Cyberattacks Are Up. Here’s How EasyITGuys is Protecting Your Business (Effective 1/1/2026, Special Existing Client Pricing)

Greetings!

As we head into 2026, cyberattacks are continuing to increase, and more businesses are experiencing costly downtime and disruption. To stay ahead of these risks, EasyITGuys is implementing mandatory security updates and a required Business Membership security foundation starting January 1, 2026.

This membership is built to provide meaningful value and peace of mind. It establishes the minimum organizational security standards required for us to continue providing security and backup solutions, and it also unlocks member benefits that improve your support experience, increase visibility, and provide ongoing cybersecurity guidance. It is the foundation for additional security layers you can add as needed, including device security, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace security, network security, user protection, and identity threat coverage.

Please read the TLDR and full details carefully so you understand what is included in the foundation, what requires additional coverage, and the special pricing timeline available to existing clients. If you have any questions, reach out by email, phone, or the contact form. We are committed to helping you reduce risk, prevent downtime, and stay protected as your trusted IT and cybersecurity partner.

TLDR: Starting January 1, 2026, EasyITGuys is introducing a required Business Membership baseline for any business receiving or purchasing security or backup solutions.

Why this matters

What you need to know

• Business Membership starts 1/1/2026 and becomes the foundation layer for security and backup services.
• Your Business Membership adds a powerful security foundation, including a $1,500+ annual risk assessment, 24/7 AI support (try me), preferred pricing, stronger email and domain protection, monitoring, training, a direct support line, and much more (see details lower in this email)
• Existing clients start at $97 per month from 1/1/2026 through 6/30/2026 while choosing a term.
• This is a foundation layer, not full coverage for all devices, users, networks, or cloud services.
• Quarterly security and backup review ticket is required (1 hour billable)
• If you have email security now, you’re getting a FREE upgrade to 24/7 ITDR (Identity Threat Detection and Response) for enhanced identity security + unlimited cloud backups per user (you may save money!) until 7/1/2025.
• Members (per your request) now have 30 minute ticket minimums and no per ticket charges (non-members have a 1 hour minimum and a $50 ticket surcharge)!
• Member Only Preferred Pricing which provides 25% off labor, lowest pricing on equipment orders, and member only promotions.
• Support and repair labor is not covered under the Business Membership. Covered support and repair labor is available only with our flat rate IT and Cybersecurity Department plan.
• If you use Workstation Security or Email Security, you may have specific updates. See the notices below.

EDUCATION – Self Service

Related notices

• Local Backup Change Notice: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-local-backups/
• Email Security Standard Notice: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-email-security/
• Password Manager Notice: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-password-manager/
• Expanded details: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-detailed/
• More Details on Business Plans: Business IT Support and Security Membership Plans | EasyITGuys

🚨 Mandatory Security Update Starts January 1, 2026

• Cybercrime losses increased 33% last year to $16.6B nationally
• Ransomware and email fraud are hitting small businesses hardest
• Stolen credentials and identity-based attacks are now the most common entry point

• Devices (servers and workstations)
• Users
• Networks
• Cloud environments (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)
• Email security beyond baseline controls
• Identity threat security beyond baseline monitoring and alerting

What is changing on January 1, 2026

• Business Membership is required for all security and backup solutions starting 1/1/2026
• Added high value benefits such as risk assessments, reputation protection, email authentication, training, and more
• No support labor is included
• Quarterly security and backup review ticket is required
  • Minimum time: 1 hour (billable)
  • Purpose: confirm current posture, verify what is in place, review changes and recommendations
  • Does not require client interaction unless requested

What is not changing

• Basic administration included with Microsoft 365 security (password resets, license management, adding and removing users)
• Best effort support remains available starting at 8am, the way you want it
• Hourly and flat rate support service rates have not changed
• Service quality and client satisfaction remain core to how we operate
• Dedication to security and simple solutions

Onboarding and rollout

• Onboarding begins January 2026 and completes by March 31, 2026
• Setup is free for existing clients where we already provide backups or security
  • Typical onboarding value: $100 to $200 per computer
  • Organization onboarding often around $1,000

• 1/1/2026 to 6/30/2026: $97 per month while you decide a term
• 7/1/2026: If still month-to-month, $297 per month
• 1/1/2027: If still month-to-month, $497 per month

• $97 per month with a 3-year term
• $297 per month with a 1-year term
• $497 per month month-to-month

What your Security Foundation includes

• Your Business Membership includes organization-wide foundation benefits such as:
• Annual IT and Cybersecurity Risk Assessment ($1,500 value)
• 24/7 Member Tech Support Assistant (AI via chat and SMS)
• 25% off labor (preferred pricing)
• Reduced ticket minimums (30 minutes vs 1 hour for non-members)
• No Ticket Surcharge (Non-members pay $50 per ticket) 
• IT documentation platform
• Email and domain protection (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Dark web and blacklist monitoring
• Security awareness training (Basic)
• Direct IT support line with a dedicated phone number
• $100K cyber warranty (with device security)

Additional layers (highly recommended)

Security works best in layers. Business Membership is the starting point, and additional layers can be added.

Layers we work in:

• Organization level (Included in business membership)
• Cloud environment level (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace)
• Location/Network level
• Server level
• Workstation level
• User level
• Email/Identity level

Backup clarification

• Cloud backups are included for email and associated user cloud identities (Email, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams)
• Device local backups are not included for servers or workstations unless added

What requires added coverage

Plain rule: We do not provide full protection, management, or support for the layers below unless you add coverage.

• Cloud environment security for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
• Location and network security
• Server security and management
• Workstation security and management
• User security management
• Email security beyond baseline organization controls
• Identity threat security beyond baseline monitoring and alerting

If you are not sure which layers you need, we help you choose during onboarding and confirm it during quarterly reviews.

Next steps

• Do nothing today. We will start onboarding in January.
• Choose your term anytime to lock in your preferred rate.
• Watch for your onboarding email with your schedule.

Questions or ready to talk: https://easyitguys.com/book

FAQ

Is this membership optional?
Yes and no, depending on what you purchase. Starting January 1, 2026, the Business Membership is required to continue receiving or purchasing security or backup solutions through EasyITGuys. Why? When a business is hit by a cyberattack, the damage can extend far beyond downtime. It can impact customer trust, reputation, and long term operations. Because of that, we treat cybersecurity as a baseline requirement whenever we are providing security or backup services at any level. This helps ensure we can deliver consistent protection and clear standards. Important: VoIP and Website and Marketing services (Business Growth Platform) do not require a membership as standalone services.

Will my $50 per computer pricing change?
No. The device security rate remains $50 per computer per month. You are receiving stronger security capabilities than before. Local device backups are not included unless added.

Does Business Membership mean all devices and users are covered?
No. It is the foundation. Coverage for servers, workstations, users, cloud environments, email security, network, and identity protection is added by layer.

Do I need devices or users for this membership?
No. Membership stands alone. Add device or email security anytime.

Where can I learn more about business support options?
You can review the Complete IT and Cybersecurity Department (flat rate plan), modular cybersecurity department plans with the Business Membership, and break fix options here: https://easyitguys.com/docs/business-it-support-and-security-membership-plans/

Where can I read the expanded details of this notice?
You can read the full expanded version here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-detailed/

Why structure it this way?
Because businesses vary. Some only need cloud protection. Some need full stack security. A layered approach keeps pricing fair and responsibilities clear.

Why are you upgrading email security plans to include ITDR?
Identity protection is no longer optional in modern security. ITDR helps detect and respond to account takeover attempts and identity based attacks. That is why it is part of our email and cloud security standard. Details here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-email-security/

Will my email security price change?
If you are on a legacy tier ($12 or $19), you will be upgraded to the standard ($25) on 7/1/2026. Details here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-email-security/

What if I do nothing?
You will automatically get the $97 per month rate starting January 1, 2026.

Can I lock in lower pricing later?
Yes. You can switch to a 1-year or 3-year term anytime.

Does this help with insurance and audits?
Yes. Risk assessments, documentation, email authentication, training, and ongoing reviews help demonstrate due diligence.

Does Business Membership include full IT management or full cybersecurity coverage?
No. It is the foundation layer. Additional security, support, and management must be added. Some flat rate support options may require a health check to meet minimum standards.

Are device backups included?
Not with Business Membership. Cloud backups for email and user data are included with the email security layer. Local device backups for servers and workstations are not included unless added Local as a separate option. Details here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-local-backups/

Why are you separating local device backups from device security?
Businesses increasingly run on cloud identities and cloud data, like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. Our updated standard prioritizes protecting the systems where most business data lives today. Local device backups are still available, but they are now a separate layer so you only pay for them if you need them.

Why is the password manager separate now?
We structure security in layers so responsibilities and coverage are clear. Device Security focuses on modern device protection such as 24/7 monitoring, threat hunting, and the cyber warranty. Password managers belong to the user layer because they protect user credentials and identity behavior. Details here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-password-managers/

Is a password manager included with Device Security?
No. Password managers are a User Security function, not a Device Security function, so they are not included by default in Device Security. Password managers can be purchased separately at any time. Details here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-password-managers/

How much does the password manager cost?
$5 per user per month for the standard password manager, or $8 per user per month with Breach Watch (recommended). Details here: https://easyitguys.com/notice/20251215-password-managers/

Do Business Members still get Service Center flat rate repairs included?
No. Service Center flat rate repairs are a support coverage feature, and the Business Membership is a security foundation layer. We replaced the included Service Center flat rate benefit with a 24/7 Member Tech Support Assistant, so most issues can be solved without driving in or starting with a paid live technician ticket. If chat does not resolve it, you can request an advisory call before bringing a device to a Service Center. If you do bring it in, you still receive preferred pricing and rush service options.

Can we still purchase flat rate repairs or checkups at the Service Center?
Yes. Businesses can still buy core flat rate services such as diagnostics, OS repairs, local data backups, and checkups. Flat rate repair and support coverage is separate from the Business Membership and requires a full IT & Cybersecurity Department coverage plan that includes end user support.

Where can I learn the cost of each security, support, and management layer?
You can explore layer by layer pricing here: https://easyitguys.com/docs/business-membership-pricing/