Your Trusted Partner for Montana Cities, Towns and Counties
Cybersecurity Services for Montana's Cities and Counties
First Call Computer Solutions is here to safeguard your digital infrastructure, strengthen your IT operations, and protect your community’s data.
Cybersecurity Services for Montana's Cities and Counties
Cities and Counties Cybersecurity
Are you a city, town, or county official concerned about rising cybersecurity threats and the challenges of managing your IT systems?
Look no further – First Call Computer Solutions is here to safeguard your digital infrastructure, strengthen your IT operations, and protect your community’s data.
At First Call Computer Solutions, we understand the unique challenges local governments face when it comes to cybersecurity and IT management. Our comprehensive solutions are tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring compliance, data privacy, and uninterrupted public services.
Data Breaches and Community Privacy
Protecting sensitive data is a major concern for small Montana governments. They work to minimize the risk of breaches that could compromise critical information, leading to legal and regulatory penalties, damage to reputation, and potential litigation.
Regulatory Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with regulatory frameworks, such as HIPAA and HITECH, can result in severe penalties and reputational damage. Rural hospitals work to manage this risk by implementing cybersecurity measures that align with industry regulations and standards.
Financial Losses
A cybersecurity incident can result in significant financial losses for rural hospitals. This includes expenses related to incident response, recovery, legal fees, fines, and potential lawsuits. By managing cybersecurity risks, rural hospitals seek to protect their financial stability and sustainability.
Ransomware and Cyberattacks
Montana’s small governments face the risk of ransomware attacks and other cyber threats that can disrupt operations, compromise public services, and lead to financial losses. They seek solutions to defend against these attacks and ensure the continuity of government functions.
Operational Disruptions
Cybersecurity incidents, such as malware infections or network breaches, can lead to operational disruptions within the hospital. These disruptions can impact patient care, interrupt critical systems, and result in financial losses. Rural hospitals aim to minimize such risks by implementing robust cybersecurity measures.
Reputation Damage
Cybersecurity incidents can severely damage the reputation of a rural hospital. Patients and the local community place trust in healthcare organizations to safeguard their data and ensure privacy. A breach of this trust can lead to a loss of patients, diminished community support, and a negative impact on the hospital’s reputation.
By understanding and addressing these business risks, rural hospitals can prioritize cybersecurity investments and adopt appropriate solutions to safeguard their operations, protect patient data, ensure compliance, and maintain the trust of their stakeholders.
Take the First Step Towards Secure government Operations
Ready to strengthen your government’s IT and cybersecurity defenses? Schedule a consultation with our experts at First Call Computer Solutions today.
During your consultation, we’ll assess your local government’s specific needs, answer your questions, and develop a comprehensive IT & cybersecurity plan that fits your budget and requirements. Don’t let cyber threats compromise public services or put your community at risk. Protect your digital infrastructure with First Call Computer Solutions – your trusted partner in cybersecurity for local governments.
Getting started is easy. Simply select a time and schedule an appointment with our specialists.
Recent News
AI Without the Hype: How to Stay Competitive
Does it ever feel like everyone else has already unlocked the secret to AI while you are still trying to figure out where to begin? Across Montana, many leaders share this feeling. They are curious about AI and see the potential, but most are also overwhelmed, cautious, and unsure about what is real and what is just noise. If that sounds familiar, you are in good company. AI becomes overwhelming when we treat it like a trend instead of a tool. You do not need hype to stay competitive. You need clarity, calm decision making, and a plan that supports your people and your goals. This blog gives you that clarity. Not technical jargon. Not fear. Just a grounded and practical path for Montana businesses that want to use AI to get ahead and stay ahead. Why AI Feels Complicated When It Should Feel Helpful Most leaders are not intimidated by AI because of the technology itself. They are intimidated because every headline suggests they should already understand it. New tools launch weekly. Big corporations talk about massive AI strategies. It creates unnecessary pressure. But the reality is simpler. AI becomes complicated when you start with the tool instead of the problem. When you start with your people, your workflows, and your goals, AI becomes clearer and easier to use. Imagine this. Your team ends the week with fewer unfinished tasks. Your inbox is easier to manage. Meetings feel more productive because decisions are clearer. Compliance steps are easier to follow. Customers get answers faster. That is what practical AI is designed to support. You do not need futuristic tools for that. You just need the right foundation. What AI Actually Does Well for Small and Mid-Sized Teams It is helpful to focus on what AI reliably does well for Montana businesses. 1. AI identifies patterns and risks you might miss Cybersecurity logs, compliance documents, budget details, service tickets, and onboarding steps can be scanned and summarized in seconds. A real example: A Montana healthcare clinic used AI to catch documentation inconsistencies that could have caused audit problems. A task that took three hours was completed in fifteen minutes. To explore how AI fits into risk reduction, visit our Advanced Cybersecurity and Compliance page: Advanced Cybersecurity and Compliance 2. AI reduces repetitive work Email drafts, meeting summaries, data sorting, content outlines, scheduling, and documentation can all be streamlined. A real example: A Montana construction company used AI to organize safety meeting notes and generate follow-up tasks. The superintendent said it felt like gaining an extra hour a day. 3. AI supports faster and more confident decision making AI can compare options, gather context, and summarize key information so leaders make decisions with greater clarity. 4. AI strengthens the customer experience AI helps teams respond faster, follow up consistently, and deliver service that feels more organized and reliable. A real example: A local nonprofit used AI to draft donor updates and segment communication lists. The team stayed personal and authentic, but the heavy lifting was easier. For more insight into how AI influences leadership and accountability, this blog may help: How AI Can Revolutionize Your Business Strategy and Why Accountability Matters Your Helpful Starting Point If you want a simple way to see where AI could remove friction and save time in your business, download our AI Integration Checklist. Where Most Businesses Go Wrong With AI The most common mistake is asking the wrong question right out of the gate. Businesses often start with: “Which AI tools should we buy?” The better question is: “Where are my people losing time, clarity, or energy?” When teams skip that step, they buy tools they never fully adopt. Employees get overwhelmed. Leaders feel disappointed. AI becomes a burden instead of a benefit. Here is a simple truth that saves time and money. AI only creates value when it solves a real problem. Start with the pain. Then pick the tool. If you want a practical, Montana-focused guide on this approach, this blog may help: Cut Through the AI Hype: A Practical Adoption Guide for Montana Businesses A Clear, Practical Framework for AI Adoption You do not need a large-scale AI rollout to stay competitive. You just need a simple, structured process. Step 1: Clarify the outcomes you wantDo you want faster decision making, less repetitive work, better compliance readiness, or smoother communication? Knowing this gives you direction. Step 2: Identify bottlenecksTalk to your team. Ask: What tasks drain your time? Where do mistakes happen? What feels harder than it should? These answers point directly to your best AI opportunities. Step 3: Start smallChoose one department or workflow where success will be visible and meaningful. Step 4: Train your peopleAI skills are the new digital foundation. Your team needs guidance on prompting, reviewing AI output, and using AI safely. Step 5: Measure the impactLook for improvements in accuracy, speed, communication, or customer experience. Step 6: Expand slowly and strategicallyGrow your use of AI only when your team is ready. Confidence builds with momentum. A Quick Word on AI Risks and Safety Montana businesses value trust and protection. You should approach AI with that same mindset. Here are the key guardrails: If you want additional background, this external guide offers a helpful overview: Artificial Intelligence Overview by IBM Why AI Matters for Competitiveness in 2025 and Beyond Every Montana industry is facing change. Labor shortages. Compliance pressures. Growing cybersecurity risks. Higher customer expectations. Leaders are being asked to do more with less. AI gives you leverage where it matters most. It helps your team stay organized. It supports leadership clarity. It improves customer experience. It strengthens resilience and readiness. You do not need to chase trends to stay competitive. You simply need to adopt AI in a way that supports your people and removes friction from their work. Take Your First Confident Step Most businesses wait for the perfect moment to start adopting AI, but the real advantage comes from small steps taken early. If
Don’t Waste Your End-of-Year Budget: 7 IT Investments That Pay Off Long After December
Don’t let your leftover IT budget go to waste. Discover 7 smart year-end technology investments that strengthen security, compliance, and business performance for the long run. When “Spend It or Lose It” Becomes a Risk Every December, we see it happen. Montana businesses scrambling to spend their leftover budgets before the year ends. The intentions are good. No one wants to lose funds that could have gone toward improving the business. But here’s the problem: in the rush to use up that money, leaders often make last-minute purchases that don’t fix real problems. We’ve seen companies spend thousands on new hardware or software they don’t truly need, only to face a cybersecurity incident, compliance failure, or major downtime a few months later. The truth is, how you spend your end-of-year budget can protect your business or leave it exposed. At First Call Computer Solutions, we help Montana businesses turn leftover budgets into long-term wins by investing in IT and cybersecurity projects that strengthen defenses, reduce risk, and set the stage for a smarter, safer year ahead. Check out our latest video: Are You Wasting Your IT Budget? How to Turn It Into Real Protection Why Smart IT Investments Outperform “Quick Fix” Spending IT and cybersecurity projects are some of the most impactful, high-return uses of end-of-year funds. Why? Because they don’t just spend money. They save money. A few thousand dollars invested in better backups, stronger defenses, or tighter compliance controls can save your business hundreds of thousands in: Plus, starting the new year with strengthened systems gives leadership confidence. Instead of carrying last year’s risks forward, you begin January ahead with security, clarity, and momentum. 7 IT Investments That Pay Off Long After December Here are the top seven projects we recommend to clients who want to get real value from their end-of-year budgets. Each one can be started (or even finished) in just a few weeks, but the protection lasts for years. 1. Upgrade Backups and Disaster Recovery If your backup systems haven’t been tested lately, or if they’re still on outdated hardware, this should be your first priority. Ransomware and hardware failures don’t care about calendars. A tested, reliable backup and recovery plan ensures that even in the worst-case scenario, your business can bounce back fast. 💡 ROI: Protects your data, minimizes downtime, and keeps your business operational during a breach. 2. Roll Out Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Passwords alone don’t cut it anymore. According to Microsoft, MFA can block more than 99.9% of automated cyberattacks. Implementing MFA across all accounts is one of the quickest, most effective ways to protect your people and data. It’s fast to deploy, affordable, and gives you instant peace of mind. 💡 ROI: Reduces breach risk and meets compliance requirements quickly. 3. Run a Compliance Readiness Assessment Compliance frameworks like CMMC, NIST, or HIPAA aren’t just red tape. They’re proof that your business takes security seriously. A readiness assessment identifies where your business stands today and where it needs to go next. At First Call, we help clients map out a clear compliance journey from assessing risk to preparing for audits so you know exactly what needs attention before 2025 begins. Learn more about CMMC Readiness for Montana Businesses 💡 💡 ROI: Avoids costly compliance fines and lost contracts while building trust with partners and clients. : Avoids costly compliance fines and lost contracts while building trust with partners and clients. 4. Strengthen Employee Cybersecurity Awareness The biggest security gaps aren’t always in your technology. They’re in your people. Phishing and human error are still the leading causes of breaches, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report. Invest in a quick training program that teaches your staff how to spot suspicious emails, protect passwords, and follow best practices. It’s one of the lowest-cost, highest-impact moves you can make. 💡 ROI: Reduces the likelihood of breaches caused by human error and builds a proactive security culture. 5. Update Your Firewall and Endpoint Security Technology evolves quickly, and cybercriminals evolve even faster. If your firewall, antivirus, or endpoint protection hasn’t been reviewed in the last 12 months, now’s the time. Modern tools offer advanced detection, behavioral analysis, and automated response, the kind of protection older systems simply can’t match. A quick review with your IT provider can tell you whether your systems are current, compliant, and secure. 💡 ROI: Improves visibility, reduces threat exposure, and simplifies compliance. 6. Replace Legacy Hardware and Software Older equipment is more than slow. It’s risky. Unsupported operating systems and aging servers often fail to meet modern compliance requirements and can become easy entry points for attackers. Prioritize upgrades for anything approaching end-of-life, especially if it’s handling critical data or connected to the network. 💡 Pro Tip: Document what’s being replaced now and what can wait until next year. This phased approach keeps you strategic, not reactive. 💡 ROI: Reduces maintenance costs, improves performance, and minimizes cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 7. Plan for 2025 with an IT Strategy Session Don’t spend every December wondering where your IT dollars went. Sit down with your leadership team or IT partner to build a roadmap for the next 12 months. Identify your top priorities, expected budget, and metrics for success. At First Call, our vCIO and IT strategy services help Montana businesses align technology with business goals so IT investments become a growth tool, not a cost center. 💡 ROI: Improves long-term planning, efficiency, and return on every technology dollar spent. Start Smart, Not Scrambled 🎯 Not sure where to start? Let’s review your IT setup together. A quick conversation today can help you identify your biggest risks and the smartest ways to use your remaining budget. 📞 Contact First Call Computer Solutions to make sure your technology dollars strengthen your business, not just spend it. The Risk of Waiting Until Next Year Waiting until next year to invest in IT might feel like a safe move, but it usually costs more in the long run. Here’s why: 💭 How confident are you that your December purchases are solving next year’s biggest risks? Leaders who act
Why Manufacturing Firms Can’t Ignore CMMC (and How to Get Compliant)
CMMC is now essential for manufacturers. Learn why it matters, what’s at risk, and how to start your compliance journey with confidence.
We make ceybersecurity simpler
Key Functions of Small Government entities
It is crucial for Montana governments to implement robust IT and cybersecurity measures to mitigate risks, ensure the continuity of public services, protect sensitive data, maintain operational efficiency, and safeguard their reputation in the face of cyber threats!
A cyberattack can disrupt the availability and accessibility of critical systems used for patient care, such as electronic health records (EHRs), medical imaging systems, and medication administration systems. This can lead to delays in treatment, miscommunication among healthcare professionals, and potential risks to patient safety.
A cyberattack can result in the compromise of patient data, including personal health information (PHI) and medical records. This can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, identity theft, and potential harm to patients’ privacy and confidentiality.
Hospitals rely on various communication systems, such as email, voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones, and messaging platforms, to facilitate effective communication among staff members. A cyberattack can disrupt or disable these communication channels, impeding collaboration, decision-making, and coordination of care.
A significant cyberattack, such as a ransomware infection, can cause extended periods of operational downtime for a hospital. This may result in the inability to access critical systems, schedule surgeries, or perform routine medical procedures, leading to disruption of services and financial losses.
Cyberattacks can have significant financial implications for hospitals. This includes costs associated with incident response, recovery, and remediation, as well as potential fines, legal fees, and regulatory penalties. Additionally, the loss of patient trust and reputation can have long-term financial consequences for the hospital.
A cyberattack can damage a hospital’s reputation and erode patient trust. The public perception of a hospital’s ability to protect sensitive patient information is critical. A cybersecurity incident can lead to negative media coverage, loss of patients, and diminished community support.
Hospitals are subject to various legal and regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, which mandate the protection of patient data. A cyberattack resulting in a data breach can trigger legal obligations, investigations, and potential litigation, leading to financial and reputational damage.
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Companies We Work With
First Call Computer Solutions works with companies like yours across Montana to provide consistent, dependable IT & Cybersecurity support. Healthcare is such a crucial component of rural Montana’s communities. Safe, secure, and streamlined processes and systems help keep your employees, shareholders, and patients safe and assured.
We make your team more secure
Case Study
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Why choose first call?
At First Call Computer Solutions, we understand the unique challenges rural hospitals face when it comes to cybersecurity. Our comprehensive solutions are tailored specifically to meet the needs of healthcare organizations like yours, ensuring HIPAA compliance, data privacy, and uninterrupted patient care.
Expertise in Rural Hospital Cybersecurity:
With years of experience serving rural hospitals, we possess an in-depth understanding of your specific cybersecurity requirements. Our team of dedicated professionals knows the intricacies of the healthcare industry, enabling us to deliver tailored solutions that align with your organization’s goals.
Cutting-Edge Protection Against Cyber Threats:
Our state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions are designed to combat the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. We employ advanced threat detection, real-time monitoring, and proactive measures to shield your hospital’s network from ransomware, data breaches, and other malicious attacks.
Seamless Integration and Support:
We understand that implementing new cybersecurity measures can be a complex process. Our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth integration of our solutions into your existing systems. We provide comprehensive training, reliable customer support, and ongoing monitoring to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
Compliance Assurance:
We recognize the importance of adhering to regulatory frameworks, such as HIPAA and HITECH. Our solutions are developed with compliance in mind, providing you with peace of mind and reducing the risk of penalties and reputational damage associated with non-compliance.
Protecting Your Organization and Meeting Your Industry’s Regulation Requirements Can Be Challenging.
Let’s put our shoulders together!
We make cybersecurity simpler.
We make your team more secure.