The Hack Newsletter - Edition 38 | Think Cloud
Welcome to the Hack Newsletter! 🚀 Dive into the ultimate guide for mastering digital success with killer cybersecurity tips, game-changing productivity hacks, and mind-blowing tech tales. Ready for the adventure?
đź’Ąđź“ŁEdition 38 of The Hack - Yorkshire & Humber AI Summit 2024: SMEs & Beyond
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Welcome To Our Monthly Newsletter,
Yorkshire & Humber AI Summit 2024: SMEs & Beyond Your next employee is probably on AI....
Mark your calendars! The highly anticipated Yorkshire & Humber AI Summit 2024 will take place on Wednesday, 10 July 2024, from 09:30 to 16:00 BST at the Aura Innovation Centre, Bridgehead Business Park, Meadow Road, Hessle, HU13 OGD.
This event promises to be a hub of innovation, offering a unique opportunity to explore groundbreaking ideas, network with industry leaders and gain valuable insights into the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
â—Ź Inspiring Keynotes, panel discussions demonstrating real-world tech implementation, interactive workshops that go beyond ChatGPT
â—Ź Uncover groundbreaking ideas from thought leaders shaping the future of AI and business.
â—Ź Showcase of Regional and Global Innovations: Discover the latest AI breakthroughs.
â—Ź Networking Opportunities: Forge valuable connections with like-minded professionals.
One of the conference's highlights is the opportunity to learn about the Humber Innovation Support Programme (HISP). This programme is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), central to the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda. Delivered by the University of Hull’s Aura Innovation Centre, HISP provides businesses with the resources to fuel innovation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of AI innovation. Whether you want to gain new insights, connect with industry leaders, or discover the latest technological advancements, the Yorkshire & Humber AI Summit 2024 is one not to be missed!
Demand for this invitation-only summit is high. Join the waitlist now to express your interest and be among the first considered for this exclusive opportunity.
Out of sight, out of mind?
Having your employees work from home or at their local coffee shop is the norm now. While this new attitude to work has loads of benefits, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of keeping operations secure: the home setups of remote employees.
Here’s the thing – neglecting remote security can lead to some severe headaches down the line. And you already have enough business headaches, right?
Imagine this: Your employee’s laptop, which holds loads of sensitive company data, gets breached because their home Wi-Fi network wasn’t properly secured.
Or worse, a malware infection spreads from their kid’s device to their work laptop, putting your entire network at risk. That’s scary.
A little vigilance and regular checks can prevent these risks and make your business and data much safer.
So, let’s talk about devices. Encourage your remote workers to treat their work devices like Fort Knox. That means regular updates and patches, robust protective software, and strong, unique passwords (password managers are your best friend for this). Remind them to avoid risky behaviours like downloading software from unofficial sources or clicking on suspicious links.
Next, address home networks. A weak Wi-Fi password is asking for trouble. Encourage your employees to set a strong password for their home network (again, a password manager can remove this hassle). And while they’re at it, remind them to enable encryption and hide their network’s SSID (Service Set Identifier) to add an extra layer of security.
And it’s not just about devices and networks – physical security matters, too. Use biometrics to protect logins. Remind your team to keep their work devices secure when not in use, whether locking them away in a drawer or simply keeping them out of sight from prying eyes. And if they’re working from a shared space like a coffee shop, remind them to be cautious of public Wi-Fi and to keep an eye on their belongings.
Regular checks are vital to staying on top of security. Schedule routine audits of remote set-ups to ensure everything gets a thumbs up. This could include checking for software updates, reviewing network configurations, and providing refresher training on best security practices.
THE HACK PODCAST
5 Laws To Cultivating a Go-Giver Mindset
In our latest podcast hosted by Leon, Dean, and Paul, special guest Bob Burg reveals that the best way to achieve lasting financial success is by refocusing on customer service and satisfaction. This perspective brings greater joy and helps business owners reap higher rewards. Bob has assisted companies, sales leaders, and their teams in conveying their value proposition more effectively while selling with minimal resistance at higher prices for three decades. Additionally, he empowers them to develop a booming business through endless referrals.
Bob's influence on business and personal development is widely recognised. The American Management Association has named him one of its 30 Most Influential Leaders, and Richtopia has declared him one of the Top 200 Most Influential Authors in the World.
By prioritising customer service and satisfaction, Bob Burg demonstrates how businesses can achieve sustainable success and foster stronger, more profitable relationships.
If you're looking to increase your sales effectiveness, build stronger relationships with customers, and enhance your overall business success, Bob Burg's podcast is one not to be missed. With his proven track record of helping businesses thrive through referrals and effective selling strategies, Bob will provide invaluable insights that can take your business to new heights.
NEW TO MICROSOFT 365
Microsoft Teams is becoming more inclusive.
You would likely use reactions occasionally to inject a little personality into your Teams chats. But until now, they’ve been a little restrictive.
A small tweak is due to roll out this month, allowing people to select a skin tone for their reactions. Microsoft says,
“This preference will be applied to all emojis and reactions in chats, channels, and desktop/web meetings, allowing users to express themselves more authentically in conversations.”
NEW TO GOOGLE WORKSPACE
Enhance your productivity with G Suite.
An effective way to enhance your productivity with G Suite is to master keyboard shortcuts. For example, in Google Docs, you can quickly format text using shortcuts like Ctrl + B for bold, Ctrl + I for italics, and Ctrl + U for underline.
These shortcuts save time and streamline your workflow, allowing you to focus more on content creation than formatting. Explore other shortcuts specific to each G Suite application to maximise efficiency across your tasks.
TECH FACTS
The internet weighs as much as a strawberry. That’s according to physicist Russell Seitz. He says the combined weight of all the electrons in motion is about 50 grams.
The first computer bug was a real bug. In 1947, Grace Hopper and her team found a moth causing issues in their computer at Harvard University.
In 2015, the United Nations reported that a start-up in Kenya was converting human waste into clean, renewable energy. This energy, in turn, powered Wi-Fi routers in low-income areas.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“You build your strategy. You don’t
define it by what another competitor is doing.”
Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM
Does Microsoft have a new email send limit?
Microsoft Exchange is cracking down on spam. Hooray! But if your business sends bulk emails, it might affect you. From January next year, Microsoft will allow up to 2,000 external recipients of bulk emails.
It prevents people from abusing the service, which wasn’t designed for bulk mailing.
Tech Update
Install any website or web tool as an app in Windows 11
In Windows 11, you can install ANY website or web tool as a traditional app. They’re known as Progressive Web Apps (or PWAs), and once installed, they’ll appear on your Start menu like a normal app. You can even pin apps to the Taskbar.
Why bother? PWAs use fewer resources than traditional apps; you’ll always get the latest version without running an update first.
All you do is visit the site, click on Settings, select Apps, and click “Install this site as an app.” Easy.
Meet The Team
Full name: Charlie Mclane
Role: Business Support Administrator
What Do You Do At Think Cloud? I carry out daily admin tasks, working within and supporting the accounts department.
What Is Your Favourite Movie? My favourite movie is Les Miserables, I love musicals and must have watched this a million times.
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Not At Work? I enjoy spending time with my family and relaxing with good food!
What 3 Items Would You Take On A Desert Island? A tent, someone else with me because I hate being alone and probably a knife.
What's Different About Working At Think Cloud? It's an amazing work environment, and the company has opportunities to grow and take on new challenges.
1 Year Apprenticeship Anniversary
Happy 1 Year
Anniversary to our
Helpdesk Apprentice
Chloe!
FUN TECH QUIZ
June-o the answers to these?
The keyboard shortcut for copying information is Ctrl + C, but what’s the shortcut to paste?
In 199, Shigetaka Kurita invented what keyboard additions for phones that would get their movie?
When a password is limited strictly to numbers, it’s called a PIN. What does that stand for?
What word is often abbreviated as Fn on a keyboard?
Which American tech company started with its founders’ idea to rent out an air mattress in their San Francisco living room to travellers hoping to avoid the city’s high cost of rent?
Answers at the bottom of the page!
Secure Your Success with a Cyber Risk Assessment
In today's fast-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than a technical requirement; it's a strategic asset for business success. That's why we're introducing our Cyber Risk Assessment service, designed to enhance your cybersecurity posture while mitigating risks before they escalate.
Guaranteeing Peace of Mind
We understand the importance of trust in business decisions, especially when it comes to cybersecurity investments. To ensure you can make this critical decision with confidence, we offer our Cyber Risk Assessment with a 100% money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied, you face zero risk.
PROMPT TUTORIAL:Accountant Prompt
Accountant Prompt
"I want you to act as an accountant and devise creative ways to manage finances. When creating a financial plan for your client, you'll need to consider budgeting, investment strategies, and risk management. In some cases, you may also need to advise on taxation laws and regulations to help them maximise their profits. My first suggestion is to create a financial plan for a small business focusing on cost savings and long-term investments."
Think about recovery BEFORE the attack strikes
Let us set the scene. It’s an ordinary Wednesday. You’re minding your own business, getting things done, and making boss decisions, then BAM… you get hit with a cyber attack.
Cue panic mode.
But here’s the thing: These attacks happen more often than you’d think. And guess who the favourite targets are? No, not big multinational companies – small and medium-sized businesses like yours.
And the consequences? We’re talking about financial losses, data loss, reputation damage, and the whole nine yards.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have a recovery plan, you can turn a total nightmare into just “an annoying inconvenience”.
So, what should your recovery plan include? Well, first things first, prevention is key. Invest in solid cyber security measures like firewalls, antivirus software, and regular security check-ups. And don’t forget to educate your team about the importance of good cyber hygiene (using strong passwords and not clicking suspicious links) – because human error is often the weakest link.
Next, have a game plan for when the inevitable happens. This means having clear protocols for responding to an attack, who to call, and what steps will minimise the damage.
Let’s talk backups. Regularly backing up your data to a secure location can be a real lifesaver in the event of an attack. That way, even if your systems go kaput, you’ll still have a copy of your important files to fall back on.
Finally, practice makes perfect! Regularly test your recovery plan to ensure it’s up to the job. After all, you don’t want to wait until disaster strikes to realise your plan has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese.
Cyber attacks may be scary, but with a solid recovery plan, you can rest easy knowing your business is armed and ready. Remember what they say: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
BUSINESS GADGET OF THE MONTH
Scan Reader Pen
This handy little pen can do loads. It can read aloud text that you scan with it, translate text written and spoken in different languages, record voice notes, and transcribe speech into text.
Handy if you travel or work with people in other countries. Also a useful tool for people with dyslexia.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
QUESTION
Should I move my business data to the
Cloud?
ANSWER
The cloud brings many benefits, such as zero storage limits andautomatic backup. But it’s essential to choose the right provider. We can help – get in touch. you’re doing online.
QUESTION
How often should my team have a cyber security training?
ANSWER
Since threats evolve at a rapid pace, regular training is important.Try to incorporate different methods
each month, including simulation training.
QUESTION
Can we use Microsoft Teams as a phone system?
ANSWER
Yes. And if you’re already using Teams effectively, it could be a sensible solution.
Take a look at our latest blog posts
- Boost Productivity by Owning Your Calendar: The Maker vs Manager Schedule
-
AI's Icebox Moment: Like Coca-Cola, Innovate and Protect Your Recipe
-
Reaching End Of Life, Windows 10 Says Goodbye.
Answers To Fun Tech Quiz - The force is strong with this one
Ctrl + V
Emojis
Personal Identification Number
Function
Airbnb
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