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Tag Archive for: Small and Midsize Business

Posts

Secure Gemini AI in Google Workspace

July 31, 2026/in AI in Google Workspace, Blog, Cybersecurity, General

Three Ways to Protect Company Files When Your Team Uses Gemini AI

Written by Allen Falcon, Co-Founder & CEO, Cumulus Global

Artificial intelligence offers incredible potential for productivity. AI also creates new security challenges.

Follow these three steps to protect and secure information when using Gemini AI in Google Workspace.

Key Takeaways

    • ✓Gemini AI sees what your Workspace settings allow
    • ✓Cleaning up shared files prevents sensitive data leaks
    • ✓Automated onboarding and offboarding keeps permissions accurate
    • ✓Decommissioning inactive accounts closes security gaps and cuts costs

Leaking sensitive, proprietary, or confidential data via AI is easy. An employee may put confidential financial data into a public AI tool, a private AI model, like Gemini AI, might read files that were overshared within your organization, or you may accidentally externally share sensitive information embedded in an internal model.

Gemini AI relies on your existing Google Workspace permissions. If a document is shared too broadly, the AI engine will make that information visible to unauthorized users.

Fortunately, you can secure your sensitive files and establish clear guardrails with a few strategic updates.

Step 1 of 3

Audit Your File Sharing Settings

Unintended file sharing happens quietly in nearly all organizations. Over time, link sharing and external permissions create hidden security risks.

Pay close attention to these common sharing pitfalls that can inadvertently surface confidential data to AI tools:

    • Exposure via Links: “Anyone with the link” settings can expose internal documents to external search engines and public AI crawlers.
    • Sharing to your Domain: Giving permission to your entire domain gives everybody, and every attached service, access to the information.
    • Lingering Access: External sharing permissions granted to contractors often remain active long after their work is complete.
    • Group Over-Sharing: Public Google Groups may inadvertently grant broad access to internal shared drives.

Use an automated tool to scan file, folder, and shared drive permissions against defined policies and compliance guidelines. Put systems in place to monitor and mitigate risks in real-time.

Step 2 of 3

Streamline User Onboarding and Offboarding

Manual IT administration is prone to human error and inefficiency. When employees join or leave, updating access controls requires careful detail.

Establishing automated lifecycle policies helps maintain strict access boundaries at every stage of employment.

    • Automate Onboarding: Add new hires to the correct Google Groups, shared folders, and chat spaces using policy-based automation.
    • Secure Transfers: Transfer file ownership directly to managers or secure shared drives as part of your offboarding workflow.
    • Cleanup Calendars: Remove former staff from internal meetings without disrupting active client appointments.
    • Manage Contacts: Ensure mobile address books remain accurate by clearing out former employees and transferring key business contacts.

Automate these steps to ensure your access controls are up-to-date and Gemini AI only displays sensitive files to authorized team members.

Step 3 of 3

Manage Inactive Accounts and Licenses

Inactive accounts waste budget and create unnecessary entry points for bad actors. Staff members who left months ago should not remain in your user directory.

Put automated management rules in place to ensure that former accounts are properly monitored and decommissioned:

    • Suspension Rules: Establish automated account suspension policies to keep your user directory secure and up-to-date.
    • Inactivity Alerts: Utilize alerts to track and address accounts with no login activity over a 30-day period.
    • License Management: Minimize software expenses and satisfy legal data retention requirements by transitioning offboarded employees to archive licenses.
    • Data Preservation: Safely eliminate paid licenses by transferring essential data into alternate cloud storage options.

Manage user lifecycles to reduce your monthly costs while protecting your company data.

Take the Next Step for Workspace Security

Securing your workspace does not require a complete operational overhaul. Targeted, automated changes create a foundation for strong data governance and reduce operational overhead and risks.

As demonstrated in our recent 3T@3 Series session, automated solutions like Patronum give you the capability to actively monitor and manage permissions and access, streamline your onboarding and offboarding processes, and secure your Google Workspace environment.

Contact us or schedule time to connect with a Cloud Advisor at Cumulus Global to arrange your workspace security review and to explore your options.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re beginning your cloud migration or looking to improve an existing environment, our Cloud Advisors can help.

Schedule a conversation

Allen Falcon

Co-Founder & CEO, Cumulus Global

Allen Falcon co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to help small businesses implement enterprise-grade cloud, security, and compliance solutions. Under his leadership, Cumulus Global has grown into a managed cloud services provider supporting more than 1,000 organizations throughout North America.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png 0 0 Jordyn Seybolt https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Jordyn Seybolt2026-07-31 11:31:542026-07-31 11:39:33Secure Gemini AI in Google Workspace

Cumulus Global Designated a Google Premier Partner

April 9, 2026/in General, News

Premier Partner status reflects the company’s excellence in providing Google Workspace services.

Westborough, MA, April 9, 2026 – Cumulus Global proudly announces that Google has designated the company as a 2026 Premier Partner for Google Workspace. Google’s Premier Partner Status recognizes Cumulus Global’s success delivering Google Workspace and Managed Cloud Services to small and midsize businesses, local and regional governments, and K-12 school systems across the country.

“It is an honor to receive this continued recognition from Google as a strategic partnership,” noted Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “We appreciate our clients and the trust they put in our team to deliver solutions and excellent services, from deployment and migration through adoption, integration, and on-going growth.”

Google Workspace is more than a powerful productivity suite. With proper administration, support, and services, Google Workspace provides foundational security and market-leading integrated AI services as an affordable solution for small and midsize organizations.

“We strive to ensure our clients’ information technologies and services are productive, secure, and affordable,” noted Falcon. “Google Workspace, with integrated AI and security, and our Managed Cloud Services, combine as a power solution for our clients.”

With the native integration of Gemini AI into Google Workspace, companies get more than in-app assistance with writing and editing. Organizations benefit from the power of the Gemini App with Fast chats, Deep Research, Nano Banana imaging, and Vids for creating short-form videos. Gems provide customer personas for prompted chats, and the ability to schedule actions introduces basic AI-powered automation. NotebookLM lets organizations create private, secure learning models.

About Cumulus Global

Nationally recognized as a leader in cloud services and solutions, Cumulus Global delivers productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services to small and midsize businesses, governments, and K-12 schools. Translating business objectives into technology needs and priorities, we design, deploy, manage, and support services that help our clients thrive and grow.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GWS-Premier-200.png 200 295 Jordyn Seybolt https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Jordyn Seybolt2026-04-09 15:37:222026-08-24 22:06:11Cumulus Global Designated a Google Premier Partner

Cumulus Global Recognized as a 2025 Inc. Power Partner Award Winner

November 5, 2025/in General, News

The annual list recognizes the leading B2B companies that have proven track records of supporting entrepreneurs and helping companies grow.

2025 Inc. Power PartnerWestborough, MA, November 5, 2025 – Cumulus Global proudly announces its recognition on the Inc. Power Partner Awards 2025. The prestigious list honors business-to-business (B2B) organizations that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow across a range of evaluation criteria. Inc.’s recognition of Cumulus Global spans three categories: Small & Mighty, Technology & Development, and General Excellence.

“We are incredibly proud of our team for earning national recognition for our work with small businesses,” noted Cumulus Global CEO, Allen Falcon. “As a small business ourselves, we appreciate receiving recognition for the value we bring to our small business clients and for the quality of our managed cloud services and solutions.”

Companies on the Inc. Power Partner list received top marks from clients for being instrumental in helping leadership navigate the dynamic world of startups. These B2B partners support entrepreneurs across various facets of the business, including hiring, compliance, infrastructure development, cloud migration, fundraising, and more, allowing founders to focus on their core missions. 

“The entrepreneurial journey and community are core to Inc.’s mission, and it’s a true honor to celebrate this year’s Inc. Power Partners — the companies dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs,” says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “Whether they’re coordinating complex marketing campaigns or reliably supporting the day-to-day infrastructure of growing companies, these honorees aren’t simply B2B providers — they are true partners in helping businesses grow and succeed.” 

 

While most IT service firms prefer to work exclusively with larger clients, Cumulus Global offers solutions and services that scale for any small or midsize business – including sole practitioners and solopreneurs. The company’s Managed Cloud Services and Security CPRⓇ managed security model and services provide secure and affordable solutions that improve productivity and empower teams to excel.

For more information or to view the complete list of honorees, visit https://www.inc.com/power-partner-awards. 

About Cumulus Global

Nationally recognized as a leader in managed cloud services and security, Cumulus Global delivers productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services to small and midsize businesses, governments, and K-12 schools. Translating business objectives into technology needs and priorities, we design, deploy, manage, and support services that help our clients thrive and grow.

About Inc.  

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com. 

About Cumulus Global

Nationally recognized as a leader, Cumulus Global delivers productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services to small and midsize businesses, governments, and K-12 schools. Translating business objectives into technology needs and priorities, we design, deploy, manage, and support services that help our clients thrive and grow.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Inc.-Power-Partner-StandardLogo-scaled.png 1943 2560 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-11-05 20:09:192026-03-03 22:00:50Cumulus Global Recognized as a 2025 Inc. Power Partner Award Winner

Cumulus Global Awarded Cybersecurity Trademark: Security CPR®

October 27, 2025/in Cybersecurity, General, News

The Security CPR® Model and Services Focus on Cybersecurity Needs of Small and Midsize Businesses

Westborough, MA, October 20, 2025 – Cumulus Global proudly shares that the our Security CPR® model and services received a Trademark (Registration Number 7,966,747) from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The trademark recognizes our unique expertise and leadership. Security CPR® includes our cybersecurity risk management technical consulting; training and education; and services covering threat analysis, prevention and deterrence, remediation, and governance.

“We are excited and proud that our Security CPR® model and services received this recognition,” stated Cumulus Global CEO Allen Falcon. “Security CPR® defines and delivers cybersecurity solutions that small businesses can rely upon, understand, and afford.”

Most small businesses struggle to meet current cybersecurity demands. Without expertise or the resources of larger organizations, small businesses still need to follow state and federal laws, industry regulations and standards, and contractual obligations. Security CPR® encompasses three core components of an effective cybersecurity program.

  • Communication and Education
  • Prevention and Protection
  • Recovery and Response

“As a model and a set of services, Security CPR® adapts to your specific business needs,” notes Falcon. “We tune your cybersecurity services to match your requirements, risks, business operations, and budget.”

As part of our commitment to helping small businesses protect themselves from cybersecurity threats, we recently launched our Cybersecurity Landing Zone. The zone collates blog posts, web events, eBooks, and other resources to help small business owners navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.

To assess, plan, and improve your cybersecurity, book a free, no obligation meeting with one of our Cloud Advisors.

About Cumulus Global

Nationally recognized as a leader, Cumulus Global delivers productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services to small and midsize businesses, governments, and K-12 schools. Translating business objectives into technology needs and priorities, we design, deploy, manage, and support services that help our clients thrive and grow.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Security-CPR-Model.png 1080 1080 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-10-27 20:09:202026-03-03 21:58:07Cumulus Global Awarded Cybersecurity Trademark: Security CPR®

{URGENT}: Windows 10 Support ENDS on Oct. 14th. Extended Security Updates Available

October 10, 2025/in Cybersecurity, General

Windows 11

ACT NOW!  Support for Windows 10 officially ends on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide software updates and technical assistance. If you are not upgrading to Windows 11, you must purchase Windows 10 Extended Security Updates to continue receiving critical and important security updates.

Without these extended security updates, continuing to use Windows 10 dramatically increases your exposure to significant risks. Your systems become prime targets for cyberattacks, ransomware, and data breaches. You risk costly downtime, loss of sensitive information, and severe compliance issues. 

Proactive planning and action are not just recommended, they are critical for your business continuity and security.

Know Your Windows 10 Options

We agree with Microsoft’s recommendation to upgrade all eligible systems to Windows 11. We also understand you may have budget constraints or compatibility issues with older software.

You can check if your PCs will run Windows 11 using Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. If your PC will not run Windows 11, you have options other than buying new devices.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU): 

Microsoft has release pricing for ESU licenses.  The license are available as a one-time purchase for each year. You do not need to commit to multiple years up-front, you can purchase the licenses annually if needed.  The pricing is as follows:

  • Year 1 – from October 2025 to October 2026 – $61 each
  • Year 2 – from October 2026 to October 2027 – $122 each
  • Year 3 – from October 2027 to October 2028 – $244 each

Important Notes:

  • Not all systems are eligible to install the updates. To be eligible to install updates from the ESU program, devices must be running Windows 10, version 22H2. For more information on prerequisites and enabling ESU in commercial environments, see Enable Extended Security Updates (ESU).
  • ESU Program updates do NOT include: New features; Customer-requested non-security updates; Design change requests; or General support.
  • The Windows 10 ESU only includes support for the license activation, installation, and possible regressions of the ESU itself for organizations with a support plan in place.

Keep in mind, the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program serves as a temporary bridge and does not address underlying hardware or software compatibility issues related to upgrading to Windows 11.

Virtual Desktop Services: 
  • Using virtual desktop services, such as Azure Virtual Desktop, allow you to use your existing PCs to access a robust and secure Windows 11 environment. Virtual desktops work well for hybrid team members and to mitigate the cost of upgrading multiple devices.
  • Connect with one of our Cloud Advisors to explore this option.

Windows 11 Upgrade HelpPlan for Your Windows 11 Transition

Regardless of the strategy you choose, proactive planning is crucial for a smooth and secure transition. Follow these steps to ensure you’re ready:

Assess Your Current IT Environment
  • Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to determine which devices can run Windows 11, which can be upgraded, and which require replacement. If you use Windows 10 in embedded systems, check with your vendor.
  • Confirm which of your business-critical applications and tools are compatible with Windows 11. Identify necessary software upgrades or migrations.
Prepare Your Budget
  • Accurately map the cost of upgrading and/or replacing devices. Keep in mind that older systems, even if upgraded now, may soon require replacement.
  • Identify any software upgrade costs.
  • Keep in mind any fees for tech support or professional services. You may need or want help transferring applications and data to new devices or setting up virtual desktops.
Develop Your Transition Plan & Data Strategy
  • Plan your timing and procedures for upgrades, purchases, and migrations. Focus on preventing data loss during migration and consider staging your rollout in phases to minimize disruption.
  • Crucially, ensure all critical data is securely backed up before upgrading or migrating systems. 
  • Remember to allow time to test critical software on Windows 11 before upgrading.
Train Your Team
  • Provide resources and help your team become familiar with the Windows 11 interface and new features.
  • If you are upgrading your business software for compatibility, you may want to provide additional training on new functionalities and capabilities.
  • Stay Informed: Monitor Microsoft’s official updates and announcements. Keep current with regarding Windows 10 end of life and Windows 11 developments.

Cumulus Global Will Help

Plan and Act Now.  As with any major upgrade, we expect demand for PCs, laptops, and technical services will increase as the deadline nears. Waiting may result in delays and missed deadlines. Losing Windows 10 support can result in costly business disruptions.

For assistance, schedule a brief, free call with one of our Cloud Advisors to discuss your assessment, plan, and upgrade needs, priorities, and budget.

About the Author

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.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Win11-Background.jpg 533 800 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-10-10 20:09:202025-12-15 22:13:18{URGENT}: Windows 10 Support ENDS on Oct. 14th. Extended Security Updates Available

Avoid MFA Pitfalls and Lockouts

September 23, 2025/in General

MFA PitfallsMaybe you have seen the meme about spending 6 hours per day entering multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes. While inconvenience is one pitfall of MFA, improper configuration and management of MFA can lead to more damaging pitfalls and lockouts. Your ability to work can take days to recover.

The MFA Pitfalls 

Most of us are not using a separate security key; we authenticate using our smartphones. Whether by Authenticator app, SMS text, one-time passwords/codes, or local app login, we need our smartphone to access our apps and services.

Imagine this scenario:

  • Your iPhone is lost, stolen, or damaged.
  • On your laptop, you need to login to check email and the authentication goes to the Authenticator app on your phone.
  • You could opt to have a one-time password emailed to you, but you cannot access your email.
  • You could send it to your recovery email, which you rarely use, is logged out and the MFA also goes to your phone.

You get the picture. You are stuck, but you still have other means of access. Depending on your configuration, restoring access may be complex and take too much time.

And while this scenario may seem unlikely to happen, we see online forums where over 80% of help requests relate to account lockout and recovery. Almost all of the problems were avoidable with proper configuration and management.

Tips to Avoid MFA Pitfalls

To help you avoid MFA pitfalls and lockouts, we created a list of things to consider when configuring management of your MFA services.

  • Use a Sustainable Phone Number for MFA and for Recovery: MFA texts and messages should only go to a phone number that can remain in use if you switch phones or phone systems. Whether to a physical phone or a VoIP service, make sure that you will not lose your number if things change in the future.
  • Have a Separate Recovery Phone Number: If your phone is not available for MFA calls or texts, it is not going to work for recovery codes, calls, or texts. If at all possible, use different phone numbers for MFA and recovery. If your MFA phone number is your smartphone, your recovery phone number could be your business’ VoIP phone number, or the number of a trusted coworker or spouse.
  • Use a Separate Recovery Email: If the email account that receives MFA messages is inaccessible, you will not be able to use it for recovery. Use an alternate email address. This could be a personal (@gmail.com) account or a one belonging to somebody you trust. When setting up your recovery email account, make sure that account is not reliant on the same methods and devices.
  • Stop Before You Drop: Before you give up, abandon, or change a phone number or email address, review the MFA setup across all of your apps and systems. Make sure you move them to your new number and/or email address before you give up the old ones.
  • Backup Your Authenticator Apps: Both Microsoft Authenticator and Google Authenticator let you backup your Authenticator App data. This lets you reinstall and recover your Authenticator settings and accounts on a new or different device. Make sure, however, that the backup location does not require the Authenticator App for access.
  • Create, Print, and Save Recovery Codes: Many systems, apps, and security tools let you create emergency recovery codes. If available, create the codes, print them, and keep them in a safe location (“Put it with your Passport”). Having these codes can reduce account recovery time by hours or days.
  • Use a Password Manager: Password managers provide a single, secure login to allow access to complex passwords and validation for the connected apps. Using a password manager reduces the risk of account lockout.
  • Do Not Buy Direct: Buy your cloud apps and services through authorized partners. For most SaaS and cloud solutions, your partner has administrative access to your account. They can reset passwords and recover accounts. If needed to expedite access or recovery, your partner can change MFA configuration and/or temporarily remove MFA from an account.

These steps require some planning. As MFA settings and preference can often be set individually, you will need to communicate and coordinate with your employees. 

We Will Help

Our Cloud Advisors are here to assist. We can:

  • Review your current MFA services and configurations
  • Identify risks and recommend changes
  • Assist your team members with settings and recovery codes
  • Provide your with Password Manager services
  • Provide license and account co-management for your cloud services

Schedule time with one of our Cloud Advisors now to discuss your next steps.

About the Author

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.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MFA-Pitfalls.ai_.png 469 640 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-09-23 20:09:202025-12-15 22:13:54Avoid MFA Pitfalls and Lockouts

Sustainability: Our Next Milestone

August 28, 2025/in General

ReforestationIn January 2025, Cumulus Global expanded its sustainability program to help offset the carbon footprint of our offices and operations.  In partnership with Evertreen, we fund the planting of 100 trees per month.

Over 1,500 Tonnes of CO2 Offset

With over 2,300 trees in 7 countries on 3 continents, our current forest offsets the electrical use of more than 975 households.

In addition to the climate benefits, our forest is producing food, reducing soil erosion, protecting watersheds, and providing local jobs.

As an IT firm, planting trees to offset our carbon footprint is part of an overall commitment to sustainability that includes using 100% renewable energy, reuse, and recycling.

We Can Help You Do More

One of the best ways to improve sustainability is to recycle electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste recycling has challenges, including but not limited to, finding reputable recyclers and cost.

Our Basic and Business Managed Cloud Services include lifecycle management for your computer with unlimited, no-cost, e-waste recycling. We provide a prepaid label. Just box up the items and drop them off at your local post office. As an added bonus, our IT asset disposal partners partner with Veritree to plant trees with every recycling order.

Call to Action:

For more information about our Managed Cloud Services, please contact us or schedule time with one of our Cloud Advisors. 

About the Author

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.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Reforestation.png 512 512 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-08-28 20:09:202025-12-15 22:17:58Sustainability: Our Next Milestone

5 Cyber Threat Trends You Should Know

August 6, 2025/in AI in Google Workspace, Cybersecurity, General

5 Security Cyber Threats You Should Know

Earlier this week, we shared CrowdStrike’s 2025 Global Threat Report which identified five (5) cyber threat trends that you should know. While cyber-fatigue is real, understanding the threat landscape helps you assess your risks and security posture and make informed decisions on how to prioritize security-related spending and investment.

5 Cyber Threat Trends

Here are the 5 cyber threat trends you should know.

1 China on the Rise

Cyber attacks originating in China – both nation-state and organized crime – jumped 130% over the prior 12 months. At the enterprise-level, China-nexus attackers focus on telecommunication systems. For most businesses, the increase in attacks on unmanaged devices should be of concern. 

Unmanaged devices lack detection and response capabilities that allow attackers to lurk, monitor, and capture credentials for greater access to your systems, applications, and data.

2 Hands-On-Keyboard Attacks are Making a Comeback

The best way for cyber attackers to avoid modern malware protection, such next-gen endpoint protection and managed detection and response (MDR) services, is for the attacker or a surrogate to use the keyboard. These manual, interactive attacks are up 27% over the prior year.

We may imagine hands–on-keyboard attacks as movie-like scenarios of corporate spies posing as custodians sneaking onto computers while avoiding the security guards making their rounds. In reality, the hands-on-attack may be your employee responding to somebody they think is IT support or a vendor helping them solve a problem.

3 Rapid Ransomware Reach

The speed at which cyber attackers can launch ransomware attacks after an initial breach is accelerating. From breach to spread, attacks are up to 32% faster than previously known.

This speed gives cybersecurity systems less time to identify behaviors and patterns that identify the cyber attack, weakening the effectiveness of the protections.

4 AI for Evil

With the help of AI, certain types of cyber attacks have jumped 220% over the prior year. Cyber attackers are using generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) technologies to power more-effective attacks.  

Using GenAI, attackers create more realistic fakes – emails, documents, phone calls, and videos – to trigger responses and reactions that enable and facilitate access and breaches.

At the same time, cyber attackers are using security vulnerabilities in the platforms and tools businesses use to build AI agents, just as they use vulnerabilities in web, application, and office productivity platforms.

5 Cloud Attacks Gain Altitude

Cloud intrusions – successful cyber attacks on cloud systems and services – jumped 136% during the first half of 2025 compared to all of 2024. These attacks vector through compromised identities, improper security configurations, API vulnerabilities, lax security and permissions governance.

Steps You Can Take

To ensure your security footprint protects your business appropriately:

  • Conduct IT and Security Assessments that benchmark your security posture.
  • Prioritize your risks based on the nature and size of your business, industry standards and expectations, and regulatory requirements.
  • Level our Security CPR® model and managed services to plan, prioritize, and implement appropriate security and business resilience solutions that:
    • Address your prioritized risks as your budget allows
    • Protect from the most common and the most damaging/costly types of attacks.

We Will Help

Plan Now; Act Soon. Our Cloud Advisors are here to assist. We will:

  • Review your current systems and services and prioritize your risks. 
  • Help you prioritize, plan, and budget for security changes and improvements that may be necessary or preferred
  • Deploy and co-manage your security solutions to keep you protected.

Schedule time with one of our Cloud Advisors now to begin your security review and improvements.

About the Author

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.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/5-Security-Cyber-Threat-Trends-You-Should-Know.ai_.jpg 2048 2048 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-08-06 20:09:202025-12-15 22:18:335 Cyber Threat Trends You Should Know

AI in Google Workspace – AI Ultra for Business

July 29, 2025/in AI in Google Workspace, General

Google AI Ultra for BusinessGoogle Workspace is a comprehensive and secure platform that empowers organizations to be more productive, collaborative, and creative. This series explores the power of AI built within Google Workspace across each of the workspace apps. In this post, we cover the Google AI Ultra add-on for Google Workspace.

Google AI Ultra for Business

Google AI Ultra for Business is an add-on for existing Google Workspace Business and Enterprise subscribers, offering enhanced capabilities.  Beyond the highest access to the Gemini app, Google AI Ultra for Business delivers advanced tools for deep reasoning, images, and videos.

Here are 4 reasons to consider Google Ultra for Business:

1 Gemini App
  • Dive deep with the most capable models, including Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Research.
  • Deep Think, with the ability to explore multiple scenarios and answers before responding, is coming soon.
2 Video Generation
  • AI Ultra for Business includes advanced filmmaking tools:
    • Veo 3 — Professional video production tool
    • Flow — Create cinematic scenes using Veo 3
    • Whisk — Image and text to 8-second videos, using Veo 2

3 Project Mariner

  • Research prototype for streamlined human-agent interaction
  • Allows AI agents to handle multiple tasks concurrently
  • Coming soon, initially to the US only

4 Individual YouTube Premium

  • Upgrade your video game with an individual YouTube Premium plan.

And More …

Google AI Ultra for Business also includes higher access and usage limits for:

  • Gemini App
  • Image Generation
  • NotebookLM
  • AI Credits (12,500 credits per month)
  • Storage (30 TB across Photos, Drive, and Gmail

We Will Help

At Cumulus Global, our priority is ensuring that you have productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services. We work to ensure that you get the most value from the IT and cloud services you need and want, without overspending, to best support your business objectives.

Unsure of where to start? Check out our IT Assessment or schedule a meeting with a Cloud Advisor. We will help you adapt while keeping your IT services secure and cost-effective.

About the Author

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.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AI-Ultra-for-Business.png 1080 1080 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-07-29 20:09:212025-12-15 22:20:23AI in Google Workspace – AI Ultra for Business

AI in Google Workspace – AppSheet

July 1, 2025/in AI in Google Workspace, General

Gemini AI in AppSheetGoogle Workspace is a comprehensive and secure platform that empowers organizations to be more productive, collaborative, and creative. This series explores the power of AI built within Google Workspace across each of the workspace apps. In this post, we cover AI in AppSheet.

AI in AppSheet

AppSheet is an add-on for Google Workspace and a Google Cloud service that empowers Google Workspace users to create custom apps and automations without writing code.

In addition to simplifying workflow creation and connecting your business data, AppSheet provides controls needed to remain secure and compliant.

Gemini AI in AppSheet helps you create and refine apps and better access and refine your data and information.

Here are 3 Gemini features in AppSheet you should know.

1 Create an App
  • Bring app ideas to life by simply describing them. Gemini AI in AppSheet can transform those concepts
    into a fully functional app for you to edit or publish.
2 Extract Information
  • Currently in preview, Gemini AI in AppSheet lets you populate forms and reports directly from images. Snap a photo of a receipt, invoice or document to capture data and match it to the right fields.
3 Connect External Services
  • Also in preview, AppSheet apps can connect to hundreds of Google Cloud and third-party services without custom code.

And More …

You can also:

  • Embed Gemini-powered AI tasks directly within your AppSheet automations.
  • Extract information from PDF files.
  • Automatically categorize information as it is input.
  • Route and prioritize items based on categorized content to streamline workflows.

We Will Help

At Cumulus Global, our priority is ensuring that you have productive, secure, and affordable managed cloud services. We work to ensure that you get the most value from the IT and cloud services you need and want, without overspending, to best support your business objectives.

Unsure of where to start? Check out our IT Assessment or schedule a meeting with a Cloud Advisor. We will help you adapt while keeping your IT services secure and cost-effective.

About the Author

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.

https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/AI-in-AppSheet.png 1080 1080 Allen Falcon https://www.cumulusglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cumulus-Global-logo-with-spacing.png Allen Falcon2025-07-01 20:09:212025-12-15 22:21:12AI in Google Workspace – AppSheet
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