Aldridge Blog
Quick reads to improve your IT strategy
Most Recent Posts
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...
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...
How Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) Upgrades Your Network
Most businesses know their network hardware won’t last forever. But what catches many executives off guard is just how expensive and disruptive a network refresh can be. The costs pile up quickly, new firewalls, switches, and wireless access points, plus...
Benefits of Outsourced IT Support for Accounting Firms
All businesses rely on information technology to succeed and are faced with the challenge of balancing productivity, security, and functionality as they implement and leverage their IT solution. For accountants and CPAs, this challenge is made increasingly more...
How to Build a Security Incident Response Team
Having a well-structured incident response plan (IRP) is essential for effectively managing security incidents. One crucial aspect of this plan is the integration of an incident response team to supplement and enhance your internal capabilities. External Incident...
Why Accounting Firms Need Cybersecurity Awareness Training & Testing
We often find that the accounting and CPA firms we talk to have many IT security software and technology tools in place but neglect their most critical vulnerability: their people. Most of the time, these firms lack a regular and practical cybersecurity...
The Cost of IT Outsourcing in 2025: How to Budget and Tell if You’re Paying Too Much
Comparing prices is the first thing on a business’s agenda when selecting an outsourced service. However, when it comes to the cost of IT outsourcing, there are a number of factors that can alter the terms and quality of a provider’s offering…
What is a Security Incident?
The distinction between a routine security event and a serious security incident is crucial for organizations to manage their cybersecurity effectively. The terms “security incident” and “breach” come with legal obligations such as notifying parties affected by the...
Preparing for a Cyberattack: IT, Legal, & Insurance Perspective
Being prepared with legal, insurance, and IT considerations are critical for organizations navigating the complexities of incident response. Legal preparation is a crucial component of an incident response plan, as it involves navigating numerous complexities that...
5 Requirements to Get Cyber Insurance in 2025
In the early days of cyber insurance, carriers were much more relaxed about writing policies. They didn't have a good understanding of the risks involved, and as a result, they lost a lot of money on their cyber policies. Carriers have finally caught on to the real...
It Security
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...
Microsoft 365
How to Use “IF” Functions in Excel
The IF function is one of the most popular functions in Excel, and it allows you to make logical comparisons between a value and what you expect. How to Use “IF” Functions in Excel IF Function - Syntax and Usage The IF function is one of Excel's logical functions...
How to Use vLookup and xLookup Functions in Excel
Lookup functions in Excel simplify data retrieval by allowing users to search for specific information within datasets efficiently. How to Use vLookup and xLookup Functions in Excel vLookup The V in VLOOKUP stands for "Vertical." In Excel, the VLookup function...
How to Use Named Ranges in Microsoft Excel
Named ranges in Microsoft Excel simplify data management by assigning meaningful names to specific cell ranges, making formulas easier to understand and maintain. How to Use Named Ranges in Microsoft Excel You can use the labels of columns and rows on a worksheet to...
It Consulting
Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) vs. Traditional 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 familiarity doesn’t equal efficiency. With...
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
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...