Product Information

About us

Established in 2000, Grant McGregor is a multi-award-winning Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) with over 20 years’ experience in delivering world-class IT Support and technology solutions. Grant McGregor is a profitable and mature business with a team of experienced and knowledgeable technology people who care for each and every one of our clients and their businesses.
 
We help to make your technology and your people work in harmony by providing our full services, people-centric Managed IT Service provision, or by complementing your existing, internal IT Team.
 
Our Purpose is enabling people to thrive by creating better, safer places for them to work. Our Mission is to deliver world-class Technology support, advice and services – that don’t cost the earth!
 
Our core services include:
-             Helpdesk / IT Business As Usual Support
-             Proactive Device IT Management
-             System Management & Administration
-             Essential Security Services
-             IT Strategy & Planning
-             Cyber Essentials & Cyber Essentials Plus
-             Additional Subscriptions & Services
-             Projects & IT Developments
 
Leading with Security and Compliance
Grant McGregor has been an IASME Gold Accredited Cyber Essentials (CE) Certification body since 2016 and we take our own security as seriously as we do for our clients. We have a long-standing relationship with IASME & NCSC and have helped nearly 100 different organisations achieve the CE certification. We are Cyber Essentials Plus certified and IASME Gold Audited accredited for our standards & security policies, processes, procedures, and practice.
 
Focused Teams
Our company has distinct and separate teams for Business As Usual IT Support, Professional/Technical Services, Consultancy and Cyber Services. So, you can be assured that whoever you are dealing with, will be 100% focussed on the task they’re working on.
 
Track Record of Trust
Our track record is one of trust right through our supply chains. We partner with trusted vendors that allow us to deliver world class services and to make sure that your infrastructure is proactively protected, 24x7x365. We work with your team to future-proof your organisation to develop your IT in line with your changing needs and to educate you on the latest IT opportunities and threats.

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Articles/Press Releases

• 04/08/2023 - Half year review: 2023’s best new features in Microsoft Teams
  Here’s our regular round-up of some of the best new features added this year to Microsoft Teams – as well as a few you can expect to be enjoying soon.
• 04/08/2023 - Should your organisation be leasing your IT hardware?
  Have you ever considered a lease agreement for your IT equipment and devices? It’s a service that Grant McGregor offers and we explain more about it here.
• 03/08/2023 - Should your users be using Microsoft Edge Password Manager?
  Should you be using Microsoft Edge Password Manager? In this blog, our team considers the question.
• 03/08/2023 - What can we learn from the Capita data breaches?
  Capita’s cyber security practices should be second to none. Yet recent events have illustrated how supply chain security cannot be taken for granted. Find out more...
• 03/08/2023 - Is your business data at risk? Don’t take chances with old tech
  A new study shows that millions of deleted files can be recovered from improperly wiped hard drives that are sold online. What can you do to protect yourself?
• 28/07/2023 - What are the risks of ChatGPT and large language models (LLMs)? And what should you do about them?
  What risks exist behind the hype ChatGPT and AI technologies? And what should organisations be doing to mitigate those risks?
• 26/07/2023 - Grant McGregor scoops seventh spot in international MSP awards
  We’re delighted to announce that Grant McGregor has attained seventh spot in the annual Channel Futures awards, which ranks managed service providers across EMEA.
• 26/07/2023 - Pride month: Does the tech sector have a diversity problem?
  We’re delighted to celebrate Pride month at Grant McGregor. The tech sector hasn’t always been noted for its diversity and inclusiveness, but things are changing.
• 02/06/2023 - Is your organisation doing enough on supply chain security?
  A recent survey has shown that not enough organisations are taking supply chain security seriously. We consider the risks – and how to mitigate them.
• 02/06/2023 - How to minimise the risk from phishing
  Cyber criminals are adopting ever more sophisticated ways to target their phishing activity. What can your organisation do to minimise the risk? Read on...
• 01/06/2023 - The ethics of AI and the problem of bias
  Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are entering the mainstream – but are we ready for them?
• 26/05/2023 - Should your users be using Microsoft Edge Password Manager?
  Should you be using Microsoft Edge Password Manager? In this blog, our team considers the question.
• 26/05/2023 - Half year review: 2023’s best new features in Microsoft Teams
  Here’s our regular round-up of some of the best new features added this year to Microsoft Teams – as well as a few you can expect to be enjoying soon.
• 27/02/2023 - 10 signs it's time to get a new IT support company
  Are you feeling a little less than satisfied with your IT support service? Here’s our team’s pick of 10 signs it's time to get a new IT support company.
• 27/02/2023 - New changes to Cyber Essentials for 2023
  Following last year's update, the NCSC and IASME have made additional changes and clarifications to the Cyber Essentials scheme this year. Read them here:
• 27/02/2023 - The 2023 cyber threats for which you should prepare
  The cyber landscape is continually changing so we’ve compiled a list of the most pressing 2023 cyber threats for which we think you should be preparing.
• 10/02/2023 - Five 2023 business challenges – and how tech can help you respond
  We are in what some analysts are calling a 'polycrisis'. With the future looking so uncertain, how can businesses prepare to meet the challenges of 2023?
• 10/02/2023 - Choosing the right Business Intelligence tools
  Businesses need a strategic approach to storing, deleting and using data. Business Intelligence is about making that data work for your organisation's benefit.
• 10/02/2023 - What is Microsoft Autopilot? And do I need it?
  Microsoft Windows Autopilot is a collection of technologies that can be used to set up and pre-configure new devices, making them ready for productive use.
• 09/11/2022 - What does the EU’s new Digital Services Act mean for your business?
  The EU have passed two new laws governing the use of technology. Although no longer part of the EU, this legislation still affects UK businesses. Here's why:
• 09/11/2022 - 5 great cloud software solutions from which every small business can benefit
  Global cloud software solution spend is growing. The Grant McGregor team identifies some of the solutions that could benefit your small business.
• 07/11/2022 - Five business processes that could be ripe for automation in your organisation
  Microsoft Power Automate helps automate tasks and workflows. But where should you start? Which processes in your business could be ripe for automation?
• 07/11/2022 - Tips for getting the most from Power Platform
  In this article, we’ll consider some of the approaches that organisations can take to get the most out of Microsoft Power Platform tools.
• 27/09/2022 - Nine months on… meeting the new Cyber Essentials requirements
  In January, the Cyber Essentials scheme underwent an update. Nine months on, we consider what we’ve learnt and how your organisation can meet the new requirements.
• 27/09/2022 - AWS, Azure or Google: Which cloud should you choose?
  During the pandemic many organisations committed serious resources to the cloud for the first time. So which is the right cloud provider for your organisation?
• 24/08/2022 - How much do you need to understand your business IT to change your IT support supplier?
  Do you really need to have a good overview of your IT arrangements before you can switch IT partner? In this blog, we consider how much you need to know.
• 24/08/2022 - What can we learn from the great Steve Jobs?
  The Grant McGregor team considers what we can learn from the way Steve jobs approached his work, his ideas about innovation and his fanatical attention to detail.
• 15/08/2022 - China: the new security risk?
  The heads of MI5 and FBI issued a joint warning to businesses in the UK, USA and Europe about the risks presented to business by Chinese state. We take a look at the scope of those warnings.
• 15/08/2022 - How to protect your organisation against 2022 phishing threats
  Phishing attacks are again on the rise. The Grant McGregor team considers what the threat looks like in 2022 and how you can protect your organisation.
• 26/07/2022 - What is Azure Virtual Desktop? And do I need it?
  Remote desktop solutions have garnered a lot of interest recently. In this article, we look at Azure Virtual Desktop and why it might be useful.
• 26/07/2022 - Can I really use Power Automate to automate my workflows? How to get started.
  Power Automate is Microsoft’s workflow automation solution and it’s surprisingly easy to get started with it. The Grant McGregor team delivers the low-down.
• 18/07/2022 - Your business is losing hundreds of hours to spam every year
  If one of your employees gets 30 external emails a day, they’d get around 30 spam emails each week. That would work out to around 5 hours each year wasted on sorting through and deleting them.
• 15/07/2022 - Protect your business from these common financial phishing scams
  Did you know 3 billion phishing emails are sent each day? Learn the warning signs to look out for.
• 15/07/2022 - 12 questions to ask your web developer about cyber security
  Grant McGregor outlines some of the questions you should be asking your website developer to ensure that your website is as protected as it needs to be.
• 15/07/2022 - Is LinkedIn the safe space you think it is?
  Last month, the FBI issued a warning about fraudsters using LinkedIn to target victims. Are you and your colleagues as aware of the risks as you need to be?
• 09/06/2022 - What does the UK Government’s national cyber strategy 2022 mean for SMEs?
  In December, the UK Government released its National Cyber Strategy for 2022. We take a look at its scope and ask what impact will it have on UK businesses and organisations.
• 31/05/2022 - Your guide to creating an effective enrolment policy for users and devices
  We discuss why an effective enrolment policy is important. Plus, how to go about creating the right policies and processes.
• 24/05/2022 - Can we really achieve Net Zero in our data centres?
  Today’s organisations hold vast quantities of digital information. However, data centres are contributing to an increasing proportion of the world’s carbon footprint.
• 16/05/2022 - A guide to making hybrid work over the long term
  What is the future of remote work now that pandemic restrictions have been lifted? Will hybrid be the new “new normal”?
• 16/05/2022 - The New Password Rules: 2022 Update
  It’s a while since the Grant McGregor team shared information about password best practice – and a lot has changed.
• 04/05/2022 - What does the new normal look like now?
  In our rush to put the pandemic behind us, the conversation about the “new normal” has moved on. But there remain issues we need to be thinking about.
• 04/05/2022 - How to implement multi-factor authentication
  Multi-factor authentication is a quick and easy way to add an extra layer of security. So, if you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to implement MFA.
• 04/05/2022 - Should you have one IT Support Partner – or several?
  Should you stick to the one IT partner? Or is there a case to be made for working with more than one IT company? The Grant McGregor team considers your options.
• 04/05/2022 - New report on phishing email activity reveals an increasingly active threat landscape
  The 2022 State of the Phish report has been published this month by security software firm Proofpoint. This year’s review of email-based cyber threats identifies some increased threats as well as detailing how well organisations are responding.
• 05/08/2021 - Are your devices managed and secured to meet today’s evolving threats?
  We know that criminal cyber activity has increased since the beginning of the pandemic. Cyber criminals moved quickly to target the new vulnerabilities of our rapidly altered working arrangements. To meet these threats, the security and management of devices has become critical.
• 05/08/2021 - How Long Does It Take to Switch IT Support Companies?
  Switching IT support companies needn’t be a headache – provided your new IT support partner takes a programmatic and practical approach to making the switch. We explain why.
• 22/07/2021 - Everything You Need to Know About Heimdal Patch Management
  Grant McGregor recommends the use of Heimdal Patch Management to our customers. It’s an easy way to ensure your organisation reduces cyber security risk. Here’s why.
• 22/07/2021 - The Dark Web: What It Is, What It Isn’t and What You Need to Know
  The dark web is known as a place where criminal activity takes place online – the refuge of weapons dealers, drug dealers and other nefarious activities. While your first response might be that it is nothing to do with you, it isn’t something that IT leaders can afford to dismiss out of hand. Here’s what you need to know.
• 22/07/2021 - IT Pro with MDM
  Have you got a way to monitor the devices that access your data and applications on your network? How do you spot nefarious activity on the network? If you can’t answer either of these questions, this blog is for you. We’ll tell you about a quick, easy and low-fuss way to solve these problems.
• 22/07/2021 - Grant McGregor ranks once again on Channel Futures' MSP501 list
  Coming in at number 134 worldwide, 9 in the UK and 1st in Scotland – Grant McGregor once again makes it on to the prestigious MSP501 list.
• 22/07/2021 - How to Develop an Incident Reporting Culture
  Incident response, incident response planning and the nurturing of a positive incident reporting culture within your organisation are all critical aspects of cyber security. This blog focuses on why you need to develop an incident reporting culture and how to do it.
• 16/06/2021 - What is Business Voice Pro? And How Do I Get Started with It?
  If you’d like to switch your organisation over to a cloud-based telephony solution, GM's Business Voice Pro is definitely something you should look at.
• 16/06/2021 - 8 Cool Features You Should Be Using in Microsoft Teams
  Microsoft Teams has gone from a quirky tool used – if at all – by the IT department to an essential piece of day-to-day business kit.
• 04/06/2021 - 6 Common Worries and Mistakes when Moving From IT Suppliers to an IT Partner – And How to Mitigate them!
  From speaking with our clients, we know that there can be a lot of fear about making such a major and business-critical change as switching IT supplier. However, with good management, the process needn’t be at all risky.
• 04/06/2021 - Are Your Microsoft 365 Backups Sufficient?
  If you read the title of this article and thought “Wait a minute! I need to back up Microsoft 365?” you wouldn’t be alone. It’s a pressing issue that is frequently overlooked by too many organisations and small businesses.
• 03/06/2021 - New NCSC Research Shows Small Businesses Have Most to Gain from Cyber Essentials Scheme
  Small businesses typically benefit the most from a Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification, according to new research conducted for the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre.
• 03/06/2021 - Should Your Organisation Standardise on Microsoft Surface Devices?
  If you’re thinking about conducting a hardware refresh ahead of staff returning to the office, what is going to be the best choice for your organisation?
• 03/06/2021 - What Your Organisation Needs to Know about 5G
  5G seems to attract a lot of hype… but what is the truth? What are the real risks and benefits? And where are the opportunities for your organisation? We talk you through what your organisation needs to know about 5G. Leading-edge technologies are often accompanied by wild claims.
• 02/06/2021 - How Can You Streamline Your Digital Communications Channels?
  Remote working has required a plethora of new solutions to be introduced to help us collaborate more effectively throughout the lockdowns. As we remerge into the next “new normal”, it’s an opportunity to review and streamline the various tools and systems in play.
• 02/06/2021 - What Are the COVID-19 Keepers? Four of 2020’s Changes We Plan to Continue
  As we pass the year anniversary of the first lockdown, Grant McGregor asks: what are the COVID keepers?
• 07/04/2021 - Quick Q&A: Should You Be Reviewing Your Corporate VPN?
  The Grant McGregor team talks you through a quick Q&A to help you understand why it might time to review VPN provision, the factors at play and whether they relate to your organisation.
• 07/04/2021 - If 2020 was about responding to COVID-19, what will 2021’s recovery look like?
  2020 was a huge challenge for so many of us in so many different ways. As we approach the end of the latest lockdown and we begin to talk about the reopening of society, what is next for the worlds of work and technology?
• 11/11/2020 - Cyber Essentials
  The way the Cyber Essentials scheme is run has changed significantly during 2020. Grant McGregor Ltd has now published a short guide to explain the changes and how they might affect you.
• 15/07/2020 - Why have I not received my email?
  We’re so used to immediate communications these days, that waiting for a hotly anticipated email can be incredibly frustrating.
• 11/06/2020 - 5 Security Tips When Working From Home
  Some of us have always had the flexibility of working from home whereas others have had it forced upon them due to current circumstances.
• 11/06/2020 - What is an SLA and Why Should My IT Provider Have One?
  An SLA – or service level agreement – is the way you hold your service provider to account.
• 11/06/2020 - Can You Help Me with Remote Working?
  It might not surprise you too much to learn that one of the most common questions we get asked in these days of COVID-19 is: can you help me with remote working? The answer is “yes”, of course. But there are a few vital issues you will need to consider.
• 26/03/2020 - Remote Working – What You Need to Know
  One of the major disruptions to business is unplanned employee availability.
• 17/03/2020 - What Can You Do about the New Phishing Threat?
  Phishing attacks are on the rise – again. And attackers are trying new ways of targeting your organisation and your staff. How can you stay one step ahead?
• 17/03/2020 - The Importance of Online Backup for SMEs
  The single best change you can make to your IT systems and processes this year? Investing in a suitable and effective backup solution for your business.
• 17/03/2020 - Is Your IT Support Still Right for Your Business?
  What’s the right fit for you now?
• 17/03/2020 - Why You Should be Using 2 Factor Authentication in Your Business Right Now!
  According to the Verizon 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report, 62% of breaches not involving an Error, Misuse, or Physical action (in other words, wounds that weren’t self-inflicted) involved the use of stolen credentials, brute force, or phishing.
• 17/02/2020 - The new security threats
  As 2020 gets well underway, the Grant McGregor team is taking the opportunity to ask: what are the security threats we need to be aware of now? Here’s our take on the security issues you should be thinking about in 2020.
• 06/02/2020 - Quick Guide to Office 365 Security Monitoring
  For many organisations, Office 365 is their first foray into the world of cloud.
• 27/01/2020 - How Phishing Got Social
  There’s a new attack vector in town: social media. Social is currently the fastest-growing type of phishing attack. Here’s what you need to know.
• 21/01/2020 - Predictions 2020
  At this time of year, it’s traditional to reflect on the year that’s been and think about the year ahead. What can we do better in 2020? And what does the year have in store for us?
• 21/01/2020 - How much should IT support cost?
  The old maxim that “you get what you pay for” is true in so many service professions.
• 21/01/2020 - Scottish Enterprise Announces Closing Date for Cyber Essentials Voucher Applications
  Since its launch in November 2018, Scottish Enterprise’s voucher scheme has helped hundreds of Scottish businesses achieve the valuable, Government-backed Cyber Essentials Certificate.
• 21/01/2020 - Unhappy new data breach!
  The new year was barely hours old, when news started leaking about a troubling new data breach – the result of a ransomware attack on a major currency exchange business.
• 19/12/2019 - The 6 questions to ask your IT provider about their own security
  How can you assess whether your IT provider is doing enough to protect your business, its systems and data? The Grant McGregor team suggests some of the key questions you should be asking.
• 19/12/2019 - The Cyber Essentials Policies Your Business Needs
  Cyber Essentials is a UK Government scheme that all businesses and NFP organisations should undertake. It helps you to ensure that you have the basic security systems and processes in place to help mitigate a cyber-attack.
• 12/12/2019 - The 6 questions to ask your IT provider about their own security
  How can you assess whether your IT provider is doing enough to protect your business, its systems and data? The Grant McGregor team suggests some of the key questions you should be asking.
• 25/11/2019 - The 8 Warning Signs that Indicate You Need to Switch Your IT Provider
  Change can be scary – but changing IT support partner needn’t be. In fact, sticking with the devil you know can be a lot worse! We look at some of the signs that indicate it’s time to change your MSP.
• 25/11/2019 - Are you doing enough to protect your staff against Phishing?
  In IT, we talk a lot about protecting our systems and data against cyber-attack. However, there is a growing realisation that this is only part of the picture. We need to do much more to protect our people too.
• 25/11/2019 - Does Better the Devil You Know Hold True for IT Support?
  The maxim “better the devil you know” has a sidekick: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. In today’s world of fast-paced change, increasingly competitive markets and evolving security threats, both phrases are outliving their usefulness.
• 04/11/2019 - Why SMEs Should Get Expert Help with Cyber Security
  Cyber security is a complex topic, so it is essential to get expert help. As a result, and particularly for SMEs, it is better to find an experienced IT partner than to try to do it all in house.
• 25/10/2019 - Why Are Software Updates (or Patches) So Important?
  Software updates (or patching) is familiar to us all. We’ll update the apps on our mobile phones with some regularity and the same should apply to all the software applications we use on all devices we use. Unfortunately, we find that many businesses are still using out of date or older versions of the software they use daily.
• 25/10/2019 - Are You Doing Enough to Protect Your Data?
  Concern over cyber threats has hit an all-time high, with a recent global cyber risk perception survey finding that 79% of organisations now rank cyber risk as a top-five concern.
• 07/10/2019 - Want to Get Back to Doing Your Day-Job?
  Whilst speaking with SME business owners, Finance Directors and other IT decision-makers at initial prospect meetings, I am increasingly hearing statements like these.
• 06/08/2019 - The Ever-Growing Attack Surface of IoT: Your Questions Answered
  The impact of the Internet of Things is already making itself felt in our homes and in our everyday lives. This means an ever-growing threat for businesses as they try to keep pace with the new threats these devices present.
• 06/08/2019 - Secure Yourself this Summer! How to Holiday with Peace of Mind
  Summer is here! And if you’re about to jet off on holiday, IT security is probably the last thing on your mind.
• 06/08/2019 - Going to The Darkside?
  The internet has become an integral part of most people’s lives to the point that it’s hard to imagine a time when it didn’t exist – assuming you’re old enough to remember that it really hasn’t been around forever.
• 06/08/2019 - The New Rules for Passwords in 2019
  Access control is fundamental to security – whether in your home, your office or your IT infrastructure.
• 04/07/2019 - Outlook – Cloudy
  We recently published an article relating to email and the evolution of cybercrime and another referring to the rising popularity of Microsoft’s Office 365 suite and the growing security risks associated with it.
• 04/07/2019 - Doubling up: why two-factor authentication is your next step in digital security
  We’ve written about the need for additional layers of security for passwords, especially given the increased targeting of Microsoft’s Office 365 as more and more businesses and individuals migrate to the cloud, especially for email.
• 04/07/2019 - One Year On from GDPR: What’s Changed?
  GDPR was the “four letters that put the fear into firms’ hearts in 2018” according to the Register’s review of the year’s events. But was that fear justified?
• 19/06/2019 - Are Your Websites and Applications Secure?
  What are you doing to secure your business website and other web applications used in your business?
• 10/06/2019 - From Spam to Phish – Cyber Crime on a Plate
  Email – love or hate it as a form of communication, it touches most of us everyday and shows no signs of going away. This is especially true in the workplace where it hasn’t yet been dislodged by the various messaging apps as the preferred medium to send information.
• 28/05/2019 - How to Address the Dangers of Personal Devices for Work
  What happens when an employee downloads a virus onto one of their personal devices that you have allowed access your company systems? Grant McGregor takes a look at an emerging weak spot in many companies’ defences.
• 23/05/2019 - Can Outsourced IT and Internal IT Work Together?
  The perceived need to have someone “on the ground” is one of the most compelling arguments for maintaining an internal IT resource.
• 26/03/2019 - Are You Doing Enough on Mobile Device Security?
  We all want to do our best to keep our corporate data and systems safe. Each year, organisations invest millions in firewalls, anti-virus software, training and patching programmes. But how much of this is directed at mobile devices?
• 26/03/2019 - Office 365 Popularity Grows…as does its potential vulnerability
  Since its introduction, Microsoft’s Office suite products have clearly been the tools of choice for most of the world’s businesses – most of us using at least one of the applications on a daily basis.
• 26/03/2019 - The (Free) First Step to Better IT!
  In over 30 years in IT, I still encounter many business owners and IT-decision makers who find themselves spending too much of their valuable time dealing with staff technology problems and continually looking for work-arounds to the IT issues.
• 06/03/2019 - Passwords: Can we live without them?
  For thousands of years, passwords have been used as a means of authentication; a way in which people could be confident that security was maintained.
• 06/03/2019 - How setting up SOPs can help you deal with IT points of failure
  Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering your core technology is valuable even within a small business.
• 04/03/2019 - Urgent Call to Action if You Are Using Windows 7
  Are you using the Windows 7 operating system on your PCs and laptops? If so, it is time to take action and start planning an upgrade to Windows 10.
• 04/03/2019 - Windows Server 2008 R2 Approaching End of Life
  Are you still using Windows Server 2008 R2 within your business IT environment? If so, it’s time to start planning a migration strategy as the server technology approaches its end of life.
• 14/01/2019 - Advancing Your IT Strategy: How to Identify Critical Vulnerabilities and Points of Failure
  In a recent blog, we looked at the five steps required to develop an effective IT strategy. In this article, we will take a deeper look into one of these key stages: how to identify critical vulnerabilities and points of failure.
• 08/01/2019 - The Five Vital Components to Think About When Creating a New IT Strategy
  Developing an IT strategy can be a daunting task to start, especially if you’ve not done it before. Our new guide helps to demystify the process and offers a five-step approach to help you to get it done.
• 20/12/2018 - 5 Key Considerations When Implementing Change: How to Shake Up Process Whilst Keeping Your Team On Side.
  Every office has at least one – the employee who is consistently resistant to technological change.
• 20/12/2018 - The IT Lifecycle and 5 Signs that it’s Time to Upgrade Your Technology
  When you’re starting out, smart tech purchases can often end up at the bottom of your list of priorities.
• 04/12/2018 - How Big (or Small) Does Your Organisation Need to Be to Need an IT Strategy?
  How big does an organisation need to be to make an IT strategy necessary? Is your organisation too small to need one? Grant McGregor answers your questions.
• 04/12/2018 - Why IT Cannot Be a Reactive Activity
  So much of the IT activity we all undertake is reactive – often it takes a malware attack to prompt us to upgrade our security software or a broken hard drive to make us think seriously about backups. Which is exactly why your IT approach shouldn’t be reactive.
• 22/10/2018 - Everyone Begins Cyber Essentials from a Different Starting Point
  Everyone begins their Cyber Essentials certification process from a different starting point – but that’s what makes the scheme so important.
• 22/10/2018 - What is an Information Asset Register? And how might it help me be GDPR compliant?
  GDPR has focused business leaders’ thoughts on the data held within their organisations and how best to protect it.
• 15/10/2018 - What NOT to do when you lose your mobile device
  We rely so much on our smartphones these days, losing our phone or device (or having it stolen) would seem like a real crisis wouldn’t it? So let’s walk through what NOT to do, as well as what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
• 15/10/2018 - How to ensure the success of your disaster recovery and business continuity plans
  The disaster recovery and business continuity expectations of senior business leaders are changing – how can IT managers respond to ensure the success of their disaster recovery and business continuity plans?
• 15/10/2018 - Weighing in on Microsoft’s New Office 365 Subscription Model
  Despite consumers calling out planned obsolescence in the technology industry, companies are still graduating towards the subscription model for the simple fact that it works. When it comes to tech, it pays to charge monthly if the product is of good quality.
• 11/09/2018 - How Do You Stop a Phishing Attack?
  People are often the weakest link of any security infrastructure. Which means the best line of defence when it comes to preventing phishing attacks or other people-focused exploits is to ensure staff are aware of the risks.
• 13/08/2018 - The Beginner’s Guide to Encryption
  With organisations under more pressure than ever to protect their customers’ data, and more and more information being stored digitally, Grant McGregor takes a look at encryption and the possibilities it offers to help small businesses protect their data.
• 13/08/2018 - GDPR: the aftermath
  It’s now a little over two months since GDPR came into force. A little longer since those panicked conversations with your boss about what you actually need to do and that inbox full of marketing emails begging you to resubscribe. What have we learnt since then?
• 02/08/2018 - Secure Yourself this Summer! How to Holiday with Peace of Mind
  A little bit of planning can help you ensure that you not only have a great holiday, but will return home to find your computer and your electronically held data intact too.
• 02/08/2018 - The Right to Be Forgotten – Ongoing Challenges of Data Privacy
  The deadline for GDPR has come and gone, along with the late nights, new data privacy documentation and last-minute system tweaks.
• 02/08/2018 - 5 Ways to Use Technology to Increase Efficiency in Your Business
  One of the biggest advantages of technology is its ability to help us accomplish tasks more efficiently.
• 03/07/2018 - Don’t Rely on Ethics: Protecting Your Company When You Need to Let Someone Go
  When it comes down to it, letting an employee go is never pleasant.
• 20/06/2018 - Should You be Switching to Office 365?
  Microsoft Office is an essential for most organisations with office-based staff. The suite of products covers all the staples of the office environment – from PowerPoint presentations to Excel spreadsheets, Word and productivity apps
• 12/06/2018 - Getting the Best
  Getting the best from your people is a delicate and multi-faceted issue – spanning recruitment, team-building, collaboration, management styles, flexible working options, benefits and rewards.
• 08/06/2018 - Computer Says: User Error
  When I first started my working life, I worked for an organisation where, if you called the IT helpdesk, the “help” consisted of two standard responses:
• 01/06/2018 - When is the best time to replace your IT equipment?
  Like any other equipment, computer and IT equipment will eventually become less reliable.
• 01/06/2018 - GDPR, Outsourcing and Third-Party Data – What you need to know before the sky falls in this Friday!
  The business world is jittering in anticipation of May 25th, with marketing, payroll, HR, sales and IT departments all working diligently to make sure their own personal data protection policies meet the new Europe-wide legislative standard.
• 01/06/2018 - GDPR – the end of the beginning…
  Well, unlike some predicted, the sky did not actually fall in last Friday on 25th May when GDPR came into enforcement in UK law. But some significant changes did come into play that should not be ignored.
• 10/05/2018 - What Is End Point Security and Do I Need It?
  Where are the end points on your network?
• 10/05/2018 - How Can Technology Make Home Working More Productive?
  Flexible working practices have been shown to be a key driver for employee engagement productivity.
• 12/04/2018 - Malware is Getting Even Smarter. What Can You Do to Protect Your Business?
  If you think that installing Anti-virus software on your office computer is going to protect you from the latest generation of malware, think again.
• 06/04/2018 - Is it Time for an IT Spring Clean?
  The life of an IT manager can often feel like a thankless task. Staying on top of daily and weekly tasks can be difficult when problems and projects shift your focus away from basic housekeeping.
• 06/04/2018 - GDPR: Do Business Emails Count as ‘Personal Data’?
  As we approach closer to the GDPR deadline, we’ve been getting a lot of questions regarding whether business email addresses and contact details will come under the GDPR as ‘personal data’.
• 22/03/2018 - Is Employee Absence Affecting Your Business This Winter?
  One of the biggest business disruptions is unplanned employee absence. During winter there is always a high probability of bad weather and there are plenty of colds and illnesses going round, resulting in many businesses advising employees to stay at home rather than share their germs with the rest of the workforce.
• 22/03/2018 - Best Practice Password Security
  For many an organisation today, the data it holds counts among its most valuable assets.
• 22/03/2018 - The Dangers of Over-Sharing Online
  It’s true that some bosses think that checking your social media accounts is just due diligence these days. How many of us know someone whose photos of them partying on Facebook have cost them a potential job offer?
• 22/03/2018 - How the GDPR can help to re-establish a great relationship with your customers.
  Since it landed in 2015, the GDPR is a big leap in data protection legislation and with the ruling applicable across the whole of Europe, we are finally bridging the gap between our digital identities and the law.
• 07/03/2018 - Fed Up of Hearing About GDPR?
  Are you suffering from GDPR overload?
• 07/03/2018 - 5 Things Every BYOD Policy Needs
  Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies are rapidly gaining traction in the modern workplace owing to the flexibility and convenience they provide to both employees and their employers.
• 22/02/2018 - 6 Things You Can Do This Year to Boost Your IT Performance in 2018
  We take a look at six simple things you can do this year to boost IT performance and productivity in 2018.
• 22/02/2018 - Could Social Media Be Your Security Weak Spot?
  Social Media is so much a part of our lives these days, both personally and in business.
• 07/02/2018 - 6 Things You Can Do This Year to Boost Your IT Performance in 2018
  Information technology has delivered huge boons to businesses in terms of efficiency, productivity and improved practices and record keeping.
• 05/02/2018 - Why the Carphone Warehouse Data Breach Offers Lessons to us All…
  Carphone Warehouse has just been fined £400,000 by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a result of a 2015 data breach.
• 29/11/2017 - Are You Adequately Testing your Backup and Recovery Plans?
  Sadly, too many UK businesses fail to have adequate disaster recovery plans in place.
• 29/11/2017 - Protect your Business, your Clients and your Supply Chain with the UK Government’s Cyber Essentials Security Standard
  Jon Towers – one of our Directors here at Grant McGregor Ltd explains how businesses can readily protect themselves from the majority of rising cybercrime threats AND demonstrate best practice and due diligence to their customers and stakeholders at the same time…
• 13/11/2017 - The Beginner’s Guide to Cloud Security
  As increasing numbers of businesses shift their workloads to the cloud, the security threat we face is changing. Where our data goes, the hackers follow – and now cloud attacks are on the rise.
• 13/11/2017 - Trick or Treat? What sort of service do you get from your IT provider?
  Last month we talked about our Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) feedback results – why we have it, what results we’ve been getting and what we can take from it.
• 13/11/2017 - Strategies for Surviving a Cyber Attack
  Another month, another high-profile attack… or so it seems at the moment. The latest in the long line was US data firm Equifax – with a breach that affected more than 143 million American consumers. Even if you aren’t holding that much customer data, how do you recover from a breach like that?
• 19/10/2017 - Protect Your Business from Insider Attacks
  When we discuss cyber-attacks it often refers to those that come from the outside – the ones that are typically high profiles cases, such as malware, hacking, DDOS and ransomware.
• 10/10/2017 - Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Results to date – how do you rate us?
  At Grant McGregor, we have some important company values to ensure a great company culture for our people and so that they deliver a superb level of service to our customers.
• 05/10/2017 - Two Thirds of UK Firms Hiring for GDPR – What are you doing?
  GDPR comes into effect on 25th May 2018. It is set to improve the control EU citizens have over the data that organisations hold on them. As a result, it has huge implications for the way organisations manage their data – and the staff they are recruiting.
• 29/09/2017 - Evidence Suggests Looming GDPR Is Still Being Ignored by British Businesses
  Latest evidence shows that there remains a lot of confusion about GDPR and its likely impact on British Businesses, including around the role of Brexit. A new sense of urgency is required: the ICO has warned Brexit is no excuse and time is running out.
• 29/09/2017 - Staff Training: Your First Line of Defence in IT Security
  Staff training has a key role to play in any cyber security and information management strategy. So how do you begin to plan what needs to be done?
• 29/09/2017 - How Should a Small Business Prioritise IT Spend?
  With so many new technologies on everyone’s radar at the moment – the Internet of Things, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence – just how can you be sure your IT budget is being spent wisely?
• 05/09/2017 - 4 Benefits of Microsoft SharePoint – What is it and is it relevant to your business or organisation?
  Microsoft SharePoint allows organisations to create websites as part of the Microsoft Office 365 service.
• 29/08/2017 - The Impending SME Security Crisis
  The brutal fact is most small businesses are not spending enough time or money on cyber security – leaving them exposed to ransomware, severe regulatory fines, reputational damage and lost business opportunities.
• 29/08/2017 - Cloud 101: SaaS, PaaS & IaaS Explained
  There has been a seismic change in the way IT is delivered over the past decade – and the hype about our continued move to “the Cloud” seems to continue unabated. What does it all mean?
• 17/08/2017 - Comparing the Advantages with the Pitfalls of BYOD
  Research from Gartner has shown that 39% of employees surveyed rely on personally owned mobile devices in the workplace. Use of corporate owned devices was minor in comparison – just 10%. There are of course obvious reasons for the decline of corporate devices – primarily being the high cost burden for businesses.
• 27/07/2017 - What is the “right” level of security for my business?
  So far, 2017 has been the year of the cyber-attack. Cases of cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism are on the rise, but never before have the general public seen the scope and scale of cyber-crime committed by groups on the government and public services.
• 27/07/2017 - The 7-Step Plan for Small Businesses for Essential Cyber Security
  We discussed in an earlier blog how 80% of cyber-attacks could be prevented, simply by putting simple cyber security controls in place.
• 14/07/2017 - An Introduction to GDPR: Give Data Proper Respect!
  The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is getting a lot of column space, yet many businesses still have their head in the sand when it comes to its implications. We bust some myths and tell you what you need to know.
• 03/07/2017 - You’re Not Too Small to Be a Victim: The Obvious IT Security Fails Small Businesses Can Avoid
  IT security absolutely must become a higher priority in smaller businesses.
• 21/06/2017 - The Rise of Personally-Targeted Spear-Phishing Attacks & How to Defend Yourself From Them…
  As we all become more wary about the tell-tale signs of a phishing email attack, criminals are turning to a more targeted approach to email scamming: the spear-phishing attack.
• 14/06/2017 - Your IT perimeter: where is it and how do you best defend it?
  Gone are the days when the limits of your security cordon were the walls of the datacentre. Now, it isn’t the stray floppy disk or errant memory stick we need to worry about – many of us are wondering where the limits of our IT perimeter are.
• 05/06/2017 - Is the Password Still Relevant to Control Identity and Access to Your IT Systems and Data?
  A lot of people believe that the password is an invention of the age of computing, a necessary part of securing IT systems from hackers and other malevolent forces – intentional or unintentional. In truth, the password is about as old as human civilisation.
• 05/06/2017 - Empowering Employees Through Mobilisation
  The traditional employment model of jobs for life and a 9-5, Mon-Fri has undergone a major shake-up over the last couple of decades.
• 22/05/2017 - Is Your Disaster Recovery Plan & Process Up to Scratch?
  In recent years, the IT landscape has been transformed by digitalisation, Cloud, social and mobile – probably with significant impact on what a business-critical system looks like and what constitutes an IT disaster for your business.
• 16/05/2017 - How to Protect Your Business Against Cyber-Attacks and Data Theft Wow! Quite a weekend of news around Cyber Security…
  This was an article we had written a couple of weeks ago now and had scheduled for publication today just for the sake of offering our readers and supported end-users ongoing education about cyber security and playing your part…
• 11/05/2017 - 3 Ways a Small & Medium Business (SMB) Can Benefit From YouTube Content Marketing
  It is not uncommon for SMBs to find themselves swallowed amongst the mass of business across their diverse market. So, in today’s market your content marketing strategy needs to be somewhat unique in order to get your brand out there. For the astute SMB, there is no better option than YouTube content marketing.
• 08/05/2017 - 5 Top Tips for Handling Confidential Information in Your Business
  When handling confidential information in your business, whether it’s relating to your customers or employees, you have a duty to take the necessary steps to protect it.
• 26/04/2017 - Support for Windows Vista Comes To An End
  On April 11th 2017, Microsoft officially ended support for Vista, meaning they will no longer be releasing security updates, patches or technical support for it. Therefore if your business computers are still running Windows Vista then now is the time to upgrade to a more recent version.
• 26/04/2017 - Ten Straightforward Social Media Tips & Tricks
  As a small business or organisation, it’s becoming ever-more important to have an active social media presence so that you can connect with clients, potential customers or others in your industry.
• 27/03/2017 - Cyber Security Experts Warn of Rise in Ransomware
  A joint report from the NCA and the NCSC warns that cybercrime is becoming more aggressive. The increase in devices connecting to the internet is providing more opportunities for criminals to hold people to ransom over personal data.
• 22/03/2017 - (Not Always Obvious) Things You Should Look Out for to Avoid Phishing Scams
  Phishing scams are incredibly common nowadays. Luckily anyone who uses a computer on a daily basis is now very used to ignoring the most obvious types of phishing emails with poor spelling or grammar in the content; not to mention that those that are sent out en masse will nearly always be caught by professional spam filters.
• 13/03/2017 - 8 Top Tips for Managing a Virtual Work Team
  With flexible working on the increase, more small businesses than ever are effectively working in a virtual office.
• 06/03/2017 - Top Tips for Making IT Relevant for Your Business
  Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) or Businesses are vital to the UK economy, driving growth and ensuring employment.
• 27/02/2017 - How Two-Factor Authentication Can Help You Secure Your Business
  Verizon’s 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report found that 63% of confirmed data breaches involved weak, default or stolen passwords.
• 22/02/2017 - How SMEs Can Benefit from Keeping Up to Speed with Mobile Technology
  Just as the internet transformed business processes and marketing, mobile technology is a game-changer for SMEs. Keeping up with the pace of technology can seem daunting, but there’s much to be gained from keeping up to speed with mobile technology and embracing the opportunities it offers.
• 14/02/2017 - IoT Security Tips for SMEs
  There’s much hype about the Internet of Things (IoT) and the endless possibilities of a hyperconnected future.
• 07/02/2017 - Is Windows 7 no longer fit for business use?
  In a recent post, one of Microsoft’s Worldwide divisions stated that its Windows 7 operating system is outdated and no longer fit for business use.
• 30/01/2017 - How to Combat the ‘Insider Threat’
  Many businesses consider cyber threats as external forces, attempting to penetrate their defences from the outside in. In truth, however, threats often originate from within.
• 23/01/2017 - How to Use Technology to Attract the Best Talent to Your Business
  There are many things you can do in order to give your business the best chance of success. Creating great products and services, using the right software and marketing your business in a strategic way are all great things to do.
• 23/01/2017 - 3 Top Tips for Improving Office Connectivity in 2017
  Technology moves on quickly these days. The start of a new year is a great time to reassess how you use technology within your business, what can be changed for improved results and what is available that’s not currently being utilised, but may be beneficial.
• 12/01/2017 - Learning the lessons of 2016: How SMEs can improve their cyber security practices this year
  This time last year, we were contemplating 2015 as the year of the data breach. We were taking stock and trying to learn the lessons so that we could better protect ourselves and our businesses from the growing threat of hackers. And then 2016 happened.
• 12/01/2017 - Its a New Year…Is It Time for a New IT Company In 2017?
  Is your IT Company slow responding to problems, unable to cope with your demands, recommending software you don’t really need or overcharging you? If so, maybe it’s time to look for a new IT company this year!
• 12/01/2017 - 5 Social Media Trends to Look Out For in 2017
  Being aware of the latest trends in social media is a must no matter what type of business you run.
• 19/12/2016 - How to be a Savvy Web User this Christmas
  More people are opting to do their Christmas shopping online and although it is quick, easy and convenient, it is important that you are aware of fraudsters looking to take advantage of online shoppers by creating fake websites and selling counterfeit goods.
• 12/12/2016 - 5 Signs That Security in Your Business Needs to be Improved
  Security is a huge issue for businesses in the digital age. With more businesses now switching to the cloud than ever before, there is a greater need to protect data and ensure that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
• 06/12/2016 - Why Smart Cities Will Prove to be a Game-Changer for Business, Your Health and Our Humanity
  The times they are a-changing, and fast.
• 30/11/2016 - Grant McGregor Wins SolarWinds MSP Community Partner of the Year!
  Grant McGregor are proud to have received another fantastic award and IT industry accolade. This first of only three Partner of the Year Awards was given to Grant McGregor from SolarWinds MSP for Community Partner of the Year.
• 17/11/2016 - Why Centralised Data is Important and the Steps to Take to Protect Your Data
  Are you one of the many people who still store their important data and documents locally on your computer as opposed to on a central server?
• 07/11/2016 - The ‘Brexit Effect’ on Technology Prices – What does this mean for UK Businesses and Organisations?
  Although, we still have to wait for the Brexit plans and our negotiations to be debated and clarified in Parliament, it can’t have escaped you that the summer’s referendum ‘Brexit’ vote is already having an upward effect on many prices.
• 31/10/2016 - Is Antivirus Still Relevant in a World of Increasing Cyber-Attacks
  The volume of cyber-attacks on businesses is rising year on year.
• 26/10/2016 - 5 Ways to Use Technology to Increase Efficiency in Your Business
  One of the biggest advantages of technology is its ability to help us accomplish tasks more efficiently.
• 26/10/2016 - A Guide to MOVEit Transfer
  Being able to transfer files securely within your business as well as with customers and partners is an absolute must for businesses today.
• 10/10/2016 - Why SMEs Should Take Cyber Security Seriously
  Whilst cyber security has frequented news headlines in recent times, these high-profile breaches almost always involve large corporations which can lead smaller businesses and organisations into a false sense of security (no pun intended).
• 26/09/2016 - The 5 Biggest Vulnerabilities That Scammers Look to Exploit in Small Businesses And Organisations
  Although the internet has brought about many positive changes, it’s unfortunately also made it much easier for scammers to potentially target anyone.
• 20/09/2016 - Four Top Tips for Reducing IT Expenditure
  Some level of IT expenditure is necessary in a business world that’s increasingly driven by technology.
• 12/09/2016 - How to Spot and Deal with Fake/Scam Emails – 5 Tips to Keep Your Business Safe
  Phishing Fraud Indicating Rip Off And Magnification
• 07/09/2016 - 10 Tips to Get The Most Out of Windows 10
  Windows 10 has now reached it’s 1st anniversary date, although there are still many businesses that have yet to make the switch.
• 30/08/2016 - How Technology Can Help You Grow Your Business
  Technology is about innovation and innovation in business is all about doing things differently in order to provide better products and solutions, and an improved service to customers.
• 25/08/2016 - 6 Vital Reasons You Should Filter Web Traffic Through Your IT Network
  Broadband internet has opened a Pandora’s box, both for home users and businesses.
• 18/08/2016 - Back to school… already?!
  Can you believe that schools are back already? (Well here in Edinburgh anyway). And everyone’s getting ready for the new term.
• 03/08/2016 - Six Simple Ways to Seize Control of Your Document Storage
  Is document storage and management taking up valuable time, space and money in your business? If so, you’re not alone.
• 19/07/2016 - 5 Practical Steps to Improve IT Security in Your Business
  In the digital age, data is one of the most valuable parts of your business. Therefore, data security is something that should be a concern for every business owner. Security threats like phishing scams and CEO fraud are very real, so you should take any steps you can in order to keep your business safe.
• 06/07/2016 - How to Implement a New IT System with Minimal Disruption
  As your business grows, so too will the demands you have of your IT systems. Therefore it’s very likely that you’ll need to implement new systems – whether it’s updating your ERP or CRM software or switching from an on-premise system to a cloud-based solution.
• 01/07/2016 - Reboot, Restore, Revitalise – Need to give your IT a makeover this summer?
  Is everything running smoothly with your IT? Could it be better? These are two questions you need to ask yourself this summer!
• 20/06/2016 - Office 365 – Why your business could be missing out by shunning Apple devices
  As popular as Apple devices have become in recent years, the majority of businesses still prefer to use Windows machines for day-to-day operations.
• 15/06/2016 - How to Manage Business Mobile Devices
  Advancements in mobile technology have opened up a wealth of opportunity for businesses.
• 07/06/2016 - Why Hiring the Right Staff is Vital for SMEs in 2016
  When it comes to success in the business world, hiring the right staff is crucial.
• 23/05/2016 - 10 Fundamentals of Using Social Media Effectively for Your Business
  Using social media effectively is something that a lot of businesses struggle with.
• 17/05/2016 - Strengthen your IT team with LOGICnow in your corner…
  This week, we wanted to highlight one of our key Partners, LOGICnow.
• 17/05/2016 - Why so-called “CEO Fraud” is so Dangerous to Your Business and How to Avoid It
  Phishing is an extremely common type of email scam that’s existed for years. Usually taking advantage of peoples’ trust in large organisations – whether it’s their bank, a large online retailer or credit card company.
• 03/05/2016 - How to Protect Your Business from CryptoLocker
  Your data is vitally important to your business so you need to take every step possible to keep it secure. There is no shortage of malware programs out there that are designed to extort money by interfering with the functionality of your computer and targeting your data. One of the most troublesome pieces of software currently out there is known as CryptoLocker.
• 26/04/2016 - Back to Basics…Is GFI LanGuard Right for Securing Your Business?
  Security is one of the most important aspects of running a business. If you don’t have good security software then your company data might be vulnerable to attacks from hackers. Having your company data hacked, especially customer data – could prove to be disastrous.
• 20/04/2016 - Pulling Together – 5 Key Benefits of Co-sourcing IT Support Services
  One of the biggest challenges for SMEs and relatively small organisations is budgeting sensibly without compromising on quality. This is certainly true where IT services, support and, increasingly, IT security is concerned.
• 12/04/2016 - Is it Time to Audit Your IT Systems?
  When was the last time you had your IT systems audited?
• 05/04/2016 - The Three Most Common Access Control Issues
  Security is a huge issue for SMBs. Keeping your data secure is essential, especially when you’re collecting customer data that’s highly sensitive. The best way to keep data secure when it’s being stored remotely is through access control measures using authentication.
• 30/03/2016 - Which Strategies Are Best to Protect Against Malware?
  Today’s desktops, tablets, laptops and android phones are under constant attack from malware and ransomware, and it’s enough to put you on edge, worried about which websites you’ve visited and whether they were safe. How can you use any of devices with confidence? How can you browse for both work and play, safely, and safe in the knowledge that your computer won’t succumb to the latest, pernicious virus?
• 21/03/2016 - Is It Time To Hop Over To A New IT Company This Easter?
  Easter is fast approaching, making now the perfect time for you to hop on over to a new IT support provider! Changing your IT support provider isn’t as scary as it sounds and could be the best thing you ever do for your business. Here we’ll talk you through some of the reasons you should consider changing your IT support provider this Easter.
• 17/03/2016 - Do Home Workers Present a Security Risk to Your Business IT Network?
  The combination of rapid technological advancement and the extension of flexible working rights in the UK has led to a huge increase in the number of people working from home some, or all, of the time. The most recent figures show that there are a record 4.2 million homeworkers in the UK, which amounts to a significant 13.9% of the workforce.
• 10/03/2016 - 8 Reasons Why You Might Not Be Receiving Email
  Sad news this week that Ray Tomlinson has died at the age of 74. Most people might ask, “Who’s he?” and yet he is credited as the inventor of email and the man who chose the @ symbol to enable people to send person-to-person messages to other computer users on other servers.
• 01/03/2016 - Managing IT Infrastructure & Security
  If you run or manage a small to medium business or organisation, you may find that it’s often better to do most things in-house. However, should you really manage everything in this way? Outsourcing can offer tremendous advantages, especially when it comes to IT. Here we’re going to explore why outsourcing to a specialist IT team is a good idea for your business.
• 22/02/2016 - How to Use IT Strategically in Your Business to Gain a Competitive Advantage
  When using IT in your business, it can be very easy to simply see it as a means to accomplish certain tasks rather than a tool that can be used to gain a competitive advantage.
• 18/02/2016 - 10 Things to consider before subscribing to Office 365
  Office 365 for business gives you access to Microsoft office tools and cloud solutions from virtually anywhere, so you can get more done anytime, anywhere.
• 18/02/2016 - 7 Business Technology Trends for 2016
  Almost every type of business makes use of some form of technology nowadays so being aware of the latest technology trends is incredibly useful for business owners or managers.
• 18/02/2016 - What impact will reforms to the Data Protection Act have on your business, and what relevant adjustments are you likely to have to make?
  Debate, Europe, Regulations After 4 years of debate, it seems that changes to the Data Protection Act 1998 are now imminent. Many feel this is long overdue, and that rather than have several different versions of Data Protection all over Europe, a one size fits all regulation is far better. There will be further meetings in January for the new regulations, which will be followed by a 2-year transition period. However, what will these new changes mean for small businesses and organisations li
• 18/02/2016 - The Benefits of 24/7 Monitoring of Your Physical and Virtual IT Infrastructure
  It doesn’t matter whether you utilise a physical or virtual IT infrastructure; either way you will need to make sure that it is monitored and maintained by a team of IT experts.
• 12/02/2016 - Are You Head Over Heels With Your IT Company…Or Have They Left You Broken Hearted?
  Has your current IT company lured you into a bad romance?
• 11/02/2016 - What 2015 Taught Us – A Look Back at the Big IT Stories
  Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas has faded and 2016 is well and truly upon us, we feel it’s the perfect time to take a look back at some of the biggest IT news stories of last year and what has, or perhaps should, be learned from them.
• 15/12/2015 - How to be a Savvy Web User this Christmas
  More people are opting to do their Christmas shopping online and although it is quick, easy and convenient, it is important that you are aware of fraudsters looking to take advantage of online shoppers by creating fake websites and selling counterfeit goods.
• 15/12/2015 - Fraud Prevention Seminar is a Virtual Success
  Last week saw the team from Grant McGregor participating in a fraud prevention seminar, which was held in the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel in Edinburgh’s West End.
• 27/11/2015 - Are You Ready For Employee Absence Affecting Your Business This Winter?
  One of the biggest business disruptions is unplanned employee absence. At this time of year there is a high chance of bad weather and there are plenty of colds and illnesses going round, resulting in many businesses advising employees to stay at home rather than share their germs with the rest of the workforce.
• 20/11/2015 - Security Is No Longer an IT Problem, It Is a Business Issue!
  There have been a rising number of high profile security breaches of late, involving the likes of Talk Talk and Sony, these have affected millions of people all over the world and prove that even the biggest companies can be affected by something like data theft and password cracking.
• 13/11/2015 - 7 Essential Reasons To Back-Up Your Laptop
  If your files are too important to lose then you need to back up your laptop!
• 13/11/2015 - Apple Announce Microsoft Office for the iPad Pro
  The iPad Pro features a much larger 12 inch screen.
• 13/11/2015 - Cyber Security – it won’t happen to me…or will it!
  Don't be fooled into thinking your business isn't vulnerable to data loss or cyber security threats.
• 10/09/2015 - Top Ten Network Monitoring Benefits
  In order to achieve effective network management, you will need a network monitoring solution. Network monitoring systems are designed to constantly monitor your IT network, keeping track of activity and identifying any problems.
• 10/09/2015 - Email today – is it a blessing or a curse?
  There’s no denying the fact that email has completely transformed the way we communicate with each other, both in our professional and personal lives. It has allowed for almost instant communication at a lower cost than ever before. But as great as email is, there are of course a few downsides to consider. Here we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of email to decide whether it is in fact a blessing or a curse!
• 10/09/2015 - Preventing Shadow IT – Cloud Security Risks & Solutions
  What is Shadow IT?
• 10/09/2015 - Risky Business – why you shouldn’t store important files locally
  Are you in the habit of storing some or all of your important files locally? And by locally we mean on your own personal drive or desktop, instead of the server or other backed up storage drives in your organisation. If so, you’re taking a big, big risk.
• 10/09/2015 - Grant McGregor Ltd Becomes a Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller
  Edinburgh, Scotland — 1st July 2015 — Grant McGregor Ltd – Technology People, today announced it has become a Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller (AER). Demonstrating its ability to meet Microsoft academic customers’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment. To earn a Microsoft AER authorization, partners must complete a test to prove their level of academic licensing and market expertise.
• 10/09/2015 - Award Winning Technology from Award Winning People!
  As one of GFI Software’s key, strategic Gold Partners in the UK, Grant McGregor was invited to attend the Worldwide GFI Partner conference in Vienna earlier in June. Find out what we discovered about what the future holds…
• 25/08/2015 - Too Risky to Stay or Leave – Changing Your IT Support Partner
  Staying with a poor IT support partner is like throwing money down the drain
• 16/06/2015 - 8 Reasons to start using Microsoft Publisher today
  Microsoft Publisher is a fantastic desktop publishing program that you can use to create a wide range of high quality publications. Unlike other software on the market, it’s not expensive, nor is it complicated to use. However, it tends to be the most underused of Microsoft’s mainstream programs.
• 10/06/2015 - Magento Security Breach – the importance of applying your security updates on time
  It’s been over a month since Magento announced a critical security flaw in its system, however a large number of merchants are still yet to install the patch provided.
• 09/06/2015 - Cyber Attacks Continue – Make Sure Your Company is Protected
  Unfortunately the start of 2015 has been a busy time for cyber criminals, with a number of attacks taking place across all industries. Here we’ll talk you through some of the top cyber-attacks that have taken place in the first quarter and what you can do to ensure your company is protected.
• 09/06/2015 - What do you need to ask yourself before you think about IT change?
  IT change is not something you should rush into. Not only can it be costly for your business but it can also affect your entire workforce and customer base. Below we’ve shared some of the key questions you need to ask yourself before you think about IT change.
• 15/05/2015 - 3 Reasons You Should Add Email Archiving & Retention to Your Email Security Services Today
  Today the majority of businesses rely on email as their primary form of communication. With this in mind, it’s important that they can harness and use the wealth of information that’s stored in email inboxes and folders. It’s also vital that executives and managers understand their regulatory obligations to ensure email records can be easily gathered.
• 15/05/2015 - 5 Easy Steps to Using Microsoft Excel More Effectively
  Out of all the Microsoft Office programs, Excel is probably the most complicated. However, once you’ve grasped it, the software can prove to be very beneficial in terms of creating spreadsheets and managing data. To help you familiarise yourself with Microsoft Excel, we’ve provided five easy steps on how to use it more effectively.
• 15/05/2015 - Do you Move to Windows 8 or stay with Windows 7 and wait for Windows 10?
  It may be a few years yet before Microsoft withdraws support for Windows 7 but businesses still need to prepare their upgrade plans early. Despite having plenty of warning about the end of XP support, many companies are still running the vulnerable operating system as they have failed to upgrade in time. It’s never too early to start planning, especially if your business relies heavily on its IT infrastructure.
• 15/05/2015 - Seven Great New Offerings Contained In Office 365 Cloud Services
  Microsoft Office 365 is currently one of the leading Cloud services on the market and with good reason; it boasts fantastic features and Microsoft’s dedication to Cloud security is unrivalled.
• 14/05/2015 - 50,000 Ways to Save Yourself Time When Securing Your IT Network
  Today many businesses rely heavily on their IT networks in order to carry out their daily tasks. If their networks are riddled with holes and vulnerabilities, they risk their data being stolen, corrupted or lost. With this in mind, it is essential that they carry out patching on a regular basis.
• 14/05/2015 - Have You Tested Your Company Backup & Restore Process Recently? Perhaps Its Time You Did…
  It’s all very well having a disaster recovery plan in place but can you be 100% sure that it works? If the answer is no, then it’s about time you got round to testing your backup & restore procedure. Here we’ll explain why it’s crucial to your company’s success.

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Grant McGregor Ltd

Great, friendly, expert advice and help always on tap from Grant McGregor Team. Can't thank the team enough for the expert advice and support I have personally received from the IT professionals. Takes away the stress of any IT issue especially when you haven't got a clue!

By Gail Kelly - 24 May 2023

Grant McGregor Ltd

The technician fixed the problem with my PC in minutes, she was very polite and helpful. As I am a bit of a dinosaur with IT it is great to have someone you can rely on to help fix a problem in a very friendly and understanding way.

By Shona Malcolm - 11 August 2022

Grant McGregor Ltd

It is a true measure of the Grant McGregor team when a supplier becomes a partner. The team have managed the process of onboarding through to completion of secure IT management in simple, controlled steps. Our greatest thanks to all involved and we look forward to growing our business with a partner we can trust to help us on our way.

By Rob Hall - 11 August 2022

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