Blog

Why Remote Desktop Support Remains Critical in 2026

Cloud Solutions — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Years after COVID-19-induced trends of working from home, remote desktop support is no longer a temporary response to remote work. It is now a core requirement for hybrid workforces, cloud-first IT environments, and increasingly complex cybersecurity threats.

In this article we'll cover:

What is Remote Desktop Support
How Hybrid Work Increases the Need for Remote IT Support
Why Cybersecurity is Driving Remote Support Demand
How Connected Devices Affect Remote Support

What is Remote Desktop Support?

Remote desktop support allows IT teams to securely access, troubleshoot, update, and manage user devices without being physically present.

Organizations use remote desktop support to:

Resolve technical issues quickly
Support remote and hybrid employees
Deploy software and security updates
Monitor device health
Reduce operational costs
Improve response times for end users

As today's workforce becomes more distributed, remote support has become a foundational IT service rather than a convenience.

How does Hybrid Work Increases the Need for Remote IT Support?

While many organizations have encouraged employees back into the office, hybrid work remains firmly established across most industries. Employees regularly work from corporate offices, home offices, customer sites, and while traveling.

This flexibility creates significant support challenges for internal IT teams.

When users experience software issues, connectivity problems, device failures, or application errors, IT personnel can no longer rely on desk-side support alone. They need the ability to diagnose and resolve issues remotely.

According to workforce studies, hybrid work continues to be the dominant model for many knowledge workers, making remote support capabilities a business necessity.

Best practices for supporting a hybrid workforce

Implement secure remote support tools
Require multifactor authentication (MFA)
Maintain endpoint management policies
Standardize device configurations
Provide cybersecurity awareness training
Establish remote work support procedures

Organizations that invest in proactive remote support experience faster issue resolution and less disruption to employee productivity.

Why is Cybersecurity Driving Remote Support Demand?

Cybercriminals continue to target organizations through ransomware, phishing, credential theft, and third-party attacks. As businesses manage devices across offices, homes, and mobile environments, visibility becomes increasingly important.

Industry research continues to show rising cybercrime costs, while ransomware remains involved in a significant percentage of modern data breaches.

Remote desktop support solutions help organizations:

Deploy security patches quickly
Respond to incidents faster
Monitor endpoints proactively
Enforce security policies
Reduce vulnerabilities caused by delayed updates

Without modern remote management capabilities, security teams often struggle to respond quickly enough when threats emerge.

How businesses can reduce cyber risk

Use MFA across all critical systems
Patch devices regularly
Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Maintain detailed logging and monitoring
Audit administrative access
Conduct employee security training

Modern remote support tools are increasingly part of a broader cybersecurity strategy rather than simply a help desk function.

How do Connected Devices Affect Remote Support?

The number of connected devices continues to grow across industries including manufacturing, healthcare, energy, construction, and professional services.

Organizations now manage:

Laptops
Mobile devices
IoT sensors
Smart equipment
Security systems
Cloud-connected applications
Edge devices

Industry forecasts estimate more than 21 billion connected IoT devices globally, creating a much larger attack surface and increasing support complexity for IT teams.

The more endpoints businesses manage, the more important centralized monitoring and remote support become.

Recommended approach

Organizations should:

Segment networks appropriately
Centralize endpoint management
Monitor device activity
Standardize security controls
Maintain detailed asset inventories
Automate patching wherever possible

Remote support provides the visibility and control needed to manage these expanding environments efficiently.

Virtual Desktop Services and Secure Managed Services packages from Centre Technologies are designed to keep your data secure and your staff productive through strategic planning and IT best practices.

What Are the Leading Causes of Cloud Data Breaches?

Cloud Solutions — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Businesses of every size are moving critical applications and data to the cloud, but cloud adoption also introduces new security risks. Recent research shows that cloud misconfigurations, limited visibility into cloud environments, inadequate security controls, and lack of internal expertise are among the most common contributors to cloud data breaches. According to a study cited by SentinelOne, 70% of cloud breaches will originate from compromised identities, not software flaws. Human error and misconfigurations will account for nearly 95% of cloud security failures in 2026.

In this article, we'll cover:

Why are cloud data breaches increasing?
How Do Cloud Misconfigurations Lead to Data Breaches?
Are Small Businesses Targets for Cybercriminals?
How Can Businesses Reduce the Risk of a Cloud Data Breach?
What Is a Secure Managed Services Approach?

Our experience is that too often small to medium-sized businesses are under the impression that they're too small for hackers to worry about—that incidents like the ones you hear about in the news won’t happen to them. They feel like they can fly under the radar. That is clearly not the case as the data suggests.

Brian Trudeau, VP of Centre Cloud Hosted Services at Centre Technologies

For small and midsize businesses, these risks are often amplified by limited internal IT resources, growing compliance requirements, and increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals targeting organizations that may have weaker security defenses.

Why Are Cloud Data Breaches Increasing?

Cloud data breaches continue to rise because organizations are managing more cloud applications, more data, and more user access points than ever before. While cloud platforms provide powerful security capabilities, those protections depend on proper configuration and ongoing management.

Common factors that contribute to cloud breaches include:

Misconfigured cloud environments
Excessive user permissions
Weak security monitoring
Lack of visibility into cloud activity
Inadequate employee security training
Unmanaged third-party applications
Insufficient incident response planning

Many organizations mistakenly assume that cloud providers are responsible for all aspects of security. In reality, businesses share responsibility for protecting their data, users, and configurations.

How Do Cloud Misconfigurations Lead to Data Breaches?

Misconfigurations remain one of the most preventable causes of cloud security incidents. A cloud environment may contain publicly exposed storage, improperly secured databases, open network ports, or permissions that grant users more access than necessary.

64% of organizations say they'd design their cyber security strategy with a single-vendor platform that will unite application, network, and cloud security.

Without continuous visibility and monitoring, security gaps can remain undetected for extended periods, creating opportunities for attackers.

Are Small Businesses Targets for Cybercriminals?

Yes. One of the most dangerous cybersecurity myths is that small businesses are too small to attract attackers.

While large enterprise breaches often dominate the headlines, small and midsize businesses are frequent targets because they typically have fewer cybersecurity resources, less mature security programs, and smaller internal IT teams. Cybercriminals often look for the easiest path to success, making organizations with unaddressed vulnerabilities attractive targets.

How Can Businesses Reduce the Risk of a Cloud Data Breach?

Reducing cloud security risk requires a combination of technology, processes, and expertise. Organizations should focus on:

Establishing Secure Cloud Configurations

Cloud environments should be built using security best practices and regularly reviewed for misconfigurations, policy violations, and compliance concerns.

Implementing Layered Security Controls

A layered security strategy helps protect against multiple attack vectors by combining endpoint protection, identity security, monitoring, backup, and threat detection capabilities.

Improving Visibility Across Cloud Environments

Organizations need continuous monitoring and reporting to identify vulnerabilities, suspicious activity, and unauthorized access before they become major incidents.

Training Employees

Employees remain one of the most common attack vectors. Ongoing security awareness training helps reduce the likelihood of phishing attacks, credential theft, and user-related security incidents.

Partnering with Security-Focused IT Providers

Many businesses rely on managed IT providers for technology support. However, organizations should ensure their provider incorporates cybersecurity, compliance, cloud expertise, and proactive risk management into their services rather than simply delivering traditional help desk support.

What Is a Secure Managed Services Approach?

A Secure Managed Services model combines traditional IT support with cybersecurity, cloud expertise, and proactive risk management. Rather than addressing technology issues only after problems occur, this approach helps organizations continuously strengthen their security posture through monitoring, threat prevention, cloud governance, and strategic guidance.

Businesses that adopt a security-first approach are often better positioned to detect threats earlier, reduce risk, improve compliance, and maintain business continuity.

We believe a "Secure by Default" approach is the most effective way to ensure our partners implement a security foundation that addresses both technology and people risk. Collaboration between Centre's managed, cloud and security experts ensures a diverse set of vectors are considered in the development of Centre's multi-layer security blueprint.

Craig Cheatham, Chief Information Officer at Centre Technologies

Key Takeaways

Cloud misconfigurations remain a leading contributor to data breaches.
Many organizations lack sufficient visibility into cloud vulnerabilities and security incidents.
Small and midsize businesses are common cyberattack targets.
Layered security controls, cloud governance, and ongoing monitoring are critical for reducing risk.
Working with a security-focused managed services provider can help organizations address gaps in people, processes, and technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of a cloud data breach?

Cloud misconfigurations are among the most common causes of cloud security incidents and data exposure.

Can small businesses experience cloud data breaches?

Yes. Small and midsize businesses are frequently targeted because they often have fewer cybersecurity resources than larger enterprises.

How can companies improve cloud security?

Organizations should implement layered security controls, continuously monitor cloud environments, regularly review configurations, and provide employee security training.

Do managed services providers improve cloud security?

Security-focused managed services providers can help organizations strengthen cybersecurity, improve visibility, reduce risk, and maintain compliance requirements.

Office Moves Done Right the First Time

IT Consulting — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Moving offices can be disruptive, but with proper planning and expert project management, businesses can minimize downtime, maintain productivity, and ensure a seamless transition. Successful office relocations require careful coordination of technology, connectivity, construction, vendors, and employee readiness.

This article covers:

Biggest Challenge During an Office Move
How to Plan a Successful Office Move
Why I.T. is Critical During an Office Relocation
Office Relocation Services That Support Business Continuity
Four Critical Office Move Mistakes to Avoid
Frequently Asked Questions About Office Moves

What's the Biggest Challenge During an Office Move?

The biggest challenge is maintaining business operations while relocating people, technology, and infrastructure to a new location.

Common Risks During an Office Move

Internet and circuit delays
Network and cabling issues
Phone system disruptions
Equipment procurement delays
Construction setbacks
Loss of employee productivity
Unplanned downtime

A successful office move requires a coordinated strategy that aligns timelines, vendors, technology, and operational requirements. Businesses leveraging Centre's Secure Managed Services experience an additional layer of familiarity and ongoing support can help minimize downtime, reduce risk, and ensure a seamless transition.

How Do You Plan a Successful Office Move?

The most effective office moves begin months before the actual relocation date.

Preparing for Your Office Move

Once your organization decides to relocate, designate a single point of contact to oversee the project, manage timelines and budgets, coordinate stakeholders, and make timely decisions. Just as important is engaging an experienced technology partner or managed service provider early in the planning process to help assess requirements, coordinate vendors, and identify potential risks before they become costly issues.

Office relocations involve much more than moving people and equipment. Network infrastructure, internet connectivity, phone systems, security, and business-critical applications all require careful planning and execution. Organizations that work with a technology partner that has proven processes and office relocation expertise are better positioned to minimize downtime, avoid delays, and ensure a smooth transition to their new location.

Key Planning Steps Include for a Successful Office Move

Establish a move timeline.
Designate a primary project owner.
Assess networking and connectivity requirements.
Coordinate with property management.
Validate construction and build-out schedules.
Procure equipment early.
Test critical applications before go-live.
Develop employee communication plans.

The earlier planning begins, the more opportunities there are to identify and resolve potential issues before they become costly delays.

Why Is I.T. Critical During an Office Relocation?

Modern businesses depend on technology to operate. Even minor outages can impact productivity, revenue, and customer service.

What IT Plans for During Office Moves

Internet circuits and connectivity
Wireless and wired networking
Server infrastructure
Cloud services
Security systems
Audio/visual technologies
Telephone systems
User workstations
Business-critical applications

Testing these systems before employees arrive helps reduce downtime and ensures a smooth first day in the new office.

Office Relocation Services That Support Business Continuity

A successful office move requires careful planning, coordination, and execution to avoid costly disruptions. Centre Technologies provides end-to-end office relocation services that help businesses maintain productivity throughout the transition. From coordinating internet circuits and network infrastructure to managing technology deployments and vendor activities, our team works to ensure every aspect of the move is aligned and ready before move-in day.

Centre oversees connectivity, cabling, phone systems, equipment procurement, and technology setup while coordinating with property managers, contractors, and service providers to keep projects on schedule. On move day, we help manage the transition and support employees as they settle into their new workspace. After the move, our technical experts remain available to resolve issues, optimize performance, and help ensure business operations continue without interruption.

Four Critical Office Move Mistakes to Avoid

1. Failing to Document Requirements

Every organization has unique operational and technology needs. A detailed project plan helps ensure critical requirements are identified, communicated, and executed.

2. Waiting Too Long to Procure Equipment

Ordering technology after the move creates unnecessary delays and productivity challenges. Equipment should be ordered and staged during the planning phase whenever possible.

3. Skipping Application Testing

Testing business-critical applications, shared drives, printers, phones, and network access before employees arrive prevents disruptions on day one.

4. Overlooking Connectivity Validation

Bandwidth requirements, internet performance, and network reliability should be verified before occupancy. Testing connectivity helps ensure employees can work efficiently from the moment they arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Office Moves

How far in advance should you plan an office move?

Most businesses should begin planning at least three to six months in advance. Larger organizations often require additional lead time for construction, connectivity, and technology deployment.

What causes delays during office relocations?

Common causes include internet circuit installation delays, construction setbacks, equipment procurement issues, and insufficient project planning.

How can businesses reduce downtime during an office move?

Early planning, infrastructure testing, vendor coordination, and comprehensive move-day support are the most effective ways to minimize downtime.

Should IT planning be included in office relocation projects?

Yes. Technology infrastructure is one of the most important components of a successful office move. Network connectivity, phones, security systems, cloud applications, and end-user devices must all be planned and tested before occupancy.

Partner With Experts for a Smooth Office Relocation

Office moves are often driven by growth, expansion, or operational change. While relocations can be complex, the right planning and expertise can significantly reduce risk and disruption.

Centre Technologies provides project management, technology planning, infrastructure coordination, and ongoing support to help organizations complete office moves efficiently, securely, and with minimal downtime.

Need help planning your next office relocation? Contact Centre Technologies to discuss your office move strategy and technology requirements.

Meltdown and Spectre Vulnerabilities Still Haunting Computers

Cybersecurity and Compliance — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In 2018, computer researchers found out that the main chip in most computers—the CPU—has a hardware bug. According to Geekblog, "defects can originate during chip design, manufacturing, or even develop later due to aging or environmental factors." It's really a design flaw in the hardware that could have been there for years. This is a big deal because it affects almost every computer worldwide, including all workstations and servers. This hardware bug allows malicious programs to steal data that is being processed in your computer memory. Normally, applications are not able to do that because they are isolated from each other and the operating system.

This hardware bug breaks that isolation.

So, if the bad guys are able to get malicious software running on your computer, they can get access to your passwords stored in a password manager or browser, your emails, instant messages and even business-critical documents. Not good. While Meltdown and Spectre were first disclosed in 2018, Spectre alone is estimated to affect virtually all pre-2019 processors that use speculative execution, highlighting just how widespread these hardware vulnerabilities have been. To prevent this, you need a trusted IT partner who can quickly patch vulnerable systems, monitor emerging threats, and replace older machines that can’t be secured.

This article covers:

What should you do now?
Best Practices

What you should do now?

Be extra vigilant, with security top of mind and “Think Before You Click” as Phishing through email is still the most common vector for malware to compromise your systems.

For our Managed and Hosted Services customers, we have already begun the process of updating and patching all PCs and servers that we manage. This is going to take some time, as patches for some devices are not even available yet. We also may recommend that you replace some older mission-critical computers to fix this as there are no patches for these older systems and none are planned. For some of these legacy systems, this may be your only alternative.

Best Practices

If it looks suspicious...

Don't CLICK it
Don't OPEN it
Don't ALLOW ACCESS

Maintain a strong password policy
Keep business networks secure

Anti-Virus installed on all machines
Anti-Spam solution implemented and utilized

Maintain regular backups
Save key data to shares or offline backups, not locally
Update/Patch your Operating Systems regularly (This includes all devices, computers, servers, network equipment, phones, medical devices, etc.)

Centre's Secure Managed Services (SMS) provides a layered cybersecurity approach that helps protect your business from today's evolving threats. By combining advanced security technologies, 24x7 monitoring, and expert management, SMS safeguards your users, devices, and data. This includes Employee Security Awareness Training to help staff recognize and avoid cyber threats, Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) to detect and contain suspicious activity on endpoints, and a range of additional security solutions designed to strengthen your overall security posture, reduce risk, and improve resilience against cyberattacks.

Difference Between VPN vs. RDP: Understanding Remote Desktop Support Services

Cloud Solutions — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 19:01:27 GMT

According to Verizon, 31 % of breaches now start with software vulnerabilities, beating stolen passwords as the top way attackers get in. Companies now need to take safety measures to protect their systems from these potential attacks. The purpose of remote desktop support services is pretty straightforward: to support your remote workforce by providing secure access to corporate data, systems, and applications. There are two main ways to enable this access. One requires a virtual private network (VPN), while the other uses a process known as remote desktop protocol (RDP). However, when it gets down to the nitty gritty, does your business actually know the difference between these two major remote solutions? The short answer is that a VPN gives remote workers secure access to your company’s network, while RDP lets them fully control a specific computer from anywhere.

This article covers:

What's the difference between VPN & RDP
Choosing the best option

What’s the Difference Between VPN & RDP?

Most businesses view VPN and RDP as equals. While they do accomplish the same general task, they vary greatly in their processes and capabilities. Below are the definitions of each of these remote desktop support solutions.

Defining Virtual Private Network (VPN) Solutions

A VPN works by creating a smaller private network on top of a larger public network (such as the internet). With a VPN, you can enable specific settings that allow for more shared access among the devices connected to it. Moreover, it allows applications that normally only work on local networks to be accessed via the internet (after you’re logged in, of course). For example, if there was a specialty printer located in-office that was connected to your office’s local network and you were out in the field, you usually wouldn’t be able to print any documents until you physically returned to the office and directly connected to the network. However, with a VPN, you can reach that network from any location, meaning that you could easily print important documents while off-site. The types of shared resources that you can set up on your VPN range from printers to shared folders to servers and so on.

Defining Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Remote desktop protocol is used to describe a group of applications that allow you to access devices remotely. Sometimes referred to as “screen sharing,” RDP can give you full access to your desktop computer from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. RDP lets you change administrator settings, launch applications, and perform other tasks, just as you could if you were using your computer at your desk. Unlike VPN solutions, remote desktop protocol provides you with access to shared network resources and the resources that are stored on the device that is being controlled.

Choosing the Best Option

Every business has its own set of unique needs. While these needs should be the ultimate driver when it comes to picking between a VPN and RDP, there are some advantages and disadvantages to also consider, which are outlined below.

The Pros & Cons of a VPN

Some of the benefits of using a VPN include:

Simplicity:
VPNs are fairly easy to set up, making them an attractive choice.
Cost-Effectiveness:
The technology behind a VPN is much simpler than that of an RDP, so naturally, a virtual private network costs a lot less.

The main drawback of using a VPN is:

The Inability to Process Large Databases:
Databases and line-of-business software applications are often designed to run on a LAN with enormous amounts of bandwidth to support them. VPNs are not usually equipped to handle files of this size, as it can impact the database’s performance.

The Pros & Cons of an RDP

One of the benefits of employing an RDP is:

Flexibility:
Because remote desktop protocol gives you full access to your device from any location, it is a bit more flexible than a VPN.

A couple of the cons of utilizing RDP include the following:

Security:
Remote desktop protocol can potentially leave the host machine extremely vulnerable.
Speed:
Unless you use a very localized RDP, your connection will likely be incredibly slow due to the sheer amount of data and commands being processed between the host and your device.

While both RDP and VPN carry their own set of benefits and drawbacks, we often employ both for our clients to assist them with different applications, resulting in a custom solution that is tailored to their needs. Interested in implementing remote desktop support services for the sake of your own work-from-home team? Let Centre Technologies help you perfect your new remote work-friendly infrastructure via our IT services. We offer remote access and mobility services – such as VPN, remote office network, and mobile handheld solutions – designed to make remote work a breeze for your employees. Contact us today to learn more.

How Healthcare IT Solutions are Revolutionizing Healthcare

Centre Technologies — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:29:26 GMT

Healthcare IT solutions are transforming the industry by improving patient care, streamlining operations, and enabling real-time data access across connected systems. From smart medical devices and cloud-based platforms to integrated apps and analytics tools, modern technology allows providers to deliver faster diagnoses, more personalized treatments, and better coordination between care teams. These advancements are reshaping how healthcare organizations manage information, reduce costs, and enhance outcomes in an increasingly digital and connected environment.

In this article we'll cover:

On-Body Devices
In-Home Patient Devices
In-Hospital Systems and Devices

On-Body Devices

The on-body segment of IT in healthcare can be divided into two categories: consumer health wearables and medical/clinical-grade wearables. Both of these types of on-body medical devices are meant to track health conditions. The main difference between these two categories is that consumer health devices typically consist of items like activity trackers, sports watches, and so on.

Generally, these devices are not endorsed by medical experts. Clinical-grade devices, on the other hand, are usually recommended by health professionals (such as a smart belt that can detect a fall for elderly patients). The on-body category of medical IT solutions has proven extremely useful for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

In-Home Patient Devices

The in-home segment includes personal emergency response systems, telehealth visits, and remote patient monitoring. Technology has made a huge impact on improving the lives of those who have limited mobility or are homebound. For example, remote patient monitoring systems were created to relay things like vital signs and other health-related information to your doctor remotely so that those who cannot make it to the doctor’s office can still receive the care they need.

Telehealth visits are also becoming the new norm, especially in the wake of the global pandemic. Telehealth comes with a whole slew of problems in the realm of IT, though. With more and more virtualization happening and an increase in online-based medical services, patient privacy becomes a bigger issue than ever before. Healthcare IT solutions are a fantastic way to ward off cyber attacks while still being able to keep up with the digital shift in the healthcare industry.

In-Hospital Systems and Devices

The in-hospital category deals with both management areas and medical devices that rely on IT systems and solutions. There are several items that this covers, including the following:

Asset Management

This tracks and monitors valuable capital equipment and mobile assets (such as wheelchairs, infusion pumps, and so on).

Personnel Management

This measures staff productivity and efficiency.

Patient Flow Management

This works to enhance facility operations by preventing bottlenecks and improving the patient experience. Monitoring of patient arrival times from an operating room to post-care is a great example of patient flow management.

Inventory Management

Inventory management helps to streamline ordering, storage, and use of hospital supplies, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals to reduce inventory costs and increase staff efficiency.

Clearly, innovative healthcare IT solutions are shaping the future of the healthcare industry. About 60% of global healthcare organizations have already implemented some of the technologies discussed above, and that number is only growing. If you are seeking IT support to manage all things tech at your medical facility, contact us today. At Centre Technologies, we proudly serve the healthcare industry so that health professionals can deliver top-quality patient care without a hitch.

What is a Data Breach?

Centre Technologies — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:00:00 GMT

In recent security news, the talk of data breaches is causing nervous jitters among IT professionals. With loads of data being generated and shared through every aspect of business operations, it’s important to defend company infrastructure from all angles against global threats and, even more so, from the hard-hitting costs that data breaches can cause.

This article covers:

What is a data breach
What are the consequences of a data breach
Costs of a data breach
How to fill in security gaps

What is a Data Breach?

Techopedia defines a data breach as “an incident that involves the unauthorized or illegal viewing, access or retrieval of data by an individual, application or service.” It is a break in security that is designed to steal or distribute private data to an untrusted source or environment. However, a breach is not limited to cyberspace, it can also occur with the theft of a laptop or a flash drive holding confidential and private information.

What are the consequences of a data breach?

Not only does a data breach put your business at risk of having private information stolen or exposed, it also comes with the compliance of statutory liability. Once a data breach has been detected, notification obligations are required in almost every state by:

Federal banking regulations
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
HIPAA

The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule “requires HIPAA covered entities and their business associates to provide notification following a breach of unsecured protected health information.”

After a breach has been discovered, covered entities must provide notification of the breach to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), affected individuals and, in certain circumstances, to the media. If the breach occurs as a result of a business associate’s actions, then that associate must notify covered entities. Notification requirements vary by the number of individuals affected and each approach to notification is different.

Individual Notice

Covered entities must notify affected individuals following the discovery of a breach, must be provided by first-class mail or by email within 60 days after breach is discovered.

Media Notice

Covered entities that detect a breach affecting more than 500 residents of the state or jurisdiction, must provide notice to media within 60 days after the breach is discovered.

Notice to the Secretary of HHS

In addition to notifying affected individuals and the media, covered entities must also provide notice to the Secretary of data breaches by filling out a breach report form.

Notification by a Business Associate

If the breach occurs at or by a business associate, they must notify the covered entity no later than 60 days after detecting the breach.

Costs of a data breach

Whether notifying customers, agencies, or government officials, notification requirements can become costly. A data breach also exposes organizations enforcement actions, regulatory fines, and private causes of action.

Did you know that the average, consolidated cost of a data breach in 2025 was $4.4 million? While that was a 9% decrease from 2024, 97% of organizations that reported an AI-related security incident lacked proper AI access controls.

The IBM study over the Cost of Data Breach, points out two factors that directly affected the financial consequences of a data breach:

Lack of IT security strategy and AI governance policies.

Lack of use AI-driven security solutions.

How to Fill in your security gaps

Ever thought about the risk your organization faces in the event of a data breach? Don’t let your organization become vulnerable to a data breach disaster. Adopt key security measures with best-of-breed technology from an IT solutions provider that you can trust.

Let Centre Technologies be your guide. Contact us today.

Traditional Infrastructure vs. Cloud Services

Centre Technologies — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:22:24 GMT

Between traditional "on-premise" (onsite) infrastructure and cloud, there's a lot to consider when deciding on the best IT model for a business. Every company is different and therefore requires different things to make sure operational efficiency isn't affected. Still, regardless of who you are, every company needs to ensure scalability, cost-consciousness, reliability, and security for their business. While there has been a major pivot over recent years from traditional IT infrastructure to the cloud, many forget that not all solutions work for everyone. Let's walk through the pros and cons (and our recommendations at the end!).

In this article, we'll cover:

What is Traditional Infrastructure
What are Cloud Services
Advantages of On-Premise Systems
Advantages of Cloud Computing
Disadvantages of Traditional IT Infrastructure
Disadvantages of Cloud Services
Determining Your IT Budget
Which Model is Right for Your Business

Cloud services is considered the cutting-edge form of data infrastructure for businesses today and it is rapidly surpassing on-premise (we affectionately refer to it as "on-prem") in popularity. According to the State of the Cloud Report for 2023 by RightScale, 97% of enterprises utilized the cloud (up from 94% in 2019) and 84% of those users deploy multiple clouds. That said, there are still businesses out there that get more bang for their buck through traditional IT infrastructure.

What is Traditional Infrastructure?

Simply put, this type of environment is your onsite data, backups, and information that you access across your business. It is made up of facilities, data centers, servers, networking hardware, desktop computers, and enterprise application solutions. Most businesses usually install their environment on-premise for private use by a company, containing a business's stored data and applications.

With this system, physical data centers are used for storing data and running a complete networking system for daily operations. This model consists of various pieces of hardware that are connected to a network via a remote server on-site. Many businesses with this model need to have an in-house IT department to install and maintain the hardware. Unfortunately, if you don't, this can be a costly third-party expense.

What Are cloud Services?

With cloud services like Microsoft Azure, the infrastructure can be accessed via the internet. Users have the ability to access their information and data without installing on-premise hardware through something called virtualization. Virtualization distributes the capabilities of a physical machine among many environments by connecting physical servers in the cloud. This system is almost always maintained by a managed service provider (MSP).

Cloud infrastructure is a virtual data solution that enables businesses to access applications and information online, regardless of where they are in the world. Because cloud infrastructure is public, it is often referred to as the "public cloud."

advantages of On-Premise Systems

Traditional infrastructure is considered the most secure data hosting solution because most of the advantages to this model place full responsibility on the company to manage it. Traditional on-premise systems heavily rely on an in-house IT team to provide maintenance and support. With this model, businesses can take advantage of outsourcing their staff in order to gain additional expertise, increase focus, and obtain support in deploying and managing their business technology. There are some other bonuses as well:

Full Control of Your Environment

With traditional infrastructure, IT departments have full control of their information. Any problems, changes, updates, and basic maintenance would be the sole responsibility of the IT staff. With the function and execution of services being completely determined by the staff on-site, a business with this model could exercise a lot of flexibility.

You are the Sole Responsibility for Your Security

Because only members of the company's staff have access to the data center in this model, most companies find solace in the security of their company data. This option appears more attractive to companies that have to ensure they meet compliance standards. You and only you can protect your information (and avoid this like the FAA debacle earlier this year).

Around-the-Clock Data Access

Because data is stored on-premise, if network issues were to happen and the internet was interrupted – with a traditional infrastructure in place – the company could still access the data. There's a need to worry about downtime due to service outages or anything of the sort.

Ability to Customize Applications and Services

With complete control of the IT environment, businesses with this model would be able to fully customize their usage of applications and services. This would be another major perk for businesses that have strict compliance standards to meet with their environment.

The main reason I see organizations hesitant to move to the cloud is concern with a variable cost model. People hear horror stories of million dollar invoices and having to pay extra to move your data out. These situations make the news for a reason, they are rare. The last time I ran numbers with a customer this cost for them would have been less than $100.

Ariel Davenport, Solutions Architect
Centre Technologies

Advantages of cloud computing

Cloud services is deemed the new frontier of business computing because of its ease of scalability among other inherently flexible features wrapped up in its attractive cost-conscious package. If not switching to the cloud completely, businesses will opt for a hybrid cloud solution.

In a hybrid cloud solution, the storage and services are made up of on-premise infrastructure, private cloud services, and public cloud services such as Microsoft Azure. With the benefits of utilizing cloud computing, whether altogether or by way of a hybrid solution, businesses can leverage a more flexible solution. Let's check out why so many people choose the cloud:

Most Cost-Effective Option

Cloud solutions are notorious for being the most cost-effective option of the two. Outside of not having to hire a large in-house IT team, utilizing the cloud allows for lower power expenses, lower employee costs, and unlimited storage space.

Unlimited Scalability

With on-premise infrastructure, businesses will usually have to ensure they have the physical space and finances to onboard additional employees. With the cloud, there is an no cap on the ability for storage space and resources.

Avoid Downtime through Greater Resiliency

Because information is mirrored across a variety of servers, linked together, and managed by a load balancer, If one server failed or the connection was lost somehow, no data or service would be lost.

Flexible Working Solutions

Cloud offers the most flexible of work solutions, enabling employees to work anywhere at any time as long as there is an internet connection.

Easy Software Implementation

Another perk of the cloud is that software is offered on-demand as a subscription service. This is also a major time-saver because businesses don't have to worry about uploading the software to each computer utilizing it.

disadvantages of traditional it Infrastructure

While on-prem infrastructure offers a number of benefits for those that are ready to endure full responsibility of on-premise IT hardware, it comes with its downsides.

Limited Server Capacity

Traditional software doesn't guarantee a consistently high level of server performance. Should a server fail, there could be limited capacity and depending on the situation, this would typically degrade performance or cause a complete outage.

Limited Data Access

Should a power outage occur, there is no access to data from anywhere else. Employees won't be working from home temporarily or accessing data from the local coffee shop — company data is as good as gone until the business is able to recover from the power outage.

More Time Consuming

Any growing business will need more storage space at some point. Utilizing on-prem, more storage space looks like having to purchase or rent another server, get additional software licenses, and have these manually uploaded onto your office hardware. With all of the time required to complete such tasks, traditional IT is not the most timely solution.

High Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

Because on-prem involves the usage of physical servers, in order to enable more storage space, a business would also have to pay for any additional hardware needed. Traditional infrastructure forces you to have to purchase an entire suite of supplies, even if your intention is to only use one tool.

Susceptible to Human Error

Having sole responsibility for company data requires a lot of time and money to ensure the right security is implemented and data recovery systems are in place to safeguard it. Without the right training, systems, and backup plans in place — sensitive company data could be jeopardized and the business in charge could face legal fees.

Not Very Accommodating

On-prem hardware doesn't offer remote working capabilities with the same ease that the cloud does. In order to enable remote working, the company would have to set up a VPN and associated security protocols. Because this often comes with problems regarding IT support, however, it's not a feasible way to enable remote working.

While these disadvantages may cause a few bottlenecks, there are options for solutions that can minimize or even eliminate their impact on running a successful traditional environment. Businesses can overcome these challenges by involving a trusted managed services provider like Centre Technologies to provide solutions that embolden security with around-the-clock software and hardware support, monitoring, and maintenance.

Disadvantages of cloud Services

With cloud being all the rave, it's not common to touch on the disadvantages. Depending on the needs of the business, there could be a few downsides to cloud computing that may be important to acknowledge.

Limited Oversight

The first disadvantage is the most obvious – control is limited. Moving services to the cloud requires a business to hand over its data and information. This means that in-house IT staff would not be capable of fixing issues on their own.

Susceptible to Downtime due to Network Issues

The cloud may not be subject to downtime like traditional infrastructure, but it is subject to reboots, network outages, account or service hijackings, denial of service attacks, and technology vulnerabilities (more so on shared environments). If any of these were to occur without being accounted for in the cloud strategy, it could cause downtime.

Lack of Security Insight

It is advised that before a business commits to cloud services from a managed services provider, that a security risk assessment is carried out to assess and safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.

Many businesses refrain from cloud computing, especially if they have compliance standards to meet, because of the lack of direct involvement they would have with their IT environment. Businesses with this IT model can enjoy personalized solutions, planning, and support in cloud services via a managed service provider (MSP).

Through utilizing an MSP with a solid cloud strategy, organizations can have access to Backup-as-a-Service (BaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and Disaster Recovery-as-a-Service (DRaaS) to ensure round-the-clock access to data and on-demand technology.

Determining Your It Budget

When businesses make a decision regarding the model that would be most beneficial to them, considering the budget is critical.

Traditional infrastructure will be more costly than the cloud, but if a business needs the ownership that traditional IT allows — it could be the best decision of the two.

On the other hand, if a business is trying to remain cost-conscious, cloud infrastructure would be the best option. Whether by implementing a hybrid solution or utilizing all of the benefits of the cloud, the flexibility would prove invaluable to a team also looking to save.

Which model is right for your business?

The right model can be a challenge for most businesses. If you're unsure of the right model for you, utilize the IT consultants at Centre Technologies. We're ready to assist you in your switch or cultivation of a cloud, hybrid, or traditional IT environment.

Our IT consultants will assess your current environment and develop a unique gameplan that not only aligns with your business goals but is crafted to enable business growth. That way, you'll have confidence in the IT model your business utilizes.

Email Spoofing Scams: How to Spot, Stop, and Protect Your Business

Centre Technologies — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:34:50 GMT

Cybercriminals have found a new trick and this one’s flying under the radar of even the most advanced email security systems. In recent weeks, a phishing campaign has emerged that’s abusing Microsoft 365’s Direct Send feature. What makes it especially dangerous? These emails appear to come from inside your organization, even from your own address. No breach, no credential theft—just crafty exploitation of Microsoft infrastructure. And unfortunately, businesses across industries are seeing it happen in real time.

Featured in this article:

Microsoft 365 Direct Send Impacts
How This Impacts Your Business
What Centre's Doing
Learn More from Centre's Cybersecurity Workshop Videos

What's Happening with Microsoft 365 Direct Send?

Threat actors are leveraging the Direct Send feature (designed for internal delivery) to push spoofed emails without authenticating. This essentially means they’re exploiting Direct Send to impersonate internal users even without access to your Microsoft 365 tenant.

These messages often:

Bypass standard filters (yes, even advanced third party email filtering services)
Look like voicemail notifications or internal updates
Contain malicious QR codes or PDF attachments
These messages often pass SPF and DMARC checks with soft-fail or none at all—because the domain’s policies aren’t configured to enforce rejection (‘p=reject’)

They're using Microsoft infrastructure (*.mail.protection.outlook.com — Learn more here) to give these emails that oh-so-trustworthy look. Here’s the kicker—no credentials or tenant access needed.

What We're Noticing:

Spoofed emails that don’t show in mail traces
SPF and DMARC checks are failing softly, not blocking the emails
Because they route through Microsoft’s trusted infrastructure (mail.protection.outlook.com), the emails appear more legitimate to both systems and users

Learn more on Arctic Wolf blog.

How It Impacts Your Business

We’re now seeing this tactic used across healthcare, energy, SMBs, and more. This isn’t a system breach—it’s a trust exploit. And it’s exactly the type of evolving cybersecurity threat that underscores the need for Secure Managed Services. If your SPF/DMARC policies are outdated or your users aren't prepared to spot spoofed internal emails, you're at risk.

Your Next Steps

If you're unsure whether your environment is hardened against this latest exploit, now’s the time to act:

Request a free email security assessment
Review your SPF/DMARC/DKIM policies
Schedule a training refresh
For Centre customers, ask your vCIO about enabling “Reject Direct Send”

What Centre Is Doing to Help

Our Security Operations team actively monitors for emerging phishing tactics and collaborates with Microsoft, our security partners and internal teams to create awareness and stay ahead of threats like this one. We stay ahead of email-based threats with a multi-layered security strategy. Here's how we're helping customers defend against these sophisticated spoofing tactics:

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Hardening

We review and configure your domain’s records with aggressive protections—pushing DMARC policies to p=reject where appropriate.

Exchange Online Controls

We help enable Microsoft's new “Reject Direct Send” feature, blocking these spoofing attempts before they hit user inboxes.

User Education and Awareness

Through KnowBe4 security awareness training, we ensure your employees can spot suspicious emails—especially internal-looking ones or QR-code attacks.

Security Operations Escalation (SecOps)

If issues persist, escalation to our in-house Security Operations Center ensures rapid analysis and targeted remediation if spoofing persists for further investigation, analysis, and resolution.

5 Reasons Businesses Choose a Local MSP Over Offshore IT Support

Secure Managed Services — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:15:32 GMT

Business infrastructure is ever-evolving. This makes it a difficult area to manage. You want to avoid the interruptions in your day-to-day as much as possible, which is exactly where IT infrastructure management services come in. The provider that is responsible for these services tailors the network, storage, and systems infrastructures to your business’s needs.

Outsourcing can be a great option when it comes to your budget. Rather than having to expend extra resources to train your in-house staff, you have a team of qualified IT professionals at your disposal. However, taking your IT overseas is not always what’s best for your business, or for those you are outsourcing to. Let’s consider how outsourcing your IT infrastructure management services to another country could be more of a risk than a benefit.

In this article, we'll cover:

Providing Others with Access
Privacy Laws and Regulations
Effects of Cheap Labor
Language and Cultural Barriers
Erosion of Company Loyalty

Providing Others with Access

One of the major roles of IT infrastructure management services is that your network’s threats are identified. When you outsource overseas, you are giving away a portion of your control by providing another team with access to your business infrastructure and data systems. If your provider has access to sensitive data, there is the possibility that you are putting your organization at risk. For example, HIPAA-covered transactions of Protected Health Information (PHI) only apply in the United States. You will need to investigate whether the offshore provider employs security measures that are as robust as your own. Protocols need to be set to prevent the theft and abuse of intellectual property, especially with prosecution being difficult.

Privacy Laws and Regulations

Copyright and intellectual property laws differ between countries. Despite the United States having strong legislation to protect intellectual property, offshore providers may not enforce it. Something to keep in mind is that legal documents overseas won’t protect you. According to the FBI, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) do not hold outside of the country. Once you leave American jurisdiction, the results of enforcement are simply not predictable and odds of a breach are increased. Although your company may be based in the U.S., your data will be subject to the laws of the country where it is being stored.

Effects of Cheap Labor

Moving your services to countries like India, which is the most popular destination for outsourcing, lets you take advantage of cheaper labor with lower overhead. But more executives are realizing that the reduced cost of outsourcing does not necessarily equal an increase in performance. Those providing your IT infrastructure management services overseas may not feel incentivized to be efficient, even though you will be expecting streamlined business operations. Understand that you get what you pay for. Working with non-unionized workers that don’t need training may be cost-effective for a time, but costs could actually increase if your business grows outside of the typical one-size-fits-all service model.

Language and Cultural Barriers

If the language where your business is based is not the same as the person handling your IT infrastructure management services, communication can be challenging. When a customer calls about an IT problem, they are oftentimes already frustrated and want to the conversation out of the way. Your services should be capable of providing a rapid response to any IT-related crisis, but this may not be achieved if your international representative doesn’t know how to respond to that crisis. This poses the risk of dissatisfying customer service, which reflects on your brand. Cultural barriers can also bring about disconnects with your team. If you have not worked internationally in the past, you may not know how to get across your intending inflections. Both ends have to make sure to be extremely clear with every point they need to make.

Erosion of Company Loyalty

Outsourcing increases competition by bringing in new entrants to industries where labor tends to be expensive. However, your in-house team may not want to have their duties outsourced. Knowing that they could lose their job to someone overseas might discourage them and negatively impact their productivity. After all, in practice, it is easier to address concerns with people who have similar IT training to you. And who, of course, are physically present. Your team members may even decide to leave your company due to not being treated fairly. The elimination of certain jobs from the domestic workforce results in the fragmentation of the supply chain.

Keep your outsourcing onshore. By leveraging a United States service provider, you will be working alongside teams that are governed by the same laws, speak the same language, and will be ultimately easier to manage. Centre Technologies offers a comprehensive IT solution that aligns your technology to your business goals. Give us a call so we can discuss the IT infrastructure management services we can provide you with today.