Omega Technical Solutions Blog

When business owners think about cybersecurity risks, most owners picture an overseas hacker, a ransomware attack, or a phishing email. However, one of the most damaging risks is far more local, the insider threat. At Omega Technical Solutions, we have seen first-hand how employees, contractors, and even business partners with access to systems can accidentally or intentionally put an organization at risk. 

Unlike external threats, insider threats may go unnoticed because the attack is coming from someone who already has legitimate access to the company's data. That’s what makes them so dangerous.

How do you talk to employees about cybersecurity without making it sound like a fear campaign? Your team is your first line of defense. But if your message sounds alarmist, people won't hear you. If it sounds too soft, the assumption is that it does not matter.

At Omega Technical Solutions, we see this juggling act all the time. The good news is with the right approach, you can counsel employees about cyber risks in a way that feels empowering, not overwhelming.

Think about this: The cybercriminals took advantage of an AI website builder called Lovable, which had been used to build phishing sites or to host malware campaigns targeting over 5,000 organizations, many mid-sized, through its AI-driven platform. It was not your typical server hack; it started way down on the endpoints and applications that appeared innocent enough.

If a trusted tool can become an attack vector, imagine what a blind spot in your system might invite. Which is why regular penetration testing, or pen testing, is one of the smartest things a business can invest in.

When Baltimore health system MedStar was offline due to a ransomware attack, the company could not access patient records, and doctors were canceling appointments. The system was compromised because of one unsecured endpoint - a device that was a weak link in the chain.

For many Maryland mid-sized businesses, the same risks lurk closer than they think. Employees can sign in from laptops, tablets, and phones every day, but just one unprotected device can open the door to a costly breach.

Understanding Phishing Attacks: How to Identify and Prevent Them

In 2024, a famous financial services firm in Virginia experienced a sophisticated phishing attack that involved sensitive customer information. The breach started with a single email, seemingly from a trusted partner, asking an employee to verify account details. Within hours, cybercriminals were in confidential systems, costing the firm millions of dollars and a major hit to the company’s reputation.

When One Laptop Costs Millions: A Real-World Warning

In early 2025, a mid-sized accounting firm located in Richmond, Virginia, suffered a cyberattack that originated from a forgotten laptop. An employee had left a laptop in the airport lounge. The laptop wasn't encrypted. There was no need for multi-factor authentication. It hasn't been updated in months.