SMS Datacenter

09/03/2026

AI is changing who can launch serious cyberattacks.

According to Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42, attackers with very little technical skill — think "script kiddies" — can now use AI tools to attack with the kind of power and sophistication we used to see only from nation-state hacking groups.

The key takeaway: AI has dramatically lowered the bar for cybercrime, so businesses of every size now face more attacks, from more capable attackers, than ever before.

The good news? Strong basics still stop most attacks. If you're not sure whether your defenses are ready, that's a conversation worth having today.

Read the full article here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07BSqK0

09/02/2026

A new month is a good reminder to check in on your IT priorities. 💻

Heat readiness, preparedness planning, cybersecurity, device planning, and support coverage are all worth keeping on your radar as September begins. 🍂

09/02/2026

Is your business running on systems that don't talk to each other?

It's more common than you'd think — and more expensive than most business owners realize. When your CRM, billing, marketing, and operations tools are disconnected, your team ends up re-entering data, exporting spreadsheets, and chasing down mismatched numbers. That means wasted hours, unreliable reports, and slower service for your customers.

The key takeaway: disconnected systems don't just create IT headaches — they quietly add real costs in lost productivity, poor data visibility, and missed growth opportunities. The fix isn't necessarily replacing everything; it's connecting your systems strategically so data flows where it needs to.

Read more and see where your business might be losing ground: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07Bb270

09/02/2026

You know how your team uses AI coding assistants to work faster? New research found that popular tools like Claude, OpenAI's Codex, and Hermes can end up installing suspicious, unowned code inside corporate networks — just by following instructions in website documentation files meant for AI agents. Some big-name companies (including Fortune 500s) were affected, and in one case, attackers had already planted real malware this way.

AI agents trust documentation blindly and don't check whether the code they're installing actually belongs to the vendor — and traditional security tools don't flag it because it looks like a normal software install.

If your business uses AI tools, it's worth a conversation with your IT team about what those tools are allowed to install and run. Read the full article here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07zD720

09/01/2026

This month at SMS, we’re continuing to grow, support our clients, and invest in the technology that keeps businesses connected and secure. 🔒

We provide responsive support, proactive security, and future-ready solutions to help businesses move forward with confidence. 🙌

09/01/2026

Tech Tip: Review which apps have camera access

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

Before summer wraps up, it’s a good time to check in on your business technology. 📲☀️

Reviewing updates, user access, backups, security alerts, and business continuity plans can help keep your systems running smoothly and reduce the chance of unexpected issues. 🙌 🥳

A little preparation now can go a long way later. 🌴🍹

08/31/2026

A new Sophos report shows that 85% of ransomware attacks on education organizations started with identity-based attacks — stolen credentials, phishing, and malicious email. Attackers are increasingly logging in rather than breaking in.

Here's the part that should make every business owner pause: even organizations that had multi-factor authentication (MFA) in place still got hit. Of those whose attacks began with compromised credentials, 98% had MFA enabled — yet 81% still had their data encrypted. The issue? MFA wasn't enforced consistently across every app, VPN, and service account, and weaker MFA methods can be phished or bypassed.

Key takeaway: Identity is now the main way attackers get in — so protecting it (with strong, consistent, phishing-resistant MFA across every access point) is one of the highest-impact security moves your business can make.

Curious how this applies to your organization? Read the full article here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07x3sH0

08/30/2026

Back-to-school means new backpacks, new classes—and new digital risks.

Webroot just released a practical back-to-school cyber safety checklist, and the takeaway is one every organization should hear: as kids fire up new devices and accounts for the school year, the threats they face—AI-powered phishing, fake school emails, gaming scams, and oversharing on social media—are the same tactics that later target your employees and your network. With over 80% of breaches starting with stolen passwords, the habits formed at home follow people to work.

Key takeaway: Strong cyber habits at home build a stronger, more security-aware workforce at the office—and that protects your business.

Read the full article and pass it along to your team: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07wSqh0