Did you ever imagine a world where the lengthy, complicated passwords people often forget would become a thing of the past? 
 
It seems that day might be arriving sooner than we anticipated. 
 
Google has officially made Passkeys the default sign-in method for all personal accounts on its network, signaling the beginning of a new era in online security.
 
What's a Passkey, you ask? 
 
It's the next big thing in internet safety. And as a business owner with staff, you should pay attention to this game-changing innovation.
 
Here’s everything you need to know.
 
 
What are Passkeys?
Imagine logging into your account using just a four-digit PIN or your biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition. That's precisely what a Passkey is. 
 
Simple, isn't it? 
 
But don't let the simplicity fool you. This new technology significantly reduces the likelihood of having your credentials stolen or your account taken over by cyber criminals.
 
 
How do Passkeys work?
Creating a Passkey is easy. Head over to Google's official Passkeys website, create a PIN or connect your biometrics (fingerprint or face), link your smartphone, and you're done. 
 
Just remember, your PC needs to run at least Windows 10, or your Mac should have macOS Ventura or above. And on your phone, you need Android 9 or iOS 16. 
 
As of now, this tech works only on Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Google Chrome browsers.
 
 
What are the benefits of Passkeys?
According to Google, 64% of people find Passkeys easier to use than traditional login methods. 
 
Not only are they simpler and more secure, they're also faster. Logging in with a Passkey is 40% quicker than using a regular password. 
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What's next?
Google's decision to make Passkeys the default sign-in method is just the beginning. The tech giant is already working with select partners to make this new login usable across Chrome and Android. It's already available on Uber and eBay, with plans to expand to WhatsApp soon.
 
So, it might be wise to start thinking about how Passkeys can benefit your business. After all, Google could soon roll out this feature for business accounts too.
 
Meantime, if you're not quite ready to embrace Passkeys, you can still opt-out. Just head to the Sign-in options page, find "Skip Password When Possible", and toggle off the switch.
 
We’d recommend you give it a try and see how much easier – and more secure – it can make things. And of course, if you need any help, get in touch.

Microsoft is rolling out a brand-new version of Teams, its video conference, collaboration, and chat platform. We’re being promised a faster and easier way to work. And we all could use a bit of that, couldn't we?
 
The new Teams is like the superhero of apps for Windows and Mac. It's faster than a speeding bullet… well, at least twice as fast as the classic version. Plus, it's on a diet, using up to 50% less memory and disk space. 
 
Microsoft went back to the drawing board to reimagine it, make it simpler and more flexible. Now Teams:
 

• Plays better with third-party apps
• Is happier calling phones outside of Teams
• Gets you into meetings quicker than you can say “not another meeting”

 
 
This pumped-up version of Teams uses some tech which allows it to share resources with your browser. That reduces how much memory and disk space it needs. 
 
And the initial test results? Teams is twice as quick when loading the app, joining meetings, and switching chats and channels. 
 
This isn’t just for businesses using Windows. Teams on Mac is also getting this performance boost.
 
Microsoft promises this update will be a game-changer for your productivity. They've improved the user interface, adding in a "mark all as read" feature in activity. 
 
Plus, they're introducing Copilot, an AI assistant that can summarize key points from your chats and calls. Sort of like having your very own personal assistant, just without the coffee runs.
 
Are you ready to switch to the new and improved Teams? It's rolling out now. Look at the top left corner of your Teams app… if you see “try the new Teams”, then you can flick the switch and try it out.
 
If you need help with Teams for your business, get in touch.

​New research has uncovered an unexpected twist in the tale of cyber security risks – your tech-savvy younger employees may be your biggest vulnerability. 
 
Shocked? Let's dive into the details.
 
More than 6,500 employees across the globe were surveyed, with an almost equal representation of demographics. The results were rather alarming. 
 
The study found that younger office workers, those 40 or under, are more likely to disregard standard password safety guidelines. Can you believe that 34% admitted to using their birth dates as passwords, compared to just 19% of those over 40?
 
And it doesn't stop there. 
 
The habit of using the same password across multiple devices was also more prevalent among younger workers, with 38% admitting to doing this. 
 
And let's not even get started on phishing scams. A whopping 23% of the younger demographic didn't report the last phishing attempt they received. Their reasoning? "I didn't think it was important".
 
But surely they understand the gravity of security threats against businesses, right? Well, not quite. 
 
While ransomware and phishing were acknowledged as critical threats by 23% and 22% of employees respectively, the overall attitude towards cyber security leaves much to be desired.
 
Here's the kicker: a staggering number of those surveyed revealed that their organizations did NOT provide any mandatory cyber security training. 
 
From the US (30%) to the UK (17%), Netherlands (32%), Japan (35%), India (31%), Germany (22%), France (43%), Australia (29%) and China (65%) – the numbers speak for themselves.
 
So, are we really to blame our young workforce when it's clear that businesses aren't doing enough to equip their employees with the necessary cyber security skills?
 
It's high time we stopped treating cyber security as an afterthought and started investing in regular cyber awareness training for everyone in our businesses. Yes, EVERYONE. Not just the tech team or the executives, but every single employee.
 
At the end of the day, it's not just about protecting your business; it's about creating a safer digital world for us all.
 
We can help you do that. Get in touch.