integrity0b3cabe5

The hidden risks of outsourcing IT support (and how to avoid them)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 10:23:16 GMT

Outsourcing IT support can improve operational productivity, resilience and security when the right provider and service agreement are in place. As with any outsourced service, it is important to understand areas such as system ownership, pricing, provider security and response arrangements before choosing an MSP.

Choosing a professional and experienced managed IT service provider helps ensure your business has the right technical expertise, processes and support in place from the outset.

In this article, we explore the potential risks of outsourcing IT support, what to look for and how the right approach can help to keep your IT systems robust, secure and productive.

What are the risks of outsourcing IT support?

When you’re considering using an external provider to manage any aspect of your business, weighing up the opportunities and risks is a sensible approach.

With this in mind, there are five important areas UK SMEs should consider when choosing an IT support provider and agreeing how the service will be delivered.

Loss of control

Outsourcing IT does involve sharing responsibility for the management of your systems, so it is important that ownership, access and responsibilities are clearly defined from the outset.

Having a responsive, local team who you have a professional relationship with can mitigate this area of concern, as they can share important information and keep you up to date with developments.

Learn more here: How to tell if your IT provider is any good

Slow response

When choosing a managed IT service, it is important to understand their support hours, response times, escalation process and ability to provide onsite support when required.

Proactive, local engineers with some insight into your business can minimise the risk of slow response times by keeping closer contact with you in order to make sure outages are resolved efficiently.

Explore more details here: How to choose an IT support company.

Provider security

As an IT provider may have privileged access to your systems, it is important to understand the security measures they have in place to protect both their own environment and their customers.

Robust endpoint protection, multifactor authentication and regular backups are required to safeguard your systems.

In fact, third-party involvement in IT breaches doubled from 15% to 30% year on year, according to recent research. This demonstrates that completing appropriate vetting of an accredited provider could make all the difference for your business’s security .

At Integrity, we hold a variety of industry accreditations, including Cyber Essentials Plus certification, and are both a Microsoft Solutions Partner and Sophos Gold Partner, enabling us to help protect your organisation from a range of cyber threats.

Lock-in

Being locked-in to one contract with an external provider who manages your systems may be an issue if you want to explore alternative solutions or are looking to bring control back in-house.

A clear contract should set out termination and handover arrangements, ownership of systems and data, access to administrative credentials, documentation requirements and any applicable exit costs or timescales.

Hidden costs

A quote that offers managed IT support at an enticing price level could be difficult to turn down. Nevertheless, cheap quotes often exclude crucial services, such as comprehensive anti-virus and data backups. This could cost your business more over the long run.

Transparent pricing with no hidden extras is an essential part of a service agreement with a professional managed IT support provider . Knowing exactly how much the service will cost you enables you to plan effectively for future goals and workflows.

Browse more information in our article: Is outsourcing IT cheaper than an in-house team? The real numbers

We can help with outsourcing IT support advice

If you’re considering choosing an external provider for IT support, then selecting the right one for your business could be a game changer. Talk to our friendly team of experts about your current IT requirements and find out how Integrity can provide secure, responsive and transparent managed IT support for your business.

Join our new cyber awareness training session following Cyber Awareness Month

Following Cyber Awareness Month, we’re introducing a new open Cyber Awareness Training session designed to make professional cyber security training more accessible to smaller businesses and organisations.

Traditionally, our cyber awareness training is delivered as a dedicated session for a single organisation. While constructive, this can be less cost-effective for smaller businesses that only have a handful of employees requiring training. This new approach allows organisations to book individual places, providing access to the same professional training without the cost of arranging a private session.

First session is 25th November at ECO HQ, Annan, DG12 6TZ. 9:30 am – 11:30 am

Introductory offer: £45 per person

Limited spaces available

To reserve a place for yourself or a member of your team, contact Integrity on 01228 594682 or email info@integrityoffice.co.uk

Key Topics Covered :

Recognising phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics.
Password security and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Risks associated with public Wi-Fi and unsecured devices.
Identifying and responding to suspicious emails and links.
Cyber hygiene tips for maintaining secure work environments
How cyber criminals are using AI to create more convincing phishing and social engineering attacks.

This interactive training will include live demonstrations, practical examples, and opportunities for questions, ensuring participants gain valuable, actionable insights. Attendees will leave with increased cyber awareness, practical skills they can apply in the workplace and a certificate confirming completion of the training.

Cyber Awareness Training | 25th November 2026

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:55:48 GMT

The majority of cyber attacks rely on human behaviour rather than technical vulnerabilities. By helping staff understand what to look for and how to respond, organisations can significantly reduce their cyber risk.

Training Details:

Eco Group HQ 6 Annan Business Park Way, Annan, DG12 6TZ

Wednesday 25th November 2026

9:30 - 11:30am (Doors open 9:15am)

£45 per person

Limited spaces available

Key Topics Covered:

Recognising phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics.
Safe password practices and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Risks associated with public Wi-Fi and unsecured devices.
Identifying and responding to suspicious emails and links.
Cyber hygiene tips for maintaining secure work environments.
AI models that find vulnerabilities in organisations.

This interactive training will include live demonstrations, practical examples, and opportunities for questions, ensuring participants gain valuable, actionable insights.

Attendees will leave with increased awareness and practical skills to reduce cybersecurity risks and an attendance certificate to show competition of the training.

Is outsourcing IT cheaper than an in-house team?

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:01:26 GMT

As your business grows, you may find IT requirements becoming more complex. You could have more employees, devices and systems to manage, alongside increasing cybersecurity requirements and the need to keep your operations running smoothly.

There may come a point in time when you start to consider hiring an in-house IT employee or outsourcing your IT support to a managed service provider (MSP).

Having someone in-house who understands your business is potentially beneficial. However, the cost of employing an IT professional could be more than you initially planned, particularly when additional employment costs are taken into account.

IT downtime is another important consideration. UK small businesses with 11–50 employees lose an average of £7,500 a year due to system disruption, with 92% of businesses taking 24 hours or more to fully recover from a serious outage.

Your team may currently be weighing up whether outsourcing IT is cheaper than hiring in-house. The answer depends on your business, but understanding the full costs of each option can help you make a more well-informed decision.

What are the costs of hiring IT in-house?

When examining the cost of an in-house IT employee, it's fundamental to look beyond annual salary. Employing someone permanently comes with additional expenses that could increase your overall investment.

These may include:

Employer National Insurance

Contributions increase the total cost of employing a member of staff.

Pension contributions

Employer contributions to a workplace pension add to your ongoing employment costs.

Training and development

IT professionals need to keep deepening their knowledge as technologies, software and cybersecurity threats evolve.

Equipment and software

Employees will possibly need suitable hardware, software licences and specialist tools to carry out their role effectively.

You may also have to account for recruitment costs, onboarding, employee benefits and future salary increases.

For a small or medium business, these expenses can make employing a dedicated IT professional a significant financial commitment. It’s also sensible to assess whether one person's skills and availability will be sufficient to meet all your IT requirements.

Can one IT employee cover everything?

Understandably, having one reliable person who knows the business well and can resolve technical problems when they arise can be helpful for an SME.

Modern IT covers a wide range of responsibilities, including helpdesk support, network management, cloud services, cybersecurity, backups and infrastructure maintenance.

Finding one person with in-depth experience across every area can be challenging. Even a highly capable IT professional will have limits on their knowledge and capacity.

There’s also the question of holiday and sickness cover. If your sole IT employee takes annual leave or becomes unwell, who will respond when an employee can’t access an essential system or a critical service stops working?

You may need to rely on colleagues with limited technical knowledge or arrange external support at short notice. This can introduce unexpected costs and additional pressure on your teams.

As your business grows, you may eventually need additional employees to provide the specialist knowledge and availability your organisation requires. This can increase your overall employment costs even further.

How can your business benefit from outsourcing IT?

Outsourcing IT to a managed service provider gives your business access to a team of professionals, rather than relying on the knowledge and availability of one individual.

Instead of employing several people to cover these responsibilities, you can access a broader range of expertise for a predictable monthly fee with a managed IT support provider . The cost will depend on factors such as your number of users and devices or the complexity of your systems.

For many UK SMEs, this approach can offer several practical benefits.

More predictable costs

A monthly managed IT support agreement can make budgeting easier by setting out the services included and their associated costs.

Access to specialist expertise

You benefit from professionals with different technical skills without needing to recruit each specialist directly.

Greater continuity

A support team should provide cover when individual technicians are unavailable, reducing your reliance on one person's knowledge.

Proactive maintenance

Regular monitoring and maintenance can help identify potential problems before they cause significant disruption.

Outsourcing doesn't eliminate every IT risk or guarantee that downtime won't occur. However, the right provider can help you manage systems more consistently and reduce reliance on reactive emergency support.

Browse more information in our article: Outsourcing IT vs hiring in-house: How UK SMEs should decide

Why a tailored IT support quote could be the answer

Ultimately, there isn't one right answer for every business. An organisation with complex infrastructure and substantial internal IT requirements may benefit from an in-house employee or a combination of internal and external support.

For other UK SMEs, outsourcing may provide a more practical way to access the expertise and ongoing maintenance they need without the additional responsibilities of employing a dedicated IT team.

The important thing is to compare the full cost of employing someone internally against the services and level of support offered by a managed IT provider.

At Integrity, we take a tailored approach to managed IT support . By understanding your current systems and business requirements, we help you explore an approach that fits your organisation.

Get a tailored IT support quote and see how outsourcing compares with the cost of an in-house team.

How to reduce IT downtime in a small business: 9 practical steps

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT

IT downtime may start as a technical problem, but the impact can quickly spread across the wider business. Employees can lose access to systems, customers can experience delays and management time can be diverted into getting operations back online.

According to recent research, UK SMEs lose around £7,500 and up to 2 working days due to unplanned IT downtime. For a small business, this can have a noticeable impact.

In fact, reducing downtime isn’t just about having better systems. Regular maintenance, effective backups and proactive monitoring can all help reduce the risk of escalation.

Scaling your business could mean that the technology you initially relied on at the outset needs to become more expansive. You may find that existing systems don’t provide the reliability you now need. As a result, taking a proactive approach to IT could create benefits and opportunities you weren’t expecting.

In this article, we explore 9 practical methods to help reduce your IT downtime, especially if you’re a small or medium business.

9 practical steps to reduce IT downtime

You’re the expert on your organisation, so it’s possible that you’ll have individual areas you want to explore. Here are 9 proactive ways to start reducing downtime in your business and increasing productivity.

1. Proactive monitoring

Without active monitoring, IT problems are often only discovered when they begin affecting employees. Proactive monitoring gives your IT provider greater visibility of supported systems, allowing warning signs to be identified and investigated before they develop into more disruptive issues.

This can include monitoring device performance, available storage, connectivity, services and hardware health. Issues such as critically low storage, failed services or hardware alerts may be identified before they result in a larger disruption.

Notably, remote monitoring and management (RMM) is capable of continuously monitoring supported devices and automatically alerting an IT support team when an area needs attention.

2. Maintaining a consistent patching schedule

Regular updates for software and operating systems are necessary to minimise the chance of security vulnerabilities or performance issues. However, a consistent patching schedule helps keep systems secure while minimising disruption to your team.

A managed IT support provider, like Integrity, can schedule your updates at convenient times to minimise disruption to day-to-day work. We use automation to schedule security patches at specific times so your systems are updated with minimal disturbance.

Learn more in our article: What is managed IT support? A plain-English guide for UK businesses

3. Backup and disaster recovery

Backups are an essential data loss protection method for your business. In addition, knowing that your backups are consistently working and that important information can be restored after an outage are vital to business continuity.

In this regard, regular backup verification and test runs can help identify any possible problems before an actual outage takes place. Having a well-informed recovery plan should give you a clear understanding of restoration procedures you will go through if a serious IT failure or cyber incident emerges.

4. UPS and hardware refresh

Today’s technology does age and can slow down, which inevitably makes it less reliable and more difficult to manage. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can deliver short-term power protection and protect systems against power interruption impacts.

Reviewing the age and condition of your servers and other critical hardware is important, as is replacing older equipment before it becomes outdated or vulnerable.

5. Network resilience

Today, we all probably depend on an internet connection to support most of our work, such as customer communication or cloud applications. This connectivity, whilst being a strength, can also become a potential point of failure.

If your primary connection fails, you could require a secondary connection or temporary solution that helps keep essential services running securely. A managed IT support provider can set up these services for your business to ensure crucial operations are ongoing.

6. Endpoint security

Cyber security is an essential part of IT strategy and security these days. One cyber incident can restrict access to systems and compromise sensitive data or make systems unavailable.

A range of cyber security measures, such as appropriate endpoint protection, email security, multi-factor authentication, access controls and regular patching, can all help reduce your exposure.

7. Staff training

Employee training is vital when it comes to keeping systems secure and available. Regular training sessions help staff recognise a variety of vulnerability areas, including phishing emails or unusual login requests. This process can also help employees know what actions to take if something doesn’t look or feel right.

8. Documented incident response

Time is of the essence when it comes to an IT incident. Documenting a response can help in the moment and when it comes to future risk events. A documented incident response is useful if it identifies who is responsible for the response, which systems are priorities and when external support is required.

With this kind of protocol available to employees, it can help reduce the amount of time spent on working out how to respond to a critical IT system issue.

9. Clear SLAs

A clear Service Level Agreement (SLA) should set out what systems your managed IT provider supports, expected response times and how this support will be delivered. Your MSP’s SLA should define scope, support hours, priorities, response targets and escalation routes.

If your business experiences a serious outage, your SLA will contain essential information and actions to follow.

A managed IT support provider can give your business ongoing access to technical expertise rather than only becoming involved after something has already gone wrong.

The right service should match your systems, be tailored to your specific business requirements and ensure you gain the support you need, when you need it.

Read more here: What should an IT support contract include? The essential checklist

Reduce downtime before it becomes a business problem

No business can ever completely eliminate IT system failure. The aim of your managed IT support provider will be to maintain oversight so that any potential issue can be identified early so your business can recover efficiently if something does happen.

For many small or medium businesses, moving away from a reactive approach to proactive IT support monitoring and maintenance can make the biggest difference.

Rather than waiting for employees to report problems, a managed IT support provider can continuously monitor supported systems, supervise updates and provide a consistent point of contact.

Integrity provides tailored managed IT support with proactive monitoring designed to help keep systems up to date, protected and available. Our RMM service continuously monitors supported systems and can identify potential problems before they cause disruption.

If recurring IT problems, unreliable systems or unexpected downtime are becoming a distraction for your business, it may be worth reviewing your current IT setup.

Speak to the Integrity team to discuss your current systems, identify potential risks and explore a more proactive approach to IT support.

Outsourcing IT vs hiring in-house: How UK SMEs should decide

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:37:09 GMT

As your business scales over time, you may find that you have a series of decisions to make about how you will manage the challenges and opportunities this growth creates.

One area you’re likely to see change relates to the technologies you will potentially need to integrate for operational expansion. You may have more employees, devices, locations and systems to support, while cybersecurity and compliance requirements can also become more complex.

As a result, you could be considering whether it’s time to hire an in-house employee, outsource to a managed IT service provider , or use a combination of these two options.

It’s good to know you’re not alone with this decision. The UK IT outsourcing market was worth around GBP 25bn in 2025 and is forecast to grow at 6.49% CAGR to 2034, reflecting how UK organisations are securing their systems with expert professional guidance.

The question you could be asking yourself is: should I outsource my IT or hire in-house? There isn't one right answer. The best model depends on the level of support you need, the expertise you already have internally, your budget and how quickly your requirements are changing

In this article, we explore some of the practical areas that can support you in making your decision.

Learn more in our article: What is managed IT support: a plain English guide for UK businesses

Outsourcing or hiring in-house: 5 key areas to evaluate

Truth be told, there isn’t just one right answer for every UK SME. You know your business best and making a decision will undoubtedly be based on the level of support you need or how quickly you’re predicting operational expansion.

Here are five important areas that many UK businesses feel are relevant to this decision.

1. Cost formation

Hiring an in-house person who becomes familiar with systems and can provide regular support could be beneficial. However, the cost of this employment could be more than you first calculated.

With a permanent employee, you’ll need to consider recruitment, training and ongoing professional development costs, alongside additional equipment and software purchases.

Keeping up to date with technological and cyber security developments could also be expensive as these areas are currently evolving at pace and in complexity. For many UK businesses, this could result in a level of cost that isn’t sustainable over time.

In contrast, a managed IT support provider can give you access to a broader team for a predictable recurring cost, depending on the services, users and systems included.

2. Skill range

Modern IT can span user support, networks, cloud services, Microsoft 365, cybersecurity, backups, infrastructure and compliance. It can be challenging to find one person who has in-depth experience in every relevant area for your business.

With a managed IT service provider, there’s typically support from a team of experienced professionals. This team should bring different areas of technical expertise rather than relying on one individual's knowledge, so they can oversee your needs as technology requirements change.

So, if you suddenly have an IT problem you’ve never encountered before, there is a greater chance that someone within a managed IT support team has encountered a similar issue or has specialist knowledge in that area.

3. Scalability

Organisations deal with change in some form every day. You may open different business locations or introduce new systems which result in modifying IT needs. Hiring additional employees to oversee all of this may support growth but could also increase employment costs.

With an outsourced provider, support can be scaled and scaffolded around your requirements, helping you secure necessary expertise and project resources when you need them.

4. Holiday and sickness cover

An employee is unlikely to be able to provide continual IT support cover as holidays or periods of absence will occur at some point. This could leave your business with gaps in IT support and a vulnerability if something goes wrong with an IT system.

A managed IT provider can offer greater continuity because support does not depend on one individual being available.

5. Control

Outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re giving up control over your IT infrastructure. Partnering with a professional and well-recommended provider will help you understand your systems while providing clarity around responsibility through your Service Level Agreement (SLA) with them.

A clear agreement should define responsibilities, supported services, access, escalation routes and service levels.

Browse more information in our article: Is outsourcing IT cheaper than an in-house team? The real numbers

A third option? Co-managed IT support

An alternative to consider is co-managed IT support. This is where a managed IT support provider works with an internal employee or team to look after the oversight and maintenance of your IT systems.

This could work in a number of different ways. For example, an internal IT person might handle day-to-day user support and internal projects, while the MSP provides monitoring, cybersecurity, specialist engineering, holiday cover or additional project resources.

Or alternatively, the MSP may handle day-to-day support while the internal IT lead focuses on strategy, applications and projects specific to the organisation.

Should I outsource my IT or hire in-house?

Naturally, you’ll make the decisions you need about your own business. For many UK SMEs, outsourcing IT can provide a more practical way to access the support, expertise and continuity they need.

A managed IT provider can give your business access to a wider range of specialist expertise and IT coverage without the cost and complexity of building a larger internal team.

It can also reduce reliance on one individual for technical knowledge, holiday and sickness cover, plus support with more specialist or complex IT requirements.

One of the most important areas in making a well-informed decision is typically the ability to choose an IT model that delivers the right level of support when you need it while enabling your technology tools to develop as you grow.

Talk through the right model for your business with Integrity

Whatever stage of development your business is in, we’re here to help with IT support. Talk to our friendly team of experts and see how we can support your current IT setup, create additional support requirements and explore an approach that precision-fits your business.

Does your small business really need IT support? 7 signs it does

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:34:40 GMT

No matter the size of your business, you’re now likely to rely on technology to support your day-to-day operations, communicate with customers and keep important information secure.

As your business grows, the technology you rely on can become more complex. Systems that worked well when your organisation was smaller may no longer provide the reliability, security or support your teams need. At the same time, you may not yet have the need to build a full in-house IT department.

For many small businesses, this is where external IT support can provide valuable additional expertise. With 5.5 million small organisations in the UK, official data shows that one in two small businesses suffers a cyber incident every year, highlighting the importance of putting appropriate IT and security measures in place.

A managed IT support provider helps maintain systems, responds to issues and takes a more proactive approach to managing your technology, helping to reduce downtime and give employees faster access to support.

Recognising the signs that your business could benefit from additional IT support can help you address potential issues before they start affecting your daily operations.

7 clear signs your small business needs IT support

There are several signs that your business may have reached a point where its existing approach to IT is no longer providing the level of support it needs.

The warning signs aren’t always dramatic. Recurring technical problems, employees losing time to IT issues, increasing security requirements and unpredictable costs can all indicate that your current approach is no longer keeping up with the business and can indicate that it may be worth considering additional support.

Learn more about IT support in our article: What is managed IT support?

Here are seven clear signs that your small business may benefit from IT support.

1. Your IT setup is struggling to keep up

The equipment that helped you set up your business worked well enough at the start, but you may find that home routers or off-the-shelf hard drives can’t keep up with the demand your accounts department are now dealing with.

If employees regularly work around technology problems rather than simply getting on with their jobs, it may be time to review your IT setup. Slow software or network crashes could be holding back your sales team from making deals to align with business goals. All these aspects could be signs you may need expert IT support.

2. Nobody really owns IT

Is it unclear who is ultimately responsible for IT support in your organisation? Are staff confused about who to turn to for passwords or file access?

Perhaps one employee has become the unofficial ‘IT person’, nobody is quite sure who controls administrator accounts, or new starters rely on someone remembering how everything was set up. If so, this could be a sign that your business needs clearer IT management and support.

3. Recurring downtime

There is nothing more frustrating than work delays due to disconnected printers, frozen systems or dropping internet connections. If the same problems keep returning, it may be a sign that simply fixing issues as they happen is no longer enough.

4. Security and backup worries

The rise in phishing emails and cyber risks means that improving security is a non-negotiable these days. A managed IT provider can help put appropriate security measures in place, while also monitoring backups so important business data can be recovered if something goes wrong.

5. Staff losing time to tech issues

Spending time reconnecting devices with systems or waiting until the Wi-Fi reconnects won’t typically help your teams engage fully with client support or goal attainment. Every hour an employee spends reconnecting a printer, troubleshooting software or waiting for unreliable Wi-Fi is an hour they aren't spending on their actual job. If IT problems are regularly distracting employees or managers from their work, external support can give them somewhere to turn and remove that burden from the business. Enabling an external managed IT support provider to oversee and maintain systems will enable staff to focus on priorities.

6. Compliance pressure

Depending on your industry, regulations, client contracts or internal policies, you may require stronger data protection and clear information trails for audit purposes. If you fail to meet these requirements, then this could lead to a loss of revenue or client partnerships.

An IT provider can help you put appropriate technical controls, documentation and processes in place such as Cyber Essentials, access controls, MFA, patch management, backups, device management and security policies to support your compliance requirements.

7. Unpredictable IT costs

With break-fix support, IT costs can be difficult to predict. A significant failure may result in an unexpected repair bill, while downtime and lost productivity add costs that never appear on the IT invoice.

Managed IT support replaces much of that uncertainty with a predictable monthly cost and an IT partner that already understands your systems.

Explore more information here: Outsourcing IT vs hiring in-house: how UK SMEs should decide

How many of these signs apply to your business?

One occasional IT problem doesn't necessarily mean you need managed support. But if several of these signs sound familiar, particularly recurring downtime, increasing security concerns or employees regularly losing time to technical problems, then your current approach may no longer be keeping pace with your business.

Secure IT systems with Integrity

Deciding on next steps with IT can be complex without the latest information available and expert advice. You don't need to wait for a major IT failure before asking for help. If several of these signs feel familiar, it may be worth reviewing whether your current approach to IT is still right for the business.

Integrity can review your current IT setup, identify potential risks and discuss where external support could make a difference.

Book a free, no-obligation IT review with our friendly specialist IT support team. We’re always happy to help and give you professional and evidence-based advice.

We're hiring a Field Engineer for Integrity by Eco

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:42:11 GMT

Field Engineer

Hours: Full time

Salary: Dependent on experience

Location: Carlisle & Annan, with travel to customer sites

We’re looking for an experienced and hands-on Field Engineer to deliver installation, maintenance and technical support across our customer sites.

The role will involve structured cabling, network and communications installations, hardware deployment, cabinet and rack work, connectivity fault-finding, site surveys and project installations. You’ll work with switches, wireless access points, communications equipment and wider IT infrastructure while ensuring work is completed safely, professionally and to a high standard.

Proven cabling experience is a core requirement, including cable routing, termination, patching, labelling, testing and fault-finding. You’ll also need a good understanding of networking fundamentals and be confident using tools, ladders and access equipment.

Experience with fibre installation and testing, Cat6A, VoIP systems, Wi-Fi, switches, firewalls, UniFi, Sophos or cable certification equipment would be advantageous. Relevant qualifications such as IPAF, PASMA, ECS/CSCS or cabling certifications are also desirable.

You’ll be expected to continue developing through ongoing technical, product, cabling and health & safety training.

View the full job spec.

Click here to get in touch.

We're hiring an IT Engineer for Integrity by Eco

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:40:23 GMT

IT Engineer

Hours: Full time

Salary: Dependent on experience

Location: Carlisle & Annan, with travel to customer sites

We’re looking for a practical, customer-focused IT Support & Field Technician who can combine first-line helpdesk support with hands-on work at customer sites.

Your day-to-day role will primarily involve supporting customers remotely, troubleshooting Windows, Microsoft 365, hardware, networking and connectivity issues. When field work is scheduled, you’ll attend customer sites to carry out structured cabling, equipment installation, hardware deployment, fault-finding and project work.

Previous cabling experience is desired, including working with Cat5e/Cat6 cabling, patch panels, faceplates and network cabinets. Experience with fibre, hosted telephony, switches, wireless networks or wider infrastructure is desirable, although ongoing training will be provided and expected as part of the role.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys the variety of both IT support and practical engineering work and wants to continue developing across a broad range of technologies.

View the full job spec.

Click here to get in touch.

Managed IT Support vs Break-Fix: Which One Actually Saves You Money?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:46:21 GMT

If your business is only paying for IT support when something goes wrong, this may at first seem like the cheaper option. There’s no monthly contract and, when everything is working, there’s nothing to pay. You don’t have to manage a monthly contract or any ongoing fees when everything is running smoothly.

The problem is that the true cost of an IT issue is rarely limited to only the engineer’s invoice.

If your employees can’t work on priorities for half a day because a system is unavailable or a fault suddenly brings everything to a standstill, the bill could extend beyond the cost of getting an IT engineer involved.

So, how do managed services differ from traditional IT support and which approach is more economical for your organisation?

Is it best to pay for a fix or for prevention?

Break-fix IT support is reactive: you contact a provider when something goes wrong, they investigate and resolve the issue, and you pay for the work carried out, generally at a higher hourly rate.

In truth, this scenario can be helpful for small organisations that have not integrated much technology into their operations and can still cope if there is an irregular interruption.

On the other hand, managed IT support sees beyond the short term. Rather than wait for a problem to hamper your business, working with a managed IT support provider enables you to effectively maintain your IT environment on a continual basis.

In this situation, you may have a monthly agreement which manages support, system monitoring, updates and security. Overall, the major difference isn’t how you pay, but when your IT provider is involved in your workflows.

Learn more here: What is managed IT support: a plain English guide for UK businesses

The hidden cost of break-fix IT support

An hourly IT invoice is easy to spot in the accounts. Downtime is less obvious. Think about a scenario where an important application stops working during a busy day in your business.

Some of your employees can’t get on with their work, resulting in a client project being delayed. You then have to spend time chasing support provision and wait for the engineer to diagnose the issue in an unfamiliar system before starting a repair.

Notably, none of these costs will ever appear on your IT invoice but they will be costing you money over time and are a direct consequence of the IT problem.

This is why it’s vital that businesses assessing managed IT support vs break-fix models should look at the total cost of an IT issue, rather than comparing a monthly fee with the cost of a break-fix callout.

At Integrity, our approach is built around preventing disruption where possible, identifying issues early and giving clients ongoing access to a team that already understands their systems and infrastructure.

Read more in our article: Does your small business really need IT support?

Proactive monitoring can catch problems early

One of the practical differences with managed support is what happens between support calls. Remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools continuously monitor supported devices and systems, then create an alert when something requires investigating further.

For example, an exposed device or unusual system condition that could lead to something more serious. This could be a device running low on storage, a failed service, a missed update or another warning condition that could develop into a more serious problem.

The advantage is that your provider has a chance to deal with problems while they are still manageable, rather than starting the investigation when your whole business is brought to a halt.

Browse more information: How to reduce IT downtime in a small business: 9 practical steps

Security is part of the cost calculation

There is another reason the reactive approach is becoming harder to justify: cybersecurity.

The latest UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that 43% of UK businesses had experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the previous 12 months, equivalent to around 612,000 businesses.

Essentially, security is no longer something to research after an incident. Regular monitoring and appropriate safety controls all have a role to play in reducing exposure.

For a business holding customer information, financial records or commercially sensitive data, that consideration can be more important than the difference between a monthly contract and a one-off payment.

Which option makes financial sense for you?

Break-fix support can still make sense where technology plays only a minor role in day to day operations and the business can comfortably absorb downtime.

For a business where your employees depend on IT every day, the calculation is naturally going to be different. A predictable monthly cost buys ongoing IT oversight and an opportunity to deal with faults before they interrupt your priorities.

That said, not every managed IT package will be good value. The service you choose needs to match the nature of your business and your use of technology. It’s sensible to make sure that your contract is clear about the services you will receive.

If unexpected IT bills or downtime are becoming all too familiar headaches, waiting for the next IT breakdown seems counterproductive.

Thinking about moving away from break-fix support? Book a chat with Integrity and discuss a more proactive approach to your IT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between managed IT support and break-fix support?

Break-fix support is reactive: you call a provider when something goes wrong and pay for the work once it's resolved. Managed IT support is proactive and ongoing, a monthly agreement covering monitoring, updates, security and support, so faults can be caught and handled before they disrupt your business. The core difference is when your provider gets involved, not just how you pay.

Is managed IT support or break-fix cheaper?

It depends on how much your business relies on technology. Break-fix can look cheaper because you only pay when there's a problem, but that figure ignores the cost of downtime, lost productivity and delayed client work. For businesses that depend on IT, managed support can provide better overall value because the calculation includes not only support costs, but also downtime, lost productivity, disruption and the value of ongoing monitoring and maintenance.

Does managed IT support help with Cybersecurity?

Yes. Managed IT support helps with cybersecurity by building ongoing monitoring, patching and security controls into your agreement, all of which reduce your exposure to attacks. For any business holding customer, financial or commercially sensitive data, that protection is well worth having.

The exact level of cybersecurity cover will depend on the services included in your agreement, so it's worth checking what's covered before you commit.

When does break-fix IT support make sense?

Break-fix can still be a reasonable choice for smaller organisations that haven't integrated much technology into their operations and can absorb the occasional interruption without much impact. If an outage for a few hours wouldn't seriously affect your work or your clients, a pay-as-you-go model may be enough.

Do I still pay for managed IT support if nothing goes wrong?

Yes, because you aren't simply paying for faults to be fixed. You're paying for the ongoing monitoring, maintenance, security, access to expertise, support availability and management designed to keep your technology and organisation working in the first place, while you concentrate on doing what you do best, running your business.

What is managed IT support? A guide for UK businesses - Integrity

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:44:40 GMT

Managed IT support is a model of service that enables businesses to outsource the management, maintenance and security of their technology infrastructure to an external service provider.

A professional company that looks after this type of service model is often a specialist in the field and known as a Managed Service Provider (MSP). The MSP’s prime role is to make sure your business’s IT systems are protected and maintained on a regular basis.

In simple terms, managed IT support gives your business access to an IT team that continuously looks after your technology, rather than only being called when something goes wrong. This can help reduce downtime, improve security, give your employees faster access to support and make IT costs or future planning more predictable.

Safeguarding systems is vital to the success of any business in today’s digital world. This is because cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented rate and becoming more complex to resolve due to the fast pace of AI and technology advancements.

As a result, UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are adopting the use of managed IT services into their business models at an increasing rate of 20% each year.

In this article, we explore the facts behind managed IT support, the specific levels of provision this model can offer and the key benefits that your organisation can achieve with this external support system.

What is managed IT support?
What does managed IT support typically include?
How much does managed IT support cost?
Who benefits from managed IT support?

What is managed IT support?

A busy enterprise can sometimes need to look for external partners in order to maximise opportunities for growth and expand at a manageable pace. One important way to secure these outcomes is to find an IT support partner, such as a Managed IT support company.

As a business grows, managing IT internally can become increasingly difficult. Managed IT support gives you access to an experienced IT team without needing to build a full internal department.

Unlike break-fix IT support, where you call someone after something goes wrong, managed IT support is an ongoing service.

With this type of collaboration, the support is a sustained process where a provider looks after your business’s systems and takes responsibility for managing your technological solutions. This becomes a continuing agreement, rather than irregular support when you need a one-off fix.

So, instead of trying to resolve problems after they happen, your managed IT support provider proactively monitors systems, handles system security and applies updates to keep everything running smoothly and protected from cyber risk.

What does managed IT support typically include?

Every provider will have their own individual range of services and will likely create support packages based on their capacity and capabilities.

Here are some examples of significant areas of support you could gain with this service model:

Helpdesk access

Typically, your IT support provider will have a number of ways you can contact the helpdesk should you need assistance, such as by email or phone call. For example, Integrity offers an unlimited helpdesk during business hours with both remote and on-site support as required.

Proactive monitoring (RMM)

Remote monitoring and management (RMM) occurs through a software platform that allows a managed IT support provider to track and maintain your business’s IT systems. This means that support is proactive rather than reactive, helping to ensure potential areas are identified before they become an issue.

At Integrity, our monitoring tools continuously oversee supported devices and systems, automatically alerting our team to potential issues before they occur, allowing us to address them remotely without disruption, maximising your uptime and increasing productivity.

Learn more in our article: Managed IT support vs break-fix: which one actually saves you money?

Patching and updates

Patching and enabling updates are key workflow areas for IT support. Software providers regularly release patches to fix security vulnerabilities, bugs and performance issues.

A managed IT provider helps ensure supported devices and systems receive the appropriate updates, reducing security risk and keeping systems reliable . An update may include more than one patch (a code fix for a flaw or bug) and also integrate new, efficient features into your systems.

Security

An experienced managed IT support provider will deliver continuous oversight when it comes to your digital defences.

This may include endpoint protection, email security, firewalls, monitoring, patch management and other measures designed to reduce the likelihood and impact of a cyber incident. Cybersecurity services should compliment any modern managed IT service.

Backups

Your IT support provider should be observing and testing your business data backups so that any errors or issues are flagged immediately and resolved before they become more serious.

IT strategy

A productive partnership with a managed IT support provider could include long-term support and technology planning to help support the selection of growth opportunities and manage expansion.

At Integrity, we are proven to work with clients to make sure their technology supports where the business is going, rather than simply maintaining what is already there.

Explore more in our article: Outsourcing IT vs hiring in-house: how UK SMEs should decide

How much does managed IT support cost?

The cost of managed IT support varies depending on a variety of factors, such as the number of users and devices, the complexity of your infrastructure, the level of support required and the cybersecurity services included.

Most managed services are charged as a predictable monthly fee, allowing businesses to budget for IT support more easily. At Integrity, we provide a tailored approach where we meet you and your site to ascertain your needs before building a bespoke proposal.

Who benefits from managed IT support?

It can be challenging for a business to oversee every aspect of their operations as they grow. Enterprises that are experiencing growth and have essentially outgrown their initial support kit will likely be searching for an alternative solution to better support their needs.

Your business may be growing but not ready for a full in-house IT department. This is potentially an ideal time to work with a managed IT support provider to ensure your systems are properly protected against cyber threats and maintained regularly.

A proactive partner who continually reviews systems and finer details will be key to your business development. This is because it can be extremely difficult to grow your business if your systems are not running properly or if an attack takes place which could stop your business operations entirely for a period of time.

At Integrity, we also support businesses with an existing IT person or IT team, providing additional expertise, monitoring, escalation support, project resource or specialist cybersecurity services

With a managed IT support provider, you don’t have to call in an unfamiliar firefighter when something unexpected happens. This can also be tricky as you’ll possibly have no idea how long it will take to fix the issue. A managed provider already understands your users, systems and infrastructure

Managed IT support is particularly valuable if:

employees are increasingly reliant on technology;
IT issues are taking up management time;
you don't have an internal IT department;
you have an IT person but need additional expertise or capacity;
downtime would significantly affect operations;
cybersecurity requirements are increasing;
your business is growing or opening additional locations;
you want more predictable IT costs.

The biggest difference with managed IT support is that your provider becomes familiar with your organisation, your users and your technology. That means problems can often be resolved faster, risks can be identified earlier and future technology decisions can be planned rather than rushed.

Having a supportive relationship with your provider will help quickly resolve issues with easy access to support when you need it. That’s what you get with Integrity, your experienced and professional managed IT support provider.

If you'd like to understand what managed IT support could look like for your organisation, speak to the Integrity team . We'll discuss your current setup, challenges and requirements and recommend an approach that fits your business.

Newsletters

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:16:14 GMT

Click on the link to open a PDF of each newsletter

Integrity by Eco November 2025 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco December 2025 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco January 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco February 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco March 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco April 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco May 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco June 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco July 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco August 2026 Newsletter

Integrity by Eco September 2026 Newsletter

Leadership Update | Celebrating Internal Progression at Integrity IT

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:32:13 GMT

At Integrity IT, part of the Eco group of businesses, we believe that when you invest in people, you build a stronger business. That’s why we’re proud to share two well-earned internal promotions that reflect the continued growth and evolution of our team.

Colin Hewitt has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will now take overall charge of Integrity IT. Colin has consistently demonstrated thoughtful, people-first leadership, building trusted relationships across our team, clients, and suppliers. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter—one that keeps collaboration and trust at the heart of our business as we move forward.

We’re also delighted to announce that Paula Laurie has stepped into the role of Deputy Operations Manager. A long-standing and highly respected team member, Paula’s calm and steady presence has earned the confidence of colleagues and clients alike. She’ll continue to support daily operations while delivering the responsive service our clients value.

These promotions are a reflection of Integrity IT’s commitment to growth, progression, and putting people first—within our team and in everything we do.

This Isn’t Just Any Cyber Incident… This is a M&S Cyber Incident

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:45:40 GMT

On 21/04/2025, Marks and Spencer (M&S) confirmed it was managing a cyber incident that disrupted contactless payments and delayed online order collections.

The good news? No evidence of a data breach.

The better news? M&S has been praised for swift, clear, and transparent communication across social media and direct customer emails.

But here’s the thing, this isn’t just an M&S problem. This is a sharp reminder that no business is immune to cyber threats – and without preparation, the damage can be far worse.

According to the Gov.uk Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 (published 9 April 2024):

Only 17% of businesses and 12% of charities carried out a vulnerability risk assessment in the last year.
Just 22% of businesses and 19% of charities have a formal cyber incident response plan.

So, has your business taken action? When was your last vulnerability assessment? Is your team ready to respond if it happened tomorrow? We offer bespoke vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and incident response exercises to help local businesses like yours build real cyber resilience.

Key Takeaways from the M&S Cyber Incident:

1.Transparent Communication is Critical

Keep an up-to-date stakeholder contact list (customers, staff, suppliers, regulators, insurers).

Pre-prepare and regularly update your communication templates.

2. Build a Comprehensive Incident Response Plan

Include a full data map, communication diagrams, and technical steps.

Remember: under GDPR, you have 72 hours to report a data breach to the ICO.

3. Run Regular Cyber Simulations

We run cyber fire drills to test your response. Think tabletop exercises tailored to your business, with real-world scenarios that help your team sharpen skills and spot weak points.

4. Manage Third-Party Risks

Ask suppliers for their incident response plans.

Know where they sit in your supply chain risk.

Make third-party assessments part of your overall cyber strategy.

This isn’t just about ticking a box.

This is about preparing your business to respond fast, minimise damage, and maintain trust. Ready to chat? Let’s talk.

Our team is here to help you evolve your security, with lasting integrity.

Business restructure results in the creation of new jobs

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:07:09 GMT

INTEGRITY IT Solutions has strengthened its team following a successful restructuring of the business.

The company has experienced a bumper year as a result of a reorganisation, spearheaded by new head of operations Michael Quinn.

On the back of the success, Integrity IT, which has offices in Annan and Carlisle, has recently welcomed four new recruits to the team, and promoted two members of staff as part of their personal and professional development.

“When I joined Integrity IT Solutions last year I wanted to change the structure of how the business functioned to ensure we were operating more fluidly and efficiently, which would mean we could offer an improved level of service to our customers.

- Michael Quinn, Head of Operations at Integrity IT Solutions

Michael added: “I’m extremely proud of how well the entire team has engaged with the new vision, and the company is really reaping the rewards of their amazing work.

“Being able to provide local people with employment opportunities is a rewarding part of the job, and the new team members have all helped accelerate business growth by representing the company in the most professional manner and showcasing their exceptional knowledge of the industry.

“I’m an advocate of professional development and creating job roles to fit people’s specialist skill sets, so it’s also been fantastic to give key members of staff internal promotions to highlight just how valued they are by the company.

“We are in a position where we are planning ahead so we can provide a more comprehensive service to our clients, and we aim to create further job opportunities in the coming months.”

Ben Hoban has been appointed as a senior network engineer, Ben Haugh and Lauren Johnson have been recruited as IT technicians and Lukasz Bazydlo has started as an IT apprentice.

Ben Haugh is currently working on a major project to improve the wireless internet access points at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, and is excited to work on similar initiatives on behalf of Integrity.

He said: “Even though I haven’t been here for very long, there’s been so many opportunities to work on some really interesting projects. It's been great working on such an important project improving the wifi access to staff, visitors and patients at the hospital.

“I’m really enjoying being part of the team and everybody has been so friendly and helpful.”

Ben Hoban has returned to Integrity after working as an IT engineer for 15 months at a Cumbrian business chain.

He said: “What I missed most was the variety of projects which you work on regularly at Integrity IT, and I like how you move on to the next, very different, job here when you have finished one.

“When I spoke to Michael about returning, I was impressed with the improved structure of the business and his ambitions for the company, and I’m happy to be back helping customers by providing solutions to their IT problems.”

Josh Britton, who joined Integrity in 2015, has continued to impress and has stepped up to the role of network engineer, while Becci Grieve is now responsible for the company’s procurement and logistics operations.

Becci joined Integrity to work on the reception but her organisational and planning skills have seen her develop her role within the company.

She said: “Procurement and logistics is something I’d never done before, but I really enjoy the responsibility of making sure everything runs smoothly. My job is about making sure we deliver on our promises to our customers, and work with the team to make sure we are able to achieve our customers’ expectations.

“It’s great to know that I have the trust of the management team to try different things and that they will support me while I’m developing my learning of the role.”

Integrity IT Solutions specialises in the design, supply, support and installation of IT systems to businesses across the north of England and south-west Scotland.

Anybody interested in finding out more about job opportunities at Integrity IT Solutions can contact 01228 594 682 or 01461 387 040.

Helping schools achieve faster broadband speeds

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 16:36:37 GMT

A LEADING IT company is offering schools and colleges a free review of their broadband connectivity to help them achieve targets for faster internet speeds as outlined in the latest Government’s guidelines.

The Department for Education (DfE) recently released guidelines, entitled ‘Meeting digital and technology standards in schools and colleges’, which recommends all establishments should implement full fibre broadband connections to give students, and staff, access to a fast and reliable service essential for the effective use of online learning tools.

To support local schools to hit these goals, Integrity IT Solutions, which has offices in Annan and Carlisle, is inviting staff at education institutions across Scotland and Cumbria to get in touch so their specialist team can carry out reviews of the current broadband speeds, and recommend next steps to help them reach the required standards.

The DfE guidelines say primary schools should have a minimum 100Mbps download speed and a minimum of 30Mbps upload speed, while secondary schools and colleges should have a connection capable of delivering 1Gbps download and upload speed.

“The Government’s guidelines are extremely useful in informing schools and colleges about their duty to provide effective internet speeds to ensure pupils have access to the online tools that form part of their daily studies."

- Colin Hewitt, a BT Product Specialist at Integrity IT Solutions

Colin said: “Integrity IT Solutions wants to support our local schools and help them find out if their speeds are anywhere near where they need to be and, if not, what steps they can take to reach these recommendations.

“This is why we are inviting teachers and staff from schools and colleges to get in touch and take advantage of our offer of a free review of their connectivity levels so we can provide advice which may not be easily accessible to them.

“Education has changed dramatically over the years to the point where online learning is a key component of the school day, so the importance of having fast broadband speeds is essential to prevent pupils being disadvantaged because of their school’s internet coverage.

“As well as allowing pupils immediate access to online tools, full fibre broadband will improve teachers’ confidence in making full use of the wide variety of internet-based resources available to them, instead of relying on the tried and tested, but restricted, range of tools they feel safer turning to.

“In the long run, implementing full fibre services will save the school or college money by using cloud-based solutions as an alternative to on-site technical infrastructure or products which may have storage and/or maintenance limitations.

“In essence, education establishments will be future proofed by introducing these faster, more efficient, broadband services and, as demand for online learning increases, pupils will be receiving a higher level of service to allow them to gain the most from their education in what is a fast moving, technologically advanced world.”

Other recommendations included in the DfE guidelines include schools and colleges having back-up broadband connections, and implementing appropriate IT security and safeguarding systems.

Introducing a back-up service ensures resilience and maintains continuity of internet services by avoiding one single point of failure. IT security and safeguarding systems - for both child and data protection purposes - is essential in schools to ensure children are protected from potentially harmful and inappropriate material found online.

While blocking certain websites and apps deemed unsuitable for children is integral to these protocols, it is also important for schools to establish ways to identify inappropriate material, intervene and resolve any issues.

Colin said: “This latest guidance from the DfE is absolutely vital to schools and colleges in making sure pupils and teachers are safe from inappropriate or harmful material which exists on the internet, and gives education leaders peace of mind that online risks are minimised. Acting as swiftly as possible to upgrade broadband systems will give our future generations the right tools to fulfill their true potential.”

Integrity IT Solutions is an authorised partner of global telecommunications giant BT and provides a wide range of digital services and products to communities. To book a broadband connectivity review for your school or college, contact Integrity IT Solutions on (01461) 387040 or (01228) 594682.

COLLABORATE TO INNOVATE

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:35:40 GMT

With ever-increasing pressures on businesses to achieve net zero, Gary Robertson, from EcoGoZero, explains why collaboration is key.

Last month, more than 30 invited guests from across Cumbria and southern Scotland came together for a special event at Eco’s HQ in Annan.

They were there for the launch of a new carbon accounting platform, EcoMetrix, which helps businesses measure, track and report carbon emissions.

The positive, forward-thinking approach of the people in the room showed how businesses are prepared to innovate, change and become early adopters of technology which will make a real difference to the net zero journey.

But most of all it showed the power of collaboration and how businesses can support each other on the transition to net zero through sharing knowledge and experience.

With organisations under ever-increasing pressures from clients and their supply chain to reduce their carbon footprint, it’s reassuring to know that help is out there – whether that is from peer-to-peer learning from those going through the same thing or from specialist organisations who can provide practical support.

"In order to future-proof your business or organisation and maintain a competitive edge, taking meaningful steps to reduce carbon emissions must be a top priority."

- Gary Robertson

The SME Climate Hub 2023 Survey, which was published earlier this year, found that 58% of SMEs worldwide cited skills and knowledge as the top reason preventing them from taking action on climate change. The survey reported that 54% said a network of peer companies to reach out and learn from would help them take greater climate action.

In order to future-proof your business or organisation and maintain a competitive edge, taking meaningful steps to reduce carbon emissions – and report them – must be a top priority.

Carbon accounting enables businesses to measure, track and report their carbon emissions so they can understand what they emit and identify ways to reduce it.

The EcoMetrix carbon accounting platform is compliant with the UK Government’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regulations, and international carbon accounting standard, the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. The GHG Protocol categorises carbon emissions into three groups or ‘scopes’, with scope one generated by the business; scope two from indirect sources via energy use; and scope three from indirect emissions generated by the supply chain. While scope one and two is already an expectation for businesses, scope three reporting is becoming increasingly important.

Tools such as carbon accounting, along with a support network of peers, help businesses navigate this often overwhelming new landscape and view the climate crisis as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

While there is no silver bullet to achieving net zero goals, by doing your research, collaborating with other businesses and sharing knowledge, you can make a positive impact on both the planet and your own organisation.

This article was first published in the June 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

THINKING AHEAD

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:17:40 GMT

Integrity by Eco, a Carlisle-based company, explains why resolving IT issues will protect your business now and in the future.

Being unable to log on to an important Teams meeting or send an urgent email is frustrating to say the least. Multiply that feeling by dozens of team members working across the same business or organisation and it isn’t long before a company will take a productivity hit – as well as having to deal with some extremely unhappy employees.

Having the right IT system and solutions in place is essential to ensuring that your business can operate efficiently and effectively.

As with most things, prevention is better than cure and a complete review of your business’ IT system will help resolve everything from those annoying glitches and common frustrations to potentially catastrophic cyber security threats.

The way we work has changed dramatically over the past decade which has led to ever increasing demands on IT infrastructure. If a business has expanded rapidly over a short period of time or moved to remote working options, then its existing IT system may no longer be fit for purpose.

Every business is different, so it’s about considering what you need from your IT system and making it work for you. It could be as simple as providing more training for your team in order to maximise your current software package, or putting in place measures to make sure that data is stored safely, securely and backed up daily.

"Every business is different so it’s about considering what you need from your IT system and making it work for you. "

- Stephen Whelan

If your IT system isn’t up to scratch, then you could be vulnerable to cyber attacks and threats which could potentially inflict lasting damage on your business.

Your IT provider will be able to work with you on a plan to tackle the most pressing problems, and follow up with regular maintenance and checks to deal with any future issues before they arise.

They will also advise you on how to keep ahead of the IT game and put in place measures to future-proof your business. Nothing stands still in IT and, as technology develops, so does the need to stay up-to-date.

The switch off of the UK’s landline phone network by 2025 will bring major changes for businesses which are reliant on the traditional analogue system.

The process of moving to an all-digital network has already begun in some parts of the country and making the switch now could save you time and expense in the long-term.

This article was first published in the June 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

CYBER SECURITY SHOULD BE ON EVERY SME's AGENDA

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Mon, 01 May 2023 16:42:32 GMT

Integrity by Eco, a Carlisle-based company, talks about the threat from cyber criminals.

Cyber security is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK – with a national cyber centre planned for the North-West of England in 2024 as part of a region-wide cyber corridor.

While that’s good news for employment opportunities in the wider NorthWest region it should make all businesses sit up and take notice.

The reason why it’s such a growing sector is because of the increasing threat from cyber criminals.

SMEs, which make up the majority of the business eco-system across Cumbria, are a prime target.

That’s because smaller businesses often lack the cyb ersecurity technologies and resources required to combat today’s advanced threats.

If you are running an SME in Cumbria, or you are responsible for systems in your business, you really need to be thinking now, if you are not already, about how you are going to tackle this threat.

As cyber threats grow in both volume and complexity, many SMEs are turning to Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services for protection against advanced attacks that technology alone cannot prevent.

You will probably have heard a lot in the news about Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT and other similar technologies.

Some of these types of technologies can also be used by cyber criminals as they are now able to use AI themselves to create more sophisticated scams, producing engaging, convincing and grammatically correct phishing emails.

"The only way to reliably detect and neutralise determined cyber attackers is with on-screen vigilance 24 hours a day, seven days a week"

- Stephen Whelan

While you may have been able to spot such a suspicious email in the past because of the poor grammar or language used, now you are likely to find it more difficult.

With even IT professionals finding cyber security becoming increasingly complicated, expensive and time consuming, it makes sense for business owners to outsource these very specialist skills to dedicated security specialists who can also leverage AI for defensive purposes.

Accredited IT specialists who partner with Advance Threat Protection Partners such as Sophos, have access to Rapid Response teams who can assist in identifying and neutralising an active cyber-attack against your organisation.

Some IT specialists can provide a fully managed service delivered by experts who detect and respond to cyber-attacks targeting your computers, servers, networks, cloud. workloads, email accounts, and more.

The reality is that technology solutions alone cannot prevent every cyber-attack. To avoid detection by cybersecurity solutions, malicious actors increasingly use legitimate IT tools, exploit stolen credentials and access permissions, and leverage unpatched vulnerabilities in their attacks. By emulating authorised users and taking advantage of weaknesses in an organisation’s defences, malicious actors can avoid triggering automated detection technologies.

The only way to reliably detect and neutralise determined cyber attackers is with on-screen vigilance 24 hours a day, seven days a week delivered by expert operators who leverage diverse security alerts and real-time threat intelligence to identify and stop threats before the damage is done. That’s where we can help.

This article was first published in the May 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

TAKING STEPS TOWARDS NET ZERO

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Mon, 01 May 2023 16:10:26 GMT

Gary Robertson from EcoGoZero explains how businesses can help reach net zero by working together.

Net zero, carbon neutral, even the language about environmental initiatives can be confusing for businesses. Then there are policies from the UK Government’s new Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to keep up to date with.

The Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, updated in March, shows where the UK is on its journey to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, and sets out what it needs to do to hit those targets.

The report notes it “will require a step change in the rate of new technologies being developed, deployed to market and adopted by businesses and consumers.” It also says: “We recognise that supporting the public and businesses with green choices must address multiple barriers such as, cost, convenience, awareness, and that everyone – government, industry, businesses, and civil society – must work together to achieve net zero to gain the economic benefits and ensure the environment is in a state for future generations.”

If you are running an SME and have time to dive into all the detail it’s a lot to get your head around.If you don’t have time, because the demands of running your own business are all-consuming, you might be tempted to leave it for another day.

However, if you don’t think net zero is important to your business there is a strong likelihood it is extremely important to many of your customers, your suppliers and those you supply to.

"By collaborating with those who are already on the journey, it’s far easier for everyone involved."

- Gary Robertson

It may well also be very important to your employees, existing and future, who are increasingly demanding businesses take more action to reduce their carbon footprint. In a highly competitive recruitment market, having strong environmental policies can be the difference between recruiting the talent you need to help you grow your business, or miss out and risk stagnating or, worse still, go backwards.

The good news is, help is at hand. There are organisations out there whose business it is to keep up to date with every government policy tweak, latest green initiative, technical innovation, cost-saving or funding opportunity. They are here to support you and take the pain away from you.

At Eco we are delighted to be one of six companies chosen to take part in a Net Zero Accelerator Beacon Business Programme which, through our collaborative learning, will help other businesses across the UK develop plans to reduce their carbon emissions.

We, and others, can help businesses through the process from the very first step.

Carbon mitigation is a good place to start. There will already be lots you can do in your organisation once you focus on it. Carbon offsetting is likely to be the last resort.

It’s a lot to take in, but by collaborating with those who are already on the journey, it’s far easier for everyone involved.

This article was first published in the April 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

AHEAD OF THE IT GAME

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 15:35:23 GMT

Integrity by Eco , a Carlisle-based company, highlights six simple steps a business can take to achieve a fast, efficient IT system.

If there’s one certainty in the world of IT it’s that technology never stands still. As new innovations and developments constantly enter the market, it’s essential that businesses and organisations are not left behind. Out-of-date systems or old technology can have a real and lasting impact on your bottom line, through inefficiencies and loss of productivity.

Regardless of whether you are manufacturing products on a production line or running a client-based professional services business, any loss of productive time is the last thing any business wants to experience.

The key factors to consider when reviewing your IT system are speed, functionality and security.

Ask yourself: Is it fast enough? Does it do what I want it to do? And will it protect me against cyber threats and attacks?

Here are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your business is up to speed and up-to-date:

• Make sure that your equipment is fit for purpose and is compatible with the latest versions of software packages. It’s

worth remembering that the average lifetime of a PC is around three years to five years.

• Avoid issues with slow connectivity by making sure your Wi-Fi network is doing its job. Your Wi-Fi needs to accommodate a myriad of different devices while maintaining network security. Modern Wi-Fi networks not only provide faster speeds, but also support modern security protocols such as WPA3.

• Do not leave your business exposed by having a single point of failure, particularly if you have servers on your premises. Data should always be backed up at an off-site location in case of a disaster such as a fire or flood, or stored on a secure cloud-based system instead of a server.

• Save yourself time and money by getting the most out of your current software by utilisin g all of its capabilities, from capturing customer feedback to managing staff rotas.

• With the UK’s traditional landline system due to be switched off in less than two years to become fully digital, make the move to digital phone and broadband alternatives sooner rather than later.

• Make sure you are well protected against cyber attacks and breaches by ensuring firewalls and anti-virus software are up-to-date, using multi-factor authentication, regularly vetting who has access to your systems, and making sure your team’s IT equipment is patched.

No two businesses operate in exactly the same way which means the demands on an individual business’ IT system will also be unique.

As part of our free IT audit, we work with businesses across Cumbria and South West Scotland to identify and resolve any issues, as well as providing ongoing technical support.

With technological developments moving faster than ever, make sure your business is ready for them by being ahead of the IT game.

This article was first published in the April 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

FULLY CHARGING THE EV OPPORTUNITY

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 14:37:08 GMT

Gary Robertson from EcoGoZero explains how Cumbrian businesses can support net zero ambitions by investing in EV charging infrastructure.

Ivesting in a net zero future is becoming increasingly important across all business sectors. Actively demonstrating your commitment to reducing your carbon footprint helps retain staff and clients, win new customers and contracts, and attract future talent to your organisation.

With sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans due to be banned in the UK from 2030, exploring the advantages of the EV (electric vehicle) opportunity will help future-proof your business by ensuring you are EV ready.

There are currently more than 660,000 battery-electric cars on UK roads, a growth of 40 per cent on 2021, and a further 445,000 plug-in hybrids.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, battery-electric cars made up 16.6 per cent of the new car market last year, overtaking diesel for the first time, and 22.9 per cent of all new cars registered were plug-in vehicles including pure electrics and plug- in hybrids.

There are many ways in which investing in EV infrastructure can benefit your business, from reducing your ongoing transport or fleet costs to providing an added benefit for your employees.

Installing an EV charging station (or stations) can also potentially generate extra revenue through enabling public use, which in turn grows the charging point infrastructure network.

The UK currently has less than 10 per cent of the charging infrastructure required to meet the projected EV requirements by 2030 – and we can’t rely solely on Governments and local authorities to deliver it.

Registering your EV charging station on sites such as ZapMap, which enables drivers to locate charge points in their area, can bring customers right to your door, with drivers buying your products or using your services while they wait for their car to charge. This can be particularly useful if you run a retail or hospitality business.

At EcoGoZero, we work with businesses and organisations across the UK to help them meet the net zero challenge. Our EV portfolio of products includes easy-to-install GEWISS EV charging stations, and the BriXcell, a brick-sized EV charge point which is designed to save time and money for housing developers because it can be easily incorporated into the construction phase of new build developments.

By investing in EV or hybrid vehicles and infrastructure, businesses can contribute towards their own carbon footprint reduction journey, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing long-term costs, while also creating opportunities to provide incremental revenue streams.

It’s simply good business.

This article was first published in the April 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

PREPARING FOR MICROSOFT SERVER 2012 END OF SUPPORT

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:38:20 GMT

Microsoft Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Operating Systems will be unsupported from October 10 ^th 2023. What does this mean for your business?

The first thing to be aware of is that using any operating system after its 'end of life' makes your business more vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches. This is because Microsoft no longer provide security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities in the software.

It also means that if you need to maintain compliance with certifications such as Cyber Essentials, PCI, ISO27001 etc., you automatically become non-compliant if you have unsupported operating systems in your environment.

What are your options?

The obvious answer is to upgrade to a later operating system such as Server 2022, however the chances are, if you’re using Server 2012, then you have been doing so for the best part of a decade and there may now be other options.

Historically, many smaller businesses often needed a server for simple things such as file sharing, but this can now be handled in the cloud without the need for an on-premise server. In many cases, file storage is already built into Microsoft 365 subscriptions which you may already be paying for.

Likewise, much of the software that businesses use have now been moved to the cloud, such as Accounts or CRM packages, so it’s worth evaluating whether or not you need to upgrade your server or whether those functions and applications that are currently running on a server can be handled differently.

Planning for an Upgrade or Migration

Ideally you should consider not just the cost of upgrading, but also look at the benefits of new capabilities, features, and solutions that you gain from a more modern approach.

Taking on any upgrade or migration requires the right balance of time and people with the skills to achieve such an undertaking. You are often dealing with not just a single system, but a number of interconnected systems that must be considered.

At Integrity IT, we take the time to create a strategic plan for both the short and long-term. With a plan, you can see where you need to migrate, upgrade, and optimise – and how each affects everything else in your environment.

THE FUTURE IS NOW

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 18:01:05 GMT

Pioneering hydrogen separation technology to be launched at EcoGroup’s HQ this summer.

Pioneering net zero technology will be deployed in the UK for the first time this summer with the launch of a hydrogen separation system at Eco Group’s HQ in Annan.

Eco’s collaboration with climate tech company Levidian will see the first remote deployment of LOOP technology in the UK, producing hydrogen on site for use in R&D projects across a variety of sectors.

“As a clean, low carbon energy source, hydrogen will play a crucial role in the UK’s transition to net zero,” said Eddie Black, managing director of Eco Group. "This technology offers a practical, decentralised energy solution for businesses and industry. It has the potential to transform our region and to lead in decarbonisation, creating green jobs and demonstrating to industry leaders the opportunities to decarbonise their organisations and sectors while leading the way on innovation".

“As a clean, low carbon energy source, hydrogen will play a crucial role in the UK’s transition to net zero”.

– Eddie Black, Eco MD

It will make a positive impact on net zero aspirations through carbon reduction, new technology deployment and more sustainable materials.”

Multi-disciplined solutions business Eco Group supports businesses and organisations across the UK on their net zero journey by utilising affordable, sustainable solutions through its EcoGoZero range of carbon mitigation technologies. It works collaboratively with clients to help them achieve their net zero goals.

Eddie said: “The ultimate objective is to develop hydrogen hubs which will enable businesses and industry to reduce their carbon footprint through self-producing hydrogen for their own use, which supports the decarbonisatio of our economy.

“By working on a model of decentralised hydrogen hubs, it accelerates the transition to net zero because businesses do not have to rely on the delivery of a national hydrogen pipeline network.

“In order to reach net zero targets we need to challenge conventional thinking and think outside the box. The fact is that everyone can make a difference and, through sharing knowledge and collaborating with each other, businesses can be a force for real and lasting change.”

This article was first published in the March 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

CLOCK TICKING TOWARDS 2025 SWITCH OFF

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:06:43 GMT

Start the New Year with an IT MOT and reap the beneﬁts for 2023, says Stephen Whelan, technical director at Carlisle-based Integrity IT Solutions.

The clock is ticking towards the switch off of the UK’s old analogue phone network. In less than two years, the traditional landline network, which has been the backbone of our telephone system, will be switched off and replaced by a fully digital system.

The changeover to digital has already begun, with geographical areas across the UK already transferred or in the process of being transferred to an all-digital phone system. As part of the transition, Openreach will stop providing new analogue phone lines to customers from September this year, ahead of switching off the existing copper PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) network by December 31, 2025.

Effectively the switch over means that calls will instead be routed over a cloudbased phone system, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which is faster, more reliable and more cost effective for users.

The change is taking place to ensure that the UK’s communication network is fit for purpose for the demands of the 21st century. From remote working to streaming the latest TV shows and films, the way we live and work has changed dramatically over the past two decades, and we need a network which will meet and exceed our expectations.

For businesses, this means taking steps sooner rather than later to ensure you are prepared for the big switch off. If your office, factory or workplace currently relies on a traditional landline connection then it is time to start looking at digital phone and broadband alternatives.

The benefits to moving to a digital phone system can be instant, including reduced ongoing costs, easier maintenance, more flexibility and better security. Using a cloud-based system will also help your team operate more effectively through better reliability, convenience and speed.

It is worth noting that you will need to identify any devices or services which currently run on an analogue system such as door entry systems and smoke or security alarms.

With the switch off covering the whole of the UK, including rural areas which are currently without broadband, Openreach is undertaking a roll-out of full fibre broadband which will boost connectivity across the country, as well as offering alternatives such as 5G solutions for remote locations.

Integrity is supporting customers with the move from the old analogue PSTN on to digital/IP landlines by helping them find the best solutions for their businesses. Now is the time to review your telephone and broadband services, and embrace the future.

This article was first published in the March 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

PREPARING FOR THE 2025 ANALOGUE SWITCH OFF

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:14:08 GMT

The clock is ticking towards the switch off of the UK’s old analogue phone network. In less than two years, the traditional landline network which has been the backbone of our telecoms infrastructure for decades, will be switched off and replaced by a fully digital system.

The changeover to digital has already begun, with some geographical areas across the UK already transferred or in the process of being transferred to an all-digital phone system. As part of the transition, Openreach will stop providing new analogue phone lines to customers from September 2023, ahead of switching off the existing copper PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) network by December 31, 2025.

Effectively the switch over means that voice calls will be converted into data packets and routed over a cloud-based phone system, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which is faster, more reliable and more cost effective for users.

The change is taking place to ensure that the UK’s communication network is fit for purpose for the demands of the 21st century. From remote working to streaming the latest TV shows and films, the way we live and work has changed dramatically over the past two decades - and we need a network which will meet and exceed our expectations.

For businesses, this means taking steps sooner rather than later to ensure you are prepared for the big switch off.

If your office, factory or workplace currently relies on a traditional landline connection then it’s time to start looking at digital phone and broadband alternatives.

The benefits to moving to a digital phone system can be instant including reduced ongoing costs, easier maintenance, more flexibility and better security. Using a cloud-based system will also help your team operate more effectively through better reliability, convenience and speed.

It’s worth noting that you’ll need to identify any devices or services which currently run on an analogue system such as door entry systems or security alarms.

With the switch off covering the whole of the UK, including rural areas currently without broadband, Openreach is undertaking a roll-out of full fibre broadband which will boost connectivity across the country, as well as offering alternatives such as 5G solutions for remote locations.

At Integrity, we’re supporting customers with the move from the old analogue PSTN on to digital / IP landlines by helping them find the best solutions for their businesses.

There’s never been a better time to review your current telephony and broadband services - and embrace the future.

MAKING IT COUNT

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:14:23 GMT

What is carbon accounting and how can it benefit your business? Gary Robertson from EcoGoZero explains more

As the UK races towards its net zero target of 2050, many businesses are getting to grips with the practicalities of how to reduce their carbon emissions.

With so much information available and a plethora of different approaches, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We know we need to make changes in order to reach net zero – where the amount of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere is balanced to the amount we remove – but how do we do it?

Introducing carbon accounting into your business or organisation is a good place to begin your net zero journey. Carbon accounting is the measurement, management and reporting of an organisation’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Ultimately, it should be treated in the sa me way as financial accounting: it keeps track of emissions rather than money.

It is a tool which allows you to understand what your business emits and to identify ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint. As well as being good for the planet, carbon accounting is also good for business.

By putting sustainability at the heart of your organisation, you are ensuring that you are in the best position to bid for contracts with clients, retain and recruit talent, and improve efficiencies by taking costs out of your business.

The carbon accounting process will naturally identify areas where you can use less and waste less which will have a direct impact on your bottom line.

It will also protect you for a future in which your clients, customers and supply chain insist on carbon accounting procedures as a prerequisite to doing business with you.

Under the UK Government’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regulations, large companies are already required to quantify their carbon emissions and have a plan in place to mitigate them. The expectation is that this legislation – along with carbon taxes and other measures – will be widened to ensure businesses of all sizes are tracking, reporting and reducing their carbon footprint.

By investigating how carbon accounting can benefit your business, you are preparing your business for the marketplace of the future and any legislative requirements – which brings with it a competitive advantage.

At EcoGoZero our aim is to make the process of reducing your carbon emissions easy, accessible and affordable.

We work alongside businesses to help them meet their net zero ambitions, finding the right carbon mitigation strategies for them. Our solutions include EV charging stations, off-grid lighting, energy decentralisation and our EcoMetrix carbon accounting software package which is due to launch this spring.

This article was first published in the January 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

ADDRESSING THE CYBER THREAT

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 16:51:06 GMT

Stephen Whelan, technical director at Carlisle-based Integrity IT Solutions, on why protecting your business against cyber criminals is a top priority.

Cyber security can often seem daunting and expensive but it doesn’t need to be. By taking simple steps such as installing

up-to-date anti-virus measures and educating your team, you can help protect your business against damaging cyber attacks and breaches.

Unfortunately, it’s often the human factor which puts businesses most at risk so ensuring that your employees are able to identify any suspicious content will go a long way to preventing attackers infiltrating your business.

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022, the most common cyber threat facing UK businesses is phishing which accounted for 83 per cent of identified attacks. Even some of the most damaging cyber attacks start with an initial malicious email, encouraging people to click on a link and enter credentials or download malware, giving hackers the tools that they need to escalate the attack by installing ransomware.

With compromised login credentials being one of the biggest causes of network breaches, many businesses have implemented multi factor authentication (MFA) where individuals are asked to provide other factors of information, such as a text or code, when signing in. However, even implementing MFA is not infallible.

Attackers have now discovered a number of ways of getting around MFA. Some types of MFA rely on ‘push notifications’ whereby an employee will receive a notification on their phone to allow access using their fingerprint.

Hackers have discovered that spamming an employee with MFA requests until they become so annoyed that they approve the request is an effective way of bypassing the additional layer of security.

We have also seen instances where MFA codes sent via SMS have been compromised due to a vulnerability. These codes can stay active for a longer period of time, giving the cyber criminals a larger window of opportunity.

Our advice is to use an authentication app which provides a MFA code that changes every 30 seconds.

It’s always a good idea to have a response plan in place for an attack.This will reduce the financial and reputational damage associated with a data breach and ensures that you comply with GDPR. It’s also important that your team knows about the plan and who they should report a suspected breach to within your organisation.

Businesses can access free cyber training resources via the National Cyber Security Centre website (ncsc.gov.uk) which has step-by-step guides on how to protect against cyber attacks – and what to do if you are affected.

You can also speak to your IT provider who will be able to tailor staff training, anti-virus software and other measures to your individual business or organisation.

This article was first published in the February 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

DOES YOUR IT NEED A REBOOT?

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:41:49 GMT

Start the New Year with an IT MOT and reap the beneﬁts for 2023, says Stephen Whelan, technical director at Carlisle-based Integrity IT Solutions.

Your IT system is the backbone of your business so it makes sense to ensure that it’s in good working order for the year ahead.

An IT MOT will help iron out those annoying glitches which can lead to loss of productivity and cause common frustrations among your team. A review of your entire IT system will identify and resolve any issues, followed by ongoing updates and checks to keep on top of any potential problems.

We work on-site with businesses across Cumbria and South West Scotland to help them manage their IT systems and deal with any issues before they arise. By spending time in their offices and workspaces, we get a good understanding of how they work and what they need from their IT system to become more efficient and effective.

Sometimes it’s just a small tweak here and there, other times it’s a complete system overhaul but mostly it’s about listening and working alongside the client so they get the best possible results for their team.

Our team of IT engineers are available to clients either in person or over the phone, working out of our two offices based at Rosehill, Carlisle and in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. We find that our clients appreciate the fact that they are dealing with someone who is local to them and has an under-standing of the area in which they operate, from having access to broadband in rural areas to the 5G coverage in the region.

For all businesses, regardless of their size or sector, the top priorities for the coming year are effective protection against cyber attacks and breaches; secure data storage; a fast, reliable Wi-Fi network; and an infrastructure which allows your team to work whenever and wherever required.

The way we work has changed dramatically over the past few years which has led to increased demands on IT infrastructure. We often find that businesses which have expanded rapidly over a short period of time or moved to remote working options for staff following the pandemic, experience IT issues because their existing infrastructure is no longer fit for purpose.

An IT update isn’t something which can be left on your to-do list for six or 12 months’ time. Alongside the day-to-day impact on working practices for your team, an unreliable or out-dated IT system can leave you vulnerable to the real and present threat of cyber attacks and breaches which can potentially cause serious damage to your business.

With more reliance than ever on IT, it’s vital that your own system meets the needs of your team so you can continue to deliver for your clients and customers.

This article was first published in the January 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

TIME FOR ACTION

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 18:00:08 GMT

Gary Robertson from EcoGoZero explains how businesses can take their first practical steps towards net zero.

In the past five years, we’ve seen a huge shift in attitude towards the climate emergency following the realisation that we need to act now for the sake of future generations, as well as our own.

A rise in public and political awareness of the real and present threat to our planet has led to a clammer for change. We are the generation who have acknowledged there is a problem and it’s down to us to find ways to fix it.

The ultimate ambition is to reach net zero where the amount of greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere is balanced to the amount we remove. In practice, this means reducing our carbon footprint and living sustainably instead of exhausting the planet of its resources. The UK has set a net zero target of 2050.

We’re committed to being at the forefront of the net zero industrial revolution and recently announced a deal to deploy world-leading decarbonisation technology for the first time in the UK at our HQ in Annan.

The Climate Change Committee, the UK’s independent adviser on tackling climate change, monitors progress in reducing emissions and achieving carbon budgets and targets. Its 2022 progress report to Parliament made worrying reading, stating that greater focus and emphasis must be placed on delivery of the UK’s net zero strategy. It said there were “warm words” from enablers but “little concrete progress”.

For Cumbrian businesses, 2023 is an opportunity to do business for good by making a positive impact on the planet – and future-proofing your own business. Demonstrating that you have a carbon reduction plan – and actioning it – is fast becoming an essential requirement for everything from bidding for contracts to recruiting staff.

At Eco Group, we support businesses and organisations across the UK on their net zero journey by utilising affordable, sustainable innovations through our EcoGoZero range of carbon mitigation solutions which includes EV charging stations, off-grid lighting and energy decentralisation.

Our collaboration with climate tech company Levidian will see the first remote implementation of the pioneering LOOP system, which decarbonises methane-rich gas to produce hydrogen and graphene on-site. This will create decentralised hydrogen hubs to support industrial decarbonisation, enabling the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and creating products essential to net zero ambitions.

This is game-changing technology which will put the Borderlands region in prime position to be a leader in industrial and agricultural decarbonisation.

This article was first published in the January 2023 edition of In-Cumbria magazine

WHAT IS MFA FATIGUE AND HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT?

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 09:54:01 GMT

Credential compromise is one of the top causes of network security breaches, prompting many organisations to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).

However, attackers are now finding ways around MFA.

SMS-based MFA, where users receive a MFA code via text message, has been proven to be insecure and many service providers have replaced it with alternatives. One of the most popular alternatives is 'push notifications' which are displayed to the user via an authenticator app.

However, recently there has been an increase in attacks that rely on a method known as MFA fatigue.

Attackers have now discovered that spamming an employee with MFA authorisation requests until they become so annoyed that they approve the request can be a very effective way of bypassing the additional layer of security that MFA is there to provide.

This method was used in the recent cyber attacks against Cisco and Uber. In the Uber attack, the criminals increased their chances of success by combining it with social engineering. They contacted the employee on WhatsApp, claiming to be a member of the IT team and instructing them to approve the login to get the MFA notifications to stop.

Employee training is always important for mitigating the risk of any cyber attack including MFA fatigue attacks. Employees need to be aware of such attacks and should be instructed to notify the organisation’s IT or security team if they receive many push notifications. They should also be aware that messages or phone calls allegedly coming from their IT department could actually originate from the attacker. One of these issues - a flaw in Apple's web browser technology, is being actively exploited by attackers.

APPLE SECURITY FLAWS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 11:30:54 GMT

You may have seen in the news recently that Apple has identified two significant security vulnerabilities in its operating systems.

One of these issues - a flaw in Apple's web browser technology, is being actively exploited by attackers.

Apple said hackers have used the flaw to infiltrate WebKit, which is the engine that powers Apple web browser Safari, also confirming that the exploit could be used by hackers if the user accessed "maliciously-crafted web content".

There have so far been no confirmed reports of specific cases where the security flaw has been used against people or devices.

This is a very serious issue. It could ultimately allow cyber criminals to take full control of an Apple device running one of the affected operating systems (iPadOS, iOS and macOS), giving a cyber criminal the same level of access as Apple itself.

In response, Apple has released an urgent security update.

We're urging all of our customers to check your OS version and update if required.

To do so, navigate the menu as follows:

On your iPhone or iPad: Settings > General > Software Update

On your Mac: Apple menu > About this Mac > Software Update

INTERNET EXPLORER IS APPROACHING END-OF-LIFE

Thu, 26 May 2022 16:09:32 GMT

Microsoft are advising people to move away from Internet Explorer 11

Microsoft's Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) desktop application will be retired on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10. This means that the IE11 desktop application will no longer be supported and afterward will redirect to Microsoft Edge if a user tries to open it.

Microsoft has said that users can still use Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) within Microsoft Edge for the time being, in order to support legacy websites and applications until they can be ported over to the new software.

Microsoft first announced plans to retire support for Internet Explorer 11 across Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 back in August 2020, and since then has been gradually stripping back services for the software.

External tools have also been withdrawn, with Google Search withdrawing support for Internet Explorer in October 2021, leaving the browser reliant on its own in-house Bing search tool, with support for Docs, Sheets, Slides and other Google Workspace apps removed in March 2021.

As a security precaution, Integrity IT will be disabling IE11 for our support customers, but if you have any specific concerns please Contact a member of our team for more information

EXTENDED HELPDESK HOURS - MODERN IT SUPPORT FOR A MODERN WORKPLACE

Wed, 04 May 2022 11:53:43 GMT

Integrity is adapting to keep up with different styles of working.

The nature of work has changed. Employees expect to work securely from anywhere, on any device, and they put a high premium on work that enriches and fulfils them. When their productivity tools enhance the quality and effectiveness of their work experience, they’re happier, more valuable, and more likely to stay.

As such, business hours are no longer necessarily 9 to 5, with more companies offering flexible working hours to their employees which demands more flexible support. That’s why Integrity IT Solutions is now offering an extended IT support offering to our clients.

We can now provide IT support from 7 am – 7 pm with a dedicated out-of-hours phone number for business-critical support for evenings and weekends for those that need it, which enables businesses to support modern ways of working.

Contact a member of our team for more information

DOUBLE BANDWIDTH OFFER - 200MB FOR THE PRICE OF 100MB

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 15:09:34 GMT

Place an order for a BTnet Leased Line from Integrity IT before 30th April and get 200mb for the price of 100mb for the length of the contract

As the UK’s No.1 dedicated leased line for business, BTnet offers a reliable connection for businesses that need to go beyond broadband. A leased line provides guaranteed, symmetrical bandwidth and it’s all yours, no sharing.

Fast speeds. No sharing. 100% availability SLA.

Enjoy equally fast upload and download speeds, at any time of the day, no matter what you’re doing.

BTnet offers exceptional performance and is perfect for businesses who send and receive large files, host servers, use the connection for voice and video, or using Cloud applications like Microsoft 365 or Azure.

Ready to find out more? Contact a member of our team.

CUT YOUR BUSINESS BROADBAND COSTS WITH INTEGRITY AND THE BT HALO FOR BUSINESS SALE

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 16:32:22 GMT

Broadband bundle customers can save £192 or more on BT Superfast Halo or Full Fibre 150 Halo.

BT Halo for business

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO MICROSOFT 365 LICENCING

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 16:54:27 GMT

In March 2022 Microsoft is making changes to how 365 licences are bought and managed.

The main changes include:

Licence terms will be changing from monthly terms to annual terms.
There will be a premium rate to purchase licences on a monthly term.
Decreasing the quantity of licences will not be permitted within the annual term.

What changes are there?

Instead of a monthly term, you will now purchase licences on an annual term. But don’t worry, you can continue to pay monthly.
Committing to a yearly term, will ensure that you will achieve the best possible price for your licences.
A monthly term will still be available if you really need them, but they are subject to a 20% price premium.
When committing to an annual term, quantity reduction and downgrades are not permitted.

What do you need to do to prepare for these changes?

Carry out an audit of all your current licences to ascertain the number required at the start of the yearly term. Integrity IT will help you with this.

Will I see a change in pricing?

Microsoft has announced that in March 2022, some Microsoft 365 licences will be subject to a price increase of around 15% which is the first significant price increase since Office 365 was released over a decade ago and reflects the value of innovation that has been added over the years.

The good news...

The good news is that as a Microsoft Gold Partner, Integrity IT can help you lock in your current pricing until March 2023, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds over the next twelve months

Please contact the team at Integrity IT if you have any questions or would like us to carry out an audit of your existing licences.

BLACKBERRY - END OF AN ERA

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 15:00:30 GMT

2022 marks the end of an era as BlackBerry discontinue service of their smart phones.

This a will affect users of all BlackBerry products running BlackBerry OS; newer BlackBerry products which use the Android Operating System are not affected. These devices "will no longer reliably function" from 4 January, including for calls and texts.

BlackBerry was once a huge presence in the mobile smartphone world, boasting an estimated 20% global market share in 2010. However, following the rise of the iPhone and subsequent Android touchscreen devices, Blackberry devices with their physical QWERTY keyboards fell out of fashion.

By 2016 BlackBerry had outsourced its hardware, no longer manufacturing its own phones and made a move into software. Today, BlackBerry promotes itself as a Software & Cybersecurity Company developing software solutions for large enterprises.

FREE IT WORKSHOPS FOR BUSINESSES

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 14:31:31 GMT

Businesses in Cumbria and the south of Scotland can take advantage of free IT workshops thanks to Integrity IT Solutions.

Integrity IT Solutions, which is based in Carlisle and Annan, is offering the workshops to help businesses get the most out of their IT systems.

“The way that many businesses operate has changed dramatically in the past 18 months and we want to make sure that businesses are making the most of new technologies that are available.”

Stephen Whelan, Technical Director

The half-day workshops will include talks from industry experts and practical tips and advice for day-to-day IT operations.
Guest speakers will include representatives from the firm’s national partner businesses including Sophos, Konica Minolta, and Gamma Telecom, as well as members of the Integrity team. Topics will include cyber security, Microsoft 365, Teams & SharePoint training, flexible working, phishing and email security as well as Unified Communications.

The events will be held at Carlisle Racecourse and Integrity’s group headquarters in Annan. Guest speakers will include representatives from Integrity’s national partner businesses as well as members of the Integrity team.

Stephen Whelan, Technical Director at Integrity IT Solutions, said: “The way that many businesses operate has changed dramatically in the past 18 months and we want to make sure that businesses are making the most of new technologies that are available. Our aim is to ensure businesses are equipped with the knowledge that will enable them to continue to grow and develop. ”

The first event will take place on 11th November at Carlisle Racecourse. The second workshop will take place on 18th November at the new HQ for Integrity IT Solutions’ parent company, Eco Group. The Integrity team is now utilising the 3,000 square-metre building on Annan Business Park Way.

Each session will last around three hours and will include welcome coffee/tea, introductions and talks, and a question and answer session. Experts will be available afterwards for anyone who would like to discuss IT solutions on a one-to-one basis.

Integrity IT Solutions designs, supplies, supports and installs IT systems to suit all types and sizes of businesses across the north of England and south-west Scotland. We offer a range of business solutions including IT support, cloud migration projects, server hardware, WiFi installation and hosted telephony services. We work in partnership with national technology companies including BT, Konica Minolta, Barracuda, Gamma Telecom and HP. It is a gold accredited Microsoft and Sophos partner.

The team includes 12 highly trained and experienced IT technicians who work closely with clients to deliver comprehensive IT solution packages and an excellent customer experience.

To find out more, contact one of our team on on 01228 594 682 or 01461 387 040 or email info@integrityoffice.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

INTEGRITY IT SOLUTIONS BECOMES BT ACCREDITED PARTNER

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 11:56:46 GMT

Integrity IT Solutions will play a vital role in providing the North of England and Scotland with a wider range of digital services after becoming an authorised BT partner.

“We are delighted to have been appointed as an authorised BT partner and we look forward to a long-term partnership.”

Mike Jefferson, Commercial Director

Integrity IT Solutions, based in Carlisle and Annan, has become BT’s latest accredited partner and the collaboration will enhance the products and services the company can provide to clients across Cumbria and the South of Scotland while also offering expert support to BT’s current customers across that area.

The partnership will mean Integrity IT Solutions will also play a key role in supporting organisations during the transition to new technology when BT switches to a fully digital network in 2025 as it plans to switch off the old analogue, public-switched telephone network.

The partnership will enhance the products provided by Integrity IT Solutions and expand the choice available to its clients by adding the BT Hosted Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Cloud Voice Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phone systems to its existing SIP telephony propositions. It will also give customers access to the wider BT product portfolio such as Complete Wi-Fi for Business, BT Business Smart Hub, Hybrid Connect and Managed Connectivity.

“it expands on our offering, and gives us the potential to bring new products and services to existing clients while supporting those BT customers in Cumbria and Scotland who are looking for additional assistance.”

Mike Jefferson, Commercial Director

Integrity IT Solutions designs, supplies, supports and installs IT systems to suit all types and sizes of businesses across the north of England and south-west Scotland.

Integrity IT is part of solutions business, Eco Group, which has built a new HQ in Annan and also has bases in Cumbria.

To find out more, contact one of our team on on 01228 594 682 or 01461 387 040 or email info@integrityoffice.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

SIMPLER BROADBAND SWITCHING

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 12:45:30 GMT

Broadband and landline customers will find it easier than ever to change provider and secure a better deal under a new ‘One Touch Switch’ process announced today by Ofcom.

This change means that all broadband users, including FttC (Fibre to the Cabinet), cable and full fibre customers, will only need to contact their new company to switch, with no need to speak to their current provider before making the move.

Customers can already switch providers on Openreach’s FttC network, but for the first time, customers switching between different networks or technologies will be covered by the simpler process. For example, switching from FttC broadband to Virgin Media or Fibre to the Premises.

Currently, these customers need to contact both their existing and new provider to co-ordinate the switch, which often involves either an interruption in service between the old service ending and the new one starting, or an overlap of services, resulting in additional costs.

An Ofcom press release with more detail about the announcement is also available.

To find out more, contact one of our team on 01228 594 682 or email info@integrityoffice.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR iOS USERS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 11:32:43 GMT

Apple's iMessage is one of the most secure messaging apps in the world but it recently has had a weakness that a hacking team found and exploited. Integrity recommends that iOS users update the security software of their devices as soon as possible to patch up this security hole.

If you decide that your device needs updated to a newer model, please get in touch with our comms team who can advise on the best hardware and tariffs for your needs.

To find out more, contact one of our team on 01228 594 682 or email info@integrityoffice.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

PROTECT AGAINST PHISHING ATTACKS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 08:35:08 GMT

Due to their simplicity and effectiveness, phishing emails are one of the easiest and most common forms of cyber-attack that scammers can use as they target the weakest link in the security chain – the user. We're here to help explain what phishing is and how you can protect your business from malicious and damaging attacks.

WHAT IS PHISHING?

The term ‘phishing’ is often linked to fake emails but can also take the form of a text message or social media post that looks like the real thing but is, in fact, malicious. A scammer will use phishing techniques in order to convince the recipient to click on links within the message that could potentially lead to a virus being downloaded on to their computer or often lure users into revealing personal or financial information.

Scammers are opportunistic and their phishing attacks will seek to exploit real-world concerns in order to trick users into interacting. In addition, millions of people are now working from home, meaning that email has become a critical tool for communicating with colleagues working remotely. Scammers have used this to their advantage, as we’ve seen a sharp rise in phishing attacks since March 2020.

As well as email, many companies are utilising other cloud technologies, such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, which have allowed employees to collaborate remotely. However, these are also targeted by criminals in order to obtain sensitive information such as usernames and passwords.

Common scams include emails which include a link to download a SharePoint file or log in to a Teams meeting which actually contains a link to a malicious website but looks like the Microsoft 365 login screen. Once a user enters their username and password on the website, the cyber-criminals could have access to company data and could obtain specific details which can then be used to create fake invoices requesting payment for something that the company may have purchased. They could even use the company’s email system to send out further phishing attacks to the company’s suppliers and customers, causing damage to their reputation.

Throughout 2021 scammers have continued to exploit the theme of pandemic-related compensation. This time, offers of financial assistance were mostly sent out, claiming that HMRC were ready to pay out COVID related grants to businesses. It goes without saying that the grants did not materialise but attempts to claim them often lead to compromised bank details.

Messages regarding parcel deliveries are also one of the most common ruses. Following Brexit, Customs’ rules have changed, so an invoice requesting the payment of Customs Duties or shipping costs may appear to be genuine. However, when trying to pay the invoice, victims are taken to a fake website where they risk not only losing the amount itself but also suppling the cyber-criminals With their bank or card details.

PHISHING: What should I look out for?

Urgency
Phishing emails will often give you a limited time to respond (like in 24 hours or immediately). Cyber-criminals often threaten you with fines or other negative consequences to rush you into responding.

Emotion
Does the message make you panic or curious? Scammers often use threatening language, make false claims or tease you into wanting to find out more.

Scarcity
Is the message offering something in short supply or at a price that seems too good to be true? Fear of missing out on a good deal or opportunity can make you respond quickly.

Current events
Criminals often exploit current news stories, big events or specific times of year (such as tax deadlines) to make their scam seem more relevant to you.

We always recommend setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) for accessing cloud services and can help you put in place all the required protection to help your business become Cyber Essentials certified. This will give your clients and suppliers reassurance that you take IT security seriously and that you have systems in place to help protect your business.

HOW DO YOU PREVENT PHISHING ATTACKS?

Integrity IT Solutions can provide help and advice on protecting your IT systems against phishing attacks. We always recommend setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) for accessing cloud services and can help you put in place all the required protection to help your business become Cyber Essentials certified. This will give your clients and suppliers reassurance that you take IT security seriously and that you have systems in place to help protect your business.

We can provide tools to help teach your staff the signs to look out for when they receive an email and to check that it is genuine. We can also implement email protection which will scan embedded links within emails and email attachments for malicious websites.

To find out more, contact one of our team on 01228 594682 or email info@integrityoffice.co.uk to discuss your requirements.

CRICKET CLUB TO SCREEN SUMMER OF LIVE SPORT THANKS TO IT INVESTMENT

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:24:43 GMT

Integrity IT has helped a Cumbrian cricket club ensure that visitors can see every match of this year’s summer of sport. Penrith Cricket Club has upgraded its WiFi network and installed a new live TV system in its clubhouse so that customers can make the most of big sporting events including the Euros, the Lions rugby tour of South Africa, England’s cricket fixtures and the Olympics.

The upgraded system allows the club to show different matches at the same time, meaning sports fans won’t miss a kick, pass or catch, while also delivering uninterrupted Wi-Fi access throughout the club’s Tynefield Park ground, including the beer garden.

The work was carried out by Carlisle-based Integrity IT Solutions ahead of the start of the summer sporting calendar.

Andrew Hall, Chairman of Penrith Cricket Club, said: “The new system has raised the bar for us in terms of what we can offer our customers. We wanted to make the most of this summer’s big sporting events and upgrading the network has given us more flexibility about which sports we can show and when across our three screens. The new Wi-Fi system is also helping us operate more effectively as a business because we can now take credit card payments outside in the beer garden, which makes life easier for our bar staff.

“People expect decent Wi-Fi when they visit a venue and, as well as the clubhouse and beer garden, we now have coverage throughout the ground, including for spectators watching the action on the pitch. We have a fantastic beer garden and a large function room, so being able to make the most of our facilities, both inside and outside, is an investment in the future of the club.”

“We wanted to make the most of this summer’s big sporting events and upgrading the network has given us more flexibility about which sports we can show and when across our three screens.”

Andrew Hall, Chairman of Penrith Cricket Club

Integrity IT Solutions, which also has a base in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, designs, supplies, supports and installs IT systems to suit all types and sizes of businesses across the north of England and south-west Scotland.

Stephen Whelan, Technical Director at the firm, said: “We were pleased to be able to help Penrith Cricket Club put in place an IT system which will develop and expand their business. The work included upgrading the audio/visual equipment in the clubhouse to ensure they can screen live sport on multiple channels and screens, and upgrading the Wi-Fi network to boost coverage. The team also enhanced the security of the Wi-Fi network to provide extra protection for credit card payments, and against potential external risks such as viruses.”

Andrew said the new IT system was part of a wider project to develop the facilities at Penrith Cricket Club.

He said: “During lockdown, we took the opportunity to move forward with our plans for the club so we’d be in a position to hit the ground running when restrictions eased. We developed our training and coaching programme so we were ready to welcome back existing as well as new players, and successfully applied for grant funding from several local organisations which enabled us to install an artificial cricket wicket, purchase a new outfield mower, and replace the existing scoreboard with an LED system.

“Last year, the cricket season was restricted to just eight weeks, and the junior players had no match time or training at all. It was essential that we were ready for the 2021 season to support our teams and the club at every level. The more people we can encourage to visit Penrith Cricket Club, enjoy cricket or any sport, then the bigger the benefit to the club and the wider community.”

“The team also enhanced the security of the Wi-Fi network to provide extra protection for credit card payments, and against potential external risks such as viruses.”

Stephen Whelan, Technical Director

Penrith Cricket Club runs three senior teams and five junior teams, as well as additional sessions for kids, girls and womens’ cricket.

The clubhouse and beer garden is open to the public from Monday 6pm to 8pm; Friday 6pm to closing; Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to closing.

For more information visit www.penrithcc.co.uk

INTEGRITY IT TAKES ON FIVE NEW RECRUITS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 21:41:34 GMT

Intergrity IT is building on its success by expanding its team. We have recruited five new members of staff and plan to take on two apprentices this September.

The technology business, which is based in Carlisle, Cumbria, and Annan in Dumfries and Galloway, has also undergone a complete brand refresh, with revised livery for its new fleet of vehicles, signage and staff uniforms.

Stephen Whelan, Technical Director at Integrity IT Solutions, said the company had made the investment to ensure it was in the best possible position to offer a comprehensive service to its clients. He said: “It’s vitally important that we have the right people in place to deliver our extensive range of IT services both now and in the future. All our new members of staff bring something different to the business and complement our existing team.”

Stephen said the IT firm had experienced steady growth over the past few years, and that its acquisition by Annan-based business Eco Group at the end of last year had accelerated the growth plans. “It’s an exciting time for the business and for everyone who has helped make it a success,” he said. “We’re looking forward to more growth in the future and creating more opportunities for people within the technology industry.”

“It’s vitally important that we have the right people in place to deliver our extensive range of IT services both now and in the future. All our new members of staff bring something different to the business and complement our existing team.”

Stephen Whelan, Technical Director

Integrity IT Solutions designs, supplies, supports and installs IT systems to suit all types and sizes of businesses across the north of England and south-west Scotland. Integrity offers a range of business solutions including IT support, cloud migration projects, server hardware, WiFi installation and hosted telephony services. The firm currently has more than 200 clients ranging from sole traders to larger organisations, some with more than 1,500 users.

The brand refresh was carried out by Eco Creative, which is part of Integrity IT Solutions’ parent company, Eco.
Staff uniforms have been given a new brand look, along with the vehicles, building signage, office stationery and the website.

The most recent additions to the Integrity IT Solutions team brings the total number of employees to 19.

Stephen said: “With our extensive experience and collective business knowledge, we can provide a solution which can help you make the right decision for your business. Our industry qualified and highly motivated team members are among the best in the business, and have a proven track record of delivering exceptional service.”

“Every day is different working in IT, that’s what I love about it.”

Simon McLeod, IT Engineer

“I enjoy working in IT and being part of a growth industry. I like learning about different systems and software, and getting involved in the practical side of the job.”

Ashleigh Watson, IT Engineer

NEW EXCHANGE SERVER VULNERABILITIES

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 12:18:08 GMT

Microsoft has just released security updates for Exchange Server that address a set of four vulnerabilities, classed as high to critical importance.

Microsoft credited the NSA for finding two remote code execution vulnerability flaws (CVE-2021-28480 and CVE-2021-28481) in Exchange Server. Both bugs found by the NSA carry a CVSS score of 9.8 due to the risks of attacks without user interaction.

The flaws affect on-premise Exchange Server versions 2013 through 2019 and while there is no evidence of being exploited in the wild, Microsoft assesses that threat actors are likely to leverage them as soon as they create an exploit.

The NSA says that the discovery of critical vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Exchange server is recent and that they reported them immediately.

This is the second serious attack on Microsoft Exchange Servers in recent months and is a major headache for Microsoft and their clients using on-premise Exchange servers. Microsoft released emergency patches for Microsoft Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Server 2016, and Exchange Server 2019 on March 2. At the time, the company said that four zero-day vulnerabilities which could lead to data theft and overall server hijacking were being actively exploited in “limited, targeted attacks.”

However, it was not long before multiple advanced persistent threat (APT) groups began to join in Exchange Server-based campaigns and it is estimated that thousands of systems belonging to organizations worldwide have been compromised.

As always, Integrity IT Solutions constantly monitor threats and have already been in touch with all of our clients who are affected.

130% CORPORATION TAX RELIEF ON IT EXPENDITURE

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:07:34 GMT

The super-deduction tax break will allow companies to cut their tax bill by up to 25p for every £1 they invest, ensuring that the UK capital allowances regime is amongst the world’s most competitive.

From 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2023, companies investing in qualifying capital assets, including IT hardware, will be able to claim:

a 130% super-deduction capital allowance on qualifying plant and machinery investments, such as IT hardware
a 50% first-year allowance for qualifying special rate assets

The government initiative should act as a major investment catalyst. This measure will allow a temporary first-year allowance, including a super-deduction of 130% on most new plant and machinery investments which would have ordinarily qualified for 18% relief and a first year allowance of 50% on most new plant and machinery investments which would have ordinarily qualified for 6% relief. Providing not only an accelerated timing benefit but additional tax relief on expenditure incurred.

These measures should be welcomed by businesses and will encourage an immediate acceleration of investment, instead of holding off, the benefits of which are that these decisions being brought forward give the returns today.

Integrity IT Solutions can also facilitate the financing of IT hardware, by connecting you to industry leading asset financiers. Helping to grow your business, improve your productivity and plan your budgets, whilst aiding cash flow and removing obstacles to early investment. Bringing reward to your business which is both significant and immediate.

If you would like us to look at any of your IT issues, or to discuss this opportunity for supporting any IT Investment you may require, please do not hesitate to contact us .

SLASH YOUR BUSINESS BROADBAND COSTS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 22:22:54 GMT

Many businesses only have a fixed analogue line because it is necessary for their fibre broadband to work. This incurs two charges, one for the broadband service and another for the line rental. This is where SoGEA comes in

SoGEA (or Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) is a new Openreach technology which enables businesses to order fibre broadband without a phone line.

Businesses can purchase a broadband connection from Integrity IT, without the need for a separate line rental. The line which is provided as part of our SoGEA package will only provide an internet connection, you’re not able to make or receive phone calls on it. In our experience, this is not usually an issue, since most businesses will have a separate telephone system. This can provide a saving of up to 30% compared to a traditional broadband and line rental package.

Openreach also claim that the installation time is 50% quicker and faults can now be resolved much quicker since the customer only needs to provide one support call to their internet provider. Since some users, use one provider for their phone line and another for their broadband, SoGEA negates the need for more than one call.

Since there is no traditional phone line frequencies being used, there is also less chance of interference which can cause unstable connections.

SoGEA is not available everywhere but it is available to over 28 million premises across the UK and is becoming more and more common since the large scale rollout started in the final quarter of 2020.

If you would like to find out more information, or check if SoGEA is available in your area, please co ntact a member of our team.

SOLARWINDS SUPPLY CHAIN ATTACK

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 22:17:12 GMT

Hackers, believed to be operating on behalf of the Russian Government, have gained access to software provider SolarWinds. They then deployed an update containing a trojan which created a backdoor to its 'Orion' remote monitoring platform – which has been used to attack networks of multiple US companies and Government networks including the US Treasury. Last week's breach of the cyber security firm – FireEye – lead to the theft of its penetration testing tools.

It is believed that the attack may have occurred in Spring 2020. In a statement, Solarwinds confirmed that they were “aware of a potential vulnerability which, if present, is currently believed to be related to updates which were released between March and June 2020”.

“This vulnerability is the result of a highly sophisticated, targeted and manual supply chain attack by a nation state. We are acting in close coordination with FireEye, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the intelligence community, and other law enforcement to investigate these matters. As such, we are limited as to what we can share at this time.”

SolarWinds also said that it plans to release a new update on Tuesday, 15th December that “replaces the compromised component and provides several additional security enhancements.”

"The compromise of SolarWinds’ Orion Network Management Products poses unacceptable risks to the security of federal networks,” said Brandon Wales, acting director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which has released an emergency directive, urging federal agencies to review their networks and power down SolarWinds Orion products immediately.

INTEGRITY IT SECURE LARGE ORDER FROM CUMBRIAN BASED BUSINESS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 12:53:39 GMT

Despite all of the doom and gloom around in 2020, Integrity IT Solutions still have some positive news.

We’ve received some substantial orders over the last few months, however, we’ve recently secured an order for 244 HP ProBook Laptops, 822 HP EliteDisplay Monitors and 420 Microsoft Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Kits from one of our clients.

The hardware will be delivered across the North of England for a Cumbrian based firm whose head office is in Carlisle, between now and the end of the year.

We’ve had to rent additional warehouse space locally in order to meet the demand and may need to take on additional temporary staff.

NOKIA IS SET TO REPLACE HUAWEI IN UK’S 5G NETWORK

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 13:14:14 GMT

Nokia is set to become a major beneficiary of Huawei being blocked from the UK’s 5G networks, making it the largest equipment provider to the network.

Nokia announced today that it had signed a deal extending its relationship with BT. As a part of the partnership, Nokia will help to expand BT’s radio access network to 5G by providing equipment and services at BT radio sites, such as its AirScale base stations and antennas.

BT has already used Nokia equipment in London, the Midlands and some rural locations, but this will extend their partnership across the UK. The deal will also see Nokia replace Huawei in BT’s 2G and 4G networks

The UK government announced in July that all UK mobile network providers would be prevented from buying Huawei 5G equipment after 31 December 2020 and must also remove all the Chinese firm’s 5G hardware from their networks by 2027.

The decision, which was taken on national security grounds, effectively ended the relationship between BT and Huawei that dated back to 2005.

Windows Server Flaw Under Attack | Integrity Office

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 13:17:27 GMT

The Zerologon vulnerability (also known as ( CVE-2020-1472 ), puts domain controllers running all versions of Windows Server at risk of hijacking from cyber attackers allowing them to take over their network.

Microsoft released a fix against the Zerologon vulnerability as part of its regular patch update in August. But many administrators will not have applied the patch immediately.

On 24th September, Microsoft announced that they had observed in-the-wild attacks where public exploits have been incorporated into attacker playbooks.

Zerologon was described by many security exports as the most dangerous bug revealed this year. The US Department of Homeland Security gave federal agencies three days to patch domain controllers or disconnect them from federal networks.

Other software which supports the Microsoft Netlogon Remote Protocol (MS-NRPC), such as Samba, is also vulnerable to the security hole and should likewise be updated.

Owing to the fact that there are active attacks in the wild and that Zerologon is so easy to exploit , our advice is to install the patch as soon as possible.

If you have an IT Support agreement with Integrity IT Solutions then the good news is that you will have already have had the patch installed by us via our patch management system.

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY SUFFER CYBER ATTACK

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 13:24:36 GMT

While students across the country were preparing to return to universities and colleges following the COVID-19 pandemic, Newcastle University have been recovering from a cyber security incident that has affected its IT systems.

The attack has already caused several days of disruption and the university warns that it could “take several weeks” to get all affected systems up and running again.

Although Newcastle University only stated that it suffered a cyber attack, it is highly likely to be ransomware and according to  BleepingComputer , the DoppelPaymer gang are claiming credit for the attack, posting a small amount of exfiltrated data as proof.

Newcastle University IT Services are working to restore their IT systems and the police and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have both been informed about the incident. Due to the early stage of the investigation, officials did not disclose whether any personal information was compromised.

The announcement follows a similar incident at Northumbria University. It is still unclear whether or not either university were specifically targeted, but educational establishments are often thought of as easy targets for cyber criminals due to under investment in cyber security over recent years.

For more information on preventing cyber attacks contact u s or find out more about the government backed CyberEssentials scheme as a good starting point.

MASSIVE INTEL DATA BREACH

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 13:30:24 GMT

News emerged late on Thursday evening of a massive 20GB file containing confidential files and intellectual property belonging to Intel which is making its way around the internet.

According to Tom’s Hardware , a leaker has shared the link to a 20GB file-sharing folder that allegedly contains chip engineering files apparently stolen from Intel earlier this year in a Twitter post. This folder has been billed as “Intel exconfidential Lake Platform Release ;)” and was originally posted on an encrypted messaging platform.

Till Kottmann, the Swiss IT consultant who posted a link to the confidential data on Twitter claims the hacker “breached” Intel, which the company denies. Kottman also said the files were obtained earlier this year, adding “most of the things here have not been published anywhere before and are classified as confidential, under NDA or Intel Restricted Secret.”

The source says more files will be shared soon, and “the future parts of this leak will have even juicier and more classified stuff.” Interestingly, it has also been revealed that the password-protected zips in the folder may be accessed using either “Intel123” or “intel123” as the password, which may have been set by Intel itself.

How We Provide Ultrafast Broadband | Integrity Office

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:34:06 GMT

Integrity IT are providing the latest ultra-fast connectivity product, G.fast. Meaning that you could be enjoying faster internet than ever before, with average download speeds of up to 330Mbps.

Ultrafast broadband enables more devices to use your network without suffering from congestion and slow speeds as well as enabling silky-smooth HD or UHD video conferencing. So if you have a large office with a number of active users, they’ll all be able to enjoy a smooth internet experience.

What is G.fast?
If you’re confused by all the terminology you’re hearing around internet speeds, you’re probably not alone. G.fast offers something different. While a typical FTTP ultrafast connection requires a fair amount of additional infrastructure to be put in place, G.fast will use much of the existing infrastructure, which should mean easier and faster rollout. You’ll still be sending and receiving data over existing copper wires, but the technology enables that data to travel much more quickly – think of G.fast as a supercharged FTTC connection – and that means ultrafast speeds will be available to many more premises.

Carlisle was one of the first areas in the UK to have access to G.Fast, early in 2019 and the roll-out means that more and more business in the area are able to take advantage of of this new ultra-fast broadband technology

What do you need to do?
Contact a member of our team to find out of G.Fast is available in your location.

INTEGRITY IT SOLUTIONS ARE HELPING OUR NHS

iol.eddie.black@integrityoffice.co.uk (Eddie Black) — Sat, 09 May 2020 13:37:21 GMT

Integrity IT are playing our part to support our NHS.

We are very proud to have a number of our IT engineers currently engaged on NHS projects throughout Cumbria.

integrity0b3cabe5

The hidden risks of outsourcing IT support (and how to avoid them)

What are the risks of outsourcing IT support?

We can help with outsourcing IT support advice

Join our new cyber awareness training session following Cyber Awareness Month

Cyber Awareness Training | 25th November 2026

The majority of cyber attacks rely on human behaviour rather than technical vulnerabilities. By helping staff understand what to look for and how to respond, organisations can significantly reduce their cyber risk.

Is outsourcing IT cheaper than an in-house team?

What are the costs of hiring IT in-house?

Can one IT employee cover everything?

How can your business benefit from outsourcing IT?

Why a tailored IT support quote could be the answer

How to reduce IT downtime in a small business: 9 practical steps

9 practical steps to reduce IT downtime

1. Proactive monitoring

2. Maintaining a consistent patching schedule

3. Backup and disaster recovery

4. UPS and hardware refresh

5. Network resilience

6. Endpoint security

7. Staff training

8. Documented incident response

9. Clear SLAs

Reduce downtime before it becomes a business problem

Outsourcing IT vs hiring in-house: How UK SMEs should decide

Outsourcing or hiring in-house: 5 key areas to evaluate

1. Cost formation

2. Skill range

3. Scalability

4. Holiday and sickness cover

5. Control

A third option? Co-managed IT support

Should I outsource my IT or hire in-house?

Talk through the right model for your business with Integrity

Does your small business really need IT support? 7 signs it does

7 clear signs your small business needs IT support

How many of these signs apply to your business?

Secure IT systems with Integrity

We're hiring a Field Engineer for Integrity by Eco

Field Engineer

Hours: Full time

Salary: Dependent on experience

Location: Carlisle & Annan, with travel to customer sites

We're hiring an IT Engineer for Integrity by Eco

IT Engineer

﻿

Hours: Full time

Salary: Dependent on experience

Location: Carlisle & Annan, with travel to customer sites

Managed IT Support vs Break-Fix: Which One Actually Saves You Money?

Is it best to pay for a fix or for prevention?

The hidden cost of break-fix IT support

Proactive monitoring can catch problems early

Security is part of the cost calculation

Which option makes financial sense for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between managed IT support and break-fix support?

Is managed IT support or break-fix cheaper?

Does managed IT support help with Cybersecurity?

When does break-fix IT support make sense?

Do I still pay for managed IT support if nothing goes wrong?

What is managed IT support? A guide for UK businesses - Integrity

Contents

What is managed IT support?

What does managed IT support typically include?

Helpdesk access

Proactive monitoring (RMM)

Patching and updates

Security

Backups

IT strategy

How much does managed IT support cost?

Who benefits from managed IT support?

Managed IT support is particularly valuable if:

Newsletters

Click on the link to open a PDF of each newsletter

Leadership Update | Celebrating Internal Progression at Integrity IT

At Integrity IT, part of the Eco group of businesses, we believe that when you invest in people, you build a stronger business. That’s why we’re proud to share two well-earned internal promotions that reflect the continued growth and evolution of our team.

This Isn’t Just Any Cyber Incident… This is a M&S Cyber Incident

On 21/04/2025, Marks and Spencer (M&S) confirmed it was managing a cyber incident that disrupted contactless payments and delayed online order collections.

Microsoft Server 2012 and 2012 R2 Operating Systems will be unsupported from October 10 ^th 2023. What does this mean for your business?