Blog Posts

Two professionals responding to a cybersecurity incident at a desk — one changing passwords on a laptop while a colleague is on a phone call, in a bright modern office with off-white walls and red accents.

I Clicked a Phishing Email That Morning

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 25/06/2026

A true story about clicking a phishing link, what defense in depth actually looks like in real life, and why no single layer is ever enough on its own. Co-founder Debbie Elam walks through the actual morning her email was compromised, what stopped the attackers, and what every business owner should ask their IT team after reading this.

A helpful 4-year-old girl

AI Is a Lot Like My 4-Year-Old Self

Debbie Elam Debbie Elam
Published on: 19/06/2026

Three AI patterns every business owner should recognize, and the guardrails that keep a helpful bot from quietly making a mess.

You have business gold buried in your data.  Let me help you start uncovering it.

Stop Guessing: Why Your Business Data is a Gold Mine (And How to Dig)

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 08/06/2026

Most small business owners are sitting on a gold mine. It’s called their existing data. You are already collecting the answers to your most important questions, find out how to uncover the answers.

Buy a business, not just a technical liability

The "Digital Inspection": Why IT Due Diligence is Critical When Buying a Business

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 14/05/2026

Buying a business often needs an IT inspection to uncover hidden problems that can mean big trouble.

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

How IT Documentation Protects Your Business

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 27/04/2026

Why organized systems and clear records reduce risk, downtime, and costly mistakes

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

How MSPs Reduce Downtime and Boost Productivity

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 20/04/2026

Why proactive IT support keeps your business running

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Prepare for a Compliance Audit Without Stress

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 13/04/2026

A practical guide for small businesses to stay ready year-round

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

IT Support vs IT Strategy: What Businesses Need

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 07/04/2026

Why fixing problems isn’t the same as planning for growth

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

The #1 Cybersecurity Mistake Small Businesses Make

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 31/03/2026

Simple steps to refresh your small business technology

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

The Danger of “It Won’t Happen to Us”

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 24/03/2026

Simple steps to refresh your small business technology

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Test Your Backups Before Storm Season

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 16/03/2026

Simple steps to refresh your small business technology

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Is It Time for Your IT Spring Cleaning?

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 10/03/2026

Simple steps to refresh your small business technology

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

NIST Compliance Made Simple for Small Business

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 02/03/2026

How to strengthen cybersecurity without overwhelming your team

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Test Your Backups Before Disaster Strikes

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 23/02/2026

It’s a simple question—but for many small and mid-sized businesses, the honest answer is “we haven’t.” That’s risky. According to FEMA, 40% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster, and another 25% fail within a year.

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Small Business Incident Response Plan Guide

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 16/02/2026

Small Business Incident Response Plan Guide

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

The Hidden Price of Budget IT Support

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 09/02/2026

Many low-cost IT providers operate on a break-fix model — they only show up once something breaks.

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay—Is Your IT Ready?

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 02/02/2026

Hybrid work is no longer a temporary adjustment—it’s the new normal. According to Gartner, 39% of global knowledge workers will work in a hybrid environment in 2024 and beyond. For small and mid-sized businesses, this shift creates real pressure on IT systems that were never designed for employees working everywhere, all the time.

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Firms scaling from 5 to 20 employees: What can happen behind the scenes

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 27/01/2026

Growth is exciting—but it’s also where many firms quietly stumble. When a business scales from 5 to 20 employees, the focus is usually on hiring, revenue, and clients. Technology is expected to “keep up.” In reality, it often doesn’t.

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

What to Look for in an IT Partner for CPA Firms

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 22/01/2026

A shocking 73% of small businesses experienced a cyberattack last year, according to Hiscox’s Cyber Readiness Report (2025).

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

Top Tech Risks SMBs Can’t Ignore in 2026

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 12/01/2026

A shocking 73% of small businesses experienced a cyberattack last year, according to Hiscox’s Cyber Readiness Report (2025).

CPA, CPAs, accounting, accountants, IT, technology, cybersecurity, security, compliance, risk, data, systems, networks, cloud, software, hardware, support, services, managed, outsourcing, monitoring, maintenance, protection, ransomware

A New Year’s Resolution for CPA Firms

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 05/01/2026

For most CPA firms, the holiday season is supposed to be a brief pause before the intensity of tax season begins. Partners plan time with family, staff rotate PTO, and offices run lean.

Christmas rush, IT Lesson, compliance, Multi-factor authentication, Small firms

The Holidays Are for Family — Not IT Fire Drills or Security Incidents at Your CPA Firm

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 30/12/2025

For most CPA firms, the holiday season is supposed to be a brief pause before the intensity of tax season begins. Partners plan time with family, staff rotate PTO, and offices run lean.

Cybercrime, holiday IT risk, MSP, DFW, Ransomeware, Emergency IT support, CPAs,  Small business IT

Ho, Ho, Ho, nooooo...

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 24/12/2025

A Holiday Tale of foreboding: Last December, the small business owner knew, it was time to take a break, long-overdue. The office was quiet. The orders quite steady. The cyber-criminals were cool and stood by the ready!

Christmas rush, IT Lesson, compliance, Multi-factor authentication, Small firms

Heavy Holiday Traffic & Lessons for Small Firms

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 16/12/2025

Every December, Americans brace for the same headache: holiday traffic. Airports overflow with passengers. Highways are clogged with ONE STALLED VEHICHLE backing up for miles. Your firm’s technology is no different — especially during the Christmas rush, even if you are not in retail.

Texas Safe Harbor, Punitive Damages, Cyber-security, DFW MSP, Managed Service Provider, Nerdworks Services, MSP Bedford TX, HEB Chamber, IT Support, IT Compliance, IT Help Desk

Holiday Hack Season: Why Small Firms Are Prime Targets

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 09/12/2025

Every year, cybercrime surges during the American Christmas season — and this year will be no different. Cyber-Criminals know vendors slow down, staff goes on vacation, and IT attention is stretched thin. The perfect time for crime.

Texas Safe Harbor, Punitive Damages, Cyber-security, DFW MSP, Managed Service Provider, Nerdworks Services, MSP Bedford TX, HEB Chamber, IT Support, IT Compliance, IT Help Desk

Compliance driven business: Are you audit READY?

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 02/12/2025

The most visible AUDIT FAIL🚫 is when a breach happens. After this, regulators and lawyers ask only two questions🚨 🚨: 1. Did you follow an established cybersecurity framework? 2. Can ...

Phishing attacks, Holiday IT security, Vendor risk management, Protecting business during Thanksgiving,

The Thanksgiving Parade of Cyber-Terms...for IT Nerds

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 25/11/2025

Watch out for cyber threats marching through your inbox this 🦃 Thanksgiving! From phishing floats to ransomware bands, learn how to keep your 🎈parade rolling safely. 🔒

MSP, managed IT services, texas safe harbor, regulatory compliance, IT compliance support, WISP,managed service provider, dfw, nerdworks services, Bedford Tx, CPA, cybersecurity, workforce crisis, MFA, SSO, RBAC, MDM, IT support, Cybersecurity Training, endpoint encryption

A Question of Need vs. Security

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 18/11/2025

SO SIMILAR...She almost missed it. A story in Auditing Accounting talks about how a Phishing expedition got by the tech and arrived in the CEO’s assistant inbox. The CEO was requesting an immediate transfer of $737,000. Nothing unusual about the request...

Nerdworks Services LLC, Bedford MSP, DFW IT MSP, Computer Networking, Password Reset, Craig Leikis, Debbie Elam, Cyber-Security,

Meet the Team: Your Neighbors in IT

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 11/11/2025

Who is coming to fix your computer network or keep your data safe? Craig Leikis' story began when his mother's firm was attacked by cyber criminals and he thought there has to be something better. He and his wife Debbie built a team to do just that!

Remote employees, retiring CPAs, Lack of New CPAs, Cyber attacks,  Cyber Security, Remote IT support

Remote Employees: UN-seen Risk

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 04/11/2025

As a CPA the need for REMOTE WORK OPTIONS grows significantly each year. Between these factors: ONE - the wave of retiring CPAs TWO - the slowing number of new CPAs and THREE – ongoing demand...

IT Compliance, cybersecurity proceedures,Ransomware attack, CPA Firms, Email Phishing, Nerdworks Services, Cybersecurity, Employee cyber training, cybersecurity policy, IT compliance checklist

One Click. $60k Loss.

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 28/10/2025

A CPA Firm nearly sunk by one employee error: Common and preventable. Damages extended far beyond the $60k loss. Know what to look for and how to prevent.

The Hidden Compliance Crisis in your CPA Firm

The Hidden Compliance Crisis in your CPA Firm

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 21/10/2025

250 IRS data breach reports, so far [200,000 clients affected] - KNOW WHERE TO LOOK & HOW TO PREVENT: These are not isolated incidents and it is just as much a small CPA Problem.

SonicWall SSLVPN Vulnerability Exploited to Deploy Akira Ransomware — What You Need to Do Now

SonicWall SSLVPN Vulnerability Exploited to Deploy Akira Ransomware — What You Need to Do Now

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 23/08/2025

A critical SonicWall SSLVPN vulnerability is being actively exploited to deploy Akira ransomware. If your business uses SonicWall, patch now, review your SSLVPN settings, and secure your network before it’s too late. Learn the steps you need to take today.

Graphic quote stating: Password reuse remains the number one threat to both personal and business data security.

Did 16 Billion Passwords Just Get Hacked? Not Exactly.

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 29/07/2025

Think 16 billion passwords were just hacked? Think again. The recent headlines about the "largest ever credential breach" are misleading—and we’re breaking down the truth. This blog explains what really happened, why it's not a new breach, and what actions you can take to protect your data now. Whether you're an SMB owner or IT decision-maker, this post will help you separate hype from facts and strengthen your cyber hygiene.

Illustration of a concerned business owner using a laptop with pop-up scam warnings on the screen, symbolizing tech support scams.

Don’t Trust Everything You Google: A Costly Lesson in Tech Support Scams

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 30/06/2025

New Blog PostA real-life cautionary tale of how a simple Google search led a business owner straight into a tech support scam. Learn how scammers trick users, what to do if it happens to you, and five smart ways to protect your business from remote access fraud. Don’t let a search engine put your system at risk — read this before you Google.

AI Hacker

Inside Look: How Hackers Use AI To Attack Your Business

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 30/01/2025

Thanks to artificial intelligence, cybercriminals now have the power to scale their attacks like never before - and small business owners are at the top of their hit list. Why? Because cybercriminals know you don’t have the resources of a big corporation but still have valuable data they can exploit.

Data Privacy

Data Privacy Day: How To Protect Your Business From Costly Data Breaches

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 28/01/2025

January 28 is Data Privacy Day, a global reminder of just how vital it is to keep sensitive information secure. For business owners, “data privacy” is more than just a buzzword; it’s a critical part of protecting your bottom line.

IT upgrades, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and innovation in business technology for 2025

New Year, New Tech: Top IT Upgrades To Supercharge Your Business In 2025

Nerdworks Services Nerdworks Services
Published on: 10/01/2025

January isn’t just for fresh starts and ambitious resolutions - it’s the perfect time to evaluate your business’s technology needs.

Nerdworks logo

1901 Central Drive Suite 401 Bedford, TX 76021

Follow Us on Social

Download IT Security Guide

Nerdworks offers friendly, responsive, and proactive IT support services to small businesses in Dallas.

Quick Links

© 2026 Nerdworks. All rights reserved.

Fill out this form to get our free IT Security Guide