Internal auditing to help identify potential cyber threats.
“You’re giving me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ routine? I invented ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’ Nobody tells me it’s them not me; if it’s anybody, it’s me.”
Internal auditing to help identify potential cyber threats.
“You’re giving me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ routine? I invented ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’ Nobody tells me it’s them not me; if it’s anybody, it’s me.”
The number one threat to your business? Ransomware
Imagine this: You’re starting a normal day, coffee in hand, ready to tackle your to-do list. Suddenly, a red screen flashes on your computer, and a message pops up: “Your files have been encrypted. Pay up to get them back.”
That’s ransomware, a cyber attack that’s fast becoming the number one threat to businesses worldwide. It’s become a top choice for cyber criminals because it’s profitable, easy to deploy, and very effective.
Cyber criminals get their ransomware software onto a computer, often from something as simple as a link in a phishing email (that’s an email pretending to be from a trusted source). When clicked, it installs software that gives them access.
They lock your files, making them unreadable. The cyber criminals demand payment, usually in cryptocurrency, and promise to return access once they’re paid. Some even threaten to leak sensitive info if you don’t comply.
It’s scary and the consequences for any business are huge. It’s not just the loss of data, it’s expensive, time consuming, and could break the trust you enjoy with your customers and suppliers.
So, how do you keep your business safe?
The good news is that basic security practices can go a long way. Start by training your team not to click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments. Regularly updating applications and security software is also crucial, as it closes security gaps cyber criminals might try to exploit.
Most importantly, create a reliable backup system. Set up isolated, “cold” backups that are disconnected from your main system. So, if an attack hits, your data remains untouched. Regularly test these backups to make sure they work when you need them. In a ransomware attack, being able to restore your data from a safe backup can save your business from costly downtime or ransom demands.
Ransomware is serious, but a proactive approach can make all the difference. With the right prep, you can keep your business running smoothly. If you’d like help with that, Get in touch.
What's happening at RCT this month?
The holiday season has arrived, and the office is embracing the spirit of Christmas. Decorations are up, and the team is looking forward to celebrating together over the next few weeks. As we wrap up the year, we’re especially grateful for all our clients, who have been part of our journey. It’s a wonderful time to connect, reflect on our accomplishments, and share in some festive cheer.
Business gadget of the month
Rocketbook Reusable Digital Notebook
Taking notes on your laptop or even using AI is great, but sometimes we just prefer good old pen and paper, right?
Well, the Rocketbook Reusable Digital Notebook combines both modern tech and old-fashioned ways to allow you to take notes by hand, transcribe them, and upload them to your device.
Better yet, it’s endlessly reusable. You simply wipe it over and can start on your next set of notes.
$25.69 from Amazon.
Technology Update
Not using Copilot?You can get rid of the shortcut key
Microsoft is giving us more flexibility with Windows 11. Namely, with the Copilot key. Now, with the latest updates (23H2 and 24H2), you can use the Copilot key to open different apps in Microsoft 365, like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
Of course, if your keyboard doesn’t have a Copilot key, this won’t apply. Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs include this key by default. Previously, it just opened the Copilot panel, but soon it will offer more options based on preference.
Tech facts
Domain name registration used to be free. Way back when people didn’t ..........realize how huge the internet would be, registering a domain name was free. Until 1995 that is, when a fee was introduced – and it was high! Prices were typically $100 for two years of registration.5 megabytes of data used to weight
5 megabytes of data used to weigh a ton – literally. In 1956, the first computer had something like a hard drive. At the time, it was a huge leap in storage capabilities, but the cabinet that contained the hard drive weighed over 2,200 pounds and held just 5 MBs of data.
In December 1987, Microsoft released version 2.0 of Windows. It was most famous for being the version of Windows that prompted Apple’s famous lawsuit against Microsoft for copyright infringement of the Macintosh operating system.
Inspirational quote of the month
“It’s very difficult to design something for someone if you have no empathy.”
— Stewart Butterfield, co-founder of Flickr and Slack.
A New Month, A New Tech Quiz
1) Bill Gates famously dropped out of college, but which one?
2) What kind of technology powers the displays in laptops?
3) What’s the generic term for the mechanical, electrical and electronic components of a computer?
4) Without looking - what letter is between Q and E on a computer keyboard?
5) QR codes were invented back in 1994 for tracking what?
The answers are below.
Harvard
Either LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or OLED (Organic LED)
Hardware
W
Vehicles as they were assembled
New to Microsoft 365
You can create acustom AI withMicrosoft… soon
Microsoft is introducing a way for businesses to create custom AI agents in Copilot Studio, which can automate tasks and save time. Unlike basic AI tools that respond to direct commands, these AI agents can be set up to act automatically – doing things like checking customer details or inventory when an email arrives.
Microsoft is rolling out ten ready-made agents in Dynamics 365, which can be customized for tasks like sales and case management. These agents are designed to be easy to set up without coding, making automation accessible for all businesses.
Right now, this tool is only available in a public beta, but we expect to see a rollout soon.
For any help or advice,get in touch. It’s what we do.
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