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# Stepping Forward Technology: Stepping Forward Technology is a managed IT services provider delivering proactive IT support, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, and strategic IT consulting for growing businesses. We help organizations improve security, reliability, and scalability through modern, business-aligned technology solutions.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://steppingforward.tech/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [The 7 Biggest Reasons Defense Contractors Fail CMMC Assessments](https://steppingforward.tech/the-7-biggest-reasons-defense-contractors-fail-cmmc-assessments/): Most CMMC assessment failures are not mysteries. They rarely come from the sophisticated, headline-grabbing attacks that security vendors like to talk about, and they almost never come from a lack of effort. They come from a small set of gaps that appear in the same places, company after company, often in businesses that genuinely believed they were ready. That pattern is worth holding onto, because predictable problems are solvable problems. When you can see these gaps clearly and early, you get to address them on your own terms instead of discovering them with an assessor sitting across the table.
- [How Much Does CMMC Compliance Cost for a Small Defense Contractor?](https://steppingforward.tech/how-much-does-cmmc-compliance-cost-for-a-small-defense-contractor/): If you have gone looking for this number, you already know how the search usually ends. You ask three people and you get three answers. One vendor quotes you a figure that makes your stomach drop. Another waves it off like it is nothing. A third tells you it depends, which feels like no answer at all. So, you close the browser tab, set it aside for another week, and the question keeps following you around the building.
- [The Biggest Technology Risks Facing Defense Contractors Over the Next Three Years](https://steppingforward.tech/the-biggest-technology-risks-facing-defense-contractors-over-the-next-three-years/): There is a particular kind of pressure that comes with being the person everyone assumes already has the answer. You did not set out to become the technology decision-maker. You came up through operations, or engineering, or the simple fact that you were the one who kept things moving when they broke. Now technology, compliance, and security all seem to land on your desk, and the stakes feel higher every year. You are not panicking. You are just carrying the quiet, constant weight of wondering what you might be missing.
- [The Hidden Risks of Storing CUI in Microsoft 365](https://steppingforward.tech/the-hidden-risks-of-storing-cui-in-microsoft-365/): If you run operations for a company in the defense supply chain, you already know the feeling of carrying something heavy that nobody else in the building fully sees. You handle Controlled Unclassified Information every day, you keep good people employed, and you have built something that matters. Somewhere in the middle of all that, a quiet assumption took root: the company is on Microsoft 365, Microsoft is a serious company, so the sensitive information must be reasonably safe. That assumption feels responsible. It feels like the kind of thing a careful leader would believe. The problem is that it is only partly true, and the space between "mostly true" and "actually true" is exactly where the risk you cannot see tends to hide.
- [CMMC Consultant vs. Managed Service Provider: Which One Does Your Business Really Need?](https://steppingforward.tech/cmmc-consultant-vs-managed-service-provider-which-one-does-your-business-really-need/): A qualified CMMC consultant understands the entire compliance journey. They understand the controls, the policies, the procedures, the evidence requirements, the assessment process, and what auditors actually expect to see. Most importantly, they understand how all of those pieces work together. If your MSP only understands technology, a consultant is often your safest path forward, because compliance is too important to leave to guesswork. Your contracts depend on it. Your future revenue depends on it. Your ability to compete in the defense supply chain depends on it.
- [CMMC Level 2 vs NIST 800-171: What’s the Difference?](https://steppingforward.tech/cmmc-level-2-vs-nist-800-171-whats-the-difference/): NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 2.
- [Microsoft Copilot vs. Public AI Tools: What Defense Manufacturers Need to Know About Security, CUI, and GCC High](https://steppingforward.tech/microsoft-copilot-vs-public-ai-tools-what-defense-manufacturers-need-to-know-about-security-cui-and-gcc-high/): Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI tools can help employees move faster. They can draft emails, summarize notes, clean up documents, and help teams think through problems.
- [What to Expect in Your First 90 Days with Stepping Forward Technology](https://steppingforward.tech/what-to-expect-in-your-first-90-days-with-stepping-forward-technology/): The truth is, the first 90 days with a new managed IT provider are critical. This period sets the foundation for trust, security, performance, and long-term alignment between your technology and your business goals.
- [Co-Managed IT vs Fully Managed IT: Which Model Fits Your Business Best?](https://steppingforward.tech/co-managed-it-vs-fully-managed-it/): Choosing the right IT support model is not just a technical decision. It is a business decision that impacts cost, security, accountability, and your ability to scale with confidence.
- [Managed IT Services vs. Break-Fix IT Support: Which Is Right for Your Business?](https://steppingforward.tech/managed-it-services-vs-break-fix-it-support-which-is-right-for-your-business/): Most business leaders do not wake up one morning excited to change their IT support model. In fact, many stick with break-fix IT support for years because it feels simpler, cheaper, and easier to control.
- [Remote IT Support Colorado: Securing Hybrid Teams in Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/remote-it-support-colorado-securing-hybrid-teams-in-colorado-springs/): Remote IT support Colorado businesses rely on must protect data beyond office walls. Without proper safeguards, one unsecured device can expose your entire network.
- [IT Services in Colorado Springs: How AI Is Transforming SMB Operations ](https://steppingforward.tech/it-services-in-colorado-springs-how-ai-is-transforming-smb-operations/): AI is no longer a future concept—it’s already part of how businesses operate every day. In Colorado Springs, small and mid-sized businesses are discovering that the tools they use already include powerful AI features.
- [Why MSP Pricing in Colorado Springs Is Misleading in 2026](https://steppingforward.tech/msp-pricing-guide-colorado-springs-businesses/): If you have internal IT staff handling Tier 1 or Tier 2 support, MSP pricing may be adjusted to reflect shared responsibilities.
- [Advantage Manufacturing’s Fast-Track to CMMC Readiness](https://steppingforward.tech/advantage-manufacturings-fast-track-to-cmmc-readiness/): Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Advantage Manufacturing is a 100-person precision sheet metal and machine shop serving rail, aerospace, and defense sectors. Facing rising government cybersecurity requirements and the CMMC readiness mandate, they realized their existing IT approach wasn’t enough. A referral led them to Stepping Forward Technology and, ultimately, to a complete shift in how they viewed technology’s strategic role.
- [Hit a Growth Ceiling? The Leadership, Culture, and Systems Most Businesses Are Missing](https://steppingforward.tech/hit-a-growth-ceiling/): Breaking through growth ceilings requires leaders who can do both, or leadership teams built with complementary strengths.
- [Rapid Response Thwarts Cyber Attack on Nunn Construction](https://steppingforward.tech/rapid-response-thwarts-cyber-attack-on-nunn-construction/): Early on a Sunday morning, while the company president was traveling out-of-state, Stepping Forward Technology's Security Operations Center (SOC) detected abnormal activity. A PowerShell script running from the president’s account was attempting to enumerate administrative accounts. This was an early indicator of a sophisticated cyber-attack aiming to gain high-level network access. 
- [The Power of Community: Kaseya Connect 2025](https://steppingforward.tech/the-power-of-community-kaseya-connect-2025/): Hey everyone, welcome back to the Stepping Forward Technology podcast. I recently got invited to speak at the Connect Global Conference in Vegas. Standing on that stage was more than just a professional milestone for me. It was a moment of reflection on our journey. From a modest IT firm to being a recognized world class MSP. But what I shared on that stage went far beyond business strategy or tech trends. It was the power of community and my network of peers, mentors and coaches that got us there.
- [Penetration Testing with Mile High Cyber and Terry Bradley](https://steppingforward.tech/penetration-testing/): In the digital era, ensuring your business’s cybersecurity is paramount. It all begins with understanding essential concepts like penetration testing, often referred to as pen testing.
- [Choosing Good vs. Great IT Support in Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/choosing-it-support-in-colorado-springs/): As a business owner in Colorado Springs, you've probably experienced the difference between a good IT provider and a truly great one. It’s like the difference between an average coffee and your favorite perfectly brewed cup subtle, yet profoundly impactful. When it comes to IT support in Colorado Springs, that difference can impact your entire business. So how do you spot the qualities that make an IT partner not just good—but great?
- [Colorado Springs ISP Guide: Pick the Right Internet for Your Business](https://steppingforward.tech/trusted-technology-advisors-best-business-internet-in-colorado-springs/): Choosing the best business internet in Colorado Springs is like laying the foundation for your business’s digital home. If it's sturdy, reliable, and carefully chosen, everything else—your communication, productivity, and growth—falls neatly into place. But pick the wrong one, and it feels like trying to build your dream office on shifting sands.
- [Cyber Liability Insurance for Colorado Springs Businesses](https://steppingforward.tech/cyber-liability-insurance/): Cyber Liability Insurance provides comprehensive coverage tailored to cyber threats, including:
- [Smarter Tech Budgeting in Colorado Springs: #1 Practical Guide for Local Businesses](https://steppingforward.tech/tech-budgeting-in-colorado-springs/): In today’s fast-moving world, technology isn’t just a support system it’s the heartbeat of your business. It drives productivity, efficiency, and ultimately, growth. For many businesses in Colorado Springs, the real challenge isn't recognizing tech's importance; it's figuring out how to budget for it wisely. That’s where smart tech budgeting in Colorado Springs becomes not just useful, but transformational.
- [Effective Vendor Selection Reduces Cyber Supply Chain Risks](https://steppingforward.tech/effective-vendor-selection-reduces-cyber-supply-chain-risks/): By identifying and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, we can help to reduce the risks associated with cyber supply chains. Additionally, we can assist you in managing your relationships with vendors and make sure that you work with those who adhere to your security standards. 
- [The Top 3 Misconceptions About Supply Chain Risk](https://steppingforward.tech/the-top-3-misconceptions-about-supply-chain-risk/): Unfortunately, many businesses continue to hold outdated beliefs about supply chain risk management that can be harmful and have negative effects. We'll look at some of the most widespread myths about supply chain risks in this blog post, along with solutions. 
- [How to Manage Supply Chain Risks Effectively](https://steppingforward.tech/how-to-manage-supply-chain-risks-effectively/): Businesses like yours have benefited greatly from digital transformation, including simpler order processing and inventory management. Organizations are, however, more susceptible to cyberattacks and data breaches as a result. Anywhere in your supply chain where a breach occurs could have serious effects on your company. How then can you defend your company from these dangers? 
- [Reducing Cyber Supply Chain Risks: Best Practices](https://steppingforward.tech/reducing-cyber-supply-chain-risks/): Cyber supply chain risk management is the process of locating and reducing potential risks to your supply chain. This entails evaluating the security of third-party vendors, making sure that their goods and services adhere to the necessary security requirements, and putting safeguards in place to guard against potential cyberattacks. 
- [The Perils of Employing Outdated Software](https://steppingforward.tech/the-perils-of-employing-outdated-software/): There are three different types of consequences that result from using outdated software: 
- [The Hidden Risks of End-of-Life Hardware and Software](https://steppingforward.tech/end-of-life-hardware-and-software-risks/): When a piece of hardware or software reaches its End of Life (EoL) or End of Service (EoS), the manufacturer will no longer give support for that product. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably. This can be a cause for concern for businesses like yours because unsupported technologies lack not only routine internal security measures but also support from the manufacturer. 
- [End-of-Service: 3 Misconceptions About Technology](https://steppingforward.tech/3-misconceptions-about-technology-end-of-service/): When a product reaches End-of-Life and End-of-Service, no team is working on its development, surveillance, interaction, creation, or release of patches in the event that a new security vulnerability is discovered. This indicates that the product cannot be updated to address newly identified vulnerabilities. This signifies that the software cannot be updated to address newly discovered vulnerabilities and is therefore unusable. 
- [Hardware and Software End of Life: Did You Know IT Expires?](https://steppingforward.tech/hardware-software-end-of-life/): The expression "best by date" is one that all of us are familiar with. It is a term that is frequently used when talking about food and medications, and it refers to the date that the item is no longer considered safe for consumption after it has passed. However, did you know that your software and hardware can also become obsolete over time?  This is the case as a direct result of the ongoing progression and improvement of technology. A technology that was once considered cutting-edge may become outdated in the blink of an eye.
- [The Importance of Trust in IT Support](https://steppingforward.tech/the-importance-of-trust/): When choosing IT support for your company in Colorado, your potential provider’s capability is probably the first thing you take into consideration. You obviously want someone who knows what he or she is doing. You rely on your network to run your business and take care of your clients. You most likely take a hard look at the cost involved as well. What kind of value are you getting for the money you spend?  But do you really have to trust your IT support provider?
- [4 Signs You Need an IT Strategy](https://steppingforward.tech/4-signs-you-need-an-it-strategy/): Marketing today is virtually impossible without a strong online presence. And for a lot of companies, the vast majority of sales come in over the Internet. Businesses understand the need for technology and IT. But, is having an IT strategy actually all that important?
- [2 Key Advantages to Hosting Your Data in the Cloud](https://steppingforward.tech/2-key-advantages-to-hosting-your-data-in-the-cloud/): Your business runs on data—lots of it! Having reliable access to that data—whether it’s client information, inventory, accounting, development, sales, or marketing information—is critical for running your business efficiently and profitably. That information needs to be accurate (meaning it has to be up-to-date). That data also needs to be accessible throughout your company. Manufacturing or inventory needs to match what sales and marketing are doing. Sales and marketing need to know what development is working on. Finance needs to know what’s coming in through sales and what’s going out through manufacturing and marketing.
- [What Is True Network Administration?](https://steppingforward.tech/true-network-administration/): We all know the story about closing the barn door after the horse has run away. It’s a perfect example of doing something that was necessary—but doing it too late to be of any help. It’s a pretty good example of the way too many businesses approach network administration. Companies take a reactive approach to network problems. They end up trying to fix things after they are broken. Unfortunately, those efforts are often too little too late—and the damage has already been done.
- [Is Technology Leading or Impeding Your Growth?](https://steppingforward.tech/technology-leading-or-impeding-growth/): If you’re like a lot of growing businesses you may have a bit of a “love/hate” relationship with technology. You know your business can’t survive without it. You may even be aware of the incredible opportunities that technology presents to work efficiently, serve your clients better, and be more profitable. At the same time, managing your technology can be a headache.
- [The Important Difference Between Backups & Disaster Recovery](https://steppingforward.tech/important-difference-backups-disaster-recovery-means-business/): That—at a very basic level—is one of the big differences between performing backups and having disaster recovery capability. As important as it is to back up your work, that one act won’t save you if your whole system goes down.
- [Cyber Attack: WannaCry Ransomware](https://steppingforward.tech/cyber-attack-wannacry-ransomware/): As you may have read or heard on the news, hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide were attacked Friday by malware called WannaCry. The attack took the form of ransomware, a malicious software that encrypts random files on the victim’s computer and holds them for a specific ransom that must be paid in order to decrypt the infected files.

## Pages
- [IT Help Desk – Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/it-help-desk-colorado-springs/): When employees can't work, productivity stops. Our Colorado Springs IT Help Desk gives businesses with 15+ employees fast, local support from experienced engineers who know your environment and your people.
- [Professional Services-Project Engineering](https://steppingforward.tech/professional-services-project-engineering/): We handle your project through a structured approach designed to reduce risk and ensure long-term success. We begin with planning by scoping the project and identifying potential risks upfront. Next, we focus on security, with compliance considerations built into every stage. During execution, experienced senior engineers manage implementation to maintain quality and efficiency. We then test thoroughly before go-live to ensure everything performs as expected. Once complete, we document the project to provide a clear and supportable handoff, followed by ongoing support to maintain long-term alignment with your business goals.
- [AI Readiness Services](https://steppingforward.tech/ai-readiness-services/): Outcome: an AI readiness score and a practical roadmap.
- [Elizabeth Moum](https://steppingforward.tech/elizabeth-moum/): For Elizabeth, it all started with a love for numbers.
- [Michael Schmidt](https://steppingforward.tech/michael-schmidt-2/): For Michael, it all started with a camera and YouTube.
- [Explore Better IT Support](https://steppingforward.tech/referral/): Matt started Stepping Forward because he saw too many IT companies pushing solutions before they understood the problem. Every exploration conversation goes through Matt personally. He comes in ready to listen, share what he sees, and let you decide whether there’s something worth pursuing together.
- [Client Success Stories](https://steppingforward.tech/video-testimonials/): These are real client success stories from organizations that were facing downtime, inefficiencies, security concerns, and operational challenges before partnering with Stepping Forward Technologies.
- [Preston Tucker](https://steppingforward.tech/preston-tucker-2/): For Preston, it all started with a family computer and an older brother who loved technology.
- [Miles Beaver](https://steppingforward.tech/miles-beaver-2/): For Miles, it all started with a home computer and a lot of curiosity.
- [Kody DeLong](https://steppingforward.tech/kody-delong-2/): For Kody, technology has always been about making a difference.
- [Matthew Hagemann](https://steppingforward.tech/matthew-hagemann/): For Matthew, technology has always been about solving complex problems. From an early age, he was fascinated by how systems, both digital and organizational, could be designed to create leverage, improve workflows, and help people accomplish more with less effort. That curiosity naturally grew into a passion for building structure and finding smarter ways to work.
- [Michael Louque](https://steppingforward.tech/michael-louque/): For Michael, technology has been a lifelong curiosity.
- [Dave Cotton](https://steppingforward.tech/dave-cotton-2/): For Dave, it all started with curiosity and a screwdriver.
- [Technology Alignment Services in Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/technology-alignment-services-in-colorado-springs/): Technology Alignment is the proactive process of continuously comparing your IT environment against proven best-practice standards and correcting gaps before they cause problems.
- [vCIO Services in Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/vcio-services-in-colorado-springs/): Our vCIO services (Virtual Chief Information Officer) provide executive-level IT strategy, risk management, and technology alignment so your technology investments support where your business is going, not just where it’s been.
- [Stepping Forward Technology Reviews From Colorado Springs Clients](https://steppingforward.tech/stepping-forward-technology-reviews/): Stepping Forward Technology reviews show that we maintain a 5-star rating across more than 120 Google reviews from businesses in Colorado Springs. Across these reviews, several themes appear again and again. Clients describe our team as responsive, reliable, and easy to work with. Most importantly, they talk about results. Problems get solved quickly, downtime decreases, and technology becomes less of a daily concern.
- [Managed IT Service Pricing](https://steppingforward.tech/pricing/): Most businesses in Colorado Springs pay $100–$250 per user per month for managed IT services.
- [Matthew McCanne](https://steppingforward.tech/matthew-mccanne/): For Matthew, technology has always been close to home.
- [Anthony Abbott](https://steppingforward.tech/anthony-abbott/): For Anthony, technology has always felt like second nature.
- [Patrick Lavin](https://steppingforward.tech/patrick-lavin/): For Patrick, it all started with video games and hand-me-down gear.
- [Matt Gula](https://steppingforward.tech/matt-gula/): For Matt, it all started with video games and a computer that needed constant coaxing.
- [Lucas Mayo](https://steppingforward.tech/lucas-mayo/): For Lucas, it all started in high school with a broken Xbox 360. 
- [Cybersecurity Services](https://steppingforward.tech/cybersecurity-services/): With expanding cloud environments, remote work, and data growth, the attack surface has never been larger. That’s why we’ve created cybersecurity services in Colorado Springs that help businesses in the region avoid threats before they can even begin causing issues.
- [Stefan Born](https://steppingforward.tech/stefan-born/): For Stefan, it all started with curiosity and a family PC. 
- [Jay Ehmke](https://steppingforward.tech/jay-ehmke/): For Jay, it all started with curiosity — a fascination with how things work.
- [Services Guide](https://steppingforward.tech/services-guide/): This Services Guide contains provisions that define, clarify, and govern the scope of the services described in the quote that has been provided to you (the “Quote”), as well as the policies and procedures that we follow (and to which you agree) when we provide a service to you or facilitate a service for you.  If you do not agree with the terms of this Services Guide, you should not sign the Quote and you must contact us for more information.
- [Managed IT Services Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/managed-it-services-colorado-springs/): Proactive IT support and strategy for growing businesses along Colorado's Front Range
- [HIPAA Compliance](https://steppingforward.tech/hipaa-compliance/): HIPAA, short for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a U.S. federal law that sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient health information (PHI). With the rise of electronic health records and cloud-based healthcare systems, HIPAA compliance is more critical than ever—especially for medical practices, clinics, and their IT service providers.
- [CMMC Compliance](https://steppingforward.tech/cmmc-compliance/): But you don't have to navigate these new standards alone. When a manufacturing client faced the new government requirements, we guided them through the certification process and they secured their CMMC compliance certificate ahead of competitors.
- [Services](https://steppingforward.tech/services/): Stepping Forward Technology is a Colorado Springs-based IT consulting firm helping local businesses with strategic IT planning, cybersecurity, and compliance to drive measurable results. 
- [Matthew Harvey](https://steppingforward.tech/matthew-harvey/): Matthew Harvey is the founder of Stepping Forward Technology and a technology advisor with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations use technology to improve operations, security, and growth.
- [Chat with Matt](https://steppingforward.tech/chat-with-matt/): Schedule a quick conversation with Matt to discuss your business, your technology, and where you’d like to go. This isn’t a sales pitch. It's just a focused discussion to see if it makes sense to explore next steps together.
- [Support](https://steppingforward.tech/support/): To notify the Helpdesk of your IT issue, fill out the form below or send an email with your company name and a detailed description of your issue to Help@SteppingForward.Tech.
- [Articles](https://steppingforward.tech/articles/): Expand your understanding
- [Contact](https://steppingforward.tech/contact/): Give us a call or use the form for general inquiries. Current customers can submit a ticket for Helpdesk support.
- [Careers](https://steppingforward.tech/careers/): We pride ourselves on our exceptional company culture and positive work environment. We’re always looking for friendly, professional IT technicians in the Pikes Peak region. Apply for a job at Stepping Forward using the links below.
- [Why Choose Us](https://steppingforward.tech/why-choose-us/): What's better than a quick fix to your IT problems? No problems at all! By planning ahead and being ready for issues before they arise, we can save you time, money, and frustration.
- [Who We Are](https://steppingforward.tech/who-we-are/): Since 2006, Stepping Forward equips companies to increase productivity, improve security, and align technology with their goals.
- [Stepping Forward Technology — IT Support Colorado Springs](https://steppingforward.tech/): In 90 days, we will take you from reactive and drowning in IT issues to secure, compliant and operating with a strategic, AI-focused technology roadmap that directly supports your business goals. We provide expert business IT support in Colorado Springs, Denver, and surrounding cities.