Aldridge Blog
Quick reads to improve your IT strategy
Most Recent Posts
Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) vs. Traditional Network Ownership
Why IT Leaders Are Rethinking Network Ownership For decades, IT leaders have defaulted to the same model for network infrastructure: purchase the hardware, deploy it, and maintain it until the next refresh cycle forces another round of upgrades. It’s familiar, but...
Why IT Leaders Are Moving to Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)
Every IT leader knows network hardware has a shelf life. But the real pain point isn’t just replacement, it’s the capital outlay, lifecycle management, and operational overhead that come with traditional network ownership. Between procurement cycles, firmware...
Microsoft Teams Is Adding Built-In Security in 2026: What That Means for Your Business
Microsoft is making Microsoft Teams safer by default, and most organizations will start seeing these changes in January 2026. Beginning January 12, 2026, Microsoft will automatically turn on new safety features in Teams for companies using standard settings. The goal...
What is Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)
After nearly 10 years, Windows 10 will officially reach its end of support on October 14, 2025. This means Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, feature updates, or technical support for the operating system. Your Windows 10 devices will still work,...
Evolving Cyber Threats We Are Seeing in 2025
The world of cybercrime is always changing, and in 2025, threat actors are more strategic and dangerous than ever. While their goal remains the same (make money), the methods have become more aggressive, layered, and damaging. Wire Fraud: The Silent, Costly Threat ...
How Microsoft Teams Clocks Over Half a Million Meeting Minutes Every Minute
Microsoft Teams has become one of the most widely used collaboration platforms in the world, powering meetings, chats, and document sharing for organizations of all sizes. But just how much time do we collectively spend in Teams meetings? Spoiler: Every day, Teams...
Avoid Surprise IT Infrastructure Costs with Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)
Most businesses know their network hardware won’t last forever. But what catches many off guard is just how expensive and disruptive a network refresh can be. The costs pile up quickly—new equipment, installation, configuration, and lost time. And by the time...
The Do’s and Don’ts During a Cyber Incident
When a cyberattack hits, the first moments are critical. What you do—and just as importantly, what you don’t do—can make the difference between a quick recovery and a costly disaster. ✅ Do: Stay Calm and Follow a Plan Panic leads to poor decisions. The best thing...
Aldridge Names Chris Fridley as Chief Operating Officer to Drive Growth and Elevate Client Experience
Houston, TX, July 9, 2025 – Aldridge, a leading provider of managed IT and cybersecurity services, proudly announces the appointment of Chris Fridley as Chief Operating Officer. Chris officially joined the Aldridge team on May 12, bringing with him more than 25 years...
5 IT Issues That Cost Manufacturers the Most
In manufacturing, every minute matters. When a CNC machine sits idle, when your ERP system freezes mid-job ticket, or when your operators are staring at a blue screen instead of a work queue—it’s not just frustrating. It’s expensive. 5 IT Issues That Cost...
It Security
7 Key Takeaways from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Microsoft Ignite 2025 made one thing very clear: the future of work is no longer built only for large enterprises with massive IT teams. Microsoft’s latest announcements focused heavily on making AI, security, and modernization accessible, practical, and manageable...
2025 Cybersecurity Recap and What to Expect in 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear: this was the year cybersecurity stopped being a background function and became a board-level priority for nearly every organization. Between an explosion of AI-powered threats, high-profile supply chain breaches, and...
Unlocking AI for Small Businesses: Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how small businesses work, but true success starts with having the right technology, security, and governance in place. If you're beginning to explore AI tools and want to ensure your environment is secure, compliant, and ready...
Microsoft 365
Microsoft Price Increase in April 2025
On April 1, 2025, Microsoft increased prices by 5% for customers who pay for Microsoft 365 and other license-based subscriptions on a monthly billing plan. However, if you pay your annual or triennial Microsoft subscription upfront, your price will stay the same. ...
Building Excel Dashboards for Leaders
Dashboards in Excel provide a powerful solution for financial leaders, CFOs, and analysts to visualize and interpret data efficiently. What is a Dashboard in Excel? An Excel dashboard is a visual representation of key metrics and data insights presented in one...
The Latest Wave of Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft continues to push the boundaries of AI-powered productivity with its latest updates to Microsoft 365 Copilot. With over 150 new features and 700+ product updates this year, Microsoft has been focused on addressing the challenges many of us face in our daily...
It Consulting
How to Effectively Respond to a Security Event
Responding to a security event is all about identifying threats early and taking appropriate action. There are two parts to responding to a security event or indicator, preparation (referred to as left-of-boom) and the response following a potential attack...
Why IT Leaders Are Moving to Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)
Every IT leader knows network hardware has a shelf life. But the real pain point isn’t just replacement, it’s the capital outlay, lifecycle management, and operational overhead that come with traditional network ownership. Between procurement cycles, firmware...
Don’t Miss Our Most Popular Articles
7 Key Takeaways from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Microsoft Ignite 2025 made one thing very clear: the future of work is no longer built only for large enterprises with massive IT teams. Microsoft’s latest announcements focused heavily on making AI, security, and modernization accessible, practical, and manageable...
2025 Cybersecurity Recap and What to Expect in 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear: this was the year cybersecurity stopped being a background function and became a board-level priority for nearly every organization. Between an explosion of AI-powered threats, high-profile supply chain breaches, and...
Unlocking AI for Small Businesses: Insights from Microsoft Ignite 2025
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how small businesses work, but true success starts with having the right technology, security, and governance in place. If you're beginning to explore AI tools and want to ensure your environment is secure, compliant, and ready...