Common SMB IT Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

Here are five mistakes small businesses often make about using and managing IT. Read them and correct the error of your ways.

"For small businesses, technology can be a blessing and burden. Just as easily as you can take advantage of exciting new tools, taming all that IT can turn into a second full-time job. While plenty of SMBs haven't quite struck a balance, you can learn from others' mistakes. In his Top 12 IT Mistakes Most Small Companies Make, Symantec's small biz expert Steve Strauss posts a list of the most common IT missteps, and how you can avoid making them yourself. (To read the post, you'll either need an account or you'll have to sign up for one). Here are my five favorite takeaways:

Safeguard information. One breach can spell ruin, and with employees living off laptops and mobile phones, there are plenty of opportunities for breaches. Instead of focusing on devices, however, concentrate on information: where is it stored and how is it protected? Enforce password management: strong passwords help protect data whether it's on a desktop, laptop, or mobile phone."