2021 was a tough year for cybersecurity. In fact, in just the first nine months of the year, there were already 1,291 data breaches. And as cyberattacks become more sophisticated, we can expect cybercrime to continue ramping up in 2022. To help prepare your business, we have listed five top cybersecurity predictions for the new year and tips to protect your IT systems from future attacks.

If you've watched the news or scrolled through social media even once during the past year, you've probably heard about the uptick in the number of cyberattacks in 2021. In fact, according to IT security firm Check Point Software, global cyberattacks increased by 29% as hackers continued exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work to launch more sophisticated attacks against individuals, businesses, and governments.

In business, as in life, there are things within our control — and things that are outside of it. For instance, we can control how we design and implement our marketing strategies, but not how our customers will react to these. We can also implement all sorts of cybersecurity tools, such as anti-malware programs and firewalls, but we can’t stop cybercriminals from trying to thwart your defenses.

When it comes to entry points for cyberattacks, business owners usually think of computers and routers. Did you know, however, that printers can also be exploited by cybercriminals to infiltrate your network?

In 2017, researchers found vulnerabilities in internet-connected printers that could have allowed hackers to steal passwords, hijack network printers, and remotely obtain soft copies of printed documents.

Your business partnered with a managed IT services provider (MSP) to offload IT tasks like network administration, cybersecurity, and IT help desk. However, you find that they’re unable to keep up with your business's requirements and/or deliver the level of service they promised.

Technological innovations seem to emerge faster and faster every year, but the COVID-19 pandemic boosted technology in a way no one has seen before. Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders forced many companies to switch to a work from home setup. Suddenly, video conferencing apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams went from being rarely used forms of communication to the preferred meeting platforms of many businesses.

Working from home has plenty of benefits for employees, such as more flexible work hours and cost savings. However, it also blurs the boundaries between their work and personal lives, increasing the risk of remote work burnout.

To combat burnout, you must establish a clear start and end time to your workday.

Thermal printers use heating elements to produce high-quality labels and other printed media. There are two common types to choose from: direct thermal and thermal transfer printers. What are their differences, and what are the advantages and drawbacks of using one over the other? Let’s find out.

Social media is one of the best tools you can use today to grow your business. It can help you:

Discover what people are saying about your brand
Engage with your customers
Build customer loyalty
Improve your market reach
Grow your website traffic and improve the website’s search engine ranking
Monitor your competitors

While utilizing social media offers plenty of benefits, it can also expose you to security risks, such as attackers looking to steal your sensitive data.

Many businesses in California and the rest of the United States have shifted toward a mix of office and remote work setups during the post-pandemic era. However, it can be difficult for some people to shift from a desktop in the office to a laptop at home.