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Business Email Compromise & Tips To Manage Risk

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Business email compromise (BEC) cybercrimes are on the rise, and organisations of all sizes are being warned to be vigilant and take steps to reduce their vulnerability to BEC. Here’s a closer look at what BEC involves, and what cybersecurity steps you can take to protect your business, or what to do if you suspect an attack.  

What is BEC?

BEC is a type of email phishing attack where a cybercriminal targets a member of a business organisation in a fraudulent attempt to obtain money or confidential information. The criminal typically poses as a trusted source, and may request payment for a fake invoice or trick the recipient into sending them sensitive data.

The criminal will usually target senior managers or those who are able to authorise financial transactions, and manipulate them into thinking that they are responding to a legitimate request to transfer money to an account operated by a criminal organisation. 

BEC attacks are more sophisticated than standard phishing attacks, because the emails are targeted to individuals within the organisation rather than randomly sent to thousands of users in the hope that some will bite. The email is usually carefully composed and may impersonate a familiar contact to create a false sense of security.

BEC attacks often originate from an account that has been hacked and therefore the recipient has no reason to be suspicious of it, and it will bypass any security measures. The email will be crafted with great attention to detail, and all the graphics, signatures, and tone of voice appear to be typical of the organisation it is purporting to be from.

Why should organisations take action on BEC?

BEC is on the rise as the traditional work patterns evolve and more staff work remotely. Over 90 per cent of cybercrime begins with an email phishing attack, so the need to be vigilant and prepared with a risk management strategy for BEC is increasingly important for businesses of all sizes. 

The impact of a BEC attack can be devastating for businesses. Most often, it results in an immediate financial loss that may be irrecoverable. It can also seriously impact the reputation of the business as customer trust is damaged and confidential information about the business operation is leaked. 

Furthermore, the business may be found to be in breach of the Data Protection Act and may face legal action, and it could be subject to further incidents of identity theft.

How can businesses manage the risks of BEC?

The good news is that all businesses can take steps to protect themselves from BEC attacks. Here are some achievable strategies.

Educate staff in BEC awareness tactics

Conduct regular training sessions to educate staff in the importance of verifying email accounts. Sometimes cybercriminals will hack an account within the organisation to make it appear as if the data or money transfer request comes from a trusted source. 

These emails can be very difficult to detect, so emphasise that staff should question the legitimacy of any email that makes a request of this nature. If they have any doubts, they should flag it as spam and contact the IT support services immediately. 

If the email is from an external source, the staff member should avoid clicking on any links or opening attachments. Instead, they should contact the organisation directly and ask for verification of the sender’s identity. 

Set up advanced email security solutions

There are a number of email security tools available that can enhance the security of your business accounts. Look for features such as Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC).

Consider implementing other advanced security systems that can provide real-time analysis of security alerts. 

Set up multi factor authentication

Multi-factor authentication requires extra steps to access a business email account, such as a PIN, fingerprint or code as well as a password. This adds an additional layer of security to email accounts and can prevent unauthorised access. 

Have a response plan in place

You should have a plan of action in place, so that in the event of a compromise you can immediately take steps to limit the damage. Plan for different types of incidents such as a malware attack, a stolen password, data breach, and so on. Make sure that all staff know who to contact in the event of an actual or suspected incident.

business telecoms leeds

How Can Your Business Benefit From A Telecoms Strategy?

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If it’s been a while since you reviewed your business’s IT and telecoms strategy, now is an excellent time to take action. The costs of telecoms services continue to rise, and the scope and scale of the technology is evolving at a fast pace. This means that you could be paying more for a service that isn’t optimised to your business telecoms needs.

Furthermore, cybersecurity threats continue to grow and PSTN and ISDN services will be disabled by the end of next year. A streamlined and professionally managed IT and telecoms strategy can ensure that your business is prepared for the future and well protected against threats. This will ultimately reduce costs and boost efficiency. 

The PSTN and ISDN switch-off

The Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) will close in December 2025, which means that all phone lines in the UK need to move to a digital network that uses Internet Protocol (IP) across a fibre-based network. This does not just apply to voice lines, but all equipment that uses PSTN, such as access control systems, CCTV, and fax machines.

PSTN is regarded as an old and outdated technology that is not fit for the 21st century. It requires difficult and time consuming maintenance, and as digital technology can perform all of the functions of PSTN and more, it is fast becoming obsolete.  The Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) will be decommissioned. 

This means that if your business still has devices that rely on ISDN, it’s time to start putting new systems in place. It’s best to start this migration process as soon as possible to smooth over any hiccups and avoid being pressured into a rushed decision that may not represent the best value for money or type of service that you need. 

Business continuity

Even if you already have a fully digital network, it can still be prone to unforeseen disruptions. For example, it will be fully dependent on a power supply and if your premises should lose power, your telecommunications will be dependent on the mobile network. This may not be adequate for medium and larger sized businesses.

Therefore your IT and telecoms strategy should make provisions for such circumstances and have a back up plan in place. This will ensure that your business can minimise downtime and potential loss of data, guarding against a fall in productivity and disrupted customer services. 

Cost effectiveness

Telecoms contracts can be complex and confusing, because there are multiple products and services available, and the cost of many of these has risen steeply in recent years. It can be very difficult to understand which ones might be most beneficial to your business and to gauge your usage levels. 

This may be a fluid situation, as working patterns change and employees are no longer tethered to a single location. A telecoms strategy will enable you to accurately record your exact day to day usage and help you to identify the best contract for your needs. 

Most businesses do not have the time or resources to do this themselves, so using an outsourced  IT and telecoms support service is a popular solution. 

This will ensure that you are not paying for products and services that you don’t need and significantly reduce your bills. It can also make management of your telecoms systems faster and easier by consolidating all of the services with one provider. 

More robust security

Greater reliance on digital technologies steps up the threat of cybercrime and data security breaches. These can be disastrous for a business, from the loss of productivity and resulting costs, to the serious damage to the reputation and credibility of the business. 

A managed telecoms service will keep your business protected from the latest security threats and will proactively take steps to manage and mitigate against the risks. 

Scalability and adaptability

It is likely that your business needs are not static, but will change as you scale up, downsize, or adapt to fluctuating demand. A bespoke strategy will allow you to seamlessly respond to changing needs, for example with increased data at peak times, or other enhanced services. 

This will minimise disruptions and ensure that interactions with customers, suppliers, or collaborators are not frustrated by slow connections or insufficient data. 

business it support leeds

Choosing The Right Managed Service Provider For Your Business

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Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer expert IT business support and infrastructure management. The right provider will be able to take a proactive role in managing your IT infrastructure and network, and can ensure that your technology is the most suitable for your needs. 

For many businesses, outsourcing their IT management to an MSP is more efficient and economical than carrying out the work themselves, and it ensures that their systems are kept secure and up to date. Sometimes, a business may contract an MSP to provide a specialist service such as installing or managing cloud or artificial intelligence. 

Here’s a look at what factors to consider when choosing the right MSP for your business.

Assess your needs

The first step is to assess your current IT infrastructure and understand what hardware and software is currently in place. Which aspects of your IT do you require support or improved performance from? This may include cybersecurity, cloud services, data backup and recovery, or procurement. 

The range of support

Look at the range of services offered by the MSP. Is it likely to meet your current needs, and be able to adapt if your needs change in the future? Are they capable of linking your use of technology with your wider business goals and objectives? Are they a good fit with your company size, industry, and products and services?

Reputation and reviews

You will be placing a lot of trust in your MSP to keep your business running safely and securely. It’s critical that you choose a well regarded provider and thoroughly check their background. They should meet the required regulatory standards for cybersecurity and privacy protection. Ask for evidence of their security protocols.

The MSP should have a proven track record in the areas in which you require support. Refer to customer testimonials and online reviews for evidence, and ask among business contacts or acquaintances for recommendations and reviews. 

Flexibility of service

Is their level of service purely reactive, dealing with problems as they arise, or do they take a proactive approach in the monitoring and maintenance of your IT infrastructure? Do they have a help desk that you can contact 24/7? Most businesses will require a combination of remote and onsite support, so check if they provide this. 

Budget

It’s important to understand the MSP’s pricing structure to gauge if it is in line with your budget. Some MSPs will charge a flat rate, and others may charge per user, per service level, or per device. Ask if there are any additional charges to those covered in the initial quote, and what exactly each charge covers.

When reading the contract, analyse it for clarity and transparency. It should state clearly what services are provided, and the service levels that have been agreed on, plus the terms of exit. 

Also consider the financial stability of the provider; look at how long they have been in business, what their market presence is like, and if they can demonstrate steady growth.

Security concerns

No business can afford to be behind the curve when it comes to cybersecurity. This can be a time consuming process, particularly if you have a large IT network with a lot of software that potentially might be out of date. Find out what security protocols the MSP has in place to protect client data, and that they meet the relevant industry standards.

Find out what strategies they have to manage cybersecurity breaches or crisis situations such as a ransomware attack. Do they have a disaster recovery and business continuity plan in place? Some MSPs will offer specialist security services such as wireless penetration testing, PCI vulnerability scanning, and source code testing. 

Cultural fit

Last but not least, you need to make sure that you can work well with the MSP. Clear communication and a company ethic that aligns well with your own business culture will minimise the risk of conflicts and misunderstandings. 

Make sure that the MSP is willing to put their clients’ interests above their own, and that they show an interest in the nature of your business and your overall aims and objectives. First impressions count, so consider if they respond promptly and professionally to your initial enquiries, and are upfront and honest about their capabilities and limitations.

security IT

5 Signs That Your Business Needs To Upgrade Its IT Hardware

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It is now essential for businesses to have the right technology in place to serve its aims and meet the needs of its customers. Outdated hardware not only makes your business less efficient and competitive, but it can also put you and your customers at risk of security breaches. 

However, in the thick of busy day-to-day operations, it can be easy to overlook those IT niggles or kick the can further down the road. However, this is only staving off the inevitable need for progress, and it can lead to a very costly and disruptive crash.  Therefore it pays to stay ahead of the game. Here are some signs that your IT systems are due for an upgrade.

 

Slow performance

The most obvious sign that all is not well is that the system is draining operations time. For example, the IT system takes several minutes to boot, the applications run slowly, and tasks that should take a few seconds to complete are dragging on ever longer. This eats into productivity and is frustrating for workers who can’t perform as efficiently in their roles.

 

Frequent downtime

Increasing incidents of IT downtime is another clear sign that your IT system is in serious need of some attention. Frequent crashes impact productivity and make your business less competitive. If it affects your customer-facing services, it can damage the reputation of your business and send customers looking elsewhere or leaving negative online reviews.

Upgrading your hardware should iron out these blips and provide you with the right tools to get the job done without any exasperating interruptions. 

 

Security vulnerabilities

If security patches are no longer released for the products you are using, then your business is significantly more vulnerable to cyber attacks and malware. Incidents of security breaches and even ransom attacks have risen sharply in the past few years, and a security incident could lead to data protection breaches, and destroy the reputation of your business. 

Therefore you should always take a proactive approach to security upgrades, particularly if the majority of your devices are three years old or older. This may mean greater initial investment, but it is also insurance against a financially devastating cyberattack. 

 

Your business is growing

If you are taking on more staff and expanding your premises, then it is likely that your current system is operating at the very limit of its capacity, or is even overstretched. This means that the whole system will run more slowly, you may run out of storage space, and will be more at risk of crashes. 

The best solution is to upgrade your hardware in line with business growth, to ensure that operating systems continue to run smoothly and efficiently. Otherwise, slow or unreliable IT will detract from some of the extra productivity you should be seeing from investing in extra staff and office space.

 

Your devices are increasingly incompatible with new software

For your business to remain competitive, it’s essential that you install the latest software. If you jog along with the same tools year after year, you will find that rival businesses begin to stride ahead as they expand their capabilities and offer customers the benefit of the latest software innovations. 

If you run an ecommerce website, you may find that your bounce rate is increasing, you are sliding down the search engine results pages, and visitors are increasingly abandoning their journey through your website. Customers now expect fast loading pages across a range of devices, including phones, tablets, and desktop computers. 

They also expect to have access to digital features such as AI assisted customer service, a range of different payment options, downloadable tickets and receipts, and so on. If you can’t provide these convenient and time-saving services that are available via competitor sites, you may see a dip in site visitors, conversion rates and sales.

 

What to do if you decide to upgrade

Once you have decided it’s time to upgrade your IT systems, carry out an audit to identify the most urgent needs, such as security issues or slow performance. Set a budget, bearing in mind the return on investment you will get. 

Research the latest technology that is compatible with your existing set up and future needs, and factor in downtime for the upgrades to be carried out. 

cyber security services

Outdated Antiviral Systems Among Biggest Cyber Security Threats

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The majority of, if not all, homes and businesses have anti-virus systems on their computers these days, which they hope will protect against any cyber security attack they may be subject to. 

However, in some cases, this may not be enough to stop hackers tapping into their system and hijacking their data, which is why outdated antiviral systems will be among the biggest cybersecurity threats by 2030. 

Cybersecurity threats ahead

The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) gave its predictions about what it thinks will be the top ten emerging online risks by the end of the decade. 

The list was determined following eight months of brainstorming in a Threat Identification Workshop, with the group hoping that having foresight into the challenges ahead could help them find solutions to the problems before they emerge.

Executive director of ENISA Juhan Lepassaar said: “The mitigation of future risks cannot be postponed or avoided. That is why any insight into the future is our best insurance plan.”

He added: “It is our responsibility to take all measures possible upfront to ensure we increase our resilience over the years for an improved cybersecurity landscape in 2030 and beyond.”

The digital landscape is constantly changing, which is why trying to predict what will happen in a few years’ time is both challenging as well as essential, as it will protect the safety of individuals and businesses.

Why are out-of-date systems a risk?

The ENISA Foresight Expert Group, along with the CSIRTs Network and the EU CyCLONe experts, concluded that one of the biggest risks will be the exploitation of unpatched and out-of-date systems. 

As there are so many technological advancements all the time, it is easy to forget to update computer software to keep up with them. However, by neglecting to do this, the hardware becomes more vulnerable to cyber attacks. 

These days, everyone holds a significant amount of personal information on their smart devices, in particular. Therefore, by not updating the software when prompted, this could mean users are leaving themselves open to be hacked into. 

It enables hackers to pursue targeted attacks on smart device data, as they can gain access to so much simply by tapping into the phone or tablet. 

A significant number of businesses use smart devices these days, which means employees could be putting private corporate data at risk by not making sure their cyber security and operating system are up to date. 

Even with the increasing awareness about cyber attacks, lots of people still do not refuse access to personal data when installing new apps. 

The statistics from Uswitch revealed 38.4 per cent usually refuse but not always, 23.5 do not refuse access but might do in the future, 4.6 per cent never refuse and never will, 6.3 per cent did not even know it was possible to block access to private data, and 9.5 per cent do not know how. 

This shows how many people are putting their data at risk without even knowing it. 

What are the other threats to cyber security?

As well as outdated systems, ENISA detailed nine other threats to cybersecurity, which could pose a huge problem by 2030. 

These included the rise of digital surveillance, which is intended to protect people, but could actually lead to a loss of privacy and data security. 

Human error will also play a big part, particularly when the critical infrastructure is not properly secured. Someone not updating the system, not refusing access to personal data, or simply opening a fake email could lead to a cyber attack. 

There is also concern about a skills shortage in the cybersecurity industry, as there is not enough talent to cope with the problem of online attacks. As more and more threats occur, the demand for experts who can block these will continue to rise. However, without people training in the field, a skills gap will emerge.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also thought to be a substantial threat to cybersecurity. Although AI could be very useful to society, abuse of the technology could result in people manipulating information and gaining access to data. What’s more, if everything becomes computerised, the impact of an AI attack could be disastrous. 

Therefore, it is likely AI could result in more criminal activity, including cyber attacks. 

That is why companies who want to make sure they have everything in place to protect themselves against the growing threat of hackers should invest in cyber security services. This ensures their private data, including confidential business information and personal details of employees or clients, will not get into the wrong hands.

Voice over Internet Telephone (VoIP) systems - care home

How Digital Technology Is Making Care Homes More Efficient

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Over the past few years, digital technology has been increasingly integrated into UK care homes and nursing homes. From making day-to-day operations swifter and more efficient, to managing sensitive data effectively, IT systems are transforming working practices and raising the standard of care provided to residents.

There are so many new digital technologies available to care home providers that it can be difficult to know where to start. Here’s an overview of some of the best products and services, and how they can benefit your care home.

Digital care records

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) set a target for all adult health and social care providers to digitise their care records by March 2024. Furthermore, all integrated care systems and their NHS Trusts are aiming to fully digitise care records by March 2025. The ultimate goal is for each patient to have a ‘life-long, joined up health and social care record’.

Managing patient records effectively is essential so that medical staff have instant access to accurate information when they need it. The records contain vital detailed information about prescriptions, test results, diagnoses, observations, and so on. They can also be integrated with alert features to help clinicians identify patients at high risk. 

This not only saves time and means that medical staff can attend more patients, but it also ensures that the care provider is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). These are in place to protect the security and confidentiality of patient notes. 

Digital administration systems

The need to document all aspects of a patient’s care, from every fluid intake to the number of toilet visits each day, takes up a significant proportion of a care worker’s time, which could otherwise be spent with the patient. Care homes are increasingly digitising this process for speed and accuracy. 

Electronic administration systems ensure a consistent and measurable care record, and can provide additional information such as alerts to missed routine care, and overall patient satisfaction levels and preferences. Typically, the electronic app is used on a handheld device that is supported by icons and relies minimally on typing. 

This saves time, and is also simple to use for non-native English speakers, people with dyslexia or who are not familiar with technology. It enables accurate communication between care teams at shift handovers, and also between carers, nurses, doctors, relatives, and managers. 

Remote monitoring tools

Remote tools such as acoustic monitoring detect noise levels in resident’s bedrooms, and help to alert staff to issues such as falls, wakefulness or attempts to get out of bed, choking, or calls for help. This can reduce the amount of time staff need to spend physically checking on the residents and minimise disruption to their sleep. 

It also helps avoid residents spending a prolonged amount of time in difficulty or discomfort, and can even be lifesaving in certain situations. 

Wearable technology

Wearables are increasingly being used in care homes to monitor resident’s health data such as heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature. They can also be used to keep track of dementia patients who are prone to wandering, and also to monitor the activity levels of patients who are aiming to improve their fitness levels.

Digital inclusion for residents and families

Increasingly, care home residents are familiar with technology and expect to continue using it during their care home stay. For example, residents’ rooms are increasingly equipped with Voice over Internet Telephone (VoIP) systems or video call apps to help them keep in touch with family  and friends.

Bedrooms may also be provided with on-demand TV and film streaming services and WiFi for personal use. The technology can also be used to provide ‘family portals’, where families can have remote access to care plans and other updates, and book in visits. 

The importance of bespoke IT support for care homes

As care homes increasingly rely on digital technology, the need to have robust IT support systems in place becomes more urgent. This brings peace of mind that you have top-tier cyber security solutions in place, and ensures that your care home is fully compliant with data regulations. 

You will also be secure in the knowledge that all of the vital information is backed up and a full recovery plan is in place, to ensure that your care home can continue to run seamlessly in the event of a technology failure.

IT-Solutions-bee

How A Single Day Changed Office IT Solutions Forever

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How A Single Day Changed Office IT Solutions Forever

The beauty of IT solutions is that the best and most popular pieces of software put a lot of work into making everything straightforward for the end user in a way that is so unobtrusive that many members of staff do not even think about it.

A lot of this is down to the vast majority of computers running on the same operating system, with Microsoft Windows almost always being used to bridge the gap between the person sitting at their desk and computer components allowing them to complete everything they need to.

Microsoft Windows has been around for nearly four decades, and for three of those it has been the almost-ubiquitous system of choice for desktop and laptop computers, with the only major alternatives being Apple macOS for some creative industries and either iOS or Android for use with enterprise smartphones.

This was not always set to be the case, however, and in one of the ultimate cases of the butterfly effect in the world of IT, a single flight on a single day may have changed the course of history forever.

The Pioneer Of The PC Revolution

One of the most important figures in the history of business computing was Gary Kildall, a computer scientist who was amongst the first people to realise the potential for microprocessors and conceived of the personal computer as we know it today.

When he received his degree in 1972, microprocessors were primarily seen as equipment controllers for electronics such as microwaves, but Mr Kildall believed that they could be used as computers in their own right and developed programming languages and software to highlight their potential.

The biggest, most successful and most forward-thinking of these was CP/M, which stood both for Control Program/Monitor and Control Program for Microcomputers. This was the first operating system and is now all but mandatory to run a computer in the present day.

He also found a way to make it largely platform-independent through the concept of a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), which allowed CP/M to be easily implemented on thousands of different computer models.

The success of CP/M was something of a surprise for Mr Kildall, and his company Intergalactic Digital Research (later shortened to just Digital Research Inc) worked tirelessly to update and increase compatibility as it became the effective standard for business computing in the late 1970s. It seemed wholly plausible that this would continue into the next decade as well.

 

However, one fateful day, the details of which are still shrouded in mystery, everything changed although what is known is somewhat different from the myth that is told.

A Flight Of Fancy

There are multiple versions of the story of Digital Research and IBM, but the most comprehensive comes from a 1995 episode of Computer Chronicles, a public access television show that Mr Kildall co-hosted for several years.

The commonly told story of this day in 1980, most often repeated by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, was that on the day of the meeting, Gary Kildall had gone on a recreational flight, which meant that he could not sign the contract to port CP/M to the IBM PC and missed out on making history.

The actual story is far more complex than this and has a few details that are still the subject of fierce debate.

In 1980, at the suggestion of Bill Gates, IBM planned to license the use of CP/M for their next business machine, the IBM PC, which used an Intel 8088 processor compatible with the 8086 system that a forthcoming version of CP/M was being designed for.

On the morning in question, Mr Kildall was allegedly out on a flight, but rather than a recreational one, it was a business trip to deliver software and documentation to Godbout Electronics. 

During that time, a representative from IBM showed up and was greeted by Mr Kildall’s wife Dorothy, the co-founder of digital research who typically managed the initial negotiations with manufacturers and clients.

According to most accounts, Mrs Kildall read the documentation with DRI’s legal advisor Gerry Davis and refused to sign it until Gary had a chance to make a decision. 

 

According to some accounts, Mr Kildall did meet with an IBM representative and signed the agreement, but the lead negotiator at IBM Jack Sams claimed that the two never met, something corroborated at the time. Whatever the case, negotiations fell through.

Exactly why has never truly been ascertained and might possibly never be known. One belief is that Mrs Kildall and Mr Davis were worried about the nature of the agreement, which was a one-time payment of $250,000 that gave IBM effective ownership of the proposed CP/M-86.

Another claim is that she could not give complete assurances that it could be made within IBM’s strict deadlines, with the small company already committed to other work.

It is even possible that IBM simply became sick of waiting and saw the lack of availability of Mr Kildall as a sign of disrespect or unprofessionalism.

Whatever the case, Jack Sams flew to Seattle to negotiate with Bill Gates, who had suggested Mr Kildall to begin with and was already working on a version of BASIC for the IBM PC, noting that Mr Kildall had apparently gone flying rather than negotiate a major deal.

Mr Gates found an alternative in 86-DOS, also known as QDOS (the Q allegedly standing for “quick and dirty”), which Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen negotiated with Seattle Computer Products for the rights, leading to the creation of IBM PC DOS.

The problem was that pretty much every part of the deal was illegal; PC DOS had copied elements from CP/M and threatened to sue, and Microsoft had lied about their deal with IBM to get the rights to 86-DOS for just $50,000, which later led to a legal settlement.

IBM agreed to sell the IBM PC without an operating system and let people choose between PC DOS (later MS-DOS) and CP/M. The problem was that Microsoft’s MS-DOS was being sold for a sixth of the price of CP/M, and when the IBM PC became the standard computer for business, MS-DOS became the standard operating system.

History would later repeat itself with Microsoft Windows, which supplanted Gary Kildall’s GEM and IBM’s TopView as the graphical operating system of choice, and the PC to this day still relies on a processor compatible with the 8086 and a copy of Microsoft Windows.

Whilst Gary Kildall would continue to be successful in the computer business and retire a multi-millionaire after selling GEM and DRI in 1991, he became extremely bitter regarding IBM and Microsoft, not helped by how it affected his reputation in the computer world, something that would remain until his untimely death in 1994.

data centre - IT support Leeds

Why We Are Ahead When It Comes To Our Data Centre

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Why We Are Way Ahead When It Comes To Our Data Centre

For many companies needing IT support, finding the full package their firm needs can be challenging. Where it is available, often the providers are based far away, being a global company or one domiciled somewhere down south, like around central London’s ‘Silicone Roundabout’.

The UK is certainly growing in this area. In his recent Budget speech, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt spoke about the importance of IT and tech to the UK economy, hailing the fact that the UK now has “a tech economy now double the size of Germany and three times the size of France”.

Mr Hunt referred to the whole country as being “on track to become the world’s next Silicon Valley” as he announced measures aimed at increasing investment in this area. But is this, like a lot of other industries, always going to be highly concentrated in the south?

Where Can You Store Data?

Among the areas where there may be a significant geographical gap to make up is data storage. For a company based in Leeds, you may be able to find all kinds of support for various IT functions locally, but your data may be stored elsewhere.

However, we do have our own data storage facility in Leeds, something of a rarity in the north but one that gives us something of an edge, because it means we can provide a one-stop shop with everything in-house in our home city.

This hitherto lack of data storage facilities in the north has prompted a lot of excitement across the Pennines over plans for a new data storage centre in Stockport. 

As the Manchester Evening News reported, plans have been moving forward rapidly towards approval for a 25,900 sq m facility on the Kenwood Road industrial estate in the Reddish area of the town.

The site was not chosen randomly. The firm behind the development, Kao Data, spent two years looking for an appropriate northern site. Spokesperson Spencer Lamb noted that while data centres are “critical” to the UK’s development in IT, especially in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, the great majority of them are based in London and the south east.

It is not a done deal that the proposal will go ahead, with some planning concerns regarding traffic. However, the principle underlying the plan is that the data centre is needed both for national capacity reasons and also because of the many benefits of basing such a centre in the north, from the jobs it provides to the capacity to help firms not based down south.

The Role Of Data Centres In Levelling Up

We certainly wouldn’t want to say anything negative about an increase in data centre capacity outside the south east and London, even if by certain definitions the location is historically more Midlands than north (the site lies just south of the Nico Ditch, the reputed boundary between the Saxon kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria).

However, we can be proud to say that while there is excitement on the edge of Manchester over news that their data storage capacity could soon be emerging from its own ditch of antiquity to catch up with the needs of a high-tech 21st century economy, on this side of the Pennines we have our own very well established facility here.

To be fair, there are some data centres already in Greater Manchester and other parts of the north, and this issue is not one of trans-Pennine rivalry but a genuine matter for the regions. For all the talk in recent years of a ‘Northern Powerhouse’, ‘Levelling Up’ and high-speed rail links that now won’t happen, this may be the most crucial piece of infrastructure.

Indeed, while here in Leeds we might be a bit envious, for now, that they have trams in Greater Manchester (though not actually in Stockport yet), the biggest business benefit in an era of high tech could come from having more storage capacity across parts of the country currently lacking it.

Some might argue this does not matter a lot when there is so much remote working, and the use of the cloud, but it does. It is not just about providing jobs (the new centre in Stockport would create about 40), but also bringing a wider array of IT expertise and investment alongside it to a broader swathe of the UK.

Why Data Storage Expansion Is An Energy Issue

There are other considerations too. For example, the Financial Times recently reported that concerns over the amount of energy being used by data centres have led to certain countries, such as Ireland, Germany and Singapore, curbing their construction, with Ireland struggling the most.

This is a reminder that these centres need plenty of energy to run and therefore expanding their presence must go hand-in-hand with wider solutions for our future economic and societal needs like extra energy provision from clean sources.

At the same time, that does provide the UK with an opportunity if it can get ahead of some of its neighbours in this area, not least as curbs on data centres in these countries will mean British companies looking for storage space may struggle to find options overseas.

In particular, Germany’s energy modernisation efforts have been exposed by its high reliance on Russian gas. At the same time, Ireland’s lack of capacity may counterbalance the various incentives it has used to attract big tech companies from the US looking for a base in an English-speaking European country.

A Big Opportunity In Yorkshire

Mr Hunt is certainly right that the UK has a growing IT sector, but, as ever, the need exists to ensure the economic benefits are spread nationally, not confined to one corner. That will be good news not just for the IT firms, but for companies here in Yorkshire and across the country.

However, with companies like ours, there are already opportunities for your business to enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive package of IT support, with data storage being part of a comprehensive service.

If you are a Yorkshire firm, knowing you can have all your IT needs met by a company right here instead of having to farm it out to somewhere far away is something that should be both pleasing and reassuring.

VOIP system WFH

Working From Home Set To Be As Popular In 2028 As It Is Now

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Over the last four years, the landscape of office working has completely changed. Due to the working-from-home order during the pandemic to avoid people spreading Covid-19, many Brits have not returned to full-time office work, relying instead on the latest telecoms technology for clear and coherent communication between staff members.

In fact, 28 per cent of working adults typically adopt a hybrid approach to work, spending some days at home and others in the office, according to recent government figures. 

They also revealed that as much as 16 per cent only work from home, with this increasing to 32 per cent for those who are self-employed. 

People who have a degree, are in a professional occupation, or work in the highest income band are more likely to work from home, at least some of the time. 

This shows that while lockdown came to an end in 2021, a huge number of Brits still want to enjoy the benefits of working from home, including not having to endure a long commute, living further out of the city and taking advantage of cheaper property prices, dropping off or picking up the kids from school, and saving money on transportation. 

Working from home is here to stay

In fact, the working-from-home approach does not look like it is going anywhere, with a recent study showing that UK managers expect it to remain just as popular in 2028 as it is now. 

The Decision Maker Panel (DMP), which is produced by the Bank of England, Stanford University, King’s College London, and the University of Nottingham, reported that the proportion of employees who work hybrid jobs has increased from six per cent to 30 per cent since 2018.

It also showed that those who work fully remote has risen by four per cent to just under eight per cent over the last five years. 

A huge number of the 2,500 firms that took part in the survey thought that workers who will have a hybrid approach to work will fall slightly by 2028, while those working fully remotely will increase. 

Which industries work from home the most?

Not all industries are able to work from home, including healthcare and hospitality. In contrast, the sector with the largest proportion of home- and hybrid-workers is information and communication. 

The average number of days working remotely for employees is almost 2.5 in this industry, followed by prof and scientific, with workers typically staying at home for almost two days a week. 

Finance and insurance also has a large number of homeworkers, followed by admin and support, and real estate. 

What are the benefits of hybrid working for businesses?

Although many large companies have been trying to get workers back into the office more frequently, such as Google and Meta, there are lots of advantages for businesses to have their workers at home some of the time. 

  • More productive

For a start, lots of employees believe they get more work done in their house than they do in the office, as they are not distracted by chit-chat and do not have to waste time on the commute. 

In fact, they think they are two per cent more productive working from home than they would be otherwise. This amounts to an average of £15,000 extra for each day an employee works remotely. 

  • Lower wages

Working from home is also associated with a lower rate of wage growth. This could be due to the fact that employees are saving money on transport or car fuel, or because businesses are now able to hire from a wider area, so may be able to recruit people who do not command such a high salary. 

Many workers also favour flexible working arrangements over a higher wage, which enables companies to spend less on salaries if they offer hybrid working. 

  • Lower costs

Another benefit for businesses is they do not have to spend as much money on their office set-up. For instance, they can have less space and fewer desks if some employees are working from home on any one day. This has a ripple effect on energy costs, as fewer people are using the electricity, water and facilities. 

As working from home is extremely popular still, many employees are likely to remain loyal to their company if they offer flexible working arrangements. Therefore, they can spend less on recruitment. 

Importance of telecoms technology

While enterprises can save money in these areas, it is important they re-invest some of their savings into good-quality telecoms, so that all employees, wherever they are, are able to communicate with each other quickly and effectively. 

By making conference calls with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system rather than a telephone line, everyone is more likely to be able to hear each other properly and the call will be of a better quality. 

It works by enabling the voice to travel over the internet by converting it into a digital signal first. Therefore, employees do not need to worry about the quality of their telephone line, as they will not lose signal as long as they have a steady broadband connection. 

Lots of businesses also provide mobile phone contracts to staff members so they can contact clients easily. This also provides reassurance to the company that the internet connection is good and they have a big enough data package to conduct their work appropriately. 

This enables staff to send large documents, join in conference calls, telephone clients anywhere in the world, and use a range of smartphone apps that they might otherwise not have on their personal phone. 

Companies willing to allow their staff to work remotely need to ensure they are set up properly so they can upload to the cloud easily, always be in contact, and do not miss out on crucial information just because they are not in the office. 

These days, everyone is contactable if they want to be, but it is essential to make sure they are equipped with the right technology first. Without this, employees cannot be as productive or efficient as they could be, and cannot remain up to date with daily changes in the business.  

beeitvoip2025

Are You Ready For The 2025 VoIP Switchover?

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Telephone communication is certainly nothing new, with the first analogue telephone lines (also known as POTS – or the Plain Old Telephone Service) dating all the way back to the late 19th century.

But times have most certainly moved on and the advent of the internet means there’s a new more efficient way of staying in touch, so efficient in fact that the UK will be turning off the entire analogue telephone network by the end of 2025 to make way for the new order.

In its place will be a solely digital internet-based system, with traditional landlines for both businesses and consumers alike replaced with voice over internet (VoIP) services instead. 

While December 31st is the deadline, note that the switch off is happening now and fibre is already being rolled out around the UK, so it’s certainly worth preparing yourself as you may have to make the switch sooner than you think.

The aim of this big switch is to provide a service that is faster and which enjoys a more reliable connection, one that is better equipped to manage the demands of communication in the 21st century.

For businesses, now’s the perfect time to do your research into this new technology since you have to make the change in any case. 

Familiarising yourself with what’s involved and the benefits it’s likely to bring will mean you’re able to hit the ground running come December 2025… although, of course, you could always get the jump on the competition and make the switch now, putting yourself well ahead of the game.

So what are the benefits of switching to VoIP?

Well, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are many advantages to be wrought by going digital and leaving your traditional landline phone systems in the past where they belong.

Firstly, you’re sure to see just how flexible it makes your business operations. With the rise in remote working seen since the pandemic, people are increasingly keen to adopt a hybrid approach to work and VoIP systems mean that their jobs can be done anywhere and at any time. All they need is an internet connection and away they go.

Offering this facility will also have the added benefit of making your organisation more attractive from a recruitment perspective, supporting you in attracting and retaining the top talent in your field.

And let’s not forget that you can give your productivity a serious boost by investing in VoIP technology. There are all sorts of advanced features you can make use of, including the likes of call forwarding, voicemail to email, video calls and so on, and it can also be integrated with other software to ensure quick and efficient communication no matter what.

In fact, you can set up your systems so that they’re entirely software-based, which can prove far more cost effective in the long run when compared to the costs associated with onsite installation and physical hardware… and keeping outgoings to a minimum is how good business is done!

If you’d like to find out more about these telephone systems and how you could benefit, get in touch with the Bee IT Solutions team today.

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