IT Horizons Blog

Being a Data Steward means protecting people’s information with care and transparency. As more of our work and lives move into the cloud, it’s important to understand where data lives, who looks after it, and what rules apply. In this blog, we’ll walk through the basics of the cloud, data residency and sovereignty, and why having a trusted data steward matters. What Is the Cloud? Whenever you use cloud services to save your photos or documents, back up your business information, or use online apps, your data is being stored on a real computer servers. The cloud is just a network of these servers that store, manage, and process your data so you can access your files and use software over the internet. When you use cloud-based services, your information isn’t floating in space. In reality, your data lives on physical servers, in multiple datacenters, somewhere in North America. Of...

How to Pass Your IT Insurance Audit with Flying Colours Preparing for an IT Insurance Audit (Without the Stress) One of our clients recently had to go through an IT insurance audit before renewing their policy. They scored an impressive 93%, and the insurance company was happy to continue coverage. We were equally happy because it meant we were providing excellent managed IT services. (The 7% was from a concern in their system that was outside our work!) That experience got us thinking: IT insurance audits can feel a bit intimidating, but they’re actually a great opportunity. They show how well your current systems protect your organization and where you might need to tighten things up. Let’s break it down in a simple, no-stress way. What’s an IT Insurance Audit, Really? In short, the insurance company wants to make sure you’re doing your part to protect your systems. The better...

Your friendly guide to making IT less overwhelming—for good Are you wondering if your business needs IT managed services? Or maybe you’re concerned about whether it fits your budget? If your company has more than four or five computers, it’s probably time to consider IT managed services. The good news is, it’s more accessible than you might think. Let’s do a quick check-in. Have you ever found yourself: Spending more time fixing computer issues than doing your actual job? Wishing you could plan—rather than react—when it comes to technology expenses? Noticing a chaotic mix of different computers and software in your office? Relying on just one person for computer support (and dreading what happens if they get sick or take a vacation)? Watching “computer support” happen off the side of someone’s desk? Seeing files saved all over the place instead of in one central, safe location? Having staff use personal...

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and at IT Horizons, we’re here to help you and your team navigate the digital world safely. While cyber threats continue to evolve, there are things you can do to secure your personal and professional information. Here are seven simple steps:   1. Use Strong Passwords Don’t use the same password for all your logins. Create complex passwords using letters, numbers, and symbols. Managing multiple passwords? Try using a password manager for increased security and convenience. We’ve found that BitWarden is a good, user-friendly option for managing passwords within an organization. You can customize it to provide just enough access for those who need it, and nothing more. Going passwordless is becoming a strong up and coming authentication method. It requires enrolling a PIN and matching your biometric (fingerprint) with your Windows devices using Windows Hello for Business. For all other devices you would use...