Shoal IT Solutions
Managed IT Services London
We are into the final stretches of 2026 and for anyone who is counting, Christmas is but 85 days away! This month we are focusing on aspects of control – the use of administration accounts and budgets/cost control – essential for the smooth running of your business. Restricting admin access Unless you have strict policies …
We are into Q4 of 2026 and I think everyone is hoping for some cooler, wetter weather after this summer’s incredible heatwaves and drought. This month we focus on how AI is transforming email scams and a quick reminder to check the security of your company website. Scam emails have evolved In the past …
We didn’t quite make it to the World Cup final but congrats England on a well-deserved bronze medal. The sun is STILL shining, and we have a new prime minister, so H2 2026 will likely be a busy one. This month we look at the OpenAI “rogue” agent story as well as some Windows 10 …
We are now into H2 2026 and phew what a scorcher it’s been – not just the weather! This month we are looking at how to optimise your use of SaaS and some potential costs you might not have thought about along with another reminder on the importance of cyber security, especially in relation to …
It’s June and hard to believe that we are almost halfway through 2026. In this month’s newsletter we are focusing on how human behaviour is just as important as technology for maintaining cyber security and good account hygiene. Cyber security – the human risk Most of us use software or services to guard against cyber …
May is here and with it some lovely sunshine, but the cyber threats never seem to abate. In this month’s newsletter we look at how your staff can guard against LinkedIn recruitment scams and NCSC innovation on protection against malicious connections between monitors and laptops. Spotting LinkedIn recruitment scams LinkedIn is an invaluable professional …
Q1 is now in the rear-view mirror and April (and Easter!) is upon us. In this month’s newsletter we look at procedures to help defend against ransomware attacks and some useful reminders for laptop security whilst out of the office. Defending against ransomware Protecting against ransomware isn’t simply about installing anti-malware. Below we outline …
It’s hard to believe that March is already here and I think we are all hoping that a new month might bring the biblical rainfall to an end! In this newsletter we highlight an often-ignored potential risk in the rise of GenAI – data exposure – along with a look at how you might optimise …
January is behind us and as the new year really gets going, we thought we would highlight some useful tips on policies for working outside the office. In addition, we take a look at how the hackers are trying to circumvent email protections with new social media phishing techniques. Working in public spaces Hybrid working …
It’s hard to believe that 2025 is now over and we are at the start of a new year – we hope 2026 brings you and your loved ones plenty of joy. To get the new year off to a good start, in this edition we take a look at securing guest Wi-Fi networks and …
The end of 2025 is rushing towards us which means that Christmas is nearly here… however don’t let the festive lights and mulled wine distract you from your IT efficiency and cyber security! Optimising Microsoft 365 for your business M365 is the foundation for many businesses, streamlining operations and boosting collaboration. However, without diligence, it’s …
November is here, the nights are drawing in and the end of 2025 is coming sharply into focus. This month we take a look at the recent AWS outage and how to implement AI without compromising cyber security. Internet down We have all become so used to technology in our everyday lives that it will …
Something of an autumnal feel as Q4 gets started and, whilst we are in the last leg of 2025, it’s never too late to look at how your technology can be of best help to your business. IT Roadmaps Our IT infrastructure is key to a well-running business where opportunities can be grasped, services and …
The end of Q3 is nearing along with the end of school holidays which means (a less) uninterrupted focus on all things office. This month we look at potential hidden dangers in your smart office and a look at how AI has been transforming ransomware. IoT & office security The IoT has been transformative and …
We’re now in peak summer holiday season but business still keeps rolling! This month we look at how to better manage data retention and an interesting IoT story that might be a bit close to home. Smart data retention Data is the bedrock of today’s digital business world, including information such as employee records, contracts, …
The old saying “prevention is better than a cure” doesn’t just apply to medical problems! IT is so important to our everyday lives but it’s all too easy to forget the key maintenance tasks that can help prevent disasters from occurring. Cyber resilience There has been a slew of cyber attack stories in the press …
We are nearing the halfway mark of 2025 and it won’t be too long before thoughts shift towards summer holidays. In the meantime, we’re taking the opportunity to follow on from last month’s discussions on the cost-benefit of cyber protection via a current press story and some cloud storage tips. Cyber risk – the human …
We are now midway through Q2 2025 which seems a little hard to believe but with the 24-25 tax year behind us and longer days, we are no doubt all trying to make the most of the better (less rainy?) weather! That said, in the world of technology, you can never take an eye off …
It is now officially Spring and we have finally seen some sunshine after a long and pretty chilly winter. In this edition, we’re focusing on potential risks of Bluetooth and how to protect against bad actors, along with what to consider if you are thinking of buying pre-owned devices. Bluetooth – what to be aware …
The technology environment in which we all operate is sadly not getting any safer. Bad actors are constantly looking to exploit vulnerabilities, meaning we all need to remain ever vigilant. This month we look at two very different aspects of how to do this – one physical, one technological – to help maintain your cyber …
As 2025 gets under way, it’s a good time to think about how we can optimise our business efficiency whilst staying cyber safe. This month we look at how AI can help you with day-to-day office tasks along with some reminders of how cyber security depends not only on having the right preventative software and …
It’s hard to believe that 2024 is over and we are already “diving into ’25”! In the last year our newsletters focused on tips to help optimise your IT infrastructure around your needs whilst keeping a close eye on costs and remaining cyber secure. We are starting the new year with help on how to …
The festive season will soon be upon us and with it the end of the year and start of a new one. Over 2024 our newsletters have covered a host of topics, providing tips on how to work more efficiently and cost-effectively and how to keep your systems cyber-safe. This month we take a look …
2024 is moving further towards its end which means Christmas is coming! Throughout this year our newsletters have focused on a variety of topics to help keep your IT running securely, smoothly and efficiently. In this edition we focus on how to better manage your data over its lifecycle. Data lifecycle management Data can be …
