Welcome to the (Cow)fold, Knibbs
This month sees us welcome the lovely people at Knibbs Computer Services Ltd aka “Knibbs” and their clients to the (Cow)fold – see what we did there? From the 1st April 2025 Knibbs and Wessex IT are officially one business. We’re delighted to have Carl Phillips with us in his new role as Operations Manager […]
Rob: A Day In The Life Of… A Projects Engineer
Meet Rob — one of our Projects Engineers. Rob joined our Service Desk in 2022, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his 20-year career in retail IT and his time running his own computer solutions business. With certifications like CompTIA A+, N+, and CCNA (Cisco) under his belt, Rob’s expertise has made him […]
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Empowering Resilience
Businesses have to deal with risks that might quickly stop them from operating. These threats are genuine and increasing, whether they come from a ransomware assault, a cloud service failure, or even a natural disaster. Since the consequences of unforeseen interruptions can be disastrous, the stakes are much higher for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). […]
Managed IT Services vs. Break-Fix: Why Proactive Wins Big
Technology outages can be expensive and disruptive for any organisation. Businesses used to rely solely on break-fix IT services, which only called for IT help when a problem arose. But as technology becomes more sophisticated and essential to every aspect of corporate operations, businesses are discovering that proactive managed IT services provide clear benefits. In […]
Windows 10 EOL: Critical Information All Businesses Should Know
For millions of users worldwide, Windows 10 has been the go-to trusted operating system (OS) since its launch in 2015. However, as with all software, support eventually must come to an end. On 14th October 2025, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10, marking the end of regular security updates and security patches. In […]
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2024: Best Defence
It’s important that we remain cautious and well-educated about any cyber threats or dangers that we may encounter day-to-day. Halloween isn’t the only frightening thing about October… In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we want to advise you of the significance of cybersecurity, and provide you all with important hints, tips and […]
Point-To-Point Wi-Fi: Powerful Network Boost
Wireless connection solutions are much more popular now due to their flexibility and ease of installation. A great solution that we provide to our customers are wireless point-to-point Wi-Fi units, providing businesses with strong wireless connections across large distances. If your business is looking for an efficient way to extend your network with wireless point-to-point […]
Elite Managed Hosting: Maximise Efficiency
Having a website is more than just about your business having an online presence — it’s the foundation of your business’ brand, an important sales tool, and a key part of your business strategy. When you consider the importance of your website and everything that’s at stake, ensuring that it runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently […]
We Are Europe’s #1 IT Service Provider!
Wessex IT Recognised as Europe’s #1 IT Service Provider We are delighted to share that we have been recognised as the highest-ranking Managed Service Provider (MSP) in Europe according to industry experts, Channel Futures. Now in its 17th year, the prestigious MSP 501 list highlights the very best IT service providers in the world, based […]
Sophos XGS Firewalls: Boost Business Security
We are always committed to safeguarding our customers’ systems and data, which is why we recommend Sophos XGS Firewalls for all new deployments. Whether replacing legacy DrayTek Firewalls or enhancing current defences, Sophos XGS Firewalls provide top-notch protection and peace of mind. What Are Sophos XGS Firewalls? Sophos XGS Firewalls are the next generation and […]
Classroom To Career: Rachael’s Work Experience
Meet Rachael — she recently completed her work experience with us here at Wessex IT! Rachael has a keen interest in the exciting world of sales, marketing, content creation and social media! Rachael likes to see: how certain tasks throughout businesses are undertaken; how content is created using various programs and applications; what types of […]
DNS Web Filtering: Are You Keeping Safe Online?
You’re right. We do talk about cybersecurity a lot. But in all honesty, it’s possibly the most essential part of your business! Making sure that your organisation remains safe and secure online is paramount. A way to achieve this goal is by implementing something called DNS web filtering — a powerful, user-friendly method for managing […]
Steve: A Day In The Life Of…An Account Manager
Meet Steve — one of our Senior Account Managers. Steve has worked in managed IT services since the turn of the millennium and brings with him a huge amount of experience in guiding customers on their journey through the technology landscape. The office also wouldn’t be the same without Steve’s infectious positivity! Away from his […]
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Secure Your Business
Keeping sensitive data and confidential information secure is both crucial and imperative for any business. With cyber threats constantly evolving, safeguarding your business against unauthorised access and data breaches isn’t just a choice — it’s a necessity. This is where a powerful tool called Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) comes into play, significantly helping to fight against […]
BT Redcare’s Inevitable Final Curtain in 2025
BT have made the announcement that on 1st August 2025, they will be withdrawing their Redcare alarm signalling service and operations for all customers. This news has made lots of customers who rely on Redcare worried for the future, as well as start looking for other options to help protect their businesses. Redcare has been […]
Call Reporting: Powerful Tracking For Businesses
The phone ringing is often a good sign for any busy business, but do you know about your service levels? Your missed and unreturned calls? Your important stats and information? Particularly during your busiest times of the day, you might easily miss something; this is where call reporting steps in to give you the visibility […]
Microsoft Publisher End of Life: The Important Information You Must Know
On 13th October 2026, Microsoft Publisher, a longstanding desktop publishing application that has been a staple in our daily lives, is set to retire and will officially reach its end of life. This announcement marks the end of an era for a tool that has been helping users create eye-catching documents and publications for over […]
The Steel Yard: A Crisis Case Study
Client Overview: The Steel Yard The Steel Yard: a vibrant commercial complex and nightclub in the heart of London. Struggling with an outdated Wi-Fi solution that hindered user experiences, The Steel Yard recognised the importance of a robust wireless network to meet the demands of their diverse clientele and bustling establishment, and so turned to Wessex IT […]
BlakeLAN and Wessex IT: A Perfect Pairing
Wessex IT Merges with BlakeLAN for Enhanced IT Support Excellence We are very proud to announce our merger with Brighton-based IT support business, BlakeLAN Communications Ltd, who have been proudly serving their customers since 1990. Richard, Andrew and Jon will continue to lead our combined team and extend a warm welcome to Mike and Barbara […]
Jon: A Day In The Life Of… A Projects Director
Meet Jon — our Projects Director. Jon’s main responsibilities involve overseeing and managing our growing number of client projects, as well as looking after the projects team. He also mentors all of our engineers, helping them to develop their skills and knowledge: if Jon can’t do it, then no-one can! When he’s not busy working, […]
The Revolutionary AI Copilot Key for Windows 11
In a ground-breaking move towards an AI-powered future, marking 2024 as ‘the year of AI-powered Windows PCs’, on 4th January 2024, Microsoft officially announced the introduction of a brand-new, revolutionary feature to its Windows 11 operating systems — the Copilot key. The introduction of the Copilot key signifies a shift towards more personal computing experiences, […]
Andrew Sewell: GDB Member Spotlight 2024 — Gatwick Diamond Business, Diamond Magazine
We were recently approached by the networking business, Gatwick Diamond Business (GDB), who asked our Sales Director, Andrew Sewell, to be featured in one of their 2024 editions of Diamond Magazine. Wessex IT has a long-standing association with GDB, having been a member of theirs since 2007, as well as being GDB’s managed IT service […]
Sandy: A Day In The Life Of… A Finance Manager
Meet Sandy — our Finance Manager here at Wessex IT. Sandy is an integral cog in our team and is responsible for everything to do with finances within the business. Sandy has two children and four grandchildren, who all live nearby in Horsham, so family is a massive part of her life away from her desk. […]
The Big 2027 ISDN and PSTN Switch Off: How To Prepare
As we begin to usher in a brand new era, the telecommunications industry is busy preparing for a significant milestone taking place in 2027: the UK-wide switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), with Openreach officially implementing a nationwide stop-sell of its legacy systems and services. This means […]
5 Critical AI Security Implications and Risks
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is completely revolutionising and transforming the way that we live and work every day. Artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of transformation and innovation, and has emerged as a powerful tool, enhancing automation, decision-making, and data analysis. It has the ability to reinvent companies and businesses, improve our day-to-day lives, make tasks […]
Firewalls: 6 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need One
Firewalls are an essential tool in a small business’ cybersecurity arsenal, acting as a frontline defence for your internet connection. If hackers successfully breach your systems, it can quickly turn into a nightmare situation, leaving you at the mercy of these anonymous attackers. Disturbingly, it took a staggering 207 days for organisations to detect (and […]
5 Ways to Prevent Data Loss Within Your Business
Data loss: something that no business ever wants to experience or endure. Our data is more vital and valuable than ever before — driving creation and innovation, boosting businesses, and connecting a variety of people from all around the world to each other. However, with our data being of such utter importance, the act of […]
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2023: Keeping You Safe
The digital world is consistently evolving and growing, and becoming increasingly more cunning. With this in mind, it is imperative that we remain cautious and well-educated about any threats or dangers that we may encounter. Halloween isn’t the only frightening thing about October… In recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, we want to […]
Employee Onboarding: Securing New Beginnings
Employee onboarding is an exciting moment for every company, marking growth, fresh perspectives, and potential. But as businesses increasingly lean on digital platforms, it’s crucial that this onboarding journey is not only seamless but also secure. In today’s data-driven landscape, integrating IT and cybersecurity into the onboarding process is more than a best practice – […]
Direct Technical: A New Chapter Begins
We are proud to share the news that we have recently merged with Lewes-based Direct Technical, one of the region’s leading Private Cloud and Managed Service Providers (MSP). Harry and Greg from Direct Technical were welcomed to the wider Wessex IT team earlier this month and work is already underway to start integrating the two businesses. This […]
Windows Server 2012 End of Life
The clock is ticking for businesses still relying on Windows Server 2012 as it is reaching end of life on October 10th, 2023. With the end of support just around the corner it’s crucial to take action and upgrade promptly. Failure to do so can leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats and non-compliant with […]
Microsoft Renames Azure AD to Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft recently made an announcement that Azure AD (Active Directory), their popular identity and access management solution, will be undergoing a transformation and rebranding to become Microsoft Entra ID. This strategic move is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance and simplify secure access experiences for users. Starting from August 2023, users will gradually begin […]
Managed IT Services: the True Value for Business
Every business, regardless of its size, relies on effective IT services and systems to deliver increase productivity and quality customer service. Robust and reliable managed IT services can empower businesses to maintain a competitive edge. Since the majority of small and medium-sized businesses lack the expertise and resources to effectively manage IT internally, engaging a […]
The Importance of Security Awareness Training
While technical solutions like email firewalls and two-factor-authentication solutions are important for protecting end users, the one unifying risk factor that must be addressed to fundamentally improve security is the role of human error. Why Cyber Security Awareness Training is Important? Data breaches are running rampant these days, and the security picture in the UK […]
Microsoft Teams: Revolutionising the Modern Workplace
Microsoft Teams has taken the modern workplace by storm, revolutionising the way teams communicate and collaborate. Microsoft Teams has experienced unprecedented growth since its inception, making it the most rapidly expanding application in Microsoft’s history. Over 330,000 businesses worldwide have embraced this platform, and if you’re reading this there’s a good chance you’re one of […]
Why my Business Website Needs an SSL Certificate?
You may be familiar with URLs (Uniform Resource Locators), which are the addresses used to access websites. For instance, Wessex IT’s URL is: https://wessexit.com Have you ever noticed the distinction between URLs that start with http:// and those that begin with https://? The dissimilarity lies in the letter S. However, the true meaning behind that […]
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR): Myths and Misconceptions
Businesses depend on IT systems to efficiently store and retrieve information, minimise human errors, accelerate workflows, and shield against cyber threats. The significance of well-designed IT systems cannot be overstated, as they enhance convenience, efficiency, and security across all aspects of a business’s operations. However, IT disasters are common, and without proper preparation, the consequences […]
2FA: Empower Your Business Security Today
With the realisation that passwords alone are inadequate for safeguarding user accounts in the current technical landscape, the need for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) also known as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) has grown among companies, governments, and the public. Reaching an all-time high, the cost of a data breach averaged $4.35 million in 2022 according to IBMs […]
Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats of 2023
Welcome to the digital age, where everything from our bank accounts to our social media profiles is just a few clicks away. But as we embrace the convenience of technology, we must also accept the growing threat of cybercrime. Cybersecurity threats have never been more prominent, and businesses and individuals alike need to take action […]
VoIP Analytics: The Power of Real-Time Call Monitoring
Effective communication is crucial for businesses to succeed in today’s fast-paced environment. Despite increased use of Teams, Zoom and the like; phones are still a key business tool when it comes to working with customers and winning new business. Cloud Voice Analytics is a fantastic tool for getting a handle on how effectively your business […]
Response to Critical Outlook Vulnerability (CVE-2023-23397)
You may have heard about a recently disclosed critical vulnerability in Outlook. This vulnerability is particularly bad because it allows an attacker to gain sensitive authentication information just by sending you an email. You don’t even have to open it! Despite Microsoft only being aware of limited, targeted exploitation of this vulnerability we need to […]
Microsoft 365 Data: 4 Reasons To Have A Backup
The increasing dependence on cloud technology has led to a significant shift in how businesses store, manage, and access their data. However, a common misconception people have about using Microsoft 365 is that there is no need to back up Microsoft 365 data because Microsoft does all that automatically. Despite the common misconception that Microsoft […]
The Importance of a Business Email Signature
Email is a vital tool for businesses to communicate with customers, suppliers, and partners. Many of us send and receive hundreds of them on behalf of our business every week. Based on the statistics provided in the study, the number of email users worldwide is expected to grow in the coming years. This growth is projected […]
2025 Switch Off | SoGEA and VoIP
The clock is ticking You may already be aware that the age of the analogue phone is ending. WLR (Wholesale Line Rental) is being replaced by an IP (Internet Protocol) system as old copper lines can not deliver the volume or quality of voice data needed in this increasingly evolving digital world. With PSTN (Public Switched […]
2022 – Year in Review
It’s incredible how swiftly years are passing by. With 2023 being just around the corner, we’re feeling nostalgic again. Looking back at 2022, there were so many great moments that it is hard to narrow them all down. So here are a few of the many Wessex IT highlights of the year. MSP 501 Wessex IT has […]
Project Showcase: Microsoft Teams Room Installation
Meetings, whether online or in-person, are usually the core of communication and collaboration for most businesses. In a world of increasingly geographically distributed teams and the ever-increasing popularity of hybrid working, effectively bringing those that can’t make the meeting physically into the room is key. Wessex IT can work with you to extend Microsoft Teams […]
Is your IT partner a vital part of your business growth?
It’s a tough economic climate, and for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) it’s important to make the right decisions to help put you navigate the storm. With an industry report finding around half of businesses prioritising customer experience and loyalty, along with upgrading IT systems and infrastructure, your managed service provider (MSP) will be […]
A day in the life… of a service desk engineer
Meet Ean Underdown, Service Desk Engineer. He joined the team in August and has 8 years in the industry, so our customers are in safe hands. Ean shares all about his role of helping customers, and also gives an insight into what a service desk engineer does in their downtime. Spoiler – it’s more techy […]
Microsoft support to end for Windows 8.1 – what’s next?
Important: support for Windows 8.1 will end on 10 January 2023. While support for Windows 8 ended in January 2016, Windows 8.1 has continued to be supported, but this will be ending next January. Here’s what that means for you and your business, and your options. Windows 8.1 accounts for less than 1% of computers […]
A day in the life…of a team leader
Welcome to Ian. Many of our clients who have joined us from E-mpower.IT will know Ian. He’s supported clients on almost everything and he now can provide his expertise to even more businesses. Ian shares more about his role and what’s next, as well as sharing an insight into family life and keeping fit! 1. […]
Have you heard our latest good news?
It’s double good news to share with you this month, as Wessex IT has once again climbed up the Managed Service Provider (MSP) 501 list and also gained Cyber Essentials accreditation. #149 worldwide in MSP 501… and #12 in EMEA We’re proud to announce that we have once again grabbed a spot in the 2022 […]
We’ve joined forces with E-mpower.IT
Having long-admired the fine work of our local competitor (and friends) at E-mpower.IT in Burgess Hill – we’re excited to announce that we’re now all part of the same team! We’ve both traded independently for nearly 20 years and now have a combined team of 20 staff all working under the Wessex IT banner. The […]
Time to upgrade from Microsoft Office 2013
Microsoft is ending its support for Office 2013. This includes the extended support, which ends on 11 April 2023. What does this mean? While you will be able to continue to run Office 2013, after April, Microsoft will stop releasing security updates which could put your systems and networks at risk of security breaches. It’s […]
The importance of Email Filtering in the fight against phishing
Email filtering is an essential tool to help prevent malicious and infected emails from getting into your mailbox and it massively reduces the risk of being the victim of a phishing attack. Our Email Firewall service has been a “standard issue” for the vast majority of customers for years. It does an excellent job, but […]
A day in the life… of a projects engineer
Meet Ryan. He is one of our Projects Engineers. He is relatively new to the projects team, having also worked on the service desk. Ryan has built good relationships with clients, often meeting them on site and has a good technical understanding to help deliver projects. We’ve asked Ryan to share a day in his […]
New malware means it’s time to beef up your cyber security
We’ve seen distressing reports from Ukraine 🇺🇦 over recent days with news of the Russian invasion. On the cyber scene, we’ve also seen the increase in cyber crime activity, with a report published by intelligence agencies in the UK and US attributing new malware to a notorious Russia-backed hacking group “Sandworm”. One example is “Cyclops […]
A day in the life… of an account manager
Meet Andrew. He is a co-director of Wessex IT, but many of you will know him as your Account Manager. Andrew is an all-rounder when it comes to IT – not only does he understand the technical side of technology, but he is also really good at translating that to people. So, he is responsible […]
Case Study: Maddison
Maddison is a product design consultancy with an established team of problem-solving engineers and designers equipped to meet tough challenges. They have been supporting the medical, scientific, industrial and consumer goods markets for more than 30 years. The challenge Maddison was looking for a new IT partner who was able to support their growing and […]
A day in the life… of a service desk team leader
Meet Josh. Many of you will know him as one of our Service Desk Team Leaders. But how well do you know him and what he does in his role to support customers with their IT requests? After 10 years in IT, Josh knows his stuff and has seen many IT set ups, issues and […]
Looking back at 2021, and forward to 2022.
What a year it’s been, but despite the challenges that we have all had, our team has continued to strive to deliver the best possible service and enable our clients to better navigate the challenges ahead. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from this year, and what we’re looking forward to in […]
Next Gen Firewalls
What do firewalls do? Firewalls are an extremely important part of any network’s protection, but as malicious software and hackers get smarter, the systems that protect your network need to get smarter too. A firewall is your gateway to the internet – every office has one. All traffic in and out of your business needs […]
New! Live Service Status Page
New! Live Service Status Page Your IT is a key part of your business and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to know if there are problems with any of our services, get updates more easily and know when to report something new. Introducing – our new Service Status page! […]
Is Your Business Ready for the Future of Broadband?
“Marty, where we’re going, we don’t need roads copper wire broadband…” Just like Marty in Back to the Future, we are all reliable on technology to get us to the future. One of the most important technologies – not just for our home lives but for our businesses too – is our broadband connection. A […]
Cyber Security Awareness Month
Halloween isn’t the only scary thing about October. This month is Cyber Security Awareness Month too and we wanted to remind you what this means and what we can do to help. What’s it all about? Cyber Security Awareness is a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of cyber security. It’s aim is to […]
Windows 11 is here. Get ready!
There’s a buzz in the office right now as Microsoft recently released Windows 11 to the general public. This is the latest and greatest version of its Operating System (OS) and is the main piece of software that makes your PC work – it also replaces the very popular Windows 10. We were keen to […]
The importance of reliable, flexible mobile communications
We all rely heavily on our mobile phones for our personal lives, but more and more for our businesses too. Whether you are a sole trader or a large commercial business it is of upmost importance that you’re always able to stay connected to your colleagues or clients. We’re all about keeping your whole business […]
Time to flex your IT to meet the new hybrid working ‘normal’
Here at Wessex IT we have always prided ourselves in being innovators and early adopters of new technology. This has enabled us to not only be at the forefront of new developments, but also assist our clients in new ways of operating in an ever-changing world. Of course, we all know that one of the […]
The Importance of Security Patches
Most of you will be aware of software updates, usually on your phones or laptop. An update will normally run quietly in the background, and you might only become aware of it when your device asks you to ‘Restart’. We know that can sometimes be annoying, especially if you are in the middle of a […]
Ask the Tech Team: Your Cloud Voice (VoIP) FAQs answered
Over the past 18 months we’ve had a lot of interest in one of our services, Cloud Voice(VoIP), but customers have lots of questions and many aren’t sure if it is right for them. Some of these questions are being driven by the current pandemic working situation, but more and more people and companies are […]
Wessex IT once again recognised for world leading IT Services
We wanted to share with you our good news… Wessex IT has once again been recognised for world leading IT services. This year we have leaped forward 45 places in the global top 501 Managed Service Providers (MSP) list, and are now 169th in the rankings. This placing beats our 2020 spot of 214th which […]
One IT provider – The top tool in your Business Continuity Plan?
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that technology plays a vital part in modern life, not just in staying connected with our friends and family but with our businesses and employees too. It’s this latter part that has really defined how well a business has survived throughout the pandemic, and in some cases, even […]
Why your business needs cloud based email signatures
Remembering to update your company email signature with the latest offers, products or services can be a little hit and miss, let alone getting an entire business to make sure they have the most up to date, compliant, consistent email signature. It’s a headache for your heads of sales, marketing, HR, IT, compliance… So, whether […]
Why security awareness training is integral to your security
There are many ‘technical’ ways that a company can protect itself and staff from online threats such as phishing scams, malware and viruses, but the human factor still remains the weakest link in your armour. Phishing attacks are a particular problem as the methods that the perpetrators use become more and more sophisticated. Recent statistics […]
Even sheep need WiFi…
We love the wide range of clients and sectors we work with and yesterday was no exception. We look after a large wireless network for a local estate and yesterday’s project was to provide WiFi at some farm buildings. Why I hear you ask? So the owner can keep an eye on her new lambs […]
More on Teams – and our own (bigger) team!
Our recent mailing “Deep Dive Into Teams” created lots of interest amongst our clients. On the Teams theme here’s some more good stuff you might not be aware of: Teams Rooms Are you craving a better meeting room experience? Whilst not new – Teams Rooms provides a seamless meeting join experience when in a shared […]
Windows 10 – 7 Features you may not know about…
If you’re anything like us then you love a good life-hack or technology trick that saves time and makes your life easier. We set about finding some of the surprising hidden features and shortcuts in Windows 10 and thought we’d share 7 of the best! 1. Virtual Desktops To help you focus on work and increase […]
Deep Dive into Microsoft Teams
A few weeks ago the government recommended we all work from home again if we possibly can. Therefore, for the foreseeable future it appears we will be running businesses and keeping in contact with colleagues and customers virtually again. Teams is available with your Microsoft 365 licence and is the tool that we recommend to […]
We wanted you to be the first to know…
We’re buzzing with good news in the Wessex IT team. We have earned a coveted spot in the world’s TOP 501 Managed Services Providers (MSP) list. The annual global ranking is open to applicants from around the world, and we’re proud to be placed 214th. With the most competitive applicant list since the awards began […]
Our charity work
At Wessex IT, we care… about businesses and people We are extremely proud to have built Wessex IT into a growing business that is able to offer our corporate customers a wide range of effective IT solutions to help them run their own businesses optimally. You may not know though, that we also invest time […]
Six Microsoft 365 Gems You May Not Know About
Technology has become even more important to our lives in the last year, with most business interaction now taking place online. With so much time spent using our tech, we want to help you save a little time and make your life a little easier. So as your trusty technology experts, we’re bringing you some […]
