The IT Experts

What’s a Technology Needs Assessment and Why Do It?

A technology needs assessment is a way to check if your business is getting the most out of its tech. It looks at how your systems are being used and uncovers any problems or inefficiencies. Think of it as a big-picture review of your technology.

Doing this lets you find out what’s working well, what needs fixing, and where improvements are possible. For instance, if you notice a recurring issue, a needs assessment can help you find a better solution to solve it for good.

Looking at the Past, Present, and Future

We all make mistakes, and business decisions are no different. Sometimes, choices that seemed smart years ago can cause headaches today. A needs assessment helps you reflect on those past decisions to spot areas for improvement. Don’t dwell on mistakes—it’s about learning and moving forward.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself about past decisions:

• Did certain tools or systems pay off in the long run?
• Were your employees able to adapt to them easily?
• How much time or money was wasted during setup?
• Did you get the results you expected? If not, why?

You should also think about the present and future. Ask yourself:

• Are employees able to do their jobs effectively with the current tools?
• Are the issues due to policies, lack of motivation, or outdated technology?
• Could upgrading technology actually make a big difference?
• Where do you want your business to be in five or ten years?
• How can you prepare for unexpected challenges?

How to Conduct a Needs Assessment

Here are some tips to help you through the process:

• Take inventory - Before making any changes, make a list of all the technology you currently use.
• Review processes - Sometimes, the problem isn’t the tech itself but how it’s being used. Look at your workflows and processes to see if something is slowing you down.
• Match your technology investments to your goals - Think about your business goals. Does your current setup support them? If not, figure out what changes are needed.
• Stay flexible - Not every solution that works for other businesses will work for you. Don’t be afraid to try different options, but make sure they’re a good fit before committing.

If all this feels like a lot, don’t worry—you’re not alone. KB Technologies can guide you through the process and ensure your technology works for your business. Call us at (954) 834-2800 to get started.

Explaining the Project Management Triangle

Simply put, if you make any adjustments to the three points of this triangle, you’ll impact the others.

For example, increasing the quality of your project might require more investment of time and money. Completing your goal in less time might result in higher costs and less end quality. And if you try to save money on a project, you could spend longer on completion and decrease the quality of it at the same time.

The trick with this triangle is to find a balance between the three and identify what you’re willing to sacrifice to get the end result you want.

Managed Services Makes This Process Much Easier

Now, what happens when you substitute a business project in the above scenario with a business relationship with a managed service provider? All of the variables associated with the iron triangle—time, costs, and quality—are still present, but rather than each one making a tradeoff with the others, you can have all three increase at the same time by outsourcing your IT.

How Outsourcing Your IT Can Help Your Business and Project Management Initiatives

With the right IT provider on your side (like us), you can ensure that all three of the factors listed above see significant increases:

Higher Quality

A managed IT provider has a team of professionals keeping an eye on the tools you use every day, ensuring that they are working efficiently and effectively. Your provider will also be able to help you improve your hardware and software infrastructure to allow for new opportunities.

Less Time

Look, managing an IT infrastructure takes time… time that your business doesn’t have. But with a managed IT provider like KB Technologies on your side, you have more resources to work toward your desired end goal, all without putting too much pressure on your in-house team.

Fewer Costs

Your typical outsourced IT provider—KB Technologies included—will set a price based on an inclusive subscription model. This allows businesses like yours to have set, predictable costs that make budget integration easier and more reliable.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to take your project management seriously in 2025, don’t wait any longer. Give KB Technologies a call at (954) 834-2800 to get started today.

What is an SS7 Attack?

An SS7 attack is an exploit of vulnerabilities found in the Signaling System 7 protocol that is used to route calls, texts, and shifting network traffic. While SS7 is at the center of most modern communications, it was designed decades ago and therefore has weaker security than more modern systems. 

How it Works

Would-be attackers gain access to the SS7 network through one of the numerous vulnerabilities in the antiquated system. Typically this is restricted to the telecom providers, but in the case of an SS7 attack, it is compromised by an outside entity. Once these operators get into the network they can then intercept phone calls and SMS messages, track a user’s location in real-time, and completely bypass multifactor authentication codes that typically rely on SMS to function.

We don’t have to tell you why this is bad news for users. SS7 attacks can steal private messages, bank information, and all types of other data that normally travels securely between two users. These attackers can also use it to track people with no tip that something could be compromising their personal security and information. 

The worst part is that, like a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack, the victim has no digital knowledge that their privacy has been compromised. 

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself Against SS7 Attacks

Well, SS7 attacks are pretty scary, but before we tell you how you can protect yourself, you should know that while these attacks are growing in prevalence, they aren’t ubiquitous like phishing. State-sponsored hacking groups are the biggest users of this method to date, but knowing that there is a possibility that someone is spying on your messages and tracking your location is unsettling. Here are two actions you can take to keep SS7 from being an issue for you:

• Use an encrypted messaging app - There are plenty of messaging apps on the market that feature end-to-end encryption, making it harder for any intercepting party to decipher messages.
• Use an app-based MFA - Multifactor Authentication is one of the most effective ways to ward off unauthorized access. Instead of using the SMS option, you can choose to use an authentication app to create codes for access, taking it off the SS7 network completely. 

For businesses that need to ensure that their mobile sharing is secure, the IT professionals at KB Technologies can help. Using cutting-edge tools, we can monitor your mobile networks and identify any irregularities that may be problematic. If you would like to learn more about mobile security or to talk to one of our IT experts, give us a call today at (954) 834-2800.