Break Free from Big Tech: How Denmark Is Reclaiming Its Digital Independence

As Denmark makes headlines by choosing Linux and LibreOffice over Microsoft, more business leaders are asking how to break free from Big Tech. The Danish government isn’t just chasing cost savings, they’re taking control of their digital future.

And that’s something business owners in Central and South Texas should be thinking about too. At SofTouch Systems, we help small businesses avoid vendor lock-in and reclaim control over their tech stack.

Break free from big tech: Denmark is reclaiming its digital independence and SofTouch Systems is here to explain why you should pay attention.

What’s happening in Denmark?

Denmark’s Ministry of Digitalization recently launched a multi-year plan to move away from Microsoft tools like Office 365 and Windows. Instead, they’re rolling out open-source solutions like LibreOffice and Linux across government agencies.

The reason? Digital sovereignty.

They want to ensure their government systems stay operational and secure without depending on a single private company or foreign supplier. This includes having control over data, code, and access, even in emergencies.

In their words, it’s about freedom and flexibility—not just software.

Why Texas businesses should pay attention

While this might sound like a government issue, small businesses face similar risks. If you rely too heavily on one vendor, whether it’s Microsoft, Google, or another giant, you’re vulnerable. Not just to sudden price increases but privacy concerns, and policy changes you can’t control.

Some common scenarios we’ve seen:

  • A sudden Microsoft subscription fee increase
  • A critical Outlook or Teams outage halting business for hours
  • Data stored in systems you can’t fully access or migrate

When you break free from Big Tech, you reduce these risks and gain the flexibility to choose the tools that truly work for your business.

What does it mean to break free from Big Tech?

We’re not saying you need to delete all Microsoft tools today. But there are real steps Texas businesses can take to move toward digital independence:

  • Explore open-source software alternatives like LibreOffice or Thunderbird
  • Consider Linux for servers and back-office operations
  • Use email hosting providers that let you control your data (STS offers this)
  • Keep a backup system that isn’t tied to one ecosystem

At STS, we support all of these transitions with Texas-based, human support.

How STS helps businesses break free from Big Tech

SofTouch Systems helps businesses in Central and South Texas regain control through:

  • Vendor-agnostic IT consulting: We show you options—not just what’s popular.
  • Secure email hosting: No Big Tech inbox? No problem. We offer locally managed, encrypted alternatives.
  • Linux server hosting and management: Reduce licensing costs and increase stability.
  • Cloud backups and independence audits: Know where your data lives—and who can access it.

If you’re curious about moving away from vendor dependency, we’ll help you map out the safest, most practical path.

What you can do today!

Ask yourself:

  • Could my business operate tomorrow without Microsoft?
  • Do I know where my data is hosted—and who owns the keys?
  • Am I getting real value from the monthly software fees I’m paying?

If these questions raise concerns, don’t worry. We’re here to help you explore new options, without disruption, confusion, or downtime.

Let’s talk about your next step toward digital independence.

How to Prevent a Data Breach: Lessons from the AT&T Leak

86 Million Reasons to Act Now on Data Protection

In a disturbing development, over 73 million current and former AT&T customer records (Orig here) have been posted online, fully decrypted and searchable. Unlike past leaks, these aren’t just usernames and passwords. The exposed data includes names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, account numbers, and email addresses. So stick around and we’ll explain how SofTouch Systems can help you prevent a data breach like AT&T.

For small business owners, this isn’t just news, it’s a siren. If a company with AT&T’s resources can suffer a breach this serious, no organization is too small to be a target.

So let’s break down what happened and, more importantly, how your business can prevent a data breach from causing irreversible damage.

SofTouch Systems can help you and your business to prevent a data breach.

What Happened to AT&T?

Back in 2021, AT&T denied that a data leak originated from its systems. But in March 2024, that same data resurfaced on a popular hacking forum. What makes it worse? This time, the data was decrypted. Anyone can now read the raw information with zero effort or technical skills.

Although AT&T still claims the data may not have been taken directly from their systems, the consequences for customers are the same: exposed identities, increased phishing risks, and the likelihood of fraudulent account takeovers.

Let’s be clear, whether or not your business is as big as AT&T, you have something valuable: data worth stealing.

Why SMBs Must Pay Attention

Many small and midsize business owners (SMBs) mistakenly assume that data breaches only happen to big corporations. But here’s the truth:

  • 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses
  • 60% of SMBs shut down within six months of a data breach
  • Only 14% of SMBs are prepared to defend against cyberattacks

A breach doesn’t just cause technical chaos. It breaks customer trust, triggers compliance violations, and can put you out of business.

So, what can you do to prevent a data breach?

5 Proven Ways to Prevent a Data Breach

1. Use Strong Password Protocols

Weak or reused passwords are one of the easiest ways hackers gain access. Implement unique, complex passwords and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users.

2. Encrypt Your Data—At All Times

Encryption isn’t just for financial institutions. Whether at rest or in transit, encrypting your sensitive data ensures that even if hackers get in, they can’t read what they find.

3. Limit Access to Sensitive Info

Only give access to data on a need-to-know basis. Too many employees with unrestricted access increases the chances of accidental or intentional data leaks.

4. Train Employees Regularly

The biggest cybersecurity risk is still human error. Employees should know how to spot phishing emails, social engineering scams, and unsafe websites.

5. Schedule Regular Security Audits

Cybersecurity isn’t “set it and forget it.” You need ongoing assessments to identify vulnerabilities and adapt to emerging threats.

How SofTouch Systems Helps You Prevent a Data Breach

At SofTouch Systems, we specialize in protecting small businesses in Central and South Texas from becoming the next data breach headline.

Here’s how we safeguard your data and reputation:

Threat Detection and Monitoring

Our advanced tools run 24/7 to monitor suspicious activity. If something unusual happens, we’re alerted instantly and respond before damage is done.

Routine Vulnerability Scans

We proactively test your systems, networks, and software for vulnerabilities—before attackers can exploit them.

Security Awareness Training

We educate your staff with monthly phishing simulations and real-world training modules. Your team becomes your first line of defense, not your weakest link.

Custom Breach Response Plans

Even with the best precautions, you need a backup plan. We create tailored breach response plans that include containment, legal compliance, and customer notification workflows.

Compliance Reviews

Whether you’re dealing with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or local data regulations, we make sure your systems meet the requirements. That way you avoid fines and stay credible.

We’re not just IT vendors, we’re your security partners. Our Texas-based team knows how to balance local trust with enterprise-grade protection.

The Time to Act Is Before a Crisis

The AT&T breach serves as a reminder: once the data is gone, you can’t take it back. You can’t un-damage your reputation. You can’t un-leak customer identities.

But you can act today to prevent your business from ever landing in the headlines.

Let’s Secure Your Business Together

SofTouch Systems is currently offering a free cybersecurity readiness assessment for businesses in Central and South Texas. We’ll audit your systems, assess your vulnerabilities, and provide a step-by-step plan to harden your defenses.

Call us now or click below to schedule your free assessment.
Book Your Free Cybersecurity Review

The Largest Data Leak in History: What SMBs Must Do Now to Protect Themselves

4 Billion Reasons to Rethink Your Data Security

In what’s being called the largest data breach in history, more than 4 billion user records were exposed in a massive compilation dubbed the “Mother of All Breaches.” This incident wasn’t a single hack. It was an aggregation of previously leaked data, including names, passwords, email addresses, and other sensitive personal details gathered from thousands of separate breaches over the past decade. Data breach prevention by SofTouch Systems would have saved your email from making this list.

SofTouch Systems can help you with data breach prevention and recovery in the case of a loss.

For small businesses in Texas, the message is loud and clear: your data is never off the radar—and your clients’ trust depends on your ability to protect it.

What Was Leaked?

The breach had over 12 terabytes of exposed information. While the data came from multiple sources, some of it is valid and active. Cybercriminals now have a master list of usernames, passwords, and even recovery questions—making this a goldmine for identity theft, phishing, and ransomware campaigns.

If your team reuses passwords, or if your organization hasn’t recently conducted a security review, you may already be vulnerable without knowing it.

What This Means for SMBs

Most small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) assume they’re too small to be targeted. That assumption is dangerously outdated. Criminals often view SMBs as “low-hanging fruit” because they tend to lack the enterprise-level security systems of larger firms.

Here’s how a breach like this puts your business at risk:

  • Credential Stuffing: Attackers use leaked usernames and passwords to try logging into business systems.
  • Business Email Compromise: If even one employee’s credentials are exposed, attackers can impersonate them.
  • Phishing & Social Engineering: Public data makes it easier to craft convincing attacks targeting your staff or clients.
  • Compliance Violations: If you’re subject to HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or other regulations, breaches can trigger investigations, fines, or legal action.

What You Can Do Right Now

At SofTouch Systems, we urge all our clients to treat this as a wake-up call. Check here to see if your email was in a data breach. Here are five essential steps you can take immediately to reduce your risk: (*apart from contacting STS for data breach prevention measures)

1. Enforce Strong, Unique Passwords

Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass to generate and store complex, unique passwords for each system.

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds a critical layer of protection. Even if your password leaks, the attacker can’t log in without the second factor.

3. Review and Rotate Existing Passwords

Especially for email, cloud accounts, and financial systems. If they’ve been reused across platforms, change them now.

4. Conduct a Vulnerability Scan

Let our team run a free vulnerability scan on your current setup. We’ll identify weak points and help you prioritize what to fix first.

5. Train Your Team

Human error is still the leading cause of breaches. We offer affordable monthly cybersecurity training to educate your staff on phishing, malware, and safe online behavior.

SofTouch Systems protects you with our data breach protection.

Why Work With SofTouch Systems?

We’re a trusted IT services provider based in Texas, serving clients across Central and South Texas for over 30 years. Our local approach means we understand your business, your values, and your community. Whether you’re a nonprofit, a family-owned company, or a civic-minded entrepreneur, we’ll help protect your business with integrity and practical solutions.

Let’s Secure Your Future — Together

Don’t wait for a breach to force your hand. The next email your employee opens could cost you everything.

Schedule your free cybersecurity readiness assessment today and let SofTouch Systems help you stay secure in a dangerous digital world.

Schedule Your Free Security Review

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