How do I Recover Lost Data?

Despite the apparent stability of modern computers, businesses and consumers continue to lose critical data. Even the most costly, high-quality hardware and trustworthy software can’t ensure that your PC or laptop will never fail. Data loss is the inability to access data at its regular location via a standard program due to software/hardware failures or user errors.

For organizations of all sizes, data loss is a significant issue— losing files means losing time and money trying to restore or recover critical information for your operation. Data loss occurs when data is accidentally destroyed or tampered with. People and software can make data illegible owing to infections, physical damage, or formatting issues. The loss of documents and files can have a long-term financial impact on your company.

Common Causes of Data Loss

Computer users have a wide range of options for storing their data. However, the more convenient a choice is, the more likely it is that you could lose your data. Here are some of the most common reasons why data is lost.

1. Human Failure

Human error is a leading cause of data loss, especially when backing up your data. Many people forget to back up their data or don’t know how to do it properly — and then wonder why they lose it all.

2. Hard Drive Failures

There are several reasons why hard drives fail or crash. One of the most common is age – as hard drives get older, they become less reliable and more likely to crash or fail. Another reason could be a power surge during a storm or other natural disaster that damages your computer and files. Any important documents stored on your computer could be permanently damaged beyond repair if this happens.

3. Malware Infection

When malware infects your computer, it can cause damage to your files as well as those belonging to your business organization. The most common type of malware is ransomware (such as Locky), which encrypts all files on your computer, making them inaccessible until you pay a ransom to the hackers who infected them in the first place!

4. Software Corruption

This is the most common cause of data loss. Software corruption can be due to a virus, a power surge, or even an incorrect installation. Sometimes, it’s simply because you’ve been using your computer for too long, and it’s time for an upgrade.

5. Theft

Whether it’s theft by a person or the server, it can quickly be taken away from you if your data is not protected. You might think this is unlikely to happen to you, but the truth is that if someone wanted your files bad enough, they would find a way to get them. This cause is on the rise. In 2020, there were 1001 data breaches in the United States. Meanwhile, over 155.8 million people were affected by data exposures in the same year, defined as the unintentional disclosure of sensitive information owing to inadequate information security.

6. Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are explicitly designed to destroy valuable information and render computers useless. If a virus gets into your system undetected and isn’t removed quickly enough (or at all), it can wreak havoc on your hard drive and destroy your files without warning!

7. Natural Disasters

Natural disasters can also cause data loss if your computer isn’t protected against them by a reliable backup service. A fire or flood could destroy your computer equipment and damage any hard drives stored inside it, causing you to lose your precious data forever if you haven’t backed up recently.

Recovering Lost Data

If you’ve ever lost your data for any reason, you know how frustrating it can be, and it’s even more frustrating when it’s something you’ve been working on for days, weeks, or even months. Thankfully, deleting a file isn’t necessarily the end of the world. Here are some ways through which you can recover your lost data.

●  Recover Deleted Files from the Recycle Bin

If you’ve accidentally erased something, you should first check the Windows Recycle Bin. Windows do not attempt to delete a file when you select it and press the Delete key (or right-click and choose the Delete option from the menu).

It instead sends it to the Recycle Bin, which has its desktop icon. Double-clicking on the desktop icon to view the contents, then right-clicking on the file and selecting Restore from the menu makes restoring a file from the Recycle Bin a breeze.

●  Retrieve Deleted Files with any Third Party Software

If you deleted files and later realized that you needed them, then use third-party software to retrieve deleted files. Much free software is available online to help you with this task. But they will not be able to recover all types of files. Some only work for images, music, videos, and other multimedia files, while others can recover documents, emails, and much more.

●  Recovering Data from a failing SSD or Hard Drive

After debunking the fallacy that deleted and corrupted files are lost forever, we now focus on the problem every PC user fears: hard disc failure. This might appear in various ways, but in general, Windows will refuse to start, even in Safe Mode, and turning on your computer may result in unwanted clicking noises. As a result, you risk losing not just a handful of your most important data but the entire contents of the drive.

Hard discs are frequently suggested to be repaired by placing them in the freezer. While this has been known to work in the past, bringing the drive back to life long enough to extract the most crucial files, it only works for particular faults.

●  Using Backups to Restore

Backups are an excellent safeguard for your important files and will come in handy if you experience data loss. You may be able to restore your lost files by utilizing backup media if you follow best practices and make frequent backups of your data. This means that backups are created between when the files are first loaded onto your computer and when they are deleted.

Final Words

The truth is that it is possible to restore deleted data. However, the success of recovering deleted files will depend on many factors. The first factor is how recently the files were deleted. Another factor affecting restoring your data is whether the file system was formatted before or after deletion. And yet another factor to keep in mind is whether the hard drive has been overwritten with new data.

If you need help with data backup, recovery, and management, or you need assistance putting procedures in place to protect your data and maintain business continuity. Call in the experts. Call Protected Harbor. Our enterprise-grade isolated backup and data recovery services are unparalleled in the industry. We understand the importance of data and have helped numerous companies retrieve their data. Not only recovering data but making it secure is also our main focus so that you never have to think about your data.

Protected Harbor can assist you by providing skilled specialists who can design and implement your desired solutions. We test your infrastructure for the leak points with pen-testing and vulnerability testing, ensuring regular backups and restore services. Want to know how we do it? Book a free IT Audit today.

Flat Rate Pricing Model Explained

In the business world, there are several methods and pricing strategies that businesses use to sell their products or services. Pricing strategies can be complex and often tailored to suit a company’s needs and target customers. When looking at your options, you may wonder whether flat-rate pricing can benefit your business. The answer is yes! There are many benefits to using flat-rate pricing as your pricing strategy, mainly if you operate in a niche market or have unique services or products.

Welcome to another video in the series Uptime with Richard Luna. This video is for you if you’ve ever wondered if flat rate pricing is the correct model. In this blog, we’ve explained the flat rate pricing model and its pros and cons. Watch the full video to learn more.

What is Flat Rate Pricing?

In a flat-rate subscription model, all features and access levels are available to users for a monthly or annual fee. For instance, your monthly or yearly payment is fixed if you purchase a New York Times subscription.

What are the Pros and Cons of Flat-rate Pricing?

Like any subscription pricing model, there are advantages and disadvantages. Although flat rate pricing might be a tool for early monetization, your capacity to expand may be limited by its lack of adaptability and scalability.

Pros- The simplicity and predictability of flat rate pricing are its main advantages. A flat-rate pricing strategy is simple to explain, which makes it simple to sell. Flat rate pricing might be a good option if your target consumer values simplicity or needs a simple fix for a simple issue.

Flat rate pricing can also be effective for businesses with a specific product and buyer persona. In this case, a flat rate price structure frees the founders to concentrate on revenue, customer acquisition, and customer retention rather than developing a pricing plan for various personas that don’t yet exist.

Cons- Although the flat rate option is all but gone in the SaaS environment, it may be effective for a small number of businesses. A one-size-fits-all strategy will ensure that none of your users are satisfied. Business owners might choose a rival that offers a beginner plan that is more reasonably priced, while larger companies might need more features or bandwidth than your flat-rate subscription plan can provide.

Any SaaS adopting a flat-rate model is also riskier for larger enterprises. These companies can burden both your server and customer support resources, and thanks to fixed pricing, you won’t get paid any extra for your trouble.

Wrapping Up

If you’ve taken the time to read this article, then you’re interested in learning about flat-rate pricing. The good news is that flat-rate pricing is one of the best strategies for growing and recurring revenue for many businesses.

Many businesses don’t adopt the strategy of using a flat rate. These businesses often charge a la carte for each product or service provided. Unfortunately, they often struggle with growing revenue and achieving profitability. Companies often fail to adopt a more effective pricing strategy due to a lack of knowledge. Adopting a flat-rate pricing strategy is an excellent way to ensure your business is profitable and growing.

A company might sell its products or services at a fixed price, offer discounts based on volume, or offer an auction-style price that changes based on the demand for a given product or service. The best pricing model for a company depends on its goals, target customers, and overall business model.

Regardless of which model you choose, you can partner with Protected Harbor, and our experts will create customized flat-rate pricing for your needs. Get a free consultation and IT audit today.

The Importance of IT Service Provider: Truth to Power

Today’s business landscape is highly competitive, and a company must adopt a strategy to give them an edge over its competitors. Technology has become a primary source of differentiation for companies in all sectors.

You’ve probably heard about the importance of the service-provider relationship. After all, it’s a topic that discussion boards, blogs, and articles have been tackling for years. But how much of this information is theory vs. practice? If you had to implement these strategies tomorrow, would you know what action steps to take?

Welcome to another video in the series Uptime with Richard Luna discussing the importance of service-provider relations and transparency. What’s the truth to power between the promised services and the actual delivery by the IT service providers and MSPs?

The Importance of a Service-Provider Relationship

When people in the business world talk about service-provider relationships, they refer to the partnerships businesses build with their partners. These could include vendors, suppliers, distributors, IT service providers, managed service providers, or system integrators. A service-provider relationship is designed to help both parties thrive and succeed.

When you partner with a company to provide essential technology services, like hosting, IT infrastructure, security, or managed services, you’re entering into a partnership that will benefit both of you in different ways. For example, let’s say you run a chain of car dealerships that need an IT infrastructure to process credit card payments and keep your staff connected. If you work with a managed services provider (MSP) to help you with these tasks, you’re entering into a partnership that will benefit you in different ways.

Truth in Transparency: Know What You’re Buying

IT service providers are critical to any business’s success, but they are not all created equally. Many service providers offer various technology-related services, each with unique value propositions, business models, and strengths and weaknesses. That’s why it’s important to partner with an IT service provider that is a good fit for your company.

Partnering with a service provider that is a good fit for your company can help you avoid common pitfalls that can disrupt your business and negatively impact your bottom line, such as paying too much for services you don’t need or are overpriced, or not receiving the level of support and maintenance your company needs to thrive.

Before signing up with an IT service provider, ensure you understand exactly what you’re buying to ensure the relationship is a good fit for your business. You don’t want to sign up with a service provider that is overpriced or doesn’t offer a solution that lines up with your business needs.

The Importance of a Good SLA

The service-level agreement (SLA) is critical to any managed services agreement. The SLA outlines the service provider’s obligations, such as the level of customer support, the amount of downtime, and the uptime of critical systems. It also includes the customer’s obligations.

It is essential to make sure the SLA is in your favor. If you are a customer working with an MSP, the SLA is your opportunity to hold the service provider accountable for their promises by clearly laying out what you expect from them. It is also an opportunity for you to establish a baseline for performance.

If you are an MSP, the SLA is your opportunity to outline the commitments you make to your customers. It is also an opportunity for you to set a baseline for performance. For example, if your SLA states that you will have a technician respond to an issue within four hours, that is the expectation you need to live up to every single time.

Takeaways

It is a strategic technology partner offering more than just a product or service. It is a partner that provides expertise, guidance, and support to help you grow your business through IT services.

Protected Harbor is not your typical MSP. It’s a managed service provider with a twist. The company specializes in cloud-based software solutions, including data backup, recovery, ransomware, and other cybersecurity services. Our team of MSP experts works with you every step of the way.

We conduct a thorough assessment of your business and technology landscape. We then customize a solution that meets your exact needs. Contact one of our experts today for a free IT Audit and discover why we are different.

Non-profit Computer Services: Building the Foundation for Your Non-Profit’s Success

Non-profit organizations are often driven by passion, not profits. But that doesn’t stop non-profits needing technology to operate efficiently and thrive. Technology can support growth by streamlining operations, making collaboration with partners and volunteers easier, or increasing the organization’s visibility to potential donors.

Whether your non-profit is just starting or looking for ways to improve efficiency, these tips will help you better manage your non-profit’s IT needs. Here is the next video in the series Uptime with Richard Luna. This blog post will cover why your non-profit should invest in IT services or managed serv and how to find the right partner.

All Has to be Seamless

In the dynamic landscape of non-profit organizations, leveraging technology effectively is crucial to fulfilling their missions. Non-profit IT services play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless operations and impactful outreach. Managed IT services for non-profits provide tailored solutions to address the unique challenges these organizations face. From optimizing network infrastructures to implementing robust cybersecurity measures, these services are designed to enhance efficiency while maintaining a focus on cost-effectiveness.

Non-profit IT services empower organizations to leverage the latest advancements, such as cloud solutions and data management, without the burden of day-to-day IT management. By partnering with a trusted managed IT service provider, non-profits can concentrate on their core objectives, confident that their technological foundation is secure, reliable, and aligned with their philanthropic goals.

When it comes to non-profit IT services, the tech experience must be seamless for your internal team and end users. Your services should integrate well with your existing tools and be easy to set up. They should also provide a straightforward user experience—whether someone is using your website or accessing a hosted application, they should not be overwhelmed by technology.

Provide a Uniform Interface

One of your organization’s most influential services is a uniform interface for managing your environment. You may have one or several application or platform environments. You may also have one or more partner organizations or support system that provide you with internal or external services, such as email systems, hosted applications, and data storage.

These multiple environments and partners may need to be integrated, monitored, and managed in a single interface. Your non-profit IT services partner should be able to help you do this. In particular, you’ll want to ensure the partner can provide a single pane of glass to manage your environments, no matter where they are hosted, so you can have one view of all your operations.

Finding the right partner

Finding the right IT partner for your nonprofit organizations is more critical than the cost. It’s about meeting your needs, including your ability to collaborate, manage operations, and measure results. Before you begin the search for non-profit IT services, do some self-reflection on your organization’s goals and objectives. Are you seeking a turnkey solution? Will you need to staff the project internally? What are your most prominent non-profit IT challenges? These are all critical questions to consider when looking for the right partner and customer service for your non-profit.

Conclusion

When it comes to non-profit IT services, you want to be sure to select a partner that will help you meet your strategic goals. You want to make sure the partner can provide the level of service you need and that it can scale as your needs grow. You also want to ensure the partner is committed to positive social impact and can show you how their technology and services are helping other non-profits succeed.

With the right partner like Protected Harbor and the right level of support, there is no limit to what your non-profit can accomplish. Protected Harbor is dedicated to offering scalable and affordable solutions and is aware of the unique challenges faced by non-profit organizations. We have spent years planning IT infrastructures for NGOs to ensure they receive the IT support required for both short- and long-term objectives while being productive.

To find out more about how our IT solutions may assist your non-profit organization in achieving its objectives, get in touch with Protected Harbor for a free consultation and IT Audit.

How to Prevent Crashes and Outages?

Today’s workforce relies heavily on computers for day-to-day tasks. If a computer crashes, we tend to get more than just a little agitated.

Fear of being unable to work and get our jobs done for the day races through our minds while anger takes its place in the forefront of trying to fix whatever went wrong, throwing all logic out the window.

When a system abruptly ceases to work, it crashes. The scope of a system failure can vary significantly from one that affects all subsystems to one that is just limited to a particular device or just the kernel itself.

System hang-ups are a related occurrence in which the operating system is nominally loaded. Still, the system stops responding to input from any user/device and ceases producing output. Another way to define such a system is as frozen.

This blog will explain how to prevent crashes and outages in 6 easy steps.

What is a System Crash and an Outage?

A system crash is a term used to describe a situation in which a computer system fails, usually due to an error or a bug in the software. An outage may also be caused by an application program, system software, driver, hardware malfunction, power outage, or another factor.

“A system freeze,” “system hang,” or “the blue screen of death” are the other terms for a system crash.

An outage is a general term for an unexpected interruption to a service or network. Outages can be planned (for example, during maintenance) or unplanned (a fault occurs). Outages can last for minutes, hours, days, or even weeks.

Main Reasons for Crashes and Outages

System outages can be caused by various factors, from hardware failures to software glitches. In many cases, outages are the result of a combination of factors. The following are some of the most common causes of system outages:

• Hardware failures: A defective component can cause an entire system to fail. Servers, hard drives, and other components can fail, leading to an outage.
• Software glitches: Software glitches can also cause system outages. A coding error or a bug in the software can disrupt the system’s regular operation.
• Power outages: A power outage can cause the entire system to fail. The system may be damaged permanently if the power is not restored quickly.
• Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can damage or destroy critical components of the system.

System crashes can be caused by various things, from software defects to hardware failures. Sometimes, the crash may even be caused by something as simple as a power outage or due to a more severe issue, such as a virus or malware infection.

• Overheating: When a computer’s CPU or graphics card gets too hot, it can cause the system to freeze or crash. This is often the result of inadequate cooling or dust and dirt buildup inside the computer.
• Bad drivers: If a driver is outdated, corrupt, or incompatible with the operating system, it can cause the system to crash. In some cases, this can even lead to data loss or permanent damage to the computer.

Preventions Against Crashes and Outages

Nobody wants their computer to crash, but it will happen eventually. Here are a few ways to help prevent them and keep your computer running smoothly.

1.    Keep Your Software Up to Date by Installing Updates

One of the best ways to prevent crashes and outages is by updating your software. This means installing updates as soon as they become available. You should also keep your operating system and programs up to date. These updates can fix bugs and security vulnerabilities, so installing them as soon as they are released is essential.

2.    Avoid Clicking on Links or Downloading Files from Unknown Sources

It’s essential to be proactive in preventing crashes and outages. One way to do this is to avoid clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources, as these can often contain malware that can harm your computer or network. Additionally, you should routinely back up your data to recover it if something goes wrong.

3. Make Sure You Have Good Antivirus and Anti-Malware Programs

One of the most important things you can do to prevent crashes is to ensure that your antivirus and anti-malware programs are up to date. These programs can help protect your computer from malware infections, which can cause crashes.

4.    Close Programs You’re Not Using

One of the best ways to prevent crashes and outages is to close any programs you’re not using. When too many programs are open, your computer’s performance can suffer, leading to crashes and outages.

5.    Delete Unwanted Files

Another way to improve your computer’s performance is to regularly delete files you no longer need. This will free up space on your hard drive, allowing your computer to run more efficiently.

6.    Try a Trusted Disk Clean-Up to Free Up Some Space

This will help your computer run faster and smoother. You can even defragment your hard drive occasionally to keep it organized and running smoothly.

Remember to install updates for your operating system and software as soon as they are available. Keeping your computer clean and organized will help prevent crashes and outages.

Final Words

Don’t forget that you are the one running the computer, not the other way around. Therefore, it is your top priority to maintain the computers for improved performance and to continually check for any disruptions that could result in computer failures.

Try to pay attention to the little warnings your system sends you so you can save not just your computer but also yourself from a mental spiral.

Now that you know what causes crashes and outages, you can stay on top of them by following a few simple rules. Regularly monitoring your system resources, updating your software, keeping your system up to date, and having a good antivirus are the best ways to keep your computer running smoothly and keep both crashes and outages at bay.

Taking care of your data can help you to protect it from crashes and outages. You can get expert help from Protected Harbor to manage and maintain your systems and data. Protected Harbor provides an added layer of security that helps to ensure the uninterrupted flow of business-critical data. Additionally, our expert team monitors and detects any threats or updates to your system in order to ensure a smooth, efficient operation that saves it from crashing.

We help you to avoid the most common causes of data loss and system outages. These include network issues due to malicious activity, viruses, and system overload; natural disasters; power outages; and accidental deletion or corruption of data. You’re less likely to experience a system outage or lose critical data if you have a backup, plus 99.99% uptime is our guarantee.

Sign up now and get a free consultation to learn more about how Protected Harbor can keep your company’s data secure and your business up and running.

12 Common Reasons Why Your Data Gets Lost

Have you accidentally deleted an important work file or maybe even lost your precious vacation pictures from this past year with your family? These unfortunate events can be devastating, and we have all experienced the feeling of dread that comes along with losing a file. The loss of data is not usually the result of external attacks. All it takes is one negligent employee’s activity or a simple technical failure to wipe out all your essential data.

To choose a recovery method, you must understand how and why data is lost.

Common Reasons for Data Loss

Here are some common reasons for data loss.

1. Hardware Failure
   Hardware failures can lead to data loss in many ways. A hard drive crash is the most common type of hardware failure, but other types can also result in data loss. For example, a power surge or lightning strike could damage your computer’s motherboard or circuit board. If your computer doesn’t have a surge protector, it could be damaged by a power outage or brownout (a voltage drop). It’s also possible that a virus or other malware could damage your computer’s operating system or corrupt files on any attached storage devices, such as USB drives.
2. Software Corruption
   The operating system’s or applications’ corruption can cause file system damage and lost data. This is often a result of bugs or viruses that corrupt your data files. These bugs are typically found in software programs or drivers used to run your computer’s hardware.
3. User Error
   User error is another prevalent type of data loss, especially among home users who don’t understand computers very well. Education and training are the best ways to prevent this data loss. If you have a friend who doesn’t know much about computers but wants to learn, get involved in backing up their important files so they understand why it is essential for them to do so.
4. Malicious Action
   If you have sensitive company or personal information stored on your computer, you must ensure that no one else has access to your machine. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. If you’re not careful, someone could hack into your device and delete files without you knowing about it until it’s too late. This is especially true if you use public Wi-Fi hotspots and don’t protect yourself with a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A hacker could quickly gain access to your computer and steal any sensitive information.
5. Overwriting Data
   For the computer to store information, it needs a way to write on the hard drive and keep track of where everything is located so it knows where to find it later. When you delete files, they aren’t erased from the disk until you overwrite them with new data. If you don’t overwrite them with new data, they remain on the disk until they’re overwritten by something else — which could be years later! If someone gets their hands on your computer when there’s still old data on the disk waiting to be overwritten, they could recover that old information in some instances.
6. Accidental Deletion
   Accidentally deletion occurs when people try to remove files from their computers but delete them by mistake. This often happens when trying to remove malware or other unwanted programs that have infected their computer systems. Even if they think they’ve deleted all traces of the infection, they might be mistaken; certain types of malware are designed to hide until they cause further damage to your system.
   
7. Hacker Attacks and Data Theft
   Data thieves use sophisticated techniques to get their hands on information they can sell or use themselves. This includes using malware to infiltrate your system, stealing passwords and other login credentials, or gaining access by posing as an employee or contractor. These attacks can cause significant damage, so you must take steps to secure your data and protect against them as much as possible.
8. Viruses and Malware
   Viruses and other malicious software (malware) can completely corrupt or delete your files. Viruses can also infect your computer’s operating system, leading to other problems. Contact a professional immediately if you suspect your device has been infected with a virus or other malicious software.
   Protected Harbor can protect your business from infection from ransomware, viruses, useless subscriptions, phishing attacks, and end-user problems, making your IT as strong as Protected Harbor does your business.
9. Accidents Involving Fires and Explosions
   Explosions are uncommon, but fire will almost certainly utterly destroy your computer and any data stored on it. The backups kept in the same residence are likewise at risk from fire. For example, having weekly backups on an external hard drive held in the same building won’t assist much if the building burns down. The computer and the backup disc will be destroyed in this instance, and all data will be lost. Making regular backups and keeping them in other (different) locations is the safest strategy against fire.
10.   Power Failures
    A sudden power outage could cause your computer to lose data if it was writing an update when the power went out. This can be especially problematic if you’re storing all your data on one drive because there will be no duplicate copies stored elsewhere. Other causes include faulty batteries or power surges that cause damage to hardware components.
11.   Memory Corruption
    A bug in your code causes an unexpected result that might corrupt memory, leading to problems with reading or writing data stored in memory.
12.   Liquid Damage
    Water or any other liquid getting into your computer or digital device can cause permanent damage and make it impossible for you to re-access your files. For example, most hard drives will not be able to read the information on a damaged platter, even if the rest of the campaign is still working fine. If you spill water on your laptop while it’s running, there’s a good chance you’ll lose all of your data because moisture can cause corrosion inside your laptop’s internal components.

Final Words

As it turns out, data loss can happen in several ways, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chance of this happening to you. It’s always important to make regular backups of your information—never keep all your eggs in one basket. Also, remember to secure sensitive information correctly especially if you’re dealing with sensitive data.

Protected Harbor enables you to store data in multiple locations and ensure that your data is safe in case any location is affected by a critical disaster. It also keeps your data protected by monitoring and securing it from viruses and other malicious software. This solution also enables you to set up a disaster recovery plan so that your business does not incur any loss of data.

Above, we have listed the most common reasons as to how and why you can lose your data; you need to be proactive and take the proper measures to secure your data. Consider partnering with a data expert like Protected Harbor. We understand that data is important; that’s why we help you keep it safe.

Get free data penetration testing, including hardware check, and Protected Harbor today.

The Best Ways to Save on Technology Costs During a Recession‍

When you’re in the middle of a recession, it can be hard to think about anything but how much money you don’t have. However, one area that many businesses cut when finances get tight is their technology budget. This is unfortunate because technology isn’t an optional expense for most companies – it’s necessary. After all, new technologies make business operations more productive and help companies reach new markets and sell their goods more efficiently. Nevertheless, a tight economy can force even the best-managed businesses to make unwise cuts to their technology budgets. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up on investing in new technologies until things get better; instead, there are plenty of ways that you can save money on your technology needs during a recession.

Welcome to another blog from the series Uptime with Richard Luna. Watch the video to understand why technology costs matter and how you can cut your bills during a recession.

Review Your Bills

The first step to saving money on technology bills is to review your current bills. You’ll want to ensure you’re not paying for services you aren’t using. For example, if you have internet service with a data cap, you may lower your costs by using a different plan that doesn’t have a cap. Similarly, if you’re paying for software subscriptions that you aren’t using, you should be able to cancel them for a full refund. While these simple savings may not be enough to eliminate the need for cost-cutting measures, they can help you to get started.

Determining Which Tech Investments are Worth the Money

If you’re looking to cut your technology budget, the first step is determining which investments are worth the money. Doing so will allow you to make targeted cuts that will reduce your costs without compromising your ability to do business. If you’re looking to reduce your IT costs, you should evaluate your current IT infrastructure and see if there are any areas for improvement. You can then use this information to decide what new technologies you need. For example, if your business still uses landlines, you should upgrade to VoIP phone service. Similarly, if you’re still using a traditional PBX system, you’ll save money by switching to an IP PBX. Each of these investments will save you money on your monthly bills and help you to modernize your business communications.

Hold Off on New Subscription Purchases

If you’re facing a severe budget shortfall, the first thing that you should do is hold off on new subscription purchases. Many business owners make the mistake of thinking they need to keep up with the latest technological trends, even if they don’t have the money to do so. However, the truth is that most businesses can get by just fine without the latest gadgets. Holding off on new subscriptions will allow you to spend less money on your existing technology. Then you can use the money you’re saving to help offset your technology budget.

Bottom line

Technology is a necessary part of any business, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. To save money on technology costs during a recession, you should review your current bills to ensure that you aren’t paying for services you aren’t using. You should also determine which tech investments are worth the money and hold off on any unnecessary new subscription purchases. By following these tips, you can save money on technology without sacrificing your ability to do business.

Sign up now with Protected Harbor for a free IT audit and find out where you can save money. You will receive recommendations on improving your company’s IT infrastructure to save money, receive a free consultation, and ensure your systems are secure.

5 Emergency Hard Drive Recovery Solutions

We’ve all used them, and we’ve all had problems with them. Of course, we’re referring to hard drives, which are just as crucial in our personal and professional life as the computers on which they run.

The most significant drawback of hard drives (both HDDs and SSDs) is their low reliability. According to Backblaze, cloud storage and data backup firm, the Annualized Hard Drive Failure Rate (AFR) for 2022 is expected to be approximately 1.45%, which indicates that more than one out of every 100 hard drives will fail over a year.

Hard drive failure can strike at any time and without warning. When it does, it can be devastating, mainly if the drive contains essential data that has not been backed up. Fortunately, several emergency hard drive recovery solutions can be used to salvage data from a failing drive. If you’re worried that your current cloud storage provider won’t be around if your data is lost, or you are concerned that your data may be at risk due to a natural disaster or another unforeseen event, then you’ve come to the right place.

What is a Hard Drive Recovery Solution?

A hard drive recovery solution is a process of retrieving data from a damaged or inaccessible hard drive. Data loss has many potential causes, including physical damage, logical damage, virus attacks, and software corruption. In most cases, data can be recovered using specialized software and techniques. Among the different recovery solutions available, the best one for you will depend on the damage to your hard drive and the amount of data you need to recover.

Emergency Hard Drive Recovery Solutions

Emergency hard drives recovery solutions are crucial when recovering data from a failed or damaged hard drive. Here are five of the most effective methods:

1. Disk Imaging

Hard drive failure can be devastating, especially if critical data is lost. To avoid further damage and preserve as much data as possible, disk imaging should be performed. Disk imaging involves creating an exact copy of the damaged hard drive. This copy can then be used for recovery purposes. Hard drive recovery solutions can be used to recover data from the image, or the image can be used to create a new hard drive. Either way, disk imaging is an essential step in hard drive recovery.

2. Data Carving

Data carving may be a successful solution even when other methods have failed. Data carving involves scanning the hard drive for known file types and extracting them. This method can be successful because it does not rely on the file system to locate the files. Instead, it looks for specific patterns that are known to be associated with certain file types. As a result, data carving can effectively recover lost files from a damaged hard drive. Hard drive recovery solutions can be complex, but data carving is a simple and effective method that anyone can use.

3. Firmware Updates

In some cases, updating the firmware on a hard drive can enable it to be recognized by the computer and allow data to be recovered. The manufacturer usually updates the firmware, but sometimes it can be done by the user. Firmware updates can be found on the manufacturer’s website or on a CD that comes with the hard drive.

Instructions on updating the firmware can also be found on the manufacturer’s website. In most cases, it is best to leave the firmware update to be done by the manufacturer. However, if the user feels comfortable doing it, they can follow the instructions with the update. Once the firmware has been updated, it is essential to run a test to ensure that the data can be recovered from the hard drive. If not, there may be something wrong with the hard drive, and a professional should be consulted.

4. Consult with a Specialist

While many do-it-yourself data recovery solutions are available, these are often ineffective and can even cause further damage to your hard drive. A data recovery specialist like Protected Harbor will have the tools and knowledge necessary to safely and effectively recover your lost data. In addition, they will be able to advise you on the best way to prevent data loss in the future. As such, consulting with a professional data recovery specialist is the best way to ensure that your lost data is recovered and that you are prepared for future data loss.

5. Reformatting

You may be considering reformatting as a last resort option. This process will erase all data on the drive, but it can sometimes enable the drive to be used again. Before reformatting, you should always back up any important files you don’t want to lose. Once you’ve backed up your data, reformatting is a relatively simple process. However, it’s important to note that reformatting will not fix any underlying problems with the hard drive.

If the drive fails due to physical damage, reformatting will not repair the damage. In some cases, reformatting can even make physical damage worse. As a result, reformatting should only be attempted if all other options have failed and you’re willing to accept the risk of losing all data on the hard drive.

Final Words

In the event of a hard drive crash, there are several solutions to consider to try and recover your data. While some solutions may be more successful, it is essential to try various methods to increase your chances of recovering as much data as possible. If you have experienced a hard drive failure, don’t panic – start by trying one or more of these emergency hard drive recovery solutions. In most cases, data can be recovered using specialized software and techniques.

However, in some cases, data may be permanently lost due to severe physical damage or corrupt file system structures. If you have lost essential data from your hard drive, it is crucial to seek professional help from reputable providers like Protected Harbor as soon as possible. Their qualified data recovery solutions will be able to assess the extent of the damage and recommend the best course of action. In many cases, data can be successfully recovered even if the hard drive is severely damaged. A data backup and disaster recovery plan are also essential to prevent such situations from happening again. Our experts also suggest a regular restore functionality check.

If you are a business with a critical need for data continuity and considering buying a stand-alone device for data backup in an emergency, there is a better option. You can get an enterprise-grade external hard drive or a cloud solution from Protected Harbor and set it up as a data recovery vault. This way, you’ll have it ready to go in case of emergency, and you won’t have to worry about the possibility of data loss.

Want to know how our isolated backup and disaster recovery is one of the best in the industry? Contact our experts who are available to assist you 24×7, and you get a free IT audit as well.

The Pitfalls of a Modern MSP

Modern managed services providers (MSPs) are not your typical IT solution provider. These organizations are agile, personable, and tech-savvy. Their services are built to meet business needs in the modern age of technology, but there’s more than what meets the eye. However, because they’re so advanced compared to other IT solution providers, they often have issues that typical MSPs don’t face. For example, the pitfalls of a modern MSP can be tricky to navigate. Any organization has its ups and downs, but these common pitfalls can hinder its growth if left unresolved. Watch the latest video in our series Uptime with Richard Luna to discover the pitfalls of a modern MSP and how you can avoid them.

Yes, modern MSPs can present pitfalls, and it is essential to be aware of these potential issues before choosing an MSP for your organization. Modern Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can present pitfalls like overreliance on technology, hidden costs, vendor lock-in, and data security risks. We will discuss this in detail in the video.

Reselling Services

IT service providers of all kinds often choose to resell third-party services. However, reselling services can lead to issues in the future. These services can be challenging to forecast, and the risks can outweigh the benefits. For example, if you buy cloud services, you may not know the SLA of each provider, the availability of each type of service, or the performance of each provider. Because of this, you may not be able to guarantee a high level of service to your clients if they experience issues with their hosted applications or cloud storage.

Limited Experience

In the realm of managed IT services for small businesses, modern Managed Service Providers (MSPs) often tout a broad spectrum of offerings. However, amidst this versatility lies a common pitfall: limited experience. While these MSPs may excel as generalists, akin to versatile infantry, their breadth often comes at the cost of depth in specialization.

Generalists find it challenging to compete for new business in an industry where specialization leads to higher-quality services and more satisfied clients. By focusing on a specific set of products or services, MSPs can differentiate themselves from other generalists and offer clients more value, leading to increased customer satisfaction and a more competitive edge.

For managed IT service providers seeking to carve a niche in the market, a shift towards specialization is paramount. By refining their focus and expertise, MSPs can deliver unparalleled value to clients, ultimately establishing themselves as leaders in the field of managed IT solutions.

Lack of a Proactive Culture

Many modern MSPs are built around providing reactive support. They wait for clients to call with an issue before they start working on a solution. This is fine to an extent, but it creates an environment where problems are prioritized above proactive efforts to prevent issues from ever occurring. Similarly, some MSPs may ignore clients who don’t have a point. This leads to a lack of communication and a lack of relationship building. A proactive culture enables MSPs to build stronger relationships with clients and engage with them in ways that don’t solely focus on problems. Communication creates a more personable relationship between the MSP and its clients and allows the organization to provide better value to its customers by offering more than just reactive support.

Summing up

Modern MSPs like Protected Harbor are driven by data, which allows them to identify trends and take advantage of them. With the right tools, our team can gather meaningful information from client interactions and make data-driven decisions that will benefit your company. Continue to watch our video for knowledge and insights on MSPs and how to choose the right one for your business.

Protected Harbor is the top managed service provider in hudson valley new york. Get a free IT Audit today, consult one of our experts and discover why we aren’t just your typical MSP.

Hidden Costs of the Cloud

What You Need to Know‍

The cloud has undoubtedly transformed the way organizations operate.

The cloud offers many benefits, including on-demand resources, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Most businesses nowadays have shifted to either a hybrid or a hybrid private cloud architecture. However, cloud adoption hasn’t been smooth for everyone.

Several hidden costs of the cloud may catch you off guard if you’re not fully aware of them. Understanding these costs is essential to budget accurately for your IT services in the long run.

Welcome to another video in our series Uptime with Richard Luna, where Richard Luna, CEO of Protected Harbor, will discuss the cloud’s actual costs. Below, we will touch on some of the hidden costs of the cloud, how they can impact your business and what you can do about it.

What Are the Hidden Costs of the Cloud?

As we’ve already established, the cloud has some hidden costs that many companies are unaware of. This can affect their budgeting, decision-making, and long-term strategy. Business leaders may alter their entire IT strategy based on these hidden costs. From a financial standpoint, hidden fees can include data transfer, cloud utilization, migration, and business process reengineering costs.

Data Transfer Costs – These are costs associated with transferring data between on-premise resources and cloud-based resources. Depending on where your data is stored, you may have to incur data transfer costs.

Cloud Utilization Costs– Public cloud service providers demand a fee each time a business tries to access its data. Cloud companies are betting on huge demand despite the low fees, which occasionally amount to cents per hour.

Migration Costs – Organizations migrating their applications to the cloud may incur costs for retooling legacy applications for the cloud.

Business Process Reengineering Costs– Organizations occasionally anticipate that a move to the cloud will boost overall functionality and efficiency. However, the reality is any problems that may have existed before a cloud move will persist there. The initial transformation might be finished, but continuous business modifications will still be required, increasing spending.

Understanding Cloud Offerings: Comparing Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services

Regarding cloud offerings, two of the most popular options are Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Both platforms offer various computing services, including virtual machines, edge locations, and private IP addresses. However, there are some differences to be aware of. For example, GCP offers VPC peering connections that allow customers to connect to their own premises data center.

In contrast, AWS offers Amazon CloudFront, a content delivery network that can speed up website loading times. In terms of data transfer pricing, GCP charges $0.01 per GB, while AWS charges $0.09 per GB for the first 10 TB. It’s important to consider these factors when deciding which platform to migrate to the cloud and any additional data transfer charges that may apply.

Private Cloud: A Better Alternative

Richard recommends, “To overcome some of the hidden costs of the cloud, organizations can opt for the private cloud.” A private cloud is an on-premises version of the public cloud where IT organizations control access, security, and the level of scalability.

A private cloud is an isolated environment within your organization’s data center. It has its dedicated hardware, software, networking resources, and other utilities. A private cloud may incur some hidden costs. But these hidden costs are typically less than those of public cloud services.

You can also use a public-private hybrid cloud. This combines a public cloud platform and a private cloud environment. A hybrid cloud is often used to host sensitive information because it’s more secure than a public cloud. You can also host non-sensitive information on a public cloud platform while keeping your critical data private.

Conclusion

Many cloud providers offer their services, but not all are the same. If you want to avoid hidden costs and stay safe, you need to move to a private cloud. This way, you will have complete control over your data without worrying about any unexpected charges. With a private cloud from Protected Harbor, you can optimize your IT investments, avoid data breaches, and save money.

At Protected Harbor, we keep up with the latest technology, continuously invest in our people and infrastructure, and always look for ways to improve. We are experts in cloud implementation, partner with the biggest names in the software industry, and are dedicated to delivering a superior experience for every customer. If you’re looking to opt or migrate to a private or hybrid cloud or even other managed IT services, our experts are there to help you.

Contact us today for a free IT audit and cloud consulting!