Spade Technology

November 13, 2022

Security Admin with Microsoft Office 365

Security Admin with Microsoft Office 365

Cybersecurity refers to the framework of rules, applications, and standard practices that safeguard the internet network, connected hardware and software applications, and data from authorized access and manipulations. In an online work environment, whether it is public internet or intranet at the organizational level, the networks are always susceptible to threats from outside. Cybersecurity helps in providing a security cover to the network, connected devices, and data. One of the important security tools that offer excellent services is Microsoft Office 365.

Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based computing program that integrates many functions, software, and regulations into a cloud-based service or subscription-typical program appropriate for private, educational, and official government agencies. It involves cloud data, encryption technologies, and the connection of teamwork to a personal computer directly. With an Office 365 subscription, users may use a range of enterprise resources and facilities, including data management, file sharing, and collaboration in the organization on the foundation of cloud computing.

Efficiency in business is crucial. Every organization benefits from being able to develop, cooperate, and communicate effectively. Organizations become more nimble and are able to compete in their industry when they have access to productivity tools that make it easier for individuals to complete their tasks from any location. It is crucial that businesses take full advantage of Office 365’s advantages.

The Benefits Of Security Admin With Office 365

Accessing files from anywhere: Office 365 allows your company to save all of its files in the cloud. This implies they can be accessed from any location with an internet connection using any of the registered devices. Accessing all the apps and files you need when away from the office is invaluable in organizations where mobile work is required.

Improved Communication: Office 365 provides customers with options to make communication centralized and simple across Skype and Outlook. You can hold conference calls and meetings with colleagues and external agencies from anywhere in the world with Microsoft Team, so you can always cooperate and communicate regardless of location or time difference. Microsoft Teams includes an instant messaging feature that allows comments and files to be uploaded at the same time, which is ideal for cross-departmental collaboration and document co-authoring. All of these capabilities allow you to stay in continual and quick touch with teams and people no matter where they are or when they are.

Business Continuity: With information kept in the cloud and frequently backed up, your company may continue to operate normally in the event of an office incident. Your email, files, and data are safely kept in the cloud regardless of what happens to your physical devices. Exchange also provides recovery tools that allow individual emails or whole inboxes to be recovered if necessary.

Centralized Collaboration: Through collaboration technologies, Office 365 allows you to share mailboxes, calendars, contacts, and edit documents in real time. Sharing calendars in Exchange allows you to know who is available when in your organization, allowing you to organize meetings that work for everyone. Since several users may access the same inbox using shared mailboxes, messages can be filtered to land in the shared mailbox and not be missed. SharePoint is another essential tool for facilitating cooperation. Documents saved here can be accessed and worked on by any staff member and shared through email as a link. Multiple users may also modify documents saved in SharePoint in real-time, making co-authoring simple.

Predictable spend: In the same way as a subscription service, Office 365 is paid for on a monthly, per-user basis. Your license fee will be established by the features you select for your company. The cost of a license depends on the enterprise tier, which in turn is determined by the range of applications and products available at that tier. By establishing a fixed cost per user every month, you may better plan your IT budget for the coming year.

Secure Cloud Storage: If an unauthorized person were to get access to your device, they would be unable to access your files in Office 365 because of the extensive security mechanisms in place, such as two-factor authentication. Security risks are promptly discovered and halted with the help of threat detection and anti-malware software, which is crucial for businesses that deal with sensitive information.

Microsoft’s Office 365 Security Strategy

Microsoft’s Office 365 security strategy is based on four pillars.

The first pillar–Prevent Breach, takes care of network-level isolation/breach borders, distributed denial of service (DDoS) detection and mitigation, live-site penetration testing, and multifactor authentication for service access

The second pillar–Detect Breach, is a built-in analytical mechanism that collects and correlates system and security alarms. The signals are analyzed both internally and outside (from customer issues, for example). New alarm patterns are added based on machine learning.

The third pillar–Respond to Breach, addresses the ensuing risk remediation in case a component is breached. Tools that allow for the quick identification of those responsible and the blocking or termination of their access to sensitive data are helpful in this regard.

When a data breach occurs, follow the steps outlined in the “Recover from Breach” section of the Office 365 backup plan. The environment’s security may be adjusted, impacted systems updated automatically, and irregularities investigated.

The security features offered in Office 365 include encryption at rest or in transit, anti-malware controls, anti-spam controls, antivirus scanning, multifactor authentication (on user login only), and CCM/SOC certifications for at-rest data.

Your company requires a maintenance and operations plan for Microsoft 365 for business once the initial installation and configuration are finished. You may need to add or delete users, change passwords, and even restore devices to their original settings when staff are employed and leave. You should also ensure that employees have only the permissions they need to do their duties.

Microsoft Office 365 can integrate seamlessly with other legacy systems and offer a robust framework to run business operations. The synergies are what will give you an edge over competitors. With its high levels of flexibility and security, it is, thereby, a very worthy investment for any organization.

November 9, 2022

DuckDuckGo for Mac: Privacy-Minded Browser with New Security Features

DuckDuckGo for Mac: Privacy-Minded Browser with New Security Features

DuckDuckGo for Mac is now available with new privacy features to help keep user data safe.
These features include automatic pop-up protection, a dedicated YouTube player, email protection, and more.
DuckDuckGo for Mac is a good choice for privacy-minded users who want to protect their data from hackers and other threats.

DuckDuckGo for Mac Released With New Privacy Features

With the growing concerns around online privacy and data security, DuckDuckGo has become one of the leading providers of tools to help users stay protected online. Their latest browser, which is now available in public beta, offers an array of features designed to help keep user data safe.

This includes automatic pop-up protection against unwanted advertisements and third-party trackers, as well as a dedicated player for streaming YouTube videos. Additionally, the browser incorporates automatic cookie consent handling and other privacy-focused features for a truly secure browsing experience.

Whether you’re looking for increased security or just want to take advantage of DuckDuckGo’s many useful features, this browser is an excellent choice.

What Are the New Privacy Features, and How Do They Work?

Users deserve privacy each time they go online, which is why DuckDuckGo offers robust security tools designed to keep your data safe and private. Incognito Mode on other browsers is designed to block tracking and keep your browsing private, but it does not have the same level of protection as DuckDuckGo for Mac. With the new privacy features, you can browse safely and confidently online, knowing that your data is protected and secure.

Let’s take a look at some of the key privacy features of DuckDuckGo for Mac and how they work to protect your data.

Password Management

Passwords are some of the most sensitive data that we store online, and it’s not uncommon for these to be stolen or compromised by hackers. The DuckDuckGo browser includes built-in password management tools that allow you to safely and securely store your passwords in an encrypted vault. An integration with Bitwarden allows you to securely store and manage all of your passwords, making it easy to access them when needed.

Automated Pop-Up Blocker

We’ve all experienced the annoyance of unwanted pop-ups and advertising trackers that slow down our browsing and collect data about our online activity. The DuckDuckGo browser includes an automated pop-up blocker that scans each site you visit to identify and remove advertising trackers, helping to keep your browsing experience fast and private.

Streaming YouTube Videos

While streaming videos from YouTube is convenient, it can also pose a serious privacy risk. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a dedicated YouTube component that allows you to stream videos without sharing any personal information. This not only helps keep your browsing experience private and secure but also helps to protect your data from advertisers and other third parties that track activity on YouTube.

Email Protection

With over 70 percent of people preferring email as their main method of communication, email has become an important part of our daily lives. However, this also means that your email is at risk of being compromised by hackers and other cybercriminals. The DuckDuckGo browser includes integrated email protection features that help to protect your emails from data breaches, as well as built-in encryption for added security.

Cookie Pop-Up Manager

Cookies are commonly used to track online activity and build a profile of your browsing habits. The DuckDuckGo browser includes a cookie pop-up manager that allows you to control the types of cookies that are stored on your device. With this feature, you can easily opt out of tracking cookies and protect your privacy online.

Fire Button

Your browsing history can reveal a lot about your personal preferences, interests, and even medical conditions. The Fire Button on DuckDuckGo for Mac allows you to quickly and easily clear your browsing history and delete stored cookies to help protect your online privacy.

Smarter Encryption Technology

Encryption is one of the most important tools for protecting your online data, but it can also be difficult to navigate and understand. The new privacy features in DuckDuckGo for Mac use smarter encryption technology that makes it easier to stay safe and secure online. When a user accesses an unencrypted website, DuckDuckGo automatically redirects them to an encrypted version, helping to keep data safe and secure at all times.

Why Is DuckDuckGo for Mac a Good Choice for Privacy-Minded Users?

In the digital age, privacy has never been more important. There are daily risks of having our personal data stolen by hackers, and there are always companies tracking our every move. Some things that you may think are private, like your search history, may land in the hands of third parties.

You may be surprised to learn that your personal data is being tracked and sold. Several companies use sophisticated algorithms to collect and analyze our information, often without our knowledge or consent.
Cybercriminals are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to steal our data, which they can then use to commit identity theft and other crimes. They may hack into our email accounts, social media profiles, or bank accounts to gain access to sensitive information like passwords and financial details.
Video streaming services are also constantly collecting data about our viewing habits. This data may be sold to advertisers, who can use it to create targeted ads that are likely to be more appealing to us.

Users who value privacy know that it’s not easy to find a browser that does everything you need. Enter DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo for Mac comes equipped with advanced security features to help keep your data safe from hackers and other threats. In addition, it has powerful tools that help you avoid websites that track your activity or bombard you with ads.

In a world where it feels like someone is always watching and listening, DuckDuckGo for Mac is the ultimate tool for protecting your privacy online. Whether you’re searching the web, shopping online, or streaming videos and music, this browser has everything you need to keep your data safe and your browsing history private.

November 7, 2022

How Stream (on SharePoint)’s New Video Recording Features Can Enhance Your Organizational Communications

How Stream (on SharePoint)’s New Video Recording Features Can Enhance Your Organizational Communications

Key Points in This Article

Microsoft 365’s new Stream (on SharePoint) application allows users to record and edit videos and easily integrate their content with the rest of the platform.
While the classic version of Stream will be retired in the next couple of years, the new Stream (on SharePoint) offers users and organizations more options to create and manage high-quality video content.

If you want to make the most of Microsoft 365, Microsoft continually rolls out new features and functions that help you do that. One of the newest developments is introducing a Recording video function in Stream (on SharePoint). Stream (on SharePoint) is a component of Microsoft 365 that integrates video search, sharing, and management features in apps across the platform. And now, with the latest update, Stream (on SharePoint)allows you to record video.

Video Recording in Stream (on SharePoint)

Microsoft has been diligently updating the existing Stream (on SharePoint) interface. You can see the new portal that replaces the classic interface on your desktop and mobile browsers. However, neither the Android nor the iOS version of Stream (on SharePoint) supports video recording…yet. But you can access this feature on your laptop, taking advantage of the new Stream camera feature to record webcam footage and screen content.

The new Stream (on SharePoint) doesn’t just allow you to record but also edit your recordings as well. Granted, the new editing functionality should not be mistaken for industry standards like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, or Avid Media Composer. But it will keep your audio clear enough to be heard and ensure your video is of professional quality. Additionally, you have access to filters, text annotations, backgrounds, and other simple features that can help spruce up the video content you record.

Microsoft makes recording videos easy. Simply click the New recording button in the Stream client. You’ll find yourself in a new tab in which you can record. Before you do, you can add a backdrop, image, or background blur if you wish. When you upload an image, you can drag it and place it anywhere you’d like in the background of the recording and enlarge or shrink it according to your preferences.

When you’re ready to record, click the round button between Options and Effects at the bottom of the tab. Click it again to stop recording when you wish. Your recording will automatically stop after 15 minutes – the maximum time you can record video on Stream (on SharePoint). If you like what you recorded, click Publish to preserve it in your OneDrive for Business account.

Depending on your license agreement, you may need to be prudent with what you preserve. Stream (on SharePoint) video content will fall under your storage quota for OneDrive and SharePoint. If recording video is part of your role, you may need to request more storage space from your employer. If not, you’ll want to keep these limits in mind, especially if the video content you record doesn’t directly support revenue-driving activities.

In OneDrive for Business, the default file naming convention includes the date and time you recorded your video. You’ll want to rename it quickly to avoid having a folder full of unrecognizable files. You can also add captions and transcripts to your video by accessing the Properties settings. In fact, though Stream (on SharePoint) is not the most robust option, it does boast an impressive array of editing features.

With Stream (on SharePoint), you can:

Suppress background noise to focus on just one speaker’s voice
Segment your video into Chapters allowing users to skip to the section they’re most interested in
Add transcripts and captions in multiple languages
Edited transcripts for accuracy
Add rich text and hyperlinks to your video descriptions
Create custom thumbnails

And more functions are likely on the way. In 2021, Microsoft bought a service called Clipchamp, which offers far more editing features. The company may integrate the service into Stream on SharePoint, which could allow users to create longer videos, combine video clips, and incorporate complex special effects.

The Benefits of Stream (on SharePoint)

By integrating video recording, Microsoft provides clients with enterprise-wide production capability. Further, its integration allows users to create custom workflows incorporating Microsoft’s full suite of apps without relying on standalone vendors, industry-specific software applications, and customized systems integrations.

Historically, Microsoft’s classic Stream was fairly disconnected from the rest of Microsoft 365. Now Stream (on SharePoint) allows users a more robust UX experience, allowing them to share video content, search for it more effectively, and comment on it. Moreover, Stream (on SharePoint) allows you to categorize and store video content in OneDrive and SharePoint according to group rules aligned with your policies. For example, by folding videos into Microsoft Purview Data Lifecycle Management (formerly known as Microsoft Information Governance), you can ensure you preserve critical video content for archival, HR, regulatory, or legal reasons.

Further, by folding video content into Stream (on SharePoint), users can naturally manage audio and video files just as easily as other common files. There’s not a single video portal destination, but using SharePoint, you can create webpages and sites where you can embed videos for user viewing. You can also share video content across the organization through OneDrive, Teams, or SharePoint for other users to access as they see fit. You can also publish videos to the Yammer Community and boost your organizational visibility.

Stream (on SharePoint) also provides you with analytics, so you know who’s watching your video content and how engaging they find it. You can see trends, traffic, unique visitors over time, what parts of a video were watched, and more. This information can help you create more engaging content and tailor how you present it to capture your audience’s attention more effectively.

With Stream (on SharePoint’s) arrival, the classic Stream will soon be retired. Microsoft estimates providing an actual retirement date in the first quarter of 2023 and gradually sunsetting the classic Stream over the following 24 months. But the company also wants to make it as easy as possible for Stream users to move to the new platform. They’ve made a migration tool available here to help users move their existing video content simultaneously or in batches from Stream to Stream (on SharePoint). Moreover, Stream live events are transitioning to Teams live events. As that process is ongoing, the company also plans to send a formal notification about the retirement timeline for Stream live events shortly.

November 6, 2022

How Your Business Can Benefit From Collaborating With a Managed Services Provider

How Your Business Can Benefit From Collaborating With a Managed Services Provider

Key Points in This Article:

No matter your business’s size or industry, you can benefit from working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP).
MSPs complement the work of your IT department, freeing up your staff to manage revenue-driving projects.
Collaborating with an MSP can help your business save time and money while adding invaluable expertise and practical IT solutions to pressing business problems.

Managing IT is difficult, especially for newer and smaller businesses. You usually manage everything from sales to product development to accounting when starting out. And even if you have a small team around you, you as a business owner may still find yourself working as a generalist, making sure that every t is crossed and i is dotted. And given the time, knowledge, and resources that IT requires, you may leave it on the back burner. Alternatively, you may hire a generalist IT professional and expect them to handle everything, stepping in only when an IT function directly affects a revenue-driving activity you have your hands in.

But IT is often no simpler for older and larger businesses. Often business executives are similarly disengaged from key strategic IT decisions unless there’s a revenue opportunity or a crisis. And often IT departments are not organized optimally. Everybody works as a generalist, so employees aren’t given the time, space, and resources they need to improve productivity, mitigate risk, and drive revenue. And when everyone works as a generalist, you’ll often find that tasks aren’t properly prioritized and delegated. Seventy percent of your staff may be working to fix a downtime issue that could have been avoided if someone had been trained and tasked to perform regular maintenance and updates.

You can benefit from working with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) regardless of your business or industry size. An MSP is a local business that works with yours to provide standard IT services ranging from helpdesk management to cybersecurity protection. In fact, given the importance of cybersecurity and the prevalence of cyberattacks, some MSPs solely offer cybersecurity services and are known as Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs). Generally, the level of expertise MSSPs bring to the table few in-house IT departments can match.

Complementing Your IT Departments

When working with an MSP, the keyword is “with.” Many IT professionals are wary of MSPs as they’re afraid that their employer using one means that they may soon be out of a job. However, MSPs often work alongside an IT department, assuming the most time-consuming and routine tasks, such as managing your helpdesk, so that in-house staff has the time to engage in revenue-driving and other higher-level activities.

Moreover, because they work with multiple clients, they have a wealth of experience to draw on when it comes to solving technical problems and business problems with IT solutions. Working with an MSP, you’ll often find that a seemingly straightforward application or workflow reconfiguration can save you time and money. Or you may learn that a popular application is precisely the wrong solution for your business. These insights come from working with clients across industries and sectors.

In some cases, MSPs provide services in specialized areas that in-house staff does not have and does not have time to develop. Cybersecurity is a perfect example. Cybercriminals work 24/7 to breach corporate networks. But if you’re relying on a generalist on staff to keep up-to-date with the threat environment, investigate all incidents, and ensure your business’s cybersecurity plan is being followed across departments when 60 to 70 percent of their day is consumed with other duties, you’re in trouble.

MSPs can save businesses from having to hire multiple specialists at premium rates. And while MSPs don’t work for free, it’s less expensive to hire a first-rate MSSP than a team of the best in-house cybersecurity professionals on the market.

Expanding Your In-House Capabilities

Many MSPs employ a follow-the-sun schedule. That means they have teams working in different time zones, allowing them to provide you with 24/7 coverage and support. Working with an MSP may help you offer round-the-clock support to your business. No longer will you need to authorize overtime to your team when a network outage means that second-shift and third-shift work grinds to a halt. Instead, you can contact your MSP contact, inform them of the issue, and have it taken care of as quickly as possible.

MSPs can also help business leaders and IT professionals discover new solutions and capabilities they had not considered. In-house professionals often see new ideas through the prism of organizational constraints. They discard ideas they have or solutions they’ve read about, believing they could never work where they work for several reasons. But MSPs leverage their outsider’s perspective to identify and implement new and creative solutions to longstanding and emerging client challenges.

MSPs can also help achieve cost savings that help them implement solutions they never thought possible. Drawing on extensive supplier networks, many MSPs help businesses obtain hardware and software resources at rates below market, making solutions that once seemed prohibitively expensive now affordable and feasible.

Safeguarding Your Business

Not only can MSPs and MSSPs help you protect your business from cyberattacks. A reputable provider can also help you safeguard your business against technological, natural, and manmade disasters. A system malfunction resulting in data loss can be catastrophic, primarily if your business does not have properly functioning backups and a data recovery plan. A business without offsite or cloud backups could also fire, construction accident, or another similar calamity could also cripple your operation.

MSPs can help you develop and implement the correct business continuity and backup and disaster recovery plans for your business. When a crisis occurs, the longer you’re down, the more revenue you use. Getting your operations up seamlessly and rapidly can mean the difference between staying in business and closing up shop.

MSPs are a formidable value-add for businesses of all sizes across industries. They help in-house IT staff save the time they need to perform critical revenue-driving and cybersecurity work while expanding the scope of internal support they provide. They can help business leaders avoid bidding wars for coveted specialized talent and high prices for enterprise applications. And they can help a business scale in ways in-house staff hasn’t considered possible or haven’t yet thought of.

October 24, 2022

The Need For an Evolution in Fraud Prevention

Pig Butchering & Crypto Scams: The Need For an Evolution in Fraud Prevention

Key Points

As technology advances and the world becomes more connected, scams and fraud are getting more challenging to prevent.
Many experts are calling for a new approach to fraud and protecting consumers’ privacy.
Pig butchering and other crypto scams are just examples of the complex and sophisticated fraud businesses need to be aware of.

Recently, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the sophistication of fraudsters and their methods. No longer are we solely dealing with simple phishing emails or low-tech scams. Today, fraudsters use cutting-edge technology and social engineering techniques to dupe victims from their hard-earned money.

Crypto scams are becoming more and more common. They’re so common that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued warnings about them. It’s not just the SEC that’s concerned; law enforcement agencies also warn people about crypto scams. These scams could be anything from promising huge investment returns to pretending to be from a legitimate cryptocurrency exchange.

One of the most recent warnings comes from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), a partnership between the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. In early October, the IC3 recently published a report warning everyone about “pig butchering.”

What Is Pig Butchering?

“Pig butchering” crypto scams entail a complex combination of high-tech social engineering techniques and sophisticated technology to trick people into sending cryptocurrency to attackers. These scams use various methods, such as gaining victims’ trust through email or social media. Once the victim is emotionally and financially invested in the relationship, they are defrauded by having their money stolen or investment manipulated.

To protect against pig butchering scams, businesses and individuals should be vigilant about potential red flags such as financial requests or emotional manipulation and always conduct due diligence on any investment platform before committing any money. Additionally, businesses should take steps such as implementing transaction monitoring and multi-factor authentication to help better protect themselves and their customers from fraud.

By being aware of the latest trends in fraud and taking proactive measures to prevent it, we can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of pig butchering scams. “Pig butchering” may seem like an odd term, but it’s quite fitting when you think about it; these types of scams are designed to butcher your business’s finances!

Why Evolution in Fraud Prevention Is Necessary

Thanks to advances in technology and the ever-increasing interconnectedness of our world, fraudsters have become more efficient than ever. The rise of cryptocurrencies, in particular, has created a new frontier for scammers to exploit the uninformed.

By embracing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, we can better understand the patterns and trends of scams. This will allow us to detect and thwart even the most sophisticated fraud attempts, protecting consumers from harm and restoring faith in our financial institutions.

We are undoubtedly facing a new era of fraud, one where the threat is more powerful and pervasive than ever before. With the right tools and strategies in place, we can evolve our fraud prevention methods and keep up with the ever-changing tactics that scammers use.

What Role Do Financial Institutions Play in the Evolving Fraud Landscape?

Consumers need to be aware of the latest crypto scams and take steps to protect themselves. Financial institutions also play a crucial role in preventing fraud. Financial institutions that fail to properly vet their customers and implement proper security measures can leave themselves vulnerable to pig butchering scams, which could result in substantial financial losses.

As digital transformation continues to take hold, the need for innovation in fraud prevention is more significant than ever. This is especially true for financial institutions that want to ensure the safety and security of their customers. As more financial institutions use SaaS(Software as a service) platforms to help reach a broader customer base and improve their processes, an effective fraud prevention strategy becomes even more critical.

Financial institutions unable to counter fraudsters’ advanced and sophisticated techniques will find themselves at a significant disadvantage. By leveraging the latest technology and working closely with their partners, financial institutions can better protect themselves and their customers while keeping pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

What Actions Can Help Prevent Pig Butchering Scams?

So, what can be done to prevent these types of scams? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, some steps businesses can take to help protect themselves and their customers from crypto scams and other types of fraud.

Educate Your Employees

One of the best ways to prevent crypto scams is to educate your employees about them. Make sure your employees know what crypto scams are and how they work. Show them examples of crypto scams so they can be on the lookout for them. Most importantly, remind them never to send cryptocurrency to anyone they don’t know or trust.

Know Your Customer

Another critical step businesses can take to prevent fraud is knowing their customers. Make sure you have proper KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures in place so you can verify the identity of your customers before doing business with them.

Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an essential tool that can help prevent crypto scams and other types of fraud. With MFA, a user must provide two or more pieces of evidence (or “factors”) to access an account or system. For example, one factor could be something the user knows (like a password), while another could be something the user has (like a smartphone). By using MFA, businesses can make it much harder for fraudsters to access accounts or systems.

Implement Transaction Monitoring

Transaction monitoring is another critical tool businesses can use to prevent fraud. With transaction monitoring, businesses can set up rules and thresholds to flag suspicious activity. For example, if a customer suddenly starts making large withdrawals from their account, that could be flagged as suspicious activity, and further investigation may be needed. Transaction monitoring can help businesses catch fraudulent activity before it happens. “Pig butchering” is just one type of fraudulent activity that transaction monitoring can help detect; there are many others as well!

Final Thoughts

With the rise of sophisticated fraudsters and their methods, it’s become more critical for businesses to evolve their approach to fraud prevention. Traditional methods are no longer enough; businesses need to take a holistic approach that considers the latest trends and techniques used by fraudsters. “Pig butchering” crypto scams are just one example of sophisticated fraud perpetrated today. Still, by educating employees and implementing strong anti-fraud measures, businesses can help protect themselves and their customers from falling victim to these scams.

October 14, 2022

How Granting Local Admin Privileges Could Cost You Your Business

Key Points in This Article

Historically, many overburdened IT departments have sought to save time and work by granting multiple users across their business or organization local administrative privileges.
Doing so substantially increases the risk that their network security may be compromised.
The costs of a data breach are far higher than the productivity savings that may be achieved by granting such privileges.

These days, organizational cybersecurity should be top-of-mind for any cybersecurity professional. Whether cybersecurity is in your title or you’re a generalist handling everything from network maintenance to changing printer ink cartridges, it’s always critical that you keep an eye out for how our organization’s operations may inadvertently be creating vulnerabilities third parties can exploit.

When cybersecurity professionals conduct risk assessments, they often find vulnerabilities stemming from organizational practices that are pretty common across industries. One such practice is granting local administrative rights to individual users, most often in small businesses, organizations, and those with understaffed IT departments.

The Dangers of Granting Local Admin Privileges

If you’ve worked for an understaffed IT department, you’ve likely spent much of your day handling mundane helpdesk requests. None of them take that much time, but there are a lot of them, and they don’t stop. You cannot devote adequate – sometimes any – time to the IT aspects of the organization’s revenue-diving activities or essential network maintenance and security because there are so many requests.

In this scenario, perhaps you, like many IT administrators, realized many of these requests could be handled by individual users simply by giving them administrative privileges. You may have saved some time on routine tasks, like adding applications, users, and hardware. And you may have found yourself breathing a sigh of relief given that you’ve now reduced the number of requests across your desk.

But doing so is a mistake. When you provide local admin rights to users across your organization, you’ve inadvertently made it more vulnerable to intrusion. And the extra work you’ll perform to address a data breach compared to the few minutes you may save installing a printer here, or there is certainly not worth it.

Users frequently try to install software programs they find online. When they do and lack local admin privileges, they’re prompted to ask permission to download the software in question. This prompt allows IT administrators to vet the software and ensure it does not present a threat. But when users have local admin privileges, they have the freedom to download applications as they see fit. And they may even disable network security measures that vet new applications for the presence of malware and viruses to expedite installation.

In doing so, they’ve exposed your organization’s network to risk. Malware and viruses lurk in seemingly harmless downloads found on official-looking websites. Not only can they compromise your user’s account and device. If downloaded on an account with local admin privileges, they can compromise your entire network’s security. Malware on such an account could disable your organization’s antivirus protections, turn off your firewall, and hijack your data on multiple devices.

Local admin privileges allow users to override the Group Policy you’ve established. If a hacker gains control of an account with these privileges, they could prevent your Group Policy from being accessed or create their own. In either case, your security protocols would be compromised, giving a criminal the ability to access and steal your data, encrypt your system and hold it for ransom, and conduct other activities that could be financially catastrophic for your company.

Many cybercriminals specifically seek administrative credentials to penetrate corporate networks. Fundamentally, the smaller the number of accounts with administrative credentials, the less risk one of these accounts will be compromised. In practice, users who have been granted these credentials outside of the IT department, by and large, have had minimal, if any, cybersecurity awareness training or have not followed best practices to safeguard their accounts. Accordingly, cybercriminals have found their way into these accounts easily and have been able to cause considerable damage.

Why Local Admin Privileges Must Be Restricted

Even if your IT department remains small and understaffed, granting users across your organization local admin privileges is no longer justifiable. Any time you save will be more than offset by the damage that can be caused in the event of a breach.

As an IT professional, you will face countless hours over the following days, weeks, and months scrambling to address the threat, regain control of compromised systems, and ensure your employer can remain operational. Your business might face reputational damage and legal consequences if client data is compromised. And depending on your industry, you may face regulatory action if the breach occurred because you failed to meet legally mandated cybersecurity standards.

The cumulative financial consequences of a breach can be catastrophic. Some research asserts that as many as 75 percent of small and medium-sized businesses go under after a ransomware attack. And no industry or sector of the economy is safe. In May 2022, Lincoln University permanently closed its doors after a devastating ransomware attack.

Even if you don’t suffer a breach in the near term, granting users local admin privileges can create more work and headaches for IT. You may find that departments are now downloading and using software applications you’re not equipped to support. Or you may find that in attempting to manage relatively simple tasks themselves, they’ve inadvertently created more complicated problems for themselves – and other users. You may not be saving yourself nearly as much time as you think.

It’s also not uncommon for senior leaders to believe that they should be granted local admin privileges by virtue of their position. And when they have them, they may accidentally cause problems for themselves or other users that you must address. Or you may find them using their privileges to undermine organizational cybersecurity measures out of a misguided attempt to increase productivity or out of hubris.

The cybersecurity of your organization must supersede all of these considerations. To preserve it, you must tightly restrict administrative privileges across your organization and actively monitor the accounts that possess them. Moreover, you must educate all users about cybersecurity continuously and thoroughly. Doing so will help you keep your organization safe and help them understand their loss of these privileges is not about a lack of trust. In fact, when your co-workers make the connection between the proliferation of accounts with local admin privileges, data breaches, and their own jobs, they’re likely to accept the removal of these privileges without protest.

October 11, 2022October 12, 2022

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 Release

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Your Guide to the 2022 Wave 2 Release

Key Points:

Microsoft recently announced the next wave of innovations coming to Business Central.
Building on last year’s release momentum, this next wave of features and capabilities will help you optimize your business processes, drive better decision-making, and accelerate your digital transformation journey.
Some of the key highlights for this release include a refreshed user experience that is more intuitive and easier to use and enhanced connected experiences with Power Automate.
In addition, there are also new capabilities to help you manage your finances, streamline your supply chain, and much more.

Every year, Microsoft releases two significant updates for its business software, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. This is usually in the form of a new “wave” in the spring and another in the fall. Microsoft recently announced the highlights for this year’s fall release, Wave 2 of Business Central 2022. Today, we’ll look at some key features and changes in this release.

Onboarding: A Seamless User Experience Enabling Customers to Get Started Faster

The new release cycle will optimize the onboarding experience to ensure users can quickly get started and get the most value out of Business Central. Wave 2 will include several enhancements to make business users more productive.

The new wave improves the discoverability of apps that meet certain requirements (e.g., specific usage criteria or quality standards) in the AppSource portal. The new wave will offer a smoother installation and setup process when installing these applications through third-party business productivity services.

Development and Extensibility: Enhanced Developer Experiences and New Capabilities

Microsoft is making it easier to work with developers by moving Business Central entirely into Visual Studio. This will lower the cost of any programmers you collaborate with on projects and increase productivity. In addition, Microsoft has added some noteworthy abstractions that will make development more efficient. These abstractions will make managing objects across different workspaces more efficient.

These abstractions can also lead to quicker response times when collaborating with productivity partners like Team Foundation Server (TFS) without having NuGet packages bogging down your system resources. Finally, new constructs are written specifically so the software can be compiled faster; this means happier users who spend less time waiting while their favorite app loads.

User Interface: Expanding Possibilities With Improved Integration

Microsoft has been working hard to make it easier for users of their business software, especially those looking to integrate with third-party platforms. This brings improvements to Power Automate and makes it easier to access document attachments and automated assignments. An updated toolset will also make extending the central business experience more straightforward than ever before.

Governance and Security: Improved Security and Compliance

As your number one source for managing environments, Business Central will introduce new features to provide new capabilities for system admins. The new release includes several enhancements to help customers meet their governance and compliance requirements.

These include improvements to how user access and permissions are managed and enhancements to the auditing capabilities. Overall, these capabilities will help secure, monitor, and automate operational tasks across multiple entities in an easy way–and keep up with notifications on service updates.

Data Loss Protection: Reducing the Risk of Data Loss

The new release also includes a range of enhancements to help customers reduce the risk of data loss. These include improvements to how backups are managed and new capabilities for monitoring and recovering data.

The user interfaces across client devices is also upgrading with new design elements and more straightforward company switching options. Restoring deleted environments has been made even more convenient, too – now you can restore them in just seven days instead of awaiting Microsoft support assistance when things go wrong (or not).

Collaboration With Microsoft 365: Improved Experiences for Everyone

Microsoft is investing more in modernizing the user experience for business users and IT professionals by improving the interaction between Business Central and various Microsoft 365 applications. The 2022 release will offer improvements to OneDrive and Excel, as well as data editing capabilities across these applications, making them more accessible than ever!

Application Optimization: Better Productivity Is Around the Corner

The fall release will include optimizations in the application itself, such as improvements to bank reconciliation and the test report in the financial area. In addition, a statement report with two sections for outstanding reconciliations will be added. The journal entries from posted payment reconciliation journals can also be reversed, which will be very helpful for correcting mistakes. The reconciliation process will be further enhanced with the ability to reconcile entries by transaction date instead of just posting date.

Transparency for users will be increased through the renaming of account schedules to financial reporting. In addition, the function will be changed to provide a better overview of the available reports. This will help new and experienced users get a clear picture of the financial situation. The new release will include a VAT Date field on documents and entries and an improved text function for VAT clauses. A redesigned and configurable Intrastat function for all countries and regions will also be introduced, providing a history of previously reported periods.

How Will This Release Impact Your Business?

The impact of these changes will depend on how your business uses Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. We’ve highlighted some key areas of focus for the upcoming release:

Business Users: The changes to the user interface and collaboration with Microsoft 365 may be the most noticeable for you. The new design elements and more straightforward company switching options will make it easier to use Business Central, and the improvements to OneDrive and Excel will make it easier to edit data.
IT Professionals and Partners: The changes to the development experience may be the most noticeable for you. The new features will make it easier to develop and deploy extensions, and the improvements to the way user access and permissions are managed will make it easier to manage your environment.

Whether connecting from a phone, tablet, or laptop – Business Central users will have an updated and consistent experience.

Final Thoughts

We’ve shared a few of the highlights for Business Central in the Wave 2 release, but there’s so much more to explore! If you’re not currently on the latest version of Business Central, now is a great time to upgrade. If you’re already on Business Central, you can soon start exploring the new features and capabilities. Either way, we can’t wait to hear what you think of the new release!

October 3, 2022October 12, 2022

Cyber Risk Insurance 101

Cyber Risk Insurance 101: What is it and Who Needs It?

Every business needs to protect itself against cyberattacks. That’s why companies must have cyber risk insurance. Cyber risk insurance can help you pay for the costs associated with a data breach or ransomware attack, but there are other things that you should consider as well. Understanding cyber risk insurance, why it’s necessary, and how it works will help determine if your business needs this coverage.

What is Cyber Risk Insurance?

First, let’s define what cyber insurance is. Cyber risk insurance is a protection plan provided by an insurer to help protect your organization from monetary loss resulting from a cyber breach or attack. It works like traditional property and casualty insurance: you pay the premiums, and in the event of a loss (or series of losses) due to cyber-related incidents, your insurer reimburses you for any financial costs associated with that loss.

If a breach occurs and leads to stolen customer data or other damages, your company can file a claim with its insurer—and get paid out accordingly if approved.

Who Needs Cyber Risk Insurance?

The answer to this is simple: all businesses. Cyber risk insurance can be a lifesaver for those who may not have the means or desire to purchase cyber protection. There are several instances where organizations of all sizes should consider cyber insurance coverage, from startups to government agencies and nonprofits.

In addition to the apparent need for small businesses, however, it’s worth noting that large firms also benefit from cyber risk insurance. Large corporations with thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of employees can experience significant downtime if their computer systems suffer an attack on their networks. A large company may also have access to sensitive information about its customers or suppliers that could be used against other companies with whom they do business.

Many considerations go into cybersecurity and protecting your business from financial loss due to a cyberattack. Here are some of the key ones:

The cost of a data breach. According to the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach is well over $4 million.
The cost of an attack on your business. A cyberattack can lead to physical damage or theft from your company’s stockroom or warehouse, intellectual property theft, and loss of customer data and trust.
The cost of ransomware attacks – Ransomware attacks are malicious software designed to block access to infected computers until users pay ransom demands (often via Bitcoin), which amounts to digital extortionists trying to extort money by holding computer files hostage until they pay up! How much do these hackers demand? Exorbitant sums that could total in the six-to-seven-figure range.

Why Should I Buy It?

While you may think that your business is immune from cyberattacks, the truth is that no company is completely safe. While there are no guarantees that a cyberattack won’t happen to your business, the right insurance protects you and your team from the damage caused by one.

Cyber insurance is one of the best ways for businesses of all sizes to protect themselves against cybercrime and other unexpected losses from data breaches. The cost of recovering can be astronomical—and if you don’t have the proper coverage in place, they could put your entire business at risk. It may seem an expense at first glance, but it can be well worth protecting against financial threats.

Put another way: if you think purchasing cyber risk insurance is expensive, imagine how expensive it will be when you’re under a cyber attack and don’t have any protection.

Types of Cyber Insurance Policies

Numerous types of cyber risk insurance policies are available to businesses. You’ll have to evaluate your own specific needs to understand which one fits your organization best:

Business interruption insurance: This policy protects against the loss of income resulting from a cyberattack, such as a denial-of-service attack that results in a website being down for an extended period.
Cyber extortion insurance: This policy covers the cost of responding to ransomware attacks and ensures that your business is compensated if you pay an attacker’s ransom demand.
Data breach insurance: If you suffer from a data breach or lose customer information due to hacking, this type of cyber insurance can help cover costs associated with notifying customers and handling any legal action taken against you by consumers whose private information was compromised as part of an attack on your servers or network infrastructure.

Keep in mind that in many cases, you can mix and match the type of policies you buy. It is better to err on the side of caution, opting for more protection versus less. That way, you’ll have more holistic security against possible cyber attacks.

Should You Buy Cyber Insurance?

If you’re not sure whether or not cyber insurance is right for your business, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you have a budget for a potential breach? You may not be able to afford $2 million worth of coverage upfront, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth investigating. Many carriers offer packages based on risk tolerance, which means they’ll provide coverage even if there are gaps in your policy.
Are you comfortable with the risks associated with cyber-attacks? While some companies might be squeamish about admitting their vulnerabilities, others would rather know what they’re up against so they can start taking steps to mitigate those risks.
Do you already have an established plan for responding to and recovering from an attack? If so, buying cyber insurance might make sense because it gives peace of mind knowing that your company will be protected financially should something go awry (and trust me—it will).

Cyber insurance is a crucial part of cyber risk management and should be essential to your overall business plan. If you’re unsure if cyber risk insurance is right for your business, contact us, and we can answer any questions you may have. And remember: The cost of a security breach or data breach can be devastating. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

September 27, 2022October 12, 2022

6 Common IT Problems

6 Common IT Problems and Their Impact on Businesses

Key Points:

The ever-changing landscape of technology leads to new IT problems every day.
Businesses must be proactive to stay ahead of the curve regarding IT problems.
Businesses can avoid major disruptions by being aware of the common issues and implementing the appropriate solutions.

Information Technology (IT) is a crucial part of any modern business. It helps organizations become more efficient and connect with customers, employees, and partners. However, IT can also be a source of frustration, as it is often complex and prone to problems. In any business, specific IT problems are bound to occur no matter how well-prepared you are. Whether a crashed server or an email outage, these issues can cause serious disruptions in your workflow. Today, we’ll discuss some of the most common IT problems all companies face and provide tips on addressing them.

1. Lack of IT Security

One of the most common IT problems is a lack of security. With so many cyber threats out there, it’s essential to have strong security measures in place to protect your data and systems. Unfortunately, many companies don’t invest enough in security, leaving themselves vulnerable to attacks.

Solution: Make sure you have a robust security system, including firewalls, anti-virus software, and intrusion detection. Train your employees on best security practices, and ensure they understand the importance of keeping your systems safe.

2. Downtime

Another common IT problem is downtime. This is when your systems or website is down for maintenance or due to an issue. Downtime can be costly for businesses, leading to lost productivity and revenue.

Solution: Have a plan in place for dealing with downtime. This should include having backup systems in place so that you can continue to work if your primary system goes down. Make sure your employees know what to do during downtime and have a way to stay in touch with customers or clients if your website is down.

3. Data Loss

Data loss is another common IT problem. This can happen due to hardware failure, human error, or malicious attacks. Data loss can devastate businesses, leading to lost information, customers, and revenue.

Solution: Invest in data backup and recovery solutions. These will help you protect your data and quickly recover it if lost. Make sure your employees understand the importance of backing up data and have a process in place for doing so.

4. Outdated Hardware and Software

Another common IT problem is outdated hardware and software. As technology evolves, it’s essential to keep your systems up-to-date. Otherwise, you’ll be at a competitive disadvantage, and your systems may become vulnerable to security threats.

Solution: Regularly update your hardware and software. This includes both your operating system and the applications you use. Stay up-to-date on the latest security threats, and make sure your systems are protected against them.

5. Slow System Performance

Slow system performance is another common IT issue. This can be caused by many factors, including outdated hardware, insufficient resources, or incorrect configurations. Slow performance can lead to lost productivity and frustration for users.

Solution: Invest in new hardware or upgrade your existing hardware as needed. Make sure your systems have enough resources, such as memory and storage, to meet the demands of your users. Also, check your configurations and make sure they are optimized for performance.

6. IT Support Issues

Another common issue that businesses face is IT support. Many companies don’t have enough staff to support their IT systems or staff that is not properly trained. This can lead to issues when things go wrong or when users need help.

Solution: Make sure you have enough staff to support your IT systems and that they are properly trained. Also, consider using a managed services provider (MSP) to help with your IT support needs. MSPs can provide expert support when needed, often more cost-effective than hiring your own staff.

What Impact Do These IT Problems Have on Businesses?

Every business relies on information technology (IT), whether communicating with customers or employees, processing transactions, or managing inventory. When IT systems go down at any time, it can cause serious disruptions to business operations. The impact of IT problems typically falls into one of three categories:

Financial Impact
Productivity Impact
Reputational Impact

Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories:

1. Financial Impact

The financial impact of IT problems can be significant. Even a relatively minor issue can cost a business thousands of dollars in lost productivity, data loss, and revenue. In some cases, IT problems can even lead to business failure.

2. Productivity Impact

IT problems can have a serious impact on productivity. Even a minor issue can result in lost productivity, as employees cannot work effectively. Sometimes, IT problems can even lead to shutdowns, as businesses cannot operate without IT systems.

3. Reputational Impact

IT problems can also damage a business’s reputation. If a business experiences a major IT outage, customers may lose faith in the company and take their business elsewhere. In some cases, media coverage of IT problems can damage a business’s reputation.

IT problems don’t just impact one area of a business. They can have a ripple effect that impacts many different areas. This is why it’s crucial to have a plan to deal with IT problems.

Final Thoughts

No business is immune to the potential downside of technology. IT problems can have a significant financial, productivity, and reputational impact on businesses of all sizes. The best way to avoid these problems is to invest in a reliable IT infrastructure and to have a comprehensive plan for dealing with IT issues. By being prepared, businesses can minimize the impact of IT problems and keep their operations running smoothly.

September 19, 2022October 12, 2022

How To Make Microsoft Teams Your Default For Meetings

How To Make Microsoft Teams Your Default For Meetings

Key Points

You can make Microsoft Teams your default application for online meetings by following a few simple steps in Outlook.
Changing your default settings will ensure that all your meetings are created in Teams.
Meet Now is another way to join a meeting without scheduling it in advance.

Microsoft Outlook is a great tool for managing your email, calendar, and contacts. However, many organizations prefer to use Microsoft Teams for online meetings. There are a few reasons why organizations prefer to make Teams their default for online meetings.

First, Teams offers a more robust set of features than Outlook. This includes video and audio conferencing, screen sharing, and instant messaging. Teams also integrate with other Microsoft products and services, making it a more comprehensive solution for online collaboration. Finally, Teams is designed specifically for online meetings, while Outlook is primarily an email application. Thankfully, making Teams your default application for online meetings is easy.

Here’s how to make the switch:

First, open Microsoft Outlook and click on the File tab. Next, click on the Options button in the left sidebar. Click on the Calendar tab at the top in the Outlook Options window. Then, under Calendar options, select the checkbox next to “Add online meeting to all meetings.” Once you’ve done that, make sure to save your changes.

When you create a new meeting in Outlook, it will automatically be created in Teams. Also, when you join a meeting scheduled in Outlook, you’ll be taken to the Teams app, where you can participate in the video or audio call. We highly recommend it if you’re not already using Microsoft Teams for your team’s communication needs. It’s a great way to stay organized and connected.

Create a Microsoft Teams Meeting From Outlook Calendar

If you’re using Microsoft Teams for your business communication needs, you may wonder how to schedule a meeting using the Outlook platform. The good news is that it’s easy to do!

Here’s how:

Open the Outlook calendar and click on the New Teams Meeting button.
Invite your attendees by adding their names or email addresses.
Add your meeting details, such as the subject, location, and start and end time.
Create your message.
When you’re finished, click on the Send button.

Your invitees will now receive an email with all the details about the Teams meeting. When it’s time to start the meeting, they can click on the email link to join. It’s that easy!

The Meet Now Feature in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams has become one of the most popular business productivity apps in recent years. One of the key reasons for its success is its robust feature set, which includes a wide range of features designed to make it easier for team members to collaborate. Sometimes teams need to meet on short notice, and that’s where the Meet Now feature comes in.

The Meet Now feature in Teams allows users to start an impromptu meeting with just a few clicks. If you need to meet with someone immediately, you can simply click on the Meet Now button in the Teams app. This will start an audio or video call with the person or people you’re trying to reach. You can also use the Meet Now button to start a meeting with someone who isn’t already using Teams.

How to Use the Meet Now Feature

Click into the Calendar app with Microsoft Teams.
Click on the “Meet Now” icon in the top right-hand corner.
Click “Join Now” in the window that appears.
Invite others to join the meeting.
If you want to invite someone not currently using Teams, you can enter that person’s cell phone number.
To end the meeting, click on the “Hang Up” button.

The “Meet Now” feature in Microsoft Teams is an incredibly valuable tool for team members who need to collaborate on projects or tasks. It’s simple to use and makes it easy to stay in touch with other team members, even if they’re not part of your organization.

How to Make the Most of Microsoft Teams and the Meet Now Feature

If you are looking for a more engaging and efficient way to hold meetings, you should consider using Microsoft Teams. Teams can help you make the most of your meeting time with its many features and benefits.

Here are some tips on how to use Teams to its full potential once you make it your default for meetings:

Get everyone on board. Make sure that everyone who needs to be involved in the meeting is using Teams and understands how to use the Meet Now feature. This way, you can avoid any unnecessary frustration or confusion.
Make use of the various features. Teams offers many features that can make your meetings more efficient and effective. For example, you can use the screen-sharing feature to share documents or presentations with other meeting participants.
Take advantage of the chat feature. The chat feature in Teams can be used before, during, and after meetings to exchange messages and files. This can be a great way to stay connected with other team members and keep the meeting flowing smoothly.
Use the whiteboard feature. The whiteboard feature is a great way to brainstorm ideas or take notes during a meeting. You can also use it to share meeting minutes with other participants.
Use the recording feature. The recording feature in Teams allows you to record your meetings and save them later. This can be a great way to review what was discussed and ensure everyone is on the same page.

Following these tips, you can make the most of Microsoft Teams, and the Meet Now feature. This will help you hold more efficient and effective meetings, ultimately leading to better results for your team.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft Teams can be a great asset for any business. When you make it your default for meetings, you can take advantage of its many features and benefits to make your meetings more efficient and effective. Try these tips to get the most out of Teams, and the Meet Now feature. Your team will thank you for it!