Welcome to the June edition of Technology Today

Quick tech news for the busy professional! Here you will find:

• Remote Security: out of sight, out of mind?
• Microsoft: what’s new?
• Tech Facts: did you know?
• Q & A: what everyone’s asking
• Quiz Time: test your team!
   

Out of sight, out of mind?

Having your employees work from home or their local coffee shop is the norm now. And while there are loads of benefits to this new attitude to work, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of keeping operations secure: The home set-ups of remote employees.

Here’s the thing – neglecting remote security can lead to some serious headaches down the line. And you already have enough business headaches, right?

Imagine this: Your employee’s laptop, which holds loads of sensitive company data, gets breached because their home Wi-Fi network wasn’t properly secured. 

Or worse, a malware infection spreads from their kid’s device to their work laptop, putting your entire network at risk. That’s scary. 

A little vigilance and some regular checks can prevent these risks and keep your business and its data much safer.

So, let’s talk about devices. Encourage your remote workers to treat their work devices like Fort Knox. That means regular updates and patches, robust protective software, and strong, unique passwords (password managers are your best friend for this). Remind them to avoid risky behaviours like downloading software from unofficial sources or clicking on suspicious links.

Next, address home networks. A weak Wi-Fi password is asking for trouble. Encourage your employees to set a strong password for their home network (again, a password manager can remove the hassle of this). And while they’re at it, remind them to enable encryption and hide their network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) to add an extra layer of security.

And it’s not just about devices and networks – physical security matters too. Use biometrics to protect logins. Remind your team to keep their work devices secure when they’re not in use, whether that means locking them away in a drawer or simply keeping them out of sight from prying eyes. And if they’re working from a shared space like a coffee shop, remind them to be cautious of public Wi-Fi and to keep an eye on their belongings.

Regular checks are key to staying on top of security. Schedule routine audits of remote set-ups to ensure everything gets a thumbs up. This could include checking for software updates, reviewing network configurations, and providing refresher training on best security practices.

Want a hand with that? We can help – get in touch.

What’s new to Microsoft?

Microsoft Teams is becoming more inclusive

If you like to inject a little personality into your Teams chats, it’s likely you use reactions from time to time. But until now, they’ve been a little restrictive.

This month, a small tweak is due to rollout which will allow people to select a skin tone for their reactions. Microsoft says, “This preference will be applied to all emojis and reactions in chats, channels, and desktop/web meetings, allowing users to express themselves more authentically in conversations.”

Microsoft has a new email send limit

Microsoft Exchange is cracking down on spam. Hooray!

But if your business sends bulk emails, it might affect you. From January next year, Microsoft will allow no more than 2,000 external recipients of bulk emails. It’s to prevent people abusing the service, which wasn’t designed for bulk mailing.

If you do need to send bulk emails, chat to us.

Did you know?

Tech Facts:

1. The internet weighs as much as a strawberry. That’s according to physicist Russell Seitz. He says the combined weight of all the electrons in motion is about 50 grams.
2. The first computer bug was a real bug. In 1947, Grace Hopper and her team found a moth causing issues in their computer at Harvard University.
3. In 2015, the United Nations reported that a start-up in Kenya was converting human waste into clean, renewable energy. This energy, in turn, powered Wi-Fi routers in low-income areas.

Q & A

Q: Should I move my business data to the cloud?

A: The cloud brings many benefits such as zero storage limits and automatic backup. But it’s important to choose the right provider. We can help – get in touch. 

Q: How often should my team have cyber security training?

A: Since threats evolve at a rapid pace, regular training is important. Try to incorporate different methods each month, including simulation training.

Quiz answers:
1. Ctrl + V 
2. Emojis. 
3. Personal Identification Number. 
4. Function. 
5. Airbnb.