Straight Talk About
Small Business IT

Practical advice from someone who's been doing this for 30+ years. No vendor pitches, no scare tactics — just the stuff you actually need to know to make good technology decisions for your business.

What We're Writing About

Real questions we hear from real business owners, answered honestly.

Why Your Business Needs a Password Manager Yesterday

Sticky notes, shared spreadsheets, and reused passwords are one breach away from costing you everything. Here's what a business password manager does, which one to pick, and how to roll it out without a fight.

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The Microsoft 365 Settings Most Businesses Get Wrong

MFA disabled, sharing defaults too open, no audit logging — most M365 tenants are quietly misconfigured. Here are the six settings we find broken most often, and exactly how to fix each one.

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How to Survive an IT Provider Transition Without Losing Your Mind

Switching IT providers is stressful — but it doesn't have to be a disaster. Here's what to get from your old provider, what to expect from your new one, and the red flags that signal a bad handoff.

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What Every Business Owner Should Know About Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card — and what it doesn't cover would surprise most business owners. Here's what it actually includes, why premiums keep rising, and how better security lowers your rates.

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Your Firewall Is Probably a Consumer Router. Here's Why That's a Problem.

Most small businesses are running a $60 router as their only network protection. Here's what a real firewall actually does — and why the difference matters more than you'd think.

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Why We Use Open Source (And Why You Should Care)

Open source isn't sketchy free software — it runs most of the internet. Here's what it actually means for your business's bottom line, and why the licensing savings are just the beginning.

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Cloud vs On-Premise: Which Actually Makes Sense for Your Business?

Cloud isn't always cheaper or better — and on-premise isn't dead. Here's the honest comparison that helps you decide based on your actual situation, not a vendor's agenda.

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What to Do After a Data Breach: A Small Business Playbook

A breach doesn't have to be the end — but what you do in the first 24 hours matters more than almost anything else. Here's a step-by-step guide including the legal obligations most small businesses don't know they have.

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The Real Cost of Free IT Advice From Your Nephew

He means well. But having unqualified people manage your business-critical systems has real costs — costs that usually show up all at once, at the worst possible time.

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Why Your Business Needs More Than Antivirus in 2026

Antivirus alone hasn't been enough for years. Here's what modern threats actually look like — and what a real security stack includes for small businesses.

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What Happens When Your IT Guy Takes a Vacation?

One person holding all the knowledge, all the access, and all the responsibility is a fragile way to run a business. Here's what's really at stake — and how to fix it.

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5 Signs You've Outgrown Your IT Guy

Every business hits this point. Here's how to know when it's time for a change — and what to do about it without blowing up your budget.

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VMware Alternatives for Small Business in 2026

Broadcom's price hikes have businesses scrambling. Here's what actually works as a replacement — and what we're recommending to our clients right now.

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Does Microsoft 365 Back Up Your Data?

The answer is no, and most businesses don't find out until it's too late. Here's what Microsoft actually covers and what you need to do about the gaps.

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How Much Should a Small Business Spend on IT?

Real numbers, real categories, and a framework for building a technology budget that makes sense — without getting upsold on stuff you don't need.

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Guides Worth Reading

We put together a couple of free guides for business owners who want to get smarter about their technology — without sitting through a sales pitch.

Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Business

The plain-English guide to protecting your business from the threats that actually matter. No fear-mongering — just the practical steps that make the biggest difference.

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The Small Business IT Buyer's Guide

What to look for (and watch out for) when choosing an IT provider. Questions to ask, red flags to spot, and how to tell if you're getting a fair deal.

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Got a Question We Haven't Covered?

We're always happy to talk. No sales pitch, no obligation — just a real conversation about your technology.

Let's Talk — It's Free