Ransomware Attacks on Small Businesses Are Up 300% — What Upstate SC Companies Need to Know

May 2026 | Cybersecurity

Ransomware is no longer just a big-company problem. In 2025 and into 2026, cybercriminals have increasingly targeted small and mid-sized businesses precisely because they assume smaller companies have weaker defenses.

Here's what we're seeing hit businesses in the Greenville-Spartanburg area right now:

• Phishing emails that look like Microsoft 365 login prompts — employees click, enter credentials, and attackers own their email account within minutes
• RDP (Remote Desktop) attacks — if your team uses remote desktop without multi-factor authentication, you're a target
• Fake invoice emails — disguised as QuickBooks or vendor invoices, these trick accounts payable staff into downloading malware

What VET1 recommends for every Upstate SC business right now:

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on all Microsoft 365 accounts — this stops 99% of credential attacks
2. Make sure your backups are air-gapped (not connected to your main network)
3. Train your staff — human error is the #1 entry point for ransomware

Not sure if your business is protected? Call VET1 at (864) 676-0457 for a free security assessment.

5 Microsoft 365 Features Your Business Is Probably Not Using (But Should Be)

May 2026 | Microsoft 365

Most businesses pay for Microsoft 365 but only use Outlook and Word. Here are five features already included in your subscription that can save your team hours every week:

1. Microsoft Teams Phone
If you're still paying for a separate phone system, you may be able to replace it entirely with Teams Phone. VET1 can assess whether your current 365 license includes this.

2. SharePoint for Document Management
Stop emailing documents back and forth. SharePoint gives your team a central location for files with version history, permissions, and mobile access.

3. Conditional Access Policies
This security feature lets you block logins from unknown locations or devices. A critical protection that most small businesses have never turned on.

4. Microsoft Defender for Business
Included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Defender provides enterprise-grade endpoint protection for every device your team uses.

5. Autopilot Device Enrollment
New employee starts Monday? With Autopilot, their laptop ships directly to them pre-configured. No IT setup time needed.

Want to know which of these your current 365 license includes? Contact VET1 at contact@vet1.com and we'll do a quick audit.

Still Running HCL Domino or Lotus Notes? Here's What Your Options Are in 2026

April 2026 | HCL Domino | Legacy Systems

Thousands of companies across the United States are still running applications and databases on HCL Domino (formerly IBM Lotus Notes). Some have been on it for 20+ years. If your company is one of them, you're not alone — but you may be feeling the pressure to move.

Why companies are finally migrating away from Domino:

• HCL licensing costs have increased significantly
• Finding Domino administrators is increasingly difficult as the talent pool retires
• Modern integrations with cloud services, mobile apps, and APIs are complex on Domino
• Security patching and compliance requirements are harder to meet

Your options in 2026:

1. Full migration to Microsoft 365 — email, calendar, and documents move to Exchange Online, SharePoint, and Teams
2. Data extraction only — extract all historical data from Notes databases into accessible formats (PDF, Excel, SQL) while keeping current systems running
3. Hybrid approach — keep Domino applications running while migrating email and collaboration to modern platforms

VET1 specializes in HCL Domino and Lotus Notes data extraction and migration, serving clients remotely nationwide. We've worked with Notes databases containing hundreds of thousands of documents and know how to get your data out cleanly.

Considering a Domino migration? Call (864) 676-0457 or email contact@vet1.com for a no-obligation consultation. We work with businesses anywhere in the US remotely.

How to Choose the Right MSP for Your Upstate SC Business

March 2026 | IT Strategy

Not all managed IT service providers are the same. If you're a business in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, or the surrounding Upstate South Carolina area evaluating your IT support options, here's what to look for — and what questions to ask.

Questions to ask any MSP before you sign:

• "Who actually answers when I call?" — Many MSPs route you to offshore help desks. At VET1, you reach Vernon directly.
• "What's your average response time?" — For critical issues, anything over 2 hours is too slow.
• "Do you have experience with our specific software?" — Whether it's QuickBooks, a vertical-specific ERP, or legacy systems like HCL Domino, experience matters.
• "How do you handle cybersecurity incidents?" — They should have a documented incident response plan.
• "What's included in the monthly fee versus what's extra?" — Hidden fees are common in MSP contracts.

What makes a local MSP valuable:
A local provider knows your area, can be on-site quickly, and has relationships with regional vendors and ISPs. For Upstate SC businesses, working with a provider who understands the local business community matters.

VET1 has served Greenville-Spartanburg area businesses since 2007 with transparent pricing, direct access to senior IT expertise, and no offshore help desks. Call (864) 676-0457 to talk through your IT needs.