Imagine walking into the office one morning, only to find your computers frozen, your files gone, and your customer data locked behind a hacker’s ransom demand.

Sounds like a nightmare, right?

The truth is, data loss doesn’t just happen in big corporations you see on the news.

Small businesses in Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg face the same daily risks—a power outage, a fried hard drive, or someone accidentally deleting the wrong folder.

That’s why the real question isn’t if your business should have a data backup. It’s how often you’re backing it up, and ensuring it’s done right so you can stay in control and keep your business moving forward.

What Are Data Backups and Why Do They Matter

Data backups are copies of your essential business information stored separately from your primary systems. They are a safety net that allows you to recover quickly if files are lost, corrupted, or deleted.

Your data isn’t just information—it’s your business. When it’s at risk, everything from serving customers to keeping your team productive is on the line.

Without consistent backups, you could be facing:

• Broken customer trust when vital records or emails go missing.
• Delayed projects and frustrated team members.
• Missed deadlines that affect client relationships.
• Unexpected downtime that stops operations.
• Costly recovery efforts that drain money and resources.
• Lost financial or accounting data that’s hard to reconstruct.
• Security risks from cyberattacks or ransomware.
• Stress and uncertainty for you and your team, as you try to piece things back together.

The difference is simple: with a reliable backup system, what could have been a data disaster becomes a quick recovery, and business keeps moving forward.

How Often Should You Back Up Data?

At a minimum, we recommend a daily backup. Backing up your data daily helps protect critical information, such as customer records, invoices, emails, and project files.

Without it, even a minor issue could wipe out a full day’s worth of work, causing delays and frustration. Daily backups give you peace of mind knowing your business can quickly recover and keep moving forward. It’s a simple habit that provides a big layer of protection for your operations.

What you can do today:

• Schedule at least one automated backup per day.
• Test your backups to ensure they actually restore correctly.
• Keep an off-site or cloud copy to protect against local disasters.

If you’re unsure how to test your data backup or keep a cloud copy, our team can help you accomplish these important tasks, ensuring you’re never left guessing—or vulnerable.

What Should You Back Up?

When you know what to back up and the right data backup frequency, you control your risk and make recovery simple if something goes wrong.

Here’s a checklist of the essentials every small business should prioritize:

• Customer records and contact information
• Invoices, billing data, and financial reports
• Emails and communications with clients or partners
• Project files, proposals, and presentations
• Website code, databases, and any custom software
• Employee documents, schedules, and HR files
• Passwords and login credentials for critical systems
• Any other files that are crucial to day-to-day operations

By consistently backing up these key areas, you ensure your business can bounce back quickly and keep serving customers without disruption.

The Right Way to Back Up Your Business Data

Choosing the right data backup strategy ensures that, regardless of what happens—hardware failure, cyberattack, or natural disaster—you stay in control and your business continues to operate smoothly.

To make the best choice, let’s break down the main backup options so you can see how each one protects your business and keeps your team running smoothly.

On-Site Backups

On-site backups provide quick access to your files whenever you need them, which is ideal for day-to-day operations. The risk is that if your office experiences a fire, flood, or theft, those backups could be lost along with your primary systems.

Off-Site Backups

Off-site backups store your data in a separate location, keeping it safe from local disasters. They provide reliable protection, though restoring files may take longer since the data isn’t on-site.

Cloud Backups

Cloud backups are automatic, secure, and accessible from anywhere. Even if your office goes offline, your data remains protected and easily accessible. They depend on internet connectivity and may incur subscription costs, but they simplify backup management.

The smartest move? Combine them. Local backups provide speed, cloud backups offer security, and off-site backups add an extra layer of protection—so, no matter what happens, your business continues to run and your data remains safe.

Why Small Businesses Fall Behind on Backups

If you’re like most small business owners, you already wear a dozen hats—managing customers, employees, finances, and everything in between. It’s no wonder that keeping up with the right data backup frequency often slips through the cracks.

After all, who has time to double-check that yesterday’s files were saved or that the backup system you set up last year is still functioning as it should?

Here’s what we see all the time:

• Backups are set up once and then forgotten.
• Employees often mean well but sometimes forget to save their files.
• Business owners often assume that cloud apps automatically back up everything.

It’s not that you don’t care about your data—you do. The problem is time. You shouldn’t have to babysit your technology to feel safe.

That’s where the right IT partner steps in: someone who ensures your backups run automatically, are regularly checked, and are ready to restore whenever needed.

Ready to Make Backups Easy?

It doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right plan, your data remains secure, and your business operates smoothly—even in the event of an issue.

Let’s talk about your data backup strategy and find a setup that works for you, so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about technology.

You’ve seen it a hundred times: you land on a new website and—bam!—a pop-up appears:

“We use cookies. Accept or manage settings.”

But what exactly are cookies, and why does every site seem to use them?

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small files that websites save in your browser. Some are genuinely helpful:

• Login details – so you don’t have to re-enter your password every time.
• Shopping cart – so your items don’t vanish between visits.
• Preferences – so your settings stick when you return.

In short, cookies can make browsing smoother and more convenient.

But not all cookies are created equal. Some are less sweet.

The Not-So-Sweet Side of Cookies

Third-party tracking cookies act like digital crumbs that follow you everywhere online. They record:

• What you click
• Where you linger
• What you almost bought

Advertisers use this data to build a profile of your habits—and then target you with ads.

That’s why the pop-up exists: privacy laws like Europe’s GDPR and California’s CCPA require websites to tell you—and ask permission—before tracking.

How to Handle Cookie Pop-Ups

So, what should you do the next time you see that cookie notice?

1. Don’t just click “Accept” on autopilot.
   Hit “Manage settings” instead. Most websites still work fine without all the extras.
2. Check the labels.
   • Strictly necessary = required for the site to function.
   • Analytics and Marketing = optional and often skippable.
3. Use your browser’s privacy tools.
   Most modern browsers let you block or clear third-party cookies automatically.
4. Add extra protection.
   Extensions like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger cut down on tracking without breaking most websites.

Cookies Aren’t Evil—but They Do Deserve Attention

Cookies can make your online life easier, but ignoring them means giving up control over your data.

Next time that pop-up shows up, pause before clicking. Make a choice that protects your privacy.

Cybersecurity Tip: Protecting your data starts with understanding when and how it’s being collected. Stay tuned for more quick tips from Employee Help on security threats, breaking tech news, and simple ways to stay cyber-secure.

Protect Your Business with Employee Help

We help small businesses safeguard their data and stay one step ahead of cyber threats. Whether it’s protecting customer information, preventing hacks, or simplifying IT security, we make it easy. Contact us today to learn how we can keep your business safe online.

You received a message that appeared to come from your bank: “Your account has been locked—click here to verify.” It seemed legit, so you clicked. In a rush, you didn’t think twice.

Phishing happens fast—and it can happen to businesses of all sizes!

It’s a scam where cybercriminals pretend to be someone you trust to trick you into disclosing private information, such as passwords or account numbers. These attacks often appear as emails, texts, phone calls, or fake websites that look completely real.

If you or someone on your team falls for it, don’t panic. What you do next matters most. Whether you clicked a link, opened an attachment, or shared sensitive data, follow this checklist to act quickly, reduce the risk, and regain control.

1. Disconnect From the Network

If you suspect a device has been compromised, such as someone opening an attachment or clicking a malicious link, disconnect it from the internet or disable Wi-Fi immediately. This helps prevent malware from spreading within your network.

However, avoid turning off the device before consulting your IT team, as you may need system logs or other data for further investigation.

2. Notify Your IT Support Team

If you have in-house IT or a trusted partner (like us), call them. Now. Don’t wait to see what happens. Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Our team has encountered phishing emails that appear so realistic, even tech-savvy individuals fall for them. The sooner we’re looped in, the faster we can help isolate threats, monitor systems, and minimize damage.

3. Change Affected Passwords Immediately

Did the phishing scam trick you or someone on your team into entering login credentials? Change those passwords ASAP—especially if they give access to email, financial accounts, or sensitive systems.

Additionally, consider enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) if you haven’t already done so. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect against stolen passwords.                                                          

4. Alert Other Team Members

Phishing attacks are often part of broader phishing campaigns, meaning more than one person in your company might have received the same email, link, or message.

Give your team a heads-up. Let them know what to look for, such as unusual emails with urgent language, fake invoices, or text messages asking for gift cards, and ask them to report anything suspicious.

5. Preserve Evidence

Don’t delete the phishing email or message just yet. Save it, along with any email headers, phone numbers, or fake links it included.

These details can help your IT provider trace the attack, assess the damage, and block similar phishing scams in the future. Screenshots are also helpful if you’re working with cybersecurity or legal teams.

6. Run a Full Malware Scan

Even if nothing seems off, a phishing link could have quietly installed malicious software such as spyware or ransomware. Run antivirus and anti-malware scans on the affected device—and any others connected to the network.

This step is essential for catching hidden threats early. If you’re unsure what to look for, there are several ways to tell if you have a virus on your computer, including unexpected pop-ups, slow performance, or unusual activity. Spotting these signs quickly can help you prevent the damage from spreading.

7. Report on the Incident

In some cases, it’s appropriate to report phishing attacks to external agencies. You can report phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or forward them to reportphishing@apwg.org

If your business handles sensitive customer data and there’s a chance it has been exposed, you may also be required to notify clients or regulatory bodies depending on local laws.

8. Educate Your Team

The best way to prevent future incidents? Keep training your people. Phishing is a form of social engineering that tricks users by using fear, urgency, or curiosity. Even experienced employees can fall for these tactics.

Setting cybersecurity goals, such as implementing regular training and awareness programs, helps build a culture of security across your business. When your team knows how to spot red flags in phishing emails, texts, or social media messages, they become your first line of defense.

Need Help After a Phishing Incident?

You don’t have to face phishing threats alone. Whether you’re dealing with the aftermath of an attack or want to prevent the next one, our team is here to help.

We work with small businesses in Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg, PA to strengthen their networks, protect sensitive data, and take stress out of IT. Let’s make your systems more secure so you can focus on running your business!

Sources:

• https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
• https://www.verizon.com/about/account-security/phishing

Cyberattacks can bring your business to a halt in seconds. The damage is immediate, from stolen data to frozen software, and the costs add up fast. Unfortunately, relying only on cyber insurance often means waiting weeks or months for help to arrive.

That’s where the Cork Cyber Warranty changes the game. Unlike traditional cyber insurance, Cork provides quick financial support when cyber threats like phishing, wire fraud, or ransomware hit your business. It works alongside your insurance—not as a replacement—to give you the fast help you need when timing is everything.

In this blog, you’ll learn five key reasons why adding Cork to your cyber protection plan is one of the smartest moves you can make.

What Is a Cork Cyber Warranty?

Cork is a cyber warranty built for small businesses. While cyber insurance is still essential, it’s often slow, full of red tape, and may leave you hanging during a crisis. Cork offers near-instant payouts after a verified cybersecurity event—no brokers, no delays, no deductibles.

It uses real-time system data to monitor your environment, identify risks, and issue fast payments when threats like phishing, ransomware, or wire fraud strike. Cork doesn’t replace insurance—it strengthens it, giving you breathing room to recover without waiting.

1. Instant Financial Help—No Waiting

A ransomware attack doesn’t wait for an insurance adjuster, nor should your recovery. Cork uses real-time system signals to verify incidents and pays out in days—not weeks. That means you can:

• Pay for emergency IT support
• Cover legal or compliance costs
• Replace lost revenue while systems are down

You don’t have to wait in limbo during a crisis. Cork helps you act fast.

2. Works With the Tools You Already Trust

You run your business using Microsoft 365, cloud platforms, and remote work tools. Cork helps you protect the business-critical tools that matter most, especially if they’re affected during a cyberattack.

There’s nothing to change or reconfigure. Cork runs in the background, supporting:

• Productivity and communication platforms
• Remote access tools
• Software managed by your IT provider or MSP

When threats impact these tools, Cork provides fast financial support so you can keep going.

3. Flexible & Affordable Protection

Cork warranty offers smart, scalable pricing based on your actual systems, not a rigid insurance model. You get clear, upfront coverage with no hidden fees or confusing terms.

At Employee Help Solutions, we believe in the same transparency. We offer simple, predictable pricing for small businesses in Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg.

4. Show Customers You Take Security Seriously

Your customers want to know their information is safe. Adding a Cork Cyber Warranty to your tech stack demonstrates your commitment to preparedness and recovery in the event of an issue.

It’s not just about defense, it’s about resilience. That kind of forward-thinking protection builds long-term client trust and loyalty.

5. Simplify Risk and Compliance

A cyberattack can quickly become a compliance nightmare if you’re in a regulated industry like healthcare, legal, or finance. Cork helps reduce risk by:

• Supporting audits with proper documentation
• Helping you respond to cyber incidents quickly
• Making your recovery strategy more transparent and more effective

Whether you manage your IT in-house or through an MSP, Cork streamlines your cyber response and simplifies compliance.

Real-World Example

Imagine you run a small accounting firm using Microsoft 365 and cloud-based tax software. One day, you get hit with a phishing attack that locks you out of client files. Instead of waiting weeks for an insurance claim to process, you file with Cork—and the payout arrives within days.

You recover quickly, avoid significant losses, and maintain client trust. That’s the kind of rapid response that makes all the difference.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Cyberattacks aren’t a question of if—they’re a question of when. For small businesses, the cost of downtime, data loss, and damaged reputation can be devastating.

With a Cork Cyber Warranty, you get fast, direct financial protection that works alongside your existing insurance—filling in the gaps and helping you recover immediately when every second matters.

At Employee Help Solutions, we help small businesses like yours stay secure and prepared with Cork. Schedule a free consultation today to protect your business from the next cyber threat.

As a small business owner, staying ahead of technology can feel like an endless race. You depend on your network, systems, and applications every day. Yet managing them in-house may not always be the most effective or affordable option. For many businesses, the choice comes down to using managed IT services or maintaining an internal IT department. Each approach has advantages and challenges, and understanding these can help you make a decision that aligns with your goals, budget, and operations.

Making a Case for Managed IT Services

Managed IT services refer to outsourcing your technology needs to a third-party provider that oversees your IT infrastructure’s health, performance, and security. These services include everything from cloud services, remote monitoring and management of servers, and disaster recovery to managed security service offerings and cloud-based application service providers (ASPs).

Pros of Managed IT Services

For small businesses seeking reliable tech support without the overhead, managed IT services offer a wide range of benefits worth considering.

1. Predictable Pricing Models

Cost predictability is one of the most attractive aspects of managed IT services for small businesses. Instead of hiring full-time IT staff, you pay a monthly fee for a package of services. This services pricing model often includes essential maintenance, monitoring, and support, so you can avoid the high costs of emergency fixes or unplanned downtime.

2. Access to Cutting-Edge Technology

Managed service providers (MSPs) stay current with the latest cloud infrastructure, software-as-a-service platforms, and security protocols. This means your business benefits from enterprise-level tech without investing in costly upgrades or in-house expertise.

3. Enhanced Focus on Core Business Functions

Outsourcing IT management allows small business teams to focus on core activities that drive growth and revenue. Rather than troubleshooting servers or installing software updates, your staff can concentrate on serving customers and scaling operations.

4. Around-the-Clock Support

MSPs typically offer 24/7 remote monitoring and management, which allows them to address issues before they become critical. Whether it’s a network glitch or a failing hard drive, these providers respond quickly to minimize disruption.

5. Scalable Services with SLAs

Managed IT services operate under a service level agreement (SLA) outlining the service level provided. This makes it easier to scale up or down depending on your business needs—without renegotiating contracts or rehiring staff.

Cons of Managed IT Services

While convenient and cost-effective, managed IT services aren’t without their drawbacks, particularly when it comes to flexibility and direct control.

1. Limited Customization

While MSPs offer specific services, they may not always align perfectly with your unique workflows or specialized software. Businesses with highly tailored systems may find it challenging to fit within standardized packages.

2. Potential Communication Delays

Even with SLAs in place, working with a third party can sometimes mean slower response times compared to having someone on-site. This is particularly relevant in industries where immediate resolution is critical.

3. Loss of Direct Control

Outsourcing means relinquishing some control over how your IT systems are managed. This could feel restrictive if you prefer to be hands-on with management security decisions or infrastructure configurations.

What About In-House IT?

An in-house IT department consists of internal employees who manage your company’s tech environment. These professionals are deeply familiar with your network, applications, and team dynamics.

Pros of In-House IT

Having an internal IT team gives businesses a hands-on approach to managing their technology, with personalized support and deeper company knowledge.

1. On-Site, Immediate Support

When IT is internal, problems can often be diagnosed and resolved on the spot. If a mobile device won’t connect or a printer is down, someone is there to help in real time.

2. Deep Knowledge of Your Business

In-house IT professionals build intimate familiarity with your processes, systems, and goals. This allows them to design more tailored solutions and anticipate needs more proactively.

3. Full Control Over IT Decisions

Managing your own IT means setting priorities and direction. You have direct oversight over everything, from security protocols to choosing your own tech stack.

Cons of In-House IT

Despite the advantages, maintaining an in-house IT department can pose challenges in cost, scalability, and keeping up with modern tech demands.

1. Higher Operational Costs

Hiring, training, and retaining skilled IT staff is expensive. Salaries, benefits, and ongoing education quickly add up, often outpacing the cost of managed service contracts.

2. Limited Resources and Expertise

A small internal team might struggle to keep pace with the ever-evolving tech landscape. You could fall behind or face unaddressed vulnerabilities without access to cybersecurity, compliance, or cloud computing specialists.

3. Greater Downtime Risk

If your one IT person is out sick or overwhelmed by their workload, critical issues may take longer to fix. This delay can disrupt operations, reduce productivity, and impact customer satisfaction.

Which One Is Right for Your Small Business?

The right choice depends on your business size, industry, regulatory environment, and risk tolerance. Building an internal team might make sense if your company requires constant support, has specialized needs, and can afford it. However, if you’re looking for flexibility, lower costs, and access to a broader skill set, managed IT services offer a smart path forward. These benefits are especially helpful for small businesses with lean internal teams.

Unlock Expert IT Support with a Trusted Partner

Whether you’re exploring the benefits of cloud computing, boosting cybersecurity, or seeking a better way to support your team’s tech needs, we’re here to help you succeed. Employee Help Solutions delivers dependable, cost-effective, managed IT services designed for small businesses. Contact us today to learn how our expert service offerings can support your growth and protect your operations.

According to a recent study, around 60% of IT teams report burnout due to increasing workloads. If you’re like most IT managers or business owners, you’re juggling more than ever: security patches, software updates, help desk tickets, network maintenance, and planning for the future. But no matter how dedicated your internal IT department is, there’s a limit to how much your team can handle before the cracks start to show.

You might notice project deadlines slipping, security tasks falling behind, or insufficient time to innovate. The constant firefighting mode can leave your team stretched thin and struggling to meet business goals.

But what if your internal team didn’t have to do it alone? What if you had a service partner who could help fill in the gaps without taking over?

That’s where co-managed IT services come in. Co-managed IT services offer a strategic partnership to enhance your existing IT support for businesses. Delve deeper into this collaborative approach to discover how it can empower your internal team, improve operational efficiency, and provide you with peace of mind.

What Are Co-Managed IT Services?

Co-managed IT is a flexible, hybrid approach that blends your internal IT team with the support of a Managed Service Provider (MSP). Rather than fully outsourcing your IT infrastructure, you retain control over key systems and projects while the MSP provides additional resources, tools, and expertise to help manage daily operations or specialized functions.

This model is ideal for organizations with in-house IT staff who need support without losing autonomy. It’s not a replacement. It’s a reinforcement.

When Does Co-Managed IT Make Sense?

You might consider co-managed IT services if:

• Your team is short-staffed or overworked
• You’re planning a major IT project or upgrade
• You lack 24/7 monitoring or cybersecurity coverage
• You want access to enterprise-level tools and support without expanding headcount
• Your IT staff is strong but needs backup for daily operations or advanced tasks

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to think about how co-managed IT could help.

Key Benefits of Co-Managed IT for Your Internal Team

When you choose co-managed IT, your internal team will benefit and thrive in many ways.

1. Boost Daily Efficiency

Managing user support, backups, software updates, and cybersecurity is incredibly time-consuming. With co-managed IT, your team can offload repetitive tasks and focus on more strategic work, such as developing new systems or improving the user experience.

By dividing responsibilities, your in-house staff handles what they know best, while the managed service provider (MSP) covers routine maintenance, handles help desk overflow, and provides 24/7 monitoring. This approach leads to fewer incidents and increased progress.

2. Gain Access to Specialized Expertise

Your team may be strong, but no one knows everything. A co-managed IT provider offers deep knowledge across various technologies, including cybersecurity, compliance, cloud services, and infrastructure planning.

Whether you’re migrating to Microsoft 365, optimizing network security, or tackling a complex software rollout, you’ll have access to experts who can advise or take the lead, without hiring full-time specialists.

3. Strengthen Security & Compliance

Today’s threat landscape constantly evolves, and if your internal team is stretched thin, security tasks will likely suffer. This is a risk that no business can afford to take.

With co-managed IT, you gain external support for:

• Patch management
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
• Firewall and network security
• Compliance reporting

This partnership reduces vulnerabilities and enhances data protection, so you can operate with greater confidence.

4. Improve Staff Morale and Retention

An overworked team is an unhappy team. When IT professionals spend their days buried in support tickets instead of meaningful projects, job satisfaction plummets, and turnover becomes a real risk.

Co-managed IT allows you to:

• Lighten your team’s workload
• Provide backup during vacations or turnover
• Support professional development through collaboration

When your team is supported, they’re more likely to stay and thrive with your business.

5. Achieve Business Goals Faster

Every business wants IT to drive growth, but constant distractions get in the way. Whether planning an office move, system upgrade, or cloud migration, a co-managed model provides the bandwidth to hit your goals on time and budget. MSPs often offer strategic IT consulting, helping you build a roadmap that aligns technology investments with long-term objectives.

Final Thoughts: A Smarter Way to Support Your IT Team

Your internal IT team is the backbone of your business, but they don’t have to carry the entire load alone. Co-managed IT is a cost-effective way to strengthen your operations, improve team morale, and boost security without sacrificing control.

Whether facing resource constraints, tackling new initiatives, or simply improving day-to-day efficiency, a co-managed partnership offers the flexibility and expertise to meet your business goals. Want to see how co-managed IT could work for your organization? Schedule a consultation with the experts at Employee Help Solutions and take the first step toward a more efficient, empowered IT team.

Are you struggling to find the right technological tools for your business? Worried about being taken advantage of by vendors and salesmen? Consider the benefits of IT consulting services, in which an IT professional provides you with guidance and advice as you develop your business’s IT infrastructure, update outdated systems, and cut the chaff from your existing network.

IT consulting is often paired with IT support as two tools that help you develop and maintain your networks, apps, and computer systems through all stages of growth and development. This is why our local IT services encompass consulting, support, management, and more – and you can enjoy the benefits of IT consulting alongside all of the other services you need! Call us today, and we’ll show you how we can make your IT struggles go from difficult to EZ.

What Is IT Consulting?

Before you start puzzling together how IT consulting will work for your business, let us clarify what IT consulting entails. IT consulting services involve a technology expert working alongside your business to identify and implement solutions that will ensure growth and efficiency. This may involve consultation, assessments, or adoption and implementation support. The benefits of IT consulting services range from simpler processes to new and unexpected advancements thanks to technology.

Typically, an IT consultant will begin the relationship by interviewing you. They will identify business goals, discuss your business processes, and examine your business operations for opportunities. Most IT consultants work as part of an information technology team that can provide the necessary support and operations to provide you with the improved efficiency you demand. So, what are the benefits of IT consulting?

The Benefits of IT Consulting Services:

There are many benefits of IT consulting that your business can enjoy if you choose us for your IT services. With services ranging from IT support to reporting and maintenance, your business could experience many improvements to efficiency and productivity, such as:

1. Streamlined Communication

Miscommunication is a major time- and money-loss for businesses, and could be anything from emails stuck in spam filters to document updates not uploading correctly. However, IT consulting can remove common headaches by providing better systems to track and monitor communications. Additionally, IT consultants often provide perspective on who is in charge of what technology, so there is no confusion as to who to go to with questions.

2. Increase Individual Productivity

Technological advancements are often centered around worker productivity, and the primary benefit of IT consulting services is locating new and more appropriate technologies, programs, apps, and services that will increase your employees’ productivity and efficiency. This might be as simple as replacing outdated computers or as in-depth as re-structuring your network to be more efficient for tasks.

3. Reduce ‘Busywork’

Automation is one of the most important concepts for businesses of all kinds. From automated scheduling of social media posts to applications that automatically gather and sort data for analysts. A good IT consultant will locate areas of tedium and busywork, identify appropriate automated and AI-powered tools, and help your business employ these tools for a more productive day, without tedium and busywork that can wear down employees.

4. Enhance Remote Work Options

When you are restricted to your local area for employees, you might miss out on critical skills and talented workers from other states or countries. Having an IT consultant on hand can help you better organize your workforce around this style of employment, enhancing productivity and pushing your workforce forward with more capable and invested workers.

5. Promote Security and Stay Ahead

If your business isn’t on top of the latest advancements in technology, you might also be falling behind on cybersecurity. While many people think of their current technology in terms of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’ old technology is risky to hold on to. Outdated tools and apps will leave your business vulnerable to a data breach or system crash that could cause you to fall behind your competitors.

How Our IT Consulting Services Are Different

When you are a small business, you need IT services that understand your position and are flexible enough to take on your unique IT needs. Employee Help Solutions has been working for more than 15 years to help businesses just like yours develop tailored technology strategies. We can help you make the most of your current technologies while providing insights into how you can continue growing and developing.

We are located in Lancaster, PA, and have worked with businesses throughout York, Harrisburg, and the surrounding Central PA area. You don’t want to work with a faceless IT company that will only send someone to your office when your systems are down – you deserve a partner who will take your IT success as seriously as their own! That’s the kind of treatment you can expect from the EZ team!

Call EZ Computer Solutions for Your IT Consulting

Your business deserves to have every opportunity to grow and develop into the best business it can be – this isn’t going to be easy. Still, IT consulting services’ tools, technologies, and benefits will make it far easier than going alone. We want to be the partner you have in your back pocket when you need your tech to start working for you, not against you.

Our fully customizable suite of services includes backup and recovery, VoIP, IT support, maintenance, reporting, and more! If you want to experience the robust benefits of IT consulting services from a company that cares, choose Employee Help Solutions!

When IT issues strike, every second of downtime costs your business. Without an internal IT team, that sinking feeling of uncertainty can set in fast. While calling in external help might patch things up, the price tag could leave you worse off than before. That’s where proactive IT support makes a game-changing difference. By investing in preventive IT maintenance, you’re not just reacting to problems but preventing them entirely. Proactive support isn’t a luxury—it’s what keeps your business alive in today’s digital world. Let’s break down the difference between proactive and reactive IT support—and why a little preparation can save you from a major headache.

What Makes IT Support Reactive VS Proactive?

Imagine: A virus gets through to your system, and your business is at a standstill because your computers are locked up. You call an IT technician, and 30 minutes later, they are on-site to reset your computers. This reset loses countless hours of work because the backup was from the last time you had an issue. And then the IT tech hands you the bill. This is what makes a reactive approach to IT issues – a ‘deal with problems as they arise’ attitude. This reactionary approach is the most common option for small businesses that don’t want to invest in an in-house IT team, and can be more costly in the long run.

But now, picture the same situation handled by a proactive IT support team: A virus gets through to your system – only one computer locks down because your IT service technician receives an alert. They have prepared steps to quarantine computers affected by the virus, so your team faces less downtime. Then, to top it off, you lose almost no work because your preventative IT maintenance plan includes regular backups.

The difference is night and day: reactive support is about fixing disasters after they happen. Proactive support is about making sure they don’t happen in the first place.

Proactive IT support anticipates potential issues and plans for the worst-case scenario, while reactive support responds as quickly as possible to address problems as they arise.

What are the Benefits of Proactive And Reactive IT Support?

Proactive IT support often features regular maintenance schedules and other types of preventive maintenance that can provide long-term benefits. However, you might find reactive IT support services fit more appropriately into your business plan:

Benefits of Proactive IT Support

• Decreased Downtime and Disruptions: The key benefit of proactive IT support is the power of preventative IT maintenance plans, which lower your potential risk of harm.
• Predictable Costs: A proactive team is cost-effective in the long run, particularly due to more predictable and consistent billing.
• Keeps Your Systems Online: Proactive IT ensures that your critical systems stay up and running—keeping employees working, protecting revenue, and avoiding expensive downtime.
• Reduced Risk of Cyberattacks: Proactive maintenance also includes security updates and monitoring to help prevent hacking, ransomware, and breaches.
• Helps with Cyber Insurance Compliance: Many insurance policies now require specific security measures. A proactive IT partner ensures you meet these requirements so you stay covered—and avoid claim denials if something happens.

Benefits of Reactive IT Support

• Quick Response: Reactive IT support relies on fast response times, so these teams can get on-site faster when a disaster occurs.
• Lower Typical Costs: You might pay less because you are only paying for a technician to fix problems. However, you may incur additional costs if issues recur due to poor maintenance.
• Low Commitment: If you don’t want to commit to a partnership or long-term situation, you can use reactive IT as-needed. But remember: saving a few dollars upfront could cost you thousands later if something major fails.

When to Use Reactive IT Support

Reactive IT support is most suitable for businesses that can’t commit to a monthly IT plan yet still require fast and effective responses:

• When Facing Budget Constraints: if your budget can’t fit in a preventative IT maintenance plan or other proactive IT support service, a reactive ‘break-fix‘ IT support service can provide what you need.
• When Your Systems Are Simple: If you mostly just use a computer for bookkeeping or to manage simple files and rarely see any issues, you might find your needs met by a reactive support team that you call when issues pop up.

When to Use Proactive IT Support

Proactive IT support is ideal when you need to stay online and active. It’s not just a “nice to have”—it’s essential to keep your business running smoothly, protect your data, and stay insured.

The preventative maintenance program that you choose can be tailored to provide more consistent benefits to your business:

• When You Operate Online: Do you rely on an online platform for your sales, content management, or database? If so, you must stay online 24/7 and have the best protection against digital attacks. Proactive support keeps your systems protected so your business never shuts down unexpectedly.
• When You Protect Sensitive Information: Any healthcare organization will be entrusted with private, personally identifiable information (PII) that requires protection. Keeping your systems in optimal condition is essential for this data’s long-term health and security. Regular maintenance keeps you compliant with privacy laws—and out of legal trouble.
• When You Rely On Automation: If you utilize automated tools for your business operations, even small hiccups can lead to disaster on the production line. Keeping your master controls in top shape at all times through preventative maintenance tasks will ensure a smoother workday.
• When You Use Lots of Data: Financial services are just one example of a business that consumes and uses large volumes of information and files daily–and must keep up with this volume. Preventative IT maintenance includes asset management services that will help you consistently manage peak volumes of data.

Let’s Talk About the Benefits of Proactive IT Support vs. Reactive IT Support for You

If you’re still uncertain whether the benefits of proactive IT support or reactive IT support are better for your situation, you don’t have to spend hours on research – you can call us! Your business deserves the support of a managed IT expert who can offer confidence and certainty during stressful times.

Bottom line: basic maintenance and protection are non-negotiable today. Don’t leave your business exposed—let us help you stay online, secure, and compliant.

If you’re ready to discuss the value of proactive IT support for your business, call us today! Having proactive IT support will help you move forward with the full power of your technology.

Most of the time, IT and cybersecurity professionals count down the days to cover expiring security measures and aging software. But occasionally, you’ll find that your software has expired and that your system is already accessible to criminal actors through vulnerabilities referred to as zero-day exploits.

It’s almost impossible to cover all security risks, and these exploits become more common if you are not proactive about updating your software or maintaining cybersecurity best practices. You can be safer with frequent security patches and advanced cybersecurity technology. Consistent risk management and frequent vulnerability assessments are so important for businesses to prevent zero-day exploits from ever happening.

What is a Zero-day Exploit

Cybersecurity researchers prioritize vulnerabilities and exploits in terms of time. A one-year exploit would be something that will become a problem a year from now, so a one-month exploit would be a more pressing matter. So, from this, a zero-day exploit is a vulnerability your IT department needs to manage immediately because a hacker could readily use it for data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber threats.

If your IT or cybersecurity team discovers that your system contains software vulnerabilities currently open for outside hackers to attack, they need to develop cybersecurity defense strategies ASAP. If they don’t then this zero-day exploit could become a zero-day attack.

What Can Hackers Do With a Zero-Day Exploit?

Because zero-day exploit just means that your vulnerability is a present danger, the actual results of a hacker taking advantage of this exploit could be nearly anything:

Data Breaches

Your business data could be anything from secret formulas to specific marketing techniques and strategies that give you an advantage over the competition. Zero-day exploits and data breaches leave your business at risk of information theft!

Steal Financial Assets

The end goal of nearly all hackers and cyber threats is to make money for themselves. A zero-day threat could provide them with access to your personal or professional financial information, leading to your loss and their gain!

Take Personal Information

Personally identifying information (PII) is incredibly valuable on the darknet, and can be quickly stolen and sold when a zero-day exploit is discovered. Protecting your employees and customers is always a security priority.

Disrupt Your Business

Ultimately, any hack requires you to double-check information and upload your backups to ensure that it is still consistent – this disruption can cost you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars – but prevention is much more affordable.

Avoiding these damages from a zero-day exploit can be far more straightforward with an IT management company that understands the value of a vulnerability assessment.

What Can You Do About Zero-day Exploits?

Tackling zero-day exploits is difficult because by definition they are surprises. A zero-day exploit is simply one that has gone unnoticed and is an immediate priority for your IT team. But you can get ahead of these by taking a more proactive approach to your IT systems:

Educate Yourself and Your Employees

Your employees can be both your strongest defenses and your most risky vulnerabilities, depending on their knowledge and education. Taking the time to ensure your employees are well-versed in protecting their workstations and accounts from hackers is step one for keeping hackers at bay.

Update Your Software Regularly

Updates are critical to your software’s security because they cover vulnerabilities that security researchers have worked to find in their systems. While many people put off updates for various reasons, it’s far safer to apply them and cover these dangerous vulnerabilities immediately.

Use All Available Security Tools

A simple answer to zero-day exploits is zero-trust architecture. Simple tools like 2-factor authentication (2FA) and more restrictive access privileges can help close doors that hackers could slip through.

Regularly Backup Data

When a zero-day exploit appears due to a new update, the simplest answer is to revert to a safer backup until the new software vulnerability is covered. Regularly backing up data and maintaining a good business continuity plan can provide faster response times in situations where a zero-day exploit is truly catastrophic.

Use a Knowledgeable IT Management Company

Even if you are a larger company, having the support of an outside IT Management company can be invaluable, thanks to the larger base of knowledge, more hands-on monitoring and maintenance duties, and access to tools or services that can help you create airtight cybersecurity defense strategies against hackers and viruses.

Get the Professional Aid You Need

Choosing professional help can make the most sense for small and mid-sized businesses. IT management companies are cheaper than a full-time IT department, can provide all of the services you need, and can tailor their services to your exact needs.

The Employee Help Solutions team is here to help you grow a robust IT security structure that doesn’t just respond quickly, but will proactively protect your business from dangerous zero-day exploits. The fear, stress, and frustration of these harmful vulnerabilities aren’t a risk to our customers, thanks to our full-service plans and robust cybersecurity services – call now, before you find yourself at the mercy of malicious hackers!

Have you managed to avoid hackers and natural disasters shutting down your business’s network? What would you do if your luck ran out? We don’t want to fearmonger, but dozens of businesses don’t know about the importance of business continuity – the ability to bounce back from a disaster, hardware failure, or cyber-attack.

Managed IT services can provide huge benefits to your business continuity in as little as a few weeks. We take the bulk of these concerns and struggles off your hands and allow you to enjoy an easier, more stress-free workday. Let’s talk about how our IT solutions can help you have more peace of mind – let us focus on what we do best so that you can do the same.

Proactive Monitoring and Maintenance

Business continuity is all about the long-term benefits, and managed IT services are all about providing consistent and proactive care for critical business network systems. Proactive monitoring and maintenance are essential to saving money and protecting your business.

When an IT management company like us talks about ‘proactive monitoring,’ we mean that we regularly update your system to guard against the latest hacks and viruses. We consistently review and examine your networks and apps for potential issues and fix what we find! Maintenance is critical, keeping your system from slowing down and causing problems as it ages. This helps your business continuity by keeping a clean network that won’t struggle with backups or recovery.

Enhanced Security

Proactive monitoring of your systems can provide ample security benefits as well. You can have hundreds of vulnerabilities when you have a large network of interacting software and applications. The more moving parts in a system, the more points of failure hackers can exploit!

Proactive monitoring is one part of the security benefits you will experience, but the other is simply the experience and knowledge that you will have access to. A managed services provider (MSP) is used to keep track of large systems. It’s our business, after all! This experience and knowledge come out in multi-layered security solutions that employ more robust security systems and employee training, giving your team agency and knowledge to help everyone stay safe.

Data Backup and Recovery

Managed IT has several data backup and recovery options that will make sure that you don’t have to be afraid of falling behind your competitors if your network goes down due to hackers or natural disasters:

• Cloud Backup Services: An offsite solution that automatically takes your data and secures copies in cloud storage. This protects against local incidents by keeping backups out of harm’s way and provides easy scalability, thanks to the fact that cloud storage has far more infrastructure than a local business.
• Hybrid Backup Solutions: By combining local storage, such as hard drives and servers, with high-speed local backups, you can have the best of both worlds. Plus, you will enjoy the additional security and peace of mind that cloud backups can offer.

Managed IT recovery plans can leverage your backups in a variety of manners, ensuring that your business never experiences the long-term downtime that can wipe out your savings and potentially shutter your company.

Scalability and Flexibility

When you think about your business’s growth opportunities, you also think about what’s holding you back. The number one limiting factor of business growth is technological limitations – computers, IT teams, networking equipment, and software are all expensive. But what if you had a way to access high-quality and large-scale infrastructure without the cost?

Managed IT services can fill in those painful gaps as we find apps and software that can give you the tools you need to grow without pain. Many businesses struggle to find their foothold as they step from small business to mid-sized – or even larger! When you are less reliant on physical technology and systems, you can grow without fear!

24/7 Technical Support

Have you ever gotten a late-night phone call telling you your network is down? This immediately ruins your night and can bleed into a bad next day – especially when you’re stuck waiting on a technical support officer to pick up the phone and get to work. With a managed IT partnership, the responsibility of technical support is given to a team of experts who can have a member on call no matter when you need it.

On-call technical support rarely fits into a normal business structure, but having 24/7 tech support through managed IT is an easy choice! You can have dozens of support structures in place at a fraction of the cost of a full IT department.

Compliance and Regulations

Compliance and regulations are critical to keeping your business continuity if you work as a federal or medical contractor. If you experience a lapse of network security, hackers could get away with your personal information – and that of your clients or customers. When the standards of your business are high, keeping your network security up to snuff is essential.

A business like ours regularly works with the many regulatory bodies that you might find yourself working alongside. We stay up-to-date on critical regulation changes, and can quickly make changes to adhere to your most important compliance needs, all thanks to our experience, knowledge, and training in critical regulatory concepts.

Choose Employee Help Solutions and Enjoy the Business Continuity Benefits!

Business continuity is your ability to keep operating during and after disruptions, whether natural disasters or outside hackers. To get started with your current business continuity capabilities, consider what would happen if you lost all of your current data – do you have backups in place? Would you be able to re-launch quickly and safely?

Our team at Employee Help Solutions is here for your needs, from cybersecurity to disaster recovery – everything you need to stay online and enjoy the benefits of robust business continuity. As your partner, we will work alongside you and your team to ensure that you experience less stress and more convenience – as technology is meant to provide. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call us today, and we can start talking about what will make your business more secure and long-lasting.