How to create a smart IT budget for 2026 growth

5 Tech Wins That Make Life Easier! Small changes, big impact! These quick tips will save time, boost security, and make work less stressful. Swipe through for five simple wins you can start using today. #TechTips #SmallBusiness #CharlotteTech #FreshIT

There's a difference between having an IT budget and having an IT strategy. One pays bills. The other protects your business. For example, companies will approve $50K for new software but hesitate on $5K for proper security training. They'll refresh laptops every three years like clockwork, but won't invest in the infrastructure that keeps them secure and functional. It's not about spending more. It's about spending intentionally. An IT strategy asks: -What are we trying to protect, and why does it matter? -Where are our actual vulnerabilities? (Not just the ones we hear about in the news.) -Who owns each part of our technology environment? -How do we know our current setup is working? -What happens if our primary system fails tomorrow? A budget just asks: -How much did we spend last year? -Can we afford to keep doing that? The companies that treat IT as a strategic function don't spend dramatically more than those that don't. They just spend smarter. They ask more complex questions. They demand honest answers. When something goes wrong, because eventually, something will, they're prepared. What does your company have? A budget or a strategy? Book a strategy call: https://lnkd.in/gMTKBBDf

How to Create an IT Budget for Your Texas Business 🚀 An IT budget is essential for keeping your tech on track and preventing surprise expenses. Here’s how to get started: 1️⃣ Assess Your IT – Track all hardware, software, and services. 2️⃣ Determine Needs – Align your budget with business goals. 3️⃣ Categorize Expenses – Break down costs for better tracking. 4️⃣ Forecast Costs – Plan for growth and unexpected expenses. 5️⃣ Prioritize Spending – Focus on must-haves first. 6️⃣ Monitor & Adjust – Keep tabs and adjust monthly. 7️⃣ Set a Contingency Fund – Prepare for emergencies. 💡 Tip: Managed IT services, like Uprite IT Services, help streamline budgeting with predictable costs and expert support. Plan smarter, spend smarter. 📊 For more information : https://lnkd.in/gqkhGK53 #TexasBusiness #ITBudget #ManagedIT #TechTips #CyberSecurity #BusinessGrowth #UpriteIT

Struggling to spot the emails that really matter, amongst all the junk? Your inbox is about to get a powerful new ally. Find out how Outlook’s latest feature could help you cut through the noise (and save time too)… https://lnkd.in/eMc2XmPM Interested in improving your business's IT security? Let's connect this week to discuss! Visit www.yourcloudworks.com for more information. Also, don't miss out on my weekly business insights—subscribe to my newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/e3dUgdzd

VPNs and NAC had their time. That time is over. ⏰ When apps and users lived inside the network, these tools worked. But today they 🐢 slow you down, ⚠️ add risk, and create more 🤯 complexity than control. Join Mark Fabbi, Steve Riley, and Mike Anderson for a live discussion and learn how to simplify access, strengthen security, and future-proof your #ZeroTrust strategy. 🌐 Select your preferred time zone: https://lnkd.in/encgSZNT

🎓 The University of Vermont shares 10 quick security tips you can apply right now — perfect for small business teams. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eCi_6UaF

Holding on to outdated technology might seem like a smart way to save money, but in reality, it often costs your business more in lost efficiency, higher risks, and hidden expenses. Using old hardware and software can drag down your team's productivity, inflate your budget over time, and expose your company to serious security threats. Keep reading to learn more - https://lnkd.in/e-UZzUWb

Zero Trust sounds cool, but let’s keep it real: for most small businesses, simple network segmentation is a smarter, faster, and more cost-effective way to stay secure. Instead of chasing perfection, separate your data, keep things compartmentalized, and block unnecessary connections. Segmentation instantly shrinks attack surfaces and contains threats before they spread. Overkill security frameworks can drain resources and cause more confusion than confidence. SMBs need protection that works today: not just buzzwords. Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think Zero Trust is over-hyped for small businesses?

FACT: 60% of small businesses close within 6 months of a cyber-attack. FACT: Most cybersecurity spend is wasted on the wrong tools. FACT: Complexity keeps people from taking action. The biggest problem isn’t lack of tools. It’s lack of clarity. If you’re not sure where to start — start with clarity, not expensive software or consulting retainers. Before you invest in anything, get a simple, affordable roadmap that shows: ✅ Your current posture ✅ Your top risks (in plain English) ✅ The highest ROI actions to take next Don’t guess. Don’t overspend. Get clarity first. Coming Soon.

🏃➡️🕳️ ️Are you unknowingly falling into the trap of giving your most trusted workstations full Internet access? This is the first post in our new “PAW Pitfalls” Series, where we unpack the most common (and preventable) mistakes organizations make when deploying Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs). In each post of this new series, we’ll cover:    ➡️ A specific pitfall of a PAW program    ➡️ Why it matters    ➡️ Practical advice on how to fix it    Today’s Pitfall? Full Internet Access. PAWs are designed to protect your most sensitive identities and tasks from adversaries, but with open internet access, they can become a direct path for attackers.    Whether you're building a PAW from scratch or refining what you already have, our experts can help, reach out when you’re ready to get started.     For a detailed guide on how to use PAWs to increase security, see Burke Matsuo's recent blog in the comments 👇    Follow along as we share more pitfalls to be aware of -- and how to avoid them -- in the coming weeks and months.    #PAW #PrivilegedAccess #IdentitySecurity