The Progression Forward
July 2026 Technology Brief
Practical IT, cybersecurity, AI, cloud, and business technology updates from Progression In Technology, LLC.
This edition focuses on practical AI use, a simple Microsoft Word tip, a quick cybersecurity reminder, a service spotlight, and a few helpful resources for small and medium businesses.
In This Issue
How small and medium businesses can approach AI use with clearer expectations and guardrails. Quick Tech Tip
A simple productivity tip for pasting copied text without extra formatting. Cybersecurity Tip
Practical MFA habits that can help reduce account access risk. Featured Blog Post
A closer look at a password mistake that can appear during employee onboarding. Service Spotlight
AI services for SMBs and what to review before using AI tools broadly. For Fun: The Lighter Side of IT
A short, fun break from the serious side of technology, security, and compliance.
Each box links to its section below for quicker reading.
AI at Work: Practical Use, Real Business Risk That Needs Guardrails
AI tools are now part of everyday business work. Employees may use AI to draft content, summarize information, analyze data, create meeting notes, or speed up routine tasks. These tools can be helpful, but they also raise questions about data handling, privacy, approvals, and oversight.
AI tools can be helpful, but they also introduce business risk when they are used without clear expectations. Employees may enter sensitive information, client data, financial details, internal procedures, or other business information into tools or processes that have not been reviewed. That risk can be especially important in regulated sectors, including medical, financial, legal, accounting, and other professional environments, but it is not limited to those industries. While this article is focused on business use, the same type of caution can also apply to personal information, privacy, security, and sensitive data used outside of work.
For small and medium businesses, the goal does not need to be complicated. Start with a few practical questions: which AI tools are approved, what types of information should not be entered, who reviews new AI tools, and when should AI-generated work be reviewed by a person before business use?
One area to watch is shadow AI. This happens when employees use public AI tools, browser extensions, file summarizers, meeting assistants, or automation platforms without a formal review. In many cases, people are trying to work faster, not create risk. The concern is that sensitive business, client, financial, legal, health, or regulated data could be entered into a tool that has not been reviewed.
- Create a simple AI acceptable use policy.
- Tell employees what information should not be entered into public AI tools.
- Review AI-enabled apps, browser extensions, and meeting tools before broad use.
- Connect AI planning to Microsoft 365 access, file permissions, retention, and vendor review.
AI can be useful, but it works best when it is paired with clear expectations, data security review, and practical governance. The Service Spotlight below covers AI Services for small to medium business that want help reviewing shadow AI, acceptable use guidance, and practical AI planning.
Quick Tech Tip: Paste Text Only in Word
Copying text from websites, PDFs, emails, or other documents can bring extra fonts, colors, spacing, links, and formatting into your Word document. A quick way to reduce cleanup is to paste text only.
Windows shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + V
What it does: Pastes text only, without bringing over the original formatting.
This can help keep business documents cleaner, especially when combining content from multiple sources.
Cybersecurity Tip: MFA Good Practices
Multi-factor authentication can help reduce the risk of account compromise, but it works best when it is used consistently and paired with good sign-in habits. MFA should be enabled for key business systems, especially email, Microsoft 365, banking, payroll, remote access, and administrator accounts.
- Use MFA for email, Microsoft 365, banking, payroll, remote access, and administrator accounts
- Avoid approving unexpected MFA prompts, even if they appear on a familiar device
- Use number matching, app-based prompts, passkeys, security keys, or other stronger methods where available
- Review administrator accounts, shared access, and high-risk users regularly
- Remind users to report unusual sign-in prompts or account alerts instead of guessing
MFA is an important layer, but it does not remove the need for user awareness, access reviews, monitoring, password hygiene, and practical account security habits.
Featured Blog Post
The Password Mistake Hidden in Employee Onboarding
This featured post looks at a common password and onboarding issue that can quietly create risk when employee access, shared credentials, or account setup practices are not reviewed carefully.
Service Spotlight: AI Services for Small to Medium Business
AI is becoming part of daily business operations. Progression In Technology can help small and medium businesses review shadow AI, develop acceptable use guidance, evaluate data security considerations, and plan practical AI adoption. To find out more about AI Services, use the link below.
Service availability and included support vary by agreement and scope. Current clients can contact us to review whether AI services are part of their current engagement or should be considered as an added service. The link below provides more information for current clients and for businesses that want to learn more about practical AI planning, acceptable use guidance, and related data security considerations.
Did You Know?
Progression In Technology, LLC has been serving clients for more than 20 years. Our work has grown with the technology landscape, from traditional business IT support to cloud services, cybersecurity, compliance-aware planning, continuity, and strategic technology guidance for small and medium businesses. We appreciate the valued clients and business relationships that have been part of that journey. That experience helps us look at technology not only as a support function, but as part of business planning, risk reduction, and long-term operations.
For Fun: The Lighter Side of IT
Technology, security, and compliance can be serious topics, and at Progression In Technology, we take them seriously. But there is still room for a light moment now and then, and we feel a little humor is needed.
Small disclaimer: Progression In Technology is not responsible for how bad these jokes may be, or for any eye rolls they may cause.
Why did the printer join a band?
Because it already knew how to jam.
How many IT technicians does it take to change a light bulb?
None. That's a facilities issue. Please submit a ticket to them.
Why do dads take an extra pair of socks when they go golfing?
In case they get a hole in one.
Helpful Links
Use the links below to explore additional services from Progression In Technology, review practical technology and cybersecurity topics, learn more about AI and business continuity planning, and view past editions of The Progression Forward newsletter.
Referrals Are Appreciated
If you know a business that could use practical IT, cybersecurity, cloud, AI, or continuity planning support, we appreciate referrals and introductions.
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Areas We Serve
Progression In Technology provides services across Montgomery County, Berks County, Chester County, the Lehigh Valley, Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey, and remote or multi-location environments where the engagement and service needs are a fit. Service availability and included support vary by agreement, scope, and location. Current clients can contact us to review what is included in their existing services, and businesses that are not yet clients can use the button below to learn more about our service areas.
Have Questions or Want to Talk?
If you have questions about this edition's topics or would like to talk about additional services, solutions, or technology needs, Progression In Technology can help you review practical next steps.
