We now have a timeline for the way out of lockdown, however, it seems likely that, even when a return to the office does become feasible, our working practices will have changed forever. Going into lockdown resulted in a rushed transition for many, and, now is a great time to reflect on how those “emergency” IT measures might need adjusting.
Enabling effective working
IT has the power to dramatically improve day to day business functioning – not just in terms of staying connected as we discussed last month, but also in transforming existing processes to be more efficient. Knowing where to start is often a challenge – how should the issues be approached and what might these changes cost? Sadly, doing nothing can often end up being more frustrating and/or expensive. As we start to move into the next phase of “blended” working, now is an excellent time for a review to explore what’s out there to help your team operate effectively – wherever they are located. To get your started, check out the digital section of Be the Business and then give Shoal a call as we would be delighted to help guide you through your projects.
Don’t help the hackers…
Our previous newsletters have focused on the importance of both strong password management and an awareness of potential phishing techniques to help protect yourself from hackers. This report from Tessian contains some rather alarming statistics of how much personal information people, often unwittingly, make available on the internet. This can give hackers key ammunition to gain access to both their personal and work lives. Now is the time to double-check your cyber security set up for both the office and home so do get in touch and we can assist you with an audit.
IT & Sustainability
As we touched on in last month’s newsletter, IT has the potential to help businesses become more sustainable – particularly interesting in the light of this recent Forbes article regarding SMEs’ plans and preparedness ahead of the UK Government’s pathway to 2050 Carbon Neutrality. The pandemic has clearly forced other priorities for businesses, however, changing small behaviours can be a great gateway to bigger changes. When your devices are replaced, they can often end up either in landfill or at the back of a cupboard. Electrical recycling is becoming far easier to access but donation schemes have also flourished over lockdown. Whether you are recycling – crucial in the move towards a circular economy – or donating your old laptop to someone who really needs it, do make sure you maintain your cyber security by securely erasing your data.