The Blue Layer Blog
KEEPING YOU INFORMED ABOUT BLUE LAYER, TECHNOLOGY TRENDS, & CYBER SECURITY
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Staff Verification System, Ensuring Trusted and Verified Interactions
Lubbock, TX – September 2024 – Blue Layer is proud to announce the launch of an innovative staff verification system designed to enhance trust and security in all customer interactions…. -
Blue Layer Acquires Texas Computer Works
Blue Layer, a leading technology solutions provider, has announced its acquisition of Texas Computer Works, a well-known computer repair and support service provider in Central Texas. The acquisition will enhance Blue… -
Blue Layer Ranked on Channel Futures 2022 MSP 501—Tech Industry’s Most Prestigious List of Managed Service Providers Worldwide
For the ninth consecutive year, Blue Layer has been selected as one of the world’s premier managed service providers in the prestigious 2022 Channel Futures MSP 501 rankings. For the past… -
Blue Layer Recognized on CRN’s 2022 MSP 500 List
CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Blue Layer to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) list in the Pioneering 250 category for 2022. CRN’S annual MSP 500 list… -
Blue Layer Ranks No. 3571 on the 2021 Inc. 5000 List
Inc. Magazine has revealed that Blue Layer is No. 3571 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a… -
Blue Layer Climbs 45 Spots to Rank #99 on Channel Futures MSP 501 List
For the eighth consecutive year, Blue Layer has been selected as one of the technology industry’s top-performing providers of managed services by the editors of Channel Futures. For the past 15… -
Blue Layer Named #220 on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Regionals: Texas List
Inc. Magazine has revealed that Blue Layer is No. 220 on its second annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Texas list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing, Texas-based private companies. Born… -
Employee Spotlight: Meet Michael Strong, Chief Operating Officer
Now a leading MSP, Blue Layer originally began in 2002 to answer the need for responsible, customer service-based, right-sized technology solutions. Today, we’re getting to know Michael Strong, one of the… -
Blue Layer Obtains Prestigious MSPV Certification
We are proud to announce that Blue Layer successfully completed MSPAlliance’s MSP Verify Program (MSPV) certification process, the oldest certification program for cloud computing and managed service providers. The MSPV… -
CRN Names Blue Layer To Its MSP 500 List for Second Consecutive Year
For the second consecutive year, CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Blue Layer to its 2021 Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Pioneering 250 category…. -
Blue Layer Ranks Among World’s Most Elite 501 Managed Service Providers for 7th Consecutive Year
Blue Layer Ranks Among World’s Most Elite 501 Managed Service Providers for 7th Consecutive Year For the seventh year in a row, Blue Layer has been named one of the world’s… -
Blue Layer Ranks Among Fastest-Growing Private Companies on 2020 Inc. 5000 List
Blue Layer Ranks Among Fastest-Growing Private Companies on 2020 Inc. 5000 List Inc. magazine has revealed that Blue Layer is #3402 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking… -
Blue Layer COO, Michael Strong, Accepted Into Forbes Technology Council
Blue Layer COO, Michael Strong, Accepted Into Forbes Technology Council Forbes Technology Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for World-Class CIOs, CTOs, and Technology Executives. Blue Layer COO, Michael Strong, has been accepted… -
Blue Layer Achieves Dell Partner Program Gold Status
Blue Layer Achieves Dell Partner Program Gold Status We are pleased to announce that Blue Layer has successfully completed the required credentials and competencies to become a GOLD Solution Provider member… -
Blue Layer Recognized as Top Managed Service Provider on CRN’s 2020 MSP 500 List
Blue Layer Recognized as Top Managed Service Provider on CRN’s 2020 MSP 500 List CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company has named Blue Layer to its 2020 Managed Service Provider… -
Blue Layer Cybersecurity Seminar Recap
Blue Layer Cybersecurity Seminar Recap Blue Layer recently invited customers and local business leaders to attend our inaugural Cybersecurity Seminar hosted at the Funky Door in Lubbock, Texas. Several members of… -
RingCentral Partner Spotlight: Conversation with Unified Communication Leaders
RingCentral Partner Spotlight: Conversation with Unified Communication Leaders Blue Layer’s Chief Operating Officer, Michael Strong, recently sat down with our friends at RingCentral for a partner conversation in their ongoing Partner… -
Blue Layer Earns Sixth Consecutive Spot on Channel Futures List of 501 Top Managed Service Providers Worldwide
Blue Layer Earns Sixth Consecutive Spot on Channel Futures List of 501 Top Managed Service Providers Worldwide For the sixth consecutive year, Blue Layer has been named to the Channel Futures… -
Channel Futures Ranks Blue Layer in 2018 List of Top 501 Managed Service Providers Worldwide
Channel Futures Ranks Blue Layer in 2018 List of Top 501 Managed Service Providers Worldwide For the 5th year in a row, Blue Layer has been recognized on Channel Futures’ annual… -
Blue Layer Office Expansion Completed
Blue Layer Office Expansion Completed On Wednesday, February 28th, Blue Layer celebrated our completed office expansion with a ribbon-cutting and reception. Five new office spaces were added including two additional… -
Blue Layer IT Recognized for Excellence in Managed IT Services
Blue Layer IT Recognized for Excellence in Managed IT Services Blue Layer IT announced today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Blue Layer to its 2018 Managed… -
Blue Layer Celebrates Office Expansion with Ribbon Cutting
Blue Layer Celebrates Office Expansion with Ribbon Cutting For over 15 years, Blue Layer has been serving the Lubbock and South Plains communities with right-sized IT consulting.Throughout this past year, we… -
Blue Layer Hosts Food Drive to Benefit the South Plains Food Bank
Blue Layer Hosts Food Drive to Benefit the South Plains Food Bank Blue Layer is honored to help the South Plains Food Bank celebrate 35 years of operations and the U… -
Blue Layer Breaks Ground on 2800 sq. ft. Expansion
Blue Layer to add 2,800 Sq Ft to Lubbock Headquarters This will include additional offices well as new executive suites. The main feature will include an expanded network operations center as… -
Cattle Baron’s Ball Celebrates 35 Years
Cattle Barrons Ball Celebrates 35 Years Cattle Baron’s Ball will be celebrating its 35th anniversary this year with “Ain’t Our First Rodeo” this Saturday, July 22nd. Fundraising efforts from Cattle Baron’s events… -
Blue Layer Ranked Among the Top Managed Services Providers in the 2017 MSPmentor 501 Global Edition
Blue Layer Ranked Among the Top Managed Services Providers in the 2017 MSPmentor 501 Global Edition MSPmentor, the ultimate guide to managed services, has released their list of the industry’s most… -
Lubbock Avalanche Journal Best of Lubbock Nominations 2017
Lubbock Avalanche Journal Best of Lubbock Nominations 2017 Blue Layer would like to ask the Lubbock community to nominate us for the best of Lubbock 2017. We pride ourselves on being… -
Blue Layer Featured in Datrium Customer Testimonial
Blue Layer Featured in Datrium Customer Testimonial Datrium is changing the way managed service providers look at storage solutions. Blue Layer learned first hand that in this industry, “slow” is the… -
Blue Layer Named Best IT Company in KCBD’s Best of the West 2017
Blue Layer Named Best IT Company in KCBD’s Best of the West 2017 For the second year in a row, Blue Layer has been awarded KCBD’s Best of the West…
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Holiday Season Cybersecurity: 3 Online Shopping Scams To Look Out For
Every year, the holiday season proves to be the busiest couple of months for essentially everyone, even for cybercriminals and their online shopping scams. In fact, we could say “especially for… -
Phishing Attack Update: How Cybercriminals Can Bypass Email Scanners to Attack Your Business
Email scanners are an important piece of technology used to automatically detect and reroute potential threats (like a phishing attack) that attempt to infiltrate your inbox from unknown and/or suspicious… -
Buying Bitcoin? Watch Out for These Common Phishing Attacks
You don’t have to look far to see that interest in bitcoin is on the rise and in the news more and more every day. All this talk of “wallets,”… -
Beware of These Google Docs Scams
Does your organization use Google Docs to accomplish work? Do you frequently send and receive documents to and from people outside of your organization? If you answered “yes,” then you… -
Breaking Down Cybersecurity with Blue Layer: What is Spear Phishing?
If you’re a frequent visitor to the Blue Layer blog, then you’ve likely become quite familiar with phishing and are quickly becoming an expert at identifying what it looks like…. -
Is Your Business at Risk of a Vendor Email Compromise (VEC)?
It never fails: just when you feel like you have a grasp on current cybercrime trends, hackers are already coming up with something new that you have to worry about… -
Cybersecurity Alert: Beware of Video Verification Deepfakes
Try, for a moment, to remember a time before deepfakes—when technology had not yet allowed us some of the everyday conveniences that we enjoy today: when you could not order… -
What You Need to Know About MFA & How to Hack It
It might be difficult to remember a time before MFA when you didn’t have to receive a text or email code beyond a normal password to get access to your… -
How to Protect Your Business from the Most Common Form of Attack: Phishing
Phishing is no new topic in the Blue Layer blog, and if you’ve been with us at any point in the past, then it’s likely that you’ve been with us… -
Zoom Phishing: Are Your Remote Employees Protected?
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the workplace is something that no one could have seen coming. For many businesses, a typical day at the office has become a thing of… -
Social Engineering Attacks & How to Spot Them
As a reliable technology partner, it’s our job to help your business identify all types of attacks that pose a potential threat to you, your employees, and the information systems… -
How To Create Strong Passwords That Protect Your Business
Taking the path of least resistance when it comes to passwords is something we’re all guilty of. If they check all of the required boxes, are as uncomplicated as possible,… -
COVID-19 Vaccine Phishes & What to Look Out For
Much in the same way that cybercriminals have targeted remote workers throughout this pandemic, they have also set their sights on other unsuspecting victims by various means. This time, the… -
Email Security Settings to Protect Your Business From Maliciousness in 2021
With phishing scams continuously evolving and becoming more and more clever, email remains the bad guys’ favorite tool to use when going after unsuspecting and unaware cyber victims. It’s an… -
Cybercriminals’ Biggest Target: Working from Home
Cybercriminals’ Biggest Target: Working from Home As a business owner who is continuously working to protect your most valuable information, you know firsthand just how important it is to prioritize effective… -
COVID-19 Cybersecurity Scams to Look Out For
COVID-19 Cybersecurity Scams to Look Out For As long as vulnerabilities in technology exist, you can count on scammers to take full advantage of them and as one might expect, the… -
5 Tips to Keep Your Tax Data Secure When Filing Online
5 Tips to Keep Your Tax Data Secure When Filing Online This Year At Blue Layer, our priority is assisting and protecting our customers in any capacity that we can. Protection… -
Service Spotlight: Disaster Recovery from Blue Layer
Service Spotlight: Disaster Recovery from Blue Layer What is disaster recovery? Disaster recovery should be a crucial part of every business plan. Essentially, it involves backing up your corporate data and making… -
Chilling Cyber Threats: Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Your Data Safe
Chilling Cyber Threats: Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Your Data Safe October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, created by the government and the IT industry to raise awareness of the resources available… -
Beware of Office 365 Email Phishing Scams
Beware of Office 365 Email Phishing ScamsThere is an Office 365 “Unable to Verify Subscription” phishing email that is being sent to Office 365 users. Do NOT click on the… -
Vulnerability Warning
Vulnerability Warning: Intel CPU By now you may have heard about the ‘Intel CPU Vulnerability’ and may have even started to receive emails from your Antivirus vendor with information regarding patching…. -
What You Need to Know About the Equifax Breach
What You Need to Know About the Equifax Breach This past week, big-three credit bureau giant, Equifax, was hit with a major breach of information, putting 143 million Americans at risk…. -
What You Need to Know About Two Factor Authentication
What You Need to Know About Two Factor Authentication In the world of cyber and digital crime, internet security is becoming more prevalent in our lives. Regularly changing your passwords and… -
What You Need to Know About “WannaCry” Ransomware
What You Need to Know About “WannaCry” Ransomeware As has been widely reported, a well-orchestrated ransomware attack swept the world this past Friday, wreaking havoc in over 150 countries. Hospitals had… -
Google Docs Users Beware
Google Doc Users Beware For those who frequently use Google Docs, double and triple-check before opening, even if it appears to come from a trustworthy source. Anyone can be a victim…. -
Microsoft Ending Support for Windows Vista
Microsoft Ending Support for Windows Vista For Windows users, the product lifecycle is no surprise. It begins when released and ends when support is no longer available. Support is available for…
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5G Beyond Your iPhone
When we think 5G, we think of our iPhones. We’re just praying that we see it, so small, in the top right-hand corner of our cell. Because we can’t stream… -
Privacy Simplified: How to Protect Your Personal Information Online
Although the internet continues to get technologically safer, cyber criminals continue to get smarter. That’s why it’s important to take the necessary, yet simple steps, to protect yourself when using the… -
The Latest Phishing Attacks & How Businesses Fall for Them
Did you know that 90% of successful data breaches begin with phishing scams? Since the term as we know it was first used in the late 1990s, phishing has evolved… -
IT Trends to Expect in 2023
As we move closer to 2023, there are several key trends in the world of IT that businesses should be aware of. These trends are likely to have a significant… -
Give Your Business the Gift of an MSP
During this season of giving, something to think about is whether your organization has gifted itself the right IT solutions and has the right relationship with their managed service provider… -
Preparing Your Network Infrastructure for the New Year
Technology upholds the functions, processes, and security of businesses. That’s why it’s critical to ensure your technology is running smoothly going into the new year. As we all prepare for the… -
Why Your Business Should Live in the Cloud
Keeping up with technology trends and advancements can feel like a task you never get to check off. Because new innovations are being unveiled every day, it can be overwhelming. As… -
Remote Support. More Brains. More Power.
The world we live in is full of changes and constant advancements. If we have learned one thing from the Covid-19 pandemic, we know it ushered in a new era… -
Why You Need It: Enterprise Mobility & IoT
These terms can appear very “techy,” but you’d be surprised at how they’re being used all around you, and the world, at this very moment. Enterprise mobility (EM) and IoT… -
Full-Scale Security: Virtual and Physical
Security doesn’t have to begin and end at your network systems. Data and information are not your only critical assets. As a managed service provider, Blue Layer has the ability… -
Top 3 Reasons Your Business Needs an MSP
What is an MSP? You’re right, let’s start with the function of a Managed Service Provider. Managed services is the practice of outsourcing the responsibility and maintenance of a range of… -
Top IT Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid in 2022
In today’s day and age, businesses are reliant on technology. And when you rely on that investment, you also have to protect it. The endeavor can be overwhelming. That’s why… -
IT Solutions Made to Order
At Blue Layer IT, we understand the needs of every business are very different. That’s why we offer a list of services that can fully equip any organization with the… -
How a Managed Services Provider like Blue Layer Will Make Your Business More Efficient
Why a managed services provider? Blue Layer CSO Chris Powell said it best: “A quality MSP can provide significant enhancements to business efficiencies and security at a nominal cost.” We… -
Employee Spotlight: Behind the Scenes of a Managed Service Provider with Chris Powell, Blue Layer CSO
If you’re new to (or still only vaguely familiar with) the Managed Service Provider (MSPs) world, it can be difficult to determine whether or not the information you’ve found online… -
3 Reasons Why Blue Layer Is the Right MSP for Your Business
We’ve talked at length about why your business needs a go-to partner for all things technology like an MSP, but what on earth do you do when it comes time… -
Why Your Business Needs Enterprise Mobility & IoT Support in 2022
Technology hasn’t just changed the way we do things in business. Technology has changed the way we think about business and how we make important decisions regarding business direction that… -
Breaking Down Barriers with Blue Layer: 10 Managed IT Terms Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Are you new to the concept of managed IT services? Have you started looking for an MSP or MSSP but are unsure whether or not they offer the DRaaS, UCaaS,… -
2021 in Review: Our Takeaways and Biggest Tips for Cybersecurity in 2022
2021 was yet another busy year for the cybersecurity industry and the world in general. The pandemic has continued to run rampant on organizations across the globe with the emergence… -
New Year, Same Threats: How Blue Layer Can Help Your Business In 2022
“Most businesses love to see charts moving up and to the right when the topic is number of customers, revenue, or profit. But when it comes to phishing attacks, seeing… -
What is Enterprise Mobility & IoT?
Big business. Small business. New business. Old business. Today’s business landscape is as diverse as it’s ever been. So you can be sure that the enterprise technology solutions required to… -
How to Help Your Employees #BeCyberSmart
This year’s theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month focuses on how to #BeCyberSmart. It’s a month that’s all about promoting a safer and more vigorous cybersecurity culture through awareness, education, and… -
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Top Tips & Trends You Need to Know
It’s October, which means that (in addition to that cooler fall breeze) it’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Cybersecurity Awareness Month was created in October 2004 by the National Cyber Security Alliance and… -
3 Reasons Why Cybersecurity Awareness Training is Vital for Your Business
Did you know that the average organization devotes over 20% of its IT budget solely to cybersecurity? That’s following a significant uptick in sophisticated and costly cyberattacks over the course… -
The Future of Technology in 2021 & How Your Business Can Prepare
If this year has taught us anything, it’s that everything can change on a dime. Technology and cybersecurity are no exception. Technology is constantly evolving in one way or another…. -
Disaster Recovery Plans and Why Your Business Needs One
Disaster Recovery Plans and Why Your Business Needs One It’s fair to say that no business ever wants a disaster to occur or their information to be compromised. However, the last… -
The Latest Phishing Attacks & How Businesses Fall for Them
The Latest Phishing Attacks & How Businesses Fall for Them October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we’re taking a closer look at the latest phishing attacks and what leads businesses to… -
How to Protect Your Business From Ransomware
How to Protect Your Business From Ransomware In the spirit of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re taking some time to remind you about one of the most malicious of all cyberattacks: ransomware. Since… -
Why LastPass is the Best Option for Password Management
Why LastPass is the Best Option for Password Management A vital, often overlooked, layer of the “cybersecurity onion” is strong password protection. Think of passwords like saved numbers in your phone… -
Why You Should Back Up Your Office 365 Data
Why You Should Back Up Your Office 365 Data The ease, accessibility, and convenience of productivity apps like Office 365 just make sense in today’s workforce. With the ability to draft… -
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Smart Cameras
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Smart Cameras As a tool that has been protecting people and property for decades, security cameras are traditionally an integral piece of a successful business puzzle. And… -
What is Quality of Experience (QoE) and How Can Blue Layer Improve Yours?
What is Quality of Experience (QoE) and How Can Blue Layer Improve Yours? At Blue Layer, our goal is to be your partner in technology service. And as your partner, it’s… -
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Business Services
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Business Services The way that businesses conduct work and handle information is different from one organization to the next so why should we assume that IT services… -
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Cybersecurity Awareness Training Strong cybersecurity is vital for virtually every type of business. Being proactive about defending your business and its information is much safer than reacting… -
Breaking Down Texas House Bill 3834 and What it Means for Your City Government Employees
Breaking Down Texas House Bill 3834 and What it Means for Your City Government Employees Part of Blue Layer’s mission is keeping you up to date on everything you need to… -
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Cybersecurity
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Cybersecurity Today, we have the privilege of accessing business information like never before, thanks to online cloud computing technology. But, with such an ability to share information,… -
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Access Controls
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Access Controls Access controls are a fundamental piece of security that determines who can gain access to what, and even when access should be granted. Whether the… -
Coronavirus Concerns: Make Sure Your Business Is Remote Work Ready
Coronavirus Concerns: Make Sure Your Business Is Remote Work ReadyAs concerns surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19) rise, so too has a focus on the idea of remote work. In recent years, remote… -
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Regulatory Compliance
Blue Layer Service Spotlight: Regulatory Compliance When we say that Blue Layer provides innovative technology solutions, we mean all technology solutions. This, of course, includes helping you navigate the complex labyrinth… -
Blue Layer IT Service Spotlight: Managed Services
Service Spotlight: Managed Services Improve the efficiency of day-to-day operations with managed services from the IT experts at Blue Layer. If critical aspects of your business are dependant on your technology,… -
Is Blue Layer IT the Right Choice for Your Business?
Is Blue Layer IT the Right Choice for Your Business? A new year means new opportunities to grow your business and accomplish new goals. With the help of Blue Layer, we… -
Tech Trends and Tips to Reach Your Business Goals for 2020
Tech Trends and Tips to Reach Your Business Goals for 2020 The new year is an excellent opportunity for businesses to start fresh and set strategic goals to prepare for success… -
Service Spotlight: Unified Communications from Blue Layer
Service Spotlight: Unified Communications from Blue Layer Unified communications allows multiple channels of business communication to work together under a controlled platform for increased efficiency. Empower Your Business Empower team members to communicate,… -
The Season of Giving: Holiday Shopping Guide for the Best Tech Gifts
The Season of Giving: Holiday Shopping Guide for the Best Tech Gifts The season of giving is upon us! We’ve created a shopping guide for the best tech gifts to help… -
Why IT Solutions Aren’t “One-Size-Fits-All”
Why IT Solutions Aren’t “One-Size-Fits-All” As a small business owner, you’ve learned that fixing a problem with a “one-size-fits-all” solution isn’t always a practical business approach. So why would you trust… -
How Cybersecurity Has Changed Over Time
How Cyber Security Has Changed Over Time As the technology industry continually changes and evolves, the capabilities of digital devices and cybersecurity grow as well. The technology we can now access… -
Back to School: Top College Gear and Gadgets
Back to School: Top College Gear and Gadgets Back to school means many things, especially for the incoming college student. Entering a new environment with different challenges and opportunities is a… -
Compliance Services and How We Can Help
Compliance Services and How We Can Help Navigating industry-specific compliance requirements can be both time-consuming and confusing for many small business owners. If your business is required to adhere to PCI… -
Windows 7 End of Life Phase: Prepare Your Business for a Smooth Transition
Windows 7 End of Life Phase: Prepare Your Business for a Smooth Transition After Microsoft announced that support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 is coming to an end January… -
“Hot” Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Small Business This Summer
“Hot” Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Small Business This Summer While customers are enjoying summer vacations and warmer weather, many businesses might find that their day-to-day responsibilities begin to slow down… -
Blue Layer to Participate in vBrisket Panel with Datrium
Blue Layer to Participate in vBrisket Panel with Datrium Since 2014, what originally began as a joke between friends, vBrisket is now a community of BBQ loving, virtualization experts participating in…