Recently 77% of remote workers said they are more productive from home, and 85% of managers believe remote teams are the new norm for the future. These statistics mean a lot of things, but for those concerned with digital security, there are likely plenty of alarm bells going off.  

Remote workers face all sorts of new challenges, and sometimes mobile connections aren’t possible and public wi-fi suddenly becomes the only option. We all know public wi-fi is… how do we say this politely… feeble?... when it comes to security, but when it’s the only option, things get hairy. 

Windows Defender is a fantastic option for these situations, affording a native firewall that can be enabled to protect against any network deemed “open” or “public”. See the above graphic for a simple step-by-step guide to enabling Defender on your Windows device.

With a subject so important we couldn’t contain the information to one day. Cloud computing has grown into much more than a way to expand your business, and with the expansion of services comes new ways you should defend against bad actors. Here’s more: 

Cloud computing spending is growing again and there's more to come | ZDNet 

Key Takeaways: 

1. Businesses around the world spent $21.1 billion on cloud infrastructure services in Q4 2021, signaling a significant rebound in spending on cloud storage and computing power. 
    
2. Report: "This marked the second consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth as supply chain constraints have depleted vendor inventories over the past several quarters. As backlogs continue to grow, pent-up demand bodes well for future growth as long as the economy stays healthy, and supply catches up to demand.” 

CISA, FBI, NSA, And International Partners Warn Organizations Of Top Routinely Exploited Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities   | CISA 

Key Takeaways: 

1. As cybersecurity continues to evolve, authorities recommend the following prioritized mitigation measures: 
   1. Vulnerability and configuration management, including updating software, operating systems, applications, and firmware and patching known exploited vulnerabilities…
   2. Identity and access management, including enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users…
   3. Protective controls and architecture, including properly configuring and securing internet-facing network devices, disabling unused or unnecessary network ports and protocols, encrypting network traffic, and disabling unused network services and devices.  
       
2. Sami Khoury, Head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security: “Cyber security best practices, including patch management, are essential tools for organizations to better protect themselves against malicious threat actors.”
    
   Deeper Dive: Patch Management Can Save Your Business: Here's How

There are, quite frankly, an infinite number of ways for your business to connect with the cloud these days. From car dealerships to plant shops and plenty between and beyond, tools aid in every kind of decision-making situation. This unlimited collection of advanced programs can give every type of businesses tools they would otherwise not be able to afford or host in-house.  

Microsoft Azure itself is a powerful web-based cloud platform that now serves Linux and other developers through data centers in 60 regions and 140 countries with a full range of services that aid with much more than relocating on-premises servers to the cloud. In addition to IaaS resources, users have access to a full range of PaaS and SaaS options. Developers from anywhere can utilize Azure storage and services as building blocks, skipping worries about security and reliability of the underlying infrastructure.  

ASOS, one of the top fashion retailers in the world, leverages the Microsoft Azure Machine Learning service to standardize different elements of their marketing efforts and more, reducing time-to-market for a recommendations model that increases marketing agility from six months to about six weeks. Daimler took a similar approach, opting for Azure’s DevTest Labs to develop solutions like onboarding new developers in hours instead of weeks, connecting new ideas with infrastructure faster, and attracting top talent with a world-class development group. 

Basically, if you’re online or using computers at all, there is probably a system or program that your team can leverage while only paying for what you use. Azure could be a fantastic option for your team and we are here and happy to answer all of your questions concerning cloud computing. If you aren't ready to explore options for your business but still want to learn more about Azure, check out our most recent blog.

Conclusion

Regardless of how you’re aiming at overcoming your unique challenges, the Cloud, and Azure specifically, can be a huge boon to your business. From fashion to auto retailers and well beyond, the opportunities waiting behind the door are endless and are just waiting for you to turn the key. 

Anyway, if you made it this far, we're guessing you see value in learning about how the cloud can benefit your business and want to learn more about how to tap into its resources.

If you have any questions, give us a call at (864) 552-1291 and we'll help you evaluate capabilities and options. Also, consider following us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter!