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How do you protect your data? What would you do if your organisation was under attack? How long until all systems are up again? 

These are all crucial questions that you should know the answers to. In fact, these answers will paint a clear picture of your strategy, so it’s best to nail those key cyber security questions before you settle on an IT provider.  

What Cyber Security services should an IT provider offer?

Your Security as a Service provider, or SECaaS for short, should offer a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services. Here are just a few: 

 

Cyber Security FAQ for your IT company

Asking the right kind of cyber security questions for IT department can highly influence your decision-making process. To ensure you cover the cyber security basics, we recommend you ask the following: 

Q. What cybersecurity strategies are right for my business?

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to cyber security services. On the contrary, your strategy should feel bespoke to the needs of your organisation. Ideally, your IT provider will conduct a vulnerability assessment and identify the unique needs, risk profile, and operational environment of your organisation. Most IT providers will follow a similar framework: evaluating risk assessment, ensuring goal alignment, facilitating compliance, and implementing proactive security measures. 

Q. How often will you perform IT security audits? 

The frequency of your IT security audits will depend on the size and complexity of your organisation, as well as the pace of the evolving threat landscape. Once or twice a year is a reasonable starting point. Other times to schedule IT security audits are after major events such as the implementation of a new data system or post-data breach. 

Q. Where will my data be stored and protected?

Choosing a place to store and protect your data involves careful consideration. More specifically, you’ll need to think of factors such as security, compliance requirements, and accessibility. For example, cloud storage typically provides greater scalability and flexibility; however, it also fosters a greater reliance on third-party providers and may increase your vulnerability. 

Q. How and who does risk assessment?

Your IT service provider should have several risk assessment professionals on their team. These individuals are in charge of defining security objectives, identifying assets, monitoring threats, calculating risks, documenting their findings, and implementing new controls or enhancing existing ones. 

Q. Is there any training to offer our business?

Sophisticated security is only as strong as your team’s awareness; without employee training, cyber attacks can penetrate even the most advanced measures. Implement a culture of cyber security awareness and reduce the risk of data breaches by training your employees. Your IT provider should offer activities like simulated phishing exercises, awareness campaigns, and security awareness workshops. 

Q. What happens if a threat is detected, or data is compromised?

In the event of a serious threat or data breach, coordination and urgency is of the essence. Your IT provider should detect the issue, understand the extent of the threats, and isolate the affected systems. Once relevant stakeholders and authorities are notified, your IT team should begin implementing remediation measures. The faster they can mitigate the impact of security incidents, the better they can protect the organisation’s reputation.  

Q. How does your team keep on top of trends and new threats?

Just as new cyber threats are constantly emerging, so are the innovative solutions employed by SECaaS teams. If you want to outpace evolving risks, you’ll need to find a provider who demonstrates these qualities. The best way to find out is by asking relevant cyber security questions. You can inquire about their certification programs, industry involvement, research initiatives, and continuous monitoring capabilities. 

 

Based on the answers to your cyber security FAQ, you can determine whether they are the right IT provider for your organisation.

Almost all companies expect their employees to conduct work online while keeping sensitive data safe. But how can they uphold these expectations when faced with scenarios like remote work, bring-your-own-device policies, or the increasing complexity of cybersecurity threats? 

To address these challenges, many enterprises choose to invest in a hosted virtual desktop setup. This approach allows employees to access their workplace desktops from any device or location while offering a seamless user experience and heightened security stance. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of desktop virtualisation, and why it’s quickly cemented itself as a cornerstone of many organisation’s cybersecurity and workstation strategies. 

What is desktop virtualisation?

Desktop virtualisation is essentially a virtual copy of a workstation desktop that allows the end user to access their applications and software from anywhere in the world (and at any time). Rather than depending on the static location of their work desktop, they can log in from a connected device and benefit from a digital workspace. 

What is a hosted desktop? 

Hosted Virtual Desktops, or HVDs for short, are a type of cloud-computing model that allows users to outsource desktop virtualisation to a third party. Hosted virtual desktop providers offer DaaS solutions that facilitate an organisation’s access to workplace data, software, and applications from a remote device. 

All that is needed to access a hosted desktop is a high-speed internet connection and reliable hosting provider. Since no confidential data is stored on the hardware itself but rather a protected HVD network, businesses can rely on an added layer of security while cutting down on hardware costs.   

How can businesses use hosted desktop services? 

Desktop virtualisation helps organisations increase flexibility, reduce expenses, streamline productivity, and bolster their security stance. From a centralised hosted virtual desktop provider, businesses can offer hundreds and thousands of employees a uniform application hosting experience. Here are a few notable benefits: 

Remote work and flexibility 

Remote desktop solutions are particularly useful for companies that embrace remote working, opt for a hybrid work model, or operate various branches across the globe. It offers flexibility for organisations with a distributed workforce as employees can collaborate regardless of their geographical location. 

Cut down on costs 

Products like a citrix hosted desktop can be very cost-effective when implemented correctly. Rather than investing in unnecessary hardware and software subscriptions, organisations can manage everything from a single server. 

Streamline productivity 

Hosted desktops encourage productivity and streamline procedures by providing quick solutions to a vast number of user experience problems. There’s no need to spend time or money fixing individual server issues, as IT departments can use desktop virtualisation to update security patches and deploy tasks simultaneously. 

Improve security measures 

Implementing individual security measures for thousands of users is not only tedious but potentially risky. Imagine your employee loses their laptop, and with it, the company’s confidential data. Rather than suffering a security breach and implementing a risk mitigation plan, a hosted desktop reduces the overall level of risk. 

What other desktop virtualisations are available? 

Within the realm of desktop virtualisation, there are various models to choose from. The type of desktop services an organisation needs will vary in accordance with their bespoke requirements. Here are some of the most common types:  

Hosted virtual desktops 

As mentioned above, hosted virtual desktops offer the convenience of outsourcing desktop virtualisation services to a cloud computing provider. These specialised companies take over daily maintenance tasks and ensure servers are running without fault. This option is suitable for SMEs that don’t want to invest in in-house remote desktop solutions yet need scalable and cost-effective solutions.  

Virtual desktop infrastructure 

Virtual desktop infrastructure, or VDI for short, offers a similar service as HVD while providing organisations greater control over their virtualisation stack and infrastructure. This option is ideal for larger enterprises that need more customisation to meet their organisational requirements. 

Remote desktop services 

Remote desktop services are a type of Microsoft infrastructure model that enables Windows software to run securely on a centralised server while allowing employees to access applications from various devices. This type of desktop virtualisation is beneficial for businesses that prioritise centralised application delivery. 

Local desktop virtualisation 

Local desktop virtualisation involves running virtualised desktop environments on individual and local servers. This way, users can access multiple operating applications or systems from a single physical device. This option is viable for organisations that can handle resource-intensive tasks on isolated workspaces and don’t need a continuous network connection.

Automated chatbots, data analytics, cloud computing, the list goes on. From afar, digital transformation services appear complex, and many companies don’t even know where to start. That’s where digital transformation consulting steps in. 

In today’s environment, digital transformation is no longer optional – it’s a necessity. Those who embrace new technologies witness a direct impact on business growth, and those who don’t, see their competitors thrive instead. 

Given these circumstances, new services like digital transformation consultancy have become a prominent topic of discussion. In this guide, we’ll explore what digital transformation consultancy encompasses, and whether demand is on the rise. 

What is a digital transformation consultancy service?

Digital transformation consultancy is a strategic service employed by businesses to boost their adoption of digital technologies and simplify the transition towards new practices. As technology continues to evolve exponentially, digital transformation consultants provide expert guidance to those who want to keep up with the pace. As a whole, digital transformation companies provide a clear-cut solution aimed at boosting efficiency, competitiveness, and accessibility. 

What industries are most in need of transformation?

Undoubtedly, all industries can benefit from digital transformation services, however, there are a few sectors that need it the most. The following sectors are sure to thrive from investing in digital transformation consultancy: 

Finance: keeping up with changing regulations, using analytics for decision-making, implementing fintech innovations.  

Healthcare: ensuring data security, elevating patient experiences, embracing wearable technologies and telemedicine.  

Logistics: optimising supply chains, reducing expenses, using data to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.  

Transport: implementing smart transport solutions, providing real-time updates, reducing costs via predictive maintenance. 

What are the key challenges businesses face?

Digital transformation services aim to overcome a set of shared difficulties. These include: 

Disruptive technologies 

Certain technologies, such as blockchain or AI, may be difficult to implement, especially when dealing with age-old legacy systems. To overcome this challenge, IT consultants can conduct a comprehensive assessment and implement a roadmap that accommodates new technologies with minimal disruptions. 

Difficulties recruiting talent 

Recruiting and retaining skilled talent can be extremely challenging. Digital transformation consultants can help organisations train employees to handle new procedures while creating an attractive work culture that appeals to top talent. 

Changes in consumer behaviour 

Consumer expectations are higher than ever before as modern customers crave heighted user experiences, greater convenience, and personalised experiences. Digital transformation companies can provide valuable insight into trends and behaviours by employing relevant data analysis and market research. 

Privacy and data concerns 

Addressing privacy and data concerns while embracing digital transformation can be a tricky ordeal. Consultants can help companies migrate to new technologies while reinforcing their security stance and ensuring compliance with regulations. 

5 Key benefits of a successful transformation strategy

The rise of digital transformation consultancy can be attributed to its success. Let’s take a closer look at five key benefits this managed IT service provides: 

1. Increased profits 

One of the main goals of any business is to turn a profit, and successful digital transformation helps enterprises increase profitability and boost their market share. By harnessing the power of new technologies, companies can reduce their costs and improve their services at the same time. 

2. Better operational efficiency 

Digital transformation services always focus on finding simpler solutions to everyday problems. In other words, they find ways to work smarter, not harder. For example, Harrison Ince Architects enlisted the help of Venom IT to migrate their IT systems as effectively and seamlessly as possible. 

3. Higher customer satisfaction 

Digital transformation companies pay special attention to user experience. Aspects like enhanced service delivery, streamlined processes, and personalised experiences all contribute towards higher rates of customer satisfaction and greater brand perception. 

4. Stronger use of data-driven insights 

Although organisations produce an immense amount of data, a lot of goes unused. Harnessing the full power of data to drive decisions can optimise business procedures and pinpoint new growth opportunities. 

5. Boosted collaboration and communication 

Another important facet of digital transformation services involves implementing collaborative tools and fostering a culture of communication. By breaking down digital barriers, companies can benefit from enhanced teamwork and information sharing. 

What are the key services involved?

Venom IT are a an established IT solutions company based in Manchester, UK, offering  a range of transformation services, including: 

Overall, the future of digital transformation consultancy will grow alongside the emergence of new technologies, with a greater emphasis on values like sustainability and digital literacy. As businesses continue to navigate an ever-evolving landscape, digital transformation companies will provide the strategic guidance needed to succeed.

If you’re looking to work in IT support 2024, you’re in luck. As more and more companies embrace digital transformation, the IT support sector is growing at an exponential pace. 

Candidates looking to break into this sector may experience greater demand, ample career prospects, and competitive salaries. However, recruiters are also looking for individuals with a wide breadth of skills that hit every mark. 

So, what skills for IT support will position you as the ideal candidate? These are the top skills you’ll need to thrive in the managed IT services sector. 

The role in 2024 

The role of an IT support technician is vastly different today than it was 20, 10, or even 5 years ago. It’s a sector that is constantly changing and evolving to adapt to modern advances in technology.  

In 2024, there is a greater emphasis on aspects like cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI and automation, and user experience. Customers expect a seamless integration of these technologies, all while benefiting from a user-centric design and secure experience. 

IT support technicians need to be on standby to resolve technical issues and provide personalised assistance. They may also be responsible for managing cloud infrastructures, conducting regular security audits, or implementing AI technologies.  

Professional expectations 

To position yourself as an ideal candidate, you’ll need to meet a set of professional expectations and master both technical and soft skills. Keep in mind that specialised roles will require a more refined set of IT support skills. 

In this section, we’ll explore what you need in your repertoire, along with some additional in-demand skills that can enhance your competitiveness in the industry. 

What skills for IT support are essential?

Here are five of the most in-demand skills in the IT support sector: 

Technical skills 

Without a firm grasp of technical knowledge and IT support skills, you may struggle to find a job in the sector. A degree in computer science or information technology is useful, but not a necessity. 

Problem-solving 

Whether it’s the system, device, or software that’s causing an issue, you’ll need to be able to find a solution. Applying logical thinking and technical knowledge to solve problems is of the essence.

Adaptability 

As new technologies emerge and evolve, so must your IT support skills. Individuals who thrive on new challenges and can adapt to varying environments are likely to succeed in this field. 

Customer service 

No matter what sector you find yourself in, keeping the customer happy is of utmost importance. Whether you’re assisting colleagues or customers, it’s always crucial to treat people with kindness and respect. 

Data analysis 

If you want to troubleshoot technical issues, you’ll need to understand the root of the issue, which involves identifying patterns or trends in system logs and error reports. By mastering your data analysis skills, you can detect and respond to security threats efficiently. 

Bonus In-Demand Skills 

Now you know what skills are essential for a career in this field, but what skills for IT support are considered a bonus? Here are a few that can make you stand out. 

Coding  

Coding may not be an essential skill, but it will help you secure a specialised role. Take a beginner’s course in a popular coding language like Java or Python to get a head start. 

Perseverance 

Patience and perseverance will come in handy when troubleshooting complex technical issues. The root of the issue may not always be obvious, so don’t hesitate to try out different solutions. 

Operating system knowledge 

You’ll be dealing with different systems every day, so understanding how they interact with different components is a great skill to add to your repertoire. There are plenty of free IT resources online to help widen your knowledge. 

Project management 

As an IT support technician, you’ll likely have various tasks pending at the same time; therefore, learning to prioritise and manage your different projects is vital.  

Teamworking 

You’re only as strong as the weakest member of the team, so make sure to keep in constant communication with other colleagues. Effective collaboration will help you solve problems in record time. 

Find a career in IT 

If you’re currently on the lookout for a job, Venom IT might be the right choice for you. Check out our latest career vacancies and what we can offer.

COVID-19 may be over, but working from home is here to stay. In fact, with modern technologies that make communication easier than ever before, it’s no wonder so many of us would rather use the flexibility of working from home to benefit our businesses and our lives. One such technology, called hosted desktops makes it possible to enjoy all the benefits of working from home without sacrificing any of the performance or functionality you need to get your work done efficiently.

Why Should I Consider Hosted Desktops?

Virtual desktops are quickly becoming the norm for digital transformation. As COVID-19 draws to an end and people start heading back into the office, we’re seeing more of them asking about Hosted Desktops. As technology continues to advance and businesses continue to change their work environments, we’re also seeing more companies move away from traditional desktops and instead use VDI for running their workplace PCs or laptops.

The Benefits of Hosted Desktops

Virtual desktops have been around for years and are now more popular than ever as the digital transformation of our lives continues. This means that businesses are in danger of remaining behind if they don’t take action and make the transition towards digital infrastructures. While VDI (virtual desktops) have traditionally been associated with IT professionals, in recent years they’ve become much more accessible for everyone – even those without any technical knowhow or expertise.

How Will My Business Benefit?

VDI and digital transformation are becoming increasingly common in businesses today. In fact, recent studies show that more than 70% of companies are planning to transform their digital infrastructure by 2025. What does this mean for you? It means you’ll want to consider switching away from traditional workstations and embracing the VDI model–especially if you’re already looking for ways to streamline your operations with COVID-19 now behind us.

Having a Digital workplace for your employees means freedom for them to work where they need to be, they can hotdesk at any computer. You can save money on office space and hardware by using inexpensive laptops and computers to run a virtual desktop, turning your cheap tech into powerhouses for a fraction of the cost.

What are some of the best-Hosted Desktops currently?

There are many Hosted Desktop Solutions on the market, including Citrix and Azure. Citrix has been in the hosting industry for over 20 years and offers multiple plans that range in price.

If you’re an SME, it often feels like your company’s internal IT expertise can be measured on a scale ranging from zero to unaffordable. As though they are the only measurements that are available. However, there are other options. And the more you grow your business, the better sense it makes to explore them. So, we’re going to take a moment to explain why you need managed IT services to alleviate your business’ IT headaches. (more…)

Backups are everywhere, in both your work life and your personal life. In your personal life, you most likely have your life documented in photographs and videos of you, friends and family. Imagine, you wake up one day and everything has been deleted, years of your memory erased due to a malfunction on your phone. Not even worth thinking about, is it? well, the same thing can be applied to your work life. whether you own a business or simply just work for one.

What is a Backup?

A backup is taking all your data and downloading it to another area that you can access should your primary storage unit fail. Photos, Videos, Client data and documents are some examples of data you want to protect. There are many different types of data backups. If you have an iPhone you may buy into the iCloud which automatically syncs your data in the cloud, or if you have a laptop you can backup your data onto this. other options include USB sticks, solid-state drives (SSD) or external hard drives.

What are the threats to my data?

There are many different reasons why you should have a good, reliable backup. The main ‘disasters’ include:

 

For a company losing data can be devastating, especially if this data is client-based. One of the worst things that can happen to a company is a Ransomeware attack. A Ransomware hacker basically locks all your data and issues you with a Ransome to pay to unlock it, sometimes even if you pay they still don’t. Furthermore, there has been an alarming increase in Ransomeware attacks. The world saw an over 105% increase in Ransomeware attacks in 2021 alone. And what’s the best defence for a Ransomeware attack? A reliable Backup.

How do you get a reliable backup?

You can do it yourself by uploading everything to a cloud-hosted server but this takes a great amount of manpower and is not cost-effective, buying a server rather than using a third party who would use the space in a server would be overkill.

The best effort would be to involve a CSP company such as VenomIT, not only would they be more cost-effective and be able to set up without disrupting any of your business’s normal working day but you also get an abundance of other features such as incredible protection against viruses and hackers firewalls and antivirus, but the most important of all is Failover.

Failover is something CSPs should be doing as standard, they have multiple passive servers which are linked to active servers, usually in a different datacentre, and should disaster strike the servers such as storms, floods, viruses etc, then they turn the passive servers on and transfer your company to these servers which already host all your up-to-date data and services and you wouldn’t even know its happened.

Learn more about how you can make the most of Managed Backup to support, enhance or protect your IT infrastructure. Contact us for a free trial or demonstration.

Today’s technological landscape has made it easier than ever for small businesses to compete with larger corporations. For this reason, more and more small businesses are outsourcing their IT support. (more…)

If you’re trying to choose the right Google platform to run your SME, you could be forgiven for losing track of who does what. The number of rebrands and product launches from Google in recent years has been dizzying.

From its corporate restructure in 2015 to the constant renaming of features like Google Business Profiles (or is it Google My Business? Or even Google Places for Business?), it’s not always easy to follow.

Through providing our IT support services for SMEs, we have learned what works in both platforms. So to help you decide, let’s break down the differences and benefits of Google One vs Google Workspace. (more…)

Are you a business that is, in any way, interested in self-preservation? If so, then a Backup as a Service (BaaS) solution like Veeam Cloud Connect is already going to be valuable.

The problem Veeam solves is the ever-growing risk to your server’s data security. Ransomware attacks grew by 485% in 2020, then almost doubled again in the first half of 2021. (more…)

To ease you into the subject of virtual storage, I thought we could begin with a story. Once upon a time there were three employees. The first was a graphic designer who needed to store huge design files on their computer. The second was a marketing manager who wanted a bit of capacity for images and videos. And the third was an accountant, whose work needed almost no storage at all. (more…)

Let’s face it, the break/fix model of IT support has been dead for a while. In a perfect world, keeping your organisation’s IT systems running smoothly should be easy. Perhaps as simple as a managed service provider (MSP) being able to log into a console from anywhere to provide proactive support. Luckily, that is exactly what remote monitoring and management (RMM) can do. Over the next few paragraphs, we will discuss what MSP remote monitoring and management is and how it benefits your business. (more…)