Clients – Microsoft Only

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!

September 16, 2022September 26, 2022

Introducing the Microsoft Teams Schedule Send Feature

Introducing the Microsoft Teams Schedule Send Feature

Key Points

Microsoft Teams will introduce a new feature in the coming weeks that will enable users to schedule messages to be sent later.
Schedule Send will allow users to choose a specific time and date for their message, giving them greater control over when it is delivered.
This new feature will be valuable for organizations looking to improve productivity and communication.

In today’s business world, we are increasingly relying on chat apps like Microsoft Teams to communicate with our coworkers. While this is a great way to stay in touch, maintaining a sensible workflow can also be difficult if you and your team constantly send messages back and forth. Fortunately, Microsoft is introducing a new feature to Teams that will help address this issue.

According to Microsoft’s product roadmap, Microsoft Teams users will soon benefit from a delayed send feature. This will allow users to schedule when their messages will be sent, giving them more control over their communication.

What Is Schedule Send?

Schedule Send is a new feature in Microsoft Teams that will allow users to delay the delivery of messages. This can be useful if you need to coordinate with team members in different time zones or if you want to make sure that your messages are received during normal business hours.

How to Use Schedule Send

To use the Schedule Send feature, simply compose your message as usual and then long press the send button to schedule the message. A window will appear where you can select the date and time you want your message delivered. Once you have selected a date and time, click on the “Send at scheduled time” button, and your message will be sent at the specified time.

Schedule Send is a great way to stay organized and smoothly flow your chat conversations. By taking advantage of this feature, you can ensure that your messages are always received by your team members at a convenient time.

The Benefits of Delaying a Message in Microsoft Teams

Sometimes it is beneficial to not have a message sent immediately. This could be for several reasons, such as:

You are in a different time zone, and the person you are messaging is likely to be asleep
It is out of normal work hours for the person you are messaging
You don’t want to interrupt the person you are messaging if they are busy
You want to make sure the person you are messaging sees the message as soon as they wake up/start work

How Will This New Feature Impact Your Organization?

Every user within your organization will have the ability to schedule messages to be sent at a later time. Users can schedule messages as long as the scheduled date is no longer than 7 days in the future. Scheduled messages can also not be flagged as important or urgent, and any attached files and inline images will only be accessible once the message has been marked as delivered.

While Microsoft may state that this feature was designed for organizations that employ people in different time zones, this feature can have several applications within your organization.

Here are 5 ways that your organization can make use of the Schedule Send feature in Microsoft Teams:

Time Zone Coordination

If you have team members in different time zones, scheduling messages can help ensure everyone is on the same page. You can avoid any confusion or miscommunication by sending messages at a convenient time for all team members.

Keeping the Conversation Flowing

If you and your team are constantly sending messages back and forth, the Schedule Send feature can help keep the conversation flowing smoothly. By scheduling messages in advance, you can avoid any disruptions or delays in the conversation.

Planning Ahead

The Schedule Send feature can also be used to plan ahead. If you know you will be unavailable at a certain time, you can schedule messages to be sent while you are away. This way, you can still participate in the conversation even when you cannot be online.

Avoiding Distractions

If you are working on a project and do not want to be interrupted, you can use the schedule send feature to delay the delivery of messages until you are finished. This way, you can focus on your work without being distracted by incoming messages.

Following Up

The Schedule Send feature can also be used as a follow-up tool. If you need to follow up with a team member about a task or project, you can schedule a message to be sent after the task is completed.

What Impact Does the Digital Age Have on the Schedule Send Feature?

In the digital age, we are always connected. With the click of a button, we can send a message to anyone, anywhere in the world. With instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage, we can converse with someone on the other side of the globe in real-time.

While this instant gratification can be great, it can also be overwhelming. We are constantly bombarded with messages and notifications from friends, family, and co-workers. As a result, we often feel like we should always be available and on-call. The Schedule Send feature can help alleviate some of this pressure.

By allowing you to schedule messages in advance, you can control when and how you want to communicate with your team. This can be a great way to establish boundaries. The Schedule Send feature can be a great tool for managing your time and communication in the digital age. In a world where everyone is connected 24/7, the Schedule Send feature can help you take a step back and think about the best time to send a message.

September 12, 2022September 14, 2022

The Benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop Remote App Streaming

The Benefits of AVD Remote App Streaming: Why You Should Stream Your Apps

Key Points:

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop app streaming can help reduce latency and improve performance when using apps on a remote device.
AVD can help improve the quality of your app experience by providing a consistent connection and reducing buffering.
AVD can help you save on data usage by compressing it before sending it over the internet.

In today’s world, more and more people are working remotely. Whether you’re a freelancer, work for a remote company, or often travel for business, there’s a good chance you’ve had to access work applications from a non-traditional office setting. If you have, you know that it can often be a frustrating experience. Latency, poor internet connection, and inconsistent performance can make using remote apps challenging. That’s where Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) comes in.

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a cloud-based app streaming service that allows users to access their apps and desktops from anywhere, on any device. AVD is an alternative to traditional desktop virtualization solutions. AVD can be used to deliver a virtual desktop experience to any device, including PCs, Macs, tablets, and smartphones. AVD is easy to set up and manage and provides a high-quality user experience. AVD includes several features that make it an attractive solution for organizations looking to provide remote access to apps and desktops.

What Is Azure Virtual Desktop(AVD) Remote App Streaming?

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) remote app streaming is a feature that allows users to access their applications remotely. The apps are streamed from a server to the user’s device, and the user can interact with them as if they were running locally. Users can use AVD remote app streaming to access their apps anywhere, on any device.

App streaming allows you to use remote apps with little to no lag, even on a poor internet connection. That’s because data is compressed before it’s sent over the internet, meaning there are fewer data to transfer and less chance of lost packets or delays. App streaming can also help reduce bandwidth usage, as only the data needed to run the app is sent, rather than the entire application.

There are many other benefits to using AVD app streaming, which we’ll explore in more detail below.

What Are the Benefits of Using AVD Remote App Streaming?

Reduced Latency

One of the biggest benefits of using AVD app remote streaming is reduced latency. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the remote server and back again. When you’re using a remote app, any latency can cause problems, as it can make the app feel unresponsive. AVD app streaming eliminates the need for a server round-trip, which can often add several seconds of delay.

Improved Performance

Another benefit of AVD remote app streaming is improved performance. When you’re using a remote app, any inconsistency can be frustrating. Buffering, slow load times and freezing can make using a remote app challenging. AVD’s remote app streaming feature helps to eliminate these issues by allowing you to stream your apps directly to your device. This means you can enjoy a smooth, seamless experience without frustrating interruptions.

Increased Flexibility

AVD’s remote app streaming feature also provides you with increased flexibility. This feature is not tied to a single device or location. You can easily stream your apps to any device with an internet connection. This means you can use your apps on your phone, tablet, or laptop – wherever you happen to be. You’re not limited to using them just on your AVD device.

Access to More Features

You gain access to more features when you use AVD’s remote app streaming feature. Some remote apps offer limited functionality. With AVD, you can take advantage of the app’s full feature set. This includes using the app’s camera, microphone, and other sensors. You also have access to the app’s file system. This means you can save files locally on your device for offline use.

No Need to Install the App Individually

Another big advantage of AVD’s remote app streaming feature is that you only have to install the app once. With some remote apps, you must install the app on each device you want to use. This can be a hassle, especially if you have multiple devices. With AVD, you can install the app once and use it on any compatible device.

Improved Productivity

AVD’s remote app streaming feature can also help to improve productivity. By allowing users to access their apps from any location, they can get work done more efficiently. This is especially beneficial for users who need to access their apps while away from their desks. With AVD, they can stay productive even when they’re on the go.

Enhanced Security

AVD’s remote app streaming feature also provides enhanced security. This is especially important for users who work with sensitive data or need access to their apps from public Wi-Fi networks. With AVD, they can be sure that their data is safe and secure.

Reduced Costs

AVD’s remote app streaming feature can also help to reduce costs. By streaming apps remotely, users can avoid the need to purchase and install multiple copies of their apps. This is especially beneficial for users who have multiple devices or who travel often. With AVD, they can save money by streaming their apps remotely.

When Should You Opt for AVD Remote App Streaming?

There are many situations where AVD remote app streaming can be beneficial. Here are some examples:

When You Need to Use a Specific App That Is Not Available on Your Current Device

For example, if you’re using a work-issued device, you may not have access to certain apps that you need for your job. In this case, AVD remote app streaming can give you the access you need without switching devices.

When You’re Using a Public Device and Don’t Want to Install Apps

If you’re using a library computer or another public device, you may not want to install apps on that device. AVD remote app streaming can give you the same functionality without installing anything.

When You Want to Save Space on Your Device

If you have limited storage on your device, you may not want to install apps that you don’t use regularly. AVD remote app streaming can allow you to use apps on an as-needed basis without wasting valuable storage space.

The fundamental difference between AVD’s app streaming and other offerings is that AVD doesn’t require the same high-powered hardware at the app streaming destination as is typically needed to run the app natively. Remote app streaming brings you many benefits without the expense of powerful destination hardware.

Wrapping Up

AVD remote app streaming can be a great solution for several different situations. If you need to use a specific app that is unavailable on your current device, if you want to use an app that doesn’t support it, or if you simply want to save battery life, streaming an app can be a great option. As employees continue to work remotely, AVD remote app streaming can help keep everyone connected and productive.

September 9, 2022September 13, 2022

Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform: Unlocking the Power of Data for Businesses

The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform: Unlocking the Power of Data for Businesses

Key Points:

Microsoft’s Intelligent Data Platform is designed to help businesses make the most of their data.
The platform can gain insights into customer behavior, trends, and patterns. It can also be used to predict future behavior.
The platform can help businesses make a better product, marketing, and operations decisions.

All businesses strive to work faster and smarter, and Microsoft has developed the perfect platform to make this happen. Microsoft’s Intelligent Data Platform is designed to make data more valuable by making it more accessible and useful.

What Is the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform?

The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform is a comprehensive data platform that helps organizations unlock the value of their data to improve business outcomes. The platform integrates data analytics, databases, and governance capabilities to enable businesses to make better decisions with their data. Microsoft’s Intelligent Data Platform empowers organizations of all sizes to turn data into insights and use those insights to drive business transformation.

It also includes a set of services that helps organizations turn data into insights, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform is the latest evolution in data management. It builds on the success of previous generations of data platforms, such as the SQL Server and Azure. Microsoft’s Intelligent Data Platform is designed to help you manage data at scale.

The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform is built on three pillars:

A flexible data model that can be easily adapted to your needs
A scalable architecture that can handle large amounts of data
A set of powerful tools that make it easy to work with data

Benefits of the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform

Businesses and organizations are striving for innovation and success in the digital age. They must adopt new ways of working with data to stay ahead of the competition. In a world surrounded by technology, it can be quite challenging to keep up with the constant changes and maintain a high level of productivity.

Identifying application and platform features that will push your business forward can also be difficult. What features should you look for? What aspects are important and will help you succeed? With the introduction of the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform, businesses now have access to powerful tools and technologies that can help them drive innovation and transformation.

Here are a few of the benefits of the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform:

Turning Insights Into Better Business Operations

While big data technologies seem to be the industry’s main focus, it is important not to lose sight of the data itself. Data has always been a critical part of business, but its importance has only grown recently.

With the proliferation of digital devices and the rise of the Internet of Things(IoT), businesses are collecting more data than ever. This data can improve nearly every aspect of a business, from marketing and sales to operations and customer service. With machine learning capabilities, businesses can use data to predict future trends. This means there will be opportunities to make your data work for you.

Data analytics was once seen as a tool for only the most technical users. However, with the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform, businesses of all sizes can use data insights to improve their operations. By analyzing data, businesses can identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in their operations. They can then make changes to improve their processes and make them more efficient.

Data-Driven Decision Making

In the past, business decisions were often made based on gut feeling or intuition. However, the Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform allows businesses to make decisions based on data. With data-driven decision-making, businesses can avoid the pitfalls of intuition-based decision-making, such as confirmation bias and the sunk cost fallacy.

Businesses can identify trends and patterns that they would otherwise miss with the right data. They can also test different hypotheses to see which one is most likely to lead to success. Businesses can gain a significant competitive advantage by using data to drive their decisions.

Secure Data Sharing and Collaboration

Quality and security are important considerations for any business that shares data. The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform includes features that help ensure the quality and security of data. With these features, businesses can be confident that their data is accurate and secure. These features will become even more valuable as data governance becomes more important. Data governance is managing data to ensure its quality and security.

This is important for businesses of all sizes, but it is especially critical for businesses that handle sensitive data. With the right data governance practices in place, businesses can ensure that their data is accurate and reliable. The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform from Microsoft includes features that help businesses manage their data and ensure its quality. With these capabilities, businesses can gain the trust of their customers and partners.

Greater Insight Into Your Data Sources

Businesses and organizations must understand their data sources, capabilities, and limitations. Doing so can help you prioritize your data initiatives, focus on areas with the greatest impact, and avoid issues arising from incorrect assumptions about your data. Organizations often have a wealth of data at their disposal, but not all are useful for decision-making. To make the most informed decisions, you need to understand what data is available to you, where it comes from, and how accurate and reliable it is.

There are many factors to consider when assessing your data sources, but some key questions you should ask are:

What data do we have?
Where does it come from?
How accurate is it?
How complete is it?
How timely is it?

Answering these questions can help you understand your data capabilities and limitations, which is essential for making informed decisions.

Final Thoughts

Data is critical to any organization, but not all data is created equal. To make the most informed decisions, you need to understand the provenance of your data. The Microsoft Intelligent Data Platform makes it easy to understand the data in your organization, so you can make more informed decisions. With this platform, businesses of all sizes will find it easier to understand their data capabilities and limitations. As a result, they can focus on areas that will have the greatest impact and avoid issues arising from incorrect assumptions about their data.

September 7, 2022

What Is Microsoft Purview?

What Is Microsoft Purview? The Ultimate Guide to Data Governance

Key Points:

Microsoft Purview is a cloud-based data governance tool that helps organizations manage and govern their data.
Purview provides a central repository for data assets and role-based access control to manage who can see and use what data.
Purview can help organizations meet compliance requirements, such as GDPR and CCPA, by providing a way to track and manage data.

What Is Microsoft Purview?

Microsoft Purview is a cloud-based data governance tool that helps organizations manage and govern their data more effectively. It provides a central repository for storing and managing data and a set of tools for analyzing and reporting on that data. Purview also includes several features that make collaborating on data governance projects easier, such as workflow and approvals.

Data Governance in Today’s Digital World

Data governance is a critical success factor in any digital transformation. The processes and policies ensure data is accurate, consistent, and compliant with regulations. With the proliferation of data, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage and govern. There are different types of data that organizations have to deal with, including but not limited to financial data, customer data, employee data, and more

With over 90 percent of organizations using some form of cloud services, it can be challenging to keep track of all the data stored in the cloud. Additionally, many organizations use multiple cloud providers, which complicates things further. In addition to managing a multi-cloud strategy, businesses and organizations must keep up with the latest laws and regulations regarding data privacy and security.

Small, mid-size, and large organizations must comply with the ever-changing regulatory landscape, which can be challenging. Organizations have to ensure that they have a way to collect, process and store all of this data in a way that complies with the law. Organizations also have to be able to access this data when they need to, and they have to be able to protect it from unauthorized access.

Many regulatory requirements around data governance are changing, and organizations must adapt to these changes quickly or be subject to hefty fines. Businesses and organizations need a comprehensive data governance solution that will help them comply with the latest laws and regulations.

Managing Your Risks With Microsoft Purview

Microsoft Purview can help you manage risks by allowing you to see all of your data in one place. By identifying and addressing risks early, you can avoid potential problems later. Additionally, Purview can be used to create reports that show you how your data has changed over time. This can help you to identify trends and potential risks.

Purview can help you manage risk in several ways:

Helps you see all of your data in one place
Helps you understand who has access to your data and what level of access they have
Helps you create reports that show you how your data is being used

Risk management is an important part of any business, and Microsoft Purview can help you take control of your risk exposure.

What Does Microsoft Purview Do for Businesses and Organizations?

Microsoft Purview is a data catalog that helps you discover, understand, and govern your data. It provides a unified view of your data across all your data sources, so you can find the right data quickly and confidently. With Purview, you can do these things:

Discover What Data You Have, Where It’s Located, and How It’s Being Used

Purview helps you discover what data you have, where it’s located, and how it’s being used. You can use Purview to find the data you need and understand how it can be used to improve your business. Purview also provides you with a holistic view of your data to make better decisions about your business.

Governs Your Data to Ensure Compliance and Reduce Risk

Purview helps you govern your data to ensure compliance and reduce risk. You can use Purview to track and manage data to meet compliance requirements. Purview also allows you to control who can see and use your data. This helps you to keep your data safe and secure.

Automatically Classify Data

Purview automatically classifies data so that you can easily find the data you need. You can use Purview to classify data by customer, product, or even by time period.

Share Data With Others

Purview provides you with the ability to share data with others. You can use Purview to create groups and give access to specific data sets.

Integrate Data From Multiple Sources

Purview helps you integrate data from multiple sources. You can use Purview to connect to data sources and combine data from multiple sources into one central location. Additionally, Purview can be used to cleanse and transform data to be ready for analysis.

Understand the Meaning of Your Data

Purview provides you with the ability to understand the meaning of your data. You can use Purview to create models that analyze your data and provide insights into what it means. Additionally, Purview can monitor your data for changes and generate alerts when specific conditions are met.

Summing Up

Today, data is the most valuable asset for any company or organization. It helps businesses understand their customers, figure out what works and doesn’t, and make better decisions. However, its value depends on how quickly and easily it can be found and used. The more data a company has, the more difficult it becomes to find the most important data.

Microsoft Purview helps you gain the insight you need to make decisions about your business. It provides a unified view of all your data, including financial, operational, and customer data. With Purview, you can track performance, identify trends, and predict future business conditions. Purview is a powerful tool to help you run your business more effectively.

September 5, 2022September 29, 2022

Benefits Of Windows 365 For Small And Large Business

Benefits Of Windows 365 For Small And Large Businesses

KEY POINTS FROM THE ARTICLE:

Windows 365 is a cloud-based PC that uses a subscription model to help organizations cost-effectively scale operations.
Windows 365 offers businesses top-tier end-user experience, easy IT administration, seamless health and performance monitoring, reliable security, and compliance with US and international regulations.
Users can log into their PC from any device.
We are a trusted Microsoft partner that can help businesses to get started on Windows 365.

Windows 365 is your PC in the cloud. Users can now stream personalized experiences using any device, anywhere. While individuals and teams work seamlessly, it is easy for IT managers to configure and manage devices. The wholesome experience includes accessing a personal desktop, content, apps, and settings.

Benefits Of Windows 365 To Businesses

Windows 365 is an excellent way for businesses to transition to cloud-based solutions. Organizations can now secure and optimize hybrid work. Let us consider the key benefits of Windows 365 to businesses of all sizes.

Top-tier User Experience

Windows 365 optimizes employee productivity through automation and simplification. Unlike on-premises software, the cloud-based solution offers users automatic upgrades at no extra fees. Businesses can now enjoy the superiority of the latest Microsoft innovations in daily operations. The time and financial costs of manual software upgrades are eliminated.

Users no longer have to carry multiple devices when moving from one place to another. One can access their virtual PC from a website and resume their session where they left off. Individuals can now work faster since the cloud PC is independent of the physical one—users can select preferred features such as optimal processing power and storage. The IT department handles all configurations, freeing up teams to focus on goal attainment. Microsoft also offers faster internet speeds for cloud PCs than for traditional devices. Making workloads easily manageable can improve employee morale and organizational productivity.

Easy Administration

Microsoft uses familiar tools such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager (MEM), eliminating the need for IT professionals to get additional training. MEM is a central device management point for both physical and cloud PCs. Allowing admins on Windows 365 to easily assign PCs complements a company’s onboarding process since new employees can settle fast. IT admins will also easily assign users sufficient processing power, storage space, and apps. Groups on Windows 365 allow the IT department to reuse configuration settings to reduce time when assigning devices to new users. Organizations no longer have to maintain idle devices. Admins have the liberty to add and remove devices to match organizational needs. Organizations can now enjoy new technology tools and more extensive networks with no additional infrastructure.

Performance And Health Monitoring

Windows 365 lets IT managers view system analytics, such as connection speeds. The platform also checks whether users access vital services such as Azure. Microsoft runs continuous diagnostics and alerts admins when problems are detected. The system also generates suggestions on how to fix particular issues. Automatic reporting on key performance metrics enables admins to understand user experience in the organization better. The automated reports also indicate whether the memory and processing power allocations are optimal for employees. Microsoft allows organizations to upgrade their cloud PCs as their needs expand.

Security And Compliance

Windows 365 is compliant with US and international regulations. The platform only features licensed applications from the Microsoft suite.

The primary benefit of cloud PCs is preventing users from downloading corporate data to personal devices. The Zero Trust security model allows businesses to protect data better using tools such as multifactor authentication. Windows 365 uses the least privilege access principles to limit what employees can view based on their role. Defender protects cloud PCs from possible malware attacks. Encryption of both data at rest and in transit protects organizations from losing sensitive information to criminals. Organizations manage their data. Microsoft maintains utmost transparency on how data is stored and used.

Data Management

Accessing data on Windows 365 is as easy as it is secure. The cloud-based solution stores session information to allow users to resume tasks exactly where they left off. Constant data backups to Microsoft cloud facilities allow employees to remain productive regardless of their devices. Information loss is minimized to help businesses to benefit from big data. IT administrators can protect sensitive corporate data by managing users’ permissions. Admin privileges extend to deciding whether users can download specific files to their devices. Businesses can now centralize analysis to get insightful data analytics.

Effective Communication

Users can collaborate quickly on Windows 365 using Microsoft communication tools such as Outlook. Great applications such as Microsoft Teams allow businesses to schedule and have meetings conveniently. The app aims to eliminate disruptions since teams can remotely participate in collective projects while communicating well. Features such as instant messaging enable users to coordinate daily activities. Microsoft OneNote is available in the cloud-based suite to ease idea sharing. Communication is also easier on Windows 365 due to automation in recording details for future reference. Shared mailboxes and calendars help to align employees’ actions to particular objectives. IT admins should avail necessary communication tools to specific employees. Improved access to information could make companies more innovative.

Easy To Scale Business Operations

Windows 365 is a great way to scale operations. Firstly, eliminating the need to buy new devices makes it possible to handle more operations cost-effectively. Window 365’s subscription package includes license fees for particular applications. Secondly, businesses can easily manage IT services even with a small workforce. Microsoft Endpoint Management enables enterprises to control devices through extensive automation easily. Admins can easily add applications to devices and use predefined groups to configure them. Reusing configuration files enables organizations to maximize productivity even with new individuals and teams. Thirdly, the Windows 365 suite includes all applications available for physical PCs. The feature allows users to access necessary data and applications from anywhere.

September 2, 2022September 6, 2022

How Microsoft Sentinel Uses Threat Intelligence to Stay Ahead of Cybersecurity

Key Points:

Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, making data your best friend
Data analytics is critical for security, but it’s only part of the puzzle – people and processes are also important
Threat Intelligence continues to be a top priority for organizations, as it allows you to identify and respond to emerging threats quickly
Microsoft Sentinel is a solution that addresses the need for comprehensive data analytics

The Threat Intelligence Value Chain

Digital transformation is resulting in more business opportunities but also more cyber threats. Cyberattacks, social media hacks, and data breaches have become headline news. Companies need to do more to protect themselves, starting with understanding the evolving cybersecurity landscape. As digital transformation accelerates, so do the opportunities for criminals. Data is now being generated and shared at an unprecedented rate, creating new vulnerabilities for businesses.

Threat Intelligence (TI) is a critical part of an effective security strategy, providing the latest information on threats and how to protect against them. We expect the threat intelligence value proposition to expand in scope and depth to help organizations keep pace with the ever-changing threat landscape. According to the latest research reports, the threat intelligence market is expected to grow to $15.8 billion by 2026, up from $11.6 billion in 2021. Given the rapid increase in cyber threats, it is clear that businesses need to invest in threat intelligence if they want to stay ahead of the curve.

Through AI, businesses can better understand their cybersecurity posture and threats. AI can help identify patterns in data that would otherwise be undetectable and provide insights into potential threats. Additionally, AI can automate the response to attacks, helping to contain the damage and minimize the disruption to business operations.

Microsoft Sentinel: A Solution That Protects Your Business With Threat Intelligence

Microsoft Sentinel is a cloud-native security information and event management (SIEM) solution that ingests stores. It analyzes data from various sources to give you a unified view of your organization’s security posture. It uses advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to detect, investigate, and respond to threats in real time. Microsoft Sentinel is Microsoft’s latest offering in the threat intelligence space, providing a comprehensive solution for businesses of all sizes.

Microsoft Sentinel includes several features that make it an effective solution for protecting your business:

Machine Learning: Microsoft Sentinel uses machine learning to detect and respond to threats in real-time. Machine learning algorithms are constantly being updated as new threats are identified, making Microsoft Sentinel a highly effective solution for protecting your business.
Big Data Analytics: Microsoft Sentinel uses big data analytics to help you identify trends and patterns in your data. This information can improve your security posture and effectively investigate and respond to threats.
Threat Intelligence: Microsoft Sentinel provides the latest information on threats to stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, Microsoft Sentinel’s threat intelligence team is constantly monitoring the latest threats and providing updates to the system, so you can be sure you’re always up-to-date.

What Is Threat Intelligence?

Threat Intelligence is the process of gathering, analyzing, and making use of information about threats. It can improve an organization’s security posture and investigate and respond to threats more effectively.

Threat Intelligence can be divided into several categories:

Business Threat Intelligence: This type of threat intelligence focuses on the business impact of threats. It can be used to assess the risks posed by threats and to make decisions about how to respond to them. Business threat intelligence can also support decision-making, risk management, and security operations. This type of intelligence can also be used to help a business recover from an attack.
Technical Threat Intelligence: This type of threat intelligence focuses on the technical aspects of threats, such as the methods and techniques used by attackers. Technical threat intelligence can improve an organization’s defenses by providing information on how to detect and prevent attacks. Technical threat intelligence can investigate attacks that have already occurred and determine the incident’s root cause.
Strategic Threat Intelligence: Strategic threat intelligence focuses on the bigger picture, such as the motivations and objectives of attackers. It can be used to understand the threat landscape and to develop strategies for dealing with threats. Strategic threat intelligence can also assess an attack’s impact and develop plans for dealing with the aftermath.

Why Is Threat Intelligence Important?

In the business world, intelligence gathering is nothing new. It’s a critical part of any company’s competitive strategy. However, the rise of digital threats has made threat intelligence a necessity for all businesses, not just those in highly competitive industries. Digital threats come in many forms, including viruses, malware, phishing attacks, and ransomware.

These threats can significantly impact an organization, causing financial damage, data loss, and reputational damage. Threat Intelligence can help organizations mitigate the risks posed by digital threats. By gathering information about threats, analyzing it, and using it, businesses can make more informed decisions about how to protect themselves. Additionally, threat intelligence can help businesses respond more effectively to attacks.

How Can Microsoft Sentinel and Its Threat Intelligence Feature Help Your Business?

Helps You Identify Vulnerabilities in Your Systems

Microsoft Sentinel’s big data analytics capabilities help you make sense of the vast amounts of data your organization collects. By identifying trends and patterns, you can gain insights that can help you investigate and respond to threats more effectively. Identifying threats early on can help you avoid costly damages and disruptions down the road.

Helps You Gain a Better Understanding of the Attack Landscape

Data is your best friend when safeguarding your organization from cyberattacks. Collecting and analyzing data from various sources gives you a more comprehensive understanding of the attack landscape. This, in turn, will help you develop a more effective cybersecurity strategy. A more comprehensive strategy will help you better protect your organization from the ever-evolving threat landscape.

Helps You Detect and Investigate Suspicious Activity

Sentinel’s machine learning capabilities can be used to detect and investigate suspicious activity. The platform’s machine learning algorithms are constantly improving, making it more and more effective at identifying potential threats. This can help you nip suspicious activities in the bud before they have a chance to do any damage. Security events are quickly identified and investigated, helping you avoid costly disruptions.

Gives You Better Visibility Into Your Applications, Data, and Infrastructure

Sentinel’s comprehensive platform can help you keep your finger on the pulse of your organization’s applications, data, and infrastructure. The platform’s real-time monitoring capabilities give you visibility into what’s happening across your entire IT environment.

Helps You Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Posture

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, having a strong cybersecurity posture is more important than ever. Sentinel can help you achieve this by providing the tools and insights you need to identify and respond to threats quickly and effectively. You can help keep your organization safe and secure by staying one step ahead of the attackers.

Microsoft Sentinel’s powerful capabilities can help you better protect your business against a wide range of cyber threats. As the threat intelligence market rapidly expands, it’s more important than ever to have a platform like Microsoft Sentinel in your corner.

July 28, 2022September 14, 2022

Small Business Guide To Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop

The business world is becoming increasingly digital. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many companies have moved into work-from-home situations, which has made remote and hybrid working environments more desirable and commonplace for workers across the country. The modern workforce is more flexible and mobile than ever, and businesses need the right digital environment to keep up.

Workplace digitization can help to improve collaboration and communication, streamline processes, and increase efficiency. Additionally, it can help businesses to facilitate a more flexible working environment that can accommodate the needs of today’s workers. As the business world continues to evolve, it is clear that digitization will play an essential role in its future.

Virtual desktops are the answer to keeping connected to your employees and business information from any location or device. Azure Virtual Desktop is the most cost-effective, easy-to-use, and robust virtual desktop solution. Azure Virtual Desktop provides a secure, remote desktop experience optimized for performance and flexibility.

With Azure Virtual Desktop, you can access your applications and data anywhere, on any device. And because Azure Virtual Desktop is hosted in the cloud, you can scale up or down as your needs change.

Azure Virtual Desktop is the perfect solution for businesses of all sizes who need to provide their employees remote access to business applications and data. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get started with Azure Virtual Desktop.

What Is Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop

Azure Virtual Desktop, previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop, is a cloud-based desktop and app virtualization service that makes it easy to access your Windows applications and data from any device.

With AVD, you can switch between devices seamlessly without worrying about syncing changes or saving files. This makes it an ideal solution for people who work with multiple devices. AVD also provides a cost-effective way to deliver virtual desktops and apps to your users, eliminating the need for expensive hardware and software.

In addition, AVD is backed by the security and reliability of Azure, which means you can rest assured that your data is safe and available when needed.

An Azure Active Directory (AD) can provide admins with a complete virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution, going beyond the traditional VDI offerings. Azure AD delivers resources to users in conjunction with the Azure portal.

It gives users access to Azure virtual machines, templates, cloud services, and more. Azure AD also offers an extensive set of features and capabilities that admins can leverage to deliver a complete VDI solution.

These features and capabilities include delivered resources in conjunction with the Azure portal, provision and manage Azure virtual machines, templates, cloud services, integration with on-premises Active Directory domain controllers, and more. With these features and capabilities, Azure AD can provide admins with a complete VDI solution that meets their needs and requirements.

Microsoft designed Azure Virtual Desktop to provide organizations and individuals with remote access to their desktops, applications, and data. With this centralized experience, users can securely access all their files and Microsoft apps and communicate effectively. Azure Virtual Desktop can be used to support on-premises or cloud-based deployments and offers a variety of customization and configuration options to meet your organization’s needs. Azure Virtual Desktop is a cost-effective solution that can help you improve your productivity and reduce your IT costs.

What Are The Benefits Of Azure Virtual Desktop?

Flexibility: The ability to create virtual networks is one of the primary advantages of desktop virtualization. With traditional desktop models, each computer has its own separate domain, which can make managing many computers difficult. Virtual desktops allow you to create a single, unified network in which all of the computers can communicate with each other. This can be a major advantage for businesses with many computers that want to keep everything on the same network. In addition, virtual networks can be customized to meet the specific needs of your business. For example, you can create a virtual network that includes only the computers used for certain tasks or installed software. This can help improve productivity by ensuring employees have the resources they need to do their jobs.

Management: With a traditional desktop computer, you must set up a machine for each user. That can be expensive and take up a lot of space. It can also be difficult to manage users who are not in the same office or home as you are. With a virtual desktop, you only have to set up one computer. You can easily manage the virtual desktop from any computer in the same network. The user doesn’t have to be in your office or home, and you can give them access to the virtual desktop from any computer. Virtual desktops are easier to manage and more flexible than traditional desktops.

Cost Control: Azure Virtual Desktop is a cost-effective solution for businesses that need to provide their employees with desktop access. With AVD, you have less need for expensive physical servers. You can host the virtual desktop on a server only used by the members of the virtual network. This will significantly reduce the total cost of ownership and make the virtual desktop more manageable. In addition, AVD provides flexibility and scalability that are impossible with traditional desktop solutions. With AVD, you can easily add or remove users from the system as needed and scale up or down the number of virtual desktops based on your changing needs. As a result, AVD is an ideal solution for businesses that want to provide their employees with desktop access while reducing costs.

How Do You Get Started With Azure Virtual Desktop?

AVD is a Microsoft Azure service that enables you to set up and manage a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) in your Azure subscription. AVD offers many benefits over traditional on-premises VDI solutions, including the ability to scale up or down as needed, pay only for what you use, and access Windows 10 and 11 desktops and apps from any device location. The Azure portal allows you to easily provision and manage your AVD environment. In addition, AVD integrates with other Azure services such as Azure Active Directory, making it easier to secure and manage your virtual desktop infrastructure.

To use Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), you need to meet the following requirements: You must be an Azure AD tenant, have an Azure AD account with global permissions, and have an Azure subscription with owner permissions. If you do not have an Azure AD account, you can create one by signing up for a free trial. To create an Azure AD account, you must provide your name, email address, and password. Once you have created your account, you will need to add a subscription. To do this, click on the “Add Subscription” button and select the subscription that you would like to add. Finally, click on the “Confirm” button. Your subscription will now be added to your account.

All user accounts must reside within the same Azure AD infrastructure as the virtual machines they will be accessing. This ensures greater security and an authentication framework. If your user’s accounts are external to the infrastructure, they will be unable to access the AVD resources. Consequently, it is essential that all user accounts are created within the Azure AD infrastructure. This will ensure that your users can access the AVD resources and that your system is secure.

As a team leader, you can manage your AVD environment to assign users, create app groups, publish resources, and much more. The Getting Started feature will help you, as an admin, to launch AVD, assign and create user groups, and manage your domain. You can also use the Admin Console to view system information and usage statistics, configure global settings, and administrate user accounts. Furthermore, the Admin SDK allows you to access many of the admin console’s features programmatically. With the Admin SDK, you can build custom tools to help you manage your AVD environment more effectively. Whether you’re just starting with AVD or a seasoned administrator, the Getting Started feature, and the Admin SDK will help you get the most out of your AVD experience.

Azure Virtual Desktop Allows You To Work From Anywhere

The traditional workplace is evolving. In the past, employees were expected to work nine-to-five in an office. However, with the advent of technology, it is now possible for employees to work remotely. This trend has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as many businesses have been forced to allow their employees to work from home. There are several benefits to this new way of working.

First, it allows businesses to access a wider pool of talent, as they are no longer restricted to hiring people who live near their offices.

Second, it can bring greater satisfaction to employees, as they can choose to work from home if they wish.

Finally, it can help to reduce workplace expenses, as businesses no longer need to maintain office space.

In the future, we expect that more and more businesses will adopt remote and hybrid working models. This will allow them to stay competitive in the global marketplace and attract the best talent.

Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based desktop virtualization service managed by Microsoft. It provides users access to their files, applications, and personal settings in a way similar to using a physical desktop computer.

Azure Virtual Desktop can be used to create virtual machines that can be accessed from anywhere in the world, making it an ideal solution for businesses with employees who telecommute or work remotely. Additionally, Azure Virtual Desktop offers enhanced security features, such as multi-factor authentication and data encryption, which help to protect corporate data. Overall, Azure Virtual Desktop is a flexible and secure solution for businesses of all sizes.

Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based desktop virtualization service allowing businesses to provide their employees remote access to workstations and applications. Businesses can effectively manage their employees’ workflows from a central location by assigning users to groups and restricting access to certain files and information. Azure Virtual Desktop also includes several security features, such as multi-factor authentication and data encryption, that help to protect businesses’ data from unauthorized access. As a result, Azure Virtual Desktop is an essential tool for businesses that need to provide their employees remote access to workstations and applications.

Azure Virtual Desktop Allows Simple Security Management

AVD helps your business to secure and control its data by integrating with Microsoft 365’s security features. This integration allows organizations to take advantage of Microsoft’s proactive security measures, which can help to reduce the chance of data breaches or other security flaws. By reducing the amount of data they lose, organizations can also reduce the likelihood that they will be tricked into a cyberattack.

In addition, AVD provides several other benefits, such as tracking and managing data usage and creating customized reports. As a result, AVD can help your business to improve its data security posture and to protect its information assets better.

Azure Virtual Desktop security management includes data encryption at rest and in transit, role-based access control for data, secure remote access to the virtual desktop with multi-factor authentication, and secure provisioning of VDI resources using OAuth tokens.

Data encryption ensures your data is protected from unauthorized access, even if the Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure is compromised.

Role-based access control lets you granularly control who has access to your data, ensuring that only authorized users can view or modify sensitive information.

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to confirm their identity using two or more independent factors, such as a password and a security code.

OAuth tokens provide a secure way to provision virtual desktop resources, ensuring that only authorized users can access the virtual machines.

By implementing these security measures, you can be sure that your Azure Virtual Desktop environment is protected from unauthorized access.

Speak With Your Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Professionals

AVD provides your employees with flexible access to their data and business applications from any device.

With Microsoft 365, IT pros can manage your environment and protect sensitive data. AVD offers an extensive range of products designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. With AVD, businesses can remotely and securely access their data from any device, anywhere. AVD’s products are reliable, easy to use, and backed by world-class customer support.

March 22, 2022September 1, 2022

Slack vs. Microsoft Teams

Chat-based collaboration has been around for several years, but with the sudden impact at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Slack and Microsoft Teams both quickly rose to the forefront. But which one is better for your business? Whichever option you choose, you’re still the winner, because two great collaboration platforms provide you with the features you want. Here’s a six-category comparison to help you through the process.

Business Tech Blog: Slack vs. Teams

Interface and Usability

Appearance: For customization, go with Slack for a ton of options.
Navigation/Dashboard: Slack focuses on work channels to separate projects, teams or topics. Teams focuses on the people being brought into the collaboration.
In-App Help: Teams features Help icons at the bottom of the sidebar, including training, topics, and what’s new links, allowing you to browse or search. Slack’s in-app chatbot is super easy to use for fast answers.
Chat: Teams will provide an experience closer to a word processor, with additional colors, fonts, and similar options.
Video and Voice Conference: Slack integrates well with Zoom, Webex and others. Teams build in videoconferencing but can use other options.
Notification Control: Teams provides many notification options, while Slack provides superior Do Not Disturb controls.

Integrations

Microsoft 365/Office 365: Not surprisingly, being a Microsoft product, Teams is better at integrating the business productivity suite, along with integration to SharePoint and OneDrive. Slack also integrates, but not as far as Teams does.
Google Workspace: If you use Google-based options, such as Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Drive, you’ll want to stick with Slack, because Teams doesn’t even try it.
Salesforce: Salesforce bought Slack in July 2021, allowing easy integration. View Slack messages tied to specific Salesforce records and Salesforce alerts on Slack channels. Teams integrates with it, but not as deeply.
Overall: Slack offers significantly more third-party app integrations, currently tying into over 2,400 apps versus Teams’ 700, with both apps providing the option to build customized apps and integrations, with Slack having about 935,000 customized apps.

Additional Noteworthy Features

Shared Channels: Slack Channels makes it easy to connect your workspace to a partner’s workspace, improving collaboration. Teams provides guest access for outside parties.
Scaling: Slack supports unlimited users and channels, with over 100,000 users per channel. Teams allow unlimited users, up to 25,000 participants per team, 200 channels per team, and 5,000 users per channel.
Translation: Teams offers onboard message translation in 36 different languages. Again, Slack uses app integrations such as the Rosetta Translator bot.

Mobile and Web Apps

In this category, Slack and Teams were very even, with similar functionality, features and usability.

Security, Compliance and Enterprise Management

Security: Both have similar layers and degrees of protection overall. However, integrations in Slack could open new vulnerabilities.
Encryption: Both apps encrypt data while in transit as well as in storage. A wide range of capabilities and apps keep your data secure.
Enterprise Key Management: Teams offers this to a certain extent, but Slack’s Enterprise Key Management lets you create encryption keys for messages and files.

Plans and Pricing

Free Options: Both apps provide free plans, but Teams is more generous, with unlimited meetings, messages, and search, up to 500 users, 2GB storage per user, 10GB shared storage, one-on-one chat, screen sharing, unlimited integrations, and encryption, while Slack has up to 10,000 messages, 10 integrations, one-on-one video calls, and two-factor authentication.
Slack Plans: Pro plan starts at $6.67/user/month and steps up to $12.50/user/month for Business+, with both billed annually. Enterprise Grid plan pricing requires contacting Slack sales. Paid plans provide unlimited access, messages, and much more.
Teams Plans: There are many plans for Teams, ranging from $5/user/month to $57/user/month, while adding more capability, such as scheduled meetings, recording, security, admin, and compliance features.

In Conclusion

Overall, Slack and Teams offer many of the same features. Consider what features you need and which option delivers those features best. If you do a great deal of Microsoft 365 work, consider giving Teams a long trial before switching. If, on the other hand, you tend to avoid vendor lock-in issues, are avidly using Salesforce, or use Google Workspace, give Slack a shot and see how well it will work for your enterprise.

March 6, 2022September 1, 2022

Do Microsoft Teams Attacks Prove Need for Innovative Cybersecurity Awareness Training?

Do Microsoft Teams Attacks Prove Need for Innovative Cybersecurity Awareness Training?

Although hackers select email as their preferred delivery method upwards of 92 percent of the time, a recent Microsoft Teams exploitation emerged as a significant threat. Do these stunning Trojan attacks on businesses require a rethinking of cybersecurity awareness training?

With more than 270 million monthly users collaborating on the platform, Microsoft Teams ranks among the high-value targets. This holds true for relatively unskilled hackers and advanced persistent threat (APT) actors who possess the knowledge, tools, and funding to abuse the even heightened cybersecurity defenses. In January, a report by researchers at Avanan surfaced that indicates thousands of malicious files circulated Microsoft Team chat spaces.

“By attaching the file to a Teams attack, hackers have found a new way to target millions of users easily. They can steal Microsoft 365 credentials from a previous phishing campaign, giving them carte blanche access to Teams and the rest of the Office suite,” Avanan reportedly stated. “Given that hackers are quite adept at compromising Microsoft 365 accounts using traditional email phishing methods, they’ve learned that the same credentials work for Teams.”

Cybersecurity experts have issued alerts to check laptops, desktops, and other devices synced with business networks to run enterprise-level antivirus scams immediately. It’s also crucial to search devices for Trojans named User Centric, UserCentric, or UserCentric.exe. These were among the initial monikers APTs gave the Trojan files. However, cybersecurity experts believe hackers have renamed the malware.

Microsoft Teams Malware Poses Substantial Risk

What makes the Teams malware attack particularly dangerous stems from workplace comfort. Business leaders who invest in cybersecurity awareness training help employees identify email phishing scams. Even more sophisticated spear-phishing schemes are usually spotted because workforces possess the knowledge to identify telltale signs. But workforces grow increasingly relaxed on platforms such as Teams and Slack, among others.

“Most employees have been trained to second-guess identities in email, but few know how to make sure that the name and photo they see in a Teams conversation are real,” Avanan officials reportedly stated. “This attack demonstrates that hackers are beginning to understand and better utilize Teams as a potential attack vector.”

Relatively unskilled hackers will continue to send out tens of thousands of bulk emails, hoping an uneducated user will make a mistake. Fortunately, many industry leaders have already invested in cybersecurity awareness training that turned their workers into a hardened frontline of defense. But for cybercriminal adept a problem-solving, Teams was worth their time and energy to infiltrate. This highlights the international chess match played between digital thieves and cybersecurity professionals.

How are Hackers Manipulating Teams?

Everyday people generally believe that platforms such as Teams are safe. With this comfort in mind, it’s inconceivable that seemingly valid massages have been laced with malware. Unfortunately, that’s precisely the vulnerability that now exists on these once trustworthy platforms. These rank among the latest methods cybercriminals leveraged on teams.

Compromise one organization and monitor inter-organizational communication.
Compromise an email address that can access Teams.
Use phishing schemes to steal Microsoft 365 credentials.

When someone clicks on the malicious file transmitted on the platform, it automatically downloads. The Trojan installs into the system and allows digital thieves to administer and control the network or device. Unlike ransomware attacks, APTs could hide in a system and pilfer off valued digital assets until detected and expelled.

“Compounding this problem is the fact that default Teams protections are lacking, as scanning for malicious links and files is limited. Further, many email security solutions do not offer robust protection for Teams,” Avanan reportedly stated. “Hackers, who can access Teams accounts via East-West attacks, or by leveraging the credentials they harvest in other phishing attacks, have carte blanche to launch attacks against millions of unsuspecting users.”

How Can Business Leaders Defend Against Teams Trojan Attacks?

Devices and networks often demonstrate signs they’ve been infected by a Trojan. Sluggishness, frequent crashes, excessive pop-ups, or random programs running could be the result of a Trojan.

It’s essential to contact a third-party cybersecurity professional if you believe your business network has been compromised. Finding and removing a Trojan requires in-depth knowledge and experience. People who try a DIY approach risk triggering unidentified files and potentially damaging the network. In some cases, organizations believe they have eliminated the threat, only to later discover it was embedded in other devices, documents, or electronic messages.

Industry leaders would be well-served to consider having a full review of their systems conducted. Even if this Trojan hasn’t infiltrated your network yet, enhanced cybersecurity awareness training regarding Teams and other platforms empowers your staff to repel malware attacks.