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CHAPTER 6: Summary & eBook
The aim of our series of articles is to highlight how some IT actions can be easily missed, despite how critical they can be to the protection of ongoing business operations.
The world of information technology and business communications can be a minefield to navigate, with so many options to research. As technology continues to develop at speed, it’s hard to know if you’re missing out on the latest and most useful technology solutions available.
In our series, we’ve shared advice to help you protect and secure your business. Read on to ensure you’ve got the business technology foundations in place to keep your business operating and succeeding.
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1: How to avoid losing access to your critical business data
Data forms the backbone of how your business operates. Whether it’s email records stored in the cloud, or customer information housed on your online CRM, it’s never been more essential to make sure you’re properly backed up.
Key points in this chapter include:
Cloud data backup and archiving
How to ensure your data is effectively and reliably protected and easily accessible when problems occur.
Protecting & backing up your Microsoft O365 data
What happens to an employee’s Microsoft 365 documents when they leave your business? Microsoft stores it for 30 days then it is permanently deleted. Not many people know that Microsoft recommend that users back up their data to a third-party storage solution anyway as if it goes missing they can’t guarantee retrieval. Learn how to protect your data securely in a GDPR compliant way.
What’s the difference between cloud backups and a disaster recovery strategy?
Backing up business data is important but it only forms part of a Disaster Recovery Plan. Learn how to reduce business downtime further with backup internet connectivity and other tactics to get you operating quickly in the case of a disaster.
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2: Your IT Security is only as strong as your weakest link
Your IT Security strategy can’t rely on technology alone, the employees that utilise your tech also have a major part to play. Opening your business to risk can be as simple as staff using common passwords that can be hacked. How can you ensure your employees are not inadvertently opening the door to cyber criminals and ransomware attacks?
Key points in this chapter include:
What is a weak password? Including 4 commonly used examples.
What are the Top 10 most common UK passwords? Hint: Popular football clubs may feature here!
How do cybercriminals steal passwords? Top 9 methods used to access the passwords needed to get into your network.
The best way to easily create strong, secure passwords Three Random Words – A recipe for secure passwords
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign On (SSO) & Password Managers Learn the difference to identify what would work best for your business.
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3: How to securely manage your business mobile devices
Mobile devices are an essential tool for modern business however, managing multiple employee devices can be challenging. Provisioning multiple devices, limiting content, managing security and location and ensuring they’re compliant with the latest legislation – all time-consuming and repetitive tasks.
Key points in this chapter include:
What to consider when buying business mobile phones for your employees
How to easily and effectively manage multiple devices with a Mobile Device Management application. Apply your IT policies to your business mobiles.
What is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and why should I use MDM software?
Understand how MDM software can help your business effectively manage and monitor employee mobile usage, plus the MDM features and benefits available.
Government guidance on MDM software
The UK Government describes MDM as an important business security tool. We delve into their guidance and highlight the key advice points.
Refurbished devices for Corporate Social Responsibility
How you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money without reducing security with refurbished mobile devices.
Legally and securely disposing of old mobile phones and other devices
To ensure environmental protection, the disposal of devices is covered by significant legislation. We explain how to maintain your security when disposing of your devices.
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4: 4 risks when critical IT staff leave your business
When valued IT team members leave your business it can cause real stress – costing both time and money as a replacement is recruited and trained. And in the meantime, what would be the impact on your business in the case of an IT emergency? We explore the risks involved when an IT Technician leaves your business and the solutions that will allow continued smooth business operations.
Key points in this chapter include:
Why IT professionals are essential to any business
Whether you have in-house IT or are considering your options, we break down why IT staff and support are key to keeping your business up and running.
What are the risks when an IT Technician leaves your business?
From disruption to security vulnerabilities, we’ll give you a breakdown of what can go wrong when a member of your IT team leaves the business.
How to protect your business when IT staff leave
What actions can your business take to mitigate potential risks and keep your business fully operational?
What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and how can it help my business?
IaaS is a form of cloud computing which hosts parts of your IT infrastructure in the cloud. IaaS is an excellent tool to ensure Business Continuity should an IT staff member leave your business.
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5: 7 Steps to Prepare Your Business for the UK Analogue Telephone Line Switch-Off
Finally, we turn our attention to the approaching PSTN switch-off, affecting all businesses still using historic analogue telephone cabling to host communications, connectivity and many other common IT systems.
This chapter highlights 7 stages to prepare your business and colleagues for the switch to all digital.
Key points in this chapter include:
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- What is the PSTN switch-off all about?
- How can your business prepare for the PSTN switch-off?
- Why do you need to check you have the right connectivity in place?
- What services will be affected by the switch-off?
- What applications and hardware are needed to upgrade to digital communications?
- How to create a communications migration strategy
- How to reduce transition downtime through testing
- Why do you need to review network security as part of my communications migration?
- How to avoid loss of communications if connectivity goes down
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IT Planning & Strategy – Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, IT Planning is vital for businesses to stay ahead of the curve in today’s digital environment. By aligning technology with overall business goals, mitigating potential risks, and improving efficiencies, businesses can leverage technology to drive their growth and success.
As such, IT planning must remain a top priority as businesses continue to navigate the digital landscape.
Download the eBook
We have collated all five chapters from our top IT planning tips guide into an eBook, covering best practices and takeaways, helping you ensure your business and assets are protected:
- What would happen to my business if we lost access to our important data?
- Are my staff inadvertently using common passwords, putting the business at risk?
- What would happen if my IT staff suddenly left the business?
- What would happen if an employee inadvertently opened a cybersecurity threat on a business mobile device?
- Will my business telecoms still work after the planned nationwide telephone line switch-off?
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Book a free IT Health Check
90% of computer networks have potentially serious IT problems sitting undetected.
Identifying any vulnerabilities in your IT Infrastructure is essential to protect the health of your business. If you know about issues in your network, you can close the gaps, improving security and reliability – before things go wrong.
We recommend that all businesses undertake a comprehensive IT Health Check, to provide of picture of your current network health and identify where improvements are needed. This data is provided as a confidential 360° IT Infrastructure Health Report.
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