Welcome to this month’s tech news. Here you will find:

  • Is WhatsApp Putting Your Business at Risk? Protect your company’s information.
  • Microsoft: What’s new?
  • Tech Facts: did you know?
  • Q & A: what everyone’s asking
  • Quiz Time: test your team!

Enjoy the read, and remember to give us a call if you have any IT concerns – we’re here to help!


Is WhatsApp Putting Your Business at Risk?

Imagine this: A key employee leaves your company, and with them goes months’ worth of customer conversations, sensitive financial data, and internal discussions—all locked in their personal WhatsApp account.

Sound far-fetched? It’s not. A 2023 survey by Cybersecurity Insiders found that 87% of IT professionals consider messaging apps a major security risk due to data leakage and compliance issues.

When it comes to business communication, sticking with what’s familiar—like WhatsApp—seems like the easiest choice. After all, it’s fast, convenient, and already on everyone’s phone. But what if this convenience is putting your business at risk?

The Hidden Dangers of Using WhatsApp for Work

Your business thrives on trust and confidentiality. Yet, every day, sensitive data—customer details, financial reports, contracts—gets shared over personal messaging apps like WhatsApp. While WhatsApp does offer end-to-end encryption, it lacks enterprise-grade security controls, which can expose your business to serious threats:

  • Security Breaches & Cyber Threats – WhatsApp encryption protects messages in transit, but it does not safeguard against malware, phishing attacks, or unauthorized access if a device is compromised.
  • Data Loss & Compliance Risks – When employees leave, business-critical information stored in personal chats is at risk of being lost, inaccessible, or even misused. Without centralized control, businesses struggle with compliance and data retention policies.
  • Workplace Disruptions & Distractions – Informal chat groups blur professional boundaries, reducing productivity and increasing the chance of miscommunication.

A single mistake could mean financial losses, reputational damage, and legal trouble. Can your business afford that risk?

The Smarter Way to Communicate Internally

WhatsApp may be great for quick updates, but it shouldn’t be the backbone of your internal communication. Instead, businesses need structured, secure collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, which provides:

  • Enterprise-Grade Security – Protects conversations with advanced security and compliance features. 
  • Organized Team Channels – Keeps communication structured and accountable. 
  • Seamless App Integration – Connects with business tools for increased efficiency.

As a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Modern Work, we strongly advocate for a more secure, organized, and productive workplace.

Why We Still Use WhatsApp—But Differently

While WhatsApp isn’t ideal for internal business communication, it’s still a powerful tool for customer engagement.That’s why we’ve registered our WhatsApp Business account with our landline (031 818 9060)—so you can reach us quickly and securely.

We also have a WhatsApp Channel, offering a broadcast-style communication tool that allows us to share updates, news, and valuable insights with our customers—without the clutter of group chats or the security risks of direct messaging. Businesses can use WhatsApp Channels to:

  • Share Important Announcements – Keep customers informed with real-time updates. 
  • Engage Without Distractions – Provide valuable content without chat-based interruptions. 
  • Enhance Customer Trust – Communicate transparently while maintaining professionalism.

The Bottom Line: Right Tool, Right Purpose

➡️  For Internal Communication: Microsoft Teams is the gold standard for security, productivity, and efficiency. 
➡️  For Customer Engagement: A dedicated WhatsApp Business account and WhatsApp Channel ensure professional, responsive service without the risks.

Are you ready to secure your business communications? 

Let’s talk about the right tools to keep your business safe and productive. Get in touch with us today!


What’s new to Microsoft?

File Explorer will remember your open tabs
There are some great updates coming to File Explorer in Windows 11. The coolest new feature is that File Explorer can now restore all your open tabs after a restart, just like a web browser does. It’s currently being tested with Windows Insiders, but we’d love to see a rollout soon.

Windows is getting AirDrop-like file sharing
Sharing files between your iPhone and Windows PC is finally easier, thanks to a new update from Microsoft. The Phone Link app for Windows and Link to Windows app for iPhone now lets you share files in a similar way to Apple’s AirDrop feature. Instead of relying on clunky third-party apps or email attachments, you can simply use the share option on your iPhone or PC to send files back and forth. This update is a big win for anyone juggling Apple and Windows devices, making file transfers faster and more convenient than ever.


Did you know?

Tech Facts:

  1. ChatGPT is bigger than ever, with 300 million weekly users and more than 1 billion messages sent every day. It was created by OpenAI. And 1.3 million developers are now building on its tech. Just remember, never use personal info in your messages – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
  2. One-third of business emails last year were spam – that’s more than 20 billion. Of these, 427 million were malicious, with phishing leading the charge. Businesses now face an average of 36 phishing attempts daily, making strong cyber security more critical than ever.
  3. Over 70% of top websites share your personal data with third parties, even if you say no. A recent report revealed there’s widespread noncompliance with privacy laws, reminding us that protecting our data requires extra tools.


Q & A

Q: Where do I start using AI in my business?
A: Trying out Copilot is a great starting place. It works alongside many of your Microsoft apps to make things easier. We can help – get in touch.

Q: How do I stop my team using their personal phones for work tasks?
A: Educate them on the dangers of doing so and explain the consequences for them if they keep doing it.

Q: Should I restrict access to business files for certain employees?
A: The most secure thing is to allow employees only to access files relevant to their role. Microsoft 365 Business Premium comes with tools to help.


Time for a Tech Quiz!

  1. What does DNS stand for?
  2. Which programming language is primarily used for developing iOS applications?
  3. What coding issue was expected to create havoc in computer networks around the world in 2000?
  4. What feature is often used to identify if a website visitor is human?
  5. What device, released in 1993, made the term “personal digital assistant” popular?

See answers below

Until next time,
The GZD team

Quiz answers:
1. Domain Name System. 2. Swift.
3. Y2K, or the “Millennium Bug”.
This was a programming issue where many computer systems represented years with only two digits, potentially causing errors when the year rolled over from 1999 to 2000.
4. Captcha. 5. Apple’s Newton Message pad.

How can we help you?

Just give us a call  ‣  031 818 9060