AI Threats & Cloud Security: What You Need to Know
Welcome to this month’s tech news. Here you will find:
- Artificial Intelligence: 5 reasons to be wary of it.
- Cloud Security: Is it holding you back?
- 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!
5 Reasons to Be Wary of AI
AI is revolutionising industries—but it’s also making cyber crime faster, smarter, and harder to detect. Here are five ways criminals are using AI, and how to protect yourself:
1. AI-generated malware
Malware isn’t new, but AI makes it easier to create and harder to detect. Cyber criminals use it to disguise malicious files as legitimate software, browser extensions, or even PDFs.
Stay safe: Keep your security software up to date and only download from trusted sources.
2. Tricking security systems
Traditional security tools look for known malware patterns. With AI, criminals can tweak malware to produce thousands of variations that go unnoticed.
Stay safe: Use up-to-date, AI-powered security tools that detect unusual behaviour.
3. Fast password cracking
AI can test millions of password combinations per second and predict common patterns, making weak passwords easy targets.
Stay safe: Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).
4. More convincing phishing scams
AI can craft flawless, personalised phishing emails that look like they’re from colleagues or suppliers, tricking users into clicking or sharing sensitive info.
Stay safe: Be cautious with unexpected emails—check links, sender addresses, and confirm requests directly.
5. Deepfake impersonation
AI can now mimic voices and faces, making it possible to fake video calls or voice notes from trusted people—like your CEO.
Stay safe: Always verify urgent or unusual requests using known contact details or in person.
AI is a powerful and useful tool—but it’s also helping scammers evolve faster than ever.
You don’t have to be an easy target. With the right tools, smart policies, and a strong security culture, your business can stay protected. If you’re unsure whether your cyber security is up to scratch, we’re here to help with a comprehensive security audit. Get in touch.
Is Cloud Security Holding You Back?
The cloud has the power to streamline your operations, boost productivity, and unlock advanced tools like AI. But for many businesses, security concerns are still a major barrier.
Recent research shows that over 90% of businesses are planning significant cloud changes in the next two years—many driven by AI adoption. However, instead of going all-in on the public cloud, nearly 70% are considering moving some of their workloads back to private cloud or even on-premises servers.
A quick recap of your options:
- Public cloud – Shared infrastructure from providers like AWS or Microsoft Azure.
- Private cloud – A cloud environment dedicated solely to your business, either hosted or managed internally.
- Hybrid cloud – A combination of public and private cloud, offering flexibility and better control.
- On-premises – Traditional in-house servers located at your business premises.
With cyber threats becoming more advanced, many companies are turning to hybrid cloud solutions. These offer a balance between security, performance, and cost.
Things to think about before making changes:
- What type of data do you store? If you’re handling sensitive information like customer data or financial records, a private or hybrid cloud may offer better control and compliance.
- Are your current systems cloud-ready? Legacy software may not integrate easily with cloud platforms. A hybrid approach allows you to modernise gradually without disruption.
- Is your security up to standard? No matter which setup you choose, good security practices—like strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and regular security reviews—remain critical.
If you’re unsure about the best cloud approach for your business, now is the time to take a closer look. A well-planned cloud strategy can improve security, reduce costs, and prepare your business for future technologies like AI.
Need advice on your next steps? We’re here to help—get in touch.
What’s new to Microsoft?
Try this new and improved Teams calendar
Microsoft Teams has a new and improved calendar that works better with Outlook and makes scheduling easier than ever. You can now manage someone else’s calendar, see multiple time zones, and get a better monthly view of your schedule.
Plus, Copilot and Places bring smarter booking and workplace features right into Teams. Want to try it out? Just go to the Calendar app in Teams and turn on “New Calendar” in the top-right corner. If you don’t like it, you can switch back any time.
Call quality is about to improve in Teams
Microsoft Teams is introducing an AI-powered “Super Resolution” feature designed to improve video call quality. This technology makes low-resolution, poor-quality video streams better, providing sharper visuals during meetings. It’s especially great for anyone with a slower internet connection, as it upscales video in real-time to give a better viewing experience. One thing to note: It’s only available if you’re using a Copilot+ PC, and because of the battery it uses, it only works when you’re plugged into power.
Did you know?
Tech Facts:
- Businesses worldwide are set to spend more on tech in 2025, with a 5.6% increase pushing total spending to $4.9 (£3.93) trillion. What are they focusing on? Cyber security, cloud computing, AI, and digital transformation – all the things businesses need to stay competitive and secure in a fast-changing landscape.
- The very first word to be fixed with autocorrect was “teh” (we’ve all been there). But back in the day, autocorrect wasn’t as smooth as it is now – you had to press the left arrow key and F3 to fix it. Nowhere near as effortless as today’s instant corrections.
- Believe it or not, the first iPhone design was shaped like an actual apple. It was supposed to be a flip phone with a push keypad, and when closed, it looked just like the Apple logo. A far cry from the sleek iPhones we have today.
Q & A
Q: What’s the best way to back up my business data?
A: Use the 3-2-1 rule: Make three copies of your data, across two different media types, with one offsite backup. (We can help you set this up.)
Q: What’s the biggest cyber security mistake small businesses make?
A: Things like ignoring software updates and using (or reusing) weak passwords. It usually comes down to employees needing better and more frequent security awareness training.
Q: How can I tell if my data is secure?
A: Running regular security audits, encrypting data, and enforcing strong access controls will help – as will working with a trusted support partner who can monitor your systems.
Time for a Tech Quiz!
- What year was the first ever text message sent?
- What technology helps make phone calls over the internet possible?
- What kind of content does an .xls file contain?
- Ctrl+A is a keyboard shortcut for what?
- What was AltaVista an early example of?
See answers below
Until next time,
The GZD team
Quiz answers:
1. 1992 – the message was “Merry Christmas”.
2. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
3. Spreadsheet data. 4. Select all. 5. A search engine.