All posts by Kevin Williams

Kevin Williams is a journalist based in Ohio. Williams has written for a variety of publications including the Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, National Geographic and others. He first wrote about the online world in its nascent stages for the now defunct “Online Access” Magazine in the mid-90s.

Ask an MSP Expert: How do I persuade my client to invest more in cybersecurity?

Ask an MSP Expert: How do I persuade my client to invest more in cybersecurity?

Q: I have a client with a complex network, but they spend almost nothing on cybersecurity. How do I persuade them that allocating some of their operating budget for cybersecurity expenses is worthwhile? That’s a good question and the answer...

/ December 16, 2019 / 1 Comment
Cybersecurity preparations for the holiday season

Cybersecurity preparations for the holiday season

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the network, not a creature, was stirring, not even a virus. When out on the server, there arose such a clatter, the technician sprang to their portal to see what was the...

/ December 11, 2019 / 1 Comment
The growth of IoMT and what it means for MSPs

The growth of IoMT and what it means for MSPs

We know that IoT is transforming the landscape for MSPs. MSPs that once simply had to monitor and maintain a bare-bones network, now must contend with everything from connected coffeemakers to myriad BYOD items. There is a sub-variant of IoT that’s...

/ December 4, 2019
Cities have a massive need for cybersecurity

Cities have a massive need for cybersecurity

Cities are increasingly making headlines for being crippled by ransomware and other attacks. Such vulnerability isn’t surprising, since municipalities have a growing number of attack vectors and a pool of taxpayer or insurance money that hackers find too tempting to resist....

/ November 27, 2019
Winterizing your IT

Winterizing your IT

From a cybersecurity standpoint, cold and snow don’t make the top 10 list of concerns. Unless snowflakes and sleet pellets become WiFi-connected, winter weather poses little threat. Still, the onset of winter requires some basic preparation for MSPs. Just like...

/ November 20, 2019
Ask an MSP Expert: Is live chat right for your MSP?

Ask an MSP Expert: Is live chat right for your MSP?

Q: Our customers always applaud us for our quick, timely responses. Lately, we have been contemplating live chat to further accelerate our responses. After hearing various opinions from other MSPs, we are undecided on whether this is the best move...

/ November 18, 2019
Cybersecurity defense: Racquetball, rest, and service

Cybersecurity defense: Racquetball, rest, and service

I frequently talk to MSP owners or their technicians and often find them harried and stretched for time. While those descriptors could apply to scores of professions, the stakes of feeling frazzled are high for MSPs. The world of cybersecurity...

/ November 13, 2019
Another ‘-ish’ MSPs need to watch

Another ‘-ish’ MSPs need to watch

When it comes to MSPs, there is one set of letters that causes indigestion: ‘-ishing.’ Phishing is the biggest headache, of course. Successful phishing expeditions have led to many network breaches in businesses large and small. Recently on Smarter MSP,...

/ November 6, 2019
Four areas MSPs need to consider while transitioning to 5G

Four areas MSPs need to consider while transitioning to 5G

For years we’ve anticipated 5G’s arrival, and as we approach 2020, you’ll be hearing about it more and more. Welcome to a world where data is transferred up to 100 times faster than current speeds. Countries like South Korea and...

/ October 30, 2019
MSPs and schools can be a good cybersecurity partnership

MSPs and schools can be a good cybersecurity partnership

Achievement tests, rumbling school buses, and Friday night football are a few signs that the educational ecosystem is up and running again for another academic year. Schools are increasingly on the radar of hackers, who view schools as repositories of...

/ October 23, 2019