The Remote Work Security Gap

by Paulette Duderstadt | Jan 6, 2026 | Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness

The Remote Work Security Gap No One’s Talking About

Real Talk: Your Hybrid Workforce Is Your Biggest Vulnerability (And Your Competitors Know It)

Remember when “working from home” meant occasionally checking email from your couch? Those days are gone. Your team is now scattered across home offices, coffee shops, co-working spaces, and airport lounges—and cybercriminals are absolutely thrilled about it.

Here’s the truth most IT providers won’t tell you: remote and hybrid work has opened the floodgates for cybercriminals. Every unsecured home network, every public Wi-Fi connection, every personal device accessing company data—it’s all an invitation.

But here’s what we do differently at Black Bottle IT: We slam those floodgates shut.

The Problem: Security Built for Buildings, Not People

Traditional cybersecurity was designed for a world where everyone worked inside a secure office perimeter. Firewalls protected the building. IT controlled the devices. VPNs were occasional exceptions, not the daily rule.

That model is dead. Your security perimeter isn’t a building anymore—it’s wherever your team opens a laptop.

And if you’re still securing your business like everyone sits at a desk on the third floor, you’re leaving the door wide open.

What Real Protection Looks Like in 2026

At Black Bottle IT, we don’t just react to threats—we build comprehensive security strategies around how your team actually works. Here’s what that means:

1. Device-Level Lockdown

Every endpoint—whether it’s a company laptop, a contractor’s tablet, or a smartphone checking email—gets enterprise-grade protection. We’re talking endpoint detection and response (EDR), encryption, patch management, and real-time threat monitoring. If a device connects to your data, we secure it. Period.

2. Cloud Application Security

Your team lives in cloud apps—Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, Slack. Cybercriminals know this. We wrap these applications in layers of protection: multi-factor authentication, conditional access policies, data loss prevention, and continuous monitoring. We make sure your cloud isn’t the storm waiting to happen.

3. Zero Trust, Always

We operate on a simple principle: trust nothing by default. Every user, every device, every access request gets verified. Just because someone logged in from a recognized device yesterday doesn’t mean we trust them today. That’s how we catch compromised credentials before they become breaches.

The Black Bottle IT Difference: Strategy, Not Band-Aids

Here’s where most IT providers fail: they sell you security tools without a strategy. You end up with a patchwork of software that doesn’t talk to each other, policies no one follows, and a false sense of security.

We take a different approach.

Our comprehensive, integrated cybersecurity solution includes:

Assessment: We identify your actual vulnerabilities—not generic checklists, but real risks based on how your business operates
Incident Response Plan: When (not if) something happens, you have a playbook that’s been tested and ready to execute
Risk Management & Implementation: We don’t just tell you what’s broken—we fix it and manage ongoing risk
Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Your employees are your first line of defense. We make them partners, not liabilities
Continuous Monitoring: Threats evolve. We watch for them 24/7 so you don’t have to

Enterprise-Grade Security Without the Enterprise-Grade Bill

You shouldn’t need a Fortune 500 budget to get Fortune 500 protection. We deliver enterprise-level security designed for businesses that don’t have an army of internal IT staff or unlimited budgets.

Your team gets to work from wherever they’re most productive. We make sure they can do it safely.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

A single breach can cost you:

Six figures (or more) in remediation costs
Customer trust that took years to build
Regulatory penalties if you handle sensitive data
Weeks or months of operational disruption

And here’s the kicker: most breaches are preventable with the right security strategy in place.

Ready for Real Talk?

If you’re reading this and thinking “I’m not sure how secure we actually are right now”—that’s the right instinct.

We offer comprehensive cyber risk assessments that show you exactly where your vulnerabilities are and what it takes to close them. No scare tactics. No overselling. Just honest evaluation and actionable recommendations.

Because securing remote and hybrid work isn’t about buying more software. It’s about having a partner who understands the threats you face and builds protection around how your business actually operates.

That’s what real protection looks like.

Schedule a Cyber Risk Assessment | Talk With an Expert

About Black Bottle IT
We develop cybersecurity strategies specifically around evolving threats and how to defend your business. Our comprehensive, integrated approach means we join your team at any stage of your cybersecurity journey—whether you’re starting from scratch or hardening existing defenses. Based in Wexford, PA, we protect businesses across the region with enterprise-grade security that actually fits their reality.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Not an Annual Checkbox

by blackbottledev | Dec 1, 2025 | Cyber Insurance, Cybersecurity Awareness

Cybersecurity awareness training shouldn’t be treated as an annual checkbox exercise because threats and human behavior don’t work on a yearly schedule.

Here’s why continuous training matters:

Threats evolve constantly

New phishing techniques, scams, and attack vectors emerge throughout the year. That December training session won’t cover the AI-generated deepfake attack method that appears in March or the new business email compromise tactic circulating in July.

People forget

Research shows that retention drops significantly over time. An employee who learned about phishing in January may not recognize a sophisticated attack in November. Regular reinforcement through shorter, more frequent training sessions leads to better retention than one annual marathon.

The attack surface changes

Your organization adopts new tools, employees change roles, remote work patterns shift, and new vulnerabilities emerge. Training needs to adapt to your current reality, not last year’s threat landscape.

Behavioral change requires repetition

Changing security habits (like verifying unexpected requests or using password managers) requires ongoing reinforcement, not a single annual reminder. It’s like going to the gym once a year and expecting to stay fit.

It directly strengthens your cyber posture

Well-trained employees become your first line of defense, catching threats before they escalate. They’re better at identifying suspicious emails, protecting credentials, handling sensitive data properly, and reporting incidents quickly. This human firewall complements your technical security controls and significantly reduces your overall risk profile.

Cyber insurance requires it

Most cyber insurance policies now mandate documented, ongoing security awareness training as a condition of coverage. Insurers have recognized that human error is the leading cause of breaches, so they require proof of regular training during underwriting and policy renewal. A single annual session often doesn’t meet these requirements, and inadequate training could result in denied claims or policy non-renewal.

Metrics and improvement need continuous feedback

Ongoing training with simulated phishing tests and micro-learning modules helps you identify who needs additional support and measure actual improvement in security behaviors over time.

The most effective approach combines brief, regular touchpoints (monthly or quarterly) with timely alerts about emerging threats, rather than cramming everything into one overwhelming end-of-year session that people will largely forget.

Making continuous training practical doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Black Bottle IT offers fully managed cybersecurity awareness training that requires just five minutes a day from your employees. With mobile-friendly training, monthly phishing simulation campaigns managed by dedicated security consultants, and coverage of current cybersecurity topics, your team stays vigilant year-round.

The program fulfills regulatory compliance requirements for NIST, HIPAA, SOC2, and cyber insurance mandates, while providing you with detailed reporting on your organization’s security awareness progress.

Learn more about Black Bottle IT’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training, or contact us to try a free first month for up to 5 employees.

Make it Harder for Hackers to Intrude

by Paulette Duderstadt | Sep 8, 2024 | Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness

Implementing strong password policies is crucial for protecting business systems. If you think this best practice does not apply to your business, what would you say and do if your employees’ and customers’ personal information were stolen?

Here’s a more detailed breakdown on the best practices to fight modern-day intrusions.

Require complex passwords:

Set minimum length requirements (e.g., at least 12 characters)
Mandate a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
Prohibit common words, phrases, or easily guessable information (like birthdates)
Consider using passphrases instead of single words

Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA):

Require a second form of verification beyond passwords

Options include:

SMS codes (though less secure than other methods)
Authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Authy)
Hardware tokens (such as YubiKeys)
Biometric verification (fingerprints, facial recognition)

Apply MFA to all critical systems and accounts, especially those with administrative access

Use password managers:

Encourage or require employees to use reputable password management tools
These tools generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account
Reduces the risk of password reuse across multiple accounts
Some options include LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden

Implement password rotation policies:

Require password changes at regular intervals (e.g., every 90 days)
Prevent reuse of recent passwords
Monitor for compromised credentials:
Use services that check if employee email addresses or passwords have been exposed in known data breaches
Require immediate password changes if compromised credentials are detected

Implement account lockout policies:

Lock accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts
This helps prevent brute-force attacks

Use single sign-on (SSO) for multiple applications:

Reduces the number of passwords employees need to remember
Allows for centralized control and monitoring of access

By implementing these robust password policies, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to their systems, making it much harder for hackers to intrude when you are at work and away!

Black Bottle IT would love to learn more about your work environment and provide an assessment for a modern-day cybersecurity solution. Contact us today!

The More Cybersecurity Changes The More it Remains the Same

by blackbottledev | Jan 15, 2024 | Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness, Uncategorized

“The more things change, the more they stay the same” means that despite apparent changes or advancements, certain fundamental aspects or patterns remain unchanged over time. One could relate this to cybersecurity.

Cyberattacks cost impacted organizations thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
Cybersecurity is a critical element of homeland security after 9-11.
Ransomware and phishing have always been pervasive.
Since on-premise storage still exists for some businesses, despite the rise of cloud computing, monitoring and protecting data will remain an important part of any security execution plan.

Gartner reports that 85% of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025 and will not be able to fully execute their digital strategies without the use of cloud-native architectures and technologies. (May 2023)

Three Key Cybersecurity Focal Points that Will Remain the Same for Foreseeable Future

Rise in Cybersecurity Regulations:

Governments and regulatory bodies were expected to enhance and introduce new cybersecurity regulations to address the evolving threat landscape and protect sensitive data.

Focus on Cloud Security:

With the increasing adoption of cloud services, there was a growing emphasis on securing cloud environments. This includes implementing robust identity and access management, encryption, and monitoring.

Enhanced Endpoint Security:

As remote work became more prevalent, securing endpoints (devices used by employees) gained importance. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions were expected to evolve.

This year, we will learn more about AI and machine learning techniques to improve response efficiency.

Black Bottle IT is focused on keeping data secure, which, in turn, will keep your business operational and competitive. Please reach out if you want to outsource your organization’s cybersecurity function! Contact us today.

What Does Cybercrime Look Like

by blackbottledev | Jan 5, 2022 | Cyber Insurance, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness, Risk Management

Have you gone phishing lately? It’s beginning to look a lot like cybercrime is just around the corner. But what does cybercrime look like? And, how will you know if cybercrime will impact your business?

The number one question our team at Black Bottle IT receives is, “Will my business be impacted by cybercrime?” The short answer is, “It is a question of when not if.” The short answer should encourage us all to learn a bit more about the most recent cybercrimes and their impact on small businesses.

Email and Internet Fraud Scenarios

You receive an event email titled “Your Market Growth Strategy Webinar Is About To Start!” but don’t see this event on your calendar or recall registering.
You receive a voicemail message attachment via email through a notable telecom company, but your company doesn’t utilize its services.
You receive an email marked “high priority” from what appears to be your boss. He claims to be busy in a meeting and requires urgent action on your part to call a specific number.

These are examples of phishing that seem legitimate and often create a false sense of urgency, leading you as the user to click on a malicious link within the message or give away confidential organizational or personal information that can be used to infiltrate your company’s networks.

#1 Email and Internet Fraud: Phishing

Globally, 323,972 internet users fell victim to phishing attacks in 2021. This means half of the users who were a victim of cyber crime fell for a phishing.

What’s Next?

Those who have personally lost money to a phishing scam typically file a police report with their local department and a fraud report with the FBI. But what happens when one of your employees clicks on a phishing email and transfers a large payment for services away from your business’s bank account to a fraudulent one? And then what if that incident turns into a breach that exposes your entire network?

Cyber Insurance

Peace of mind for your business’s cybersecurity doesn’t come from quick fixes or turning a blind eye to digital threats strong enough to put you out of business. It all comes down to a total risk management solution that provides peace of mind. What does this include:

Endpoint detection and response and segregated backups
Next-generation anti-virus
Multi-factor authentication everywhere
Cybersecurity training for employees
A cyber insurance policy specifically for your industry, size, and risk

Get started with Cybersecurity Employee Awareness Training today!

Cybersecurity Awareness Training

The Importance of Cybersecurity Awareness and Training for Employees

by blackbottledev | Apr 21, 2021 | Cybersecurity Awareness

The average cost of a data breach is a massive $8.19 million in the US. This cost means a data breach can spell disaster for any business, making cybersecurity a significant concern for businesses.

Assimilation of your staff in good cybersecurity practices is a must for any company in the modern era. Yet, what are the specific benefits of cybersecurity awareness?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why cybersecurity training is of the utmost importance. Are you ready to learn more?

Then read on.

1. A Cost-Effective Solution to an Expensive Problem

As we’ve discussed, a data breach is expensive. There are a few different ways that you can try to prevent them, but the most cost-effective way to avoid them is by training your employees.

A well-trained workforce will be able to recognize cyberattacks and social engineering attacks that they may otherwise not. The training is the most effective way to prevent a data breach and all its subsequent costs.

A well-trained workforce is a protected one. Think of training costs as a small investment today to prevent a more significant problem further down the road.

2. Ensure Compliance With Data Security Regulations

Data breaches aren’t the only issue that you need to worry about these days. Your customer’s data may fall under various regulations that you need to adhere to on their behalf. These may include HIPAA and GDPR, depending on your industry.

Failure to comply with these regulations can have severe consequences, including fines. As these regulations are very complex, a thorough training regime is required to ensure compliance, and combining it with cybersecurity awareness is very cost-effective.

3. Enhance Your Business’ Reputation

Investing in cybersecurity can offer a significant boost to your company’s reputation. Demonstrating that you value your customers’ security is a valuable trait in today’s world.

It may also help you market your company: if you make a point of your company’s data security approach, clients will be more likely to trust you with their data.

4. Your Employees Will Gain New Skills

Cross-training your employees comes with some fantastic benefits. When your employees understand cybersecurity to a greater level, they will solve the more simple and common problems that arise in day-to-day work.

This cross-training means that you may save money on your IT costs, too. If your staff understand cybersecurity best practices, they will feel more empowered and confident when working with sensitive information.

5. You Can Minimize Human Error

Human error is a big problem in cybersecurity, with human error accounting for a large proportion of data breaches. There is no need to be malicious intent by a third party: human error can lead to sensitive data being exposed or leaked without anyone else being involved.

Cybersecurity awareness minimizes human error, which cuts out a great deal of potential data breaches.

Cybersecurity Awareness Is Vital

Why should companies increase cybersecurity awareness among their employees? There is a vast range of benefits, including better security, a better reputation for your business, and a better skill set for your employees.

Cybersecurity awareness and training are of vital importance in today’s world. If you want to train your employees, we’re here to help. For more information and to discuss our services, get in touch with us today.