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Best Practices for Backing Up Your Data

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Cyber-crime and data loss are ever increasing in today’s technology-reliant society. The loss of important company data and client records can be damaging for businesses. If you are yet to experience some level of data loss, you may be considered one of the lucky ones. 

There is always the risk of an accident or malicious behaviour impacting your business’ data. To avoid this happening to your business, we explain how you can protect your data through backup methods, and set yourself up for a secure future. 

Identify the important files you need to backup

Firstly, you will need to identify which data or files are most important to your business. Most commonly, this is customer billing history, client details and work history, contracts and so forth. For these essential documents, it is often best to consider multiple backup solutions. Depending on the documents sizes and importance, you may wish to store copies on at least two of the following methods. 

USBs, Flash Drives or External Hard Drives  

Every business has a random drawer filled with these small, portable storage devices. USBs are useful for storing and transferring files from one device to another. However, the amount of storage is restrictive, and they are often easily misplaced or damaged due to their size. 

External hard drives are probably the most popular backup method used by small businesses. Unfortunately, similar to a USB, hard drives have a reputation for failing at any time without notice or warning. 

Using Remote Storage

To ensure your backup efforts are not in vain, you should store your backup data off-site or at least off-sever. This means that your backups will remain viable and recoverable even if your central server is compromised. Remote storage can be done using a physical dedicated server or a cloud-based server. 

Here at eStorm, we offer reliable, flexible and secure colocation and server hosting services. Find out more about how we can help you store your data securely today. 

Cloud Backup 

Investing in and implementing a cloud backup truly is the most viable and trusted solution. To transfer and store your data on the cloud, you can individually select the files or sync your entire device. Cloud data is stored in a secure location with a form of encryption, ensuring your data is always protected. 

For more information on cloud storage and how it can help you manage your data, check out our Private Cloud services. 

How often should you be backing up your data?

To effectively backup your data, you will need to ensure you are backing up your data frequently and regularly. The frequency of how often you backup your data will depend on how often your data is updated. For example, if critical data is continuously updated your business will need a more frequent backup schedule. 

How long do you need to store your old backups?

Once you have determined the frequency of your backups, you will need to consider how long each backup should be retained. Storing every backup simply is not feasible and it can limit the amount of storage space available to your business. 

Depending on industry standards, there may also be legal requirements imposed upon your business to retain certain data for a set period. Most commonly, businesses will retain their monthly or bi-annual data backups for as long as possibly allowed by their servers. 

Encrypting and Protecting Your Backups 

Depending on the data contained in your backups, you may need to secure the data in an off-site location. Physical data centres provide several security features to physically protect your data. However, it is always best to encrypt your files to ensure your data is protected if a breach was to occur.  

It is best to stay updated on your security hardware and software. Doing this will ensure that it is working at its highest performance capability. Staying up-to-date with new updates will keep your system working with the most current anti-malware and antivirus protection. 

Website and Database backup 

No business is ever exempt or safe from hackers. Many say small businesses are ‘too small to be hacked’; however, this makes them a perfect target. Here are a two methods to implement a secure backup for your site:

  • Request a copy of your website and database files from your developers and secure these in a nearby location. 
  • Often the best and most secure solution is to implement a cloud backup of your entire site. Doing this, allows you to restore the previous version of your site before it was hacked. 

Having access to your data no matter what happens to your system is vital to running a successful business. By partnering with eStorm, we can help you decide how often and through what method your business can use to backup your data. If you are interested in creating secure backups of your business’ data, speak to the friendly eStorm team today!

The Pros and Cons of Chromebooks: Are They Suitable for Students?

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eStorm has seen a rise in popularity for Chrome OS and G-Suite in classrooms, but many schools and teachers are still cautious about introducing Chromebooks to classrooms as they are not sure whether the device’s capabilities can meet the demanding needs of many school students.

So teachers are able to make a more informed decision, we’ve put together a list of Pros and Cons for Chromebooks in schools.

What is a Chromebook?

Chromebooks are notebooks and 2-in-1’s (tablet + notebook) that run on Google’s Chrome OS rather than more traditional platforms like Windows 10 and MacOS.

Chrome OS is an operating system based on the Chrome browser that most students, teachers and parents are already familiar with. In 2011, Chrome OS was disparaged by many and considered nothing more than a glorified browser. Many people still hold onto this initial opinion of the operating system, but almost a decade later the world has fully embrace the cloud and Chromebooks are also able to run various Android and many Linux apps, making them much more versatile and an attractive option for those seeking a new device that won’t break the bank.

Chromebooks for Students: The Pros

1. Costs

Chromebooks can be up to 60% cheaper for schools to procure than standard laptops (especially if purchased through a reseller like eStorm). This is because Chrome OS does not have demanding hardware requirements, making the devices smaller, lighter, and less expensive than the average laptop. This also means that many manufacturers, such as ASUS, can create modular Chromebooks that can be fixed fairly easily, quickly, and cheaply.

2. Share-ability

Chromebooks and Chrome OS are designed for sharing. Multiple devices can be deployed to each classroom in your school, and students need to simply log in to their Google account from any Chromebook to access their assignments and documents. Likewise, if a student forgets their Chromebook at home or school, they can easily access their learning materials from any other device just by logging into their account. No more ‘I lost my assignment’ or ‘I left it at home!’ excuses.

3. G Suite for Education:

Schools are able to keep costs down in the long run as there are no licensing fees to keep Chrome OS and Google apps updated. The use of G-Suite for Education is completely free, and offers everything you’ll ever need such as:

  • Google Classroom, Assignments and Forms: Google’s Classroom app allows teachers to create lessons, share assignments with students and parents, track their students’ progress, and much more! For students, the app creates a hub for them to keep track of assignments and due dates, and collaborate easily with other students and teachers.
  • Docs, Slides and Sheets: Create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations and have them save automatically to the cloud. Teachers and students can edit files and instantly have them available for review.

4. Improved Productivity

The no-nonsense, simplified and clutter-free Chrome OS platform aides students in delving into their work without much distraction. Google Admin Console also provides the opportunity for parents and teachers to place locks and demands on devices to ensure students are getting the most out of their study time.

5. Device Deployment and Management

Easily distribute 1 or 1000 devices through the Chrome partner ecosystem. Schools are able to manage thousands of devices and set over 200 policies and demands via the Admin Console, including; pre installing and blocking apps, customising user features, and managing user and network access. Administrators are able to ‘Powerwash’ Chromebooks to easily restore them to a factory default state.

6. Ruggedised Designs

Because Chromebooks do not need the same hardware requirements that more powerful Windows and Macs rely on, they are considered to be some of the toughest notebooks for the classroom. Many of them can survive drops from up to 1.2m, have rubber edges for shock absorbency, and are spill-and-tamper-resistant.

 

Chromebooks for Students: The Cons

1. Offline Capabilities

Because Chrome OS is mainly cloud and web based, Chromebooks are not as functional when they are offline with no internet connection. Students are still able to access Google Drive, Docs, and Sheets files as long as they enable offline mode before being out of service coverage.

2. Storage Capacity

Chromebooks and Chrome OS’ entire purpose is to focus on cloud-based storage, which means most devices only have a local storage capacity of up to 32GB. This is also another reason why manufacturers are able to cut down on costs. However, if your students are desperate to have more space on their Chromebooks, models with micro-SD drives can be purchased.

3. No Adobe Suite

Adobe has announced they are working on a version of Photoshop that can be used via a web browser, however there is no timeline for this. Consequently, if your students are currently using Adobe Suite it will be almost impossible to use the software on a Chromebook. While there are alternatives in the Android library (such as Pixlr for basic photo editing) these apps do not come close to the capabilites of the Adobe Suite.

4. No Installed Microsoft

Since Chromebooks rely on Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides, the devices are not designed for compatibility with desktop versions of Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, and Excel). Yes, you can download the Microsoft apps from the Android library or run the online versions, but you will find that they do not offer all of the functions and capabilities of installed versions.

5. Hardware

Most Chromebooks on the affordable end have very basic processors, which means running graphic and memory intensive games/applications may cause lagging or crashes. It is possible to purchase Chromebooks that have more powerful processors (including Intel Core i5 and i7) but these won’t come cheap.

The Verdict

Overall, Chromebooks are an affordable and efficient device students can utilise for most everyday schooling tasks – writing assignments, researching, and watching videos. The battery life of Chromebooks generally last a complete school day, and they are even more worthy of consideration if teachers and students rely on G Suite for most of their learning materials.

However, if your students require more powerful hardware to access applications such as the Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office, and video editing software, then a more traditional Windows or Mac notebook is recommended.

eStorm: Your Device Procurement Experts

If you’re interested in procuring Chromebooks, eStorm can help! We’ve partnered with ASUS to provide Chromebooks that are not only affordable but designed specifically for the use (and abuse) of classrooms.

Check out the ASUS Education Solutions Handbook and contact us for any enquiries!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Apple Silicon M1 Chip – Everything You Need To Know!

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Whether it be on the radio, the news, or from your co-workers and friends, you’ve probably heard whispers of excitement over the new Apple Silicon processor for Macs, officially announced on November 11. Or if you haven’t, you’re now probably wondering – what is the new Apple Silicon chip?

For over a decade, Apple’s world class design and development team has been building and refining Apple silicon for iPads and iPhones, while they have simultaneously relied solely on Intel to provide processors for their Macs. The transition to their own homegrown processor represents the biggest and boldest leap ever for the Mac, but it will take up to two years to complete the shift from Intel. Nevertheless, Apple has already unveiled three Macs powered by Apple Silicon; available for orders as of 11 November 2020: the MacBook Air, the MacBook Mini, and the MacBook Pro. 

The Apple Silicon M1 Chip

“With industry-leading performance, powerful features, and incredible efficiency, M1 is Apple’s first chip designed specifically for the Mac”

The seismic and daring shift from Intel to Apple M1 enables Apple to create an experience on Macs that is more consistent with that of iPads and iPhones, and allows Apple to have more control and flexibility over the launch cycles and features for its notebooks and desktops.  Combined with macOS Big Sur, M1 delivers extraordinary battery life, maximum performance capabilities, and access to more software and apps than ever before.

The Apple M1 is a 5nm 8 core System-on-Chip (SoC) with 16 billion transistors and an integrated 8 core graphics processor (GPU).

 

What This Means for Future Apple Macs

The best CPU performance per Watt: The 8-core CPU (consisting of 4 high performance cores and 4 high efficiency cores) provides industry-leading performance while running as efficiently as possible. This means photographers are able to edit high-resolution photos at lightning speed and developers can build apps nearly 3x faster than before!

Faster Integrated Graphics: The M1 includes Apple’s most advanced GPU. Featuring up to 8 powerful cores capable of running nearly 25,000 threads simultaneously, the GPU can handle extremely demanding tasks with ease. This includes smooth playback of multiple 4k streams and rendering complex 3D scenes.

Blazing-fast On-Device Machine Learning: The Neural Engine in M1 enables up to 15x faster machine learning performance, so tasks like video analysis, voice recognition and image processing will have a level of performance never before seen on the Mac.

MacOs Big Sur Optimised for M1: Apple’s latest macOs is engineered to take full advantage of the capability and power of M1. It delivers a massive boost in performance, incredible battery life and the strongest security protections on the market. Macs will instantly wake from sleep, and iPhone/iPad apps can now run directly on the Mac.

The Next Generation of Mac

 

MacBook Air: A Thin and Light Powerhouse

Boasting the title of one of the world’s best-selling 13-inch notebooks, the M1 chip will take the MacBook air to extraordinary new heights.

The powerful 8 core CPU and GPU allows it to perform 3.5x faster than its predecessors and run immersive graphics-intensive games up to 5x faster. It’s fanless design means no matter what users are doing, it remains silent at all times. It also features astonishing battery life, with up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 18 hours of video playback (compared to approx. 11 hours on previous generations).

From November 11, it will no longer be possible to buy MacBook Airs with an Intel CPU.

 

13-inch MacBook Pro: More Powerful, More Pro

The 13-inch MacBook Pro is Apple’s most popular pro notebook and combines high performance with a portable design. The introduction of M1 to the MacBook Pro will allow professionals to channel their creativity and provide the tools students need to succeed. Enjoy a system that is 2.8x faster than its predecessor thanks to its 8 core CPU, and take advantage of remarkably smooth graphics performance due to its 8 core GPU. Other new features include studio-quality mics and Apple’s latest camera ISP, which enables sharper images on video calls.

Apple claims the 13-inch MacBook Pro is up to 3x faster than the best-selling Windows laptop in its class, and now boasts up to 17 hours of wireless web browsing and 20 hours of video playback – up to twice the battery life of the previous generation and the longest battery life ever on a Mac.

Unlike the MacBook Air, you can still purchase a 13-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel CPU, but you’ll be paying a considerably higher price for them compared to their M1 counterparts.

 

Mac mini: Staggering Performance, Ultra-Compact Design

The Mac mini is by far Apple’s most versatile computer, and with M1 it combines incredible performance and new features with the compact design many users have come to love. M1’s 8 core CPU and GPU make for a faster desktop that delivers a massive 6x increase in graphics performance, allowing users to play graphics-intensive games like “Shadow of the Tomb Raider” with 4x higher frame rates.

Mac mini also features an advanced thermal design to remain cool and quiet throughout heavy usage and supports up to two displays (including Apple Pro’s Display XDR in 6K resolution).

The Mac mini will also continue to offer options with Intel CPUs, but like the MacBook Pro, these will be priced higher than M1 minis.

 

Watch Apple’s ‘One More Thing’ event for a complete overview on their latest announcements and products!

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens to my Intel Mac after Apple completes the switch to M1?

Considering Apple is still releasing products with Intel CPU’s and it will take 2 years to complete the switch to M1, it should be expected that Apple will continue to provide support and updates for Intel Macs for years to come. This is backed by the fact that Big Sur, Apple’s newest macOS update, will be compatible with MacBook Pros from 7 years ago!

What are the major benefits of M1? 

Longer battery life, faster performance, and enhanced graphics on the new Macs are the major benefits of Apple’s M1 chip. Combining those with the cost-effectiveness, and the ability to access all of your apps across all your Apple devices, makes it hard to deny this is a major upgrade for Mac products.

Intel vs M1: Which Mac is right for me? 

While the M1 boasts myriad new features, we understand it can be difficult to say goodbye to what we’re used to, especially considering Intel has been the trusted leader of CPU’s for over 15 years. While Apple is still offering a range of Macs available with Intel processors, it is predicted most versions of Macs will be transferring over to M1 by late 2021. It is therefore recommended that you purchase the M1 Macs if you are currently in the market for a new device, HOWEVER please check with eStorm before doing so as your current software may not be compatible with Big Sur or the M1 chip. Big Sur, Apple’s latest macOs update, is also expected to run marvellously on M1’s, as it was specifically engineered to accommodate the new chip.

What’s Big Sur?

Big Sur (or MacOs 11) is Apple’s newest desktop and laptop operating system, released on November 12 2020. It is full of new and redesigned features that make for a better user experience, and is compatible with Apple’s new M1 devices along with its older Intel-based machines. It features a revamped Safari browser, improved privacy features, and the option to have widgets on your home screen. More info on the Big Sur update can be found here: https://www.apple.com/macos/big-sur/

Need More Info? Contact eStorm Today for Further Enquiries!

 

Pokemon Go’s plans to make 3D scans of the world

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In 2016 we saw the world go crazy for Pokemon Go. The game sent hundreds of millions of people of all ages wandering the streets searching for virtual creatures. This game has paved the way for augmented reality in today’s technological landscape, and the ability to overlay computer-generated imagery onto real-world environments. Niantic (developers of Pokemon Go) are leading the way in advancing augmented reality technology, especially in their new proposed update.

Niantic plans to encourage users to create and upload 3D scans of real-world locations while they play Pokemon Go. With the incentive of unlocking “new kinds of planet-scale AR experiences”, avid Pokemon players will be helping develop the future of AR gameplay.

The Future of Augmented Reality

Given Niantic’s success, Big Tech companies are now in an arms race to see who can develop and execute this technology the fastest. Businesses such as Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, and Google are currently developing similar AR products. By using simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (SLAM), the companies can regularly scan and collect data about a user’s environment.

We consume new technologies very quickly, so it is easy to imagine a world where augmented reality is integrated into our everyday lives. However, there are growing concerns about pervasive augmented reality being used by big companies to create more targeted advertising. Other organisations have warned against these new technology developments with concerns over the potential influence on surveillance and control.

Using augmented reality in the classroom

It can be tempting to ignore this technology, given the potential threats or concerns on how it can be used for ‘evil’. However, there are many benefits and positives in using augmented reality into today’s educational setting.

While the new 3D scanning feature is yet to be implemented, the current game provides opportunities to build lesson plans around the game now. For example, in an English lesson, you may have primary students write a fact file on a certain pokemon. A Maths lesson may involve high school students measuring the distance travelled, defining speed, the area covered and so forth. There are numerous lesson plans relating to the app in computing, design technology, art, geography and PE classes.

For more inspiration on how you can create fun and engaging lessons using the latest technology check out our blog on the newest education tools.

To learn about more opportunities to integrate technology into the classroom, or if you are wanting to upskill your teachers to effectively use new tools in lesson plans, contact our friendly eStorm team at any time on 1300 378 676 or [email protected].

Is my business fit for managed cloud services?

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The “Cloud” is a new and disruptive trend that has been gaining momentum in businesses for some time. With many businesses unsure how cloud computing and cloud services can fit into their business strategy. Managed Cloud Services may sound like a complex concept; however, it is simply storing your data offsite in a data centre or a private cloud.

Benefits of the Cloud

Businesses who make the shift to cloud software often do so for many different reasons. The most common include flexibility, scalability, cost savings, as well as the uses of cloud services such as data backups, disaster recovery, and so forth.

Managed cloud services are not limited to small businesses or start-ups, and are beneficial for companies of all sizes. Many businesses will often associate managed IT services as unaffordable and unnecessary. However, managed cloud services are affordable, easy to deploy and simple for businesses to manage.

Evaluating your business needs

Before obtaining managed cloud services, you need to evaluate your business from a strategic and operational perspective. Does your IT demand fluctuate throughout the year? Do your IT costs negatively impact on your ability to grow your business? If your answer is yes, making the move to managed cloud services may be in your best interest.

Businesses will typically choose a cloud service from three distinct types of models: private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid cloud. Unlike a public cloud, private and hybrid clouds require businesses to maintain, manage and update their data centres through dedicated administrators. Often the cost and ability to execute these tasks are not in the best interests of the business; this is where managed cloud service providers step in.

What cloud service is best for you?

Each business is unique, their size, business objectives, industry and IT software; therefore, every business deserves a customised service. With a variety of cloud packages available, you can choose which services and features are best for you, your budget and strategic needs.

Co-location providers

Co-location services provide businesses with an opportunity to install their own servers in a managed facility. The location provider then has the responsibility of keeping the servers on and maintained. However, the responsibility of physically maintaining the servers rests with the owner of the server (i.e. the business).

The next step up – Managed Co-location

Providers have begun to offer managed co-location services, where businesses can buy a server from the provider, who then oversee the installation and ongoing management. Using this framework allows businesses to reduce operational overheads as well as take advantage of the increased resilience of off-site systems.

Experience more freedom – Managed Apps and IaaS

The next service in the managed cloud includes full hosted and managed applications in the Software as a Service (SaaS) model. This also includes large platforms such as Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure, allowing businesses to move key applications to the Cloud.

The support, management and maintenance of their cloud infrastructure is the responsibility of the service provider; everything else is left to the business to handle.

The Saving Grace of Cloud Services – Fully Managed Cloud

Fully managed cloud services allow you to hand over the management and stress of the entire platform, as well as all of its parts to a third party (that’s us!). Here at eStorm, we take the time to understand your business’ IT needs and identify and deploy new services that help you reach your goals.

Why we recommend Managed Cloud Services

Including managed cloud services into your business strategy, your business will experience the following benefits:

Cost Saving

Managed cloud services can help you control and reduce your costly IT maintenance costs. Maintaining an in-house IT department is expensive and is often unnecessary for businesses with simple networks. Making the switch to a managed cloud service provider means you decide how much you are willing to pay for IT services and have a consistent monthly bill.

Future-proofed technology

Migrating your data to a secure cloud is the first step in setting up your business for success in the future. The friendly technicians at eStorm are always prepared with the newest technology. We are by your side when new technology comes on the market, or a required update is released, supporting you every step of the way.

Custom and integrated service

At eStorm, we understand each business is unique and requires a custom cloud solution for a seamless transition and minimal downtime. To accommodate this, we offer a variety of services to unlock your business potential, including, private and hybrid cloud, Microsoft Office 365, Sharepoint, Amazon Web Services and many more. View our full list of services, here.

If you are unsure if your business is ready to make the transition to the Cloud, book an appointment with the friendly team at eStorm Australia today.

Is your business ready for the Essential Eight?

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At the beginning of 2020, the Federal Government and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) announced the Essential Eight (E8). The E8 is a strategy for businesses to mitigate cybersecurity incidents, protecting their systems against a range of adversaries.

What is the “Essential Eight”?

The ACSC has admitted that no single mitigation strategy guarantees total prevention of cybersecurity incidents. However, they encourage organisations to implement the eight essential strategies as a baseline. These mitigation strategies are also deemed cost-effective with regards to time, money and effort when compared to the resources needed to respond to large-scale cybersecurity incidents.

  • The E8 strategies are categorised into three groups:
  • Strategies to Prevent Malware Delivery and Execution,
  • Mitigating the Extent of Cyber Security Incidents, and
  • Recovering Data and Maintaining System Availability.

For more information on these strategies visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

How will the Essential Eight affect your business?

These new strategies are now a benchmark for any business or organisation who is required or aspires to work with the Government, Health or other contracts containing sensitive data. Whether your business is compliant with these strategies or is not is now a big factor when it comes to Government tenders, contract pitches and so forth. It is also likely that other big corporations dealing with data will also require their business partners to be compliant with the E8 before starting any work.

Complying with the Essential Eight

As a business owner or IT professional, your first task will be running an IT security audit and comparing your current system to the strategies outlined by the Government. From here, you will be able to identify your weaknesses and gaps in security. Your business can begin implementing the eight strategies anytime, and suggested approaches from the Australian Cyber Security Centre are available.

How eStorm can help

You do not need to handle or manage this change on your own. Our team understands auditing your current system and updating your strategies to suit the new benchmarks is not an easy task. Our friendly IT support team is here to help your business obtain a high-security standard, going beyond the E8 strategies.

Currently, the E8 strategies are heavily based on Windows-based systems. However, our team covers this and more to ensure your business’ IT is secure. Our broad services include Mac Controls, Perimeter Security (Firewalls and Universal Threat Management), and breach mitigation (honeypots and intrusion detection systems).

If you have questions regarding how the Essential Eight will impact your business or how to maintain high-security standards, the eStorm is here to help. Contact us today!

 

Hybrid working: the future of office spaces

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The time of employees being confined to one physical workspace was already fading before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has forced the hand of many businesses to experience remote working first-hand.

Now that we are returning to a new ‘normal’ many offices are looking to create a permanent and sustainable hybrid workplace to keep employees happy and safe, while ensuring productivity and efficiency remains high. We are yet to see how businesses and their teams will go with this transition. To ensure your team adjusts as smoothly as possible during this transition, we’ve provided a few areas below for you to consider in your implementation.

What is a hybrid workplace?

A hybrid workforce is when on any given day, you will have a mix of some employees working in the office and others working remotely. Often mistaken with ‘flexible working arrangements’ there is a clear distinction between the two. Unlike flexible work, the hybrid model provides employees with the autonomy to decide how, when and where they work best.

Hybrid working looks different in every organisation; consequently, there is no ‘one-size fits all’ when it comes to an implementation strategy. However, there are several considerations all businesses will need to take into consideration when exploring the benefits of hybrid working.

What are the benefits of hybrid working?

A study completed in 2018 found that 60% of employees who had hybrid or flexible work options were more productive and engaged in their work more than those with office-based or entirely remote teams. Happy employees lead to loyal employees. Hybrid working arrangements require a certain level of trust between the company and its teams, and while this may seem difficult at first, most companies indicate that the reward of loyalty is worth it.

Flexible and hybrid working options are often sought out by job seekers in today’s competitive job market. Consequently, you might find that thanks to the change in working arrangements, finding new, high-quality employees will not be as difficult. Another advantage to hybrid office styles is that it can assist in your brand transitioning to a global scale. This working style means you can easily have employees across the world, communicating with clients in all different time zones.

What are the key considerations when transitioning to a hybrid workplace?

The best way to transition to a hybrid workplace is to first recognise that everyone works differently. To ensure that each employee can complete their work in the most productive way possible, your business will need to consider the following.

Maintaining Communication

Hybrid arrangements will alter how teams interact and communicate with one another; for example, ‘water-cooler’ conversations and other informal conversations had by employees almost cease to exist when remote work comes into play. These informal conversations can be essential for employee wellbeing and work enjoyment. Introducing Microsoft 365 to your employees’ tools can help overcome this thanks to the new Team’s functionality — check out our recent article on how Microsoft can support your business going remote.

Formal collaboration between teams is often seen to be most effective in tight groups working through specific tasks. Changing the environment in which these types of teams work can result in small challenges or hurdles. However, don’t let the fear of these changes deter you from transitioning to hybrid working.

There are plenty of programs out there that are built specifically for this that you can integrate into your staff’s everyday use. A perfect example of this is Microsoft Sharepoint, a tool that has a variety of uses for keeping teams and employees connected with the business as well as accessing relevant information easily. Alternatively, team members may select specific days where the entire team will be present in the office to formally collaborate.

Building trust amongst teams and within the organisation

As mentioned above, hybrid working requires employees and employers to trust one another for this transition to work. Find ways to let your employees know that your intentions are to keep them safe and protected during the uncertainty of COVID-19, while also requiring them to manage their workload in a way that is best for them.

Mutual trust between an organisation and its employees is also examinable through company culture and whether a team member feels as though they ‘fit-in’ or ‘belong’. Businesses will need to continue to engage workers through shared, company-wide one-off experiences that are equal to the experience enjoyed by staff who work on-site. This might include scheduled zoom sessions or virtual watercooler chats.

Matching your IT strategy to your employee’s working arrangements

As it currently stands, your office will likely have better technology than your employee’s personal devices. By reflecting on your current IT strategy and optimising your business’ and employees’ needs, eStorm can work with you to ensure your team is working with the best technology and accessing all the data necessary to complete their work.

Our team can also assist you in finding the right programs to foster the best communication and working strategies suited for your team. This might include video conferencing software, team communication and file sharing, and tools to assist with tasks.

Find out more about how eStorm can assist with hardware and software procurement for your team, as well as transiting your business to either a private cloud or hybrid cloud to best suit your new workplace.

Ready for hybrid working?

Like any workplace transformation, it isn’t a task that can be completed in a week, month or even a year. Businesses will need to take in many factors of consideration while rolling out a new hybrid workforce. It is a continuous journey of reflection and self-learning.

You can trust us to be with you every step of the way, looking after all your IT needs, giving you one less thing to worry about during this process. If you would like to learn more about how hybrid working arrangements will affect your business’ current IT setup, contact the friendly eStorm team at any time on 1300 378 676 or [email protected].

3 Cyber Security Tips When Working Remote

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Remote working can be a blessing. More time spent with the family, less time commuting and sitting through meetings from the comfort of your own home. But as companies across Australia continue to offer flexible work environments to prevent the spread to COVID-19, it is important to understand the security and privacy risks that both the business and employees may encounter.

Employees who are usually protected by corporate networks are working from much less secure locations, and cybercriminals have used COVID-19 as an opportunity. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASCS) has seen a significant increase in Australians being targeted with COVID-19 related scams, and advised everyone to stay aware and up-to-date. To help you get started, here are three things you could do to protect both your employees and the business.

Implement multi-factor authentication

According to the Australian Government, multi-factor authentication (MFA) is considered to be one of the most effective controls you can implement to prevent unauthorised access to computers, applications and online services. Using multiple layers of authentication makes it much more challenging to access your systems.

Multi-factor authentication can use a combination of:

  • Something the user knows, whether it be a passphrase, PIN or an answer to a secret question
  • Something the user physically possesses such as a card, token or a security key
  • Something the user inherently possesses such as a fingerprint or retina pattern.
Update your software & operating systems

Often software updates for operating systems and applications are developed to address security issues. Updates often include new security features that protect your data and device. Quite often cybercriminals take advantage of software vulnerabilities in common applications like operating systems and browsers.

Here are some best practices when it comes to software and operating system updates:

  • Stay current: software vendors release updates regularly and many of them relate to important security issues. Appoint someone to be in charge of staying on top of these updates.
  • Keep up with regular maintenance tasks: appoint someone to be in charge of keeping software licenses up to date and keeping software current.
  • Automate what you can: this will lessen the burden in the long run.
  • Back up everything: if you experience any crashes while updating you’ll be glad you did.
Outsource a Managed IT Service Provider (MSP)… like us!

Managed IT Services are a subscription-based outsourcing of IT systems management for businesses, which also includes the management of other IT processes and functions intended to improve business operations and reduce costs.

The goal of managed IT services is to help your business run more effectively by transferring the burden of managing and maintaining your IT software, hardware and environment to us—the managed IT service provider. As your IT managed service provider we then maintain responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance, upkeep and functionality of your IT service, equipment and overall infrastructure, as well as any short or long-term IT strategy and expansion.

Partnering with an MSP offers many benefits to your business. Some of these include:

  • Minimised downtime and cost reductions: with 24/7 proactive monitoring of your IT systems, we’re able to identify and address any issues before they cause damage, interruptions to your business or financial loss.
  • Security: with over 43% of cyber attacks targeting small to medium businesses, it’s vital vulnerability assessments, threat management and secure user access and verification become a commonplace for your business. We’re always working with leading technology vendors and testing the latest world-class technology, tools, systems and security to deliver the best and safest IT solutions.
  • Peace of mind knowing that no matter where you are or what issue arises, you have skilled professional IT experts in your corner who are prepared and ready to help you.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses continue to adapt to the fast-changing environment and develop strategies to protect their business and staff from cyber attacks. Here at eStorm, we encourage Australians to remain vigilant and to review your current strategies to ensure you incorporate cyber security measures.

If you’d like to learn more about outsourcing your IT or Managed Services, or have questions about Network Security, get in touch today by emailing [email protected] or calling (07) 3120 0640.

Office 365 supports your business to work remote

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In these ever-changing times, the ability for an organisation to adapt and change is what will allow you to stand out from competitors, continue to serve customers, and ensure you maintain momentum. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing more and more businesses prepare for social distancing by setting up their systems to allow for remote work and collaboration. At eStorm, we’ve been supporting our customers to ensure they are set-up and using Office 365 to its full potential.

Whether working on a PC, Mac or mobile device from home or in the office, Office 365 is providing workplaces with the tools to continue driving efficiency and productivity. Here are just a few ways Office 365 can support your business in working remotely:

Real-time collaboration

For businesses to continue operating and supporting customers, collaboration on projects and tasks needs to continue. Office 365 provides multiple tools to ensure collaboration doesn’t stop when teams are working remotely. The Microsoft Office suite most of you are used to gives you the ability to have more than one person working on a Word document or Excel file at the same time, and be able to see each other’s work — great for collaboration.

To take it to the next level, there are also a number of newer tools such as SharePoint, Skype for Business and Teams — all designed to help your organisation achieve its goals and provide greater opportunities for workplaces when working remotely.

Teams

Teams is a Microsoft Office 365 tool that allows you to keep your teams communicating, collaborating and working together no matter what location they’re in! The Teams tool is used by businesses to support teams of all sizes, from small teams of 2-5, to large teams of 20-30, even to bigger groups of 100+. No matter the size of your team, Teams provides a great option for organising projects and getting the right people together to have conversations and meetings.

Teams also works as a way of recording and tracking conversations, and offers an easy format for online meetings and chat sessions. Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen more and more businesses take advantage of Teams to ensure they are delivering projects, communicating in a timely manner and continuing to achieve their organisation’s goals.

Microsoft is currently offering a free version of Teams during the COVID-19 pandemic — learn more about the free version and speak to us about how we can support you to set-up Teams today.

A simple tip for your employees when using Teams to facilitate group chats while working remote — if you’re somewhere with a distracting background, there is a handy little ‘background blur’ tool to help reduce distraction and keep teammates focused.

Secure Cloud file storage

Office 365 also allows your team to access files from anywhere, in a secure and safe manner. The cloud-based storage, OneDrive, provides global accessibility and real-time collaboration to support your business in working both in-house and remote as needed. It allows for full visibility, control and collaboration for internal and external stakeholders, as you can easily share documents and control who can view and edit each file. 

Microsoft Office 365 also offers enterprise solutions when it comes to ensuring your business’s documents and work stays secure. Its collection of threat-protection technologies helps protect against spam, malware, viruses, phishing attempts, malicious links, and other cyber threats to your business.

Continuation of business

The huge benefit of Office 365 to businesses is that it offers an easy way to continue ‘business as usual’ no matter what challenges may come your way. The tools are there to help your teams collaborate, plan workflows and tasks, and manage projects. With Office 365, your business can continue to meet its goals and deliver services/products to your customers. 

Need help to get your business working remote using Office 365?

At eStorm, we offer Office 365 support and troubleshooting, as well as deliver general IT Managed Services. What does that mean exactly? With a wide range of plans, deployment options and services, our IT experts can get your business set up and working efficiently in no-time. With access to the latest information and deals on offer, our team is here to support you during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7. Is it worth the upgrade?

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On October 2nd Microsoft unveiled a series of new devices that covers the gap between a conventional laptop, a tablet PC, and to many’s surprise, a device that crosses the line between a smartphone and tablet. Whilst Microsoft was showing their most innovative products to date, this artile is not about the new products they have launched, it is about a product that we are all familiar with. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7.

Microsoft unveiled the new Surface Pro 7. Which for the last seven years stayed the same in physical design. It was a revolutionary device when it was first released as it was the only tablet PC convertible that received positive remarks from the consumer, but it still had its shortcomings, especially the battery life and constant heating. It was the first product in the Surface family to feature a stylus pen input in which years later, Apple had followed suit with the iPad Pro. It was a brilliant device for someone who loves to take notes, draw, and just someone who loves writing in general. But in 2019, with all the new competition from other brands, is it even relevant?

As per TechRadar’s review, the Surface Pro 7 is, astonishingly, no longer the shining flagship Surface product, that privilege now belongs to the new ARM-based Surface Pro X. And the most impactful of all from their review is that the latest Surface Pro is a refinement – not a revolution.

There might be some loyal fans to the Surface Pro that will still be eager to buy this product or those people who finds the additional USB type C port useful to upgrade. There are a lot of downside to this launch as it was noted that the Type cover and the Surface Pen is still sold separately. There’s also an issue with a major dip in the battery life of the device compared to previous generation. What happened to Surface Pro 7 is the same thing happening to Apple’s iPhone in which innovation is now defined as the refinement of the things that already existed.

In general, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is not a bad product. Once again, it is the refinement of years of development all cluttered to this device. To answer my question from the title of this article, I would say that it is worth it if you are a big fan of the line-up. If you are someone who already owns a Surface Pro 6, I do think that you can still live without the upgrade.