How to Future Proof Your IT Infrastructure in 2023 

Cloud, future, new technology, Ophtek, proof your IT infrastructure, security, virtualization, , , , , , ,
05
Sep 2023

Technology advances at a rapid pace, and this means you need to build scalability into your IT infrastructure to maintain future productivity. 

Businesses need to future proof their IT infrastructure to ensure long-term success and sustainability. After all, technology is constantly evolving, and failing to adapt can result in outdated systems which hinder growth, productivity, and competitiveness. But if you adopt a culture of future proofing, you can minimize this risk by using new technology to enhance scalability and maximize your productivity. Implementing scalability, however, is easier said than done. And that’s why we’ve decided to give you a head start with some suggestions. 

The Best Future Proofing Methods for Success 

If you want to make sure that your IT infrastructure remains relevant and keeps one eye on the future, make sure you adopt these best practices for future proofing: 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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How can Microsoft 365 Business Help Your Organization?

Cloud, collaboration, Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Ophtek, security, , , ,
06
Jul 2021

The way in which we work has changed radically in the last 10 years. Helping organizations get to grip with these changes is Microsoft 365 Business.

The need for flexibility within business has never been more apparent since the Covid-19 pandemic entered our lives. Thankfully, flexibility had been on the rise in business for some time. Remote working, bring your own device schemes and tailored working hours have all helped to make flexible working a reality. Traditional IT infrastructures, however, aren’t necessarily set up to deal with these arrangements. But this is where a service such as Microsoft 365 Business steps in.

What is Microsoft 365 Business?

Originally launched in 2011 as Office 365, Microsoft 365 is a collection of products and services designed by Microsoft. The service is subscription based with plans available including consumer, small business and enterprise. These plans are made available to users through cloud computing and this is what makes it invaluable for flexible working. Not only is it perfect for teamwork, but it also meets the needs of individual users.

The ‘business’ subscriptions of Microsoft 365 feature significantly more features than the consumer plan. Additional features and functions available to Microsoft 365 Business users include:

  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Business: A range of Office applications that can be used across a variety of PC, Mac and mobile devices for up to five devices per user.
  • Office 365 Enterprise: Provides users with access to the complete range of Office applications and hosted services. Full support is also available to safeguard against any technical issues.

What are the Benefits of Microsoft 365 Business?

It’s important to understand how Microsoft 365 Business can benefit your organization, so let’s take a look at the benefits on offer:

  • Enhanced Collaboration: Microsoft 365 Business was built with collaboration in mind. And it delivers this with power. The presence of Microsoft Teams allows team members to communicate and share files with ease. This is essential for collaboration, but Microsoft 365 Business also allows you to synchronize your email, contacts and calendar. An important function and one which ensures you will never miss meetings and communications again.
  • Powerful Security: The threat of malware increases with each passing day, so protecting your IT infrastructures is paramount. And Microsoft 365 Business takes the pain out of this security with its simplistic, yet powerful security options. Devices such as laptops and mobile phones can easily be remotely wiped of all data if they are lost or stolen. It’s also possible for IT teams to quickly restrict access to specific users to minimize the risk of any data loss.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Universities Hit by Cloud Computing Malware

Cloud, Ophtek, Security, Security Threats, ,
18
Aug 2020

Education is a crucial element of society, so attacks on this sector are very attractive to hackers. And this is why they are now targeting universities.

Universities, of course, are huge organizations packed full of students and tutors. As a result, these groups generate massive amounts of data every day. This makes these establishments massive data centers. And it’s no surprise that hackers can’t resist testing their defenses. Their latest attack has targeted a specific cloud computing provider in the form of Blackbaud and has affected a number of universities worldwide.

You may not work in a university, but all malware attacks contain important lessons we can learn from. Let’s take a closer look and find out what happened in the Blackbaud attack.

Attacking the Cloud

Blackbaud, a global provider of administrative and financial software to educational institutions, was targeted and attacked in May. The attack in question used a ransomware strategy to disrupt operations and demand a ransom. The exact source of infection has not been disclosed, but it would appear that the hackers began encrypting data immediately. However, Blackbaud mounted a quick response and were able to expel the hackers before the data was fully encrypted.

Unfortunately, a significant amount of data had already been copied by the hackers. And this data was of a particularly sensitive nature. It does not appear that any credit card details were copied, but phone numbers and donation histories were confirmed to have been duplicated. Blackbaud, therefore, was forced to pay a ransom in order for the hackers to destroy their copy.

Avoiding Ransomware Attacks

The Blackbaud attack may not have been the most devastating of malware attacks, but any breach is cause for concern. And, given that this attack targeted several large universities, the number of individuals affected is huge. As with all malware attacks, though, it’s possible to negate these attacks before they take hold. All you have to do is follow these simple practices:

  • Say No to Unverified Links: One of the hallmarks of ransomware attacks is the usage of malicious links. These links may promise to send you somewhere safe – such as your online banking page – but the true destination will be somewhere less safe. These malicious destinations are likely to attack your PC or install malware. Make sure that all links are checked and verified before clicking. 
  • Don’t Give Out Personal Data: Hackers will often facilitate their ransomware attacks by employing a social engineering strategy. The information gained from such an approach can be used by hackers to tailor phishing emails to appeal to you e.g. understanding who your phone provider is allows hackers to design emails from that specific provider. As a rule of thumb, never give out personal details to unsolicited callers. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Declutter Your PC to Work More Productively from Home

archive, ccleaner, Cloud Storage, Data Storage, disk cleanup, IT Efficiency, Ophtek, , , , ,
26
May 2020

Working on a home PC is very different to working on a workplace PC. But there’s one thing they both have in common: they get cluttered.

Over time, PCs tend to accumulate a lot of junk. This can be rather obvious such as a desktop packed full of shortcuts and files. Or it can less noticeable to the user as, for example, in the case of a registry riddled with redundant information. The end result, either way, is the same: it makes working on a PC difficult. Navigating your way around folders can become a nightmare and it’s likely that the speed of your PC will also be affected.

As the majority of us are working from home at the moment, it’s important that we declutter our PCs. It’s a move which will make working from home easier and help you remain productive.

The Best Ways to Declutter Your PC

It’s easy to declutter your PC and, best of all, you can start making changes in an instant. Make sure you carry out the following:

  • Cleanup Your Desktop: A desktop which is cluttered can make life very difficult. Quickly finding the file or shortcut that you need can soon become a tiresome exercise. And it’s likely that the majority of items on your desktop are not required e.g. shortcuts to deleted or barely used apps. However, you don’t need to put up with this. And you have two choices: delete unnecessary or relocate items into grouped folders e.g. “Q1 Projects” 
  • Use a Registry Cleaner: The Windows registry is a section of your PC which holds all the settings and values related to hardware and software on the machine. It’s an important database, but it can soon build up with junk e.g. invalid entries which are no longer relevant. And this can slow down your PC and cause numerous errors. Accordingly, you need to keep it clean and this can be achieved with a registry cleaner such as CCleaner. These apps clean up invalid registry entries and minimize the risk of system errors. 
  • Empty Your Recycle Bin: Your recycle bin can soon build up significant junk and this can put a strain on your hard drive. A hard drive that is packed full of data is going to struggle to perform to its maximum. This is why it’s crucial you regularly empty the recycle bin as it can hold huge amounts of data. Even better, make sure you set a limit to the maximum amount of junk it can hold. To do this just right click the recycle bin and go into the properties section where you can customize the maximum size that can be held. 
  • Archive Your Files: Your home PC is likely to be full of various documents, but if you haven’t accessed them in six months then it’s unlikely you regularly need them. However, this isn’t to say you will never need them, so deleting them would be an extreme move. Instead, you can identify older documents and archive them into appropriate folders and sub-folders e.g. “2019 > Utility Bills”

By putting just these four methods into practice you will find that using your home PC suddenly becomes much easier. And, as a result, you will become more productive and complete your work more effectively.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Benefits of Software as a Service

Cloud, Cloud Storage, Ophtek, SaaS, Software as a Service, , ,
31
Mar 2020

One of the most useful aspects of cloud computing lies within the domain of Software as a Service (SaaS). But what is SaaS and what can it do for you?

Competition within business is fierce and it’s important that your organization maximizes its productivity. Even a small percentage increase in productivity can make a big difference. And that’s why many businesses are working with SaaS models. It’s a software strategy which allows you to make applications available over the internet through a third party host. The concept may sound straightforward, but it’s also a powerful one which is packed full of benefits.

To help you understand SaaS in more depth, we’re going to take a look at what it is and the benefits it can deliver.


What is SaaS?

SaaS is a distribution model which allows companies to make their applications available over the internet. The application is hosted by a third party host (such as Microsoft, Oracle and SAP) which provides customers with access to a single copy of the app. All customers have access to the exact same application and, therefore, the same features and upgrades. And, given that this is a branch of cloud computing, customers also have the option of storing their data in the cloud as well as on local storage.

The Benefits of SaaS

SaaS models have been adopted by all manner of organizations be they small or large. And this rapid take up rate is one that has been fuelled by the following benefits:

  • Accessibility: The remote access aspect of SaaS makes it highly accessible. All that a customer needs to connect to the application is an internet connection and a PC, laptop or smart device. This opens up your service to a much larger audience and eliminates the need to go through the rigors of a lengthy software installation process. 
  • Easy Updates: Traditional routes of firmware upgrades and patches have involved individual install processes by IT professionals. This has reduced productivity due to the time taken to complete the install. But SaaS puts an end to this. As all customers are accessing the same software, only one update needs to be completed by the application owner. This ensures that all customers receive the same upgrades at the same time with the minimum of fuss. 
  • Quick Startup: SaaS applications are already installed in the cloud and guarantee a swift start up process. There’s no need to watch an install progress bar, the software is available straight out of the box. It will also come fully configured and allow your customers to start getting productive almost instantly. 
  • Low Investment: The initial costs associated with software applications are noticeably reduced in SaaS. Instead of a one-off licensing fee, SaaS applications tend to work on a subscription model. There’s also the added bonus of the third-party host managing the infrastructure which houses the software. Again, this minimizes any initial costs and makes for an attractive software package.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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