The Monthly Download—October 2024

Meet Joe, a business owner who’s seen his company grow impressively over the years.

With a team spread across various locations, Joe invested in a Unified Communication (UC) system to keep everyone connected. Video calls, instant messaging, and shared documents all in one place made collaboration smooth and efficient.

But one morning, as Joe sat at his desk, his worst nightmare began to unfold.

Out of nowhere, video calls started dropping, his team couldn’t access important documents, and their VoIP service was on the fritz.

Joe soon realized his business had been hit by a cyber attack. Cyber criminals had breached his UC system, the very tool that had been driving his company’s productivity.

The situation escalated fast. The cyber criminals weren’t just causing disruption, they were attempting to steal sensitive information. Joe’s UC system, which had been a pillar of his business success, had become a target. The efficiency that once fueled his growth was now putting his entire business at risk.

Joe’s experience is a cautionary tale for any business embracing modern communication tools. He learned the hard way that protecting your UC environment is critical.

First, Joe realized the importance of choosing the right software, much like picking a high-quality security system for your home. He needed a UC solution that offered strong encryption, access controls to ensure only authorized people could perform certain tasks, and tools to monitor and audit data movement.

And he didn’t stop at software. Joe understood that his cloud-based UC systems needed the same level of protection as his physical office. This meant implementing firewalls, secure access methods, and tools to monitor potential threats in real time.

Hardware security also became a priority. Joe began investing in devices with built-in security features to protect his communication systems from future attacks.

Finally, Joe learned that the human element is often the weakest link in security. He made it a priority to train his team on recognizing phishing attempts (where scammers pretend to be someone else), using multi-factor authentication, and practicing strong password management.

Let Joe’s story serve as a reminder: Being proactive about ALL your cyber security is essential. Is it something you’ve already realized? If not, and you need help along the way, we’re here to guide you. Get in touch.

What's happening at RCT this month?

After attending 🍁 CanITCon 🍁 in beautiful Kelowna at the end of September, Mitch was excited to get back and share everything he learned with the RCT team. The connections, conversations, and top-notch speakers made it a standout experience. He’s looking forward to October, eager to apply some of these insights to grow, improve, and connect more with RCT’s clients this fall!

Business gadget of the month

Tounee telescopic laptop stand

You know that working on a laptop can be more convenient than a desktop PC.

But what’s not ideal is the position you must work in.

Enter the Tounee telescopic laptop stand. It adjusts to exactly the right height and angle that means no more aches and pains.

And even rises high enough that you can stand to work rather than sitting down all day. When you’re not using it, fold it away.

$50.00 from Amazon.

Technology Update

Microsoft Designer is now available across platforms

Microsoft has officially launched Microsoft Designer across its platforms. You can enjoy 15 free daily AI-powered design boosts, with an option to upgrade to 100 boosts per day with a Copilot Pro subscription.

New features include prompt templates for easy design creation, custom sticker and emoji creation, and an upcoming background replacement feature.

Tech facts

• The name for robot has dark origins. It comes from the Czech word “robota,” which translates to forced labor or work. The word was first used to refer to a fictional humanoid, in a 1920 play.
• Remember the Video Cassette Recorder (VCR)? When production stopped in 2016 the models were compact for their time. But the first-ever VCR was the size of a piano!
• The original Xbox contained edited sound bites from transmissions from the Apollo missions. If you left the Xbox on the home screen, eventually, you’d hear whispers of conversation that was actual chatter from the Apollo mission.

Inspirational quote of the month

A New Month, A New Tech Quiz

1) What “B” is the term for wide bandwidth data transmission, able to transport multiple signals and traffic types?

2) Which company launched the best-selling RAZR phone back in 2004?

3) Which game console released in 2006 pioneered the use of motion controls in its gameplay?

4) Which device was first announced in 2007 with the slogan “This is only the beginning”?

5) What technology, now common in smartphones, was first developed by IBM in 1992 with their Simon Personal Communicator?

The answers are below.

1. . Broadband
2. Motorola
3. Nintendo Wii
4. iPhone
5. Touch Screen

New to Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 Copilot gets new AI-powered features

Microsoft has rolled out new AI-powered features to its 365 Copilot, designed to make you more productive and creative.

One of the standout updates is the integration of Copilot into Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. This makes tasks like generating images and editing text faster and easier. For example, you can now quickly adjust the tone of your content in SharePoint or generate visuals directly within Word and PowerPoint

For any help or advice, get in touch. It’s what we do.

• CALL: 306-933-3355
• EMAIL: [email protected]
• CONTACT PAGE: rivercitytech.ca/contact-us/