Sometimes an IT problem that looks fairly simple at first exposes a much bigger issue underneath. I saw that firsthand with a small law firm I support when an employee left the firm and other employees suddenly lost access to files they had been using. What initially appeared to be a file-access problem turned out to be an issue with how the firm's data had been stored and shared. This kind of Microsoft 365 data loss can happen when a business doesn't realize that important s

Updated August 2026: I originally wrote about this client after helping a small defense contractor deal with a compromised Microsoft 365 email account. Since then, what started as an email security problem has become a much larger conversation about Microsoft 365 for small DoD contractors, CUI, and what CMMC Level 2 actually changes in the technology environment. The company handles Controlled Unclassified Information, or CUI, which means the conversation has expanded well be

Should Small Businesses Move to the Cloud "Should we just move everything to the cloud?" I get this question a lot. And I get why. The pitch sounds great. Lower hardware costs, access from anywhere, no more dealing with servers. For a small business trying to keep overhead down, it is easy to see the appeal. I just finished helping a client make exactly this move. They were running a full on-premise environment. Servers, local file storage, everything. But their specialty sof

Fall is a season of preparation. Farmers harvest their crops, families get their homes ready for colder weather, and businesses should take the time to review their IT. A yearly review is one of the best ways to avoid costly surprises, protect your data, and make sure your technology supports your goals for the year ahead. This fall, there is more urgency than usual. Windows 10 will reach End of Life on October 14, 2025, which is less than 60 days away. Apple is preparing to

The Email Spoofing Incident That Triggered a Security Overhaul Quick Answer A small law firm in Northern Virginia thought their email was secure because they had Microsoft 365, two-factor authentication, and an SPF record. It was not. Their domain was being spoofed and clients were receiving fake messages that looked like they came from the firm. The fix was not buying new tools. It was turning on the ones they already had. Microsoft 365 email security for law firms requires

A bold digital graphic with a blue background and network-themed design featuring the SNL Tech Services logo and reading “Small Businesses Should Move Away from SSL VPN” to emphasize modern cybersecurity awareness. If your business is still using SSL VPN for remote or field access, it might be time to take a closer look at your setup. While SSL VPN once made remote work easier, it is no longer the safest or most reliable choice. Cybersecurity threats have evolved, and small b

Cover image for a blog post titled "The Case of the Missing Files" by SNL Tech Services. Highlights a real-world law firm scenario involving identity confusion, OneDrive sync problems, and NAS file access issues, with a modern office background and SNL branding. When I first met with this small law firm, they thought their biggest problem was spotty internet. But after reviewing their workstations, it became clear that the real problem was a tangled web of mismatched accounts

Outdated hardware on the left and modern business tech on the right — showing the real difference an upgrade can make in speed, reliability, and security. Boost performance, security, and reliability by replacing outdated equipment. We have all seen it. That one office computer that takes five minutes to boot up. The laptop that freezes during video calls. The desktop that groans under the weight of too many browser tabs. For many small businesses, replacing hardware feels li

Most small businesses using Microsoft 365 do not realize their accounts are open to the world by default. In this post, I share a real-world example of how I helped a client recover from an email breach, then took their security further with country-based restrictions, passkeys, and Microsoft Defender for Business. Learn how to protect your accounts and keep your data safe.

Not long ago, I was on the phone with my mom when the topic of internet came up. My parents rent a seasonal camper spot at a campground, and they mentioned how frustrating the internet has been. The campground provides free Wi-Fi, but they do not use it. They know better. My parents have heard me talk about network security for years. They understand that public Wi-Fi can be risky, especially when it is unsecured and shared with dozens of other campers. They know it can open

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes the season for travel. Whether it is a long weekend at a family camp or a cross-country adventure, many of us still need to stay connected to work. For some, that might mean answering emails or hopping on a Zoom call. For us, it means supporting clients, staying on top of projects, and managing everything remotely without missing a beat. This summer, my wife and I are taking a month and a half to travel through New England.

There is something I see far too often. A small business is running smoothly for years. Nothing has ever really gone wrong. There is no in-house IT person, just someone who set things up a while ago. The owner knows there are accounts and systems out there, but everything seems to be working fine, so it stays on the back burner. Until one day, it is not fine anymore. A Real Story From the Field Someone reached out to me after a week like that. They were not a client of mine.

A Password Should Not Be the Reason Your Business Gets Hacked A few weeks ago, I got a call from a small business owner. It had been a long day for them. Their clients were receiving strange file-sharing links from what appeared to be company email addresses. These looked like Dropbox or OneDrive files, but something was off. As it turned out, those emails were not legitimate. Someone had broken into one of their employee’s Microsoft 365 accounts. And yes, the business had al

It all started with a text. “Hey, our barn cameras are acting up again. Some are out completely, and the system keeps crashing. I cannot see anything when I am on the road. Can you help?” This client boards horses, travels up and down the East Coast for competitions, and has a few rescues of her own. Security is a must, especially when she is away from home. The barn camera system was supposed to give her peace of mind. Instead, it became another source of stress. Cameras gli

We all like to believe it will not happen to us. Your business is small. Your team is careful. You are not guarding national secrets. However, the truth is that small businesses are often targeted more frequently than large enterprises. Why? Because attackers count on you not having strong protections in place. Over the years, I have helped small business owners identify threats they were unaware of. Emails were being sent from their accounts. Their systems slowed down. C

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just for big corporations or tech companies. It is becoming one of the most useful tools for small business owners like me. Whether I am managing IT support tasks or planning a cross-country overlanding trip, AI is now part of how I stay organized, productive, and efficient. Tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and now Apple Intelligence help me streamline everything from client communication to trip planning. Here is a lo

Clean up your IT the smart way. This spring checklist helps small business owners get rid of old tech, secure their systems, update passwords, and streamline their networks. Download the free PDF and start fresh with SNL Tech Services.

How I Helped a Service-Based Business Meet HIPAA and CARF Standards While Modernizing Their Technology Intro: Compliance Does Not Have to Be Complicated When a service-based business in the healthcare industry reached out to me, they were overwhelmed. They knew they needed to meet HIPAA and CARF compliance, but their technology was working against them. They were concerned about the risks, and they were unsure how to even begin. This is the story of how I helped them secure t

A few years ago, I got a call from a friend asking if I would be willing to help someone they knew set up a wireless network. Without hesitation, I said yes. I love Wi-Fi projects, especially when they come with unique challenges and wide-open spaces. What I did not know at the time was that this would turn into one of the most rewarding projects I have worked on. The property in question was a beautiful horse farm that hosts competitions and offers training grounds for rider

When I first met the owner of this landscaping company, they were worn out and frustrated. Their IT systems were unreliable, support was slow, and worst of all, they were paying thousands of dollars every year for equipment they did not even own. Sound familiar? This story might be about a landscaping business, but if you are a small business owner in any service or professional industry, it could just as easily be your story too. Let me walk you through how we transformed th