With millions of people across the world now working remotely, businesses and employees are finding themselves adapting to the new norm of a distributed workforce. This impacts the way people work and behave online, and these behaviours can put company data at risk.
Work from home and stay secure
The coronavirus has changed the way we do business. Working from home has been introduced to reduce the COVID-19 infection rate. Here are some best practices to help you and your team to work from home and stay secure.
Ensure that you are sending emails to the correct address
Sending an email to the wrong person may seem like a harmless mistake. However, misdirected emails were the leading cause of online data breaches last year according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). It just takes one typo or one email sent in haste for potentially sensitive company data or information to land in the wrong inbox.
Never send company data to personal email accounts
Employees may send work to their private email accounts to work on documents on their own, more familiar devices. However, while well-intentioned, data is still being exfiltrated out of the business and is potentially at risk. Additionally, businesses are at risk of breaching regulations like GDPR because, as the Data Controller, the company no longer has oversight as to where data is held.
Avoid sharing company data over public Wi-Fi
Data is at greater risk when you are not connected via the workplace networks. The result is that all services and files you are accessing have a higher risk of attack. When connecting to a service over the internet, check the address bar to ensure the protocol used is the more secure HTTPS, not HTTP.
Only use company-approved collaboration tools
When you work from home and stay safe, always consider the security of the conferencing, chat and other collaboration applications teams will be relying on. IT teams need to clearly and simply communicate to employees what sort of information can be shared on these tools. IT teams must also make it clear that staff cannot download new software or use new online tools without company approval.
Keep data secure while working from home
Protecting people and the company data they handle needs to be a top consideration for businesses during this crisis. By introducing cybersecurity practices and helping, employees understand how best to protect shared data, businesses can keep their staff safe when working from home.
How do you keep your data secure when working from home? Leave your comments below.
Windows 11 Upgrade - Will it work on your lapop?
So, you’re wondering about Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. It looks snazzy and has some neat features. But can your current laptop actually run it? Don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in IT to figure this out! We at abacon IT in Cape Town are here to help you understand the basics.
Upgrading your laptop to Windows 11 can give it a new lease on life. However, Windows 11 has certain system requirements. These are the minimum specifications your laptop needs to have to run the software smoothly. Think of it like needing the right ingredients for a recipe – without them, it just won’t work properly.
One of the most important parts is your laptop’s processor, often called the CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is the “brain” of your computer. Windows 11 needs a fairly recent and capable CPU to function well.
Which Processors Work with Windows 11?
Here’s a simplified look at the processors that are generally compatible:
Intel Processors:
- Generally, Windows 11 requires an 8th-generation Intel Core processor or newer. You might see names like “Intel Core i5-8xxx” or “Intel Core i7-11xxx.” The first number after the “i” (or “i3”) usually indicates the generation. So, an “i5-8250u” is an 8th-generation processor.
- Intel also has its Pentium and Celeron processors. For Windows 11, only certain newer models are compatible.
AMD Processors:
- For AMD, Windows 11 requires Ryzen 2000 Series and newer. You’ll see names like “AMD Ryzen 5 2xxx” or “AMD Ryzen 7 5xxx”. Again, the first number after “Ryzen” indicates the series.
- AMD also has Athlon processors. Similar to Intel’s Pentium and Celeron, only specific newer Athlon models will work with Windows 11.
Important Note: This is a general guideline. There can be exceptions, so it’s always best to double-check your specific processor.
How to Find Out Which Processor Your Laptop Has
Don’t fret, Windows makes it pretty easy to see what CPU is inside your laptop:
- Right-click the Start Button: This is the Windows logo (usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
- Select “System”: A new window will pop up with information about your computer.
- Look for “Processor”: You’ll find this listed under the “Device specifications” section. It will tell you the name of your processor, including the manufacturer (Intel or AMD) and the model number, which usually indicates the generation or series.
Once you have this information, you can compare it to the general lists above.
Other Important Bits for Windows 11
Besides the processor, there are a few other things Windows 11 needs:
- RAM (Random Access Memory): Consider this your laptop’s short-term memory. Windows 11 requires at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. More is always better for smoother performance. Instead, consider 16 gigabytes (GB).
- Storage: To install Windows 11, you’ll need at least 64 GB of free space on your hard drive or SSD (Solid-State Drive). An SSD generally makes your computer much faster.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a security feature. Most modern laptops have this, but it’s worth checking. You can usually find information on how to check for TPM 2.0 in your laptop’s BIOS settings (you might need to consult your laptop manufacturer’s website for instructions on accessing this).
- Graphics Card: Your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Most reasonably recent graphics cards will meet this requirement.
- Display: You’ll need a screen with a resolution of at least 720p (HD).
Still Not Sure? We Can Help!
Figuring out all these technical details can be daunting. If you’re still unsure whether your laptop is ready for Windows 11, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at abacon IT in Cape Town.
Our friendly team can quickly assess your system and give you straightforward advice. We’re here to help your SME thrive with reliable IT solutions! Contact us at 072-601-2858 or email info@abacon.co.za, and we will call you back.
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