Espire IT

IMPORTANT UPDATE..

Google has identified a serious vulnerability in the Chrome browser. This is applicable to Microsoft Edge too.

Please make sure that you update your browsers by doing the following.

For Chrome
1. On your computer, open Chrome.
2. At the top right, click More :
3. Click Settings. About Google Chrome.
4. Click Update Google Chrome. Important: If you can't find this button, you're on the latest version.
5. Once installed, click Relaunch.

For Edge
1. On your computer open Edge
2. At the top right, click the 3 dots
3. Click Settings, then at the bottom About Microsoft Edge
4. This will find the new update and install.
5. Once installed click restart.

This is all you need to do from your end.

The first half of 2023 has been a journey filled with a mix of experiences, some truly wonderful and others presenting its challenges.

Among them all, this particular one stands out as one of the most enjoyable and memorable.

During this time, we had our leadership team, Vincent and Timothy, work alongside us in Bali for a couple of weeks.

Working alongside them since moving to Bali at the start of this year was a delight, reminding us of the way that the modern workplace has changed, and with the right technologies and systems, we're truly able to enjoy parts of the world that we perhaps wouldn't have if it weren't for said technologies.

Very thankful for Vincent, Timothy and the rest of the team at Espire IT.

Let's kick on and make the rest of 2023 a year to remember.

As remote work becomes more common, businesses are looking for efficient ways to stay connected with their team members and clients. Microsoft Teams Calling offers a powerful solution for small businesses to collaborate, communicate, and increase productivity. In this article, we'll discuss the key benefits of using Teams Calling and how it can help small businesses stay competitive in today's market.

Seamless Integration: Microsoft Teams Calling is a part of the larger Microsoft Teams platform, which offers a suite of productivity tools like chat, file-sharing, video conferencing, and more. The seamless integration allows small businesses to centralize their communication, collaboration, and data sharing activities in one platform.

Accessibility: Teams Calling is a cloud-based service that is accessible from anywhere, on any device, as long as there's an internet connection. This makes it easier for small businesses to stay connected with their team members, clients, and vendors without the need for costly hardware or software.

Enhanced Collaboration: With Teams Calling, small businesses can collaborate more effectively than ever before. Teams can easily be created and calls can be initiated directly from the chat or calendar feature. This allows team members to quickly and easily connect with each other, share files, and work together in real-time.

Reduced Costs: Teams Calling is an affordable alternative to traditional phone systems. Small businesses can save on costs related to hardware, installation, maintenance, and long-distance charges. Additionally, Teams Calling provides a more reliable and scalable solution than traditional phone systems.

Increased Productivity: With Teams Calling, small businesses can increase their productivity by reducing the time spent on non-value adding activities like manual data entry, scheduling meetings, and email communication. The real-time collaboration feature enables team members to make decisions and solve problems faster.

In conclusion, small businesses need to have reliable and efficient communication tools to stay competitive in today's market. Microsoft Teams Calling offers an affordable and powerful solution that can help small businesses enhance their collaboration, reduce costs, and increase productivity. By using Teams Calling, small businesses can take their operations to the next level and stay connected with their team members, clients, and vendors, regardless of where they are located.

As an accountant or finance advisor, you understand the importance of data security and the potential consequences of data loss. With the increasing amount of data being stored in the cloud, it's crucial to have a reliable backup solution in place. That's where Backupify comes in - a cloud-to-cloud backup solution designed to protect your data and keep your business running smoothly.

Here are some of the key benefits of having cloud backup, provided by Backupify:

Data protection: With Backupify, you can ensure that your data is protected from accidental deletion, hacking, and other forms of data loss. This is especially important for accountants and finance advisors, who deal with sensitive financial information on a daily basis.

Time-saving: With Backupify, you can automate the backup process, saving you time and effort. You no longer have to worry about manually backing up your data or dealing with the aftermath of data loss.

Compliance: As an accountant or finance advisor, you have to comply with various regulations regarding data privacy and security. Backupify can help you meet these requirements by providing a secure backup solution.

Disaster recovery: In the event of a disaster, such as a natural disaster or a cyber attack, having a backup solution in place can be a lifesaver. Backupify can help you quickly recover your data and get your business back up and running.

Despite these benefits, many businesses fail to consider the importance of cloud backup. They assume that their cloud provider is responsible for backing up their data, but this is not always the case. Cloud providers often have limited backup options and may not be able to recover your data in the event of a disaster.

Furthermore, businesses often overlook the risks of human error. Accidental deletion, misconfiguration, and other mistakes can cause data loss, which can be devastating for your business.

In conclusion, having a reliable backup solution is essential for accountants and finance advisors. With Backupify, you can protect your data, save time, meet compliance requirements, and prepare for disaster recovery. Don't wait until it's too late - invest in cloud backup today and ensure the safety and security of your business's data.

In today's digital age, cyber security has become a top concern for businesses of all sizes. With the increasing frequency and severity of cyber attacks, it's more important than ever to ensure that your staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect your business from potential threats. Training your staff in cyber security is therefore one of the most important investments you can make within your business.

While generally investing in your staff's development is important, it's particularly crucial when it comes to cyber security. Without proper training, your staff may not be aware of the latest cyber threats or best practices for preventing them. This leaves your business open to devastating attacks that could compromise sensitive data, damage your reputation, and even lead to financial losses.

By investing in cyber security training for your staff, you can help ensure that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to protect your business from potential threats. This includes training on basic cyber security best practices like using strong passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and keeping software up-to-date. Additionally, staff members with access to sensitive data or systems may require more advanced training on topics like network security, data encryption, and incident response.

Investing in cyber security training for your staff not only helps protect your business from potential threats, but it also demonstrates your commitment to data protection and security. This can help inspire confidence and trust in your customers and partners, particularly in industries where data security is of critical importance.

Overall, training your staff in cyber security is one of the most important investments you can make within your business. By providing your staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect your business from potential threats, you can help ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your business.

Non-profit organisations are a vital part of our society, serving communities and providing aid to those in need.

We've worked with Non-Profits for most of our 18+ years.

However, these organisations often struggle to maintain their operations due to limited resources and tight budgets.

This is where Microsoft's non-profit pricing comes in, offering a range of services and products at discounted rates to help non-profits better achieve their missions.

Through Microsoft's non-profit program, organisations can access a range of services and products, including Office 365, Azure, and Dynamics 365.

These services can help non-profits streamline their operations, collaborate more effectively, and better manage their data and resources.

Office 365, for example, provides non-profits with access to essential productivity tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as cloud-based collaboration tools like Teams and SharePoint.

This allows non-profits to work more efficiently and stay connected, even when their staff are working remotely.

Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform, provides non-profits with access to scalable computing resources, helping them reduce costs and increase their agility. Non-profits can use Azure to host websites and apps, store data, and even run advanced analytics to gain insights into their operations.

Dynamics 365, Microsoft's customer relationship management software, provides non-profits with a powerful tool to manage their relationships with donors and supporters.

With Dynamics 365, non-profits can track and manage donations, plan fundraising campaigns, and even analyse data to identify trends and opportunities.

Overall, Microsoft's non-profit pricing provides a range of services and products that can help non-profits better achieve their missions.

By streamlining their operations, improving collaboration, and managing their data and resources more effectively, non-profits can focus more of their efforts on delivering critical services and support to their communities.

To learn more about how we've helped some of Australia's largest Non-Profits, book in a call with myself now to show you how we do it.

www.espireit.com.au

As businesses increasingly rely on technology to manage their financial data, cyber security has become a top concern for accountancy firms. Customers expect their financial information to be kept safe and secure, and accountancy firms that can demonstrate a commitment to cyber security are more likely to inspire confidence and trust in their clients.

One way accountancy firms can instill confidence in their customers is by implementing strong cyber security policies to keep their IT systems secure.

This includes regular system updates, use of secure passwords, two-factor authentication, and access controls to restrict unauthorised access to sensitive data.

Accountancy firms can also implement regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and take steps to address them.

In addition, staff training on cyber security best practices can help ensure that all employees are aware of potential threats and know how to protect sensitive financial information.

By investing in cyber security policies and regularly communicating with clients about these efforts, accountancy firms can demonstrate their commitment to data protection and inspire confidence in their customers.

This is particularly important in an era of increased cyber threats and data breaches.

Overall, implementing strong cyber security policies is essential for accountancy firms to instil confidence in their customers and protect sensitive financial data.

By staying up-to-date with the latest cyber security best practices and communicating these efforts to clients, accountancy firms can build a reputation for trustworthiness and reliability in the digital age.

Hasn't 2023 flown by; we're several days into March. Seriously.

Now's the perfect time to take stock of your IT infrastructure and make sure you're ready for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Here are the top 3 areas you should be focusing on:

Cybersecurity - With more and more business operations moving online, cybersecurity should be a top priority. Make sure you have a robust security plan in place, regularly update your software and systems, and train your employees on best practices for staying safe online.

Cloud computing - The cloud has become an essential tool for businesses of all sizes, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. If you haven't already, consider moving some or all of your operations to the cloud to stay competitive and streamline your workflows.

Digital transformation - The pandemic has accelerated the need for businesses to embrace digital transformation, whether it's through e-commerce, remote work, or other digital solutions. Invest in technologies that can help you meet these challenges head-on and stay ahead of the curve.

Don't wait until it's too late to get your IT house in order. Start focusing on these key areas now to ensure your business is prepared for whatever the future holds.

Cybersecurity is an ever-present concern for businesses of all sizes, but small businesses in Australia are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats. According to a report by the Australian Cyber Security Centre, small businesses make up over 40% of all cyber-attacks in Australia, and this number is only expected to rise. As a result, small businesses need to take proactive steps to protect themselves against cyber threats. In this blog post, we will discuss the impact of cyber threats on small businesses in Australia and the solutions available to mitigate these risks.

The Impact of Cyber Threats on Small Businesses

The impact of cyber threats on small businesses can be devastating. Cyberattacks can lead to financial loss, damage to a business's reputation, and even legal liabilities. Small businesses are often more vulnerable to these threats than larger companies due to their limited resources and lack of expertise in cybersecurity. Here are some of the most common cyber threats faced by small businesses in Australia:

Phishing attacks: Phishing is a form of social engineering in which an attacker tries to trick the victim into providing sensitive information such as login credentials or credit card information. Small businesses are often targeted by phishing attacks because attackers know they are less likely to have robust security measures in place.

Ransomware attacks: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's data and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks can be particularly devastating for small businesses that rely heavily on their data for day-to-day operations.

Malware attacks: Malware is a type of software that is designed to harm a victim's computer or network. Malware can be used to steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or cause damage to a company's reputation.

Solutions for Small Businesses

Small businesses can take proactive steps to protect themselves against cyber threats. Here are some of the solutions available to small businesses in Australia:

Conduct a risk assessment: The first step in protecting your business against cyber threats is to conduct a risk assessment. This will help you identify your business's vulnerabilities and create a plan to address them.

Implement strong passwords and multi-factor authentication: Passwords are a common weak point in cybersecurity. Small businesses should ensure that employees are using strong passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication for additional security.

Keep software up-to-date: Software vulnerabilities are a common target for cyber attackers. Small businesses should keep their software up-to-date to ensure that any known vulnerabilities are patched.

Back up data regularly: Regular data backups are essential in case of a ransomware attack or other data loss event. Small businesses should ensure that data backups are stored securely and can be easily restored in case of an emergency.

Train employees: Employees are often the weakest link in cybersecurity. Small businesses should provide regular cybersecurity training to employees to help them identify and avoid common threats such as phishing attacks.

Cyber threats are a growing concern for small businesses in Australia. However, small businesses can take proactive steps to protect themselves against these threats. By conducting a risk assessment, implementing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, keeping software up-to-date, backing up data regularly, and providing cybersecurity training to employees, small businesses can reduce their risk of falling victim to a cyber attack. With the right approach, small businesses can protect themselves and their customers from the devastating impact of cyber threats.

It's a dangerous world out there on the internet...

Only if you continue to bury your head in all that paperwork, rather than educating your people.

If however, this is your only time you permit to learn about cyber security, welcome!, but read on.

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important for small businesses, as they are now more vulnerable than ever to cyber-attacks. While we don't recommend businesses to 'just' follow The Essential 8 framework, what it provides is a bare minimum for small businesses to follow in order to minimise the risk of a cyber-attack.

If you're not aware, The Essential 8 framework focuses on eight key areas that small business must address in order to minimise their risk of a cyber-attack.

These areas include: application control, patch management, malware defense, restriction of administrative privileges, boundary defense, data protection, controlled access, and continuous vulnerability management.

By implementing the Essential 8 framework, small businesses can take steps to protect their sensitive information and customer data. This is important as small businesses are often targeted by cyber criminals because they have limited resources and often do not have the same level of security as larger organisations.

In addition to protecting sensitive information, implementing the Essential 8 framework can also help small businesses maintain their reputation and prevent financial losses. Cyber-attacks can result in significant financial losses, loss of customer trust, and damage to a business's reputation. By taking the steps outlined in the Essential 8 framework, small businesses can minimise their risk of falling victim to a cyber-attack.

To note, small businesses must take cybersecurity seriously in order to protect their sensitive information and customer data, as well as maintain their reputation and prevent financial losses. The Essential 8 framework provides a set of guidelines that small businesses can follow in order to minimise their risk of a cyber-attack.

If you'd like to learn more about what you can do for yourself and your team, book in a call and learn how our Cyber Security Awareness Program is protecting and securing their business through detailed training.

As a business owner, this could save your business...

With the rapid growth and sophistication of technology, data breaches are on the rise and can have detrimental impacts to your business directly or through third-party vendors.

To ensure your business is adequately protected from risks associated with cybersecurity threats, investing in training for employees to be aware is key - and should not be overlooked.

Investing in cybersecurity awareness training for your team will help reduce attacks, protect customer information and keep personal records secure.

- Have you covered the fundamentals of the Essential 8?
- Are your team aware of best practices operating online and remotely?
- Are your client assets secure and protected online?

If you haven't spoken to your IT team yet about putting in place structures around educating your people - get in touch with them now to get the ball rolling.

As technology advances, the importance of cyber security becomes more and more apparent. With the ever-increasing threats of cyber-attacks, it is essential for businesses to protect themselves from potential risks. This is especially true for small businesses, who have a higher likelihood of becoming the target of cyber-attacks due to a lack of resources for cyber security.

In 2023, the threats of cyber-attacks are even more pervasive and businesses need to be aware of the potentially devastating effects of a breach. It is essential for small businesses to understand the importance of cyber security and to take steps to protect themselves.

The first step for businesses is to understand the risks and the importance of having a cyber security plan. This plan should include the implementation of the “Essential 8” framework from the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This framework outlines the steps that businesses should take to protect themselves from cyber-attacks, such as patching systems, using multi-factor authentication, and using secure configurations.

For more information on whether or not you're compliant with the framework, get in touch with us below (comment section):

"It's more convenient to just use my own mobile."

What use to terrify business owners in the past or better yet, had no idea that sensitive data was stored on personal devices, Microsoft Intune provides a 'win/win situation for both the company and the employee.

Companies can enroll personal devices on the corporate environment based on set security policies and requirements.

It provides a flexible working environment for the employee while ensuring the company assets are being locked down according to the set policies.

Over 1500 cybercrime reports of malicious cyber activity related to the c19 pandemic which equates to approx. 4 per day...

Yep, 33 Billion Dollars... gone.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre reported that Australian businesses have lost due to cybercrimes more than 33 billion dollars.

Imagine what you can do with 33 billion dollars... 🤔

The Biggest Threat to businesses online... their people.

While businesses grow and scale, what's unfortunately missed is the lack of education around not just cyber security, but general online best practices.

While training isn't part of ACSC's Essential 8, we ensure our clients do go through our Espire IT Security Awareness Training Program.

Cyber Security - How Confident Are You?

While most patching (or updating) can be done after-hours, as long as the machine is online, it really shouldn't be up for debate as to how our why breaches happen due to a vulnerable device within the corporate network.

Some of the most common tasks to do is to ensure that the device is enrolled in an online cloud management platform such as Microsoft Intune.

Why do we need patch management?

Patch management is important for the following key reasons:

Security: Patch management fixes vulnerabilities on your software and applications that are susceptible to cyber-attacks, helping your organization reduce its security risk.

System uptime: Patch management ensures your software and applications are kept up-to-date and run smoothly, supporting system uptime.

Compliance: With the continued rise in cyber-attacks, organisations are often required by regulatory bodies to maintain a certain level of compliance. Patch management is a necessary piece of adhering to compliance standards.

Feature improvements: Patch management can go beyond software bug fixes to also include feature/functionality updates. Patches can be critical to ensuring that you have the latest and greatest that a product has to offer.

Considering the climate we live in, especially with what's transpired with a number of telco companies here in Australia, it's important that businesses who operate online are aware of the Australian Cyber Security Centre's Essential 8.

While we champion The Essential 8, our clients follow the comprehensive 18 controls provided by the Centre for Internet Security (CIS 18).

If you're wondering if you're compliant with any of the 8 noted above, get in touch with us and we'll perform our FREE evaluation of your business.

Backing up and having backups mean you can restore your files if something goes wrong. It is a precautionary measure so that your data is accessible in case something happens to your computer. We recommend backing up your files regularly.

You can setup automatic backups in your system or application settings for peace of mind.

Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication when you can.

There are over 300 million fraudulent sign-in attempts to our cloud services every day. Cyberattacks aren’t slowing down, and it’s worth noting that many attacks have been successful without the use of advanced technology.

All it takes is one compromised credential or one legacy application to cause a data breach. This underscores how critical it is to ensure password security and strong authentication.

What you can do today:

1. Turn on MFA (it's easier than you think)
2. Convince your Boss!
3. Repeat step 2 if it didn't work the first time!

Get ready, as Cyber Security Month is upon us (October) and our goal is to bring awareness!

Keep an eye out as we share some of the simple, yet extremely beneficial tips to ensure you're keeping yourself and your team secure online.

While there's a lot of data everywhere, especially after the unprecedented last couple of years, the importance a robust and secure system is at the forefront of every business' roadmap.

Microsoft technology help individual, groups and institutions thrive in uncertainty!

Checkout their most recent video from Microsoft Inspire 2022 last week.

Digital perseverance: How organizations use Microsoft technology to thrive in uncertainty At Microsoft Inspire 2022, Judson Althoff, Microsoft EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, highlights digital technology’s role to innovate and thrive in unprece...

"We are seeing more businesses adopt Teams calling in 2022, while their employees continue to operate remotely."

As we continue to help businesses migrate over to Microsoft Teams and away from their clunky, outdated, legacy phone systems, we are constantly hearing the following wins;

- 'the savings we make moving over!'
- 'keeping our employees happy working from home'
- 'upscale or downscale when you want'

Perhaps something to consider if you're still on your old phone system.

Nowadays, people want efficiency in everything they do. And that’s what Technology do, they make our life much easier.
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Microsoft Intune is designed to protect organisation data at the application level, including custom apps and store apps.
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Intune allows people in your organisation to use their personal devices for work.
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On personal devices, Intune helps make sure your organisation’s data stays protected and can isolate organisation data from personal data.
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Being able to control the work on personal device time-to-time makes life more efficient.