In the competitive business landscape, the security and recovery of critical data are often overlooked by small businesses, yet they are essential for long-term success. 

Statistics reveal a startling fact that 93% of businesses without a disaster recovery plan, who suffer a significant data incident, fold within one year, highlighting the critical nature of being prepared. If the concept of a data recovery plan is new to you, we’ll guide you through why it’s crucial and how to implement one effectively.

Assessing Your Need for a Data Recovery Plan

Before diving into what a data recovery plan entails, evaluate your business’s vulnerability to data loss. Ask yourself, “Could my business continue operating after a significant data loss?” If your answer is “no,” then integrating a data recovery strategy into your business plans is not just beneficial—it’s necessary.

Understanding Data Recovery Plans

A data recovery plan is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide designed to manage responses to data loss incidents efficiently and effectively. It involves preparing for various scenarios that could lead to data compromises, such as cyber-attacks, hardware failures, or human errors, ensuring that your business can quickly recover and maintain operational continuity.

The Importance of Having a Disaster Recovery Plan

The necessity of a disaster recovery plan should not be overstated. It provides:

• Security for Sensitive Data: From financial records to client information, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of your data is paramount.
• Cost Efficiency: Proactively managing data risks reduces potential financial losses associated with data breaches or operational downtimes.
• Enhanced Customer Trust: Safeguarding customer data enhances your business’s reputation and aids in customer retention.
• Customisation and Control: Tailor your disaster recovery efforts to meet the unique needs of your business, enhancing overall response effectiveness.
• Proactive Monitoring: Regularly updating and testing your plan ensures you are prepared for any incident.

What Should You Do Next?

If recognising the risks of operating without a data recovery plan has prompted you to act, consider that most comprehensive IT support contracts include disaster recovery planning. To explore your options and tailor a plan suited to your needs, contact us at 0117 370 0050 or fill out our contact form. Further details about our IT support services tailored to different business sizes and needs can be found on our services page.

Remember, a robust data recovery plan not only saves money but also secures your business’s future against unforeseen data disasters. Visit our blog for more insights on remote IT support and its benefits for small and medium enterprises.

As technology advances, so do the risks. Checkpoint recently published an article highlighting the biggest cybersecurity risks of 2023; these are the exact issues that managed IT support could protect you against.

It’s Time to Be Proactive

Leveraging managed services like endpoint protection, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication could prevent unauthorised access and data loss. Regularly monitoring and updating systems allows an IT provider to identify and resolve vulnerabilities proactively.

Why You Need CCCit

Here we’ll break down some of the reasons why you need managed IT support services:

1. They can improve the efficiency of your operations. Ever been forced to stop working and wait for your computer to update? If you’re having issues switching software or updating programmes, experts can provide no-risk updates that fit around your schedule, saving you from stress and wasted time.
   
2. You may think your company is too small to need IT support, but not protecting your IT infrastructure can leave you vulnerable. It’s a common misconception that only big companies need to outsource IT services; after all, half of all cyber-attacks are targeted at small businesses. Even small companies can be greatly affected by laborious updates and issues.
   
3. Data protection is extremely important. Whether you’re storing sensitive information or not, data loss can be crippling. Storing your data to reduce that risk, and having disaster recovery protocols in place is a vital part of the support we provide.
   
4. Giving responsibilities to someone outside of your company can help improve your productivity. You’ll have time to focus on your business and gain back staff that would have been hindered or preoccupied with IT issues.
   
5. If you don’t protect yourself properly, you’re leaving you and your company vulnerable to all kinds of malicious cyber-attacks. Good security is an absolute must for personal and business needs. Bad practice isn’t worth the risk, so get expert advice and management.

Contact CCCit Today

If you’d like to know more about how our services could work for you, contact us today for advice or discuss our free assessment of your current services. We can offer tailored solutions for you and your business goals.

Whether you are looking for a fully supported network, or just need occasional IT support, we also have a selection of IT support packages designed to fit your needs.

Our IT management services in Bristol are specially designed to ensure your systems remain secure, reliable and up-to-date. Our experienced IT consultants can provide your business with the latest upgrades, a comprehensive redesign of your existing systems, or even a fresh system implementation. We are dedicated to helping businesses grow and reach their maximum potential through our range of support packages.

Why Choose CCCit for IT Management

Our team at CCCit is highly knowledgeable in IT management, with years of experience helping businesses of all sizes. We can help you select the best solutions for your business, offering practical advice to ensure you get the most out of your systems. Don’t believe just check our IT Management reviews.

Our IT Management Services

• Consultation

We understand that your business may need different levels of IT help, from basic system upgrades to a complete overhaul. Our team of experienced IT consultants are on-hand and ready to help you – we have the knowledge and expertise to help you take your business to the next level.

• Change Management

Our processes and systems make it easy for your organization to request, prioritize, authorize, approve, schedule, and implement changes without any hassle. We provide a streamlined process that ensures minimal downtime and maximum efficiency – giving your business the power to reach its potential.

• Asset Management and Tagging

Managing IT assets can be a challenging task – they are expensive to acquire, configure, and maintain without the right management. Unlike fixed assets like furniture, fixtures and fittings, IT assets are often moved around, require regular updates, and often need to be replaced over time. We have the expertise to help you manage these assets efficiently, so you can get the most out of them.

• Compliance as a service

Compliance is a key part of IT asset management. We can help you establish internal policies and procedures to ensure that your assets are in compliance with certifications such as Cyber Essentials, CE+ and GDPR. We also offer audit and update systems to ensure that your assets stay up-to-date and in compliance.

• Hardware and Software Procurement

We guarantee competitive pricing on IT hardware and software. Our procurement team will accurately specify the required products or services and get you the best possible price. We act as a single point of contact, working with partners, vendors, and suppliers to ensure that our clients get the highest quality products at the lowest prices. With our help, you can be sure to get great value for your money.

• Hardware and Software Leasing

We offer fixed monthly fees to significantly reduce your upfront capital expenditure. Our pricing models ensure that you can easily manage and budget for expenses, instead of having to worry about large, unexpected costs. With our help, you can stay on top of your finances and get the most out of your investment.

Contact CCCit IT Management Services Today

We are dedicated to providing the best IT management services in Bristol. Contact us today to discuss your unique requirements and find out how we can help you maximize your operational efficiency. Our experienced team are ready to provide a tailored solution that meets your needs, so don’t hesitate to get in touch!

If you are interested in our services please click here to download our informative document.

Introducing Exclaimer Cloud – the best way to centrally manage Microsoft 365 email signatures. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Exclaimer Cloud provides the same benefits as on-premises server-based email signature solutions, but within Microsoft’s cloud environment. This means that you can take advantage of all the features and functionality of Microsoft 365 while still having control over your email signatures.

A Little Bit About Exclaimer Cloud

Exclaimer Cloud is an easy-to-use service that allows you to manage and update email signatures in Microsoft 365 from a centralized location. This means that any changes, updates or additions you want to make to the signature can be done quickly and easily – no more manually editing each user account or having to contact your IT department.

Key Benefits of Using Exclaimer Cloud for Microsoft 365

There are several benefits to using Exclaimer Cloud for Microsoft 365.

• First and foremost, it allows you to take control of your email signatures centrally from a single location. This means that all staff members will be able to use the same branding, style and content in their emails, ensuring consistency throughout your organization.
• Additionally, Exclaimer Cloud can help you save time and money. Since the email signatures are managed from a single location, there’s no need to manually edit accounts every time changes need to be made. This also means that you don’t need to hire an IT specialist just for this task – saving both time and money in the long run.
• Finally, Exclaimer Cloud allows you to easily add dynamic content such as images and banners that can be personalized for each recipient. This means that your emails will look more professional and make an even better impression on customers, clients, and partners.

Take Control of Your Microsoft 365 Email Signatures with Exclaimer Cloud today.

Technical Overview of Exclaimer Cloud for Microsoft 365

Exclaimer Cloud ensures that all Microsoft 365 emails are branded with a professional signature without ever having to leave the trusted security of the Microsoft cloud infrastructure. With Exclaimer’s regional datacenters securely intervening, users can confidently send out messages in complete assurance knowing they have been enriched by an added level of brand identity at no additional cost or disruption to their workflow.

Exclaimer Cloud for Microsoft 365: How It Works

1. Enjoy effortless signature management with our intuitive drag-and-drop editor! Streamline contact information from your Azure/Microsoft 365 Directory, and add promotional banners or legal disclaimers for maximum customization. Keep up to date without the hassle – any changes you make will be reflected instantly in all signatures across user groups.
2. With Exclaimer Cloud, every email is securely sent from Microsoft 365 to one of our regional Azure datacenters using a start point (Send) connector. This ensures your emails remain within the safe confines of the Microsoft cloud where they are highly available and load-balanced for maximum reliability.
3. Exclaimer Cloud ensures every email you send out reflects a professional image by automating the addition of branded signatures. This powerful solution works behind-the-scenes, seamlessly integrating with Microsoft 365 to ensure your message arrives looking its best – no extra effort required!
4. Microsoft 365 is safeguarded with a secure closed-loop process which ensures that only one signature can be added per email. Additionally, emails are authenticated through Microsoft’s rigorous security protocols to protect the system from any malicious activity.
5. Every email sent out now includes a professionally-designed signature, adding an extra layer of quality to correspondence and representing the company’s commitment to excellence. With signatures automatically included in all emails, users can be sure their messages are as polished and impeccable as possible.

If you’d like to read more on how Exclaimer Cloud for Microsoft 365 can help you take control of your email signatures, click here! Get ready to save time, money and hassle when managing your organization’s email signatures with Exclaimer Cloud today!

Contact CCCit for for a Reliable It Support Service in Bristol

We can help your business with a range of IT solutions, including Exclaimer Cloud. Get in touch today to discuss your needs and find out how CCCit can help you.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Exclaimer Cloud for Microsoft 365! We hope this article has helped understand how this powerful solution can help you take control of your signatures and save time and money in the long run. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact us! We look forward to hearing from you.

If you are looking for a reliable IT support service in Bristol that can help you manage your company’s Gmail signatures, then look no further than CCCit. With Exclaimer Cloud, you can centrally manage your Google Workspace users’ Gmail signatures from within a cloud environment. This is a great solution for businesses of all sizes!

What is Exclaimer Cloud?

Exclaimer Cloud is a cloud-based email signature solution that allows you to centrally manage your Google Workspace users’ Gmail signatures. With Exclaimer Cloud, you can:

• Create and manage signatures for all your Google Workspace users from one central location
• Automatically update signatures when user information changes
• Apply consistent branding across all your Google Workspace users’ email signatures
• Reduce IT support calls by giving users the ability to self-manage their signature

Why are email signatures so important?

Email signatures are an important part of corporate branding and communication. They can be used to:

• Give your emails a professional look and feel
• Communicate important information, such as your company’s contact details or website
• Promote special offers or campaigns
• Increase brand awareness

If you’d like to learn more, eight-time Microsoft MVP J. Peter Bruzzese discusses in detail the importance of email signatures.

How can Exclaimer Cloud benefit my business?

There are many benefits of using Exclaimer Cloud to manage your Google Workspace users’ Gmail signatures. Some of these benefits include:

• Centralised Control
• Versatile Deployment
• Marketing Ownership
• Automated Consistency
• Improved Convenience
• Increased Efficiency

How It Works

When users send emails from any device, messages are passed to one of Exclaimer’s regional Azure data centres. There the email is processed and sent back out with a professional signature applied for every message.

How Exclaimer Cloud Works

1. Signatures are created and designed by using a drag-and-drop editor, which can be allocated to different users and groups. This makes management a breeze. This also allows for real-time edits to occur.
2. The user is then able to send emails via Google Workspace, from any web-enabled device.
3. Each email sent by Google Workspace is hosted on one of Exclaimer’s regional Azure data centres and routes to a mail server set up in that particular workspace. This ensures high availability, as well as geographic diversity for load-balancing purposes!
4. Then, Exclaimer Cloud automatically signs all emails with a custom signature, so you can be sure they are always delivered. It doesn’t send them out on your behalf either – it just adds the appropriate branding.
5. With the signatures added, emails are processed through Google Workspace through a smart host. A closed-loop process between Google Workspace and Microsoft Azure infrastructure ensures email signatures are added only once.
6. The signature is appended to every email, stamping it with a high-quality look and feel that cannot be modified by the user.

For a more comprehensive look into the Exclaimer cloud click here!

The Exclaimer Cloud Portal Security

Exclaimer Cloud incorporates 2-factor authorisation to prove the identification of users. This extra level comes in the form of a unique code that is only valid for four hours, so it ensures your account will be more secure with this second authentication factor enabled! The first time you log in or from another device/computer we’ll send over an email containing instructions on how to enter these codes.

Why choose CCCit for Exclaimer Cloud?

CCCit is an IT support service in Bristol. We are proud to offer Exclaimer Cloud as part of our IT support services. Exclaimer Cloud is a premier cloud service for centrally managing Google Workspace users’ Gmail signatures.

If you are interested in using Exclaimer Cloud to manage your Google Workspace users’ Gmail signatures, then please contact us today. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have.

With recent reports warning SMEs that they’re the top targets for cyber attacks, we’ll break down why IT support is so vital for protecting you and your customers. We’ll also discuss how your vulnerability could damage your business.

Do you know how important IT support is for your SME business?

According to reports, 46% of websites have high cybersecurity vulnerabilities. That’s a terrifying number for something that has such a simple solution.

IT support isn’t just about protecting you against cyberattacks, most support packages also help with updating and maintaining your systems. Got an issue with your site? IT support can fix it on the spot with an on-site engineer or a remote team. In fact, the best IT support companies have proactive approaches that aim to identify potential issues before they even arise, solving them before they have the chance to affect you.

Imagine how much easier your life would be if you never had to wait for an update again. With proactive maintenance, your IT systems can be updated whenever you choose.

IT support isn’t just about making your life easier, it’s also about ensuring the safety of you and your customers. Making sure you’re safeguarded against cyber attacks is a must in this day and age, especially as businesses your business grows.

Why should you consider IT support?

Prolonged downtime can have devastating effects for small companies, resulting in loss of business, loss of data (information loss accounts for 43% of the costs in cyber attacks), as well as wasted time and loss of revenue. You also have to factor in the cost of IT repairs if you don’t have comprehensive support.

If you’re not sure if you would benefit from managed IT support, think about your worse case scenarios, whether it be data breaches or system failures, and weigh up what you could lose. It’s easy to protect yourselves, so why risk it?

With full anti-virus protection, firewall for desktop/server included as standard with no extra cost. CCCit is committed to offering customers effective, practical support and peace of mind. Making sure that you’re protected is vital, and ensuring that your systems are safe is an absolute must.

Plus, you’ll have access to our team’s expertise. If you have any questions or queries we’ll be at hand to answer them quickly and without any unnecessary jargon. You’ll have the safety net of always having someone to talk to that is familiar with your company and needs. With our support, you’ll never be made to feel like you can’t ask questions or ask for advice. We offer continuity so you don’t have to go out of your way to get answers.

Can you afford to not have IT support?

When assessing if IT support is right for you, it might be helpful to weigh up the cost of one-off support in the case of unpredictable issues or attacks, against the cost of continuous support. The issue of course with one-off support is the unpredictability of fees, which is where clear monthly costs are often one of the many benefits of continuous support; you know what to expect.

According to a study into cybersecurity, 71% of customers said they would leave an organisation after a data breach. That’s enough to shut down a business.

Would you really want to risk it?

What’s next?

At CCCit, we understand that trusting a remote team to manage your systems can feel scary at first. But we’re a team of professionals, and while we may not be able to help with your office tea-round, we are only a quick phone call or email away. If we can’t solve the issue over the phone, we’ll visit you on-site to handle the problem face-to-face. We want you to feel confident that your IT system is safe in our hands.

We know how important IT support is for small to medium enterprise businesses, which is exactly why we’ve created our Small Business Bundle to meet your needs.

Not sure if your current IT support is working as well as it should be? Don’t be caught off-guard. Ask about our free assessment.

Want to know more about how IT support could benefit you [potential to link to benefits blog]? Call 0117 3700 050 or email us.  

With the majority of the world in the same predicament, most of the UK workforce are finding themselves working from home for the first time.

Working from home can bring a set of new challenges and risks, so it’s vital to maintain safety precautions while working online.

Statistics have shown that instances of cybercrime may have increased as much as 300% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, so It’s important to keep you and your business secure during this time.

It can be easy to become complacent, so make sure you’re following our 9 tips to stay safe and protect your information online.

1. Restrict admin access to files and sensitive information

Research has found that 53% of companies had over 1,000 sensitive files open to every employee. If that isn’t worrying enough, it was also reported that, on average, every employee had access to 17 million files.

Assess whether it’s necessary for all employees to have access to sensitive files. It’s easy to limit access to particular documents and then grant limited access for however long is needed.

This limits the risk of sensitive information being breached and is generally just good security practice for your business.

1. Don’t re-use passwords

It’s advice I’m sure we’ve all heard a hundred times, but using the same password across multiple accounts makes you a prime target for hackers.

Use a unique password that is strong and avoid repeating it across accounts.

If remembering them is an issue, don’t write them down!

Consider using a password manager to keep track of your details in a secure and safe way.

1. Use a VPN

If you have to use public wifi or are using wifi that may not be secure, consider using a VPN (a virtual private network).

A VPN will protect you, your device and your information by masking your IP address.

VPN services also establish secure and encrypted connections.

For more information about the benefits of a VPN, here’s a great article from Norton.

1. Log out of all sessions

One of the key ways to keep your accounts secure is to monitor who has access to them.

By logging out of all your sessions, you can get a quick visual of who has access to what.

In most settings, whether it be an email or social media account, there is an option to sign-out of all the places the account is signed-in. This can help ensure that no one is logged in that shouldn’t be.

Most platforms also support the option to get an email alert whenever there is a new login, making it easy to spot and act fast upon any suspicious activity.

We also highly recommended that you set up two-factor authentication for as many accounts as you can, in order to provide an extra deterrent for any unauthorised user attempting to access your account.

1. Protect devices with an antivirus solution

Antivirus software is an absolute essential for any machine, both for personal and professional use.

Not only will you be protected against attacks and malware, but most antivirus software will also help you get the most out of your computer. Scans can help identify areas that may be causing your machine to lag, and with a quick removal, the performance of your machine should improve.

Most desktops come with antivirus software preinstalled, but there are plenty available.

The supplier of your machines should provide you with advice for your specific systems, however, if you’d like further advice you can contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

1. Update programs and operating systems

It’s just as important to keep your systems up to date as it is to have them in the first place.

Make sure your machine is updated regularly to avoid becoming at risk.

Updates are there for a reason, and most of the time they’re updated to ensure you’re protected.

1. Stay vigilant

Even with all the above processes in place, staying vigilant is still one of the most important aspects of staying safe online.

It’s been found that 48% of malicious email attachments are office files and approximately 1 in 13 web requests leads to malware.

Practise caution over any links sent, even within your own company,

Be aware of risks both online and offline. If you’ve taken your computer home, it might be worth checking whether it’s protected by your content insurance and keep any sensitive documents securely stowed away.

1. Back-up regularly

One of the risks of moving to a different environment is the change in back-up regularity.

It’s important to frequently back up your machine to reduce the risk of losing files should anything go wrong.

Be wary of keeping backups on USBs and hard drives. If you are storing physical backups, keep them in a secure place.

1. Outsource your IT services

If you’re struggling to manage it might be time to consider outsourcing your IT services. At CCCit we offer IT support and services in Bristol and Bath. We offer a wide range of support packages, with a focus on IT support for small businesses too.

With a 24/7 help desk, you’ll never be left out of the loop.

If you’d like to discuss your options or you’re just seeking friendly advice, please contact us via our online form or call us today.

For further government advice on staying safe online while working from home, we recommend this useful guide from the National Cyber Security Centre.

Cybersecurity is a huge talking point for 2020. Taking measures to protect businesses from cyberattacks is as a top priority for businesses, as the true cost of risk rises.

A security breach can have irreparable costs concerning damaged reputation and the financial consequences of unplanned support and downtime. This report from the cyber insurance firm, Gallagher, suggests the average cyberattack costs nearly £6,500 to deal with.

Research has shown that only 5% of companies’ folders are properly protected, and with small businesses making up 43% of breach victims, it’s not worth the risk of leaving your business unprotected.

Could your business survive a cyberattack – do you really want to wait to find out?

It’s becoming more important to ensure the correct procedures are in place – but despite this, many businesses are still not practising good security behaviour.

Even the simplest of changes could make a difference in your businesses’ safety. It doesn’t have to be complicated. And if it seems unattainable, at CCCit we can offer you advice and services to help keep your systems secure.

Some of the biggest risks are:

• Password sharing/repeating
• Visiting unsecured websites
• Sharing sensitive information via email
• Phishing emails (94% of malware was delivered by email)
• Lack of training
• Not encrypting sensitive data
• No recovery plan in place

The best approaches would be to create a focused and security-aware workplace culture. By ensuring each individual keeps good security practise, the business will benefit as a whole. After all, it only takes one mistake for your security to be compromised.

What you need:

• Robust firewall and anti-malware software
• Two-factor authentication enabled across channels
• Strong passwords that aren’t repeated
• Improved awareness of risks
• Be vigilant over security access alerts
• Restricted editing/admin rights

One of the most common issues, mentioned above is the lack of regarding admin rights. Not everyone needs the highest level of access. Consider who has access and for how long they need that access. If an employee has left, or a project has finished, it’s time to go back and restrict access when it’s no longer needed – whether that’s access to documents, folders, websites or social media platforms.

If you’re not sure where to begin, there are plenty of resources available online that’ll help improve the cybersecurity awareness of your team.

Here are a few short quizzes to test your cybersecurity knowledge:

• Can you tell when you’re being phished? Take this phishing quiz from Google.
• How good is your security awareness? Find out with this quick quiz from IT Security Awareness.

What next?

As one of Bristol’s leading providers of IT services and support, if you’re looking to secure and protect your business from cyberattacks, we offer a wide range of services from data backup to recovery plans. Take a look at our services pages or contact us now to get advice and a free, no-obligation assessment from one of our experts.

Call us today on 0117 370 0050 to speak to one of our experts.

Despite how vital data recovery plans are, it’s no secret that they’re rarely a top priority for small businesses. Recent statistics have shown that 93% of companies without disaster recovery plans who suffer a major data disaster are out of business within one year. If you’ve never heard of a recovery plan, we’ll explain why they’re vital to your company and exactly how to put one in place.

If you’re not sure if a data recovery plan is right for you, there’s one question you need to ask; could your business survive a catastrophic loss of data? If the answer is no, it’s time to start seriously considering the implementation of one in your security plans.

What is a data recovery plan?

A data recovery plan is a structured step-by-step action guide to responding to unplanned incidents. The plan is created to ensure responses to incidents are as effective and efficient as they can be.

Do I really need disaster recovery?

A recovery plan will protect the important, and often sensitive, data on your computer system. Computers are vulnerable to theft, damage, cyber attacks and viruses, leaving your databases, financial documents, emails, documents and much more at risk. Ensure they stay safe in a moment of crisis with a thorough recovery plan.

The key benefits

• Cost-efficiency
• Testing responses for a variety of potential situations
• Greater customer retention
• Eliminate the loss of important data
• We safeguard your information through encryption
• Protect your company’s reputation
• Control and customisation your recovery plan
• Proactive, daily monitoring

A disaster can occur for a number of reasons such as a data breach, hard-drive failure or cyberattack. By implementing a good plan, you can significantly decrease downtime and can ultimately save you money, (as described in our IT support for SME’s blog).

What next?

If you’ve decided that you can’t risk not having a recovery plan in place, a recovery plan is included in most comprehensive IT support contracts. If you’d like to know more call us today on 0117 370 0050 to discuss your options or complete our contact form.

We offer different levels of IT support to suit your needs – visit our services page to find out which of our support packages are right for you, or read our blog on the benefits of remote IT support.