Technology Advice for Small Businesses

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Unlocking the power of multicloud: Key benefits and challenges for your business

The shift to multicloud is becoming a common strategy for enterprises seeking more flexible, resilient, and high-performance solutions. Leveraging services from multiple cloud providers enables businesses to customize their IT infrastructure, making sure it aligns more effectively with their specific requirements. However, a multicloud strategy comes with its own set of challenges that organizations need to be aware of.

Why adopt a multicloud strategy?

Here are some reasons you should consider adopting a multicloud approach:

Enhanced flexibility and specialized services

Each cloud provider offers unique features, making it difficult for any single service to meet all the diverse needs of an organization. For example, Microsoft Azure excels at analytics and artificial intelligence, while AWS is more suitable for cloud storage and computing services. With multicloud, businesses can tap into the best features of each provider, ensuring they’re always using the most appropriate tool for the job.

Geographic proximity and performance optimization

Businesses with users around the world need their systems to work quickly (low latency) and efficiently (high performance) to provide a seamless user experience. By leveraging multiple cloud providers with data centers located near key markets, businesses can reduce latency and improve the speed of their applications. This is especially vital for enterprises managing real-time data processing (e.g., eCommerce and healthcare businesses).

Reduced risk of long vendor lock-in terms

Relying on a single cloud provider comes with significant risks. A major outage or unexpected cost increases could leave your business unable to quickly switch to another vendor, potentially disrupting operations and jeopardizing continuity. A multicloud arrangement may help you deploy redundancies before an outage arises.

The challenges of managing a multicloud environment

While the benefits of multicloud are compelling, the complexities of managing multiple cloud providers cannot be overlooked.

Complexity and increased administrative overhead

Cloud environments are designed to operate independently, and integrating them often requires specialized knowledge and tools. With multiple cloud providers, businesses face the challenge of managing different service agreements and APIs (application programming interfaces).

Monitoring and securing a multicloud infrastructure also requires more effort compared to using a single provider. Organizations should prioritize investing in advanced management tools and ensure that teams are trained to handle such complexities.

Cost visibility and management concerns

Understanding the full cost of a multicloud setup can be tricky. Different providers have distinct pricing structures, which makes it difficult to compare and optimize costs across platforms. Keeping track of usage, handling data transfers between clouds, and making sure that all services are optimized for cost efficiency can be a headache for organizations.

Security risks

The more cloud services you use, the more opportunities there are to mount an attack on your system. In most cases, each vendor will have its own set of security tools; however, these tools often don’t integrate well with one another. Businesses need to enforce a consistent set of security policies across all their cloud environments to keep data protected.

Tips for overcoming multicloud challenges

To maximize the benefits of a multicloud environment while minimizing its risks, businesses should focus on:

Unified management tools

Using cloud management platforms that centralize monitoring and administration is crucial. These platforms allow businesses to streamline tasks such as security enforcement, cost tracking, and data governance across multiple providers.

Develop a clear strategy

Businesses must have a strategy in place that defines how workloads will be distributed, how costs will be managed, and how data will be protected. It’s essential to establish clear communication between teams and ensure that everyone is aligned on the goals of the multicloud deployment.

Address shadow IT

Many organizations may already be operating in a multicloud environment without realizing it due to shadow IT. Shadow IT occurs when employees or departments adopt and use technology solutions without the approval or oversight of the IT department. For instance, departments or teams may have set up cloud accounts without the knowledge of the IT department to quickly solve problems or improve productivity.

Businesses should therefore develop clear policies about which services can be used while also providing teams with the flexibility to choose tools that enhance their productivity.

Boost your business with a multicloud strategy

A multicloud strategy offers powerful benefits in terms of flexibility, risk mitigation, and performance optimization. However, businesses must be prepared to handle the added complexities that come with a multicloud arrangement. By carefully selecting the right tools, crafting a clear strategy, and fostering collaboration across teams, organizations can unlock the full potential of a multicloud architecture while minimizing the associated challenges.

Considering making the move to multicloud? Contact our cloud experts today to experience a seamless transition to multicloud architecture.

Mastering the multicloud approach: How to maximize flexibility and reduce risk

From improved performance to increased flexibility with specialized services, there are many reasons why a multicloud approach is becoming increasingly popular among businesses across industries. But this approach does come with unique challenges. This article dives into the reasons why businesses adopt multicloud and how they can manage the complexities that come with it.

Why adopt a multicloud strategy?

Here are some reasons you should consider adopting a multicloud approach:

Enhanced flexibility and specialized services

Each cloud provider offers unique features, making it difficult for any single service to meet all the diverse needs of an organization. For example, Microsoft Azure excels at analytics and artificial intelligence, while AWS is more suitable for cloud storage and computing services. With multicloud, businesses can tap into the best features of each provider, ensuring they’re always using the most appropriate tool for the job.

Geographic proximity and performance optimization

Businesses with users around the world need their systems to work quickly (low latency) and efficiently (high performance) to provide a seamless user experience. By leveraging multiple cloud providers with data centers located near key markets, businesses can reduce latency and improve the speed of their applications. This is especially vital for enterprises managing real-time data processing (e.g., eCommerce and healthcare businesses).

Reduced risk of long vendor lock-in terms

Relying on a single cloud provider comes with significant risks. A major outage or unexpected cost increases could leave your business unable to quickly switch to another vendor, potentially disrupting operations and jeopardizing continuity. A multicloud arrangement may help you deploy redundancies before an outage arises.

The challenges of managing a multicloud environment

While the benefits of multicloud are compelling, the complexities of managing multiple cloud providers cannot be overlooked.

Complexity and increased administrative overhead

Cloud environments are designed to operate independently, and integrating them often requires specialized knowledge and tools. With multiple cloud providers, businesses face the challenge of managing different service agreements and APIs (application programming interfaces).

Monitoring and securing a multicloud infrastructure also requires more effort compared to using a single provider. Organizations should prioritize investing in advanced management tools and ensure that teams are trained to handle such complexities.

Cost visibility and management concerns

Understanding the full cost of a multicloud setup can be tricky. Different providers have distinct pricing structures, which makes it difficult to compare and optimize costs across platforms. Keeping track of usage, handling data transfers between clouds, and making sure that all services are optimized for cost efficiency can be a headache for organizations.

Security risks

The more cloud services you use, the more opportunities there are to mount an attack on your system. In most cases, each vendor will have its own set of security tools; however, these tools often don’t integrate well with one another. Businesses need to enforce a consistent set of security policies across all their cloud environments to keep data protected.

Tips for overcoming multicloud challenges

To maximize the benefits of a multicloud environment while minimizing its risks, businesses should focus on:

Unified management tools

Using cloud management platforms that centralize monitoring and administration is crucial. These platforms allow businesses to streamline tasks such as security enforcement, cost tracking, and data governance across multiple providers.

Develop a clear strategy

Businesses must have a strategy in place that defines how workloads will be distributed, how costs will be managed, and how data will be protected. It’s essential to establish clear communication between teams and ensure that everyone is aligned on the goals of the multicloud deployment.

Address shadow IT

Many organizations may already be operating in a multicloud environment without realizing it due to shadow IT. Shadow IT occurs when employees or departments adopt and use technology solutions without the approval or oversight of the IT department. For instance, departments or teams may have set up cloud accounts without the knowledge of the IT department to quickly solve problems or improve productivity.

Businesses should therefore develop clear policies about which services can be used while also providing teams with the flexibility to choose tools that enhance their productivity.

Boost your business with a multicloud strategy

A multicloud strategy offers powerful benefits in terms of flexibility, risk mitigation, and performance optimization. However, businesses must be prepared to handle the added complexities that come with a multicloud arrangement. By carefully selecting the right tools, crafting a clear strategy, and fostering collaboration across teams, organizations can unlock the full potential of a multicloud architecture while minimizing the associated challenges.

Considering making the move to multicloud? Contact our cloud experts today to experience a seamless transition to multicloud architecture.

Why embracing a multicloud strategy makes sense for modern businesses

A multicloud strategy leverages multiple cloud service providers to meet your business’s various needs. While this approach can offer increased flexibility, enhanced security, and improved performance, it also introduces complexity in management and cost tracking. Understanding the balance between the benefits and challenges of a multicloud arrangement is key to maximizing this setup.

Why adopt a multicloud strategy?

Here are some reasons you should consider adopting a multicloud approach:

Enhanced flexibility and specialized services

Each cloud provider offers unique features, making it difficult for any single service to meet all the diverse needs of an organization. For example, Microsoft Azure excels at analytics and artificial intelligence, while AWS is more suitable for cloud storage and computing services. With multicloud, businesses can tap into the best features of each provider, ensuring they’re always using the most appropriate tool for the job.

Geographic proximity and performance optimization

Businesses with users around the world need their systems to work quickly (low latency) and efficiently (high performance) to provide a seamless user experience. By leveraging multiple cloud providers with data centers located near key markets, businesses can reduce latency and improve the speed of their applications. This is especially vital for enterprises managing real-time data processing (e.g., eCommerce and healthcare businesses).

Reduced risk of long vendor lock-in terms

Relying on a single cloud provider comes with significant risks. A major outage or unexpected cost increases could leave your business unable to quickly switch to another vendor, potentially disrupting operations and jeopardizing continuity. A multicloud arrangement may help you deploy redundancies before an outage arises.

The challenges of managing a multicloud environment

While the benefits of multicloud are compelling, the complexities of managing multiple cloud providers cannot be overlooked.

Complexity and increased administrative overhead

Cloud environments are designed to operate independently, and integrating them often requires specialized knowledge and tools. With multiple cloud providers, businesses face the challenge of managing different service agreements and APIs (application programming interfaces).

Monitoring and securing a multicloud infrastructure also requires more effort compared to using a single provider. Organizations should prioritize investing in advanced management tools and ensure that teams are trained to handle such complexities.

Cost visibility and management concerns

Understanding the full cost of a multicloud setup can be tricky. Different providers have distinct pricing structures, which makes it difficult to compare and optimize costs across platforms. Keeping track of usage, handling data transfers between clouds, and making sure that all services are optimized for cost efficiency can be a headache for organizations.

Security risks

The more cloud services you use, the more opportunities there are to mount an attack on your system. In most cases, each vendor will have its own set of security tools; however, these tools often don’t integrate well with one another. Businesses need to enforce a consistent set of security policies across all their cloud environments to keep data protected.

Tips for overcoming multicloud challenges

To maximize the benefits of a multicloud environment while minimizing its risks, businesses should focus on:

Unified management tools

Using cloud management platforms that centralize monitoring and administration is crucial. These platforms allow businesses to streamline tasks such as security enforcement, cost tracking, and data governance across multiple providers.

Develop a clear strategy

Businesses must have a strategy in place that defines how workloads will be distributed, how costs will be managed, and how data will be protected. It’s essential to establish clear communication between teams and ensure that everyone is aligned on the goals of the multicloud deployment.

Address shadow IT

Many organizations may already be operating in a multicloud environment without realizing it due to shadow IT. Shadow IT occurs when employees or departments adopt and use technology solutions without the approval or oversight of the IT department. For instance, departments or teams may have set up cloud accounts without the knowledge of the IT department to quickly solve problems or improve productivity.

Businesses should therefore develop clear policies about which services can be used while also providing teams with the flexibility to choose tools that enhance their productivity.

Boost your business with a multicloud strategy

A multicloud strategy offers powerful benefits in terms of flexibility, risk mitigation, and performance optimization. However, businesses must be prepared to handle the added complexities that come with a multicloud arrangement. By carefully selecting the right tools, crafting a clear strategy, and fostering collaboration across teams, organizations can unlock the full potential of a multicloud architecture while minimizing the associated challenges.

Considering making the move to multicloud? Contact our cloud experts today to experience a seamless transition to multicloud architecture.

5 Strategies to keep your business running during disruptions

Businesses are vulnerable to a range of disruptions, including server failures, unexpected power outages, and natural disasters. To mitigate the damage and ensure your company remains operational, it’s crucial to have a business continuity plan (BCP). This article outlines five key BCP tactics every company should implement — strategies that can save you time, money, and valuable resources when things go wrong.

Back up your data regularly

Think of regular backups as a safety net for your most valuable digital resources. If a system fails or data is lost, having both on-site and off-site backups lets you recover quickly, without scrambling for a solution. On-site backups provide quick access to your data in case of hardware failures or accidental deletions, while cloud-based solutions offer secure, off-site storage to safeguard against physical damage, theft, or natural disasters.

Virtualize your IT infrastructure

When disaster strikes, flexibility is key. Virtualization enables the creation of digital replicas of physical resources (e.g., servers and desktops), providing a more flexible way to manage computing infrastructure. If your physical machines break down or become inaccessible, virtual machines can be moved to new hardware with ease. This makes it simple to recover your systems and avoid prolonged downtime. Plus, virtualization offers unmatched scalability, so you can quickly adjust to any changes without missing a beat.

Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

A power outage can wipe out data or cause significant delays. With a UPS, however, your systems can remain operational even during a power outage or an electrical surge. The UPS acts as a backup power source, providing temporary electricity to prevent disruptions, protect your devices, and give you time to save work or switch to an alternative power solution.

Have an alternative workspace

What would you do if your office suddenly became unusable? Whether it’s due to a fire, flood, or another emergency, having an alternative workspace guarantees your operations can continue without disruption. Setting up a temporary office or arranging a hot-desking plan with co-working spaces gives your team a place to work, even if your primary location is inaccessible. Note that you need to prepare this backup workspace in advance to avoid chaos when the unexpected arises.

Leverage cloud solutions for remote work

Cloud technology offers unparalleled solutions for business continuity. With cloud services, your employees can access key applications, data, and communication tools no matter where they are. Whether they’re at home or on the go, the cloud allows your team to keep working without interruption. If an emergency occurs, the cloud provides a secure, easily accessible backup, so your business can continue running smoothly.

Life is full of uncertainties, and the business world is no exception. Need help setting up your BCP? Contact our team so we can help you handle whatever comes your way.

Staying resilient: Business continuity strategies that work

Unexpected events such as power outages, cyberattacks, and natural disasters can seriously impact your business. Fortunately, having a business continuity plan (BCP) helps you recover quickly, reduce risks, and keep essential operations running smoothly. In this article, we highlight five tried-and-tested BCP strategies to help your organization remain operational, no matter the crisis.

Back up your data regularly

Think of regular backups as a safety net for your most valuable digital resources. If a system fails or data is lost, having both on-site and off-site backups lets you recover quickly, without scrambling for a solution. On-site backups provide quick access to your data in case of hardware failures or accidental deletions, while cloud-based solutions offer secure, off-site storage to safeguard against physical damage, theft, or natural disasters.

Virtualize your IT infrastructure

When disaster strikes, flexibility is key. Virtualization enables the creation of digital replicas of physical resources (e.g., servers and desktops), providing a more flexible way to manage computing infrastructure. If your physical machines break down or become inaccessible, virtual machines can be moved to new hardware with ease. This makes it simple to recover your systems and avoid prolonged downtime. Plus, virtualization offers unmatched scalability, so you can quickly adjust to any changes without missing a beat.

Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

A power outage can wipe out data or cause significant delays. With a UPS, however, your systems can remain operational even during a power outage or an electrical surge. The UPS acts as a backup power source, providing temporary electricity to prevent disruptions, protect your devices, and give you time to save work or switch to an alternative power solution.

Have an alternative workspace

What would you do if your office suddenly became unusable? Whether it’s due to a fire, flood, or another emergency, having an alternative workspace guarantees your operations can continue without disruption. Setting up a temporary office or arranging a hot-desking plan with co-working spaces gives your team a place to work, even if your primary location is inaccessible. Note that you need to prepare this backup workspace in advance to avoid chaos when the unexpected arises.

Leverage cloud solutions for remote work

Cloud technology offers unparalleled solutions for business continuity. With cloud services, your employees can access key applications, data, and communication tools no matter where they are. Whether they’re at home or on the go, the cloud allows your team to keep working without interruption. If an emergency occurs, the cloud provides a secure, easily accessible backup, so your business can continue running smoothly.

Life is full of uncertainties, and the business world is no exception. Need help setting up your BCP? Contact our team so we can help you handle whatever comes your way.

Essential steps to protect your business from disruptions and downtime

Disasters are unpredictable, but the right strategies can keep your business running smoothly. Cyberattacks, power outages, and natural disasters can severely disrupt operations, leading to substantial losses. But with an effective business continuity plan (BCP) in place, you can reduce downtime and make sure your company can recover swiftly. Here are five essential BCP strategies to protect your operations from unforeseen disruptions.

Back up your data regularly

Think of regular backups as a safety net for your most valuable digital resources. If a system fails or data is lost, having both on-site and off-site backups lets you recover quickly, without scrambling for a solution. On-site backups provide quick access to your data in case of hardware failures or accidental deletions, while cloud-based solutions offer secure, off-site storage to safeguard against physical damage, theft, or natural disasters.

Virtualize your IT infrastructure

When disaster strikes, flexibility is key. Virtualization enables the creation of digital replicas of physical resources (e.g., servers and desktops), providing a more flexible way to manage computing infrastructure. If your physical machines break down or become inaccessible, virtual machines can be moved to new hardware with ease. This makes it simple to recover your systems and avoid prolonged downtime. Plus, virtualization offers unmatched scalability, so you can quickly adjust to any changes without missing a beat.

Install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

A power outage can wipe out data or cause significant delays. With a UPS, however, your systems can remain operational even during a power outage or an electrical surge. The UPS acts as a backup power source, providing temporary electricity to prevent disruptions, protect your devices, and give you time to save work or switch to an alternative power solution.

Have an alternative workspace

What would you do if your office suddenly became unusable? Whether it’s due to a fire, flood, or another emergency, having an alternative workspace guarantees your operations can continue without disruption. Setting up a temporary office or arranging a hot-desking plan with co-working spaces gives your team a place to work, even if your primary location is inaccessible. Note that you need to prepare this backup workspace in advance to avoid chaos when the unexpected arises.

Leverage cloud solutions for remote work

Cloud technology offers unparalleled solutions for business continuity. With cloud services, your employees can access key applications, data, and communication tools no matter where they are. Whether they’re at home or on the go, the cloud allows your team to keep working without interruption. If an emergency occurs, the cloud provides a secure, easily accessible backup, so your business can continue running smoothly.

Life is full of uncertainties, and the business world is no exception. Need help setting up your BCP? Contact our team so we can help you handle whatever comes your way.

The latest phishing attack looks like it’s from your own company

The biggest security threats aren’t always the ones banging on the front door. A recently uncovered flaw shows that hackers can abuse a Microsoft 365 feature to send malicious emails that appear to originate from inside your company. Because they look like internal mail, they often bypass traditional security filters, making them particularly dangerous.

The sneaky trick, explained

At the heart of this new threat is a Microsoft 365 feature called Direct Send. It was created for a simple, helpful reason: to allow internal office devices, such as printers and scanners, to send you emails — such as a scanned document — without needing to log in with a password. This feature is designed for convenience and is intended only for internal use.

However, this convenience has created a security loophole. Because Direct Send doesn’t require authentication, hackers have found a way to exploit it to send phishing emails without needing to steal a single password or compromise any accounts. All they need is a few publicly available details and some guesswork to figure out your company’s email address format.

Once an attacker has a valid internal email address, they can use the Direct Send system to send emails that look like they’re from someone inside your organization. And because these emails are routed through Microsoft’s own infrastructure and appear to be internal, they often bypass the very security filters designed to catch suspicious messages.

In a recent campaign that affected over 70 organizations, attackers used this method to send fake voicemail notifications containing malicious QR codes, which tricked users into visiting websites that stole their Microsoft 365 credentials.

What you can do: Stay alert

While the technical fix is up to your IT team, everyone can help prevent these attacks by being cautious.

  • Be suspicious of the sender – Even if an email looks like it’s from a coworker, be wary if the request is unusual.
  • Question internal notifications – Employees are used to seeing notifications from scanners and printers, so they rarely question their authenticity. Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links in automated messages.
  • Beware of QR codes – Be very careful about scanning QR codes you receive in emails, as they may lead you to malicious websites.
  • Report, don’t reply – If you see a suspicious email, report it to your IT department immediately.

For your IT department: The technical fix

This attack exploits a misconfiguration, not an impossible-to-stop, zero-day threat. Your technical team can take several steps to shut this vulnerability down.

  • Implement strict policies – Enforce strict DMARC and anti-spoofing policies to make it harder for fakes to get through. You should also enable “SPF hardfail” in Exchange Online Protection.
  • Disable or reject Direct Send – Microsoft is working to disable Direct Send by default. In the meantime, you can enable the “Reject Direct Send” setting in the Exchange Admin Center to block this type of attack.
  • Flag unauthenticated mail – Set up rules to flag any unauthenticated internal emails for review.
  • Secure your devices – Treat all network-connected devices, such as printers and scanners, as fully fledged endpoints. This means putting them on segmented networks, monitoring their activity, and restricting what they are allowed to do.

Don’t wait for an attack to test your defenses. Contact our cybersecurity experts today for help securing your email systems and for more information on how to protect your organization.

Think you can spot a phishing email? This new trick is harder to catch

Many people are getting better at spotting phishing attacks from outside sources. But what if the attack appears to come from within your own company? A recently discovered vulnerability in Microsoft 365 is being used to bypass traditional security, making it easier than ever for hackers to send you convincing fake emails that slip past your defenses.

The sneaky trick, explained

At the heart of this new threat is a Microsoft 365 feature called Direct Send. It was created for a simple, helpful reason: to allow internal office devices, such as printers and scanners, to send you emails — such as a scanned document — without needing to log in with a password. This feature is designed for convenience and is intended only for internal use.

However, this convenience has created a security loophole. Because Direct Send doesn’t require authentication, hackers have found a way to exploit it to send phishing emails without needing to steal a single password or compromise any accounts. All they need is a few publicly available details and some guesswork to figure out your company’s email address format.

Once an attacker has a valid internal email address, they can use the Direct Send system to send emails that look like they’re from someone inside your organization. And because these emails are routed through Microsoft’s own infrastructure and appear to be internal, they often bypass the very security filters designed to catch suspicious messages.

In a recent campaign that affected over 70 organizations, attackers used this method to send fake voicemail notifications containing malicious QR codes, which tricked users into visiting websites that stole their Microsoft 365 credentials.

What you can do: Stay alert

While the technical fix is up to your IT team, everyone can help prevent these attacks by being cautious.

  • Be suspicious of the sender – Even if an email looks like it’s from a coworker, be wary if the request is unusual.
  • Question internal notifications – Employees are used to seeing notifications from scanners and printers, so they rarely question their authenticity. Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links in automated messages.
  • Beware of QR codes – Be very careful about scanning QR codes you receive in emails, as they may lead you to malicious websites.
  • Report, don’t reply – If you see a suspicious email, report it to your IT department immediately.

For your IT department: The technical fix

This attack exploits a misconfiguration, not an impossible-to-stop, zero-day threat. Your technical team can take several steps to shut this vulnerability down.

  • Implement strict policies – Enforce strict DMARC and anti-spoofing policies to make it harder for fakes to get through. You should also enable “SPF hardfail” in Exchange Online Protection.
  • Disable or reject Direct Send – Microsoft is working to disable Direct Send by default. In the meantime, you can enable the “Reject Direct Send” setting in the Exchange Admin Center to block this type of attack.
  • Flag unauthenticated mail – Set up rules to flag any unauthenticated internal emails for review.
  • Secure your devices – Treat all network-connected devices, such as printers and scanners, as fully fledged endpoints. This means putting them on segmented networks, monitoring their activity, and restricting what they are allowed to do.

Don’t wait for an attack to test your defenses. Contact our cybersecurity experts today for help securing your email systems and for more information on how to protect your organization.

New email scam alert: There’s an imposter in your inbox

We all know to be careful of suspicious emails from strangers. But what happens when a scam email looks like it was sent by your own colleague? A newly discovered scam allows hackers to become imposters within your organization’s email system, making it harder than ever to tell what’s real and what’s a trap.

The sneaky trick, explained

At the heart of this new threat is a Microsoft 365 feature called Direct Send. It was created for a simple, helpful reason: to allow internal office devices, such as printers and scanners, to send you emails — such as a scanned document — without needing to log in with a password. This feature is designed for convenience and is intended only for internal use.

However, this convenience has created a security loophole. Because Direct Send doesn’t require authentication, hackers have found a way to exploit it to send phishing emails without needing to steal a single password or compromise any accounts. All they need is a few publicly available details and some guesswork to figure out your company’s email address format.

Once an attacker has a valid internal email address, they can use the Direct Send system to send emails that look like they’re from someone inside your organization. And because these emails are routed through Microsoft’s own infrastructure and appear to be internal, they often bypass the very security filters designed to catch suspicious messages.

In a recent campaign that affected over 70 organizations, attackers used this method to send fake voicemail notifications containing malicious QR codes, which tricked users into visiting websites that stole their Microsoft 365 credentials.

What you can do: Stay alert

While the technical fix is up to your IT team, everyone can help prevent these attacks by being cautious.

  • Be suspicious of the sender – Even if an email looks like it’s from a coworker, be wary if the request is unusual.
  • Question internal notifications – Employees are used to seeing notifications from scanners and printers, so they rarely question their authenticity. Think twice before opening attachments or clicking links in automated messages.
  • Beware of QR codes – Be very careful about scanning QR codes you receive in emails, as they may lead you to malicious websites.
  • Report, don’t reply – If you see a suspicious email, report it to your IT department immediately.

For your IT department: The technical fix

This attack exploits a misconfiguration, not an impossible-to-stop, zero-day threat. Your technical team can take several steps to shut this vulnerability down.

  • Implement strict policies – Enforce strict DMARC and anti-spoofing policies to make it harder for fakes to get through. You should also enable “SPF hardfail” in Exchange Online Protection.
  • Disable or reject Direct Send – Microsoft is working to disable Direct Send by default. In the meantime, you can enable the “Reject Direct Send” setting in the Exchange Admin Center to block this type of attack.
  • Flag unauthenticated mail – Set up rules to flag any unauthenticated internal emails for review.
  • Secure your devices – Treat all network-connected devices, such as printers and scanners, as fully fledged endpoints. This means putting them on segmented networks, monitoring their activity, and restricting what they are allowed to do.

Don’t wait for an attack to test your defenses. Contact our cybersecurity experts today for help securing your email systems and for more information on how to protect your organization.

Indispensable Android apps for smarter and more productive work

With so many productivity tools available for Android, choosing the best apps can become overwhelming. This article cuts through the noise, offering a curated list of must-have apps, from powerhouse office suites to smart scanning tools, so you can stay focused and get more done, no matter your work location.

Word processor

Whether you’re drafting a report, editing a resume, or jotting down notes, these word processing apps make it easy to write from your Android device:

  • Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word on Android delivers a near desktop-level experience for mobile users, making it ideal for professionals who need reliable document formatting and compatibility. Features such as version tracking, commenting, and templates also allow for robust document editing on the go.
  • Google Docs: Google Docs allows multiple users to collaborate on a single document simultaneously, featuring real-time editing, automatic saving, and an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Because it’s entirely cloud-based, there’s no need to manually save or manage versions; everything is handled behind the scenes.

Spreadsheets

For crunching numbers, tracking budgets, or collaborating on data with a team, these spreadsheet apps bring powerful tools to your fingertips:

  • Microsoft Excel: Microsoft Excel on Android is ideal for remote employees who need powerful data tools. It supports complex formulas, conditional formatting, pivot tables, and charts, making it suitable for finance professionals and analysts. Cloud syncing with OneDrive and Excel’s desktop integration helps ensure your spreadsheets maintain their structure and formatting.
  • Google Sheets: Google Sheets offers smooth, real-time collaboration and easy sharing options, making it a great pick for teams or classrooms. It includes essential spreadsheet tools such as formulas, charts, filters, and data validation. Even though it’s less powerful than Excel in terms of complex functions, it shines in ease of use and mobility.

Presentation

If you need to deliver presentations while away from your laptop, these mobile-friendly apps help you create, edit, and present slides on the move:

  • Microsoft PowerPoint: PowerPoint’s Android version brings strong visual tools and familiar functionality to mobile devices. Users can create, edit, and present slides efficiently, even adding animations, images, and notes. Presentations can be shared via OneDrive and projected directly from the device, which is great for professionals who travel or need to give impromptu presentations.
  • Google Slides: The Slides cloud-native app is great for quick updates, team presentations, and lightweight visual storytelling. It works well across devices, and co-editing makes it easy for multiple people to work on the same deck.

Storage

These cloud storage apps offer secure and flexible solutions to keep your documents accessible, backed up, and easy to share across devices:

  • OneDrive: OneDrive provides smooth integration with Microsoft apps, enabling users to save, sync, and back up documents, photos, and videos. It includes automatic photo backup, robust file versioning, and seamless file access across devices. Business users benefit from tight integration with Teams and SharePoint, while individual users enjoy reliable syncing and document recovery features.
  • Google Drive: Google Drive integrates seamlessly with Google’s suite of productivity tools, providing effortless access to Docs, Sheets, and Slides. It allows users to easily upload, organize, and manage files while offering flexible sharing permissions. Additionally, its built-in document scanning feature lets you digitize paperwork directly from your phone’s camera.
  • Dropbox: Dropbox is known for its fast and reliable file syncing, which is especially useful for sharing large files such as videos or high-res images. Its mobile version supports file previews, comment threads, and shared folders, making it a great choice for creatives and small teams. Integration with third-party apps, such as Adobe and Slack, also adds versatility.

Document scanning

When you need to digitize paperwork, receipts, or notes, these scanning apps turn your Android phone into a portable document scanner:

  • CamScanner: A long-time favorite, CamScanner uses auto-crop and optical character recognition (OCR) to turn paper files into searchable, shareable digital files. You can save scanned images as PDF, share to cloud storage, and export with decent quality, though the free version includes some ads and watermarks.
  • Adobe Scan: Adobe Scan is focused on clean, professional-quality scans with powerful OCR. Users can scan multiple pages into one file, reorder pages, and save directly to Adobe Document Cloud or local storage. The app also connects with Adobe Acrobat, making it a solid option for those already using Adobe’s ecosystem for document management.

PDF tools

For reading, annotating, signing, and managing PDFs, these dedicated apps offer both basic and advanced functionality right from your phone:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader: Adobe’s mobile reader supports a wide range of PDF functions, including viewing, annotating, highlighting, and form filling. Users can also sign documents and store files in the Adobe Document Cloud. A paid subscription unlocks editing, file conversion, and more advanced features.
  • Foxit PDF: Lightweight and fast, Foxit is great for reading and annotating PDFs on the go. It also includes document collaboration tools and cloud sync options.
  • Xodo PDF: Xodo offers a full set of features with no subscription required. Users can highlight text, draw, sign documents, and sync with cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. It also includes multi-user collaboration, allowing for shared annotations and comments.

If you’re looking for more solutions to supercharge your workflow, we can provide expert recommendations. Contact us for personalized advice on the right tech stack to keep your business moving forward.