🔒 TIP OF THE WEEK: Your Network Is Only as Secure as Its Weakest Device Here's something most small business owners don't realize: Buying network equipment doesn't mean you're protected. That firewall you just installed? It shipped with default credentials (admin/admin), all outbound ports open, and zero threat detection enabled. That shiny new WiFi access point? WPS is on, there's no guest isolation, and it's broadcasting on the same network as your accounting server. What Every Office Network Should Look Like I put together a visual showing the basic flow of a properly structured network: Internet → Modem/ONT → Firewall → Switch → Endpoints Your endpoints branch off from the switch: WiFi access points, workstations, servers, printers, and IoT devices (cameras, sensors, etc.) Simple enough. But here's the catch: every single one of those devices needs specific security hardening. Quick Security Checklist by Device 🔴 Firewall / UTM - Change default credentials immediately - Enable IDS/IPS (Intrusion Detection/Prevention) - Configure geo-blocking for countries you don't do business with - Restrict outbound ports (block everything except what's needed) 🟢 Managed Switch - Set up VLANs (separate guest, IoT, and production traffic) - Enable port security - Lock down the management interface - Disable unused ports 🟣 Wireless Access Point - WPA3-Enterprise if possible, WPA2-Enterprise minimum - Create an isolated guest network - Disable WPS (it's a known vulnerability) - Enable rogue AP detection ⚫ Workstations & Endpoints - Remove local admin rights from daily users - Deploy EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) - Enforce automatic patching - Enable disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault) ⚫ Printers & IoT - Change default passwords (yes, printers have admin panels) - Update firmware regularly - Isolate on their own VLAN - Disable unnecessary protocols (FTP, Telnet, SNMP v1/v2) The Bottom Line Network security isn't a product you buy. It's a process you implement.

Most business owners, office managers, and practice administrators don’t think about IT until something breaks. That’s the worst time to figure it out. These downloads are the cheat codes. They show you exactly what to do when “that” scenario happens, whether it’s downtime, security, or the random tech chaos that halts your business. Use them to make decisions faster, avoid costly mistakes, and know you’re covered when the unexpected hits. No theory. Just plug-and-play resources you can actually use. (.docx files so you can edit as needed)

Someone recently asked me about backing up their clinic's data. She said, "I know I need to back up my stuff, Bobby! But where do I put it?" Great idea for a Skool post! TL;DR—At a bare minimum, buy an external hard drive large enough to hold all of your data. A much better option is to purchase a NAS with multiple disks and advanced configurations. Here's the thought...If you lost all of your company's data, what would that look like? All the customer or patient data? All of the receipts? Everything is gone. What do you do? It’s not just about storing files. It’s about making sure your data is safe, accessible, and recoverable when the bad day comes. Option 1: The “Down and Dirty” Drive For very small businesses, or even solo operators, a single external hard drive can get the job done. Plug it in, run your backup, and you’re covered. It’s cheap, simple, and requires very little setup. If you go this route, you're going to have to consider software that will start the backup process, too. Pros: Affordable, easy to set up, quick to start & better than nothing. Cons: Single point of failure & if that drive dies, so does your backup. This is like carrying a spare tire in your trunk. It’s better than nothing, but you wouldn’t drive cross-country without a "real" backup plan. Option 2: NAS or SAN (Network Storage) As businesses grow, so do the risks. That’s when you step up to a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or SAN (Storage Area Network). These systems offer: - Multiple hard drives working together for redundancy (if one fails, your data lives on). - More advanced features like snapshots, remote access, and easier scaling. - Disk tolerance options (RAID setups) so you don’t lose sleep over a single drive crash.

Welcome! We're glad you're here. Whether you think your company is too small for an IT Services company or you've got a fairly good grasp on running the IT for your business, this group is designed to give you quick wins, proven SOPs, and a place to swap ideas with people solving the same problems you are. You’ve joined the right place. Here’s your playbook for week one 👋 Step 1: Introduce Yourself (1 minute) Copy/paste this into the Intro thread: - Role/Industry: - Team Size - Biggest IT headache right now: - One win you want in 30 days: Then — comment on 2 other intros. Help someone else get rolling. ✅ Step 2 — Grab Your Starter Pack (1 minute) Download the pinned Starter Pack post. Inside you’ll get: - M365 Hardening Checklist - Backup Check SOP - Vendor Scripts (ISP/Copier) - Incident Template - 10-Step HIPAA Readiness Checklist (Healthcare) One download, then move to Step 2. ⚡ Step 3 — 7-Day Homework (pick 3, post proof - without exposing client/patient info) Your mission: knock out at least 3 of these quick wins and post proof in the Wins thread. If you have no idea what these are, then skip to Step 4. Options: - Enforce MFA org-wide in M365 - Verify last backup restore (screenshot success) - Remove global admin from daily accounts; add a break-glass admin - Patch all devices to current (screenshot compliance) - Run a 10-min phishing drill (share results screenshot) 👉 Post “Homework Done” with 3 screenshots by Day 7. 🎯 Step 4 — Book Office Hours Check the pinned calendar and grab a slot. Bring one blocker.We’ll solve it live this week. (Live beats recorded, every time.) 🔓 Unlocks (complete Steps 2 + 3 by Day 7) Do the homework + intro and you’ll unlock: - Advanced SOP Pack (onboarding, offboarding, policies) - Member Badge - 3 peer intros (we’ll connect you with members at your size/industry so you’re never stuck solo) 🚫 What This Is Not Not break-fix. Not emergency support.This is education, templates, and community.When you outgrow DIY, that’s when paid IT Support makes sense.