Introduction
Welcome to the June version of Focus Tech Insider – your month-to-month information to smarter, safer IT.
On this problem:
Is AI a threat or a reward?
Why workers confidence can result in cyber threats
A Groups replace that makes conferences smoother
A hidden hazard in “free” file converters
And a highlight on certainly one of our personal stars at Focus
Let’s make tech work higher for your enterprise
AI Is Altering Every part – However Ought to You Be Involved?
We’re listening to it from each course: AI is the longer term.
However that doesn’t cease enterprise house owners from feeling a bit uneasy.
AI instruments like Microsoft Copilot promise sooner workflows, smarter emails, and slicker displays. Sounds nice… however what in regards to the safety dangers? What occurs to your information whenever you feed it into an AI mannequin?
You’re proper to ask these questions.
The UK authorities just lately warned that AI adoption is driving a major rise in cyberattacks, with practically 2,000 incidents logged final yr alone. It’s a wake-up name that exhibits why AI must be embraced with each pleasure and warning.
The truth is that AI can be each a game-changer and a menace—if it’s not used correctly. That’s why companies that get forward would be the ones who keep curious, cautious, and in management.
Take Copilot: Microsoft has constructed it proper into instruments like Phrase, Excel and Outlook. It operates securely inside your current Microsoft 365 atmosphere. So, in contrast to many free instruments, it’s not siphoning off your information to public servers.
The trick is that this: know what your persons are utilizing. Client-grade AI apps usually require importing information to exterior servers—the place you lose oversight of who sees them or how they’re saved. That’s dangerous.
The excellent news? There’s a secure solution to embrace AI. Begin small, keep knowledgeable, and construct safety into each new software you take a look at.
Speak to us right now about AI
What’s Inside Our Catastrophe Restoration Emergency Equipment?
Spoiler: It’s not all critical stuff.
Watch our brief video the place the Focus staff unpacks a “survival” equipment for tech disasters.
From rubber rings to emergency pants—it’s a light-hearted tackle a critical subject.
However right here’s the actual message:
Your corporation wants a backup and restoration plan that really works.
Overconfidence: The Cyber Menace No One Talks About
Right here’s a stat which may shock you:
86% of workers say they will confidently spot a phishing electronic mail…
However over half of them have fallen for one.
That confidence? It’s usually misplaced.
Phishing assaults aren’t simply apparent spam anymore. They appear to be financial institution emails. Invoices. Password reset requests. Typically they even seem to return from colleagues.
When somebody believes they’re too good to be fooled, they cease being cautious—and that’s precisely what scammers need.
The answer?
Run common phishing simulations
Provide brief, sensible coaching (we will help with that)
Encourage a “see one thing, say one thing” tradition
Cybersecurity isn’t about intelligence—it’s about vigilance.
Worker Highlight
Ryan has been going above and past these days – from sorting pressing tickets in file time to creating purchasers really feel genuinely cared for.
Quickfire Q&A with Ryan
1. What’s your go-to desk drink?
Aussie lemonade monster
2. In case you weren’t working in IT, what would you be doing?
Bartending
3. What’s your favorite solution to swap off after a busy day?
Wine & a film, or sleep
Groups Simply Bought a Little Much less Awkward
We’ve all been there…
You’re in the midst of presenting, and instantly you’re the one saying:
“Subsequent slide, please.”
“Can you progress to the following one?”
“Sorry, are you able to return one?”
It kills the stream.
However Microsoft’s new Groups replace lastly fixes it. Now you can share slide management throughout a gathering, letting a number of presenters take the wheel with out interruptions.
Why it issues:
Smoother webinars and inner updates
Extra skilled supply
No extra awkward handovers
This tiny tweak makes an enormous distinction to how your staff exhibits up on-line.
PRO TIPS OF THE MONTH
Telephone thefts are up—particularly when individuals use them close to roads.
If it’s unlocked, a thief might get into:
Your financial institution apps
Emails and messages
Enterprise data
Keep secure:
Maintain your telephone tight
Activate Theft Detection Lock
Activate ‘Discover My Telephone’
Add PINs to banking apps
Takes seconds. Saves complications.
Earlier than You Use That Free File Converter…
Let’s say you’ll want to rapidly flip a Phrase doc right into a PDF. You Google “free converter”… and click on the primary hyperlink.
What you don’t see? That website may be silently putting in malware.
In keeping with the FBI, a few of the most harmful ransomware assaults began with a “innocent” file conversion.
Why? As a result of free instruments can:
Include hidden adware
Steal delicate information from uploaded information
Lock you out of your programs (ransomware)
Right here’s our recommendation:
Solely use trusted, skilled instruments
Keep away from something that wants a obtain you didn’t count on
Speak to your IT staff (or us!) earlier than utilizing new software program
Want safe options for widespread duties? We’ve obtained a lot to share.
Bought a Query? Want a Hand?
Whether or not you’re occupied with AI, levelling up your safety, or simply need fewer IT complications – we’re right here for it.
01942 835 912
assist@focustechs.co.uk
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