2 FALL 2023 PANORA OFFICE Main Office: 641.755.2424 Technical Support: 641.755.TECH (8324) Request a Service Call: 641.755.2424 Request a Locate: 800.292.8989 Mailing: 114 East Main, PO Box 189 Panora, IA 50216 GUTHRIE CENTER OFFICE Main Office: 641.332.2000 Technical Support: 641.332.2225 Request a Service Call: 641.332.2000 Request a Locate: 800.292.8989 Mailing: 403 State Street Guthrie Center, IA 50115 Solutions for Business is a publication of Panora Fiber, located at 114 East Main, PO Box 189, Panora, IA 50216 and 403 State Street, Guthrie Center, IA 50115. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, electronic, photocopying, recording, mechanical, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Panora Fiber. All rights are reserved. Editorial and Circulation – Contact Jaime Waddle, 114 East Main St., P.O. Box 189, Panora, IA 50216, 641.755.2424 Trademarks – All brand names and product names used in this publication are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Additional Issues – Extra issues are available to business customers on a limited basis while supplies last. Contact Jaime Waddle, 114 East Main St., P.O. Box 189, Panora, IA 50216, 641.755.2424 Copyright © 2023 by Panora Fiber and Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc. POSTMASTER Send changes to: Jaime Waddle, 114 East Main St., P.O. Box 189, Panora, IA 50216 FALL 23 PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER FOR BUSINESS In this issue, we get to the meat of the matter. Data security is vitally important to every business these days, no matter the size or type. Panora Fiber stands ready to help protect your business with our many IT solutions. You’ll understand why we chose a meat-related theme after reading the Business Spotlight on Guthrie County Quality Meats on pages 4 and 5. This Guthrie Center business has been open for about a year and has been enthusiastically welcomed by local producers and retail customers. We’re pleased to provide internet, Wi-Fi, and phone services — and happy to have a new source for delicious meats to throw on the grill! Paul Brewster, Data/Combo Technician, worked on the Guthrie County Quality Meats project, and he’s the focus of page 5’s employee profile. The remaining Solutions for Business articles cover topics related to data security and other IT issues. When it comes to IT, One Size Doesn’t Fit All, as we explain on page 3. That’s why Panora Fiber offers tailored solutions. In addition, We Offer Free Cyber Security Training, and you’ll learn how to take advantage of this opportunity on page 6. Then on page 7, discover why Data Breaches are Costly for Small Businesses. Remember, your friends at Panora Fiber are dedicated to helping your business succeed. Please contact us with any questions, and after catching up on family news, we’ll get down to the meat of the matter. Sincerely, Andrew M. Randol General Manager Panora Fiber
FALL 2023 3 SOLUTIONS We tailor our IT solutions to fit your business ONE SIZE Doesn’t Fit All Curt Thornberry, Technology Development Director, said, “When I set out to build an IT support business, I wanted to offer the IT solutions customers needed rather than the IT solutions I thought I needed to sell. This involves working closely and consistently with our clients and educating them about IT.” To determine precisely what solutions will best fit a business, Panora Fiber does a free on-site tech assessment that reviews and identifies the entire network setup. “Some businesses don’t fully understand the type of IT equipment and software they operate, not to mention their security threats. We account for all the hardware and software used including the age and capabilities of the equipment and do an inventory of items for their records. Our tech assessment describes the network and provides feedback on the findings. If there are areas that should be prioritized, we focus on them, with the goal of bringing the network up to current industry standards in terms of performance and security,” said Thornberry. He added, “We also ask our clients questions. What keeps them up at night? Are there business processes that aren’t working properly or efficiently? Are they interested in new hardware or software? We then develop customized recommendations for their environment, and they can make decisions based on their current budget, network performance, and cyber security concerns.” Thornberry shared these customization examples: • Hardware – We don’t buy a bunch of computers and hope to sell them. We spec and purchase hardware based on each client’s needs. • Cloud (Office 365) – With the cyber threats of email, such as phishing and ransomware, we recommend Office 365 to all our clients. However, we work with the client to customize the level of that experience. • Cyber Security – We nowmake cyber security a primary focus of tech assessments. Some business sectors have different requirements andmore stringent security needs, so customized solutions are necessary. How can clients benefit fromcustomized IT solutions? Thornberry replied, “By having systems that work for them, rather than against them, they can be more efficient. With a few rare exceptions, our clients also own the solutions we provide, so that saves them money and provides more flexibility.” To request a free tech assessment, call us at 641.755.2424 in Panora or 641.332.2000 in Guthrie Center. Every business is unique, which is why Panora Fiber takes a unique approach to providing IT support.
4 FALL 2023 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Butcher Local, Buy Local Guthrie County Quality Meats processes beef, pork, sheep, and goat from local producers. It’s also a custom and stateinspected meat locker, with a state inspector visiting at least four days a week. The retail space offers fresh meat as well as poultry, fish, and a wide array of locally sourced products such as sauces, seasonings, cheese, bread, pies, ice cream, and beverages. Sheeder said, “The list of items we sell changes often. We try to go with the seasons. When it’s grilling season, for example, we may have fresh brats and frozen honey BBQ pork patties.” The plan is to have meat bundles throughout the year for customers who want to fill their freezer at a reduced cost by buying in bulk. A quarter of beef typically ranges from $800900 and will net about 120-130 pounds of steaks, roasts, ground beef, patties, and more. Those who can’t make it to Guthrie Center can have meat brought to them using the delivery service available to Central Iowa. Connecting with Panora Fiber The new building that houses Guthrie County Quality Meats is equipped with internet, Wi-Fi, and phone solutions from Panora Fiber. Dave Garland, IT Technician, said, “We initially did an assessment walk-through to determine the network requirements of Guthrie County Quality Meats. The solution we quoted provided insight into Wi-Fi device connectivity/traffic, wired device traffic, and overall internet usage via a single, common web portal. Wi-Fi coverage was mapped using vendor tools to ensure complete coverage throughout the building and determine the number of wireless access points needed. Our Guthrie County had needed a meat locker service for a while, and Grant Sheeder decided to fill that void. In fall 2022, he and co-owner Brett Rowley opened Guthrie County Quality Meats, a full-service butchering facility and retail space located at 1507 State Street in Guthrie Center. Guthrie County Quality Meats Producers and retail customers are finding what they need
FALL 2023 5 SOLUTIONS quote also included a secure wall mount enclosure and battery backups to keep everything running. Once approved, the Panora Fiber team installed the networking equipment including the router, switches, and wireless access points.” Sheeder is pleased with the performance of Panora Fiber’s services and team. He said, “Our computers track everything through the cloud, so having fast and reliable internet throughout the building has been extremely important to us. The Panora Fiber team has been great to work with—from planning and installation to ongoing follow-up. They give us friendly service and prompt attention, and I know they genuinely care about our small business. Panora Fiber has even connected us with some marketing on TV that we probably wouldn’t have pursued without their help. They’re a great group of people from the top down.” He added, “Guthrie County Quality Meats currently has one phone line, but we’ll be adding another line soon to accommodate the increasing frequency of phone calls.” People are Taking Notice It’s no surprise that the phone keeps ringing at Guthrie County Quality Meats, given how the community has welcomed the business. Sheeder said, “We’ve had a wonderful response from local producers and customers. The number of people wanting high-quality meat from local producers has been gratifying to see and help coordinate. Guthrie County Quality Meats is giving these producers another avenue tomarket their animals. Our fresh meat counter has been a hit for those looking for fresh meal ideas, and it’s been great to see more regular customers come in each week.” Guthrie County Quality Meats hasn’t only captured the attention of those in Guthrie County. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst named it the first Small Business of the Week for 2023. What was Sheeder’s reaction to that recognition? He replied, “I was pleasantly shocked! We were honored to get that acknowledgement from Sen. Ernst and keep looking for ways to improve our business moving forward.” The Panora Fiber team has been great to work with— from planning and installation to ongoing follow-up. They give us friendly service and prompt attention, and I know they genuinely care about our small business.” — GRANT SHEEDER, OWNER, GUTHRIE COUNTY QUALITY MEATS WHO’S MINDING YOUR BUSINESS? Paul Brewster Data/Combo Technician Paul Brewster joined Panora Fiber (then Panora Telco) in 2000. As Data/Combo Technician, his primary responsibilities include themanagement of wiring projects, fixed wireless products, and phone systems. Brewster was part of the Panora Fiber team that helped Guthrie County Quality Meats get ready for business. He said, “I’d worked with Grant Sheeder in the past on other projects, so I was familiar with what he was going to want and need. Our paths crossed one evening, and we started talking about the locker. I stopped down there and got a tour of the building, and he told me what they were doing and what they needed to accomplish with Wi-Fi. I met with him to get things laid out and worked with our IT guys to accomplish it.” Outside of work, Brewster is a member of the Panora Fire Department, Fin and Feather Shooters, Ten Squared Men of Guthrie County, and Panora Sons of the American Legion. He’s married to Kris, and they have a daughter Adelyn. He enjoys playing golf and likes to spend time outdoors. Panora Fiber selected and installed an internet router, Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch hardware, and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for Guthrie County Quality Meats.
6 FALL 2023 Zach Davis, IT Technician, said, “Regardless of the size of the organization, training is important for everyone. If we can help educate the end user and prevent them from clicking on a malicious email even once, then we’re doing our job.” According to Davis, an interest in Panora Fiber’s cyber security training offer comes when a business is signing up for cyber insurance or renewing an existing policy. (Cyber insurance helps a business or organization pay for financial losses they may incur in the event of a cyber attack or data breach. It also helps them cover any costs related to the remediation process, such as paying for the investigation, crisis communication, legal services, and refunds to customers.) “Many cyber insurance companies will ask if the business has ever had any cyber security training. That’s what most often starts the conversation with Panora Fiber about our training programs. Other times, a business will reach out to us because they know cyber security is an important issue to understand, but they don’t know where to start,” Davis said. Panora Fiber will customize cyber training to fit the needs and priorities of the organization, and it can be held onsite or at the Panora Fiber office in Panora. “We can cover whatever cyber security topics the business wants. For example, the last business I presented to requested an overall review of cyber security and how it could affect their staff on a day-to-day basis. I reviewed topics including email, passwords, endpoint protection, password managers, social media/phishing, today’s threats, and a look at defense strategies. I also shared demos about multi-factor authentication and leaked credentials. We typically don’t do a deep dive on any subject, but if a business wants more emphasis on certain elements, we can certainly do that for them,” Davis explained. He added, “We usually aim for around 60-90 minutes of cyber security training. The length can depend on the amount of audience participation. Many people really enjoy our email/ password demos, when we take them to haveibeenpwned.com to see if any of their passwords or emails have been involved in a data breech. Occasionally we find out that a participant’s password has been compromised, and we advise them to change it immediately.” If you’re interested in free cyber security training, reach out to Zach Davis or Curt Thornberry at 641.755.2424 to discuss content and scheduling. The weakest link of any network is the end user. That’s why Panora Fiber offers free cyber security training to businesses and professional groups. We Offer Free Cyber Security Training Employee education helps protect your business from threats
FALL 2023 7 SOLUTIONS How Do Data Breaches Occur? Data breaches—when cybercriminals access data and sensitive information —are on the rise against businesses of all sizes. To protect your business from these attacks, it’s helpful to first understand how they take place. Typical strategies include: Physical Actions – You may think cybercriminals are savvy hackers that only access data remotely. However, another common way they gain access is through physical actions. For example, they could steal paperwork, laptops, phones, or storage devices. Social Engineering – Phishing is when cyber criminals send malicious emails that look real to get access to sensitive data. They may send an email that looks like it came from your company’s IT department requesting a staff member’s password be changed so they can access their accounts. This stolen data can then be sold or used to commit fraud. Human Error – Not all data breaches are due to malicious activity. Sometimes an employee leaves sensitive information somewhere where it’s not protected, or accidently sends it to the wrong person (or people). Data Breaches are Costly for Small Businesses While data breaches at giant corporations are the ones that make the headlines, small businesses can also become victims of data breaches—and face substantial costs as a result. Small business owners who don’t make it a priority to protect their customers’ personal information could even find themselves out of operation. There are two categories of costs to consider: Hard Costs One of the largest costs of a data breach come from the credit and debit card companies. These companies have broad powers and rights in data breach situations, especially if the business was found to not be complying with Payment Card Industry (PCI) regulations, which govern the specific security measures businesses must adhere to when they accept debit and credit cards as payment. If there’s a breach of PCI, credit and debit card companies have the right to level fines on merchants. Those agreements also entitle them to charge back any fraudulent charges that take place on customer cards because of the data breach. In addition, businesses will have to pay the costs of alerting their customers of the data breach, paying for their credit monitoring services, investigating how the breach occurred, and taking steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Cyber insurance can mitigate the hard costs of a breach by covering these types of expenses. Soft Costs Many businesses in these situations also experience decreased productivity because employees are understandably more focused on “putting the fire out” than on their regular day-to-day job responsibilities. When productivity suffers, sales and profits go down. Other soft costs related to a data breach include the potentially devastating damage to the reputation of the business and the trust of its community. Customers, vendors, and other colleagues may start to question their relationship with the affected business, jeopardizing its future success. Panora Fiber can help protect your business against data breaches and other IT threats. To learn more, call us at 641.755.2424 in Panora or 641.332.2000 in Guthrie Center.
SCHEDULE A FREE TECH ASSESSMENT to identify your network needs and capabilities. Call 641.755.2424 in Panora or 641.332.2000 in Guthrie Center. Panora Fiber has more than 100 years of communications experience in the local area, and our highly trained technicians at our Technology Center can offer responsive IT support to businesses of any size. Whether you need only occasional help or are looking for more comprehensive IT solutions, you can rely on Panora Fiber. We offer: • Hardware • VoIP (Microsoft Teams) • Software • Cyber Security • Cloud (Office 365) Cornerstone Group © 2023 WE CAN FUNCTION AS YOUR IT TEAM NEW: You can buy bulk IT support hours at a discount.
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