720 million hack attempts are made every day... got your attention?

Here are a few more scary stats to set the scene…

• Cyber-crime costs have increased annually by 21%
• 60% of SMB’s go out of business within 6 months of suffering a cyber-attack
• 50% of cyber security professionals reported at least one incident of malware infected firmware in 2016

Food for thought isn’t it, and yes we all know that stats can be rolled out to support almost any claim, but these are different. They only support what we already know…The cyber-attack threat is real and we all need to be aware and prepared for it.

As defences against cyber-attack have evolved and become more effective, so have the methods employed by those that perpetrate those attacks. They probe and test every facet of a system, in a top down search for weak points to exploit, cracks through which they can slip in and wreak their own particular brand of havoc. Emerging technologies like IoT, mobility, and hybrid IT environments now open new business opportunities, but they also introduce new risk. Protecting servers at the software level is no longer enough; businesses need to reach down into the physical system level to stay ahead of threats.

Can-Do Teaching

How the Microsoft Education store can help with classroom organisation

For a long time, people said rather sneeringly, ‘if you can’t do, teach’, which is perhaps one of the most ridiculous put-downs of all time. Teaching is, in our view, not only one of the most admirable and necessary of professions, but also one of the most difficult. As well as knowing your subject inside out, well enough to help other – often reluctant – people to understand it, having endless admin and compliance to handle, and needing the patience of a saint, you need to be a logistical genius. Corralling a classroom is akin to herding cats, but the teacher doesn’t just need to keep order, but to find ways to engage and foster a group dynamic which delivers the best possible learning experience and outcome.

We’re not the only ones to appreciate the work of teachers; Microsoft have been working with the profession for years, which is why they have crafted the Surface range specifically with schools in mind, and have a whole category of apps dedicated to helping teachers in the MS Education Store. And it’s these that we’ll be looking at today in our continued exploration of Microsoft’s educational tools.

Would your business be protected from a vicious Petya Malware attack?

By Adam Hartley

A new variant of the Petya malware family was discovered on Tuesday 27th June 2017. The Petya family of malware is not a new one and was first seen and classified in March 2016. Juniper researchers have previously blogged about this malware in the past. This previous version of the Petya ransomware is available to cybercriminals to purchase as a service (Ransomware-as-a-service or RaaS) rather than developing their own malware.

If you're not quite sure what Petya Malware is, in simple terms it's a vicious computer program that steals your computers information and makes it unreadable to the computer. If your computer cannot read the data then it is lost to you and you will have to pay the creators money to get your data back.

Why choose Epson inkjet for your business?

By Nicola Upe

Now is the time to invest in this future-minded technology

While so many vendors are scaling down strategies and reducing headcounts, Epson are investing €50 million into our European operations. Why? Because now is the best time for Epson inkjet printers.

Over the next two years, Epson plan to increase their current workforce by 10%, and kick off a strategic shift from consumer to business markets with a focus on infrastructure, information technology, marketing and headcount. 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (On-Premises) Licensing Update

By Dave Jennings

Microsoft Dynamics 365 (On-Premises) is the replacement to Microsoft’s CRM On-Premises solution, available through Open Licensing, Open Value, OVS and OVS-ES. There are various options available, and a customer can start with one plan and move to new plans as and when they need extra capabilities. The licences come with renewable software assurance, which gives the customer a range of benefits such as new version rights, planning services, 24x7 phone and Web support, training.

Expanding your HPE Services & Support portfolio

By Lee Prior

People come to you to with a need, but they’ll stay with you because of the services you offer, so how do you ensure loyalty from customers that are constantly being told they can get a better deal elsewhere?

The HP Elite Slice: Have Your Cake and Eat It

It’s easy to feel a bit sorry for the state of the humble desktop PC. Having been around for years, the reliable boxes have been getting steadily eroded by the laptop and all-in-one market as technology has progressed. That’s not to say that desktops have been getting left behind entirely: indeed, the modern desktop of today is noticeably smaller than its towering ancestors, and of course significantly more powerful. Still, in a world where we’re seeing laptops with three screens built-in, it can feel like the days of desktop innovation have all but vanished. That is, until you see HP’s latest offering.

HP: Developing devices that pack a punch for power users

By Brendan Loughrey

In an increasingly mobile world, users are bowled over by the capabilities of new tablets and laptop PCs on the market. And for some, these devices are the perfect solution to their computing needs. However, some business users simply need more power, and only an HP Workstation can give it to them.

The latest range of HP Z Workstations are equipped to handle critical application, complex data and design. Enabling users to innovate without limits, expanding as their workflow grows. At Westcoast, we think HP’s latest Z Workstation range – which includes both traditional desktops and laptops – is a cut above the rest thanks to its superior technology and partnerships. It’s simply setting new standards.

HP Elite x3 – The Future of Mobility?

By Brendan Loughrey

In August 2016 HP introduced a new member to the Elite Family and hailed it as ‘a revolution in mobility’ which, despite its appearance, is not a smartphone! HP’s reasoning for this is evident in the name, The Elite x3: The world’s first built for business 3-in-1 device that combines PC power and productivity with premium smartphone capabilities. This device has the capability to perform as a smartphone, laptop and desktop.

That being said, let’s take a closer look at how HP’s pioneering product in the business mobility category may have hit or missed the mark.

Making Cloud Telephony & Unified Communications Simple For You and Your Customers.

By Justin Powell – UC Sales Manager

Hi Westcoast Partners, my name is Justin Powell and I look after Cloud Unified Communications here at Westcoast.

My role is to help and guide you through the Westcoast Cloud UC offerings and getting the right solution for you and your customer. I have over 15 years in the Telephony industry and want to share the exciting things happening in the market place around Cloud Telephony and Unified Communications

                                                      The Cloud Opportunity