Learning From Real-World Threats
In early July, one of our clients suffered a severe ransomware attack on an unsupported device. The attack took down their operation for weeks. It was a painful reminder that while ITGuys protects supported systems, unsupported devices remain vulnerable.
That incident drove home the importance of stronger defenses everywhere else. This August we rolled out enhanced password requirements, mandatory two-factor authentication, and targeted backup system upgrades across supported environments.
Why We Do It
Passwords are often the weakest link. Here is the hard truth: any password 8 characters or shorter is essentially the same as having no password at all. Hackers can crack them in seconds.
Backups are the safety net. Without reliable, tested backups, a ransomware attack or system failure can leave a business paralyzed.
By strengthening both, we protect systems on two fronts: harder to break in, easier to recover if something slips through.
How It Works
Here is what we implemented in August:
- Password hardening: All supported systems now require at least 12 characters for passwords.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Accounts are protected with an extra layer of security, so stolen passwords alone are not enough.
- Backup system upgrades: Where appropriate, we improved backup capacity, retention policies, or recovery speed to ensure businesses can bounce back from an attack or outage.
This combined approach creates a stronger perimeter and a better safety net.
What Customers See
The changes may feel small, but they add up:
- Passwords are longer and stronger, making them nearly impossible to brute force.
- 2FA prompts provide quick verification while blocking attackers.
- Backup systems run smoother, giving businesses confidence their data is safe.
In short, your systems are harder to break and faster to recover.
The Results
By the end of August, ITGuys customers had:
- Stronger authentication requirements across supported accounts.
- Two-factor authentication enabled to block credential-based attacks.
- Backup environments reviewed and upgraded where needed.
The result: significantly reduced risk of both successful attacks and catastrophic downtime.
Why It Matters for You
The ransomware attack in July was a clear warning. While unsupported devices can still create vulnerabilities, ITGuys takes every precaution possible to protect supported systems. Password hardening and backup upgrades are essential steps in that defense.
Benefits include:
- Security: Stronger passwords and 2FA make accounts far harder to compromise.
- Resiliency: Improved backups mean faster recovery if something does go wrong.
- Peace of mind: Attacks may happen, but your systems are ready.
Looking Ahead
Cyber threats evolve constantly, and ITGuys evolves with them. Stronger authentication and better backups are not a one-time project, they are part of an ongoing cycle of hardening, testing, and improving.
Final Word
August’s project was about learning from real-world risk. By enforcing password hardening, rolling out two-factor authentication, and upgrading backups, ITGuys strengthened the shield and reinforced the safety net.
You cannot always control what attackers try, but with these measures, your business is far better protected when they do.
Looking for an expert team to recycle your hardware and wipe your data? The ITGuys Team has proudly served Colorado since 2009!
1738 Wynkoop St. Suite 303 Denver, CO. 80202 – (303) 578-6256
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