Smart Technology Tips for Fargo-Area Business Owners on the Go
When you step away from your office—whether for a quick client visit or a week-long conference—your business doesn’t stop. Neither do cyber threats.
At Information Management Systems (IMS), we help small businesses throughout Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and the surrounding region stay protected and productive—no matter where the team is working from. If you're traveling for business, here are essential IT tips to keep things secure, connected, and stress-free.
- Use Secure Wi-Fi Connections (And Avoid Public Networks)
Hotels, airports, and coffee shops all offer free Wi-Fi—but that “free” connection could come at the cost of your data security. Always use a secured hotspot or a company-provided VPN to access business files and email.
✔️ Bonus Tip: Ask IMS to configure a VPN before you go. We’ll make sure your connection is encrypted and safe from prying eyes.
- Don’t Forget Multi-Factor Authentication
When traveling, your risk of account compromise increases—especially if you’re using new devices or logging in from different locations. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds a critical layer of protection that hackers hate.
If you’re not already using MFA for email, file access, and remote systems, now is the time. And if you are—great job! Make sure your backup authentication method (like a phone app or hardware token) is ready to go before you leave.
- Update Devices Before You Hit the Road
Nothing ruins a travel day like a forced software update or a device glitch mid-meeting. Let IMS perform a health check on your laptop or mobile device before you leave. We’ll make sure everything is up to date, secure, and running smoothly.
We even offer remote support while you’re away—just call or email, and one of our techs will be there to help, no matter where you're working from.
- Keep Physical Devices Secure
It’s easy to leave a laptop in a hotel room or forget a phone charger at a conference. But the real risk isn’t inconvenience—it’s unauthorized access. Always lock your devices with strong passwords, and enable remote wipe options in case something goes missing.
Need help setting this up? IMS can configure remote management tools that allow us—and you—to lock down a lost device instantly.
- Out of Office Doesn’t Mean Out of Luck
If something goes wrong while you’re away, you don’t have to wait until you’re back in Fargo to fix it. With IMS, you’ve got a trusted IT partner ready to help—often same-day, sometimes within minutes.
Traveling Soon? Let’s Prep Your Tech.
Before your next business trip, let’s make sure your devices, accounts, and connections are ready for the road. IMS provides proactive, friendly support to small businesses across the Red River Valley—from Fargo to Fergus Falls, Wahpeton to Jamestown.
✅ Fast response times
✅ Remote troubleshooting
✅ Local, reliable IT experts you can trust
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What should I do to secure my business laptop before traveling?
Before leaving the office, ensure your laptop is fully updated, encrypted, and password-protected. Install security patches, enable full-disk encryption, and set up remote wipe capabilities in case it gets lost. IMS offers pre-travel tech tune-ups to help you travel confidently.
- Is public Wi-Fi safe to use while traveling for business?
No—public Wi-Fi is risky and often targeted by hackers. We strongly recommend using a secure VPN or mobile hotspot. IMS can configure a VPN for your business devices to keep your data secure, no matter where you connect from.
- What if I have an IT issue while I’m away from the office?
If you’re an IMS client, just call or email us. Our Fargo-based team provides same-day remote support, even after hours. Whether it’s a login problem, software issue, or something urgent, we’re here when you need us.
- How can I prevent unauthorized access to my accounts while traveling?
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all business-critical accounts—email, file storage, CRM, etc. This adds an extra layer of security in case your credentials are compromised. Need help setting up MFA? IMS will walk you through it.
- Can IMS help my team prepare for secure remote work or business travel?
Absolutely. Whether you're traveling across the state or across the country, IMS will help your team stay connected and protected. We’ll handle VPN setup, cloud access, device security, and even employee training to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Let’s get your tech travel-ready.
📞 Call us at (701) 364-2718
📧 Email: info@imsnetworking.com
🌐 www.imsnetworking.com
