Guides
Plain-English Guides for Business Owners
Each guide is the starting point for one topic a business owner keeps hearing about. It answers the big questions in plain language, tells you what to do first, and gathers our free tools, templates and best articles on the subject in one place.
All guides
Written for owners and managers, not IT specialists. Every fact is linked to its source, and each guide shows the date we last checked it.
CMMC and defense suppliersCMMC for North Carolina Defense Suppliers, in Plain EnglishCMMC in plain English for North Carolina defense suppliers and subcontractors: which level applies, what changed in 2026, what an SPRS score means and what to do first.Reviewed Read the guide
AI at workHow to Use AI at Work Safely: A Small Business GuideHow a small business can use AI tools safely: approve the right tools, keep sensitive data out, write a short policy, train people and have a person check the output.Reviewed Read the guide
Customer and supplier requirementsEcoVadis and Customer Security Questionnaires: What US Manufacturers Need to KnowWhat EcoVadis ratings and customer questionnaires ask of US manufacturers, why customers ask, what EU law does and does not require, and which parts your IT can help prove.Reviewed Read the guide
RansomwareRansomware: How North Carolina Small Businesses Prevent It and RecoverWhat ransomware is, how criminals usually get in, the handful of controls the FBI and CISA recommend, what to do in the first day, and whether to pay.Reviewed Read the guide
Cyber insuranceCyber Insurance for Small Businesses: What Insurers Ask and How to QualifyWhat cyber insurance covers, the security controls insurers commonly ask about, why claims get disputed, and how to get ready for your next renewal.Reviewed Read the guide
Data protection and privacyNorth Carolina Data Breach Notification Law: A Plain-English GuideWho North Carolina's breach notice law applies to, what counts as personal information and a breach, who you must notify and when, and the written disposal policy the law expects.Reviewed Read the guide
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Every guide links its own free resources, and you can also browse them all in one place.
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Call or book a time with a Preferred Data engineer. We will give you a straight answer in plain English, even if the answer is that you do not need us.
Preferred Data Corporation, in business since 1987 and headquartered in High Point, NC. 1208 Eastchester Drive, Suite 131, High Point, NC 27265