DAVENPORT, IA - June 27, 2013 - Today's businesses are operating at a blistering pace and IT infrastructure has become the backbone of small to mid-sized businesses across the nation. The complexity and strain placed on networks has exposed SMBs to greater security threats than ever before. Natural disasters, power outages, employee errors and failed system upgrades all pose significant threats to the network and failing to address these risks can cause severe network damage and immobilize a company for hours, days or weeks. The best way to combat this dynamic is to understand the risks, address the problem, and make sure the proper precautions have been taken.

One of the risks most easily mitigated is when data simply hasn't been backed up. Oftentimes organizations fail to have a regular backup procedure in place, whether partially or completely, and having a data backup program can help get around this issue. According to Symantec's 2011 SMB Disaster Preparedness Survey, "only half [of SMBs] back up at least 60% of their data, meaning they would lose 40% of their data in the event of a disaster. In addition, organizations often fail to back up corporate PCs, or take an "all or nothing" approach if it can't be all-inclusive. For example, of those surveyed, 31% don't back up email, 21% don't back up application data, and 17% don't back up customer data." The biggest benefit in having a process in place is that employees never have to redo work. If data is ever lost, it can be recovered rather quickly and with minimal effort.

Another risk to address is failing to protect branch offices or telecommuters. "Out of sight, out of mind," doesn't exactly fare too well in the corporate arena. When businesses are subject to compliance or regulatory standards, they must ensure that all company endpoints are protected in an appropriate fashion. When there is a centralized IT support staff, they can often overlook users that are not primarily in the office, as in the case of salespeople for example.

Failure to consistently backup company data is another common oversight. The benefit of having an automated or regularly scheduled backup is paramount. According to Enterprise Security Group, even with all the advancements in storage technology, only about 20% of backup jobs are successful. This is exactly why consistency and frequency are such key metrics in evaluating any backup solution.

Utilizing outdated equipment such as tape or disk media poses a threat as well in that these solutions are hardware, meaning that they can be lost, stolen or improperly stored. Any of those situations usually results in irretrievable data, therefore rendering that equipment useless when a recovery is most needed.

Today's business continuity and disaster recovery solutions address these risks and provide a software-based solution that virtualizes all data to the cloud. This enhances overall performance by providing greater accuracy, efficiency, security and archiving functionality to a business's disaster recovery plan. Simply put, technology has come too far for SMBs to have to deal with the notion of losing important data and risking going out of business. With today's powerful solutions and the assistance of a trusted IT advisor, SMBs can protect themselves, their employees and their customers' data from these threats.

ABOUT MIDLAND COMMUNICATIONS

Midland Communications began more than 60 years ago in 1946 as the Worldwide Marketing Arm of Victor-Animagraph Projectors. In 1977 a communications division was formed due to a partnership with NEC America. Today, As a distributor of NEC America, for 33 years, Midland Communications has a customer base of more than 3,000 satisfied customers that include general businesses, government agencies, Universities, colleges, hospitals, and hotels.
Midland provides a wide range of communication services including VOIP, PBX and key systems, Wide Area and Local Area networking, computers, Computer integration, voice mail, CCIS, and video conferencing and paging systems. Our philosophy is simple, provide quality products at a fair price, backed by an average emergency response time of twenty minutes, and the best service in the industry. For more information on Midland Communications, call (563) 326-1237 or visit www.midlandcom.com.

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Go on Vacation Leaving Farmers and Students Without a Way Forward

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after House leaders sent Congress home for a vacation without a plan on how they will move forward a farm bill that can be signed into law and also ensure student loan rates don't increase on July 1^st.

Last week, House leadership failed to pass a farm bill and have not made any progress finding a way to move the bill forward.  Earlier this week, Loebsack worked to push the farm bill process forward by introducing the Senate farm bill in the House (HR 2498).  Loebsack supported the House version and has worked to find a compromise to make sure farmers and rural communities get the certainty they deserve.

"It is inexcusable that the House is going on a week vacation without a clear plan on how to move a farm bill forward.  I introduced the Senate farm bill in the House because it passed with strong bipartisan support - including from both Senators Harkin and Grassley.  After voting down the farm bill last week, the House should find a commonsense way to move a farm bill forward by taking up the bipartisan Senate legislation. I, along with others who supported the House bill last week, have called on the Speaker to bring the Senate bill up for a vote so Congress can get a bill to the President that can be signed into law."

Loebsack also continues to pressure House leaders to act to prevent student loan rates from doubling on July 1^st.  Student loan interest rates are currently 3.4 percent, but are set to double to 6.8 percent on Monday due to the lack of Congressional action.  Today, Loebsack cosponsored legislation (H.R. 2574), which is fully paid for, to halt the increase.  He also spoke on the House floor urging House leaders to stay in session until an agreement was made to stop the increase.

"When the House leadership hung a "Closed for Business" sign on the House chambers, they sent a strong signal to students that Congress just doesn't get it.  I have heard from many Iowans that they would not be able to attend college without this assistance. I could not have gone to college and would not be where I am today without the availability of student loans and other financial assistance programs.  It is shameful that Congress left town leaving our students to face the consequences of their inaction."

AURORA, IL (06/28/2013)(readMedia)-- Aurora University congratulates the more than 800 undergraduate students who earned Dean's List honors for the spring 2013 semester.

The high honors list recognizes students who attain a 4.0 grade-point average while completing at least 12 credit hours during the semester. The regular honors list recognizes students who achieve a GPA of 3.6 to 3.99.

The following local students have been named to the Dean's List:

Lillie Stone of Moline, IL *

Alyssa Valdez of Rock Falls, IL *

*Earned high honors for the spring 2013 semester.

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning, annually educating more than 4,800 degree-seeking students at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. The university has a long tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership, and using its resources and expertise to meet the needs of the community. In addition to its main campus in Aurora, Ill., AU offers programs online, at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., and at the Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock, Ill. Learn more at aurora.edu.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced that he will host a series of Veterans Roundtables across the Second District next week.  These forums will give veterans and their families an opportunity to speak with Loebsack.  Staff will also be on hand for veterans to seek assistance if they are having issues with the Veterans Administration, or any Federal agency.  Roundtables will be held in Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Albia, Knoxville, Newton, Davenport and Clinton.  Veterans and media are invited to attend.

"As a military parent, I believe that we have no greater responsibility as a nation than to care for our veterans with the same dignity and honor with which they have served our country," said Loebsack.  "I look forward to this opportunity to speak directly with veterans and their families about issues that are important to them."

Veterans Roundtable Schedule

Monday, July 1

Oskaloosa

1:30pm

American Legion

302 High Ave. E.

Ottumwa

3:00pm

Hotel Ottumwa

Keokuk Room

107 East Second Street

Tuesday, July 2

Albia

9:30am

Monroe County Veterans Affairs Office Conference Room

1801 South B Street

Knoxville

11:15am

Knoxville VFW John Myers Post

413 S. Lincoln St.

Newton

3:30pm

American Legion

1101 W. 4th St., Newton

Wednesday, July 3

Davenport

10:00am

American Legion Post 26

702 W. 35th St.

Clinton

1:00pm

Clinton County Admin. Bldg.

Board Room

1900 N. 3rd St.