Refocus Information Technology Services

10/08/2026

🚨 CAN YOU SPOT A PHISHING EMAIL? 🎣🔐

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Refocus Information Technology has a challenge for you!

Every day, businesses and employees receive emails that may look legitimate but are actually designed to trick people into clicking suspicious links, sharing sensitive information, or giving away account credentials.

Take a close look at the example email in our graphic. How many phishing red flags can you identify? 👀

Here are five things to watch for:

🔍 1. Suspicious Sender Addresses: Always check who actually sent the email. Cybercriminals may use addresses that imitate legitimate businesses or support teams.

⏰ 2. Urgent or Threatening Language: Be cautious when an email claims your account will be disabled unless you act immediately.

🔗 3. Unexpected Links or Buttons: Avoid clicking unfamiliar links, especially when they ask you to verify account information.

🔒 4. Requests for Sensitive Information: Be suspicious of unexpected requests for passwords, personal information, or account credentials.

⚠️ 5. Messages That Appear Official: Professional-looking emails can still be fraudulent. A familiar name or convincing design does not guarantee authenticity.

What should you do if you receive a suspicious email?

Don't click unfamiliar links, download unexpected attachments, or provide sensitive information. Instead, contact the organization directly using a trusted phone number or website.

💬 YOUR TURN: How many red flags did you spot in our example? Share your answer in the comments!

🛡️ THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!

Refocus Information Technology is committed to helping businesses stay informed and better protected against cybersecurity threats.

📞 (828) 270-9129
🌐 www.refocusonit.com
✉️ [email protected]

10/05/2026

🔐 CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IS HERE!

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Refocus Information Technology is helping businesses think more proactively about protecting the technology, accounts, information, and systems they rely on every day.

Cybersecurity affects businesses of every size. From email and passwords to computers, networks, cloud services, customer information, and employee accounts, good cybersecurity practices can help reduce risk and strengthen your organization’s overall security.

This month, we’ll be sharing practical cybersecurity tips and reminders focused on areas that businesses and employees can use every day.

🔐 PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNTS
Strong, unique passwords are an important first step. Adding multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides another layer of protection for important accounts and systems.

🎣 THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK
Phishing emails, suspicious links, unexpected attachments, and fraudulent messages can put business information at risk. Take a moment to verify something before clicking or providing information.

💻 SECURE YOUR TECHNOLOGY
Keep computers, devices, software, networks, and other business technology properly maintained, protected, and updated.

👥 BUILD A SECURITY-MINDED TEAM
Cybersecurity isn't only an IT responsibility. Employees can play an important role by following good security practices, recognizing suspicious activity, and knowing when to ask for help.

🛡️ CYBERSECURITY STARTS WITH AWARENESS

Every click, password, device, account, and employee can play a role in protecting your business.

Small actions can make a big difference in helping protect your organization, employees, customers, and information.

Cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

📅 FOLLOW OUR CYBERSECURITY TIPS THIS OCTOBER

Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Refocus IT will continue sharing practical information and reminders to help businesses stay informed, secure, and prepared.

Need IT support or have questions about your business technology?

📞 (828) 270-9129
🌐 www.refocusonit.com
✉️ [email protected]

Refocus Information Technology
Protecting Your Business. Securing Your Technology.

10/01/2026

🔐 OCTOBER IS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH!

Is your business cyber ready?

Cybersecurity isn't something businesses should only think about after a problem happens. Every day, businesses rely on computers, email, cloud services, online accounts, networks, customer information, and other digital systems to keep their operations moving.

That also means cybersecurity needs to be part of everyday business planning.

Throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Refocus Information Technology will be sharing information, reminders, and practical cybersecurity tips to help businesses become more aware of common risks and take steps to better protect the technology they depend on.

🔐 PASSWORDS & MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION

Strong account security starts with good password practices. Using strong, unique passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) can add important layers of protection to business accounts.

🎣 PHISHING AWARENESS

Suspicious emails, messages, attachments, and links can put business information at risk. Employees should know how to recognize warning signs and think carefully before clicking, downloading, or providing information.

💻 DEVICE SECURITY

Computers and other devices are essential business tools. Keeping systems updated, protected, and properly managed can help reduce unnecessary security risks.

☁️ DATA PROTECTION

Business data can include customer information, financial records, documents, communications, and other valuable information. Businesses should understand where their information is stored, who can access it, and how it is protected.

🤖 AI & CYBERSECURITY

AI tools are becoming part of everyday business workflows. Organizations should understand what information AI tools can access, carefully manage permissions, and consider cybersecurity when adopting new AI technology.

👥 EMPLOYEE AWARENESS

Cybersecurity isn't only the responsibility of the IT department. Employees can play an important role by following security practices, recognizing suspicious activity, and knowing when to ask for help.

🚨 INCIDENT PREPAREDNESS

No organization can guarantee that a technology or cybersecurity problem will never happen. Having a plan for how to respond can help businesses act more quickly and effectively when an incident occurs.

Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue. It's a business issue.

Small actions today can help your organization become more secure and better prepared for tomorrow.

📅 FOLLOW ALONG THIS OCTOBER

Throughout the month, we'll continue sharing cybersecurity information and practical reminders designed to help businesses think more carefully about security, technology, and preparedness.

Need IT support or have questions about your business technology?

📞 (828) 270-9129
🌐 www.refocusonit.com
✉️ [email protected]

Refocus Information Technology — helping businesses stay secure, connected, and prepared.

09/30/2026

♿ ACCESSIBILITY ISN’T OPTIONAL ANYMORE — AND IT SHOULDN’T BE

We’re proud to highlight Leslie W. Cothren, CPHIMS, CISSP, HIMSS-F, Refocus IT’s President and a member of the HIMSS North Carolina Board of Directors, who wrote the featured Leadership Lens article in the September HIMSS North Carolina Newsletter.

In the article, Leslie shares his perspective on digital accessibility and why it matters for the people who depend on technology every day.

For individuals who are blind or have low vision, something as simple as a screen reader that doesn’t work properly, a PDF without accessibility features, or an image without alt text can create a real barrier to accessing important information.

Digital accessibility is about making sure websites, applications, documents, patient portals, and other digital resources can be used by everyone.

And accessibility is becoming increasingly important for public-serving organizations as ADA Title II compliance deadlines take effect.

📅 Important dates highlighted in the article:

• April 24, 2026 — DOJ Title II compliance deadline for public entities serving populations of 50,000 or more.

• April 26, 2027 — DOJ Title II compliance deadline for public entities serving populations under 50,000.

• 2026–2027 — HHS Section 1557 web accessibility provisions are being phased in depending on organization size and funding source.

Organizations should be thinking about accessibility throughout their digital environments — from websites and applications to documents, images, and other online resources.

That means taking steps such as:

♿ Making digital content accessible to people with disabilities
📄 Creating accessible documents and PDFs
🖼️ Adding meaningful alt text to images
💻 Supporting assistive technologies such as screen readers
🔎 Reviewing public-facing digital content for accessibility issues
👥 Training teams on digital accessibility
🛠️ Building accessibility into future technology decisions

As Leslie explains, accessibility isn't simply about meeting a requirement. It can make the difference between someone being able to use the technology in front of them and being unable to access the information and tools they need.

Technology should empower people — not create barriers.

Read Leslie’s full article on the Refocus Information Technology blog:

🔗 https://refocusonit.com/2026/09/digital-accessibility-ada-title-ii/

Learn why digital accessibility matters, explore ADA Title II compliance deadlines, and discover practical steps organizations can take to make websites and digital content more accessible.

09/30/2026

🤖🔐 BEFORE YOU CONNECT AN AI TOOL TO YOUR BUSINESS, ASK WHAT IT CAN ACTUALLY TOUCH.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a powerful part of the workplace. Businesses are using AI to help with email, documents, customer information, cloud storage, productivity tools, and everyday tasks.

But before connecting an AI tool to your business systems, there’s an important question every business should ask:

What can this AI tool actually access?

Connecting an AI assistant to your email, files, cloud storage, CRM, or other business systems may give that tool access to important company information. That’s why permissions and access controls should be taken seriously.

Think about an AI tool the same way you would think about giving access to a new employee: What is the minimum amount of access needed to complete the job?

Before connecting AI to your business:

🔐 Review permissions — Know exactly what accounts, applications, files, and information the AI tool can access.

📁 Limit unnecessary access — If an AI tool only needs access to one folder or application, it may not need permission to access everything else.

📧 Protect email and business accounts — Email can contain customer information, internal conversations, documents, passwords or reset links, and other sensitive business information.

☁️ Pay attention to connected services — Cloud storage, CRM systems, calendars, documents, and other integrations can contain valuable company data.

👤 Follow the principle of least privilege — Give AI tools only the permissions necessary to perform their intended tasks.

🔄 Review access regularly — Check connected applications and permissions periodically. Remove access that is no longer needed.

AI can help businesses become more productive and efficient, but powerful technology should be paired with responsible security practices.

The goal isn't to avoid AI. It's to use AI thoughtfully and securely.

Before connecting an AI tool to your business, know what it can access, limit its permissions, and regularly review those connections.

Need help protecting your business technology?

📞 (828) 270-9129
🌐 www.refocusonit.com
✉️ [email protected]

Refocus Information Technology — helping businesses stay secure, connected, and prepared.

09/29/2026

🚨 IS YOUR BUSINESS READY FOR AN IT PROBLEM?

Your business depends on technology every day. Computers, networks, internet connections, business files, cybersecurity, and other technology systems all play an important role in keeping your employees productive and your business operating.

But what happens when something suddenly goes wrong?

🔐 Cyberattack? A cybersecurity incident can put important business systems and information at risk.

🌐 Network outage? Losing network connectivity can interrupt communication, access to important systems, and everyday business operations.

💾 Data loss? Important files and business information can be difficult or impossible to replace if they are lost, damaged, or unexpectedly become inaccessible.

💻 Computer failure? When an essential computer or device stops working, employees can lose valuable time and productivity while waiting for the problem to be resolved.

IT problems can happen without warning, and even one technology issue can quickly become a larger business problem.

That’s why being prepared matters.

Refocus IT provides dependable IT support and technology solutions to help businesses prepare for, respond to, and manage everyday technology challenges. Having reliable IT support means your business has someone to turn to when technology isn’t working the way it should.

Instead of waiting until an IT problem interrupts your business, take a proactive approach to the technology your organization relies on.

With dependable IT support, your business can:

✅ Address technology problems before they create larger disruptions
✅ Strengthen cybersecurity and protect important business systems
✅ Keep computers, networks, and technology operating efficiently
✅ Reduce unnecessary downtime and lost productivity
✅ Get professional troubleshooting when technology problems occur
✅ Spend less time worrying about IT and more time focusing on your business

Your technology should help your business move forward — not stand in its way.

IT problems can happen without warning. Be prepared with IT support you can count on.

💬 NEED IT SUPPORT? CONTACT REFOCUS IT

📞 (828) 270-9129
🌐 www.refocusonit.com
✉️ [email protected]

Refocus Information Technology — dependable IT support to help keep your business secure, connected, productive, and prepared.

09/22/2026

TUESDAY IT CHECKUP: FIVE SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY RUNNING SMOOTHLY!

Is your business technology ready for the rest of the week?

Computers, internet connections, software, and security systems all play an important role in your daily operations. Taking a little time to check them regularly can help you avoid unexpected technical problems.

Here are five things every business should review:

1. Software Updates: Make sure your computers and business applications have the latest appropriate security and software updates. Schedule updates when they will cause the least disruption.

2. Data Backups: Check that your important business files are being backed up successfully. Make sure you know how to recover your information if something goes wrong.

3. Security Alerts: Review antivirus and other security notifications. If you notice unusual activity or repeated warnings, investigate them instead of ignoring them.

4. Network and Wi-Fi: Check your internet connection, routers, and wireless network. Look for slow speeds, dropped connections, or devices that cannot connect properly.

5. Device Health: Pay attention to computers that are running slowly, showing error messages, or running low on storage. Small warning signs can point to larger problems.

Remember: Small checks can make a big difference!

At Refocus Information Technology, we help businesses manage their technology through IT support, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, device management, and consulting.

Need assistance? Contact our team!

Website: www.refocusonit.com
Phone: (828) 270-9129
Email: [email protected]

Have you completed your IT checkup this week? Let us know in the comments!

09/11/2026

💻 IT TIP: Keep Your Devices Updated

Those update notifications are easy to ignore, but keeping your technology current is an important part of maintaining a secure and reliable business.

Software and device updates can provide important security patches, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Keeping your computers, phones, operating systems, browsers, and applications updated can help reduce vulnerabilities and prevent small IT problems from becoming bigger ones.

Need help keeping your business technology secure and up to date? Contact Refocus Information Technology today.

📞 (828) 270-9129
🌐 www.refocusonit.com
✉️ [email protected]

09/08/2026

Belated Happy Labor Day!

We may be a day late, but we still want to recognize and celebrate the hardworking people throughout our community.

At Refocus Information Technology, we appreciate our clients, partners, local businesses, and professionals who work hard every day to serve others, support their organizations, and strengthen our communities.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day filled with time to rest, recharge, and appreciate everything your hard work has accomplished.

💜 Thank you for everything you do!

09/04/2026

🔐 Cybersecurity Tip: Is your business using multi-factor authentication?

Passwords are important, but adding another layer of security can provide stronger protection for your business accounts.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to complete an additional verification step when signing in. That means having a password alone may not be enough to access an MFA-protected account.

Consider enabling MFA on important business accounts such as your email, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, cloud services, financial accounts, and administrator accounts.

A few additional security steps today can help protect the information your business depends on tomorrow.

Protect your email. Protect your data. Protect your business.

Need help reviewing your cybersecurity? Contact Refocus Information Technology.

📞 (828) 270-9129
www.refocusonit.com
[email protected]