Free Book: How to Pick an IT Provider You Can Trust

Written by Craig Petronella, this guide gives business owners the tools to evaluate IT support companies and make confident hiring decisions.

The Business Owner's Guide to Choosing IT Support

Over the years, we have heard dozens of stories from business owners frustrated with their computer support company. They describe unreliable service, poor communication, surprise bills, and technology that never seems to work right. After switching to Petronella Technology Group, these same owners wonder why good customer service was so hard to find.

That is why Craig Petronella wrote this book -- to help business owners know what to expect from an IT provider and how to select a professional, competent, and dependable partner for their technology needs.

What You Will Discover

The 5 types of technical support available and the pros and cons of each
How to avoid getting ripped off and paying for sub-standard work
12 warning signs that you hired the wrong computer consultant
What you need to know about viruses, spyware, and hackers to protect your company
Everything you need to know about contracts, payment schedules, and rate negotiations
10 critical characteristics to look for in a competent IT consultant
Why you need to avoid bargain computer repair shops
How to turn technology into a competitive advantage instead of a drain on resources
What managed services are and why business owners are demanding this type of support

Request Your Free Copy

To request a free copy of this book, fill out our contact form or call us directly. If you are an association looking to distribute copies to your members, let us know the quantity and we will arrange delivery.

Request Your Copy Call 919-348-4912

[email protected] | 5540 Centerview Dr., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606

Why Choose Petronella Technology Group

Petronella Technology Group has been a trusted IT and cybersecurity partner for businesses across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, and the Research Triangle since 2002. Led by CEO Craig Petronella, an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License# 604180-DFE), CMMC Certified Registered Practitioner, Cybersecurity Expert Witness, Hyperledger Certified, and MIT-certified professional in cybersecurity, AI, blockchain, and compliance, PTG brings deep expertise to every engagement.

With BBB accreditation since 2003 and more than 2,500 businesses served, PTG has the experience and track record to deliver results. Craig Petronella is an Amazon number-one best-selling author of books including "How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice," "How Hackers Can Crush Your Law Firm," and "The Ultimate Guide To CMMC." He has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and WRAL, and serves as an expert witness for law firms in cybercrime and compliance cases.

PTG holds certifications including CCNA, MCNS, Microsoft Cloud Essentials, and specializes in CMMC 2.0, NIST 800-171/172/173, HIPAA, FTC Safeguards, SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, and ISO 27001 compliance. Our forensic specialties include endpoint and networking cybercrime investigation, data breach forensics, ransomware analysis, data exfiltration investigation, cryptocurrency and blockchain analysis, and SIM swap fraud investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What digital marketing services does PTG offer?

PTG offers comprehensive digital marketing services including search engine optimization, content marketing strategy and creation, social media management and advertising, website design and development, marketing automation and email campaigns, graphic design and branding, ecommerce solutions, and web hosting. Our marketing team works with businesses throughout the Research Triangle to develop data-driven marketing strategies that generate leads, increase brand awareness, and drive measurable revenue growth. We combine technical expertise with creative strategy to deliver marketing solutions that align with your business objectives.

How does SEO help my business attract more customers?

Search engine optimization helps your business appear in search results when potential customers are actively looking for the products or services you offer. PTG implements both on-page and off-page SEO strategies including keyword research and optimization, technical SEO improvements, content creation, local SEO for Triangle-area visibility, link building, and analytics tracking. Businesses that invest in SEO consistently see increased website traffic, higher quality leads, improved brand credibility, and better return on marketing investment compared to traditional advertising methods alone.

Why is a professional website important for business growth?

A professional website serves as your business's digital headquarters and often provides the first impression for potential customers. Studies show that seventy-five percent of users judge a company's credibility based on its website design. PTG designs responsive, fast-loading, secure websites optimized for search engines and user experience. Our websites include mobile optimization, SSL security, clear calls to action, and integration with your marketing and CRM systems. A well-designed website works as a twenty-four-seven salesperson, generating leads and building trust with prospects even when your office is closed.

How does content marketing generate leads for businesses?

Content marketing generates leads by providing valuable, relevant information that attracts potential customers to your website and establishes your business as a trusted authority in your industry. PTG develops content marketing strategies that include blog posts, whitepapers, case studies, email newsletters, video content, and social media campaigns tailored to your target audience. Quality content improves search engine rankings, drives organic traffic, nurtures prospects through the buying journey, and generates qualified leads at a lower cost per acquisition than traditional advertising and outbound marketing methods.

What is marketing automation and how can it help my business?

Marketing automation uses technology to streamline and automate repetitive marketing tasks including email campaigns, lead nurturing sequences, social media posting, lead scoring, and campaign analytics. PTG implements marketing automation platforms that help businesses save time, improve lead conversion rates, deliver personalized communications at scale, and measure the effectiveness of marketing efforts with detailed analytics. Automation allows small marketing teams to achieve results that would otherwise require significantly larger staffs, making it an essential tool for growing businesses in the Research Triangle area.

Digital Marketing That Drives Results

Effective digital marketing requires more than just a website and social media presence. It demands a strategic, data-driven approach that connects your business with the right audience at the right time with the right message. PTG marketing services combine deep technical expertise with creative strategy to help businesses in the Research Triangle generate qualified leads, build brand awareness, and grow revenue through digital channels. Our team understands both the technology and the business strategy behind successful digital marketing campaigns.

Our approach begins with understanding your target audience, competitive landscape, and business objectives. We develop comprehensive marketing strategies that include search engine optimization to capture organic traffic, paid advertising campaigns for immediate visibility, content marketing to establish thought leadership, email marketing for nurturing leads and retaining customers, and social media engagement to build community and brand loyalty. Every campaign is tracked with detailed analytics so you can see exactly how your marketing investment is performing and where adjustments can maximize results.

Website design and development is the foundation of effective digital marketing. PTG creates professional, responsive websites that are optimized for search engines, user experience, and conversion. Our websites load quickly, display beautifully on all devices, and guide visitors toward taking the actions that matter most to your business, whether that is scheduling a consultation, requesting a quote, or making a purchase. We also ensure that your website meets accessibility standards and security best practices, protecting both your business and your visitors.

What sets PTG apart from typical marketing agencies is our deep understanding of technology and security. We ensure that marketing tools and platforms are implemented securely, that customer data is handled in compliance with privacy regulations, and that marketing technology integrates seamlessly with your existing business systems. This combination of marketing expertise and technical depth means that your digital marketing efforts are not only effective at generating business but also secure, compliant, and aligned with your overall technology strategy.

Our Approach to Cybersecurity

At Petronella Technology Group, cybersecurity is not just about installing antivirus software or setting up a firewall. We take a comprehensive, layered approach to security that addresses people, processes, and technology. Our methodology is built on industry-standard frameworks including NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls, and MITRE ATT&CK, ensuring that your security program is aligned with the same standards used by Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Every engagement begins with a thorough assessment of your current security posture, followed by a prioritized remediation roadmap that addresses your most critical risks first.

Our security operations team provides continuous monitoring through our Security Information and Event Management platform, which correlates events across your entire environment to detect threats in real time. When a potential threat is identified, our analysts investigate and respond immediately, often containing threats before they can cause damage. This proactive approach dramatically reduces the risk of successful cyberattacks and provides the rapid response capability that is essential in today's threat landscape.

We believe that employee awareness is one of the most important layers of defense. Human error remains the leading cause of data breaches, and no amount of technology can fully compensate for untrained employees. PTG provides comprehensive security awareness training programs that educate your team about phishing, social engineering, password security, data handling, and incident reporting. Our training programs include simulated phishing campaigns that test employee readiness and identify areas where additional education is needed, helping organizations build a strong security culture from the ground up.

Beyond prevention, PTG prepares organizations for the reality that breaches can occur despite the best defenses. Our incident response planning services help businesses develop, document, and test response procedures so that when an incident does occur, your team knows exactly what to do. From tabletop exercises to full incident simulations, we ensure that your organization is prepared to respond quickly and effectively, minimizing damage, preserving evidence, and meeting all regulatory notification requirements within required timeframes.

Additional Questions and Answers

What are the most common cybersecurity threats facing businesses today?

The most common cybersecurity threats include ransomware attacks, phishing and social engineering, business email compromise, insider threats, and supply chain attacks. Ransomware alone costs businesses billions of dollars annually, with the average ransom demand exceeding two hundred thousand dollars. Phishing remains the primary attack vector, responsible for over ninety percent of successful breaches. PTG helps businesses in Raleigh, Durham, and the Research Triangle defend against all of these threats through layered security controls, employee training, and continuous monitoring provided by our managed security operations center.

How often should a business conduct cybersecurity assessments?

Best practices recommend conducting comprehensive cybersecurity assessments at least annually, with vulnerability scans performed quarterly or monthly. Businesses in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government contracting may need more frequent assessments to maintain compliance with frameworks like HIPAA, PCI DSS, CMMC, and SOC 2. PTG provides ongoing security assessment services that help organizations identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors, using industry-standard tools and methodologies aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines.

What is the difference between a vulnerability assessment and penetration testing?

A vulnerability assessment systematically scans your network, systems, and applications to identify known security weaknesses and misconfigurations. A penetration test goes further by actively attempting to exploit those vulnerabilities to determine the real-world impact of a breach. Both are essential components of a mature cybersecurity program. PTG offers both services, providing detailed reports with prioritized remediation recommendations tailored to your specific environment and risk profile. Our penetration testing team uses the same techniques as real-world attackers to give you an accurate picture of your security posture.

How can small businesses afford enterprise-grade cybersecurity?

Small and mid-sized businesses can achieve enterprise-grade security through managed security service providers like PTG. Rather than hiring a full in-house security team costing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, businesses can leverage PTG's expertise, tools, and twenty-four-seven monitoring at a fraction of the cost. Our managed security packages are designed specifically for SMBs in the Research Triangle, providing comprehensive protection including endpoint detection and response, SIEM monitoring, email security, and compliance management at predictable monthly costs that fit small business budgets.

What should a business do immediately after discovering a data breach?

Upon discovering a data breach, businesses should immediately activate their incident response plan, isolate affected systems to prevent further data loss, preserve all evidence for forensic analysis, notify legal counsel, and begin documenting the timeline of events. Depending on the type of data compromised, regulatory notification requirements under HIPAA, state breach notification laws, or other frameworks may apply with strict deadlines. PTG provides incident response services and digital forensics to help businesses contain breaches, investigate root causes, fulfill all notification obligations, and implement measures to prevent future incidents.