Blue Ridge Technology

Too Much Data? Staff Risk. Here’s an important question: On your business’s network, who can see what? Is your network wide open to every single employee? That’s the case at many small businesses, but it isn’t a good idea. If you’re operating this way, you’re exposing your business to lots of unnecessary risk. This week we’re tackling the topic of network access control. What Is Access Control? Access control is technology that limits who can gain entrance to somewhere or something. The term is used commonly in physical security, where access control systems (like smart locks and badge scanners on a school or corporate campus) limit who can enter secure spaces. Access control in the digital world applies those same principles, trading physical doors and locks for network locations and secure websites. With network access control, an administrator grants user accounts access to specific network folders and locations (think of them like digital rooms behind locked doors). Just like door ...

​A while back, we posted about how a new technology called passkeys was on its way, and we hoped that passkeys would one day eliminate insecure username and password logins for good. Well, we’re more than two years in (Google started rolling out passkeys in May 2023 ), and we have to be honest: passkeys haven’t exactly taken over the internet yet. We’ll get into why, why it’s still a good idea to use them, and how Microsoft is making this easier in 2025. But first, a reminder of what passkeys actually are. What Is a Passkey? A passkey operates behind the scenes to securely authenticate users and devices, proving you are who you say you are through a variety of factors and methods. Rather than relying on a username and password (that can be easily stolen, guessed, or brute-forced), passkeys use advanced cryptography and biometric data (like your face or fingerprint) to establish trust. Passkeys have two parts: one remains on your device, and the other remains with the service you’re log...

Structured Cabling with Modern Surveillance and Access Control In today's technology-driven world, security is a paramount concern for businesses of all sizes. At Blue Ridge Cabling, we understand the complexities involved in creating a secure and resilient IT environment. Central to these efforts is the effective integration of structured cabling systems with modern surveillance and access control technologies. The backbone of reliable security Structured cabling serves as the backbone for security systems, providing a reliable and organized infrastructure that supports the seamless operation of surveillance cameras and access control devices. This organized setup ensures that each component communicates effectively, enhancing the overall functionality of your security solutions. By maintaining an efficient cabling system, businesses can experience fewer interruptions, facilitating a smooth and uninterrupted flow of data. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliabili...

​ Is Your New Hire Susceptible to a Cyberattack? Hiring new team members always feels like a risk. But it could be adding different kinds of risk than you think. Picture this: your business is growing, or you’re replacing an employee that’s moved on. You find the perfect candidate, who signs a contract and joins the team. But after hiring that person, things just don’t go as smoothly as you had hoped. Even worse, that new employee makes a seemingly obvious mistake, opening up your business to digital risk or even a full-on cyberattack. Here’s the truth: it’s not just you, and you don’t have terrible luck in hiring. There’s more going on here. New Employees Are Vulnerable It’s true of any of us: there’s a certain level of vulnerability when you’re new at something, or you’re in a new environment. Think of all the things that even highly-skilled new employees don’t know: Every aspect of their job The company culture The names and personalities of the rest of the team Your IT policies Wor...

​ Windows 10 Support Disappearing We’ve posted here a few times now about the reasons why it’s time to update to Windows 11. This is likely our last one, but there’s news you need to know if you’re still sticking with Windows 10. Microsoft is ending free support for Windows 10 in less than 2 weeks. On October 14, 2025 , Windows 10 support officially ends. That means no more security updates, no more technical support from Microsoft if something goes wrong, and no more bug fixes or changes of virtually any kind. The tldr here: if you haven’t upgraded to Windows 11, you need to get the ball rolling — right away. Why Free Support Is Ending Put simply: Windows 10 is old. In terms of operating-system lifespans, it’s ancient. Microsoft released its successor (Windows 11) in 2021, so businesses have already had 4 years to get ready to upgrade. Keeping multiple OSes up and running (and safe and secure) is a resource drain, even for a company as big as Microsoft. So eventually, inevi...

​ Fake Antivirus? A new fake antivirus site scam is popping up. Here’s what to know. The old adage “Don’t trust everything you read on the internet” — allegedly coined by that famed internet scholar, Abraham Lincoln (citation needed) — feels truer than it ever has. Just yesterday I was trying to update my iPhone to the latest version of iOS, iOS 26. It wasn’t working, so I turned to Google….whose automatic AI response scolded me: “You’re probably having trouble because iOS 26 isn’t real! Apple’s next mobile OS will be called iOS 19, and it isn’t out yet.” The problem is, that’s wrong on just about every front. Apple’s next version really is called iOS 26 and it really did get released this month. But seriously: the internet’s loose grip on the truth goes well beyond Wikipedia trolls and generative AI flubs. And some of those lies are designed specifically to trick you into compromising your business’s security. New Version of an Old Threat: Fake Antivirus Sites Antivirus scams are no...

In today's digital landscape, building a robust office network is essential for business success. As companies like Blue Ridge Cabling serving the Asheville and Hendersonville, NC area, focus on delivering reliable IT infrastructure, understanding best practices for low-voltage and structured wiring becomes crucial. These practices ensure seamless communication, enhance security, and support business growth. Understanding low-voltage and structured wiring Low-voltage wiring is essential for communication systems, including network cabling, telephone lines, and video surveillance. Structured wiring, on the other hand, organizes these components, creating a cohesive network architecture. Both elements are vital for modern offices that require scalable, efficient solutions. Simplified management : Structured wiring allows easier management and troubleshooting of network issues. Flexibility : Supports various technologies and future expansions without significant overhauls. Enhanced pe...