Imagine the challenges of conducting business 30 years ago, before the advent of the reliable laptop. The thought alone is daunting. Today, however, the modern professional faces a different kind of dread: an hour’s worth of work and only 30 minutes left on the laptop battery.

No one wants to be stuck in the precarious position of a low battery during a critical meeting or presentation. Fortunately, with a bit of expertise, you can extend your laptop battery’s lifespan and ensure its optimal performance for years to come.

A fundamental understanding of your battery is crucial. Most contemporary laptops utilize lithium-ion batteries, which are subject to a finite number of charge cycles. A single charge cycle constitutes a complete discharge from 0% to 100%, and each cycle incrementally reduces the battery’s capacity.

The cardinal rule? Avoid full discharges whenever feasible. In other words, do not allow the battery to deplete entirely.

To begin, delve into your laptop’s power settings and tailor your battery preferences. Hibernation mode is particularly beneficial, as it activates before your battery reaches critically low levels. Additionally, enabling Battery Saver mode can be a lifesaver, conserving power when your battery is nearly exhausted.

Next, consider decluttering your system. Close unnecessary background applications to eliminate superfluous power consumption. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when they are not in use, and reduce screen brightness to save energy.

Regarding charging practices, it is a misconception that keeping your laptop plugged in will damage the battery. Modern devices are engineered with intelligent systems to prevent overcharging. However, avoid exposing your battery to extreme temperatures and strive to keep the charge above 20% whenever possible.

When storing your laptop for extended periods, ensure it is charged to approximately 50%. For further assurance, utilize battery management applications that provide real-time insights into your battery’s health.

Also, consistently update your software. New patches and upgrades can enhance performance and reduce energy consumption, effectively rejuvenating your battery.

At our company, we specialize in helping businesses maximize the longevity and efficiency of their devices. If you seek to achieve the same, do not hesitate to reach out.

Are you tired of juggling a multitude of passwords like a circus act? You’re not alone. According to a recent report, around 1 in 4 of us feel the same. But it’s not just the sheer number of passwords that’s causing headaches – it’s the security risks they pose.

Let’s face it, when it comes to setting passwords, most people aren’t cyber security experts. From weak and easily guessable passwords to the cardinal sin of reusing passwords across multiple accounts, human error is everywhere.

Another study revealed that, on average, people use the same password for five different accounts. And don’t get us started on classics like ‘123456’… used on a mind-boggling 23 million breached accounts.

But here’s the thing: Cyber criminals don’t need any extra help. They’re already pros at cracking passwords, and our lax habits are like an open invitation to wreak havoc. And let’s not forget the staggering stats – a projected $434 billion loss to online payment fraud globally between 2024 and 2027, with 90% of data leaks attributed to stolen login details.

So, what’s the solution?

Password managers.

These are essential software tools that take the hassle out of password management by generating and storing complex, unique passwords for each account. No more ‘123456’ disasters. Just robust security.

And the best part? Password managers not only beef up your security defenses but they also streamline your digital life. With one-click logins and autofill features, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one. And with the right password manager, you can rest easy knowing your sensitive data is under lock and key.

A password manager makes your life easier and business safer at the same time. Want to know which one we recommend? Get in touch.

Co-managed IT services offer businesses a collaborative approach to IT management, combining in-house expertise with the support of third-party service providers. By integrating Cisco Meraki into these IT environments, businesses can enhance network visibility, improve security, and streamline operations.

Keep reading to learn more about using Cisco Meraki in co-managed IT services.

Understanding Co-Managed IT Services

Co-managed IT services involve a strategic collaboration between an organization’s internal IT team and a third-party provider. This model offers the best of both worlds: internal teams retain control over critical IT functions while external service providers bring expertise and resources. Here are a few benefits of using co-managed IT services:

Access to Specialized Support

Service providers bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in various technologies, best practices, and industry standards. This expertise enhances the capabilities of the internal IT team. Co-managed IT services also enable organizations to stay current with the latest technologies and industry trends. External providers can help identify and integrate new solutions, keeping the business competitive and efficient.

Scalability

Co-managed IT services can easily adapt to the changing needs of a business. They can help you manage organizational growth, seasonal fluctuations, or changing market demands. By outsourcing routine tasks to an external provider, internal IT staff can also focus on strategic projects and core business objectives that drive growth and innovation.

Continuous Support and Monitoring

External providers offer round-the-clock support, promptly addressing issues. This proactive approach reduces downtime and enhances overall IT performance. Co-managed IT services often benefit from advanced security measures and compliance support. External providers can help implement up-to-date security protocols and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

Overview of Cisco Meraki

Cisco Meraki is a comprehensive cloud-managed IT platform renowned for its user-friendly interface and robust suite of products. This includes wireless access points, switches, security appliances, and cameras. The platform’s centralized management capabilities allow IT administrators to oversee and control the entire network through a single, web-based dashboard. This seamless approach simplifies network management, enhances visibility, and provides real-time monitoring and analytics, enabling organizations to optimize their IT operations. The features and capabilities of Cisco Meraki solutions include:

Cloud-Based Management

Cisco Meraki’s cloud-based management platform allows IT administrators to remotely access and manage all network devices through a centralized web-based dashboard. This feature provides greater flexibility, as administrators can make configuration changes, monitor network performance, and troubleshoot issues from anywhere at any time. The cloud management platform also ensures real-time data and seamless updates across the network.

Automatic Updates

Cisco Meraki devices benefit from automatic updates, receiving regular firmware and software patches directly from the cloud. This feature ensures that devices are always running the latest security measures and features, minimizing vulnerabilities and reducing the need for manual intervention. Automatic updates help maintain a secure and efficient network infrastructure.

Scalability: Cisco Meraki solutions offer exceptional scalability, enabling businesses to add or remove devices as their needs change. This flexibility is especially beneficial for growing organizations requiring rapid network infrastructure adjustments.

Comprehensive Security Features

Cisco Meraki provides advanced security measures such as threat detection, content filtering, and robust firewalls to protect the network from cyber threats. The platform also offers VPN options for secure remote access and customizable security settings tailored to the organization’s requirements. These features help businesses maintain a safe and compliant IT environment. Cisco Meraki also offers detailed analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into network performance, user behavior, and potential issues. These data-driven insights allow IT teams to make informed decisions and optimize network operations.

Using Cisco Meraki in Co-Managed IT Services

Integrating Cisco Meraki into co-managed IT services provides businesses with a seamless and efficient way to optimize their IT infrastructure and network management. The platform’s cloud-based management and centralized dashboard enable internal and external IT teams to work collaboratively, streamlining operations and improving overall network performance. The scalability and flexibility of Cisco Meraki solutions ensure smooth adaptation to changing business needs, allowing organizations to grow and evolve without disruption. Here’s how to use Cisco Meraki in co-managed IT services.

• Collaborative Network Management: Both internal and external IT teams can use Cisco Meraki’s centralized cloud-based dashboard to manage the network collectively. The platform enables seamless sharing of network insights, real-time monitoring, and troubleshooting between the two parties, ensuring a cohesive and efficient approach to network management.
• Role-Based Access Controls: Use Cisco Meraki’s role-based access control features to define clear roles and permissions for internal and external IT team members. This helps maintain a secure environment while allowing each team to focus on their respective areas of expertise, facilitating smooth collaboration.
• Streamlined Device and Application Management: Cisco Meraki’s comprehensive device and application management capabilities enable both teams to monitor and control devices and applications throughout the network. This includes managing configurations, monitoring usage, and applying security policies consistently across the network.
• Customizable Reporting and Analytics: Cisco Meraki’s advanced reporting and analytics tools enable users to create customized reports to share with internal and external teams. These reports provide valuable insights into network performance, security status, and usage trends, supporting data-driven decisions and strategic planning.
• Security Policy Management: Establish joint security policies and access controls using Cisco Meraki’s platform to protect the network and data. Both teams can collaborate to define and enforce consistent security measures across the network, ensuring a secure and compliant environment.
• Coordinated Software and Firmware Updates: Coordinating with external IT providers ensures that Cisco Meraki devices receive regular software and firmware updates. This collaboration helps maintain up-to-date security patches and features, improving network performance and security.
• Regular Review and Optimization: Schedule regular reviews of network performance and security measures using Cisco Meraki’s analytics and monitoring tools. Internal and external teams can collaborate to identify areas for improvement and optimize network configurations based on real-time data and trends.

We all know how important it is to keep our people up-to-date on the latest cyber threats. After all, with cyber attacks on the rise, staying one step ahead is crucial to protect your business from potential breaches.

But here’s the thing – annual cyber security training just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Sure, it’s become a routine part of the calendar for many organizations. And it’s great that it’s happening at all. But ask any security leader, and they’ll tell you… employees find it time-consuming and uninspiring. From clicking through slides to skimming through videos at double-speed, it’s usually seen as just another box to check.

And let’s be honest, even for those who do engage with the training, there’s little evidence it leads to real behavior change.

That’s because the traditional approach lacks interactivity and doesn’t connect with employees on a personal level. It’s more about checking boxes than building a culture of cyber security vigilance.

Guess what? There’s a better way. It’s all about small, regular, human-centric interventions. Think of it like the speed signs you see when you’re driving. They remind people to stop and think before they engage in risky behavior. Just as the signs work for driving, this kind of training makes your employees more aware of what they’re clicking.

By nudging employees toward safer decisions in real-time, we can help them develop better cyber hygiene habits without overwhelming them with information overload. It’s about empowering them to make smarter choices every day.

And with the amount of Generative AI and third-party tools we’re surrounded with right now, it’s more important than ever to give employees the guidance they need to navigate potential risks. Whether it’s through real-time coaching or policy reminders, we can help employees understand the importance of safeguarding sensitive data.

So, while there may be a place for annual training, it’s time to think about using a more proactive approach to cyber security education. This is something we can help you with. If you want to learn more, get in touch.

If you’re all about doing everything you can to help your team max their productivity (who wouldn’t want that, right?), then you’re going to love what Microsoft Teams has in store for us with its latest Copilot upgrades.

Imagine, you’re mid-Teams meeting, brainstorming like there’s no tomorrow. Ideas are flying all over the place! Even the quickest note-taker among you isn’t going to remember it all.

Never mind. Copilot’s got it. It can transcribe your conversation and understand your live chat, then summarize the most valuable insights.

It doesn’t stop there. Ever wish you could hit “undo” on a chat message and reword your response? Copilot can help with that too. In fact, it can come up with a fresh message suggestion right there in the chat. That could save you lots of time – and brain power.

Copilot’s call recap tool can help with normal phone calls too. Teams Premium subscribers will benefit from handy recaps. It’s like having that personal assistant you always wished for (but you still have to make your own coffee).

Microsoft’s also made IntelliFrame the default setting for video calls. What’s that, you ask? It uses AI to identify the individual video feeds of all participants so that everyone gets their moment in the spotlight during Teams Rooms calls. It also means no more awkwardly cropped faces or disappearing attendees.

Smoother team collaboration, more insightful meetings, and video calls that look like they’re straight out of Hollywood… who doesn’t want that?! If you’re not already maxing Teams in your business, we can help. Get in touch

Here’s something not-so-fun but incredibly important to talk about: Malware attacks.

And it’s bad news. These scary cyber threats are hitting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) harder than ever before. That means you need to know how you can defend your business.

First things first, what exactly is malware?

Think of it as the digital equivalent of the germs that make you sick. Malware, short for malicious software, is like the flu virus of the cyber world. It’s designed to sneak into your computer systems or network and wreak havoc in all sorts of ways.

So, what kinds of malware are we talking about here?

Well, according to a recent report, there are a few major troublemakers: Information-stealing malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC).

You might be wondering why you should care about malware. Let me set the scene. You’re running your business smoothly, minding your own business, when BAM! A malware attack hits.

Suddenly, your files are encrypted, your systems are locked down, and you’re being held hostage for ransom.

Sounds like a nightmare, right?

That’s the reality for many SMBs facing malware attacks. It’s not just about losing money – it’s about the potential damage to your reputation, your operations, and your customers’ trust.

But there are plenty of ways to fight back against malware and keep your business safe and sound:

Educate your team

Teach your employees to spot phishing emails (an email pretending to be from someone you trust), suspicious links, and other sneaky tactics used by cyber criminals. A little awareness goes a long way.

Armor up your devices

Make sure all your computers and devices are equipped with the best software to prevent attacks.

Back up, back up, back up

Regularly back up your data to secure offsite locations. That way, if you are attacked, you’ll have a backup plan (literally) to restore your files.

Fortify your network

Improve your network security with firewalls, encryption, and other powerful weapons. We can help with all of that.

Stay skeptical

Be cautious of suspicious emails or requests for sensitive information. When in doubt, double-check the sender’s identity and never click on risky links or attachments.

Have a plan

Prepare an incident response plan for dealing with malware attacks. Think of it as your emergency playbook, complete with steps for containing the threat, recovering your data, and reporting the incident.

That’s a lot to take in, but remember, knowledge is power. These are all things we help our clients with, so they don’t have to worry about it. If we can help you too, get in touch.

Improving productivity is a never-ending mission for most business owners and managers.

Whether it’s speeding up tasks or improving communication, every little helps. So it’s crucial to make the most of the tools you already have.

And while you might think of your web browser as just a means to access the internet, it can be so much more than that. Especially if you use Microsoft Edge in Windows 11. It has loads of features that can help supercharge your productivity.

Here are five of our favorites.

1. Split Screen for multitasking

Multitasking is a skill every business owner needs, and Microsoft Edge’s split screen feature makes it easier than ever. Whether you’re comparing web pages, researching multiple topics, or simply keeping an eye on different sites simultaneously, split screen lets you view two pages side-by-side within the same tab. It’s like having two windows open at once, but without the clutter.

2. Vertical Tabs for streamlined navigation

Too many tabs? Yeah… we understand that. Microsoft Edge’s vertical tabs offer a fresh perspective on tab management. By stacking tabs vertically along the side of the browser window, you can easily navigate between open tabs and access essential controls like close and mute.

3. Workspaces for seamless collaboration

Collaboration is key in any business, and Microsoft Edge’s Workspaces feature makes it easier than ever to work well with colleagues or clients. Create a workspace with a collection of open tabs, then share it with others via a simple link. It means they can open multiple tabs with one click. It’s perfect for brainstorming sessions, project management, or team presentations.

4. Collections for organized research

Gathering information from the web is a common task. Microsoft Edge’s Collections feature makes this easier, allowing you to easily save and organize text, images, and videos from web pages into custom collections. Stay organized, focused, and productive.

5: Immersive Reader for distraction-free reading

When you need to focus on reading an article or document online, distractions on the page can be a pain. Microsoft Edge’s Immersive Reader feature provides a clutter-free reading experience by removing ads, links, and other interruptions. Customize the text size, spacing, and color scheme to suit your preferences, and even have the content read aloud for hands-free reading.

If your business doesn’t already use Microsoft Edge on Windows 11, this could be the perfect time to switch. Can we help you move over? Get in touch.

Picture this: You’re going about your day, checking your emails, when suddenly you see a message from a company you trust.

You think, “Great! That’s safe to read”. But hold on just one minute… this email is not what it seems.

It’s part of yet another scam created by cyber criminals to trick you into clicking malicious links or giving up sensitive info. It’s called “SubdoMailing,” and it’s as dangerous as it sounds.

What’s the deal?

Just like regular phishing attacks, cyber criminals pretend to be trusted brands.

But here’s how it works: These cyber criminals scour the internet for subdomains of reputable companies. You know those extra bits in a web address that come before the main domain? Such as experience.trustedbrand.com. That ‘experience’ bit is the subdomain.

They find a subdomain that the brand is no longer using and is still pointing to an external domain that’s no longer registered.

Then they buy the domain and set up the scam website.

So, you believe you’re clicking on experience.trustedbrand.com… but you have no idea it automatically redirects to scamwebsite.com.

The criminals are sending out five million emails a day targeting people in businesses just like yours.

And because these emails are coming from what seems like a legit source, they often sail right past usual security checks and land in your inbox.

Here’s our advice to keep you and your data safe and sound:

• Be wary of any emails that seem even remotely suspicious. If something looks fishy, it probably is.

• Before clicking on any links or downloading any attachments, take a moment to verify the sender. Look for red flags like spelling mistakes or unusual email addresses.

• Make sure your employees understand the latest phishing tactics and know how to spot a scam. A little knowledge goes a long way in keeping your company safe.

• Consider investing in top-notch security software to keep the cyber criminals at bay. It might seem like an extra expense, but trust us, it’s worth it.

As always, if you need help with this or any other aspect of your email security, get in touch.