Cybersecure California

May 15, 2025

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Tag: Cybersecure California

  • What Is Zero Trust — and Why Every Small Business Needs to Know About It

    “Zero Trust” might sound like a buzzword or something reserved for big tech companies — but in reality, it’s one of the most important cybersecurity strategies for small businesses in California today. At Synergy Computing, we talk to business owners who think their antivirus software and strong passwords are enough. The truth is, cybercriminals are…

  • The Hidden Cyber Risk in Chatbots: What California Businesses Need to Know Before You Type

    AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and others are quickly becoming everyday tools for businesses across California. They’re helping busy professionals draft emails, summarize reports, generate ideas, and even respond to customer inquiries. They’re convenient. Fast. Smart.But they also come with a risk that most businesses haven’t even considered. At Cybersecure California, we’re…

  • Business Email Compromise: The $2.4 Billion Scam Hitting SMBs the Hardest

    Think phishing is your biggest email threat?Think again. While most small businesses worry about spam or malware, the real danger is Business Email Compromise (BEC) — a sophisticated scam that cost U.S. businesses over $2.4 billion in 2021 alone, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). And here’s the part most small business…

  • The Anatomy of a Phishing Attack — And How to Train Your Team to Spot One in 5 Seconds

    Phishing is one of the most common ways hackers breach small businesses — and one of the easiest to prevent. At Synergy Computing, we’ve seen phishing emails trick even the smartest teams. That’s because modern phishing attacks are well-crafted, well-timed, and emotionally manipulative. They’re not just riddled with typos anymore — they’re subtle, believable, and…

  • The FTC Safeguards Rule Is Now in Effect — What California Businesses Need to Do ASAP

    If your business handles consumer financial data — even as a side service — it’s time to get serious about cybersecurity compliance. The Federal Trade Commission’s updated Safeguards Rule took full effect on May 13, 2024, and it’s already reshaping how businesses across California are required to protect customer data and report data breaches. At…

  • Earth Day for Your Network: Going Green with Smart IT Practices

    Every April 22nd, millions of people celebrate Earth Day by thinking about how to reduce waste, conserve energy, and protect the planet. But what if your business network could join in too? At Cybersecure California, we believe sustainability isn’t just about recycling bins and reusable water bottles — it’s also about how we manage technology.…

  • Data Extortion: The New Cyberthreat California Businesses Can’t Ignore

    For years, ransomware has dominated headlines as the #1 cybersecurity concern. But cybercriminals have evolved — and their new favorite tactic is even more ruthless. It’s called data extortion — and it’s not just coming for banks and big tech companies. It’s targeting California’s small and midsize businesses, especially those in professional services like legal,…

  • Do You Know Where Your Data Is?

    5 Places Sensitive Info Might Be Hiding in Your Business Most business owners think they know where their critical data lives: the CRM, accounting software, maybe a cloud drive or two. But in reality, sensitive information tends to spread quietly across your systems — and stay there longer than you realize. At Synergy Computing, we’ve…

  • National Volunteer Month: Why Cybersecurity Needs Community — Not Just Software

    Every April, we celebrate National Volunteer Month — a time to honor those who step up, pitch in, and make our communities stronger. But at Cybersecure California, we think this month also offers a valuable reminder:Cybersecurity isn’t just about software and firewalls. It’s about people. Whether you’re a business owner, IT manager, employee, or consultant,…

  • Is Your Team Using AI Without Telling You? Shadow IT and the Risks You Didn’t Approve

    ChatGPT. Grammarly. Zapier. Canva. Otter.ai.The list of productivity-boosting AI tools keeps growing — and chances are, your team is already using some of them. The problem?You might not even know. At Synergy Computing, we talk to business owners every week who are shocked to discover that employees have quietly adopted new tools and platforms —…