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The Hack Newsletter - Edition 36 | Think Cloud

Welcome to the Hack Newsletter, your gateway to mastering digital success with expert cybersecurity insights, productivity hacks, and transformative technology stories. Join us on this journey.

💥📣Edition 36 of The Hack - AI's Icebox Moment: Like Coca-Cola, Innovate and Protect Your Recipe

Content Quick Links:

AI's Icebox Moment: Like Coca-Cola, Innovate and Protect Your Recipe

It’s time to fix your RISKY password habits.

The Hack Podcast

New to Microsoft /New to Google

Quote/Tech fact/Did You Know

Are you ready to ditch the break/fix headache?

G adget Of The Month

Q&A

Welcome To Our Monthly Newsletter,

AI's Icebox Moment: Like Coca-Cola, Innovate and Protect Your Recipe

Remember the impact of refrigeration? It wasn't the refrigerator itself that mattered, but how it changed the way we handle food. Coca-Cola didn't invent the technology, but they saw its potential and revolutionised their business.

Large Language Models (LLMs) are poised to do the same. They're powerful tools, but like a fridge, they're just the beginning. The real winners won't be those with the fanciest LLM, but those who find the unique way to use them – the 'secret ingredient' that transforms their industry.

The Recipe for AI Success

Think of it like this:

The Kitchen: LLMs are the tools, and soon everyone will have access.

The Ingredients: Most companies have similar data and goals.

The Secret Sauce: This is the magic – a unique dataset, a clever way to use the LLM, or a surprising insight the model reveals.

Remember it’s no about the Fridge, It's About What You Put In It

The next AI-powered "Coca-Cola" won't be tied to the best model, but the company that discovers that secret ingredient and creates a new business model, a product that redefines the game.

Possibilities…and the Dark Side of Innovation

Imagine:

Streamlined complexity: LLMs dissecting contracts in seconds, summarising market reports accurately, making complex business processes effortless.

Customer Experiences Reimagined: AI companions that truly understand our needs, virtual tutors adapting on the fly.

Yet, a chilling parallel exists. Just as Coca-Cola protects its secret recipe, companies that succeed with LLMs must make data security their top priority. A major data breach enabled by reckless AI use could be devastating. It's the innovation no company wants, and the consequences can be shattering.

Imagine the embarrassment of having to notify your clients and suppliers that, because of you, their information is now in the hands of cybercriminals; paying pricey emergency IT & Cyber Security Remediation fees while your business operations are halted or severely limited for days or weeks, data loss, lost

clients, potential legal action.

The UK faces a severe ransomware threat, and companies need to prepare. The Joint Committee on National Security Strategy's report, “A-Hostage-To-Fortune: ransomware and UK National Security First Report”

It’s time to fix your RISKY password habits.

We all know how important it is to keep our data safe, but sometimes our best intentions fall short. And when you have employees, you’re at an increased risk of security threats and bad habits creeping in.

Here’s the deal: Even if you invest in cyber security training, changing long-held password habits can be a tough nut to crack. People love convenience, and remembering many complex passwords isn’t their idea of a good time.

Your employees are juggling dozens of passwords for work and personal use. It’s a lot to handle, and sometimes, they slip up and reuse passwords across different accounts. It’s a familiar story, right? And it’s where the trouble starts.

When passwords are reused, it’s like leaving the front door wide open for cybercriminals. If the password is breached on one site, they will try to access other sites.

Here’s how to ensure your team stays on top of their password game.

Password audit: Ask your IT partner to audit passwords and look for weak ones that should be changed.

Block weak passwords: Ask your IT partner to implement a password policy that stops common passwords from being used.

Scan for compromised passwords: Even strong passwords can be compromised. Stay one step ahead by scanning for breached passwords and prompting employees to change them.

Use password managers: Password managers securely generate and store unique passwords for every different account and fill them into the login box so your team doesn’t have to.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security with MFA, where you get a code on a separate device. It’s like putting a deadbolt on your front door – double the protection and peace of mind.

THE HACK PODCAST

In an era where leadership challenges intertwine with rapid technological advancements, The Hack Podcast emerges as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration. Hosted by the dynamic trio - Leon McQuade, Paul Longley, and Dean Bulfield - this podcast series is an essential resource for professionals seeking to navigate the complexities of modern business and personal growth.

Our hosts bring a rich tapestry of experiences and insights, making each episode a treasure trove of wisdom. Whether it's dissecting team performance assessments or exploring disruptive mental health strategies, The Hack Podcast delves into topics that resonate deeply with today's leaders and thinkers.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

For those looking to be on top of their game, The Hack Podcast is an invaluable companion. Its blend of smart tech talk, straight-talk leadership insights, and transformative storytelling makes it a must-listen for anyone eager to lead with impact and embrace the future confidently.

Join Leon, Paul, and Dean, along with their esteemed guests, as they navigate the ever-evolving landscapes of business, technology, and personal growth. Discover the episodes that resonate with you and unlock the secrets to becoming a more effective leader and a fulfilled individual.

Listen to all our Podcast here!

NEW TO MICROSOFT 365

Say hello to perfect photos with Windows

Microsoft is bringing the best features of the Google Pixel phone to Windows

10 and 11. The AI-powered ‘generative erase’ tool removes imperfections and unwanted features.

It can even replace them with AI-generated images, such as removing people from backgrounds or replacing the background entirely.

It promises a user-friendly, impressive editing experience that will improve your website images, presentations, and loads more.

NEW TO GOOGLE WORKSPACE

Turn Google Photos on or off for users

If you're an administrator of Google accounts for an organisation, you can control who uses Google Photos from their account. Just turn Google Photos on or off for those people in your Admin console. People who have Google Photos turned on can use it to upload and share pictures from their accounts.

TECH FACTS

1.At the end of 2023, there were 1.13 billion websites on the internet.

2.More than 90% of the mobile phones sold in Japan are waterproof. This is said to be because Japanese women tend to use their phones in the bath.

3.As of January 2024, there were 5.35 billion internet users worldwide. Of this total, 5.04 billion were using social media

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"It’s ﬁne to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure."

Bill Gates

Co-founder of Microsoft

You can snooze your emails?

Our inboxes can be relentless. Sometimes an email pings through that you don’t have time to deal with, but you don’t want to forget about either. Instead of marking it as unread and leaving it to get lost amongst the junk scores, if you use Outlook, you can snooze it instead. That means it pops back to the top of your inbox at a more convenient time.

Simply right-click the email, click Snooze, and set a time. Done!

Tech Update

Update Windows 11 without a reboot. Yes, please!

It’s essential to run updates as soon as they become available, but they can be a significant disruption when you’re in the middle of something.

Microsoft has good news. It’s testing a new update method for Windows 11 that lets it install critical updates without a reboot. It’s called ‘hot patching’ and will hopefully roll out later this year.

Meet The Team

Full name

Sarah Grey

What position is held at Think Cloud, and what does their job involve?

Help Desk Team Leader

How will they help the help desk improve services?

Creating and updating policies, QA’ing (Testing in technological terms) tickets and calls and updating the Help Desk guides to ensure our customers get consistently excellent service.

Hobbies Outside of work

Hiking, Playing Board and Card Games and Reading.

More than ChatGPT

Transform Your Business with Generative AI Mastery.

Unlock powerful insights from your data and surpass ChatGPT's capabilities + more access the course today

Find Our Course Here!

FUN TECH QUIZ

APRILS FUN TECH QUIZ!

A retro one to start… how many feet/ metres of tape would you find in the typical C60 compact audio cassette?

What is the world’s best-selling PC game?

Comic Sans is thought to be the world’s most hated font, but when was it first used, and in which Microsoft product?

How much did the first commercial mobile phone, the Motorola DynaTAC, cost?

What decade did IBM get its name?

Answers at bottom of page.

Are you ready to ditch the break/fix headache?

When it comes to IT support, have you ever wondered whether a contracted partnership is better than the old break/fix model? Let’s rewind a little first. What’s break/fix?

Imagine this: Your computer crashes, your server goes kaput, or your network decides to take an unexpected break. What do you do? You call your IT person, who swoops in to save the day—for a hefty fee.

Something breaks, and IT fixes it. That’s the extent of the relationship.

In the moment, it might feel like a lifesaver. But let’s be honest here—relying on a break/fix model is like playing a never-ending game of tech whack-a-mole. You’re constantly putting out fires, and each time it happens, it costs you time and money, not to mention the stress it puts on you and your team.

So instead, let’s talk about the benefits of a contracted partnership with an IT support provider.

First, predictability. With a contract in place, you know exactly what you’re getting and how much it’ll cost you each month. There will be no more surprises or budget-busting bills.

And there’s more. You’re not just getting reactive support with a contracted partner when things go wrong.

You’re getting proactive maintenance and monitoring to prevent issues before they even happen. Think of it as having your own IT guard watching over your systems 24/7.

And let’s not forget about the expertise. When you partner with an IT support provider, you tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience. We eat, sleep, and breathe technology and always stay ahead of the curve regarding the latest trends and best practices.

Plus, we will map out and document your exact setup when we start working with you, speeding up any fault finding.

But the most significant benefit of all? Your peace of mind.

Knowing that your IT systems are in good hands allows you to focus on what you do best – running your business.

No more late-night panic attacks over server crashes or network outages. With a contracted partner by your side, you can rest easy knowing that your tech is taken care of.

If you’re in a break/fix cycle, perhaps it’s time you said hello to the benefits of a contracted IT support partnership instead. And if that’s something we can help you with, get in touch.

Get In Touch

BUSINESS GADGET OF THE MONTH

EMEET OfficeCore M0 Plus

Your phone or PC's microphone and speaker can be a little limited, especially if you’re using it for a

conference call or in a room with other people who all need to talk and be heard.

That’s where the EMEET OfficeCore M0 Plus comes in. It’s a Bluetooth

compatible speakerphone that picks up a conversation no matter where it’s coming from in a room cancels out background noise, and improves the quality of your calls, no matter where you are.

£69.99 from Amazon.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION

The sidebar and sidebar button in Microsoft Edge is annoying. Is there a way to hide it?

ANSWER

Yes. Just go to the cog icon at the bottom of the sidebar and turn off the “Show sidebar button” setting. But make sure that Edge is updated to version 122 to use this feature.

QUESTION

How do I know if I’m spending too much on technology?

ANSWER

It’s unreasonable to believe your hardware will last forever, or that your business software won’t need upgrading, but you don’t need all the latest tech and gadgets. We can help you set a realistic budget, get in touch.

QUESTION

How can I tell if my passwords have been leaked?

ANSWER

Sites like haveibeenpwned.com allow you to search across multiple data breaches to see if your email address has been compromised. Alternatively, we can help – get in touch.