By: Tom Gilmore The holiday season brings joy, connection, and for many businesses, a surge in online activity. But as shopping carts fill and transactions multiply, cybercriminals are working overtime too. Black Friday through Cyber Monday and the weeks beyond represent prime opportunities for attackers to exploit both businesses and consumers when defenses might be relaxed and attention divided. At…

By: Tom Gilmore As cybersecurity threats continue to grow in sophistication and frequency, Microsoft is doubling down on security for its cloud services. Starting in 2024 and accelerating through 2025, Microsoft is implementing mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) across its key Azure and Microsoft 365 services, enforcing stronger account protection to help prevent breaches. Why Mandatory MFA? Microsoft research reveals MFA…

By: Tom Gilmore With less than a month remaining until Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support deadline on October 14, 2025, businesses across all sectors are facing a critical decision point. The clock is ticking, and organizations that haven't begun their Windows 11 migration strategy are running out of time to ensure a smooth, secure transition. The Urgency Is Real: Why October…

By: Tom Gilmore   Cybersecurity isn’t just a concern for large-scale enterprises. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 73% of small businesses experienced a cyberattack last year—up from 45% just three years earlier. Why are so many small businesses vulnerable? Many lack the dedicated IT intel or resources to defend against evolving threats. Until now, of course.  Here are…

By: Tom Gilmore IT infrastructure upgrades aren’t just technical decisions—they’re strategic investments with long-term impact. In fact, global IT spending is projected to reach $5.61 trillion in 2025, a 9.8% increase over 2024, according to a Gartner projection. This includes significant investments in servers, storage, and network systems—foundational components of modern operations.  But without the right planning and execution, those…

By: Michael Hensley   Managing IT systems used to be a “big business” challenge—but today, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face the same demands for security, scalability, and cost control as Fortune 500 companies. According to an SMB IT spending and analysis report by Analysis Mason, “In 2025, total SMB IT expenditure will reach $1735 billion, with SBs accounting for…

By: Michael Hensley Manufacturing has entered a new era of complexity. Supply chain disruptions continue to ripple across global networks, labor shortages challenge production capacity, and customer expectations for quality and speed have reached new heights. In this environment, manufacturers who survive and thrive are those who can stay agile and responsive in their operations while maintaining the competitive edge…

By: Tom Gilmore Using Azure to modernize your business operations, from enhancing collaboration to simplifying data management  Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face a unique challenge: they need enterprise-level capabilities to compete effectively but typically operate with limited budgets and lean IT teams. Microsoft Azure offers a compelling solution, providing scalable cloud services that can transform operations without the hefty…

By: Tom Gilmore Every business leader wants to maintain efficient IT operations while controlling costs without the headache. But how, exactly? To separate ourselves—and your business—from the competition, we deploy an intentional, active, and purpose-driven mindset to create the ultimate customer experience with our outsource helpdesk support.  Here’s how our helpdesk solutions can benefit you and your business:  Streamline Operations…

By: Tom Gilmore  Rolling out large-scale hardware and software deployments can feel like navigating a maze of costs, delays, and unexpected challenges. Without the right partner and strategy, it’s easy for budgets to spiral and timelines to slip. But it doesn't have to be that way. With the right approach, your business can achieve seamless, cost-effective rollouts—and Lume Strategies is…