From G Suite to Google Workspace

From G Suite to Google Workspace

by | Jan 22, 2021 | Managed IT

For over a decade, G suite was Google’s professional productivity tool. As the future of work evolves, so has G suite. To indicate this transformation, Google rebranded the service to Google Workspace.

The Past

Launched in 2006, G suite services was the simplest way for organizations to use Google’s services on their own domains for a monthly subscription fee. G suite allowed organizations to use cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools as the backend of their business.

G suite has become increasingly integrated in Google’s communication and collaboration tools. Now that majority of us work from home often and Google has introduced several new options on G suite in recent months. Google has rebranded the digital office environment.

Now….

The name change from G suite to Google Workspace shows users, clients, and customers that the applications are interconnected and integrated.

With Google Workspace, Google introduces a new user experience that helps customers collaborate more effectively, keep connected and encourage businesses to form new digital customer experiences.

Google Workspace is about more than just rebranding. Google has already published new features for the platform. With Workspace, Google aims to mix multiple communication methods into one interface and will expand in the future.

Google Workspace will see Google Rooms, Chat, Meet, and more integrated with its different applications. This is excellent news for clients and customers who are regularly switching between email, voice, video calls, and messaging.

Additional upcoming features include the flexibility to create documents directly within Google Chat. Users can then collaborate on these documents within the Google Chat space. Google Workspace users will also be able to preview files in either Google Sheets, Docs, or Slides. This makes it easier to collaborate on a document within the same tab, instead of opening each file separately.

To provide seamless communication, you can also view contact details within the Google Workspace document. Whenever you tag someone in a document, Workspace will be able to launch a smart chip. This popup will show the users contact information and help suggest other features which include starting a video call or sending an email. Contacts and users outside of your organization are also included within the popup display.

Google Workspace Plans

When it comes to plans, Google Workspace follows a similar model to G suite. The most popular plan is the business starter plan. Customers and clients who need additional storage, support for larger conferences, and enhanced security would want to purchase the business standard plan over the business starter. The next option is the master plan, the Google Workspace Enterprise, which is double the business standard plan in terms of allowing up to 100 participants on any calls for Google Hangouts and supporting advanced security features.

We All Win 

The main takeaway here is Google Workspace offers a similar set of tools and premium options for a set value, with some additional key features. If you used G suite in the past, Google Workspace offers a very similar experience. All the tools are obtainable in Google Workspace and a free trial is available. If you want to get started with Google Workspace today, contact our team to set up your plan. We would be more than happy to help you start out on the right foot and provide you continued support as you navigate Workspace.

 

 

 

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Why you need better IT Support in 2021

Why you need better IT Support in 2021

by | Jan 11, 2021 | Managed IT

The start of a new year brings opportunity to reflect on the past and implement change for the future. At Toos, we want to work with you to enhance your IT infrastructure. Any organization, whether small or large needs to continually assess and improve their IT systems. As the year begins, we advise everyone to revisit and evaluate their IT systems. At Toos, we can do this for you as a Managed Services Provider.

Toos Technical Solutions is here with a look at why a Managed Services Provider is the best option for any organization to improve their IT infrastructure this year.

  1. Cybersecurity Threats

Recent trends point to every industry becoming vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Small to medium sized businesses (SMB) are targeted at a higher rate. Hackers are aware that SMB’s may have limited resources meaning their cybersecurity protocols are most likely out of date. Business technology is evolving rapidly as are cyber threats. To maintain security, companies need IT support to continuously maintain software and clear malware. Managed Service Providers (MSP) give companies the opportunity to outsource security threats.

  1. Having Cloud Issues?

Managed Service Providers not only manage cybersecurity threats which can be detrimental to your business, but also develop proactive plans to manage your cloud environment. MSPs audit and address your IT systems to ensure that each piece is running smoothly, threats are mitigated, and technology is updated. MSPs work as your experts, they leverage their existing knowledge to design solutions that grow alongside your business. Cloud technology advancements are crucial for growth, but companies must ensure they have the right IT support to manage the change.  

  1. Refocus on these Systems.

Companies who choose to manage IT without the help of MSPs need to focus their energy on Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Information as a Service (IaaS), which is a tall task. Focusing staff time and organizational resources on IT services means SMBs are missing the opportunity to use those resources for company growth. Additionally, building in house IT teams is often more expensive than outsourcing to MSPs.

Conclusion

If you could focus on what you do well and outsource the rest, would you? Most people would answer yes here, us included. And that is exactly what Managed Service Providers offer. We focus on what we do best – supporting businesses by managing and providing IT support – so that you can focus on your most fulfilling work.

Rethink how you do IT and partner with Toos Technical Solutions today. We work with you to ease the burden.

 

 

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How to Improve your Email Security

How to Improve your Email Security

by | Dec 19, 2020 | Managed IT

 

As we look to the new year, cybersecurity is an ever-present issue of vital importance. In this article, we will focus on securing your business e-mail, as no business is removed from the threat to this critical communication tool.

Email is still the first entrance for hackers, and while you may have taken steps to secure your account, advancements in malware demand consistent upgrades. Below we share everything you need to know to keep your email under lock and key in the year ahead.

  1. Shift to a More Secure Email Provider

Move to an email provider that uses real-time protection against advanced threats. Subscribers to Microsoft 365 and Outlook relish this feature. If you already use Microsoft 365 applications and Outlook, you may worry about other vulnerabilities. The reality is that most companies are not investing enough time and leveraging advanced security settings to better protect their business email(s). Employing features like password protection, maximum password age (30-90 days) and complexity for email access, while adding a list of trusted devices to your companies Microsoft account(s) are of the utmost importance to ensure your email has the most security measures in place.

  1. Protect your Computer System

Computer viruses like Spidey Bot, Ransomware and Astaroth Trojan are well known viruses today in the corporate world. There are ways to prevent these malicious viruses from infecting your hardware. Here are a few in-office and remote steps to protect your email from these attacks.

  • Install a premium antivirus and firewall
  • Perform hardware and software updates consistently
  • Choose a safe email provider and tool (i.e., Microsoft 365)
  • Establish Multi-Factor Authentication
  • Back up your data to the cloud
  1. Incorporate Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-Factor Authentication protects company hardware once it falls into the wrong hands. When your organization’s devices are protected by Multi-Factor Authentication or Two-Factor Authentication, your company is exposed to less risk if a laptop is lost, stolen, or handled without permission. Required passwords, or other unique features like facial scans and fingerprint authorization ensures that your email and the information it contains cannot be accessed.

  1. Conclusion

The best thing you can do for your organization to protect your email system from advanced threats is to have an IT support firm assess your current security measures. Contact Toos Technical Solutions today to schedule an assessment and discuss how we can support your company in solving technical issues.

 

 

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Computer Security Tips

Computer Security Tips

by | Dec 12, 2020 | Managed IT

Computer security in business settings is not only an element of cybersecurity, but also directly involved with hardware vulnerabilities and installed software. Cybercriminals often target employee desktops, mobile devices, and laptops injecting malicious to access an entire organizational network. Toos Technical Solutions is here to share how you can protect your employee hardware from threats to your IT systems. 

  1. Antivirus & Firewall

You have antivirus software installed on your personal or company computer, right? You should, but while the free antivirus version may save money it does not protect against the most current security patches. To protect your data, a better alternative is to invest in a premium antivirus subscription that offers protection against malware and spyware. Also, make sure that each of your personal and company computers have the system firewalls turned on. 

  1. Consistent Updates

Never think about postponing software and operating system updates ever again. Put together a policy that produces mandatory updates for all desktops, tablets, smartphones, and laptops, whether it be on-site or remotely.  Updates are not simply performance-based, as they will deliver security patches to freshly exposed vulnerabilities. Even waiting many hours to perform an update will open your company up to risks, therefore it is important to check the box on automatic updates for all operational systems and software. The IT team can then verify.  

  1. Set-Up A Multi-Factor Authentication System

Any company laptop, tablet, or smartphone that sits unattended in a workplace, home or vehicle is prone to cyber threats. With a Multi-Factor Authentication System, the hardware protection will block malicious access. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) needs more than one recognized factor for authentication, and it should be provided before a user is granted access to any device. This factor usually includes a password with another unique individual feature included such as a fingerprint or facial scan. A common example is Apple Face ID, a Multi-Factor Authentication system that many workers, staff members, and companies are familiar with. Through the Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) set-up, all company computers that even if hardware is stolen or lost, no one outside the organization will be able to access company information.

  1. Use Better Productivity Software

Hackers commonly gain access to computers through software-as-a-service (SaaS) products, something a business can use to boost productivity. Therefore, it is important that businesses choose secure SaaS and ensure the IT team has verified that all security features are in use.  

Let us review Microsoft Office 365 as an example. This, subscription-based application offers higher protection than the Microsoft Office package your organization could be relying upon. Not only does Microsoft Office 365 provide an additional productivity solution, but it also carries high class security features that defend the company computers’ entire network. 

Conclusion 

Despite following the above solutions, there is a chance your computer could still be compromised. Thus, it is equally important to ensure that all your computer data is backed up. Toos Technical Solutions offers safe, secure, and innovative solutions to protect your computer and data while improving efficiency. At Toos, we work with you to meet current requirements and future needs.  

Check out our blog on Cloud Computing and feel free to contact us anytime to speak with one of our IT experts or to discuss your options.  

 

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Cyber Hygiene at Home

Cyber Hygiene at Home

by | Dec 5, 2020 | Managed IT

Personal hygiene, we all have some sort of daily routine. Think of cyber hygiene similarly, read more about developing your own cyber hygiene routine for today’s digitally connected world.

What is it?

Cyber hygiene refers to best practices and activities that a computer user will underrate to boost their cybersecurity when partaking in common online activities, like browsing the internet, emailing, or texting.

With entire families currently sharing home networks for school, work and private use, there has never been a better time to share the important of cybersecurity practices with your household.

This quick guide made by Toos can assist you in discussing cyber safety with your families and co-workers.

Grade-schooler:

When it comes to online danger, children aged 5 to 11 years old can be easier to protect. Not only are their online experiences less freelance than older age groups, there also are a great deal of excellent parental guidance apps that can help protect them. However, no app is perfect. As many of us know, inappropriate content can appear unexpectedly even with the most effective parental controls. The best defense is providing your children with knowledge.

Cyber hygiene for ages 5-11:

  • Limiting their screen time and inspiring play that does not involve screens.
  • Giving them their 1st lesson on what is and is not true regarding news.
  • Asking them to inform you once they come upon a negative experience online, whether it is a picture or someone reaching out to them.
  • Explaining to them that there are some components of the internet that may be harmful to them and even us adults.
  • Telling them that not everybody they meet online is a friend.

Teen:

Many kids between the ages of 12 and 17 get their first smartphone. The independence and freedom that comes with having the device makes observing their online activity difficult, as a parent or older sibling. However, it additionally provides a superb chance to show them the way to be accountable within the digitally connected age.

Cyber hygiene for ages 12-17:

  • The importance of balancing screen time with physical activities.
  • Notifying an adult or family member if you are being contacted by a stranger online.
  • Cyber criminals search for sensitive information like your address or the name of your school
  • Location apps like Apple Find My Friend or Google Trusted Contact are important to have, they provide an invisible layer of protection and let your family know where their kids are at all times

Young Adult:

This age group is the most complicated for parents (18-21) within the digitally connected world, and the stakes are bigger than with younger kids. The older kids get, the more they need their freedom. Giving them independence, both physically and digitally, while trying to keep them safe becomes very difficult. Talking about the digital world with your kids now becomes a lot more difficult because the conversations are more serious than ever before.

Cyber hygiene for ages 18-21:

  • Whatever they post online may stay online forever
  • Cybercrimes needs to be a more serious conversation within the household now (bring up examples and scenarios to prepare them for any situation)
  • Cyberbreach and the vulnerability needs to also be a conversation as they are in adulthood

Conclusion:

With so many people at home working and studying remotely, many have questions on the safety of their home internet networks. If you have any concerns regarding your home network or any other cybersecurity related questions, be sure to reach out and speak with our IT experts.

For more information regarding cybersecurity, check out our blog on Cybersecurity: Phishing Scams.

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