Managed Cybersecurity Solutions

Frequently Asked Questions

• “We’re a small Idaho manufacturer — are we really a target?”

  Yes. Cybercriminals actively target small and mid-sized industrial companies because they often have weaker defenses. Attackers know that downtime in a plant or construction project is costly, which makes ransomware and extortion more effective. Even if you don’t think you’re on their radar, automated attacks scan the internet constantly looking for open doors.

• “Won’t stronger cybersecurity slow down our production systems?”

  Not when it’s done right. We design security controls to be lightweight and performance-friendly, especially for operational technology (OT). For example, we segment networks to reduce lateral movement without disrupting plant floor operations, and we schedule updates and patching around your production windows to avoid downtime.

• “How do you protect us against business email compromise (BEC)?”

  Business Email Compromise is one of the fastest-growing cyberattacks, and it often starts with email spoofing or phishing. We stop these threats in multiple ways:

  • Email Authentication with DMARC, SPF, and DKIM – We implement and enforce DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance), along with SPF and DKIM records, so cybercriminals can’t impersonate your domain. This ensures that only legitimate email from your organization is delivered.

  • Advanced Filtering & Monitoring – Suspicious messages are blocked or quarantined before they hit your users’ inboxes.

  • Continuous Reporting & Visibility – With DMARC reporting, we monitor who is sending on behalf of your domain and quickly shut down unauthorized sources.

  • User Training & Incident Response – Because people are the last line of defense, we provide training and rapid response playbooks to minimize risk if an attacker slips through.

  The result is that your employees, vendors, and customers can trust that email coming from your company is authentic — dramatically reducing the chance of costly BEC incidents.

• “What is DMARC and why does it matter for Idaho businesses?”

  DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) is an email security standard that prevents cybercriminals from impersonating your company’s domain. Without DMARC, attackers can send fraudulent emails that look like they come directly from your business — tricking employees, vendors, or customers into clicking malicious links or wiring money.

  For Idaho manufacturers, engineers, and construction firms, this is especially critical because business email compromise (BEC) is one of the leading causes of financial loss in the industrial sector. With DMARC properly configured, only authorized mail servers can send on behalf of your domain, and you gain full visibility into who is trying to misuse it.

  The benefits for your business:

  • Protects your brand and reputation in Idaho and beyond

  • Blocks fraudulent invoices and impersonation scams

  • Improves email deliverability for legitimate business communications

  • Provides ongoing reports so you know who is attempting to spoof your domain

  Implementing DMARC is a foundational step in defending against email fraud, and it’s one of the first controls we put in place for our clients across Idaho.

• “What is SASE and why does it matter for manufacturing, construction and engineering firms?”

  Traditionally, remote employees and contractors connected back to company networks using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs create a single tunnel into your environment, but once someone is inside, they often have broad access — whether they’re a trusted user or a hacker who stole their credentials. This “castle-and-moat” approach was never designed for today’s distributed, mobile, and cloud-connected workforce.

  SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) replaces that outdated model. Instead of granting blanket access through a VPN, SASE verifies who the user is, what device they’re on, and what resource they’re requesting — every single time. Access is limited to exactly what’s needed, reducing the risk of lateral movement if an account is compromised.

  For construction and engineering firms, where crews, project managers, and vendors often connect from job sites or remote offices, this shift is crucial. SASE provides:

  • Granular, identity-based access control instead of “all or nothing” VPN access

  • Built-in threat inspection that blocks malicious traffic before it reaches your environment

  • Faster performance by routing connections through optimized cloud gateways instead of forcing everything back through a single VPN concentrator

  • Stronger security posture that meets modern compliance and cyber insurance expectations

  In short: VPNs are the old way of doing things. SASE is the modern, zero-trust approach that keeps Idaho’s industrial and construction businesses secure while giving employees the flexible access they need.

• “What is Zero-Trust security, and why is it important for my business?”

  Zero-Trust is a modern cybersecurity framework built on one core principle: never trust, always verify. Unlike traditional security models that assume users or devices inside the network are safe, Zero-Trust continuously validates every identity, device, and access request — whether inside or outside your network.

  At TotalCare IT, we implement Zero-Trust to protect Idaho manufacturers, engineers, and construction firms from today’s advanced threats. This includes:

  • Strict access controls that only allow approved users and devices to connect

  • Network segmentation and granular policies that stop attackers from moving laterally if they get inside

  • Real-time monitoring and analytics to detect and block suspicious activity instantly

  The result is stronger protection for sensitive data, simplified compliance, and secure support for remote work and cloud operations — all without slowing down your team. Zero-Trust ensures that your business runs securely, without relying on assumptions.

   

• “What happens if ransomware hits us?”

  Ransomware is a very real possibility for every business. No amount of security is completely infallible, and attackers continue to evolve their methods. The key is not just prevention, but how well you’re prepared to respond when it happens.

  When a ransomware incident occurs, your cyber insurance carrier typically engages a specialized forensic team and breach counsel. Our role is to make sure you’re not facing it alone:

  • Evidence & Compliance Support – We provide clear documentation of your security controls, compliance posture, and monitoring records to your breach counsel, forensics team, and insurance representatives.

  • Incident Collaboration – We work side by side with your legal and forensic teams, supplying the technical data they need to move quickly.

  • All-Hands Support – If it takes staying up all night with your executives and legal team, we do it. You won’t be left trying to navigate a crisis on your own.

  • Preparedness Beforehand – We help you put playbooks, backups, and monitoring in place so you’re ready to respond effectively if an incident happens.

  The reality is that cyber incidents aren’t just an “if,” but often a “when.” What matters most is whether your company has the right evidence, processes, and partners ready to limit damage and recover quickly.

• “Can you help us meet compliance or insurance requirements?”

  Yes. Many Idaho industrial companies are now facing supply chain cybersecurity mandates, insurance questionnaires, and frameworks like NIST CSF, CMMC, and ISO. We make compliance easier by aligning your security program with these standards and by providing the documentation your auditors, insurers, or customers need.

  We also support you during cyber insurance reviews — helping you demonstrate that you have monitoring, endpoint security, and access controls in place. This not only strengthens your risk posture but can also improve your insurability.

  👉 Learn more about how we support compliance here: TotalCare IT Compliance Services

• “We already have firewalls and antivirus — isn’t that enough?”

  Those tools are important, but modern attackers often bypass them within minutes. What you need is layered defense: email protection, SIEM log monitoring, endpoint detection and response (EDR), zero-trust access, and continuous monitoring. Together, these give you visibility and rapid response instead of relying on outdated “set and forget” defenses.

• “Do you only work with Idaho businesses?”

  Our headquarters and primary focus are right here in Idaho, and we’re proud to support the manufacturers, engineering firms, and construction companies that drive our state’s economy. From Caldwell and Nampa to Boise, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls, we understand the unique challenges industrial businesses face across the region.

  That said, we also serve clients beyond Idaho when it makes sense — particularly if they have operations or supply chain connections tied to Idaho. Our local expertise, combined with nationally recognized cybersecurity practices, allows us to deliver both regional focus and industry-wide best practices.

  By keeping our roots in Idaho, we’re able to provide personalized, boots-on-the-ground service while still bringing the advanced cybersecurity capabilities that industrial companies everywhere need.