Plan for 2025

Written by Susan Dykas on . Posted in Blog, What's New.

Alarms are sounding, screens are flashing, and suddenly your business operations pause. What’s your next move? For small and medium businesses, unexpected IT disruptions can threaten productivity, reputation, and your bottom line. That’s why having a business continuity plan—built around technology, cybersecurity, and rapid response—is essential for 2025.

At SkyViewTek, we help businesses prepare for the unexpected so you can recover quickly and keep moving forward. Here’s how to make sure your business is ready for whatever comes your way:

1. Map Out Your Critical Technology

Start by listing the systems your business relies on most: email, file servers, cloud applications, accounting software, phones, and more.

Why It Matters:

When technology goes down, knowing what’s critical helps you prioritize recovery—so you’re not left scrambling.

Pro Tip:

Work with your IT provider (Managed IT Services) to identify single points of failure and ensure reliable backups are in place for each.

2. Build Your Incident Response Playbook

When something goes wrong, your team needs a clear, step-by-step guide: Who do you call? What systems get attention first? How do you communicate with staff and clients?

Why It Matters:

A well-documented incident response plan turns confusion into confident action.

Pro Tip:

Keep emergency contacts (including SkyViewTek support) printed and accessible—even if your network is down.

3. Test Your Backups and Recovery Process

It’s not enough to have backups—you need to know they work. Regularly test restoring files, applications, and even entire servers.

Why It Matters:

The worst time to discover a backup failed is during a real crisis.

Pro Tip:

Schedule quarterly recovery drills with your IT team and document the results.  Learn more about our proactive monitoring and backup solutions.

4. Train Your Team for Tech Emergencies

Even the best plan fails if your staff doesn’t know what to do. Run tabletop exercises and phishing simulations so everyone—from the front desk to the CEO—knows their role.

Why It Matters:

Well-trained employees can spot threats early and respond quickly, minimizing damage.

Pro Tip:

Make cybersecurity awareness training and incident response part of your regular training calendar.

5. Review, Update, and Stay Ahead

Technology and threats evolve quickly. Review your continuity and response plans at least once a year, or after any major incident or tech upgrade.

Why It Matters:

Staying current keeps your defenses strong and your business resilient.

Pro Tip:

Assign a point person to coordinate reviews and keep SkyViewTek in the loop for expert guidance and support.

Don’t Wait for the Sirens to Start!

When something goes wrong, you want to know your business is ready to respond—fast. A tech-focused business continuity plan, backed by SkyViewTek’s proactive IT support, means less downtime, lower risk, and more peace of mind.

5 Tips to Protect Your Business from Ransomware in 2025

Written by Susan Dykas on . Posted in Blog, What's New.

Ransomware attacks are more sophisticated than ever, and the costs go far beyond the ransom itself-think lost productivity, damaged reputation, and weeks of disruption. The good news? With a proactive approach, you can dramatically reduce your risk. Here are five essential steps to keep ransomware out of your business in 2025.

1. Train and Empower Your Team

Most ransomware sneaks in through phishing emails-those messages that look legitimate but are designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or attachment. Regular, hands-on cybersecurity training keeps your team sharp and helps everyone recognize the latest scams.

Why It Matters:

A well-trained team is your first line of defense. When employees know what to look for, they’re far less likely to let ransomware in the door.

Pro Tip:


Simulate phishing attacks a few times a year to test awareness and reinforce good habits. Learn more about SkyViewTek’s approach to Cyber Security Services.

2. Strengthen Access and Identity Security

Stolen passwords and weak access controls are top entry points for ransomware. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a critical extra layer of security, while limiting user permissions (least privilege) reduces the damage if an account is compromised.

Why It Matters:


MFA and strict access controls can stop most unauthorized access attempts in their tracks, protecting your business-critical systems and sensitive data.

Pro Tip:

Enable MFA on all accounts, especially for email, remote access, and admin privileges. Regularly review user permissions and remove unnecessary access. SkyViewTek can help you implement MFA and secure access controls as part of our Managed IT Services.

3. Keep Systems Updated and Secure

Outdated software is a goldmine for hackers. Make it a habit to apply updates and patches as soon as they’re available, covering everything from operating systems to business apps and network devices. Combine this with advanced email filtering and endpoint protection to block threats before they reach your network.

Why It Matters:


Timely updates and modern security tools close security gaps that ransomware exploits to get inside your network.

Pro Tip:


Automate updates where possible and invest in advanced endpoint protection and email security solutions.

4. Back Up Data-and Test Those Backups

Even with strong defenses, no system is 100% immune. Regular, reliable backups mean you can restore your data without paying a ransom if the worst happens. But don’t just set it and forget it-test your backups to make sure they actually work.

Why It Matters:

Backups are your safety net. If ransomware strikes, you’ll be able to recover quickly and keep your business running.

Pro Tip:

Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two types of media, with one stored offsite or in the cloud. Test your backups regularly!

5. Build a Response Plan and Monitor Continuously

A clear, well-rehearsed incident response plan ensures your team knows exactly what to do if ransomware ever slips through. Pair this with continuous monitoring for suspicious activity and regular dark web scans for leaked credentials.

Why It Matters:

The faster you respond, the less impact ransomware will have on your business. Early detection and a practiced plan can make all the difference.

Pro Tip:

Run tabletop exercises twice a year so everyone knows their role. Use security monitoring tools to catch threats early.

Stay Ahead of Ransomware in 2025

Ransomware isn’t going away-but with the right strategy, you can keep your business protected and resilient. By focusing on training, access controls, updates, backups, and response planning, you’ll be ready for whatever cyber threats 2025 brings. Contact SkyViewTek today for expert guidance and proactive protection.

Building Stronger Passwords: Four Tips to Secure your Business

Written by Susan Dykas on . Posted in Blog, What's New.

Passwords are the keys to your business, but many organizations still rely on outdated habits that put them at risk. With cyber threats on the rise and Microsoft making multi factor authentication (MFA) a requirement in 2025, now is the time to modernize your password strategy and stay ahead of evolving threats.

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords-Everywhere

Forget the old advice about changing passwords every month. Today’s best practice is to create passwords (or pass-phrases) that are long, complex, and unique for every account. Avoid using the same password twice and steer clear of anything easy to guess-like “password” or your pet’s name.

Why It Matters:

Weak or reused passwords are a top target for cybercriminals. A single compromised password can open the door to multiple accounts, putting your business and client data at risk.

Pro Tip:

Consider using a passphrase-a string of random words, numbers, and symbols-for extra strength and memorability. 

2. Don’t Rely on Frequent Changes-Focus on Quality

You don’t need to change your password every 90 days if it’s strong and unique. In fact, frequent changes can lead to weaker passwords as users take shortcuts. Instead, focus on creating passwords that are hard to guess and only update them if there’s a suspected breach.

Why It Matters:

Quality beats quantity. Strong, unique passwords reduce the risk of compromise and make password management easier for your team.

Pro Tip:

If you’re notified of a breach or suspicious activity, change your password immediately and review your security settings. Learn more about our Managed IT Services that help enforce strong password and security policies for your business.

3. Get Ready for Mandatory MFA

Microsoft began enforcing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all users accessing the Microsoft 365 admin center in February 2025, with each organization receiving a 30-day advance notice before enforcement takes effect for their tenant. This applies to anyone signing into the admin center, including emergency access accounts, which should use phishing-resistant methods like passkeys or certificate-based authentication. If MFA isn’t set up before enforcement, users will be prompted to register at their next sign-in.

Starting July 1, 2025, Microsoft will expand mandatory MFA to additional Azure tools, including Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, the Azure mobile app, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools, and REST API endpoints. There is no permanent opt-out, but organizations with complex environments can request to postpone enforcement until September 30, 2025.

Why It Matters:

Even if a password is stolen, MFA can block over 99% of account compromise attacks. It’s one of the most effective ways to secure your business against phishing and credential theft.

Pro Tip:

Enable MFA on all business-critical accounts now to stay ahead of these requirements-and give your team time to get comfortable with the process. Need help rolling out MFA? Check out our cybersecurity services for hands-on support.

4. How SkyViewTek Makes Security Simple

At SkyViewTek, we know that password management and new security requirements can feel overwhelming. That’s why our team offers hands-on support and expert guidance every step of the way-from setting up strong password policies to rolling out MFA across your organization. We tailor solutions to your business needs, not just industry checklists. Our team provides training and support, so your staff feels confident and secure. The SkyViewTek team stays ahead of new requirements, so you’re always compliant and protected.

Ready to Strengthen Your Security?
The days of simple passwords and frequent forced changes are over. With strong, unique passwords and MFA, your business can stay secure and compliant-without the hassle. Visit SkyViewTek today and let us help you build a stronger, safer future for your business.