March Madness & Cyber Security: Keep Your Network Secure and Productive

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  • 3 min read
  • Cara Griffiths

March Madness is an exciting time of year—brackets are being filled, office rivalries are heating up, and employees are eager to follow their favorite teams. While a little friendly competition is great for morale, it can also present challenges for businesses. Increased web traffic, unauthorized streaming, and cybersecurity risks can impact both productivity and network security.  

At Technology Plus, we understand the importance of keeping business operations running smoothly while allowing employees to enjoy the excitement of March Madness responsibly. With a few strategic IT measures, you can strike the perfect balance between engagement and efficiency. Here’s how: 

1. Keep Web Browsing Secure & Employees on Trusted Sites

Major sporting events are prime targets for cybercriminals, who take advantage of the hype to launch phishing scams, create fake streaming sites, and distribute malware disguised as live updates. Employees searching for scores or looking to stream games on unverified sites could unknowingly expose your network to security threats.  

How Technology Plus Can Help: 

  • Web Filtering & Security Monitoring: We implement web filtering solutions that block malicious sites while still allowing employees to check scores safely.   
  • Employee Awareness Training: Educating employees is key to preventing cyber threats. We provide information on recognizing phishing attempts, suspicious pop-ups, and unsafe downloads to keep your workforce informed and secure.   

2. Prevent Bandwidth Overload

With employees live streaming games, refreshing scoreboards, and sharing highlight clips, bandwidth usage can skyrocket—slowing down essential business functions like cloud applications, telecommunications, and file sharing. Without proper management, March Madness could lead to lagging video calls, delayed workflows, and frustrated teams.   

How Technology Plus Can Help: 

  • Bandwidth Management: We optimize your network by prioritizing critical business applications while setting limits on non-work-related streaming during peak hours.   
  • Network Performance Monitoring: Our team continuously monitors network traffic, ensuring that business operations remain fast and uninterrupted, no matter how many last-minute buzzer-beaters are happening.   

3. Implement Smart IT Policies for a Balanced Work Environment

Rather than banning March Madness altogether—which could lead to disengaged employees and sneaky workarounds—businesses can take a proactive approach by setting clear guidelines that promote responsible participation.   

How Technology Plus Can Help: 

  • Custom IT Policies: We work closely with businesses to develop IT policies that strike a balance between security, productivity, and employee engagement.   
  • Secure Remote Access: If your employees work remotely or follow a hybrid schedule, we ensure they can securely check scores and participate in office pools without compromising company data.   

March Madness doesn’t have to mean IT chaos. By implementing the right security measures, network optimizations, and workplace policies, businesses can allow employees to enjoy the tournament while keeping operations running smoothly. At Technology Plus, we specialize in helping businesses maintain secure, high-performance networks—no matter the season.   

Need help optimizing your IT security and network performance? Contact Technology Plus today to ensure your business stays ahead of the game.