The way we work has changed massively over the past few years, hasn’t it? The global pandemic created a huge shift towards remote working. And now businesses are divided on the right way to move forward.

Some businesses are eager to bring everyone back to the office. But others are keen to keep things flexible. If you’re wondering what’s best for your business, it may be time to look at the big picture: What works, what doesn’t, and what do you need to keep an eye on?

Let’s face it, working from home has its perks. No commute, fewer interruptions, and a chance to keep up with the laundry between meetings. For many employees, it can boost productivity, improve work-life balance, and reduce stress.

Remote working isn’t just about employee happiness, though.

Businesses forcing staff back into full-time office work are losing people – particularly their top talent. A recent study found that companies with strict Return to Office policies saw a 14% jump in employees quitting… and these aren’t the ones you can replace in a snap. We’re talking about senior staff and highly skilled workers who take a lot of knowledge with them.

On top of that, finding new people to fill those roles is taking longer (23% longer, according to the report). And it’s not cheap to hire replacements, either. Today’s employees want flexibility. And businesses offering remote or hybrid roles are getting a recruitment advantage.

Where things get difficult is around the issue of data security. Although working from home or a coffee shop might sound great, public Wi-Fi can be like an open door for cyber criminals.

Your business data could also be at risk if your employees work from their personal devices (which might not have seen a software update in months). Or if they work from a home PC they share with their partner or kids.

The good news is that there are some simple ways to protect your business while allowing your employees to work flexibly.

Extra security measures like multi-factor authentication (that extra code you’re asked to enter when you log in) can help to keep things locked down. And a little training to teach your team how to spot email scams can also make a huge difference.

So, should you bring your employees back to the office or embrace remote working? There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer.

Some businesses thrive with everyone in the office, while others find that giving people the choice brings out the best in their employees. The real trick is finding what works for your team.

Just remember: If you’re letting people work from anywhere, don’t skimp on security. A flexible approach with strong protections can give you the best of both worlds – happy employees and a secure business.

If you’d like advice on how to keep your business data secure while supporting flexible working, we can help. Get in touch.

Windows 11 has brought some great features to the table for businesses. And Microsoft’s working to make it even better.

One thing I know many of us struggle with is the Recommendations feature in the Start menu. If you’ve ever clicked on it expecting to see something helpful, only to find suggestions that don’t make sense, you’re not alone. The good news is a fix is on the way.

First, let’s break down what the Recommendations feature is meant to do.

Essentially, it’s supposed to show you apps, files, or websites that Windows thinks you’ll want to open next, based on what you’ve used before. For example, any apps or websites you use regularly are supposed to pop up in your Recommendations for easy access.

Sounds useful, right? If it worked well, it could become a favourite time-saving feature for busy teams. But with suggestions often feeling random and unhelpful, many of us have been ignoring this part of the Start menu altogether.

So, what’s changing?

Microsoft’s started rolling out updates (currently in testing) to make Recommendations a lot smarter.

They’ve fine-tuned the way Windows understands what’s relevant to you. And early feedback suggests the updated feature is much better at showing things you actually need – like that file you were working on yesterday, or the app you use most during work hours.

If you’ve been frustrated by the Start menu in the past, keep an eye out for these improvements. They’re a step in the right direction.

Are you and your team taking advantage of all the other productivity-boosting features in Windows 11? If not, let us help you get started. Get in touch.

You’re scanning your inbox and spot an important email with a Word document attached. Maybe it’s an invoice, a message from a supplier, or even a request from a colleague. You open it without thinking twice… and just like that, you’ve been scammed.

This scenario is exactly what cyber criminals are counting on. Now they’ve come up with another new way to get past even the most advanced email security filters – this time, using corrupted Microsoft Word files. 

It’s a clever and dangerous tactic.

Phishing (pronounced "fishing") is where scammers try to trick you into giving away sensitive information, like passwords or bank details. They “bait” you with an email that looks legitimate, maybe from your bank, a coworker, or a company you trust.

These emails often include attachments or links. When you open the attachment or click the link, you could be downloading malicious software (malware) or visiting a fake website designed to steal your details. 

Phishing attacks are constantly evolving, and they’re now one of the most common ways scammers break into businesses. Email security filters are usually pretty good at scanning attachments. But since corrupted files can’t be analyzed properly, the Word file is able to sneak into your inbox. 

When you open one of these corrupted files, Microsoft Word will “repair” it and show you what looks like a normal attachment. But the document will contain a malicious QR code or link that sends you to a phishing site (often a fake Microsoft 365 login page). If you enter your details, scammers could have access to your account – and potentially your entire business.  

Stealing just one employee’s login details can be enough. With access to your cloud systems, scammers could get hold of sensitive customer data, lock your team out of essential files, or even send phishing emails from your account to trick your contacts.

If this happens to you, it could be catastrophic. Your business could face financial losses, legal consequences, and a damaged reputation that could take a long time to rebuild.

Cyber attacks are getting more complicated. But you don’t need a degree in cyber security to help keep your business safe. 

The best protection is awareness and caution.

Here are some steps you can take:

Most importantly, make sure you educate yourself and your team about what phishing is, why it’s dangerous, and how to recognize the warning signs.

We help businesses like yours with this every day. If you’d like us to help you too, get in touch.