If you, or one of your staff has a little computer knowledge, you may think to yourself, "Why do I need to outsource my I.T. services?  I have that covered here..."

In this case, a little knowledge can be dangerous...

Truly, I compare this thought process to being brought up on criminal charges.

I don't normally open up an article with statistics...but the following are fascinating, I believe, and really speak loudly about current events in the world of cybersecurity...

Concern about identity theft rates slightly higher than fears of job and healthcare loss.

Did you know a whopping 91% of us own some sort of cell phone?  Of that 91%, approximately 64% of us are using a Smart Phone. It's so convenient, isn't it?  We are virtually connected...anytime...anywhere.

Interesting statistics, but how is this relevant?  Because a lot of "On-Line" activity is being conducted via cell phone, that leaves us susceptible to cyber criminal activity on our cell phones as well as our computers.

As in anything in life, there is good...but, unfortunately, there is also bad.  So it is in the "tech" world.  There have been so many "lightening fast" advancements in this industry..that definitely is the good part, but the "law" has had trouble keeping up with these advancements.

So...how many times have you used THAT  phrase?  I myself am guilty of using it once or twice...or several times.  But, in the world of I.T. "doing it yourself", while seemingly sounding like a good idea financially, may be costing you money in the long run.

A friend of mine, Turner, lost his wife about a three years ago.  They had been high school sweethearts, and had married right after graduation.  They had been together, counting their marriage, over 50 years when she passed from cancer.  When she entered hospice, he never left her side.

We are experiencing an epidemic.  "Hacking" or Data Breaches have become commonplace...and that's dangerous.

As the frequency of hackings has increased, so is the likelihood that you will also be involved.  You may feel that you're a sitting duck in this scenario, because, after all, even though you have been most responsible and have put every security measure of which you are aware in place, you still have no control if your data is breached due to cyber criminal activity involving a third party (EX: Target or Blue Cross).

That is not exactly accurate.

If you are the least bit connected digitally, then you are definitely like approximately 44% of the rest of the planet who travel with their laptop or some other form of mobile device. But, how do we insure stress free travel by eliminating the possibility of theft or loss of our computer? Here are several suggestions that might solve the problem for you and bring you some peace of mind when travelling anywhere with your device, even if it’s a short road trip!

KEEP IT PADDED

OK, this may be obvious to some, but you’d be surprised how many laptops are flung, shoved, and smashed into suitcases, backpacks, travel bags, and whatever other form of carry-on exists…even just under the arm!! But, these various forms of…”luggage”, offer no protection to your laptop.

I have really gotten into researching the importance of "Business Continuity Planning", and the psychology behind it.  So, let's start with what a "Business Continuity" or "BC" Plan is...

"A business continuity plan is a plan to continue operations if a place of business is affected by different levels of disaster which can be localized short term disasters, to days long building wide problems, to a permanent loss of a building".

The first word in that paragraph that strikes a fearful chord in the hearts of many is "disaster".  No one wants to think about a disaster striking them or their loved ones, but with over 600 disasters, natural or technical, happening worldwide annually, the odds are likely that you'll be involved in one in your lifetime.