b'The Tech Cumulus JANUARY 2026. continued from CoverSecurity RisksData loss or theft: Unsecured endpoints, outdated software or misconfigured access controls can expose sensitive data. Once data is compromised, recovery is difficult and customer confidence can take years to rebuild.Unauthorized access: Orphaned accounts or unmonitored devices are often exploited by attackers or insider threats. These accounts can remain active for months before being discovered, creating an easy path for exploitation.Malware propagation: A single unpatched system can become a launchpad for malware spreading across your network. One infected device can compromise your entire environment, interrupting operations and exposing confidential data across departments.Operational And Strategic ImpactReduced performance: Inefficient systems and outdated hardware slow down teams, create workflowBrand impact: Public incidents tied to IT failures bottlenecks and frustrate users. When technology becomes an obstacle rather than an enabler,can damage your brands credibility and market productivity drops, morale suffers and business momentum stalls. position. Negative headlines and social media backlash can linger long after the issue is resolved, Missed opportunities: When you dont really know whats going on in your IT setup, planningovershadowing your successes and shaking ahead becomes a guessing game. Without accurate insights, its difficult to forecast growth, plan digitalcustomer confidence.transformation or leverage new technologies effectively. Businesses that fail to modernize risk fallingIgnoring your tech health doesnt just risk behind competitors that are faster, smarter and more agile. downtime. It weakens your entire foundation. Poor decision-making: When leadership operates without clear data about IT performance, decisionsRegular IT assessments help identify become reactive instead of strategic. This can lead to wasted investments, misaligned priorities andvulnerabilities before they escalate, optimize overlooked risks that could have been prevented with better visibility. performance and ensure compliance. Think of it as preventive care for your business. A little Reputational Damage attention today can protect your reputation, Loss of client trust: A breach or prolonged outage can quickly erode years of goodwill. Clients expectsave money and keep your organization healthy reliability, privacy and accountability. Failing to deliver on those expectations can drive them toin the long run.competitors who appear more secure and dependable.Answer: C. Elon Musk The rest dropped out of college to focus on their respective businesses. Steve Jobs, Apple founder, dropped out of Reed College at I DIDNT KNOW 19. Michael Dell, founder of Dell, dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin at Unfortunately, That Excuse Doesnt Replenish Your Bank Account,19. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder, Resolve A Data Breach Or Erase Any Fines And Lawsuits. dropped out of Harvard at 20.Its coming .That day a hacker steals critical data, rendering your office useless . CARTOON OF That day whenyour bank account or credit card is compromised .Or that day whenyour customers private lives are uprooted . THE MONTHCybercriminals and hackers are constantly inventing NEW ways to infiltrate your company, steal your assets and disrupt your life. The ONLY way to STOP THEM is this:You Must Constantly Educate Yourself On How To Protect Whats Yours!Now, for a limited time, we have the perfect way to help reduce your risk and keep you safe! Simply sign up to receive our FREE Cyber Security Tip of the Week. Well send these byte-sized quick-read tips to your e-mail inbox. Every tip is packed with a unique and up-to-date real-world solution that keeps you one step ahead of the bad guys. And because so few people know about these security secrets, every week youll learn something new!Get your FREE Cyber Security Tip of the Week at Kloud9IT.com/weeklysecuritytipTechnology That Works!844-KLOUD9IT (556-8394)2'