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Welcome to TekTrendz's resource center for small business owners

Welcome to the IT Success Kit for NWA Small Businesses

IT Resources for SMBs — in Plain English. 

Running a small business is hard enough already. And now, on top of everything else, folks are telling you to beef up your business's cybersecurity and IT systems. Geesh. One more thing, right?

As an NWA small business ourselves, we get it. So, below, we're providing some essential, easy-to-understand resources to guide you and your team through the maze of IT decisions.

Guarding Against Cyberattacks

We're not trying to scare you. We don't have to. The reality is scary enough. Cybercriminals around the world are out to get your data and your money — and they don't care about the devastation to your business. Make your business a fortress against cyberattacks — starting with these two documents. Download them, share them, and use them as the basis for a training session with your team.

Cybersecurity Statistics
Cybersecurity Statistics
Cybersecurity Tip Sheet
Cybersecurity Tip Sheet

 

Must-Watch Shorts: Small Business Cybersecurity

 

Sound Wisdom: Cyber Security & SMBs

This episode of The How of Business podcast, featuring cybersecurity and IT expert Gary Pica, is a good, high-level primer for why cybersecurity is essential for small businesses.

“There’s such risk to all businesses but specifically SMBs," Pica says. "They have the most amount of risk because they have the least amount of resources. And they now have risks, whether they understand them or not, that could be a death sentence in their business.” 

Fast forward to the 13-minute mark to skip straight to the discussion about small business cybersecurity.

Cyber Security — The How of Business (Episode 561)

Host: Henry Lopez · Guest: Gary Pica · 43 min · Published Mar 17, 2025

 

Do IT — Like a Small Business

Small businesses often don't know where to start, rightly so, about building, managing, and troubleshooting a business IT system.

At a high level, small businesses in Arkansas and beyond generally take one of three approaches to their IT (or a combination of them): DIY, IT staff, and MSPs.

Our info sheet, "Do IT Like a Small Business," will walk you through the ins and outs of each option. Just click on the image to download this info sheet.

Or, read a fuller discussion on our blog

IT Options for Small Businesses
IT Options for Small Businesses

 

FAQs: Building a Small Business IT System

If you're not already asking these questions, you probably will at some point soon. Small business owners commonly have questions like these when they're setting up an IT system — for the first time. Reach out if you need a fuller explanation.

1. What are managed IT services?+
Managed IT services provide ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and support for your technology systems under a flat monthly rate. Instead of waiting for things to break, managed IT keeps your business running smoothly by proactively preventing issues and improving reliability.
2. What's the difference between managed services and break-fix IT?+
Break-fix IT reacts to problems as they occur—you call for help when something's wrong. Managed IT services are proactive, monitoring and maintaining your systems 24/7 to prevent downtime and improve performance for a predictable monthly cost.
3. What is endpoint management and why does it matter?+
Endpoint management secures and manages all devices that connect to your network—computers, phones, tablets, and servers. Every device is a potential entry point for hackers, so proper management ensures updates, security, and compliance remain current.
4. How does data backup and recovery work?+
Data backup and recovery solutions automatically copy your important business data to secure cloud or offsite locations. If files are lost due to deletion, hardware failure, or ransomware, they can be quickly restored to minimize downtime and disruption.
5. What are the main benefits of using cloud services?+
Cloud services provide flexibility, scalability, and accessibility. Securely access your data from anywhere, scale resources up or down as needed, reduce hardware costs, and enhance collaboration and disaster recovery capabilities.
6. How does cybersecurity fit into managed IT services?+
Cybersecurity is an integral part of managed IT services. Providers monitor for threats, apply security patches, manage firewalls, and implement tools like antivirus and multi-factor authentication to protect your systems from evolving risks.
7. What is network monitoring?+
Network monitoring tracks the health, performance, and security of your IT infrastructure in real time. It helps identify issues before they cause outages, ensuring consistent performance and helping prevent security incidents.
8. Why is IT support important for small businesses?+
Reliable IT support keeps your technology running smoothly, reducing downtime and enabling your team to focus on operations and customers rather than troubleshooting technical problems.
9. What are IT compliance requirements and how do I meet them?+
Compliance varies by industry and may include standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or GDPR. Managed IT providers help businesses meet these through proper data handling, encryption, access controls, and documentation practices.
10. How often should IT systems be updated?+
IT systems should be updated regularly—monthly for software patches, quarterly or annually for hardware reviews. Managed IT services handle this automatically, keeping your systems secure, supported, and optimized.
11. What is a VoIP phone system and why use it?+
VoIP phone systems use your internet connection instead of traditional lines. They offer cost savings, flexibility, and features like call forwarding, conferencing, and voicemail-to-email, ideal for modern businesses.
12. How does remote IT support work?+
Remote IT support allows technicians to securely access your systems from anywhere to diagnose and resolve issues quickly, minimizing disruption without needing an onsite visit.
13. What's involved in setting up a new IT network?+
Setting up a new network includes installing routers, switches, cabling, Wi-Fi access points, and firewalls. A managed IT provider ensures your setup is secure, efficient, and scalable for future growth.
14. How can IT help my business grow?+
Smart IT investments improve productivity, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance collaboration. A strong IT foundation makes scaling operations, onboarding employees, and serving customers easier and more efficient.
15. What should I look for in a managed IT provider?+
Choose a provider with proven experience, clear communication, proactive service, local expertise, transparent pricing, and a commitment to cybersecurity. The best providers act as a true partner for your business.
16. How does proactive monitoring prevent downtime?+
Proactive monitoring continuously checks your systems for early warning signs like failing hardware or software conflicts. This allows issues to be resolved before they cause disruptions, keeping your business running smoothly.
17. Can small businesses afford managed IT services?+
Yes—managed IT services are often more affordable than hiring internal IT staff or paying for unpredictable repairs. The monthly rate provides enterprise-level expertise without the overhead of full-time employees.
18. What's included in a typical managed IT plan?+
Typical plans include system monitoring, helpdesk support, cybersecurity protection, data backup, patch management, and cloud services. Some also cover hardware management and strategic IT planning tailored to your business.

 

Business startup kit for Northwest Arkansas businesses

Starting a Business in Northwest Arkansas?

Congrats! Here's a guide we created to help new NWA-based businesses, including...

  • Startup tips specific to Northwest Arkansas
  • Links to important resources
  • A directory of important local institutions
Just click the image to start exploring.