What the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act Means for Texas Businesses

What the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act Means for Texas Businesses

The Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) took effect on July 1, 2024, and it is now actively enforced. The law establishes clear consumer privacy rights and requires businesses to be more transparent, secure, and accountable in how they handle personal data.

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Why the TDPSA Matters

• Regulates how personal data is collected, used, and protected, not just breaches

• Applies to many businesses without a revenue threshold

• Aligns Texas with other major state privacy laws

• Enforcement activity is already underway

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Who Must Comply

The TDPSA generally applies to organizations that:

• Do business in Texas or

• Provide products or services to Texas residents and

• Collect, use, share, or process personal data

Some exemptions apply, but many mid-sized businesses are covered.

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Consumer Rights Under the TDPSA

Texas residents now have the right to:

• Know what personal data is collected and why

• Access and obtain a copy of their data

• Correct inaccurate personal data

• Request deletion of personal data

• Opt out of targeted advertising, data sales, and certain profiling

As of January 1, 2025, consumers may use an authorized agent to submit opt-out requests.

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Business Obligations (At a Glance)

Businesses subject to the TDPSA must:

• Publish a clear and accurate privacy notice

• Collect only data that is necessary and relevant

• Obtain affirmative consent for sensitive personal data

• Implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security safeguards

• Provide a process to respond to consumer requests within required timeframes

• Maintain proper data processing agreements with vendors

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Enforcement and Penalties

• Enforced exclusively by the Texas Attorney General

• No private lawsuits under the TDPSA

• 30-day cure period may apply

• Civil penalties can reach up to $7,500 per violation

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Practical Compliance Steps

To reduce risk, Texas businesses should:

• Inventory the personal data they collect and store

• Review and update privacy and security policies

• Strengthen cybersecurity controls (access, backups, monitoring)

• Train employees on data handling and privacy requests

• Confirm vendors meet security and privacy obligations

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Final Takeaway

The TDPSA makes data privacy a core business responsibility in Texas. Organizations that take a proactive, operational approach to privacy and security will be better positioned to avoid enforcement issues and build customer trust.

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Disclosure

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your business and industry.

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Need help aligning your IT and security practices with Texas privacy requirements?

Visit www.bitxbit.com or call 877.860.5831 to start the conversation.

Sources & References

1. Texas Office of the Attorney General – Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA)
   https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint/consumer-privacy-rights/texas-data-privacy-and-security-act

2. Texas Business & Commerce Code, Chapter 541 – Texas Data Privacy and Security Act
   https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/BC/htm/BC.541.htm

3. Texas State Law Library – Overview of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act
   https://www.sll.texas.gov/spotlight/2024/07/texas-data-privacy-and-security-act/

4. Fisher Phillips – FAQs for Businesses on the Texas Data Privacy Law
   https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/news-insights/faqs-businesses-texas-data-privacy-law.html

5. TrustArc – Texas Data Privacy and Security Act Compliance Summary
   https://trustarc.com/regulations/texas-tdpsa/

6. Didomi – TDPSA Requirements and Sensitive Data Consent
   https://www.didomi.io/blog/texas-data-privacy-law-tdpsa-everything-you-need-to-know-didomi

7. Ketch – Business Compliance Obligations Under the TDPSA
   https://www.ketch.com/regulatory-compliance/texas-data-privacy-security-act-tdpsa

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Disclaimer

Sources are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.

🚨 Scam Alert: When a “Quick Question” on LinkedIn Isn’t What It Seems

🚨 Scam Alert: When a “Quick Question” on LinkedIn Isn’t What It Seems

I recently received a message on LinkedIn that, at first glance, felt harmless—maybe even professional. While I suspected it might be a scam, I decided to follow the conversation just far enough to understand what the scam was and how it worked.

What unfolded is a pattern more people should recognize.

How It Started: The Hook

The message was simple:

“Hey, can I ask you a quick question?”

No pitch. No links. Just curiosity.

I replied politely and asked how I could help. They followed up with a general question about my business—nothing technical, nothing sensitive. We exchanged a few messages. Everything still felt reasonable.

That’s intentional.

Scammers don’t start with scams. They start with rapport.

The Shift: From Professional to Personal

After a short back-and-forth, the tone changed:

“I really like you. I’d like to become closer friends.”

That’s when my guard went up. In professional settings—especially unsolicited ones—early emotional language without context is a red flag. Legitimate business conversations don’t usually pivot to personal closeness this quickly.

Still, I stayed neutral and continued observing.

The Real Goal: Moving Off the Platform

Soon after came the real ask:

“What’s the best way to stay in touch—WhatsApp or Signal?”

This is a critical moment in many modern scams.

Messaging apps aren’t the problem—the timing is. Scammers push conversations off professional platforms because:

• There’s less moderation and oversight

• No easy reporting trail

• Encrypted, private communication

• More room for long-term manipulation

I declined and responded clearly that I preferred to keep communication inside LinkedIn Messenger and that I was happy to discuss anything business-related there.

The Confirmation

About an hour later, the profile disappeared.

Either the account was deleted or LinkedIn detected suspicious behavior and removed it. Either way, the outcome confirmed what the pattern already suggested: this was not a legitimate connection.

Why This Is Dangerous (Without the Tech Jargon)

This wasn’t malware. There were no links. No obvious phishing attempt.

That’s what makes it dangerous.

This type of interaction is called social engineering—attacks that target people instead of systems. Once moved off-platform, these conversations often evolve into:

• Fake investment or crypto opportunities

• Business partnership scams

• Credential harvesting

• Executive or vendor impersonation

• Requests for favors, files, or introductions

• Financial or identity theft

The goal is simple: build trust first, exploit later.

Red Flags to Watch For

Be cautious when you see several of these together:

• Vague openers like “quick question”

• Early compliments or emotional language

• Interest in you more than your business

• Requests to move to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram

• No clear professional objective

• New or “too perfect” profiles

• Sudden disappearance after you set boundaries

What to Do If This Happens to You

If you encounter something like this, keep it simple:

1. Stay professional and topic-driven

2. Don’t move off the platform early

3. Set a clear boundary

   “If there’s something business-related, feel free to share it here.”

4. Watch what happens next—disappearance is often your answer

5. Report and block the profile

6. Educate your team—these scams target employees at all levels

Firewalls don’t stop social engineering. Awareness does.

Why This Matters for Businesses

What starts as a casual LinkedIn message can turn into:

• Financial fraud

• Account compromise

• Wire-transfer scams

• Reputational damage

Modern cybersecurity isn’t just about tools—it’s about people, process, and awareness.

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How Bit by Bit Can Help

At Bit by Bit Computer Consulting, we help organizations defend against the threats that don’t look like threats—until it’s too late.

We work with businesses to:

• Train teams to recognize real-world social engineering

• Strengthen security beyond basic software

• Monitor suspicious activity and account compromise

• Build practical, human-aware security programs

If you’d like help strengthening your organization’s security posture—or just want a second set of eyes on your current approach—we’re here to help.

👉 www.bitxbit.com
📞 877.860.5831

IRS Email Scams Are Back — Here’s How to Spot Them Before It’s Too Lat

If you’ve recently received an email claiming “You Have a New Notification in Your Online Account” and saying it’s from the Internal Revenue Service, you’re not alone.

These messages are circulating again—and they’re designed to look just legitimate enough to make people click.

Unfortunately, that click is exactly what scammers are hoping for.

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Why This Email Looks Real (But Isn’t)

The email usually includes:

• Official-sounding language

• References to privacy policies

• Instructions to “sign in” to view an urgent notice

At a glance, it feels routine. That’s intentional.

Scammers rely on familiarity and urgency, not technical complexity. If they can make the message feel normal, they increase the odds that someone reacts instead of thinking.

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The Biggest Red Flag: The IRS Doesn’t Work This Way

Here’s the most important thing to know:

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email.

They don’t send unsolicited emails asking you to:

• Log in to your account

• View notices

• Update personal information

• Resolve issues urgently

Initial IRS contact is made by U.S. mail, not email, text message, or social media.

If an email claims otherwise, that alone is enough to treat it as suspicious.

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Other Warning Signs to Watch For

These scam emails often include multiple red flags:

Generic greetings

“Dear Taxpayer” is used because scammers don’t know your name. Legitimate IRS correspondence almost always does.

Embedded login links

The goal is to send you to a fake IRS-looking website that captures your username and password.

Urgency without specifics

Phrases like “view immediately” or “new notification” are meant to rush you—without explaining what the issue actually is.

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What Happens If You Click

Once credentials are stolen, attackers can:

• Access tax records

• File fraudulent returns

• Redirect refunds

• Use your identity for additional financial fraud

For businesses, one compromised user can lead to:

• Email account takeovers

• Payroll or W-2 fraud

• Broader network access

This is why phishing remains one of the most effective attack methods today.

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What You Should Do Instead

If you receive an email like this:

✔ Do not click any links
✔ Do not reply
✔ Do not download attachments

The safe way to check:

1. Open your browser

2. Manually type IRS.gov

3. Log in directly from the official site

If there’s a real notice, it will be waiting for you there.

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Report It (It Actually Helps)

You can help stop these scams by forwarding the email as an attachment to:

phishing@irs.gov

After reporting it, delete the message.

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Final Takeaway

If an email pressures you to act quickly and asks you to “sign in now,” slow down.

The IRS will never rush you by email.
Scammers will.

A few extra seconds of caution can save months—or years—of cleanup.

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How Bit by Bit Can Help

Phishing emails like this are exactly why Bit by Bit Computer Consulting focuses on more than just technology—we focus on prevention.

We help organizations:

• Train employees to recognize phishing and social engineering

• Secure email systems against impersonation and spoofing

• Implement layered security that limits damage if someone clicks

• Monitor for compromised accounts and unusual activity

• Respond quickly when something doesn’t look right

If you’re unsure whether your current setup would catch or contain an attack like this, it’s worth a quick conversation.

📞 Call: 877.860.5831
🌐 Visit: www.bitxbit.com

A short review today can prevent a costly incident tomorrow.

When “Good Enough” IT Isn’t Good Enough

If your current IT support feels more like a necessary evil than a trusted partner, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Do any of these sound familiar?

• You wait too long for a response when something breaks.

• You get technical jargon instead of clear answers.

• Your provider fixes problems but never helps prevent them.

• You’re unsure if your systems meet today’s security or compliance standards.

Technology should drive your business forward — not slow it down. When IT is handled reactively, issues keep piling up and opportunities slip away. What you need is a team that looks ahead, safeguards your data, and helps your organization run smarter and more efficiently.

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A Better Kind of IT Partner

At Bit by Bit Computer Consulting, we don’t just manage technology — we empower businesses to operate with confidence. Our team takes pride in being responsive, reliable, and proactive every step of the way.

Here’s what working with us looks like:

• Quick, professional response whenever you need support.

• Strategic planning that aligns IT with your business goals.

• Compliance-driven solutions built to meet industry standards like HIPAA, FINRA, and PCI.

• Ongoing monitoring and protection to keep systems secure and productive.

• Friendly, local experts who take the time to understand how your team works.

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Plan Smarter for 2026 and Beyond

Forward-thinking organizations are already preparing for the year ahead — upgrading their systems, tightening security, and improving efficiency. A clear technology roadmap gives you control over costs, reduces risk, and ensures your IT investments actually support growth.

Bit by Bit can help you:

• Build a secure, compliant infrastructure

• Eliminate hidden IT costs and downtime

• Streamline collaboration and remote work

• Turn unpredictable expenses into a reliable monthly plan

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Transition Without the Headache

Switching IT providers doesn’t have to be painful. Our onboarding process is organized, transparent, and handled with care — so you can focus on your business while we take care of the technology.

Because at Bit by Bit, we believe every organization deserves trusted IT support that actually cares — the kind that listens, responds, and helps your people succeed every day.

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Ready to experience the difference?

Let’s build your IT strategy for the future.
📞 877.860.5831 | 🌐 www.bitxbit.com

“11 Mistakes That Nearly Destroyed a Small Business — And the Cyber Lessons That Could Save Yours”

🧱  “11 Mistakes That Nearly Destroyed a Small Business — And the Cyber Lessons That Could Save Yours”

By Robert Blake | Bit by Bit Computer Consulting

At 7:42 a.m., a small business owner opened an email labeled “Client Invoice – Urgent.”
It looked real. The logo matched. The name matched. The urgency felt… normal.

By 7:47, every computer in her 12-person marketing agency was encrypted.
Client files—gone.
Email—locked.
The ransom note blinked on every screen:

“Your data is ours. Pay in 72 hours or lose everything.”

She froze.
She had no idea who to call.

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We often think cyberattacks happen to other people—big companies, banks, the faceless corporations on the news. But in 2025, 43% of all breaches hit small businesses.

Why? Because hackers know the truth: small companies move fast, trust easily, and assume they’re too small to target.

Here are the 11 biggest mistakes that make small businesses sitting ducks—and how to never repeat them:

1. No cybersecurity training. Your team is your first line of defense. Teach them to spot danger.

2. Weak passwords. “Summer2024!” doesn’t cut it anymore. Use a password manager.

3. No MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication). If a hacker guesses your password, MFA stops them cold.

4. Ignoring updates. Unpatched systems are open doors.

5. No backups. If you can’t restore data, you’re negotiating with criminals.

6. Unsecured Wi-Fi. A hacker in the parking lot can access your network.

7. Old antivirus. Basic protection isn’t enough anymore.

8. Unprotected email. Most attacks start in the inbox.

9. No incident response plan. If disaster strikes, what’s your playbook?

10. Unverified vendors. One vendor with poor security can compromise you.

11. Thinking it won’t happen to you. The biggest mistake of all.

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Every one of these mistakes has a fix.
Every fix can be implemented today.

At Bit by Bit, we help small businesses build affordable, rock-solid security—complete with 24x7 monitoring, phishing protection, backups, and compliance-grade safeguards that keep your clients’ trust and your business safe.

💡 You don’t need a huge IT budget to sleep better at night.
You just need a smarter partner.

👉 Visit www.bitxbit.com or call 877.860.5831 today to protect what you’ve built.

#SmallBusiness #CyberSecurity #DataProtection #BusinessResilience #BitByBit #ManagedIT #RansomwareProtection #TechnologyForGrowth

“The Day AI Fought Back: How Smart Machines Are Winning the Cybersecurity War”

🚨  “The Day AI Fought Back: How Smart Machines Are Winning the Cybersecurity War”

By Robert Blake | Bit by Bit Computer Consulting

At 2:17 a.m., the office was quiet—except for one machine that never sleeps.
Deep in a data center, a stream of network logs flickered. Something wasn’t right. The AI noticed before any human could. Within milliseconds, it detected an impossible pattern: a login attempt from three continents in less than a second.

By 2:18 a.m., the AI had already isolated the device, rerouted the network traffic, and stopped the attacker cold.

No human ever saw the breach attempt.
But that’s exactly the point.

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For decades, cybersecurity has been a reactive game—patch, pray, and hope nothing breaks. But AI changed the rules.
Now, we’re not reacting.
We’re predicting.

Machine learning models digest billions of data points—every login, every file change, every anomaly—and learn to tell the difference between “normal” and “disaster waiting to happen.” They don’t get tired. They don’t blink. They don’t take weekends off.

But here’s the twist:
The same technology that protects us is also arming the enemy. Hackers are using AI too—writing better phishing emails, probing networks faster, and even mimicking voices to scam entire companies. It’s an arms race of intelligence.

The question isn’t whether AI will change cybersecurity.
It already has.

The real question is: Are you on the right side of that change?

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At Bit by Bit, we help organizations harness AI’s power for defense, not destruction—building proactive protection, intelligent monitoring, and systems that think faster than attackers ever could.

Don’t wait until you’re the headline.
If your business isn’t using AI to defend itself, someone else’s AI will attack it.

👉 Visit www.bitxbit.com or call 877.860.5831 today.
Let’s make your technology your strongest ally.

#Cybersecurity #AI #ManagedIT #DataProtection #BitByBit #CyberDefense #MachineLearning #TechLeadership

What Is SOC-as-a-Service?

🚀 What Is SOC-as-a-Service?

SOC-as-a-Service is like renting an elite cybersecurity team in the cloud — a team that never sleeps, never calls in sick, and always keeps watch.

Instead of owning all the hardware, hiring staff, and maintaining infrastructure, you partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) — like Bit by Bit — that delivers all those capabilities remotely, securely, and efficiently.

Think of it as the Netflix of cybersecurity: you don’t build the platform — you just subscribe to the power of it.

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🔍 How It Works

Every device, server, and application in your network constantly generates data — logs that tell the story of what’s happening across your systems. A SOC uses advanced tools like SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) to collect and analyze those logs in real time.

If something suspicious happens — an unauthorized login, a data exfiltration attempt, or a malware signal — the SOC responds instantly, often before anyone inside the company even knows there’s a problem.

With SOC-as-a-Service, all of that power happens in the cloud — without you having to own a single piece of hardware or hire a full-time team.

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💡 Why Businesses Are Making the Switch

The move to SOC-as-a-Service isn’t just about convenience. It’s about transformation. Here’s why organizations of every size are embracing it:

1. Enterprise-grade protection at small-business prices.
   You get top-tier cybersecurity without the massive overhead.

2. Always-on vigilance.
   Threats don’t keep business hours — and neither do SOCs.

3. Standardized security protocols.
   MSPs like Bit by Bit apply consistent, proven defenses across clients — eliminating guesswork and inconsistency.

4. Scalable by design.
   Whether you’re adding new offices or onboarding remote employees, your SOC scales with you instantly.

5. Built-in compliance.
   SOC-as-a-Service makes it easier to meet regulations like HIPAA, FTC Safeguards, or FINRA — with detailed audit trails and continuous monitoring.

6. Advanced cybersecurity without the learning curve.
   You don’t need to become a security expert — you just need the right partner who already is.

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⚠️ The Transition Isn’t Without Challenges

Like any major improvement, adopting SOC-as-a-Service takes some planning.
Migrating data, training users, and fine-tuning alerts can take time — but the payoff is huge: a more secure, resilient, and compliant organization that’s ready for tomorrow’s threats.

And the truth is, the biggest risk today isn’t the hacker on the outside.
It’s complacency on the inside — thinking your current setup is “good enough.”

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🧭 The Bottom Line

Cyber threats aren’t slowing down — they’re evolving faster than most organizations can react.
That’s why smart companies are moving their security operations to the cloud with SOC-as-a-Service. It’s the modern way to stay proactive, protected, and prepared — without the crushing cost of an in-house SOC.

At Bit by Bit, we help organizations bridge that gap — giving them enterprise-grade cybersecurity monitoring and peace of mind 24/7.

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Bit by Bit Computer Consulting
We keep your networks running smooth and secure.
👉 www.bitxbit.com/texas | 📞 877.860.5831