Has it been a challenge to manage your complex environment due to the frequency of Microsoft 365 feature updates? Would you prefer less frequent updates since they can be unpredictable and disruptive to productivity? If this is the case at your organization, then we have good news for you. As of May 12, 2020, Microsoft announced the general availability of a new Monthly Enterprise Channel. Now, organizations can bring users the latest capabilities to stay productive and secure, but on a predictable, once-a-month release schedule.

Last week we kicked-off our two-part series “The Why & How of Cybersecurity Risk Management.” This series is intended to review how small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can reduce exposure to cyberattacks through Cybersecurity Risk Management. Part one looked at practical ways to address and measure acceptable risk. In part two, Erik Thomas, Leader of Advisory Services at Systems Engineering, walks through a framework for addressing and reducing cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities in your organization.

Did you know that 66% of Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs) have experienced a cyberattack in the past 12 months? With SMBs facing increased, targeted, and harmful cyberattacks, we wanted to provide some useful guidance on this topic. We are presenting a two-part series reviewing how SMBs can reduce exposure to cyberattacks through Cybersecurity Risk Management. In part one, Brad Sprague, Leader of Account Management at Systems Engineering, reviews practical ways to address and measure risk.

For many businesses today, the programs and applications used to increase productivity, reduce risk, and control costs are evolving faster than adoption strategies can occur. When this happens, productivity may decrease, while costs and risks may increase; the exact opposite of what they are trying to accomplish.

Updated June 2020

Beginning July 6, 2020, Systems Engineering will adopt a new help desk process to enhance customer service and respond to recent client feedback. We have been collecting customer responses since early January through a closed ticket customer satisfaction survey. This survey gives our customers the opportunity to provide positive, negative, or neutral feedback regarding our service, and any suggestions they may want to put forward.

Many companies have made the unprecedented decision to close their doors or keep essential staff in-house temporarily. Others have instructed the entire organization to work from home (WFH) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, an entirely new set of pressures is pulling for your attention: 

Like many of you, we are working remotely as a company following the declaration of the COVID-19 national emergency. As previously stated, Systems Engineering is well prepared to continue working and supporting our customers during this time. As expected, the morning began with higher than usual support request volume. Many customers began their work from home experiences for the first time, and we were able to get them up and working along with our regularly scheduled services.  

The time for planning has ended. Microsoft will no longer provide extended support for Windows 7. While Extended Security Updates (ESU) may be available for Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows 7 (for a maximum of three years from January 14, 2020), this option will come at an increasing cost to organizations.

Have you noticed consumer and business sites including mobile applications requiring multiple steps to verify who you are? Perhaps you’ve set-up a multi-step verification method to access your bank or Google email account?  This security measure is growing in popularity as most data breaches today begin with a set of compromised credentials. From financial institutions to online stores to social media sites, many businesses are now requiring multiple factors of verification to ensure a user is who they say they are, reducing the chances of a cybercriminal successfully gaining access to their networks.

Every year, Cyber Monday brings us incredible deals and discounts; however, it's also the time of year when cybercriminals increase their efforts to steal our money and confidential information. To stay safe while shopping online, keep the following cybersafety tips in mind.