Briggs I.T. Services

06/15/2026

Ever heard of TITEPA? Most Texas business owners haven't — and the Attorney General is actively enforcing it.

It stands for the Texas Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act, and the gist is simple: if your business holds sensitive personal info about Texas residents, you're required to protect it and to let people know quickly if there's a breach. For bigger breaches, you've got 30 days to notify the state.

The fines aren't small — up to $250,000 for failing to notify. And this one's not sitting on a shelf. It's being enforced right now.

We put together a free, plain-English guide that breaks down TITEPA and seven other rules every Texas legal and financial firm should understand in 2026. No jargon, genuinely helpful.

Want a copy? Drop a comment or send us a message and we'll get it to you.

06/10/2026

You've clicked these without thinking: Continue with Google. Sign in with Apple. Log in with Facebook.

They feel like logging in. They're a little more than that — they also hand the app a standing key to your account that keeps working after you leave.

I had to re-frame this myself this week, and it's my job to know it. The buttons are built to be clicked fast. That's the design, not a failing.

Funny thing for those of us in law, finance, and accounting: we live by informed consent — we'd never let a client sign something they didn't understand. Then we click "Continue with…" without a look.

Not saying avoid them. Saying: you have a right to understand the choice first. One question does it — does this tool need into my account, or just to confirm who I am? If it's the second, email and password leaves nothing behind.

06/08/2026

Quick question for the CPA, tax, and financial advisory folks in the Houston area:

Did you know the FTC has a cybersecurity rule that probably applies to your firm — even if you've only got 15 or 20 people?

It's called the Safeguards Rule, and a lot of small financial firms have no idea they're covered by it. The requirements are manageable (multi-factor authentication, encryption, a written security plan, that kind of thing). The penalties, if you ignore it, are not — up to $51,744 a day.

We wrote a plain-English guide breaking down this rule and seven others that Texas legal and financial firms need to know about in 2026. It's free, and it's genuinely useful — no fluff.

Want a copy? Drop a comment or send us a message and we'll get it to you.

06/01/2026

Heads up to the investment advisers and financial firms out there — there's a federal deadline landing this week.

The SEC updated a rule called Regulation S-P, and as of June 3, 2026, it now applies to smaller firms too — not just the big shops. The short version: you need a written plan for what happens if customer data gets breached, and you have to notify affected customers within 30 days.

What catches people off guard is that the responsibility can land on the compliance officer personally, not just the company.

If your firm handles client financial data and you're not sure where you stand, we can help you figure it out. We've put together a free, plain-English guide covering this rule and seven others Texas firms need to know about in 2026.

Want a copy? Comment below or send us a message and we'll send it your way.

05/29/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JWDbCSifD/

This week’s Vendor of the Week is Briggs IT Services, LLC — helping Texas firms stay protected, compliant, and ahead of evolving regulations. Trusted partners like this make a real difference for our clients and community.

If your business needs a stronger tech and compliance strategy, this is a connection worth making.

Reach out if you’d like an introduction or access to our full list of trusted preferred vendors and local business partners.

05/25/2026

Traditional VPNs are slow and insecure entry points for hackers. Switch to Zero-Trust Network Access with Briggs IT Services to verify every connection attempt automatically. Protect your remote team without sacrificing speed or security. Check us out at BriggsITServices.com or call 832-304-1850.

05/18/2026

The Evolution of Ransomware

Ransomware in 2026 doesn't just lock your files; it threatens to "leak" your most embarrassing AI-generated internal memos. Data Protection and Cybersecurity in North Houston has shifted toward Data Exfiltration Prevention. We monitor for large, unusual data transfers before the "heist" is complete. It’s a lot like my dog trying to sneak a whole steak off the counter—he’s not subtle, and neither are most hackers if you’re looking. I caught him once and he just looked at me like, "It was a gift?" Hackers aren't that cute. We stop the leak at the source so your company secrets stay secret. Don't let your data become a headline on the North Houston News.

05/15/2026

Smarter homes start here 🏠

Upgrade your home with insulation designed for real performance. Better comfort, lower energy bills, and a home that actually holds temperature the way it should.

If your house feels inconsistent, your insulation is probably the reason.

📞 Book now: 832-693-8115
🌐 victoryinsulation.com

05/11/2026

Multi-Factor Fatigue

We’ve all been there: the 2026 version of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requires a thumbprint, a retina scan, and a recording of you singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas." It’s a lot, but it’s necessary for Data Protection in North Houston. We implement "Passwordless" authentication to make the process smoother without sacrificing security. I tried to use facial recognition on my phone this morning, but I guess "just woke up" isn't a recognized biometric state. My phone thought I was a very tired potato. We make sure your security is airtight but doesn't drive your employees to quit and become full-time fishermen on Lake Conroe. Balance is everything—secure enough to stop a hacker, easy enough to actually use.