A guide to sharing calendars in Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 offers a convenient way to share calendars. In this guide, we will walk you through how you can quickly and easily do so to let others — even those without a Microsoft 365 account — view your calendar.

What is Outlook?

Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available as part of the Microsoft 365 suite. Aside from managing multiple email accounts, Outlook also allows users to quickly access calendar and task features. Users can also customize their view of Outlook through several ways, including the use of add-ons and plugins that improve productivity. Overall, Outlook is a powerful tool that can help individuals and organizations stay on top of their communications.

Use Outlook on the web

Outlook on the web is a free, web-based version of Microsoft Outlook that includes many of the same features as the desktop version. You can use Outlook on the web to access your email, calendar, contacts, and tasks from any computer with an internet connection.

Additionally, you can connect your Microsoft 365 or another email service based on Microsoft Exchange Online to Outlook. Through this integration, you can then easily share your calendar by following these steps:

  1. To access the Calendar, click on the calendar icon at the bottom of the page.
  2. Go to the Calendar page and find the toolbar at the top of your screen. Click on Share and then select which calendar you want to share with others. Remember that you can only share calendars that you own.
  3. Enter the email address or name of who you’d like to share your calendar with.
  4. To secure your calendar, determine the permission levels of your recipients. These options include:
    • Can view when I’m busy ⁠– allows users to view only certain details of your calendar when you’re busy
    • Can view titles and locations ⁠– shows users when you’re not available, including additional details such as the event’s title or location
    • Can view all details ⁠– lets users see all details about an event in your calendar
    • Can edit ⁠– enables permitted users to modify details in your calendar
    • Delegate ⁠– authorizes users to edit your calendar and share it with others
  5. The final step is to click on Share. You can cancel sharing your calendar by clicking on the Trash icon.

Another method of sharing your calendar is by publishing it and sending the URL to others. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Go to Settings, then View all Outlook settings in Calendar.
  2. Click on Shared calendars.
  3. After you select Publish a calendar, choose which calendar to make public and how much information recipients will be able to see.
  4. Once you’ve set the permission levels, you can click Publish.
  5. Next, choose between an HTML or an ICS link. The HTML link allows recipients to view your calendar through a browser like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Meanwhile, users can use an ICS link to import your shared calendar and view it on their own Outlook calendar.

Share via Outlook.com

Just like Outlook on the web, Outlook.com allows you to share your calendar directly or publish it. The methods for sharing on these two platforms are similar, with the exception that you have just two choices for how recipients may utilize your calendar: Can view all details and Can edit.

Here’s how you can publish your calendar on Outlook.com:

  1. Open the Calendar view by clicking on the calendar icon.
  2. Go to the Settings menu and choose View all Outlook settings.
  3. Go to Calendar and choose Shared calendars.
  4. In “Publish a calendar,” choose the Calendar you want to publish and how much information it will show.
  5. Once you’re done, click on Publish and share your calendar either through an HTML or ICS link.

Easy access through Outlook on iOS and Android

If you’re on the go or don’t have access to your desktop, you can still share your calendar via Outlook’s mobile app by following these steps:

  1. On your Outlook app, select Calendar from the hamburger menu at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Go to Share then, under Add People, select the recipients you’d like to invite by inputting their names or email addresses.
  3. Next, go to the top-right corner of the app and tap on the Check button.
  4. To edit the permission level of a certain user, you can tap their name on the list of recipients. Like with Outlook on the web, you can choose the permission options such as “Only When I’m Busy,” “Only Titles and Locations,” “All Details,” “Can View,” “Can Edit,” and “Delegate.”
  5. If you want to remove a user from your recipients, go to the bottom of the page and tap on Remove.
  6. After you’ve set permissions, tap on the Check button at the top-right corner of the page to share your calendar with your selected users.

There’s no doubt that Microsoft 365 offers a variety of tools that help you stay organized. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of Microsoft 365, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our IT experts will be glad to help.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

/by

Don’t let disasters ruin your business

Disasters can happen to anyone, and when they do, it can be difficult for small- or medium-sized businesses (SMB) to get back on their feet. Your business could be at risk if you’re not prepared for a natural disaster or an unexpected emergency. Here are a few tips to help keep your business afloat during tough times.

What is a business continuity plan?

A business continuity plan, or BCP, is a document that provides detailed instructions on how to respond in the event of unexpected disruptions to normal operations. These operational disruptions can include anything from natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, to human-caused events like reputation crises and security breaches.

A comprehensive BCP will address all aspects of a business, including IT, communications, facilities, and more, enabling the company to continue providing quality products or services to its customers, even in the face of difficult circumstances

Potential risks to business continuity

SMBs face a variety of threats that could potentially disrupt operations and cause significant losses. These include:

  • Natural catastrophes – storms, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes
  • Man-made disasters – intentional sabotage, human negligence, and cyberattacks
  • Device and utility failures – power outages, internet disruptions, and communication service issues

Creating an effective BCP

A good BCP should not only be comprehensive, but it should also account for every possible emergency scenario your company could face. To ensure your plan is effective and covers all the bases, follow these steps:

1. Assess the risks
Identify the hazards or potential threats that could affect your operations. Consider the likelihood that these threats could lead to actual harm, and assess any potential consequences. This will help you determine the level of risk associated with each hazard and prioritize when deciding on ways to mitigate those risks. Make sure to collaborate with all departments within your company to get a well-rounded view of the risks.

2. Conduct a business impact analysis (BIA)
A BIA involves determining the critical functions and processes that are necessary to keep your business running smoothly. By analyzing which aspects of your operations are most important, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about how to best protect those functions in the event of a disaster.

3. Determine your recovery options
Ascertain what it would take to get your critical functions and processes up and running again after an unexpected event. This might include restoring data from backups, implementing workarounds for damaged equipment, or allowing employees to work from home. These recovery options should be feasible and achievable, so that your business can quickly resume normal operations.

4. Outline the plan
With all of the information gathered in the previous steps, you can now start putting together your BCP. Document the steps that need to be taken in the event of a disaster, and assign specific roles and responsibilities to employees. Be sure to include contact information for key personnel, as well as any vendors or partners that might be needed to assist with recovery efforts.

Keep a copy of the plan in a safe location, and make sure that all employees are aware of its existence and know how to access it.

5. Test, train, repeat
It’s not enough to just have a BCP — you need to test it frequently too. By doing so, you and your team can identify any weaknesses or gaps in the plan, and make necessary adjustments. This will ensure that your plan will work when you need it most. Additionally, you should regularly train your employees on the contents of the BCP so that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and knows how to execute the plan successfully.

If your business doesn’t have a BCP, now is the time to start thinking about creating one. Our team of experts can help you develop an effective plan that will ensure your business can quickly recover from a major incident. Give us a call today.

If you’re concerned about any natural disasters putting you out of business, call us today. We offer comprehensive business continuity services that every company should have.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

/by

Everything you need to know about single sign-on

With every new system we use and online account we create, we need to add another password to our ever-growing list. However, memorizing all these passwords is challenging and can lead to password fatigue. Single sign-on can be the solution to this problem.

What is single sign on?

Single sign-on or SSO is an authentication method that lets users access several applications and websites with a single set of login credentials. For example, if you log in to Gmail, SSO will automatically sign you into other Google applications, such as Analytics and AdSense.

How does SSO work?

SSO is built on the concept of federated identity, which allows multiple systems to share identification information. When a user logs in to a service with their SSO credentials, an authentication token is generated and stored on their browser or in the SSO provider’s servers. Any app or website that the user visits afterward will verify the user’s identity with the SSO provider, which will then deliver the user’s token to confirm their identity and grant them access.

This forms the foundation for modern SSO solutions that use protocols such as OpenID Connect and SAML 2.0.

What are the benefits of SSO?

Apart from being more convenient and simpler to use, SSO offers these key benefits:

Better password management
SSO makes it easier for workers to manage their login information since they only need to remember one set of credentials instead of dozens. And users only need to remember one password, they can create more unique and use stronger passwords for individual accounts, making it harder for cybercriminals to access and steal their information.

Improved password policy enforcement
Because password entry is centralized, SSO makes it easy for IT teams to enforce password security policies. For example, many businesses require employees to change their passwords regularly. Rather than having to reset several passwords across various applications and services each time, IT teams only need to reset one for each user.

SSO also helps IT administrators implement the reentering of login information after a given period to ensure an employee is still active on the signed-in device. This is a critical security measure for businesses, as it can prevent dormant accounts from being used to access company data.

Less time wasted recovering forgotten passwords
By utilizing SSO, IT staff can reduce the number of password recovery or reset requests they receive, and users can spend less time waiting for password resets. This can help raise employees’ productivity levels and allow IT personnel to focus on more important issues.

If you think SSO is ideal for your business, give us a call. Our experts are ready to help you.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

/by

Upgrade Your Network And Quickly Experience These 4 Amazing Benefits

If you own or operate a business, you’ve probably adapted to a number of changes over the years. As you inch closer to year-end, it’s time to figure out what still needs to be done. One of those potential changes might be an upgrade to your network infrastructure.

When you look at making updates or adjustments to your business, you’re probably doing so in an effort to bring in a greater profit than the previous year. While updating your software or hardware might not provide an obvious benefit to your sales goals, it can help save your business quite a bit of money in the long run. It can even boost your sales and overall productivity when the right updates are put in place.

Here are four major benefits that come with updating your network infrastructure.

Faster Internet Connection

New technological advancements are made every day, and failing to keep up with them can hinder your business operations. This can be seen clearly with Internet connectivity. If your Internet speeds are slow, your employees will work at a slower pace. Client-facing applications will also lag and can be detrimental to your customers’ satisfaction with your business. Investing in a new network will allow you to utilize faster Internet speeds so you and your employees can work quicker with fewer interruptions; this will improve productivity and help more clients in a efficient manner.

Better Network Security

We talk about the importance of cyber security a lot, and it’s because one successful cyber-attack could bring irreparable harm to any business, regardless of reputation or size. Cyberthreats are more complicated than ever before, and cybercriminals can easily navigate old and outdated networks. Newer networks are built with more defenses to thwart would-be hackers. Even if you’ve recently upgraded your network, you need to continually update your software. New patches are continually released that help plug the holes cybercriminals are exploiting.

More Compatibility

An upgraded network provides business owners with more options than they could ever dream of. You’ll have access to countless applications that will benefit your business and give you a step ahead of your competitors, but your network needs to be as strong as possible to get the most out of them.

Less Time Maintaining Your Network

If you upgrade your network on old infrastructure, you will put more strain on your system, and your IT person or company will have to step in to help out. Investing in modern infrastructure will help fix many problems in your business and will give your employees more time to be productive, including your IT specialists.

Now that you’re aware of the benefits of upgrading your network infrastructure, when should you do it? As your business grows, your network needs to grow with it. You will also need to upgrade if you’re experiencing any issues with your current network. If you work in an industry that deals with sensitive client information, like a law firm, you may be legally required to keep your network up-to-date as much as possible.

Upgrading your network and keeping it up-to date-will come with many benefits and few drawbacks. If it’s been some time since your last upgrade or update, it’s time to reevaluate your needs.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

/by
,

Why HTTPS matters for your cybersecurity

It’s no secret that the internet can be a dangerous place. Hackers, scammers, and identity thieves are always looking for new ways to steal your information or scam you out of your hard-earned money. That’s why it’s critical to take steps to protect yourself while you’re online. One of these is to make sure that the sites you visit use HTTPS

What is HTTPS encryption?

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, or HTTPS, is a secure communications protocol used to send and receive data over the internet. Data that is transmitted over HTTPS is encrypted, making it more difficult for third parties to read. HTTPS provides a higher level of security than standard HTTP and is often used for online banking and eCommerce transactions, as well as other sensitive communication.

HTTPS was introduced in 1995, so older websites that have been left without regular maintenance usually don’t have this implemented. But even to this day, unsecure websites exist, and fraudsters can easily take advantage of them.

When you visit a site without an HTTPS connection, everything you type or click on that website is sent without encryption. This means that anyone who intercepts the data transferred between the website and your device can view the information as is. For instance, cybercriminals can use unsecured HTTP connections to gain access to your Social Security number, credit card information, and other personal data.

What role do HTTPS certificates play in cybersecurity?

When you visit a website, your device uses an online directory to translate its alphanumeric name into a numerical address and saves that information so that it doesn’t have to check the online directory every time you visit the same website. But if your computer gets compromised via an HTTP connection, it could be manipulated into directing a perfectly safe web address like www.google.com to a malicious website. Most of the time, users are sent to spoofed sites that look exactly like legitimate websites and are designed to trick users into divulging their credentials.

To prevent such incidents, the online directories mentioned earlier issue an ecosystem of certificates that turn HTTP into HTTPS, making it impossible for anyone to be redirected to a fraudulent website. These certificates contain information about the site, such as the domain name, company name, and location. It also includes a public key that is used to encrypt communications between a user’s browser and the website they’re viewing.

How to ensure cybersecurity safety with HTTPS

Here are a few things to consider the next time you browse the internet:

  • If your browser marks a website as “unsafe,” think twice about clicking “Proceed anyway.” Click the prompt only if you are absolutely certain no confidential data will be transmitted.
  • Use trusted web browser extensions like HTTPS Everywhere. These extensions encrypt your communication, which is especially useful if you visit unencrypted websites.
  • Always be vigilant. Some sites may have HTTPS, but it doesn’t mean they’re safe. For example, goog1e.com (with the “l” replaced with a one) could have a certificate, but the misspelling clearly indicates that it’s an untrustworthy site. Cybercriminals use similar spellings of authentic websites to fool people into thinking that they’re on a secure site. This is called typosquatting or URL hijacking.
  • Avoid sites that don’t use the HTTPS prefix.

While HTTPS is not a cure-all for internet security, it is a critical step in protecting yourself online. Contact us today if you want to learn more about HTTPS and other cybersecurity tips.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

/by