But I Can’t Wear That Hat!

A phishing scam, ransomware attack or data breach can turn an ordinary Tuesday into a flat-out disaster if businesses avoid basic, consistent cyber care

Running a small business these days means wearing a whole closet full of hats; owner, bookkeeper, salesperson, therapist, firefighter, you name it. But there’s one hat folks don’t always think about until something goes sideways: the IT hat. And let me tell you, ignoring that one is a bit like forgetting to lock the front door and hoping the neighborhood raccoons don’t decide to move in.

Technology isn’t just a convenience anymore. It’s the backbone of almost everything we do. Your email, your documents, your billing, your customer records, your scheduling; it’s all sitting on computers and in the cloud, quietly humming along. When that hum stops, business stops. Customers wait, staff flounder, and the day gets real frustrating, real fast.

But the biggest reason small businesses need to keep an eye on their IT isn’t just avoiding downtime. It’s cybersecurity. The truth is, small businesses have become the favorite target of cybercriminals. Not because you’re doing anything wrong, simply because they assume you don’t have the time or resources to protect yourself the way big companies do. They’re counting on old passwords, outdated software, and that one employee who clicks a little too quickly on emails that looks “kind of legit.”

A single phishing scam, ransomware attack, or data breach can turn an ordinary Tuesday into a flat-out disaster. Lost files, stolen customer information, locked computers, unexpected bills are crippling. All of it is avoidable with some basic, consistent care.

Good IT doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. It just needs to be steady, thoughtful, and proactive. Regular updates, reliable backups, strong passwords, and someone keeping an eye on the health of your systems can make all the difference. Think of it like changing the oil in your truck. You don’t wait for smoke to pour out of the hood before you give it some attention.

Small businesses thrive on trust, reputation, and smooth operations. Protecting your technology and tightening your cybersecurity is one of the best ways to keep that trust strong, that reputation solid, and those operations humming right along.

Matt Mercier is the president and founder of Acapella Technologies.