Cybercriminals Are Getting Smarter and What Your Business Needs to Do

Cybercrime has evolved rapidly over the past decade and continue to bring a new wave of threats that are more aggressive, intelligent, and targeted than ever before. What used to work to protect your business network—like installing basic firewalls and running routine malware scans—is now woefully outdated. Today’s criminals aren’t just hackers in hoodies working from dark basements, they’re organized, tech-savvy, and increasingly powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

Unfortunately, as much as AI is helping businesses improve productivity and streamline operations, cybercriminals are using AI tools of their own to exploit vulnerabilities, launch deepfake attacks, scan your infrastructure for weaknesses, and hold your business data hostage using AI-generated phishing campaigns and ransomware variants that evolve in real time.

So how can you protect your business from this next generation of cyber threats?

The New Front Line: Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

One of the most critical advances in cybersecurity is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). EDR security goes far beyond traditional antivirus software by continuously monitoring every device, desktops, mobile phones, servers—connected to your network. These systems detect abnormal behavior, isolate potential threats, and respond in real time to stop breaches before they spread.

Unlike legacy security tools that rely on known malware signatures, EDR tools use AI and machine learning to spot suspicious patterns of behavior, even if the threat has never been seen before. With cybercriminals leveraging AI tools to generate new malware daily, this kind of real-time analysis is essential.

For any company concerned with cloud security solutions for small business, EDR can also be a critical layer of defense, especially when employees are accessing sensitive information via remote workstations or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments.

Password Protection Still Matters Too

While much of the focus is on AI-powered threats and endpoint security, one of the most basic forms of protection, strong passwords—is still incredibly important. Unfortunately, it’s also become more confusing and overwhelming than ever.

In 2025, nearly every SaaS (Software as a Service) application used by small businesses now enforces complex password policies. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), timed expiration rules, and character requirements make it harder for bad actors to brute-force access—but they also make it harder for employees to remember credentials.

As a result, employees fall into bad habits: reusing passwords, writing them down, or choosing credentials that are easy to guess. All of this creates vulnerabilities that sophisticated AI attackers can easily exploit.

That’s why using a password management tool has gone from a convenience to a necessity.

5 of the Top Password Management Tools for Businesses

1. NordPass
NordPass is gaining traction in the business world for its intuitive interface, enterprise-level security, and zero-knowledge architecture. It offers secure password sharing, auto-fill, and a data breach scanner to help keep your credentials safe. (For more insights, check out a trusted NordPass business review.)
2. LastPass Business
Known for its user-friendly interface and strong security protocols, LastPass provides secure password vaults, automated password generation, and admin-level reporting tools.
3. 1Password for Business
Offers seamless team password management, two-factor authentication integration, and secure sharing of credentials and documents.
4. Dashlane Business
With powerful password auditing tools and dark web monitoring, Dashlane is ideal for teams that want to stay on top of their credential hygiene.
5. Bitwarden Teams

An open-source option trusted by developers and IT professionals, Bitwarden is cost-effective, secure, and supports customizable deployment options.

Each of these tools can help simplify credential management while ensuring that your employees comply with the stricter password policies set by today’s SaaS platforms.

The Role of Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Experts

In a threat landscape that changes daily, no small business can afford to go it alone. Partnering with a company that offers managed IT services near Philly or wherever you’re located can give your business the expert oversight and proactive support it needs.

From deploying EDR security solutions and maintaining up-to-date firewalls to implementing cloud security solutions for small business, an IT partner can handle the complexity of modern cybersecurity so you can focus on running your business.

Businesses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, particularly those looking for cyber security services, should seek providers that are not only familiar with regional compliance requirements but also stay updated on the latest security tech—especially as AI-powered threats continue to grow.

Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Cybercriminals

The days of relying on antivirus software and good luck are over. In 2025, cybercriminals are using tools just as advanced as the ones you use to run your business. That’s why protecting your digital assets requires a layered approach: from managed EDR and password managers to knowledgeable IT support and strategic cyber security services in Mercer County and beyond.

Having a trusted IT support services partner who understands both the tech and the threat landscape is no longer optional—it’s a critical part of doing business. And with tools like NordPass and expert support from your IT Company in Bucks County, you’ll be far better equipped to protect your company, your clients, and your future.

Read more ...

The Coefficient of Friction in Robotics

Robotics in the manufacturing sector has reached unprecedented levels of adoption. From automotive production lines to advanced electronics and precision packaging systems, robotic arms, lifts, and motion systems are doing more work than ever before. These machines are expected to perform thousands—if not millions—of precise movements repeatedly, often with tolerances within fractions of a millimeter.

But in such high-precision environments, even being off by a millimeter can trigger a chain reaction of issues—misaligned parts, reduced system accuracy, defective products, or even equipment failure. That’s why every aspect of robotic design matters, and why engineers pay close attention to an often-overlooked factor: the coefficient of friction.

What Is the Coefficient of Friction in Robotic Assemblies?

In simple terms, the coefficient of friction is a number that describes how much resistance one surface has when sliding against another. In robotics, this is incredibly important. Imagine a robotic arm bolted to a base—if the mating surfaces have too little friction, the arm may slip slightly under repeated load. Even a tiny shift, over time, can result in misalignment that affects the entire production process.

To counteract these risks, engineers work to increase surface friction between mechanical joints, bearings, or structural interfaces within the robotic assembly. One of the most effective ways to do that? Friction shims.

What Are Friction Shims?

Friction shims are ultra-thin layers of material placed between two metal surfaces to increase friction and prevent slippage. These shims are typically coated with micro-scale surface textures or treatments—such as diamond particles or other abrasives—that create a stronger grip when compressed between metal components.

Used in critical bolted joints or torque-transmitting interfaces, friction shims help ensure that once components are tightened together, they stay exactly where they’re supposed to be—despite vibrations, repeated movements, or heavy loads.

How Friction Shims Improve Robotic Precision

In robotic applications, friction shims provide several key benefits:

1. Increased Stability – Prevents minor shifts or creeping at mechanical joints over time.
2. Enhanced Safety – Reduces the risk of loose components in high-speed or high-force operations.
3. Improved Accuracy – Keeps robotic movements true to design, even under repeated stress.
4. Lower Maintenance – Less slippage means fewer adjustments and better reliability over the machine’s lifetime.

As robotic systems become more complex and tightly integrated, custom metal shims like these become essential design elements, not just optional add-ons.

Leading Manufacturers of Friction and Custom Metal Shims

Several companies are pushing the boundaries of friction shim technology to support high-performance robotic systems:

1. 3M Company
Known globally for their innovation, 3M friction shims use precision-applied coatings with embedded diamond particles to significantly increase static friction between surfaces. They’re commonly used in automotive and aerospace, but also in industrial robotics where torque transmission and stability are critical.
2. Surface Technology Inc. (New Jersey)
This U.S.-based company specializes in wear resistant coating for metal parts and friction-enhancing technologies. Their solutions are trusted across manufacturing sectors and are often tailored to meet exact tolerances and performance requirements.
3. SPIROL International Corporation
Another leader in custom metal shims, SPIROL provides engineered solutions for mechanical fastening and alignment. They offer precision shims in various thicknesses, materials, and finishes to meet exacting requirements in robotics and automation.

For engineers looking for a diamond coating manufacturer, many friction shim suppliers, including 3M and STI, apply diamond-like particles to their shims to enhance grip strength between components. These micro-scale abrasives create a mechanical lock between surfaces, improving joint integrity without requiring oversized fasteners or higher torque.

Summary: Small Parts with Big Impact

In today’s manufacturing landscape, where robotic systems must be faster, smarter, and more precise than ever before, seemingly small factors—like surface friction—can have a huge impact. The coefficient of friction plays a vital role in the performance and longevity of robotic assemblies, influencing everything from positional accuracy to mechanical safety.

Friction shims offer a simple yet effective way to control surface friction and prevent unwanted movement in robotic joints. With solutions like friction shims from 3M, custom metal shims from STI, and specialized composite diamond coatings, manufacturers can ensure their robotic systems deliver consistent performance with minimal maintenance.

As robotics continues to advance, working with experienced shim suppliers ensures that every detail—down to the micron—is engineered for success. Because in high-precision robotics, there’s no room for slip-ups.

Read more ...

Environmental Responsibility and Emissions Testing: Why It Matters in 2025

In today’s increasingly regulated and environmentally conscious world, the responsibility to monitor and manage harmful emissions falls squarely on the shoulders of manufacturers, municipalities, and industrial operations. Whether it’s a chemical plant, a waste treatment facility, or a metal fabrication shop, entities that work with volatile compounds, gases, or combustion-based systems are required to monitor emissions—both for employee safety and for the health of the surrounding community.

Testing for harmful emissions is more than a regulatory requirement—it’s a moral obligation. When these emissions go unchecked, they can lead to poor air quality, long-term health complications, and environmental degradation. With proper tools, trained personnel, and reliable calibration gas for emissions testing, businesses can ensure they’re not only in compliance, but also acting as responsible stewards of the environment.

Five Harmful Emissions Found in Industrial Environments

Here are five common emissions that are regularly tested in industrial workplaces across the United States:

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO) – Produced by combustion processes, CO is odorless and deadly even at low concentrations. It’s especially prevalent in manufacturing plants that use gas-fired equipment or furnaces.
2. Nitric Oxide (NO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) – These nitrogen-based gases are byproducts of high-temperature industrial processes and are harmful to both human lungs and the atmosphere. Finding a stable nitric oxide gas supplier is critical for accurate detection and calibration.
3. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Released from paints, solvents, and chemical mixtures, VOCs are known contributors to indoor air pollution and smog formation.
4. Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) – Common in metal refining and power generation, SO₂ contributes to acid rain and respiratory problems.
5. Ozone (O₃) – While naturally present in the upper atmosphere, ozone at ground level—produced by chemical reactions between VOCs and nitrogen oxides—is hazardous to both workers and nearby populations.

These emissions are often detected and measured using advanced gas detection technologies.

Types of Gas Detectors That Meet Compliance Standards

To comply with OSHA, EPA, and NFPA standards, businesses must use certified gas detectors. These detectors fall into a few major categories:

• - Fixed Gas Detection Systems – Installed in permanent locations to continuously monitor air quality in facilities. Ideal for large-scale manufacturing or chemical plants.
• - Portable Gas Detectors – Handheld devices used by safety inspectors or technicians to test air quality in specific areas or during maintenance.
• - Multi-Gas Detectors – Devices capable of measuring several gases at once, such as CO, NO₂, and VOCs—perfect for dynamic environments where multiple risks exist.
• - Photoionization Detectors (PIDs) – Commonly used for detecting low levels of VOCs.

Regardless of the detector type, accurate measurements rely on proper and regular calibration.

Why Calibration Matters

Calibration is the process of adjusting a gas detection device to ensure its readings are accurate and consistent with known gas concentrations. Over time, sensors drift due to age, exposure to contaminants, or environmental conditions, leading to false alarms—or worse, undetected dangers.

Regular calibration ensures that gas detectors:

• - Provide accurate readings for compliance and reporting
• - React promptly to unsafe conditions
• - Maintain sensor integrity and performance

To perform calibration, technicians use calibration gas, also known as cal gas for test equipment. This gas mimics the target gas in known concentrations, allowing the sensor to “learn” how to recognize that gas properly.

The Importance of Calibration Gas and Gas Purity

Using high-quality calibration gas is essential. Substandard or contaminated calibration gas can mislead your detectors, rendering them unreliable and putting people and processes at risk. This is why sourcing from high purity gas suppliers is non-negotiable.

When we refer to gas purity, we’re talking about the percentage of the desired gas versus contaminants or impurities. For sensitive industrial applications—especially those involving nitric oxide or volatile compounds—purity affects both accuracy and safety.

A reputable specialty gas supplier, for example, will offer NO in a precise blend, often balanced with nitrogen, and verified by strict quality control measures to ensure stability and shelf life. For facilities that test emissions daily or weekly, this consistency is crucial to maintaining regulatory compliance and ensuring workplace safety.

Why a Reliable Gas Supplier Is a Strategic Partner

In the world of industrial emissions testing, your gas supplier is more than a vendor—they’re a partner in compliance. A trusted supplier will:

• - Provide gas mixtures tailored to your testing needs
• - Ensure stability and purity in every cylinder
• - Offer documentation that satisfies EPA and OSHA requirements
• - Deliver calibration gases promptly to avoid downtime

Choosing the right calibration gas for emissions testing allows your organization to confidently meet environmental standards, avoid penalties, and protect both workers and local ecosystems.

Living Our Environmental Responsibility

In 2025 and beyond, emissions testing is no longer just about checking boxes—it’s about accountability. Whether you’re managing a small-scale chemical process or overseeing a municipal waste treatment facility, the burden to protect our air, our health, and our future rests with each of us.

By using reliable gas detection tools, performing regular calibration with high quality cal gas for test equipment, and sourcing from a local specialty gas supplier, manufacturers and municipalities show they take this responsibility seriously.

Together, with ethical choices and technological diligence, we can be better environmental citizens and stewards—today, and for generations to come.

Read more ...

A Look at Tools, Accuracy, and Tradition of Land Surveying

Land surveying is a critical part of development, infrastructure planning, property ownership, and legal disputes. Whether you’re building a new home, selling a parcel of land, or resolving a boundary issue with a neighbor, a licensed land surveyor is often called in to determine precise property lines and topographical details. These professionals ensure that structures are built within legal boundaries and that land is accurately represented in deeds, blueprints, and zoning maps.

At the core of any survey is one essential factor: accuracy. The margin for error is razor-thin—just a few inches can be the difference between peaceful coexistence and a costly lawsuit. Survey data is often used by engineers, architects, municipalities, and legal professionals, so the numbers have to be exact. That level of precision relies heavily on the quality of the equipment, the methods used, and the skill of the surveyor.

Then and Now: A Technological Shift

Over the past two decades, land surveying has undergone a quiet revolution. Traditional methods rooted in optical instruments and manual calculations are increasingly complemented—or replaced—by modern digital tools and automation. However, the old ways haven’t disappeared, and for good reason.

Tools of the Past

Just 20 years ago, many surveyors relied primarily on analog tools like:

• - Theodolites – optical instruments that measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes.
• - Chains and Tapes – used for measuring distances over land manually.
• - Levels – used with leveling rods to determine elevations and contours.
• - Compasses– critical for determining bearings and orientations.

While these instruments were highly effective in skilled hands, they demanded a lot of manual work, time, and on-the-ground effort. For many seasoned surveyors, tools like the compass for land surveying still have their place, especially in wooded or undeveloped areas where GPS signals may be weak or blocked.

The Rise of Digital Tools

Modern surveyors now use high-tech tools such as:

• - Total Stations – which combine electronic theodolites with distance meters and digital data recording.
• - GNSS and GPS Systems – allowing satellite-based location and measurement with sub-centimeter precision.
• - 3D Laser Scanners – capturing millions of data points in minutes to create detailed digital terrain models.
• - Drones and UAVs – used to survey large or inaccessible areas from above.

Some traditional tools have been re-engineered as well. For example, custom telescopes have evolved to offer improved optics and compatibility with digital sensors, enhancing their utility in both traditional and modern survey setups.

Tripods, a staple in every land surveyor’s toolkit, have also evolved. The tall survey tripod used today is often made of lightweight carbon fiber, allowing easier transport while maintaining the height and stability needed to support more sophisticated and heavier surveying instruments.

Bridging Generations: The Role of Legacy Tools

Interestingly, many older surveyors continue to use tried-and-true tools alongside modern gear. Their reasons are practical: older equipment is familiar, proven, and when properly maintained, still highly accurate. Some applications simply don’t require high-tech solutions, and in these cases, basic incline measurement tools and traditional leveling devices get the job done reliably.

One crucial reason for continued use of legacy tools is the need for NIST traceable calibration. Instruments that have been properly maintained and calibrated according to standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology can deliver accuracy on par with newer devices. Many surveyors trust these calibrated instruments more than off-the-shelf modern devices that haven’t been thoroughly tested or adjusted.

Routine maintenance, recalibration, and verification against known measurements allow even decades-old equipment to remain service-ready. It’s a reminder that accuracy isn’t always about novelty, it’s about reliability.

The Importance of Calibration and Care

Regardless of how advanced the tool is, NIST traceable calibration remains essential. Whether it’s a digital total station or an old steel tape, all measuring instruments need periodic verification to ensure precision. Using uncalibrated tools can lead to flawed data, which in turn can result in construction delays, zoning issues, or legal disputes.

Tools like certain incline measurement tools need especially close attention, since a minor deviation in angle can create substantial errors in height or slope calculations over long distances.

A Word of Caution: Don’t Dismiss the Old Tools

While the market is flooded with the latest gadgets promising to revolutionize land surveying, it’s important not to throw away tools—and skills—that have stood the test of time. Custom-built gear like custom telescopes, analog angle finders, and even a well-balanced tall survey tripod are often superior in specific situations where electronic instruments are either impractical or unnecessary.

Older surveyors also carry decades of field experience that no machine can replicate. Their ability to “read” the land, anticipate challenges, and manually verify measurements serves as a critical balance to the increasing reliance on automated systems.

Trust the Older Tools

Land surveying has certainly changed over the past 20 years, thanks to an influx of digital innovation and GPS-based precision. However, many traditional methods and tools remain valid—sometimes even preferred. As long as equipment is well-maintained and regularly certified through NIST traceable calibration, it remains a trusted asset.

In the end, the best land surveyors are those who know when to use the latest technology—and when to pull out the compass for land surveying or the reliable incline measurement tools they’ve trusted for years. Embracing both the old and the new ensures land surveying remains accurate, adaptable, and deeply rooted in the craft that built the profession.

Read more ...

Is Radio Over IP Really Private?

As more public safety agencies, transportation companies, and businesses adopt Radio over IP (RoIP) technology to extend their communication capabilities, the question of privacy and security becomes critical. To fully understand how secure these systems can be, it helps to first understand how voice data moves across a network in a RoIP environment.

How Voice Becomes Data in RoIP Systems

In a typical RoIP setup, your voice is captured by a two-way radio or microphone and converted into digital voice data packets using codecs. These packets are then organized, timestamped, and queued for transmission over IP-based networks. Much like how VoIP (Voice over IP) works, RoIP systems rely on packet-switched networks to send voice from one endpoint to another—only in this case, the endpoints may include base stations, dispatch consoles, repeaters, or handheld radios operating over IP.

Private Networks and Data Transport

RoIP systems can operate over various types of networks:

• * LANs (Local Area Networks): Typically used when all devices are in one building or campus. These networks are fast and easy to secure.
• * WANs (Wide Area Networks): Used when communicating across multiple sites, such as from a central dispatch center to remote field units.
• * VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): A VPN creates a secure tunnel through public or semi-public infrastructure like the internet, ensuring voice packets are encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized users.

These private network environments are essential to making RoIP viable for sensitive or mission-critical communications. Without strong network architecture, radio over IP traffic could be vulnerable to interception or interference.

Accessing and Securing Private RoIP Networks

Access to private RoIP networks is typically restricted through a combination of authentication protocols and controlled routing. Devices attempting to access the network must pass identity checks, often in the form of digital certificates or secure logins. Once authenticated, they are allowed to join specific VLANs or subnetworks designated for voice traffic.

To further protect voice communications, especially when transmitting over the internet or shared WANs, encryption is often used. Common encryption protocols include:

• * TLS (Transport Layer Security) for securing signaling paths.
• * SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) for encrypting the actual voice packets.
• * AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption, often required by government or public safety agencies for end-to-end security.

Encryption ensures that even if someone intercepts the data packets, they won’t be able to understand or manipulate the content without the proper keys.

The Role of P25 Standards in Public Safety

For public safety organizations, such as police, fire departments, and emergency services, Project 25 (P25) standards are used to ensure interoperability, reliability, and security. P25 is a suite of standards developed for digital radio communications, specifically to support secure, seamless coordination between agencies. It includes standardized encryption protocols, talkgroup identifiers, and over-the-air rekeying (OTAR).

P25-compliant systems can integrate into RoIP networks, allowing agencies to extend their radio coverage using IP while maintaining encryption and interoperability.

Commercial Equivalents to P25

While the commercial sector does not use P25 specifically, many similar standards and technologies exist. Examples include:

• * DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) for commercial two-way radio use.
• * NXDN, used in industrial and commercial sectors.
• * Proprietary RoIP solutions from manufacturers like Motorola, Kenwood, and Harris.

These commercial systems often support encryption and interoperability features, though the regulatory requirements are usually not as strict as in the public safety domain. However, businesses that require secure communication systems—like utilities, logistics companies, and security firms—often adopt similar best practices in encryption and network segmentation.

Why You Need a Qualified Communication Systems Provider

Designing and deploying a RoIP network isn’t a plug-and-play process. You need to evaluate:

• - Network infrastructure capacity
• - IP addressing schemes
• - Radio gateway compatibility
• - VPN setup and firewall configurations
• - Encryption and access control protocols

That’s why it’s essential to work with a qualified communication systems provider in PA or your local area, especially if your communication system needs to span across municipalities, facilities, or mobile fleets. A professional can help ensure your RoIP systems are configured properly for performance, privacy, and compliance with industry standards.

Equipment Required for a Secure RoIP Setup

To build a reliable and private RoIP network, you’ll likely need:

• - Radio over IP equipment, such as gateways that bridge traditional radios with IP networks
• - Dispatch consoles that operate over IP and integrate with multiple channels
• - Network switches and routers configured for Quality of Service (QoS) and VLANs
• - Firewalls and VPN appliances for securing WAN connections
• - P25 or DMR-compatible radios, depending on your industry needs

Each component plays a role in ensuring the performance and security of your system, and they must be selected and configured based on your specific operational requirements.

So, Is Radio Over IP Really Private?

The answer is yes, RoIP can be very private and secure, if it is properly configured and supported by the right technologies. Encryption, private networks, strong authentication, and access control are all critical. For businesses or agencies needing reliable and secure communication systems, RoIP provides a scalable, flexible solution when installed and maintained by experienced professionals.

By leveraging the expertise of a trusted communication systems provider in PA, and using the right mix of radio over IP equipment, you can deploy a RoIP solution that not only enhances communication but protects it from unauthorized access.

Read more ...