“But Nothing Has Happened to Us”

That's the most dangerous sentence in business technology.

Nothing happened to the small accounting firm in the Midwest that lost every client file to ransomware last year. Nothing had happened to them either — until it did. Nothing happened to the dental practice that got hit with a $50,000 HIPAA fine because their "IT guy" never set up encryption on their patient database.

Cyberattacks aren't like a leaky roof where you get warning signs. There's no slow drip. One day everything is fine. The next day, your entire operation is locked, your data is gone, and you're staring at a ransom note on every screen in your office.

The absence of a problem is not proof of protection. It's just luck. And luck is not a strategy.

What Actually Keeps You Safe

Real IT security isn't about having someone to call when things break. It's about making sure things don't break in the first place — and having a plan for when they do.

That means proactive monitoring, not just reactive support. It means documented security policies, regular risk assessments, tested backups, employee training, endpoint protection, and someone who is actively watching for threats — not waiting for you to call.

It also means your IT provider should be able to show you their work. If they can't hand you a report that says "here's what we did this month to keep you safe," that's a red flag. Security isn't invisible. It's documented, measurable, and ongoing.

The Question You Should Be Asking

Don't ask "Is my IT guy nice?" or "Does he respond quickly?"

Ask this: "If we got hit with a ransomware attack at 2 AM tonight, what would happen? What's the plan? How fast do we recover? What do we lose?"

If your current provider can't answer that clearly and confidently — with documentation to back it up — then you're not as safe as you think. No matter how much you like them.

DirectLine-IT specializes in cybersecurity and compliance for businesses across Oregon and Washington. If you're not sure where your business stands, we offer a free, no-obligation security assessment. No sales pitch — just an honest look at your risk. Contact us or call 541-386-7978.