Productiv

24/03/2022

Happy Friday everyone.

What better way to end the week than with cuddles with the resident office puppy.

Say hello to Kaseya (oh, and Vivek too of course)

Productiv is an IT Managed Services Provider that solves the core IT issues you face … we take a holistic view of your entire IT landscape whilst working within our systematic framework to ensure your IT Systems are running at optimal performance.

05/08/2021

Ahhh, the gold old "Work/Life" balance debate. Hands up if you think you have the answer? ... Anyone???

Much like the image below, we don't have the work/life balance all figured out either, but we are experts at optimizing the tools and systems you need and use to run your work life.

Yes, tech is our area of expertise, but we also understand that for most businesses it's not, and managing your IT can be time-consuming, frustrating and costly - all huge pain points especially when they're not your area of interest of expertise, right?

That's where our tech wizardry comes in.

Let us manage your IT journey, so you can get back to doing the things YOU want to do, like creating a little more work/life balance.

What are you waiting for? Call us today on 1300 136 677 or visit us at www.productiv.com.au

03/08/2021

What happens in a typical false billing scam scenario?

Businesses are usually contacted by compromised third parties who send invoices through email asking for payment.

These scams can be simple or highly complex, with cybercriminals gaining access to single contractors, email lists, or entire IT systems. Sometimes all the scammers need is a single business name, which they then use to trawl the Internet and find out details about financial officers, payroll officers, and accountants.

Once a scammer has access to an organization's email system, they can impersonate the Chief Financial Officer to ask for a transfer of funds or send a fraudulent invoice with their own bank account.

Intrusions often happen after an upgrade or when a new system is put in place, which is why it's important to integrate and adapt your security services as changes are made.

While recognizing the threat is a great first step, third-party solutions are the best way to cope with staff and software changes.

02/08/2021

Why is Cyber Security a challenge for small to medium sized businesses?

SMBs have to face a number of challenges that don't affect private individuals or large corporations.

While some wealthy individuals are targeted directly in hacking attempts, private citizens often control their finances tightly and don't have access to ongoing liquidity.

Individuals can be targeted directly through social media and email applications, but don't have the visibility or complex digital presence required for some hacking methods.

On the other hand, while large corporations have a complex Internet presence and access to a large pool of funds, they're also more likely to have implemented robust security measures, often through their own security department. A SMB often lies in the middle ground, being visible enough for hackers to target but not large enough to have their own digital security team.

Every day we help SMBs like yours to mitigate their risk and stay secure in today's digital world.

If you need support, don't hesitate to reach out.

Stay safe in cyberspace!

30/07/2021

Do YOU want to integrate NEW Workplace technology without disrupting work productivity? Here is a quick tip for you...

It's easier to deal with change when you know why it's happening.

Let your employees know what benefits you expect to see from this new piece of technology.

Will it make their job easier?
Will it give customers a more concise view of their accounts or requests?
Will it unify departments and break down silos, letting sales see what customer service needs and vice versa?
Will it speed up systems across the boards?

The more concrete benefits you can share with your teams, the more likely they are to stay engaged with the rollout. This will keep their productivity high.

27/07/2021

Innovative + Insightful + Informative

Generally speaking, this is our criteria for consuming online content.

From articles on the psychology of procrastination, to news items discussing the impacts of AI in the workplace - it's this kind of meaningful content that really captures out attention.

How about you?

Don't get us wrong, you'll still find us watching the odd cute singing cat video as we wait in line at the Supermarket or Doctor's office (I mean, c'mon - who doesn't?), but when it comes to dedicating our precious work time to consuming online content, the bar is pretty high.

Hands up if you agree?

So from now on, whenever we re-share an article, which we think is impressive, you will see the big THUMBS UP image attached.

Also, we would love to hear from you if you stumble upon a worthy read, just leave you link in the comments or send us a DM.

Happy reading, and remember, stay safe in cyberspace.

25/07/2021

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner provides several tips for keeping your organisation and its data safe from phishing attacks;

* Consider which data is most vulnerable and adequately secure it
* Consider each piece of information - is it really necessary to hold this information?
* Build privacy protections into the design of your information handling practices
* Carry out ongoing risk assessments regarding information vulnerability
* Systematically destroy records which are no longer needed
* Conduct searches for published company emails online
* Hold training sessions for clients, partners, and employees
* Make sure all software and systems are regularly updated
* Deploy a reliable security solution which covers email clients
* Adopt policies of vigilance and mindfulness about all online behaviour and email interaction
* Simulate mock attacks to ensure awareness among employees and users.

22/07/2021

"Scienta est Potestas"

It's Latin for Knowledge is Power. (It also happens to be the school motto for Brisbane State High School - and excellent school by the way, but not the topic of this post :) ).

With recent reports suggesting cyber security attacks are on the rise, one of the most important things you can do to protect your business (and even your own personal use of World Wide Web) is to arm yourself with KNOWLEDGE of the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Guess what? You can get his information delivered straight to your inbox with the Australian Government Initiative: 'Stay Smart Online Alert Service.' Best of all - It's FREE!

All you have to do is head here:
https://okt.to/FK57iZ and click on ‘sign up for the service.’

It will take you 2 seconds!

Enjoy your weekend everyone, and remember - stay safe in cyberspace.

Note - this is not a sponsored post and Productiv will not be privy to your email address if you choose to sign up for this service. In other words, we are just trying to share the knowledge, because,
KNOWLEDGE is POWER

20/07/2021

We know first-hand how devastating cybersecurity threats are to small and medium-sized businesses. Unfortunately, we see the impacts of these events on a regular basis.

RANSOMWARE, the fifth most common form of malware which is expected to overshadow other malicious programs in the next few years, is an easy way for low-skilled hackers to generate large profits.

The only way to access your files or unlock your computer is to pay a ransom. Victims of a ransomware attack will usually be expected to make a Bitcoin payment through an untraceable portal, and often there are penalties for late payment.

In order for a business to continue with their day to day operations, sometimes the victim will see no other option than to pay the ransom - which is exactly why this particular threat is so hard-hitting for small to medium-sized businesses.

If you are facing a RANSOMWARE attack, ASK FOR HELP! Support + Early Intervention = Better Outcomes For Your Business.

Also, if you get a chance, check out this brilliant article: https://okt.to/ScieVT.

It’s a few years old, but well worth the read.

While most of the decision makers would likely prefer to hear a simple yes or no when asking if they should pay, nothing in security is simple. By and large, the position of many leaders in the industry is that the ideal situation is not to pay.

18/07/2021

Hands up if your business's IT has ever gone a little topsy-turvy?

Hands up if there were signs warning you of the aforementioned topsy-turveyness (yeah, that's probably not a word....), which you chose to ignore?

Choosing to acknowledge issues and then deal with the problems is scary, and most of us can't do it alone. (On a personal note - you wouldn't be human if you didn't choose to bury your head in the sand every now and then - don't beat yourself up about it :) )

We can give you the support you need. It all begins with an IT health check.

Let's start by identifying the THREE classic signs that an IT health check should be a top priority for your business:

1. There's been a data or security breach;
2. IT budgets don't align with economic conditions or business performance (your IT costs are inefficient and you don't know how to manage them);
3. Your IT systems no longer meet business demands.

You can read the full blog, "What Is An IT Audit And Does Your Business Need One?" here: https://okt.to/FaOwe2

If you're struggling to manage your businesses' ICT, you're not alone, and we can help. Feel free to call us on 1300 136 677 for an obligation free chat

A classic sign that an IT audit should be a top priority for your buisness is when there's been a data or security breach.

15/07/2021

Australia is currently facing a shortage of skilled IT specialists on a massive scale!

There are a number of reasons for this skills gap. One major factor is that the IT sector is growing much faster than in other industries. Studies show that this trend will continue, with science and technology roles expected to maintain this rate of growth relative to that of many other occupations.

Outsourcing to a managed IT service provider offers several advantages to trying to fill vacancies within the company:

* An excellent range of skillsets and talent from various backgrounds and industries which is immediately accessible when you need it;
* More affordable than hiring full-time staff - pay only for what you need;
* Support is available outside of standard business hours;
* A large number of professionals on hand mean that they'll be able to deal with even your biggest IT issues;
* Benefit from the most up to date technology and skills;
* Offer training and guidance to up-skill in-house employees;
* Foster independent knowledge of different software vendors;
* A wide range of experience working in different businesses and industries.

Want to know more? Give us a call on 1300 136 677 for an obligation free chat, OR visit www.productiv.com.au