eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — This eBook provides a summary of the security features across Google Workspace subscriptions. Using the included matrices, you can select the subscription that best meets your needs and compare the detailed capabilities of security features against third party options.
Updated January 22, 2025, at 2:00 pm et: See the easier to read chart and text that is in bold italics.
On January 15, 2025, Google announced a major shift for Google Workspace. Going forward, all Google Workspace licenses will include Gemini AI features and functions. Specific capabilities will vary by license type.
While customers will no longer need to pay as much as $30 per user per month for these capabilities, the cost for most Google Workspace subscriptions will increase by about 17%. This increase affects all subscriptions, even those opting not to use the newly embedded Gemini AI features.
For new customers purchasing directly from Google, the price increase took effect immediately.
For existing customers, Cumulus Global customers, and those working with other Google partners, the price increase takes effect on March 17, 2025.
The product highlights, and caveats are as follows:
The following table summarizes the price increases and Gemini AI features for both the Google Workspace Business and Enterprise tiers with Annual Plan Pricing. Flexible Plan prices increase similarly, reflecting a 20% upcharge.
Note that your pricing for Archived Users, Vault, Pooled Storage, Voice, and other products will not change at this time.
Google has indicated that it will cease billing for Gemini for Google Workspace licenses as of the end of January 2025.
As these services are billed in arrears, expect to see Gemini for Google Workspaces included on February 2025 invoices that cover January 2025.
If you have an existing single or multi-year agreement that includes Google Workspace and Gemini for Google Workspace, expect the Gemini for Google Workspace line item to be removed once service for January 2025 has been invoiced. If you prepaid for the year, you may be eligible for a credit or a refund.
We will update this blog post, and communicate with affected customers as we are able to confirm how these issues will be resolved.
Admins with appropriate permissions can manage Gemini AI features. Users have limited ability to control AI options.
Admins have the following options to control AI settings:
Users can control the following AI options:
Cumulus Global clients should contact our Service Team for assistance. If you are self-service with Google direct, or have licensing through another Google partner, schedule a call with one of our Cloud Advisors.
If you have considered upgrading your Google Workspace subscription to a higher tier, we recommend doing so before March 15, 2025.
If you are on a Flexible Plan, consider moving to an Annual Plan.
Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global. Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America. Starting his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur. He has launched strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.
As we head into the new year, we face an uncertain business landscape. Politics, the economy, and technology advances create new tech-related challenges and opportunities. As you make your plans, be ready for these 3 things in 2025.
Windows 10 reaches its end-of-life on October 14, 2025. As of this date, Microsoft will stop releasing new features, free security updates, and support. You must decide when and how you will transition to Windows 11.
Staying on Windows 10 without subscribing to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program exposes your systems to increased vulnerabilities, potentially impacting compliance with cybersecurity regulations.
While many devices currently running Windows 10 can support Windows 11, older machines may struggle with performance due to inadequate resources. You should expect to invest in some new hardware or upgrade existing components, such as memory, to ensure smooth operation. Given the anticipated surge in demand for new devices, early planning and procurement can mitigate potential cost hikes and supply chain delays.
More Info:
The realm of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transition from theoretical enthusiasm to practical implementation. 2025 is the time to focus on AI’s tangible benefits, such as enhancing employee productivity and streamlining customer interactions. Rather than replacing human labor, use AI as a tool for augmenting capabilities and achieving efficiency gains.
Security remains a critical consideration as AI becomes more integrated into your business processes. Protecting your sensitive data and ensuring your compliance with regulatory standards is paramount, especially when using AI tools within Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Assess the cost-effectiveness of AI investments, ensuring they provide a clear return on investment without duplicating existing capabilities. As AI tools continue to evolve, balance cost, security, and practicality to leverage AI effectively.
Resources:
In an era where cybersecurity threats are ever-evolving, small businesses like yours should adopt a robust security framework to safeguard your operations. A comprehensive approach—encompassing communication, prevention, and recovery—is critical as new threats emerge. With incidents like business email compromise posing significant financial risks, maintaining a strong security posture is non-negotiable.
For smaller businesses, Resilience becomes a key focus of your cybersecurity strategy. Ensuring your operational continuity, even during cyber incidents, is crucial for minimizing disruptions. Resilience is not only protecting data but also enabling swift recovery and business continuity.
As cyber insurance requirements become more stringent, Compliance with evolving security benchmarks and standards will increase coverage and lower premiums. The savings is a bonus to improved protections against potential threats. Penetration testing, or Pen Testing, can be an affordable way to benchmark and track your security profile against relevant industry and regulatory standards.
Dive Deep:
If you are interested in planning your Windows 10 to Windows 11 upgrade, your use of AI, or your security improvements, book a free, no-obligation session with one of our Cloud Advisors. Or, send us a quick note and let us know how we can help.
Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global. Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America. Starting his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur. He has launched strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.
* Discount RSA offer requests must be received prior to 3:00 PM EST on Dec. 31, 2024.
eBook | Source: Cumulus Global — This eBook presents an introduction to Penetration Testing and discusses how small and midsize businesses can use Pen Testing effectively and affordably as part of a robust cybersecurity program.
Originally Posted December 9, 2024. Updated to add a link to a related article published by the Washington Post.
Cyberattacks, specifically Business Email Compromise attacks are back in the national news. This feature story on CNN.com covers the risk, nature, and impact of Business Email Compromise attacks on a national level.
Back in March of 2022, we blogged about Real Estate Cyber Security and the rapid increase in Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks. We followed up in April of 2022, with a post Business Email Compromise – The Costliest Type of Cybercrime. The post explained how BEC attacks work and how you can prevent them.
Related Update: The latest housing scam: Using AI to impersonate your agent or lender, Washington Post, December 14, 2024.
With 2023 adjusted losses exceeding $2.9 Billion, the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report identifies BEC attacks as the second-costliest type of crime. In a recent survey by CertifID, more than half of the 650 homebuyers and sellers were not fully aware of these types of fraud risks.
While the victims in the CNN article believe the compromise was from the title company, these breaches often initiate with the real estate agent or brokerage. The fragmented system of real estate franchisors, franchises, brokers/groups, and agents, gaps in cybersecurity awareness and protections are common. Real estate is a rich target for these BEC attacks. Large dollar amount transactions and low security-vigilance among agents, buyers, and sellers attracts cyber attacks.
The scope of BEC attacks spans businesses of all sizes. Your small business is a target because you are less likely to have adequate cybersecurity protections in place. As a small business, you are also less likely to have procedural checks and balances in place. Your chance of identifying and thwarting a BEC attack is lower.
Business Email Compromise attacks may target payments you make, or those your customers make to you. In either case, a successful BEC can destroy your reputation, expose you to litigation and liability, and cost you tens of thousands of dollars.
Your best next step is to evaluate how well you are protected from BEC attacks. Use Referral Code 24RSA50 to request savings of at least 50% off our Rapid Security Assessment*. You can also schedule a brief, free call with one of our Cloud Advisors to discuss your cybersecurity risk and protections.
Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global. Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America. Starting his first business at age 12, Allen is a serial entrepreneur. He has launched strategic IT consulting, software, and service companies. An advocate for small and midsize businesses, Allen served on the board of the former Smaller Business Association of New England, local economic development committees, and industry advisory boards.
* Discount RSA offer requests must be received prior to 3:00 PM EST on Dec. 31, 2024.
Whitepaper | Source: FBI — This annual report covers the trends, prevalence, and financial losses across the many forms of cyber attacks placing your business at risk. Understanding your risks is the first step to protection you, your business, and your customers.
(11/19/24) – Your computer, and your IT services, are your business lifeline. Manage, protect, and secure them to protect your business. Here are affordable solutions to protect you and your business.
Cyber threats are evolving at an alarming rate, posing significant risks to your business. Penetration testing, commonly referred to as “pen testing,” is becoming a vital, proactive tool for assessing your risks.
Pen testing simulates a cyber attack on a computer system aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and testing the security of IT systems. Pen testing goes beyond electronic systems; it encompasses the entire IT ecosystem, including human elements and physical security.
As cyber threats diversify, pen testing has become an important cybersecurity practice and an emerging requirement for cyber insurance.
Pen testing falls into various categories, each targeting different aspects of your business’s IT infrastructure:
Investing in pen testing offers businesses several compelling advantages:
The best way to get started with pen testing is to perform a basic, preliminary scan of your environment. Referred to as a “Level 1” test, this snapshot provides a baseline assessment. From this assessment, you can determine what, if any, mitigation efforts are needed to improve your security, meet compliance requirements, and/or secure cyber insurance.
Cumulus Global offers a free Level 1 Pen Test to qualifying organizations. Click Here to Request your test and to access related resources.
Bill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with cloud forward solutions that meet their business needs, priorities, and budgets. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped over 200 organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience effective change management.
Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) continue to face new security challenges and requirements. Pen (short for Penetration) Tests are quickly becoming a requirement for cyber insurance policies and regulatory compliance.
Pen Tests effectively identify risks, monitor cybersecurity progress, and validate compliance.
In this Coffee & Clouds online event, Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon will cover what is included in different types of Pen Tests. He will discuss why you may want, or need, to include one-time Pen Test or a periodic Pen Test sequence in your cybersecurity program.
Invest 15 minutes to understand how to improve your cybersecurity and whether using Pen Tests is right for your business.
View the recording on-demand, and the Dunkin’ or Starbucks is on us.
