How Email Security Can Benefit Your Business

You are probably aware that there is a “spam” or “junk” folder set up on your email account and it can seem like a pretty useless built-in feature at times. In reality, however, it is an email filtering protection and it is there for a very good reason. Most email providers have spam or junk folders for users and a big reason is to ensure maximum cyber security, keeping you protected from those with malicious intent.

Emails that are deemed as “risky”, such as possible scams and also overly promotion materials are put into this folder automatically. This helps you bypass the junk and get down to the material that you really want to read. This built-in filtering service that is provided for free is decent enough for individuals but if you have a business, or cyber security is an essential part of your career, then it’s worth investing in a higher quality program that might work more effectively. These can save you money, stop you from getting duped by scams and let you dedicate more time to genuine emails. Let’s have a deeper look at exactly how investing in an email filtering protection program can positively impact your business.

How can email filtering protection benefit businesses?

There are two main reasons why you should purchase an email filtering protection program and these are as follows.

  • In general, businesses deal with so many emails on a daily basis due to marketing, giving out your email address to a wide variety of people etc. It can be really tiring to go through a bunch of emails, especially if many of them turn out to be junk. Time wasted equals profit lost and this is something you want to avoid at all costs. Filtering the nuisance emails into a separate folder or outrightly blocking them means you don’t have to see them and therefore you can be more productive with the work that actually needs to get done.
  • Cyber criminals attack businesses from small to large organizations because they see them as vulnerable. Many scammers do this in the form of phishing emails and other scams that might be sent to you via email. Some phishing scams are very obvious and pretty laughable, although still very annoying. It should be pretty simple for you to avoid this type but they are not all like that. Other phishing scams are a little more believable. You might be more likely to trust these emails and perhaps even fall for them if they are not filtered to your junk. Phishing scams are designed to place malicious software on your computer and even steal bank details. Removing some malware from your system may involve loss of valuable data. This is obviously very dangerous for you as a business owner and could cost you everything you’ve worked for.

Why you need more advanced filtering protection  

Basic filtering service that is included with any free email address that you get online checks emails and classifies them. It blocks and segregates those matching “spam” criteria into a junk folder. Although effective in many cases it has its drawbacks. Emails that are genuine might be put into spam and this will mean you might not read something that’s important, possibly affecting your business. Some of the emails that ARE in fact scams will also make their way to your regular email folder this way.

A more in-depth filtering program is designed to check not just phrases/keywords, but also suspicious email addresses, domain names and much more. Even the cleverest of scams are not going to make it through programs such as this which is definitely going to be a big boost for business! Who wants to waste their time on junk emails when they have money to make?

As somebody who runs a business, your emails are very important so you need to protect your inbox in particular and your network in general. Since it is the means by which other businesses and potential customers contact you, you need a solid system in place to filter the junk and malicious emails from the genuine ones. Get yourself a high-quality email filtering protection program today for maximum productivity and cybersecurity.

With today’s ever changing threats, we’d be more than happy to review how secure your business is. Schedule a FREE no obligation Network & Security Audit with us today.  Click Here to schedule your technology health check.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.