Latest News

    • The Tangible Value of Cybersecurity?

      • Donna Aplin

      You cannot overstate the importance of cybersecurity. Especially in an era dominated by digital advancements. Businesses and organisations are increasingly reliant on technology to drive operations. This makes them more susceptible to cyber threats.

      66% of small businesses are concerned about cybersecurity risk. Forty-seven percent lack the understanding to protect themselves. This leaves them vulnerable to the high cost of an attack.

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    • Microsoft 365’s New AI Innovations

      • Donna Aplin

      Microsoft 365 has a powerful suite of cloud-based productivity tools. They can help you work smarter and faster. Microsoft has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. M365 was one of the very first all-in-one cloud tools, introduced as Office 365 in 2013. Now, Microsoft and its business tools are at the leading edge of generative AI.

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    • Top Data Breaches of 2023…

      • Donna Aplin

      The battle against cyber threats is an ongoing challenge. Unfortunately, 2023 has proven to be a watershed year for data breaches. Data compromises have surged to an all-time high in the U.S. This is based on data from the first 9 months of the year. Meaning that numbers will only end up higher for the year.

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    • How Copilot can boost your productivity.

      • Donna Aplin

      What can you use Copilot for? Copilot for Microsoft 365 is an AI-powered productivity tool that works alongside popular Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more. It offers AI-powered chat, creative collaboration, and complex task solutions in one place. You can use Copilot to:
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    • Email DNS Records…  

      • Jason Francis

      What is DMARC, What is DKIM and What is SPF?  

      What is DMARC, What is DKIM & What is SPF? DMARC, DKIM and SPF are public records that help the world to know that emails being sent from your organisation are real.  When properly implemented and widely adopted, they will vastly reduce the amount of unsolicited or spam email that gets delivered to email-boxes. 

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    • What is Open VPN Management?

      • Donna Aplin

      ESP Projects have been looking into areas we frequently recieve questions and one of them is VPN Management.  In an era where connectivity is paramount, ensuring secure and reliable communication within networks is a top priority for businesses and individuals alike. OpenVPN, an open-source virtual private network (VPN) solution, has emerged as a versatile and robust tool for managing secure connections. In this blog, we explore the world of OpenVPN management, exploring its features, benefits, and best practices.

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    • 11 Ways to Responsibly Get Rid of E-Waste at Your Home or Office

      • Donna Aplin

      In our tech-driven world, electronic devices have become indispensable. But with constant upgrades, what happens to the old gadgets? They tend to pile up and eat up storage space. But you can’t just throw them in the trash. E-waste poses a significant environmental threat if not disposed of responsibly.

      E-waste is a term that refers to electronic devices that are no longer useful or wanted. These include things like:

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    • Beware of These 2024 Emerging Technology Threats

      • Donna Aplin

      The global cost of a data breach last year was USD $4.45 million. This is an increase of 15% over three years. As we step into 2024, it’s crucial to be aware of emerging technology threats. Ones that could potentially disrupt and harm your business.

      Technology is evolving at a rapid pace. It’s bringing new opportunities and challenges for businesses and individuals alike. Not all technology is benign. Some innovations can pose serious threats to our digital security, privacy, and safety.

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    • 7 Transformative Technology Trends Changing the Way We Work

      • Donna Aplin

      Technology is reshaping the world of work at an unprecedented pace. From artificial intelligence to web3, from the metaverse to the hybrid work model. We are witnessing a series of technological revolutions. They are transforming how we communicate, collaborate, create, and innovate.

      Let’s explore some of the most impactful technology trends that are changing the way we work in 2024 and beyond.

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    • How Can You Leverage the New MS Teams Payment App?

      • Donna Aplin

      Are you a small business owner or a freelancer who offers services online? If so, you might be wondering how to get paid by your customers in a fast and convenient way. You might have tried different payment platforms. But they often require you to switch between different apps or websites. This can be time-consuming and confusing.

      There is now another option to streamline the payment process. Microsoft has launched the Teams Payments app. This is a new feature that allows you to request and receive payments from your customers. You do it within Microsoft Teams meetings.

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    • 14 Helpful Tips for New Year Digital Decluttering

      • Donna Aplin

      These days, our lives are intricately woven into the digital fabric. From emails to photos, documents to apps, our devices store tons of information. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the sight of an endless inbox or app library.

      As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time for a digital declutter. A clean and organised digital environment can help you improve your productivity. It also reduces stress. Here are some practical tips to help you declutter your digital space.

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    • How Could Your Business Be Impacted by the New SEC Cybersecurity Requirements?

      • Donna Aplin

      Cybersecurity has become paramount for businesses across the globe. As technology advances, so do the threats. Recognising this, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has introduced new rules. They revolve around cybersecurity. These new requirements are set to significantly impact businesses.

      These rules are a response to the growing sophistication of cyber threats. As well as the need for companies to safeguard their sensitive information.

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    • What Smart Home Tech Should You Adopt and Avoid?

      • Donna Aplin

      In the age of smart living, our homes are becoming increasingly intelligent. They’re designed to cater to our every need. Smart gadgets are transforming how we turn on the lights, home security, and more. They even help us feed our pets from afar.

      But with the rapid evolution of this technology, it’s crucial to make informed choices. To know what to adopt and what to avoid. Every smart technology isn’t as helpful as another.

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    • What Is the Most Secure Way to Share Passwords with Employees?

      • Donna Aplin

      Breached or stolen passwords are the bane of any organisation’s cybersecurity. Passwords cause over 80% of data breaches. Hackers get in using stolen, weak, or reused (and easily breached) passwords.

      But passwords are a part of life. Technologies like biometrics or passkeys haven’t yet replaced them. We use them for websites, apps, and more. So, companies need a secure way to share passwords with employees. As well as help them manage those passwords more effectively.

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    • How to Organise Your Cybersecurity Strategy into Left and Right of Boom

      • Donna Aplin

      In the pulsating digital landscape, every click and keystroke echoes through cyberspace. The battle for data security rages on. Businesses stand as both guardians and targets. Unseen adversaries covet their digital assets.

      To navigate this treacherous terrain takes a two-pronged approach. Businesses must arm themselves with a sophisticated arsenal of cybersecurity strategies. On one side, the vigilant guards of prevention (Left of Boom). On the other, the resilient bulwarks of recovery (Right of Boom).

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    • 12 months in the life of Missy aka #ESPDuck

      • Donna Aplin

      Missy aka #ESPDuck latest update…

      OK, since we introduced you to Missy our #ESPDuck back in December last year, she has been extremely busy!!  She has been doing us (ESP Projects) proud and has represented us well over the last 12 months.  For those of you who have just joined Missy’s journey the link here explains what and who Missy is.  What is the #ESPDuck all about? (espprojects.co.uk) both Missy and the staff at ESP Projects in Sheffield have been working very hard. 

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    • 9 Smart Ways for Small Businesses to Incorporate Generative AI

      • Donna Aplin

      There is no escaping the relentless march of AI. Software companies are rapidly incorporating it into many business tools. This includes tools like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and others.

      Many people are still concerned about where AI will go. But there is no denying that it makes certain work more efficient. It can generate custom images on demand. Or write a company device policy draft in seconds.

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    • Cloud Server Vs Onsite Server Advantages & Disadvantages.

      • Jason Francis

      What is an onsite server?​

      An onsite server is a traditional way to handle a business’ computer network.  It is a physical piece of hardware (kit) that sits on your business premises and provides services to the other computers on the network.  Some examples of the things it ‘serves’ are File-sharing, Network Addressing, Virus Scanning & Print Services amongst other things.  In many cases, you will end up with hardware that’s more powerful than what you require.​

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    • An introduction to Microsoft Teams Essentials.

      • Donna Aplin

      The affordable meeting solution for SMB’s….In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s more important than ever to have a reliable and efficient collaboration platform. That’s where Microsoft Teams Essentials comes in. As a powerful collaboration tool, Teams Essentials offers businesses of all sizes a variety of features that help teams stay connected and productive, no matter where they’re working. 

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    • 7 Helpful Features Rolled Out in the Fall Windows 11 Update

      • Donna Aplin

      In a world where technology constantly evolves, Microsoft stands at the forefront. It continues to pioneer innovations. Innovations that transform how we interact with our digital universe.

      The fall Windows 11 update is a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to excellence. It’s more than just an upgrade. It’s a leap into the future of computing. Microsoft touts it as “The most personal Windows 11 experience.”

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