Office 365 Flexibility, productivity, and streamlined communication are vital to the success of any business. Having the tools to hand that make all of this possible – wherever you are working from – gives businesses competitive edge and helps them grow.

Office 365 is the productivity suite from Microsoft. It features applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams and Outlook, all of which can be accessed anytime, anywhere from any device that’s online.

Let’s take a look at six of the top benefits for businesses of using Office 365.

1. Empowers the remote working generation With Office 365

Providing you’re online, you and your team can work from anywhere, whenever you like. Office 365 is fully cloud-based, which means you can access your files, documents, emails and all your Office applications from any device.

For the remote working generation, this flexibility is especially empowering. Productivity benefits considerably, because the workforce is no longer tethered to the office.

2. Reassures with security and reliability

Working with Office 365 means working in a completely secure environment. Naturally, as a business, you will be concerned about data protection and confidentiality, but you can rest assured it’s all taken care of with Office 365, because Microsoft has it covered.

Cloud backups and disaster recovery are all in place ready to keep your business running should an issue arise, and with Office 365 you’ll enjoy a host of built-in security features designed to keep your data safeguarded. Depending on the plan you choose, you’ll be able to take advantage of things like encrypted email, data loss prevention, mobile device management and Advanced Threat Analytics, amongst others.

The mobile device management feature is particularly useful when it comes to protecting company data, allowing you to delete all the data on a device remotely should it be lost or stolen. Advanced Threat Analytics proactively scans systems to detect suspicious behaviour, scanning emails for malicious attachments and preventing them from penetrating your network.

Exchange Online Protection and Multi-Factor Authentication are some of the other benefits designed to keep your organisation secure at all times.

3. Simplifies your outgoings

Because Office 365 is a subscription-based service, you get to pay a low monthly fee per-user, rather than a large capital outlay upfront. This is a good way of managing cash flow and budgeting. There’s also the added benefit of being able to scale up or down depending on your needs, switching off anything you’re not using and saving money in the process.

Office 365 offers a range of plans so you can choose the one that best suits you. Upgrades are included, so there are no unexpected costs.

4. Streamlines communications

Collaboration is a huge driver for success in any business, and the features packed into Office 365 make this possible in a powerful way. Team members are able to edit, comment on or contribute to documents, spreadsheets and presentations in real time.

Skype for Business and Teams allow you to hold conference calls and virtual meetings anywhere across the globe, with Teams offering the added benefit of collaboration and document co-authoring, again in real time. Staff can be kept up to date using the internal networking features of Yammer, with the ability to post to selective channels so communications stay relevant.

5. Provides access to all the latest software applications

With Office 365, gone are the days of paying to upgrade to the latest versions of Office. Your subscription provides access to the latest releases, without any additional charges.

This means that when certain versions reach their support end of life, something that’s set to happen with Office 2010 in October 2020, there is no need to worry about the potential security issues that could arise.

6. Offers complete flexibility

With the mix and match plans offered by Office 365, you won’t need to compromise. In fact, you can take precisely the features and applications you need from the seven plans on offer.

This is an incredibly cost-effective way of working, with no wasted funds laid out for features that just aren’t needed.

Office 365 from KP Computer

At KP Computer, we offer a full setup service for Office 365. Why not take advantage of the many benefits this platform offers? It really is the perfect all-in-one solution packed with innovative features that have the power to transform the way your business operates.

To learn more and for a quote for an Office 365 plan that suits your specific needs, you are welcome to get in touch.

But when it comes to remote working, the importance of having the right technology to hand cannot be over-emphasised. A streamlined transition from onsite working to working from home is vital so that workers can feel as comfortable and confident working remotely as they do in the office.

One piece of technology that has been making that transition nice and smooth for many workers is Windows Virtual Desktop. This is a remote working tool that allows familiar desktop infrastructure to be delivered to all employees, regardless of where they are working, or what device they are working on.

If you are looking to switch to remote working, or improve the way you already offer home working to your workforce, read on to discover the benefits that Windows Virtual Desktop can bring to businesses of all sizes.

What is Windows Virtual Desktop?

Windows Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft and powered by Azure. It delivers the same desktop experience workers are familiar with in the office, to any internet connected device, anywhere, any time.

Security and compliance features are built-in for complete reassurance, meaning this service is able to provide a secure virtual desktop to all the end users in an organisation.

Why is a virtual desktop so important for remote working?

Virtual desktop platforms are transforming how people work. They provide a streamlined way to access all the apps, data and documents that are vital to their roles.

But more than that, from a company perspective, a virtual desktop offers a flexible and scalable way to operate from wherever happens to be most convenient at any given time. In addition, because it is a subscription based service, Windows Virtual Desktop has the ability to considerably reduce capital outlay and operational costs.

What are the benefits of Windows Virtual Desktop?

There are a number of key benefits offered by Windows Virtual Desktop:

1. Data is secure

Virtual desktops help to create an additional layer of security when accessing company networks over an internet connection. Instead of relying on the security of the hardware, which if a worker is using their own device could be questionable, Windows Virtual Desktop works via a private cloud network, making it a great deal safer, and negating the need for employees to access data locally.

Hosted in Microsoft Azure, Windows Virtual Desktop provides a secure, trusted platform backed by Microsoft’s robust security infrastructure.

2. Easier to control

Virtual desktop integration allows IT managers to install fully controlled, policy-based applications on any linked workstation, so there is no need for any individual hardware installations, and everything can be centrally controlled.

In addition, if a worker’s hardware fails, it is straightforward for them to login to the virtual desktop using another device, so there will be no loss in productivity.

3. Geographical freedom

Working remotely, backed by the robust technology offered by Windows Virtual Desktop, means you won’t ever have to consider geographical location again when hiring new people. It means you can take on the very best personnel for the job, regardless of where they are based.

This will significantly increase your available talent pool, and could help you grow your business and become more competitive.

This freedom of course also extends to existing employees, who are now free to relocate if they so desire, as well as work flexibly. All factors that can boost morale, and therefore productivity.

4. Reduced costs

A virtual desktop reduces costs in many ways. Firstly, there is a considerably lowered capital outlay. With virtual desktops forming the core of your IT infrastructure, hardware investment drops significantly. Instead of on premise servers, you are using a cloud based service. Not only is this less costly, it’s also a risk-reducing way to work. All the latest software releases come as standard, which means no more software licensing costs. Long term maintenance and hardware replacement fees all become a think of the past too.

Windows Virtual Desktop from KP Computer

At KP Computer, we offer a full installation service for Windows Virtual Desktop, getting your business up and running and ready for the most secure and streamlined way to work remotely.

To learn more, and for a quote for Windows Virtual Desktop plan that suits your individual business needs, you are welcome to get in touch.

Many companies offer flexible working, where staff work from home occasionally or some even full time. Even for those who don’t officially work from home, a lot will naturally login to keep track of work emails or finish off the odd task they couldn’t manage in the office.

Remote working to some degree was already a reality for many businesses, but never perhaps on such a scale as when the coronavirus outbreak took hold. This is likely why, as a general rollout of remote working started to become the norm, businesses found they were not really prepared for the cyber threats that would quickly pose a huge challenge.

What are the cyber security threats associated with home working?

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in phishing scams, many of them focusing on the uncertainty and fears surrounding the situation and taking advantage of people’s need to seek advice and reassurance on coronavirus related issues.

A recent report found there has been a 600% increase in reported phishing emails since the end of February, with many of them taking advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic.

Emails were intercepted impersonating the World Health Organization, asking victims to download a ‘safety measure’ by clicking a link. They were then prompted to verify their email by entering login details. Other scam emails appeared to be from HMRC and the Health and Safety Executive, all designed to harvest sensitive data and login details so that accounts could be compromised and used for unscrupulous gain by cyber criminals.

Aside from phishing attacks, the simple act of staff logging in to a company network has also been posing a major risk.

When staff use remote desktop protocol (RDP) to login to a network, this can pose a significant risk of ransomware attacks. Unless multi-factor authentication (MFA) is used to login, any unsecured network can act as an open gateway to hackers.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s file, rendering data inaccessible. The attacker then demands a ransom from the victim in exchange for restoring the data. Ransomware often originates from phishing scams where attachments that appear trustworthy are emailed to a victim. Once downloaded and opened, they can take hold of the victim’s computer. Some of the more aggressive forms of ransomware exploit security holes in operating systems, infecting computers without the need to deceive users. An example of this is BlueKeep, discovered in May 2019 to be affecting older versions of Microsoft Windows.

So, now we know the cyber risks of working from home, it’s time to look at how to minimise them. How to protect your business and its data during the home working revolution? Here are our top tips.

1. Set a remote working policy

It’s vital to put a policy and guidance pack in place to manage the risks. Make staff aware of security protocol and you will be less likely to suffer a cyber breach. The policy should include:

• How to store devices securely when not in use
• The importance of creating and maintaining robust passwords
• Keeping software updated to the latest versions and installing security updates
• Acceptable use policy for visiting non-work related websites
• How to clear a browser cache to prevent login details being compromised
• Use of company devices in public places
• How to report the loss or theft of devices or a possible data compromise

It’s crucial that all staff are not only aware of threats to cyber-security, but also know how to deal with them.

2. Set up multi-layer authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA), also known as two-factor authentication, is a security enhancement that requires additional evidence to be entered before logging into an account. MFA helps prevent unauthorised access to the protected account should credentials become compromised.

According to Microsoft, enabling MFA can reduce account compromise up to 99.9 percent, bringing the chance of stolen credentials down to almost zero.

MFA adds additional account security that protects all employees from compromised credentials, protecting not only them, but also your business and its data too.

3. Use a virtual private network (VPN)

A VPN provides a secure, encrypted connection between your PC and an internet server. It is designed to prevent anyone from spying on what you’re doing, and also stops hackers getting in and seeing any data that you access over the connection.

A VPN is vital in regulated industries such as legal, finance and insurance, but is equally useful across any sector. Instead of allowing employees to access your company network via their own internet connection, the use of a VPN provides a secure in-road.

Here’s a list of the best VPN services for working from home, or just ask your KP Computer contact for advice.

4. Provide company devices

If you allow staff to work on their own devices, then you automatically lose control of cyber security. Devices used for social pastimes may well be susceptible to malware or viruses. How can you be sure your employees have installed decent firewalls and anti-virus software and are running regular scans?

Whilst it can be something of an investment, it is certainly a worthwhile one to know that staff are logging into your company network using devices that only connect through your VPN using multi-layer authentication. Devices that are installed with your company approved firewall and anti-virus and that are not used to browse unapproved websites.

5. Use a password manager

Cyber security experts suggest using a password manager. This is a platform that securely stores passwords and automatically fills them into login pages. They help protect all online accounts with a strong password. These are particularly useful if your staff are accessing various online platforms as part of their work, such as social media sites, client portals and content management systems.

The likes of LastPass, BitWarden, Dashlane, Keeper and 1Password are good examples of password managers. Web browsers including Safari, Chrome and Firefox also have built-in password controls.

Some password managers have features that inform you when a site has experienced a data breach. Others can tell you if the password you’re using has been found in a stockpile of stolen user data, as at least 555 million passwords have. Password managers also can help you find weak or reused passwords.

Need help with cyber security for your remote workforce? Talk to KP Computer.

If you could use some professional help with setting up your remote workforce for secure working, talk to the experts at KP Computer. We’re here to help, and look forward to being of assistance.