AI: Where to Start – It’s the Secret Weapon You’re Probably Ignoring..

Microsoft Copilot Case study: Morula Health leverages Copilot for Microsoft 365 to deliver higher quality medical writing services more efficiently.

Morula Health provides regulatory and clinical medical writing services to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device companies. This involves delivering highly tailored medical writing experiences for each of their clients on schedule. Morula Health saw the potential for generative AI to increase the speed and productivity of their team, but as a highly regulated industry, they had to ensure their clients’ data would remain secure. By incorporating Copilot for Microsoft 365 into all areas of their business, employees spend less time on repetitive tasks, freeing up space to focus on more productive work, all while keeping client data secure.

Realizing significant time savings for smarter work and higher quality

Copilot helps Burridge’s team work faster and smarter. He references the complex scientific data tables that his team would previously need to wade through before ever putting pen to paper on a new project; a process that could stretch from days to weeks, with a correspondingly negative impact on delivery times. “The tables each need a written response summary that our writers would have to address one at a time,” he explains. “But now, they prompt Copilot in Word to summarize each one separately. Once it’s done that, it’s much easier for them to take the early content and shape it into what they need rather than starting from scratch.”

This new way of working provides time that Burridge says is essential to completing projects not only faster but with increased quality. “There’s huge value there,” states Burridge. “With Copilot, we can now have multiple writers work up different case study reports in a single day. It gets our writers past all the repetitive tasks those reports require so they can focus their time and effort on understanding the data, which actually enhances the quality of our documents and what we’re trying to achieve.”

Applying AI to business growth

Morula Health has also incorporated Copilot in their marketing department. “With content creation, you get a bit stuck sometimes,” comments Jayshwini Sanghani, Morula Health’s marketing associate. “It used to take me three weeks to write a blog post. Now with Copilot in Word I can publish two posts a week.” She cites the first drafts Copilot builds for her and the coaching it provides as she writes as her primary marketing benefits.

Sanghani keeps up to date with the regulatory feeds put out by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). She uses Copilot to summarize those feeds so she can stay on top of important regulatory changes. “Summaries like this are so handy,” she says. “They can be used to compile marketing content, such as LinkedIn posts or marketing campaigns. Copilot filters through the information and identifies key points, which previously would have taken me hours. It’s a huge time-saver!”

Always expanding the benefits of AI

Based on the immediate benefits that Copilot has provided for Morula Health, Burridge is exploring new ways to use it across the business. His team has established the best practice of building a prompt library. Whenever an employee creates a prompt that helps Copilot deliver a particularly useful result, they save it to a library that is accessible by anyone in the company. The collective knowledge helps each member use Copilot more effectively and inspires additional ways Copilot can be incorporated into daily tasks.

The Morula Health team is using Copilot to turn Word or PDF files of regulatory content into PowerPoint presentations. With a little tweaking, Burridge can use these presentations as training aids to keep the team aware of the ever-changing international policies that so heavily affect their work. “It’s really impacted what we do,” states Burridge. “As a business, we see ourselves continuously working on new ways to integrate Copilot into everything we’re trying to do. Our value is in continuously driving the quality behind our service and I see Copilot being there every step of the way to do that.”

Crowdstrike IT Outage

Author: Travis Beazley-Tran, Head of Operations

At WWCS, the security and protection of your data is one of our top priorities. We are committed to keeping you informed about any developments that may impact your digital ecosystem.

On Friday 19th July, there was a significant outage experienced by Crowdstrike, a leading cyber security firm. While this event affected many organisations, we want to reassure you that none of our clients were impacted. This is because we recommend different systems and measures tailored to your specific security needs, ensuring that your data remains secure and uninterrupted.

Why You Didn’t Hear from Us Until Now

You didn’t hear from us immediately because the robust security infrastructure we scope for you meant that your systems and data remained unaffected. Nevertheless, we believe in transparency and proactive communication. We are taking this opportunity to emphasise our commitment to your security and to let you know about the continuous measures we take to protect your information.

Our Proactive Security Measures

1. State-of-the-Art Security Systems: We continuously evaluate and recommend world-class security solutions to safeguard your data.
2. Regular Audits and Updates: We conduct regular security audits and promptly update your systems to defend against emerging bugs and threats.
3. Employee Training: Our staff undergo rigorous training to stay abreast of the latest software bugs, security protocols and practices.

We understand the importance of trust in our partnership, and we are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the security of your data. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.

Thank you for your continued trust in WWCS.

The Unplanned Upgrade

This weekend was a rollercoaster, with my computer crashing repeatedly. It was quite the spectacle for someone who works at an IT company. Despite my best efforts to restart and shut down, it became clear that an upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 was overdue.

So, I arrived at the office, a bit sheepish, seeking assistance from my ever-patient team. Akash was on hand, and he took control of the upgrade process, observing from near he started running the PC Health Check app to ensure my PC was ready for Windows 11.

With a thumbs-up on compatibility, we proceeded to download the Windows 11 Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official website. It was a user-friendly guide through the upgrade process, including license agreements and file verification.

The actual installation required a bit of patience, with the PC restarting several times. But there was no need for alarm; these restarts were part of the journey to a better computing experience.

At last, the upgrade was complete, and I was greeted by the sleek new look of Windows 11. The fresh start menu and taskbar were a pleasant surprise. The best part? The transition was seamless, with no data loss, and all my applications were right where they should be.

The upgrade process was smoother than expected, and now my PC boasts the latest features and security enhancements that come with Windows 11.

Why Our Customers Need to Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11: A Security Perspective

Author: Azizz Traore, WWCS Cyber Specialist

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring the security of our systems is more crucial than ever. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and outdated systems can easily become targets for attackers. Department for Science, Innovation and Technology reported 69% of large businesses reported suffering a cyber-attack or breach in 2023, highlighting the pervasive risk in today’s digital landscape (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, 2023). Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is a critical step in safeguarding your digital environment.

Here’s are the benefits of upgrading from a security perspective:

Enhanced Security Features

• Advanced Encryption and Protection: Windows 11 introduces advanced security features designed to combat modern cyber threats. It includes hardware-based security components such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, which enhances encryption and secure boot processes, making it significantly harder for attackers to exploit vulnerabilities.
• Improved Threat Detection: Windows 11 integrates enhanced threat detection and response capabilities. The new operating system leverages AI and cloud-based technologies to identify and mitigate potential threats in real-time. This proactive approach helps in preventing breaches before they can cause significant harm.

Mitigating Known Vulnerabilities

• EternalBlue Exploit: One of the critical vulnerabilities that affected Windows systems is the EternalBlue exploit (CVE-2017-0144). This exploit, which targets the SMB protocol, was responsible for the infamous WannaCry ransomware attack. Upgrading to Windows 11 ensures that your system is protected against such vulnerabilities as it incorporates all the latest patches and security updates. Sophos’s State of Ransomware report conducted in early 2024 surveyed 5,000 IT/cybersecurity leaders, it discovered that the most common entry method was exploited vulnerabilities 49%.

Continuous Support and Updates

• Regular Security Updates: Microsoft has ceased providing security updates for older systems like Windows 7 and has a planned lifecycle for Windows 10. By upgrading to Windows 11, you ensure your system continues to receive the latest security updates, patches, and enhancements, protecting against newly discovered vulnerabilities such as the one discussed above.

Compliance and Best Practices:

• Keeping your system updated: It’s not just about immediate protection; it’s also about compliance. Many industries have stringent security regulations, and using unsupported software can lead to non-compliance, potentially resulting in fines and reputational damage. Windows 11 aligns with the latest security standards and best practices, helping your organisation remain compliant.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Windows 11 is not just an upgrade; it is an essential step towards securing your digital environment against sophisticated cyber threats. With enhanced security features, mitigation of known vulnerabilities, and continuous support, Windows 11 provides a robust foundation for your organisation’s cybersecurity strategy. Protect your data, maintain compliance, and ensure peace of mind by making the transition to Windows 11 today.

Navigating the Transition to Windows 11

Author: Akash Parmar, WWCS IT Helpdesk Operator

Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft, designed to enhance your digital experience with its modern look and innovative features. Windows 11 brings a fresh, new interface that looks to boost productivity and creativity. With a redesigned start menu, taskbar, and seamless integration of tools, it offers a cohesive and visually appealing user experience. Windows 11 provides a streamlined and efficient platform that is tailored to meet the many needs of users. Below are some of the advantages of moving to Windows 11 from Windows 10.

Enhanced Performance and Speed:
Windows 11 is optimized for faster performance and responsiveness. It introduces a more efficient memory management system and better hardware utilization, resulting in quicker boot times and improved overall system performance. Tasks run smoother, and multitasking becomes more fluid, allowing you to get more done in less time.

Modern Interface:
The new design of Windows 11 offers a sleek and modern aesthetic. The new start menu, rounded corners, and new icon designs create a clean and visually appealing workspace. The redesigned taskbar and improved window management features, like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, make it easier to organize and access your applications.

Better Integration with Microsoft Teams:
With remote work and virtual meetings becoming more prevalent, Windows 11 integrates Microsoft Teams directly into the taskbar, making it easier to connect with colleagues, friends, and family. This integration streamlines communication and collaboration, enhancing productivity and keeping you connected effortlessly.

Advanced Security Features:
Windows 11 comes with robust security enhancements to protect your data and privacy. Features like TPM 2.0 support, secure boot, and Windows Hello provide advanced encryption and secure authentication methods. These measures help safeguard your system against emerging threats and ensure a safer computing environment.

Future-Proofing Your Device:
Upgrading to Windows 11 ensures that your device stays compatible with the latest software and hardware advancements. As technology evolves, having the latest operating system means you’ll continue to receive updates, support, and access to new features, keeping your device relevant and efficient.

Therefore, transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 offers numerous benefits, from improved performance, a modern interface and enhanced security. Embrace the future of computing with Windows 11 and unlock a new level of productivity, creativity, and enjoyment.

Diary of a not-so-techie office manager of an IT company – June 2024

Diary Entry: A Day in the Life of a Non-Technical office manager using Copilot

Today was another whirlwind of tasks, and Copilot was my trusty sidekick throughout. As a non-technical office manager, my job revolves around organisation, communication, and problem-solving. Here’s a basic overview of how I use Copilot:

1. Scheduling Magic: Copilot handles my calendar like a pro. It schedules meetings, reminds me of deadlines, and magically finds time slots that fit everyone’s availability.
2. Email Wizardry/Writing coach: Copilot helps me draft emails that hit the spot between professional and friendly. It suggests phrases, catches typos, and make sure my grammar is in order.
3. Project Brainstorming: When I need fresh ideas, Copilot is my brainstorming buddy. It generates creative solutions, offers alternative approaches, and occasionally surprises me with quirky suggestions.
4. Task Prioritisation: Copilot helps me prioritise tasks based on urgency, importance, and coffee levels. It’s eerily good at guessing when I need that second cup.
5. Wellness Reminders: Copilot nudges me to take breaks, hydrate, and stretch. It’s like a digital mom—minus the guilt trips.
6. Emergency Panic Button: When things get chaotic, Copilot remains calm. It’s my go-to for crisis management, whether it’s a server crash or a coffee spill.
7. Random Fun: Copilot occasionally surprises me with haikus, trivia, or existential questions. It’s like having a quirky colleague who moonlights as a poet.

And that’s my day! Copilot isn’t just a tool; it’s my AI confidante, my productivity partner, and the reason I haven’t lost my sanity or my job yet !!!!

Copilot Update

We touched on Microsoft Copilot in our May newsletter, and we continue to see an increased demand for the tool.

Adrian, one of our first line engineers, explains:

“it is an innovative AI-powered tool designed to enhance productivity and efficiency across various industries and job roles. It’s a digital assistant that can help you with tasks ranging from drafting emails, creating presentations, to coding and data analysis consider Copilot your new PA helping you you streamline your work, reduce repetitive tasks, and provide insights based on your data.”

For example, in the education sector it can aid teachers in creating lesson plans, grading assignments, and providing personalised learning experiences for students. For business professionals, it can help in drafting business proposals, analysing market trends, and automating routine tasks.

Microsoft Copilot’s beauty lies in its ability to adapt to your specific job role and industry, providing tailored assistance that can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency. It’s like having an expert by your side, ready to assist whenever you need it! This not only saves time but also allows you to focus on what truly matters in your job. You’re not just working smarter, you’re also working better. Please get in touch to see how Copilot fits in with you and your organisation.

Geoblocking and what it means for you

Have you heard of the term Geo-blocking before? Hamza, one of our first line engineers, provides an insight into the tool.

In his words:

“it is a security measure that WWCS utilises alongside a security stack. It is responsible for restricting and controlling access to a company’s resources based on the geographical location of its users. This is done by using the IP address of a device to determine its user’s current location. It plays an integral part in mitigating cyber threats by blocking access to regions which are known for high levels of cybercrime. We also tailor Geo-blocks based on company needs to ensure that only countries which are used for business are allowed to access company resources. This reduces the risk of attacks such as phishing and denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks and is an important pre-emptive measure that helps in securing the network from potential threats.”

Furthermore, Geo-blocking plays an important role in protecting organisational data by only allowing access to specific regions based on company needs. This reduces the risk of breach and data loss even further as it will only allow access to company data if the user is in a green listed country.

Please feel free to let us know if you’d like to learn more.

Introducing the WWCS Referral Scheme