Doing the Basics Well

It's easy to think cybersecurity and technology improvements require expensive tools or major projects. In reality, some of the biggest improvements come from consistently doing the basics well.

This week's edition focuses on a few simple habits that can make your business more secure and your team more productive. Let's get started.

☕ This Week in Technology — One of Microsoft's Largest Update Releases Ever

Microsoft's latest security updates were among the largest the company has ever released, addressing hundreds of vulnerabilities across Windows, Microsoft 365, and other products. While the headlines focus on the record number of fixes, the takeaway for business owners is much simpler:

Keeping your systems updated is one of the easiest ways to reduce risk.

If you've been putting off updates because “everything seems to be working,” consider scheduling time this week to get caught up.

🔒 Cyber Tip of the Week — Review Who Still Has Access

One of the simplest security exercises you can perform is reviewing who has access to your critical systems:

• Microsoft 365
• Payroll
• Banking
• Remote access
• Password managers

Former employees, shared accounts, and unnecessary administrator privileges are common — and often overlooked — security risks.

Sometimes the best cybersecurity improvement isn't adding something new — it's removing access that's no longer needed.

💼 Productivity Corner — Try the Two-Minute Rule

If an email can be answered in less than two minutes, respond to it immediately instead of leaving it unread.

You'll reduce inbox clutter, make faster decisions, and spend less mental energy revisiting the same messages throughout the day. Small workflow improvements often have the biggest long-term impact.

❓ Question of the Week — “Are passkeys replacing passwords?”

They're beginning to. Microsoft has announced that passkeys will become the default sign-in method for its business accounts starting this September, because they're significantly more resistant to phishing than traditional passwords or text-message verification codes.

You don't need to eliminate passwords overnight, but it's worth asking your IT provider whether your organization is ready for the transition.

🛠 From the Help Desk — “When was the last time you restarted your computer?”

It's one of the first questions we ask on support calls. It sounds simple, but regular restarts help complete software updates, clear temporary processes, and resolve many everyday performance issues.

If your computer has been running continuously for several weeks, today is a good day to give it a fresh start.

We'll see you next week.

Stay Curious,
Zach Prystash
Vice President & General Manager, NerdsToGo Pittsburgh
Author, NerdNotes