The Hack Newsletter - Edition 43 | Think Cloud

Ready to turbocharge your digital journey? 🚀 You’ve just found the right spot!

Every edition is bursting with: 🔒 Expert cybersecurity tips to keep you secure 💪 Productivity hacks that’ll power up your day 🌟 Tech stories guaranteed to spark your curiosity

Let’s navigate the digital world together—because levelling up is way more fun with a community. Are you in? Let’s go! 🙌

💥📣Edition 42 of The Hack - Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365: Has Google Lost Its AI Edge?

Content Quick Links:

The Leadership Scrum: How a Winning Team Culture and Growth Mindset Drive Success

Do Your Cyber Security Plans Fall Short?

A Brief Introduction To Cloud Storage

New to Microsoft /New to Google

Quote/Tech fact/Did You Know

Tech Update

Celebrating Rich’s 4-Year Anniversary at Think Cloud!

Fun Tech Quiz

Prompt Tutorial

Business Gadget Of The Month

Q&A

Welcome To Our Monthly Newsletter,

The Leadership Scrum: How a Winning Team Culture and Growth Mindset Drive Success

Empowered leadership is not about exerting control but fostering a culture where teams take ownership, adapt, and grow together. This was the key message Leon McQuade took away from a recent event in Edinburgh with ConnectWise and Scott Clark, where he had the opportunity to hear from Sir Clive Woodward, the coach who led England to Rugby World Cup victory.

Sir Clive’s insights on building winning teams extend far beyond sport. One quote stood out: “Whoever wins at IT tends to win.” But he wasn’t just referring to technology—he was talking about the systems, behaviours, and culture that underpin success. These invisible elements distinguish good teams from truly great ones.

A crucial lesson from his leadership playbook is the importance of team involvement. When individuals participate in shaping values, behaviours, and expectations, they don’t just comply with the culture—they take ownership of it. This fosters greater engagement, accountability, and motivation, leading to stronger, more resilient teams.

Another essential element is visibility. Sir Clive introduced the concept of the ‘black book’—a dynamic record of a team’s best practices and winning behaviours. More than just words on a wall, this living document keeps teams aligned, accountable, and continuously improving.

Finally, true leadership requires adaptability. A winning culture is never static. The most successful teams embrace a growth mindset, where learning, feedback, and evolution are embedded in daily practice. This ability to adapt and refine strategies ensures long-term success.

Leadership isn’t about dictating from the top—it’s about empowering teams to co-create success. How are you fostering a culture of growth and ownership within your organisation?

Do Your Cyber Security Plans Fall Short?

Many small and medium-sized businesses are caught off guard when it comes to cyber security. Not only when cyber attacks happen… but also by what to do next.

A solid cyber security plan involves more than preventing attacks. It also involves knowing how to respond if the worst happens.

Cyber attacks often target smaller businesses because criminals know they’re less likely to have robust defences. The most common threats include phishing (fake emails or messages that trick you into sharing sensitive information) and malware (malicious software that can steal data or shut down your systems).

You can’t stop these risks entirely, but you can reduce your chances of being affected. Here’s how:

Training your team: Ensure everyone knows how to spot phishing emails, avoid dodgy downloads, and use strong passwords. This is your first line of defence.

Keeping software updated: Regular updates for apps and systems fix security flaws that cybercriminals might exploit.

Using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security, like a one-time code sent to your phone, making it harder for attackers to get in.

But even the best defences aren’t foolproof. Your cyber security plan must also cover what happens if you’re attacked. An incident can cause panic, downtime, and severe financial loss without a plan.

Here’s what you should have in place:

A response team: Decide in advance who will handle the situation - your IT team, an outside expert, or both.

Backup systems: Regularly back up your data and store it securely. If ransomware locks your files, backups can mean you won’t lose everything.

A communication plan: Know how to inform your team, customers, and any necessary authorities about the breach.

Remember, cyber security isn’t just for big companies. A single attack could be enough to seriously damage your business. By planning ahead, you’re not just protecting your data; you’re safeguarding your reputation and your future.

We help businesses create their own plans for defence and remediation. If we can help you too, get in touch.

A Brief Introduction To Cloud Storage

Have you ever had your computer crash, taking all your important files with it? Or does your team have to juggle a dozen versions of the same document because no one knows where the latest one is?

It’s frustrating, right?

Cloud storage can come to the rescue!

Cloud storage is like a virtual filing cabinet that’s always accessible, no matter where you are. Instead of saving files on your office computer or an external drive, your data is securely stored online, in “the cloud.” All you need is an internet connection to access it from anywhere, whether you’re in the office, working remotely, or even on the go.

For businesses, this can be a real help. Need to collaborate with a colleague? Share files instantly without worrying about email attachments. Want peace of mind that your data is safe? Cloud storage automatically backs up your files, protecting them from hardware failures or accidents (we’re looking at you, coffee spills)

Of course, it’s not perfect. You’ll need a decent internet connection to access your files, and there’s the ongoing cost of a subscription.

Security is another consideration - choosing a reputable provider with strong protections in place is crucial. However, the convenience and flexibility often far outweigh the downsides.

There are a few types of cloud storage that suit different needs. Public cloud options like Microsoft Azure are simple and cost-effective, while private cloud storage gives you more control and security. And if you want the best of both worlds, hybrid cloud storage lets you mix and match.

Another great thing about cloud storage is that you can scale it up and down as you need without making big investments in new hardware or running out of physical space for servers.

If you’re tired of lost files, limited storage, or the constant risk of losing data, cloud storage could be exactly what your business needs.

Want to explore your options?

NEW TO MICROSOFT 365

Large events can run more smoothly in Teams

A new feature has arrived on Microsoft Teams that enhances large events using the Town Hall and webinar capabilities. This makes them even easier to use. Organisers can now assign presenters as Q&A moderators.

Moderators can handle questions during the event, choosing which ones to publish and making the Q&A flow more smoothly. Plus, organisers can tweak the list of moderators anytime - even in the middle of the event.

NEW TO GOOGLE WORKSPACE

Boost Your Productivity with Google Chat Shortcuts!

Use the /shortcut commands to save time

Type / in the chat input box to see a list of available shortcuts. For example:

/meet to quickly create and share a Google Meet link

/giphy [keyword] to send a fun GIF instantly

/shrug to insert ¯\(ツ)/¯

These shortcuts can make your conversations faster and more engaging!

TECH FACTS

Researchers have developed miniature, Lego-like 3D-printed bone bricks that can heal broken bones. These tiny blocks, about the size of a flea, help bone regrowth and can be interlocked, just like the toy bricks.

The version of Super Mario Bros. 2 that we know in the West is a rebranded version of a Japanese game called "Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic," modified to suit Western audiences.

In the early 2000s, tech enthusiasts could boost AMD processors’ speeds (called overclocking) with a pencil. Drawing over tiny circuits on the chip with graphite reconnected them, unlocking faster performance. It was a clever hack but risky – one mistake could damage the processor or void its warranty.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE MONTH

“The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow.”

Rupert Murdoch, media proprietor.

Microsoft’s ditching a BILLION passwords.

Microsoft’s trying to persuade a billion people to ditch passwords - and switch to passkeys instead.

What’s a passkey? It’s like a super-secure digital key that lives on your device, making it way harder for cybercriminals to get their hands on your login details. Plus, it’s easier to use - no more struggling to remember complicated passwords.

This change is all about keeping your accounts safer and making logging in a whole lot simpler.

Tech Update

New Outlook for Windows gets another useful feature

Microsoft Outlook for Windows now lets you open and save email attachments even when you’re offline.

This handy update allows you to manage your files without an internet connection, making staying productive wherever you are even easier.

🎉 Celebrating Rich’s 4-Year Anniversary at Think Cloud! 🎉

We’re excited to celebrate Rich’s 4-year journey with Think Cloud! 🚀 Over the years, Rich has been a driving force, bringing dedication, expertise, and a positive spirit to the team. His contributions have played a key role in our success, and we’re lucky to have him on board! 🙌

Cheers to Rich and many more milestones ahead! 🎊

FUN TECH QUIZ

Are you ready to take March’s quiz crown?

1. What was the name of the first interactive computer graphics program?

2. What do you call a private network designed to allow communication

within a business?

3. What are “computer trojans”?

4. What does the acronym FTP stand for?

5. How many bits are in one byte?

Answers at the bottom of the page!

PROMPT TUTORIAL: Brainstormer Prompt

"Topic: [How to double your creative output] For the topic above, brainstorm new angles or approaches. Prioritise ideas that are uncommon or novel."

BUSINESS GADGET OF THE MONTH

Temperature control heated coffee mug

Many people in business will tell you that their morning coffee is almost as important as a secure and well-maintained IT infrastructure… almost.

So, if your caffeine intake is responsible for keeping the wheels of your business moving, you’ll want a gadget to make sure nothing gets between you and that hot cup of motivation.

This heated rechargeable coffee mug is exactly what you need. It keeps your drink at the perfect custom temperature and even turns off automatically once empty. You can thank us later.

£89.99 from Amazon.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION

What should I do if I suspect we’ve been hit by a cyber attack?

ANSWER

Disconnect the devices you think have been affected and contact your IT support team (if you have one). If not, call us. Create an incident response plan, just in case.

QUESTION

Is it OK to use free software in my business?

ANSWER

Free software can be risky. For better security and reliability, invest in reputable tools. If you’re unsure which tools are best, we can help.

QUESTION

How can I tell if my computer has been compromised?

ANSWER

Look for signs like slow performance, unusual pop-ups, or unauthorised access to accounts or new admins. If you’re concerned, get in touch.