Cyber incidents don’t happen to “other people’s businesses.” They hit schools, law firms, manufacturers, startups, healthcare practices—organizations of every size, right here in San Jose and across California.
Disaster recovery isn’t just a technical service. It’s about protecting people, protecting livelihoods, and protecting your ability to serve clients who depend on you. Too many businesses assume that “basic backups” were enough—until they were staring at hours, days, or even weeks of downtime.
In today’s digital workplace, Microsoft Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) has become the backbone of business productivity. From Outlook emails and Teams meetings to OneDrive storage and SharePoint collaboration, it enables organizations to stay connected, efficient, and...
I always tell business leaders in San Jose—don’t wait until a breach exposes your weaknesses. A strategic IT security audit isn’t just about checking compliance boxes, it’s about protecting your business, your people, and your future.
At Sagacent Technologies, we help San Jose businesses design and implement layered network security strategies that protect sensitive data, ensure compliance, and keep operations running smoothly—without unnecessary complexity or downtime.
That’s the reality for so many small businesses in Silicon Valley and beyond. IT problems don’t usually show up with alarms blaring. They creep in silently—a missed patch here, a failing hard drive there—until one day everything stops.
Too many businesses wait until disaster strikes to realize they don’t need “just IT support”—they need a Managed Service Provider (MSP) like Sagacent Technologies. And the difference between the two can be the difference between growth and disaster.
Migrating to the cloud is no longer just an optional upgrade. For businesses in San Jose, Silicon Valley, and beyond, it has become a strategic necessity. The cloud brings agility, scalability, stronger security, and cost efficiency.
In today’s digital-first business environment, data is one of your organization’s most valuable assets. Customer records, financial transactions, employee information, and proprietary intellectual property all fuel operations and growth. But this same data is...
I’ve spent years sitting across the table from business owners in San Jose who are tired, stressed, and frankly worn down by their IT challenges. I remember one conversation in particular—a small business owner told me, “Ed, I feel like I’m playing catch-up every day....
A few years ago, I met a business owner in San Francisco. His company had been humming along, everything seemed fine, until one morning he logged in to find his customer database locked down by ransomware. Client contracts, invoices, even payroll files—everything was...
I’ve seen firsthand what happens when businesses choose the wrong cloud partner. A fast-growing healthcare startup here in San Jose once confided in me that their provider had promised “HIPAA-ready compliance.” But during an audit, they discovered incomplete encryption practices and missing access logs.
The wake-up call often comes when the firm narrowly avoids a disaster or suffers a short outage that costs billable hours. Leaders realize that a small IT team working in a reactive mode cannot keep up with modern risks.
A Managed Services Provider delivers more than outsourced tech support—it’s a partner that provides the tools, expertise, and proactive strategies to keep your business running securely, smoothly, and ready for growth.
I spoke with a healthcare practice in the Bay Area that had just gone through a surprise HIPAA audit. The results were troubling. Patient information was not fully encrypted, access permissions were inconsistent, and there was no documented plan for handling...
Many organizations still believe that antivirus software, a firewall, and backups are enough to stay safe. Unfortunately, those tools alone are like locks on the doors while the windows are left wide open.
IT infrastructure management isn’t just a technical function—it’s a business strategy. When done right, it doesn’t just keep the lights on. It drives growth.
That is the purpose of strong IT support services. They do far more than respond to issues. They protect revenue, preserve momentum, and shield employees from constant frustration.
A client’s business was growing quickly, and they felt confident in the technology they had put in place. Then one morning, everything changed. Hackers gained access through a stolen password, sensitive files were exposed.
Cybersecurity today isn’t just about stopping bad guys at the gate. It’s about resilience. It’s about making sure your business can get back up quickly when, not if, something slips through. And that’s where two solutions come together: Cyber Insurance and extended detection and response (XDR).
Instead of waiting for something to break, proactive monitoring keeps constant watch over your systems, spotting vulnerabilities and disruptions before they affect your team, your customers, or your bottom line.
If your business has been putting compliance on the back burner, it’s time to act before it becomes a crisis. At Sagacent Technologies, we help businesses across San Jose and the Silicon Valley navigate compliance with confidence
The truth is—this is not a year for wishful thinking when it comes to cybersecurity. Whether you’re running a startup in San Jose, a law firm in Sacramento, or a healthcare provider in Silicon Valley, the threats are here.
The reality is this: cybersecurity compliance is not a luxury, it’s survival. IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report found the average U.S. breach now costs $4.45 million—nearly half of that tied directly to regulatory and legal fallout.
We are pleased to announce that Sagacent Technologies has again been selected as one of the world's top Managed Services Providers for 2024 by Channel Futures, a leading tech industry reviewer of MSPs globally. For 17 years, Channel Futures has selected 501 companies...
I'm back from last week's IT Nation Secure conference, and I want to share just a few of my takeaways from the sessions: Hacking is bad and getting worse AI is growing, and companies aren’t prepared Most professional businesses aren’t ready for security regulations...
From enhancing customer service to optimizing supply chains, AI has the potential to make a significant impact. The course was a real eye-opener, showing me how AI can solve real-world problems and improve efficiency, making it a valuable asset for any business.
Email remains a crucial tool for communication, but as technology evolves, so do the standards surrounding it. In February 2024, two major email providers, Google (including Gmail) and Yahoo, implemented new requirements for bulk senders—entities sending a high volume...
Sagacent Helps Local Nonprofit Build a Secure IT Infrastructure Cancer CAREpoint is a local nonprofit committed to assisting community members with the practical, psychological, and emotional burden that a cancer diagnosis delivers. Serving clients since 2012, they...
Levin and Pangilinan PC is an elite immigration law firm based in San Francisco, California. For close to 30 years, they have helped their clients navigate the complex immigration laws in the United States, providing a variety of services for businesses, families, and...
The Internet of Things (IoT) isn't just a futuristic vision from science fiction movies. It's already woven into the fabric of our daily lives, silently sending and collecting data to and from everyday objects all around us. While executives might readily associate...
In the intricate supply chains of modern manufacturing, each link in the chain is potentially vulnerable to hackers determined to exploit weak security. So a single cyberattack on any part of the supply chain can wreak havoc on manufacturers’ operations and reputations. By embracing a proactive, collaborative approach to supply chain cybersecurity, manufacturers can risks and gain a valuable competitive edge.
Did you know that hackers love the holidays? It’s true. This festive season, with its twinkling lights and holiday cheer, is also prime time for cyberattacks.
The SolarWinds Orion hack reportedly launched by Russian espionage hacker group Dark Halo was the most wide-ranging attack in the history of cybersecurity. Among the targets were a series of U.S. government departments.
If your data has been pwned, taking immediate action to protect your accounts is crucial. You should change your password(s) for any compromised sites and all your online accounts that use that same password.
Peoples Associates Structural Engineers (PASE) offers a full range of structural engineering services. PASE tackles highly complex engineering challenges and innovations across a portfolio of projects that include large data centers and mixed-use housing, among...
Managing IT is always a challenge, and if you’re a small nonprofit like the Catholic Community Foundation, the stakes are even higher. How do you further your mission with just a handful of people supporting your core systems?
Social media account takeovers are a serious problem, and their prevalence is only increasing. In 2022, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)1 received four times the number of inquiries about social media account takeovers compared to 2021. There are a number of...
The Zero Trust security model is a way to deal with the problem of perimeterless security in an age of remote working and cloud networks. In this blog post, we discuss the meaning and importance of the Zero Trust security model for Small and Medium Businesses, from basic principles to business examples.
Passwords have been the standard authentication method for decades but are becoming increasingly insecure. Passwords can be easily guessed, stolen, or hacked, and many users reuse the same passwords for multiple accounts.
Security tactics such as IT audits, pentesting, vulnerability scanning, reports and alerts are highly sophisticated. Yet, social engineering hacking is able to circumvent this technology by ‘hacking’ our brain instead—taking advantage of our trust, fear, politeness, or inattention. This specific type of hacking may be supported by technology; but the catalyst is psychological exploitation.
Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and costly, and businesses of all sizes need to take steps to protect themselves. One of the best ways to do this is to implement a cybersecurity framework.
Business email compromises (BECs) are on the rise and now occur frequently. BECs are breaches of email accounts, and are particularly troublesome for businesses.
A data breach is a serious incident that can have far-reaching consequences for businesses and individuals. When a company’s data is breached, it can lead to the theft of sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and medical records. Criminals can then use this information to commit fraud, identity theft, and other crimes.
What does the FTC Safeguards Rule require of financial institutions? Does it apply to you? What should a compliance audit look like and who should conduct it? This blog post answers your burning questions on the latest updates to the FTC rule.
The reasons why remote work can increase the risk of a cyberattack are not always the ones you might expect:
Remote workers often use their own devices and networks, which may not be as secure as a company’s corporate network, to access company data.
Cybersecurity insurance companies are paying close attention to security researchers, pentesters and even malicious hackers. While government legislation grinds along, insurance terms are tightening while premiums rise. Do you know the impact of your policy’s conditions? Are you compliant and covered —or confused?
Small and midsize companies are always looking for ways to save money without jeopardizing their mission and business operations. At the same time, shifts in the market and economic headwinds like inflation, technology advancements, and the threat of recession, bring uncertainty and new challenges that continually “stress test” a company’s workforce, systems, and security.
What is penetration testing in cybersecurity? This blog post defines pentesting and explains the demand for it. It also sets out various pentesting approaches and what you can expect from pentest reports. Finally, it concludes with a strong business case for its adoption, along with some principles to help you commission or conduct successful pentests.
There is an incredible amount of buzz about artificial intelligence at the moment. Everyone seems to be talking about it and many have already jumped in to explore its power and potential benefits. But what does artificial intelligence (AI) mean in real-world terms, and how will it fit within today’s existing technology landscape, particularly for small and medium businesses (SMBs)? In the end, will AI be a powerful enabler, a business risk, or an interesting mix of both?
Endpoint detection and response methodology and technology protect your network, servers and devices from malicious hackers. But, what is it and how does it work? Know the business advantages to monitoring and securing your company and customer data by investing in this crucial cybersecurity approach.
As businesses grow and the pace of technology accelerates, IT teams can quickly become overwhelmed. How do they keep networks, users, data, and infrastructure safe from sophisticated cyber events and hacks? How do they access specialized talent for large strategic...
I’m one of those fortunate people whose company supports a hybrid work environment. This means that I generally work from home, but can actually work from anywhere (in the office, at home, and on the go). On a typical day, I’m in my home office—where I have access to...
Manufacturing is in the cybercriminal’s crosshairs With today’s interconnected supply chain, partners of your manufacturing business are not just working with you, but with your network—and you with theirs. At the same time, cyberattacks are evolving rapidly in scope...
Many experts are predicting an upcoming recession. Slow to develop and even slower to leave, economic downturns pose some interesting challenges for small businesses. How do you reduce expenses while still maintaining valued staff, IT operations, and security? How do...
Co-managed IT is like ice cream - plain is good, but with toppings it's better. With shared responsibilities, expertise and collaboration, businesses can enhance their IT systems and achieve their goals faster and more efficiently. If your company is struggling to...
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for many businesses and individuals, and the current statistics related to cybercrime are startling. Consider that in one year, cybercriminals will steal 33 billion records. And in the United States alone, $15 billion is lost every...
An IT disaster recovery or disaster relief plan is a guide that lays out all policies and procedures to recover a company’s IT systems and data. This guide attempts to provide an organization with a roadmap of actions to take in the event of a disaster or incident so...
Any small business owner recognizes that as the business grows, you must make key strategic decisions to help you better allocate resources to support long-term growth and success. However, it's not always easy to know the best path forward. IT audits can help your...
With winter rapidly approaching, many companies are planning for the upcoming year. The end of the year provides a great opportunity to reflect on the previous year and determine where changes can be made to enhance your current processes. A process audit allows...
The new year is fast approaching. Many companies use this time to prepare their strategies for growth and improve their processes, procedures, and technology to position their business better and meet the new year's challenges. A big goal for many companies in recent...
The High Cost of Business Interruptions Disaster planning is a crucial part of any company's business continuity plan. In 2019, the economic losses from 409 total natural disasters exceeded $232 billion USD, and only a fraction of these losses were insured. And while...
Prior to the pandemic, many forward-thinking business leaders had already begun moving certain tasks into a remote environment. Post-pandemic, a large portion of the total workforce is now on a completely remote or hybrid working schedule. And while this arrangement...
Cloud computing has taken off in recent years, largely because of the many business benefits that it can provide. And while a lot of the material discussing the benefits focuses on cost savings and the ability to achieve scalability, cloud computing can also make your...
As a business owner, you likely had a vision for your company’s growth and trajectory. And while some elements of that initial plan may have gone accordingly, it is likely that many unforeseen circumstances have also impacted its growth. In modern times, economic...
Business continuity planning is a company’s framework for responding to natural and manmade disasters. Because the scope of business continuity planning includes natural disasters, it’s vital to consider the benefits of planning for these types of disasters with a...
Many organizations are looking for ways to continue evolving and moving their business forward, likely into a new era also marked by rapid evolution and changing customer preferences. And while many leaders focus on business plans and new product offerings as a way to...
Due to the tremendous benefits that it can provide, cloud computing has become much more prevalent in the business setting. However, as with any other tech innovation, security concerns must be addressed to minimize the risk of a cyber attack. And while it may be...
Cloud computing has rapidly grown in popularity, as it provides many business benefits. As cloud computing becomes more popular, it is becoming more important to understand the different types of cloud deployment models available. The best deployment architecture...
Disaster recovery is a term that refers to planning a business can enact when responding to a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, fire, act of terrorism, or an active shooter.
Small to medium-sized businesses are at a greater risk than many large or enterprise-level companies since they often lack the resources for comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
Cyber insurance isn’t just for major international corporations. Recent reports demonstrate that even small and mid-sized businesses experience at least one cyber attack every year.
A wide range of threats can leave your business vulnerable to a cyber attack. Anything from insufficient employee training to inadequate update schedules can leave your company open to a costly attack.
The global nature of commerce further complicates the matter of compliance. It is much easier for businesses now to attract customers worldwide, which is a huge benefit since your customer base can grow exponentially.
Network upgrades are a regular expense in the modern business world. You have to replace outdated technology periodically and expand your network as your business grows. However, timing your network upgrades is a huge challenge.
Moving to the cloud can present many challenges . The cost of migrating to the cloud can make it prohibitive for some companies. It often requires a large upfront investment, but it can often result in long-term savings that outweigh the drawbacks.
The term deepfake combines the concept of machine learning (or deep learning) with something that isn’t real (or fake). Deep learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that refers to arrangements of algorithms that can learn and make intelligent decisions autonomously.
Cloud computing does introduce new security risks that should be well understood. Cloud computing platforms have several advantages over traditional infrastructure. It allows for rapid and large-scale deployment of computing resources.
Efficient and effective management of IT resources and services can optimize business performance and help your company grow. But this type of management doesn’t always have to be done internally.
Many people think that the worst outcome of a ransomware attack is paying the ransom. After that, you get your data back, right? Well, not always. Even if you have paid a ransom, there is no guarantee that you will get your data back.
The result of an IoT security breach can be dire. It can lead to great financial losses and negatively impact your company’s reputation. Several actions can mitigate the risk that comes with widespread IoT applications.
Cloud computing is synonymous with green cloud computing because cloud computing inherently conserves resources. It allows businesses to use virtual cloud storage, avoiding the need for redundant in-house infrastructure.
Many cyberattacks can originate within the supply chain since cybercriminals can exploit known and trusted relationships.
The premise behind whaling attacks is that the cybercriminal will pretend to be a senior official within the organization and gain the target’s trust. Once trust is gained, the attacker can then use social engineering strategies to gain information
Healthcare is using cloud computing at increasing rates. The global healthcare cloud computing market was valued at U.S. $19.9 billion in 2018
Data breaches are a growing concern for businesses of all sizes. While hackers commonly target financial services, healthcare, government, and professional services, businesses of all sizes can fall prey to these attacks.
Working with a managed IT service provider can reduce costs and provide you with the technology to continue evolving and growing your company.
The cybersecurity threat landscape continues to grow, increasingly introducing threats to companies, individuals, and organizations.
Sandbox technologies allow you to cordon off an isolated testing environment within a system. Once it has been isolated, the program can perform actions without causing damage to the hardware or negatively impacting operations.
Cloud computing represents the ability to run software and applications entirely or partially from remote servers. External providers host these servers, and the platforms and data collected and stored can be accessed online by users.
Ransomware attacks are one of the most common types of digital security threats globally. Currently, a ransomware attack is carried out nearly every ten seconds in the United States, and its prevalence is growing as a preferred criminal strategy.
If you are doing any virtual holiday shopping this year, it’s a great idea to understand how to protect yourself and your finances.
Only leadership can prioritize cybersecurity for all employees. Additionally, cybersecurity is of the utmost importance. All businesses are connected to the internet.
Cyber hygiene is about following sound digital security practices as a way to boost the organization’s overall security. It can encompass anything from password policies to staff training through managed IT services.
Security remains a huge risk for many companies. The number of breaches and incidents grows every year. The cost of these incidents can be devastating.
The month has grown tremendously in terms of participation and magnitude. Recent years have included efforts for companies to engage employees and customers and increase awareness at college campuses, nonprofits, and other organizations.
No company is exempt from cybersecurity threats. Having an established cybersecurity incident response plan can guide the course of action immediately after a security breach.
Many companies focus on managing the device side of security. Still, it is becoming more accepted that any comprehensive security plan must also address the app side of potential threats because it only takes one failure to put your company’s data at risk.
No longer does being proactive just mean, “I will update my software when its available”. It’s crucial to have multiple layers to your cybersecurity including things such as: good password practices, enabling MFA on all accounts, keeping up-to-date and secure data backups, etc.
Technologies that became crucial in facilitating new methods of working also became new targets, such as cloud platforms. These cloud-based applications are essential for many modern work functions, including collaboration, file-sharing, and communications.