Experts In Polo Shirts

Send us Fan MailData backup, disaster recovery, and cyber resilience are evolving faster than most people realise — and the technology on the horizon is genuinely wild.In this episode, Alex Wells-Linder (Cyber Security Analyst) and Matt Parker (Infrastructure Engineer) explore where backups are headed: from AI-powered recovery systems that diagnose problems before you even know they exist, to the surprising comeback of tape storage, all the way to glass platters, DNA, and storage that could last thousands of years.If you think backups are boring, this episode will change your mind.⏰ Chapters0:00 Introduction0:38 AI and the future of backup automation2:38 Why tape is making a comeback5:37 Project Silica — storing data in glass11:51 DNA storage and the data density problem✅ Subscribe for more episodes on cyber security, IT infrastructure, and the tech that actually matters.#DataBackup #CyberSecurity #ITInfrastructure #WorldBackupDay #DataRecovery #Ransomware #CloudStorage #TechPodcast #InfoSec #DisasterRecoveryAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailFrom accidentally hacking 7,000 robot vacuums with a PS5 controller to nation-states using traffic cameras to conduct assassinations—this episode covers the full spectrum of IoT security in 2026.We start light with the story of a Spanish engineer who just wanted to control his DJI Romo vacuum with his PlayStation controller. Using Claude Code, he accidentally discovered that his device key worked for every vacuum globally, giving him access to cameras, microphones, floor plans, and IP addresses from 7,000 homes. It wasn't even hacking—just catastrophically bad architecture from DJI.But the conversation gets progressively more serious. We explore Tesla's 37 zero-day vulnerabilities discovered at Pwn2Own, the terrifying prospect of cars being remotely disabled during warfare, and China's hidden wireless transmitters in solar panels and smart buses.Then we dive into the geopolitical deep end: Israel's multi-year operation hacking nearly every traffic camera in Tehran, using AI to build "patterns of life" for Iranian leadership, culminating in the precision strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader and senior military command. It's a masterclass in modern intelligence gathering—and absolutely terrifying in its implications for surveillance everywhere.We also cover Anthropic's legal battle with the US government (they're suing after refusing to provide unrestricted Claude access for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons), the reality check on AGI timelines, and research proving that AI can now de-anonymize anyone based on their writing patterns with 96% accuracy.Topics Covered:DJI Romo vacuum security disaster (7,000 devices compromised)IoT security fundamentals and why manufacturers don't careTesla vulnerabilities and automotive hackingSupply chain risks in smart devicesIsrael's Tehran surveillance operation and targeted assassinationsAnthropic vs. US Government legal battleAGI timeline reality check and compute limitationsThe death of online anonymityWhy Listen:This isn't just news commentary—it's practitioners discussing what these security failures actually mean, from your smart home to geopolitical warfare. We bridge the gap between the absurdly funny and the deadly serious, showing how the same fundamental IoT vulnerabilities affect everything from vacuum cleaners to regime change.Hosts: Matt, Alex - Azure experts, security practitioners who actually implement this stuff.Chapters:0:00 - Introduction: IoT Gone Wild 0:48 - DJI Romo Hacked with PS5 Controller 14:27 - Tesla's 37 Zero-Days 23:56 - Operation Epic Fury 31:30 - Anthropic vs. US Government Legal Battle 36:25 - AGI Timeline Reality Check 44:14 - The Death of Online AnonymityContent Warning: This episode discusses an active military conflict, including civilian casualties. We cover the technical cyber aspects from a practitioner perspective, not political positions on the conflict itself.About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailElliott and Matt are back, taking on the complex, often misunderstood world of app modernisation. Whether you’re migrating, rebuilding, or questioning whether that old VM has had its day, this episode lays out what modernising in Azure really looks like. Expect straight talk, a few rants, and plenty of practical advice from people who’ve seen it all — the good, the bad, and the costly.#Azuremodernisation #cloudmigration  #devopsjourney Chapters:00:00 – Intro: What is Application Modernisation in Azure?03:31 – Modernisation and Cost: Does it save or increase spend?06:09 – VMware to Azure: Is migration really modernisation?10:30 – Azure Arc, Hybrid Cloud, and the Modernisation Journey15:45 – What Could Possibly Go Wrong: Common pitfalls and design mistakes21:06 – Crossing Over Roles, Skills and Cost Responsibilities31:48 – Data Sovereignty and Compliance in Azure33:31 – Netflix Case Study: Lessons from large-scale modernisation36:43 – Aligning Cloud Migration with Business KPIs41:45 – Reputation Matters: Mapping the Customer Journey43:23 – Key Takeaways: Lessons learned from app modernisation45:59 – The Next Big Thing in Cloud-Native ArchitectureAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailDisaster Recovery has shifted from protecting against a flood or a fire to protecting against a cyber attack.In this critical discussion, we break down the reality that a ransomware hit is "a when not an if" and why your backup is only as good as the last time you tested it. We examine the lessons learned from the Marks & Spencer hack, the new "smash and grab" tactics of ransomware actors, and the necessity of immutability to protect your backups from total deletion.We debate the critical need for DR testing (annual minimum), the importance of maintaining a security boundary for your backups, and why identity compromise is now the leading initial attack vector. Find out why cyber insurance might make you more of a target and how to build true cyber resilience.#Ransomware #DisasterRecovery #CyberSecurity #CloudSecurity #Backup #CyberattacksAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailJaguar Land Rover was hit by a massive cyberattack in September 2025, forcing systems offline for weeks, disrupting production, and leaving suppliers in chaos. In this episode, we break down what went wrong, who was behind it, and the critical security lessons every business needs to learn.Chapters:00:00 Intro – Jaguar Land Rover Cyberattack Explained03:49 Why Recovery Is Taking So Long04:59 The Insurance Twist07:11 How Organisations Can Protect Themselves08:55 Is Technology to Blame?10:50 The RamificationsAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailQuantum computing holds the potential to change everything we know. This video provides a clear overview of quantum computing in layman's terms. It explains how this technology could break current encryption standards, including SSL and VPNs, and impact blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The discussion covers significant risks and rewards for both the private and public sectors, alongside the enormous cost and inherent fragility of quantum machines. This analysis details the implications for cybersecurity and AI advancements, addressing whether quantum computing could truly break the internet.#QuantumComputing#Cybersecurity#FutureTechWatch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HZ2WIM69DYc00:00 What is Quantum Computing 05:35 Real-World Use Cases: Pharma, AI, Aerospace07:32 Quantum vs. Encryption: Breaking the Internet?10:10 Who’s Building It? Microsoft, Google & market capitalisation for cloud computing12:32 Cybersecurity, Fragility & Cost16:58 Public vs. Private Control & Wealth Divide18:10 Are even high-skilled jobs at risk from Quantum Computing?20:13 Is the Internet at Risk?About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailWindows 10 support ends in October 2025 — but what does that really mean for organisations still running it?In this uncut episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, Synextra consultants Matt and Chris dive deep into the real-world impact of Windows 10's end of life. From AVD multi-session migration to Windows 11 adoption, extended support costs, and the risks of doing nothing — this is a practical guide for IT leaders, sysadmins, and anyone tasked with upgrading a large estate.They also explore common upgrade pain points, like legacy applications, FSLogix profiles, group policy rework, and migrating from on-prem file servers to OneDrive or SharePoint. Plus, there’s discussion around tools like Intune, Autopilot, MSIX, App-V, PDQ, and more — and whether Windows 12 is worth waiting for.📍Longer format. More nuance. More detail. 🎧 Listen in full right here, or search “Experts in Polo Shirts” on your podcast platform of choice for all episodes.Alternitvly find the cut version on YouTubeChapters:0:00 Intro0:13 History of Windows releases4:25 What does end of life mean for Windows 10? 11:23 What improvements does Windows 11 bring?15:06 Staying on Windows 10? How to stay secure17:42 The upgrade, Windows 10 to 1120:40 Widows 11 performance22:21 How will the upgrade affect Azure Virtual Desktop?29:16 Tips and tools for upgrading to Windows 1133:47 Windows 12 rumours already?35:14 Should you upgrade to Windows 11?38:00 Top tips for upgrading AVD multi-session About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailHas the cloud reached its peak, or are we witnessing the next major shift in cloud computing? Many organisations rushed to the cloud, lifting and shifting infrastructure without truly modernising. Now, as serverless, edge computing, and AI-driven operations take centre stage, is the traditional cloud model becoming outdated?In this episode, we break down:Why 'lift and shift' cloud migrations may already be holding businesses backThe rise of serverless computing – is it really "serverless"?How edge computing is reshaping cloud strategyThe impact of AI and automation on cloud operationsWhether businesses should rethink their cloud investmentsJoin us as we explore whether the cloud we know is still the future—or if the next evolution is already here.#CloudComputing #Serverless #FutureOfCloudChapters:00:00 Introduction00:26 Is the cloud we know out of date?01:42 Modernising virtual machines and improvements02:39 The benefits of PaaS services04:21 Is it possible to go serverless?07:57 Planning the IT budget and actual cost - The importance of developers09:15 Do we need infrastructure people anymore? - Infrastructure vs developers13:25 Moving from Azure back to a different cloud provider15:53 Azure Container instances17:02 Edge Computing22:51 AI and Cloud Ops28:18 Logic Apps30:25 Will AI remove the need for cloud architects and DevOps engineers?31:46 What are the dangers of using AI in cloud environments?33:36 AI in larger organisations would make things faster34:55 What is the future of AIAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailAre LLMs living up to the hype, or are they failing to deliver?In this episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, we examine the real-world impact of large language models (LLMs) beyond the marketing promises. From Google Gemini’s rocky launch to businesses struggling with AI adoption, we explore the pitfalls, misconceptions, and challenges facing LLMs today.Key Topics:Is Big Tech too big to innovate?Why some AI chatbots are easily manipulated, and how it’s costing businesses.How LLMs learn from your data, and what that means for privacy.Can small businesses run their own LLMs, or is it only for tech giants?The hidden biases in OpenAI, and what it means for AI fairness.With LLMs moving from hype to hands-on reality, this episode is essential viewing for business leaders, AI professionals, and anyone curious about the future of AI-driven technology.What do you think? Are LLMs failing, or is this just part of the innovation cycle? Let us know in the comments.#LLMs #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #MachineLearning #TechInnovation #BigTech #OpenAI #GoogleGemini #AIChatbots #AIethicsChapters:00:00 – Introduction: from Aircraft Engineer to Integration Developer05:50 What companies should be doing with LLMs14:19 Business advantages and limitations of LLMs18:07 The core principles of LLMs employees need to know22:15 Pitfalls for companies using LLMs25:45 Open AI using your Personal Data29:20 Experiment with LLMs - but be careful, they're learning about you too33:25 How do LLMs compare on cost?45:46 Advice to Small Businesses Adopting AI48:42 LLMs are Adapting to Please Us52:17 Automation with Voice Recognition and Human Validation58:10 Eroding Trust, AI Clones Are Now Producing Content1:01:32 What’s next for AI? Possibilities beyond LLMs1:05:39 Where do LLMs go from here?About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailCloud cost management is a challenge for many businesses, with 91% of organisations admitting they’re wasting money in the cloud. In this episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, Ryan Tracey and Matt Dyson tackle the most common reasons cloud bills spiral out of control and discuss strategies for effective optimisation.What are the top three reasons for wasted cloud spend? Lack of skills, overprovisioned resources, and idle assets are costing businesses thousands. Join us as we discuss the actionable steps you can take to reduce your Azure price tag, from addressing hidden costs in storage and backups to using reserved instances, scaling plans, and better governance.Whether you're struggling to manage your cloud bills or want to ensure your environment is optimised for efficiency, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you control costs and boost your ROI.#CloudCostManagement #AzureCostManagement #CloudCostOptimisationChapters00:00 Introduction00:58 3 top reasons for wasting money on cloud 02:21 Addressing the skills gap03:19 Over provisioning: the on-premises mentality10:10 Idle and underused resources11:29 Monitoring systems: what we do16:17 Who is responsible for Cloud Cost Management?19:14 Business forecasts and IT budgets20:20 Retention on backups22:24 Why reducing redundancy might be a bad idea24:54 Converting to PaaS25:58 Committing Technical Resource27:09 Saving plans and reserved instances29:57 The Importance of Preplanning32:29 Company buy-in35:27 Developer resources and subscriptionsAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailAzure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) are revolutionising modern development. These tools transform outdated workflows into efficient, automated pipelines, helping developers focus on innovation.This episode explores how practices like automated testing, platform-as-a-service options, and security automation boost productivity, security, and flexibility in Azure. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or managing a dev team, learn how Azure’s tools can help you work faster and smarter.#AzureDevOps #CloudDevelopment #ModernDevelopment0:00 Introduction – What Does Legacy Development Look Like?1:19 What is Azure DevOps? Automating Code and Infrastructure Deployment2:12 Benefits of Pipeline Automation and Gated Deployments3:02 Security in DevOps: OWASP 104:10 Enhancing Security in the Pipeline4:42 Increasing Deployment Velocity with Azure Tools5:22 The ROI of Prioritising Development Thruput6:26 Platform as a Service: App Services vs. IIS7:38 Certificate and Server Management with App Services8:36 Application Insights and Debugging in Azure9:38 SQL as a Service and Performance Optimisation11:01 Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for Resilience14:00 Integrating AI Tools Like GitHub Copilot15:56 Leveraging Replit and AI for Prototyping17:58 Conclusion – Enabling Innovation and the Future of DevOps About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailDescription:People are abandoning public cloud in their droves, or at least that's what Michael Dell might like you to think when he recently posted a stat which stated, "83% of enterprises plan to move workloads back to private cloud from public cloud."In this episode, our techies are debating the Logic of Repatriating Workloads. What is it, and what do the stats point to is the public cloud a sinking ship, or are we moving to a more nuanced cloud era, where companies have become more aware of the pros and cons of both on-premises and public cloud and have begun their truly hybrid cloud approach to their systems. Find out the opinions of the experts in polo shirts: Chris Piggot, CEO, Ryan Tracey, Head of Technical Operations; and Matt Dyson, Consultant at Synextra. Click the link below for the Barclays CIO Survey.https://8198920.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8198920/Barclays_Cio_Survey_2024-1.pdf#cloudrepatriation #publiccloud #privatecloud Chapters:0:00 Intro0:47 What is cloud repatriation1:15 The cloud repatriation statistic2:50 Will SMEs repatriate?4:36 The cost of cloud migration without optimisation6:05 On-premises vs cloud7:23 AI, what does it mean for the privacy of workloads in the cloud9:47 Budgeting for future technical advances10:52 Repatriation, the loss of functionality and a waste of time?11:38 The infrastructure technical skill set in the future15:38 Latency, cloud vs on-premises18:47 Vendor lock-in22:46 Cost management, doing public cloud correctly29:37 A modern application stack31:05 Reliability and the IT roadmap 34:28 Summary35:30 OutAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailAs we say a sad goodbye to VMware, we discuss the realistic hypervisor alternatives for businesses and their pros and cons. Hyper-V, XenServer, and VMware, wait what I thought it was alternatives to Broadcoms latest cash cow!? For better or worse, sticking with the top performer might be your best choice. Unless you want to Migrate to one of the big players in Cloud, Azure and AWS, Microsoft's offering is the more obvious option with infrastructure professionals likely being more familiar with the user interface.All that and more in this episode of Experts in Polo Shirts with Synextra Consultant Matt Dyson, and Host Michael Clegg.#VMware #hypervisor #hyper-v #XenServer #publiccloud 0:00 Intro0:18 Realistic Alternatives to VMware0:42 VMware2:36 HyperV4:19 Xenserver6:19 Hypervisor Migration Considerations12:02 Non Hypervisor Alternatives to VMware12:18 Public Cloud Azure & AWS14:16 Scalability Advantages17:44 Security Advantages19:24 Motivation to MigrateAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailSince Broadcom acquired VMware we have seen a radical reorganisation of the company; eliminating products, packaging together what little is left and ratcheting up the prices giving consumers little choice but to plan their exit from the ecosystem.CEO Chris Piggott and HTO Ryan Tracey discuss what has happened, how it affected us and what we recommend to move forward.0:00 Intro0:14 What has happened to VMware?3:02 Why did Broadcom move so fast?4:19 What does this change mean for VMware customers?6:08 What is Broadcom's track record?7:15 How has this change impacted Synextra?8:24 Are there any real benefits to clients now that Broadcom has taken over?10:47 What's next?12:22 Considering the future, is there anything to stop more price increases?13:03 What does Synextra recommend?14:48 What is the future for techies?About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailAaron Naisbitt has joined Synextra, and he’s brought with him some fresh insights about the modern end user. Exploring the headwinds that IT teams have to fight in a modern-day workplace he suggests that the improving technology people have at home, making everything accessible at the touch of a button, has given employees higher expectations of tech in the workplace. Alongside this, workplace technology has become more complex, involving layers of security thus slowing systems down.Chapters:0:00 Teaser0:23 The Modernisation of the End User4:40 The Changing Landscape5:13 The Effect on Recruitment and Retention---Visit our website: https://www.synextra.co.uk---Social media//• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd- • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNhzi_d1GyV1WKtvO4sbdA • Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextraAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailJoin our special guest DCI Chris Maddocks, the head of Economic and Cyber teams in the North West and our very own Chris Piggott, Synextra CEO.Our Cyber Security webinar is where we’ll be sharing the most common mistakes that we see in businesses and organisations when it comes to Cyber Security and Phishing. We will explore how these mishaps can be avoided and examine the real impacts and repercussions on real organisations that members of the police force such as DCI Chris Maddocks have experienced and investigated firsthand.From easy-to-implement VPN systems to staff training we discuss the best practices for businesses and individuals to stay safe against cyber criminals and phishing attacks.Useful links:Northwest regional crime unit https://www.nwrocu.police.ukNorthwest Cyber resilience centre https://www.nwcrc.co.ukReport Phishing https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/[email protected] to Action Fraud 24-hour City of London police https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa2/fraud/action-fraud/Have I been pwnd https://haveibeenpwned.com#cybersecuritytraining #phishing #webinar #cybercrime #cyberattack #socialmedia 00:00 Introduction02:00 Protecting Businesses-2FA03:01 Risks Of Ransomware05:28 Social Media Compromises07:30 The Cyber Security Skills Gap13:19 Phishing Attack Vectors-Email15:30 Crypto Currency And Crime16:38 Exchange Web Proxy Exploits18:03 Phishing Awareness20:59 Turning The Tide On Ransomware 26:36 What Can People Do To Protect Themselves33:30 Password Advice41:15 Advice For Small Businesses And Charities 44:13 Distributed Denial-Of-Service DDoS45:48 Police Cyber Investigation Process47:42 Security Of Public Wifi52:29 Other Attack Vectors53:14 Disgruntled Employees57:21 DDoS Analogy58:28  Laws Around Cyber Crime1:03:59 Conclusions---Contact//Tel: 0161 883 1383Email: [email protected] the website: https://www.synextra.co.uk---Social media//• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNhzi_d1GyV1WKtvO4sbdA• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextraAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailThe Experts in Polo Shirts are discussing the issues around TikTok, the hugely popular short video app every person and their cat is rushing in to use and yet it is being banned on government and company phones; but why? We discuss the security and misinformation issues that surround the platform. It is the fastest-growing social media platform, but today we'll be asking "is time up for TikTok?"---0:00 Introduction0:28 Do we use TikTok?1:58 TikTok Security Risks3:34 Online disinformation and Silicon Valley bank5:48 Censorships and suspensions 7:30 Cyber Security and data collection10:55 The “Troll Factory”12:20 Steven Bartlett’s fake footballer Pitch deck13:20 TikTok as a search engine14:27 Does google control online information?16:39 TikTok, ad products and info collection19:30 TikTok short-form content and how it affects other social media apps20:35 TikTok online shop and commissions---Want to watch the video version of the podcast, follow the link belowhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJkcn9XyF2Y---Useful links:https://www.dailywire.com/news/navarro-on-tiktok-all-the-data-goes-right-to-servers-in-chinahttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/02/google-abandoned-its-dont-be-evil-mantra-former-exec-says.htmlhttps://512.soccer/the-day-arsenal-signed-rex-secco/https://metro.co.uk/2015/09/07/the-truth-behind-rex-seccos-34million-transfer-move-to-arsenal-5380023/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/16/the-tiktok-wars-why-the-us-and-china-are-feuding-over-the-app#:~:text=A%20law%20implemented%20by%20China,other%20social%20media%20companies%2C%20collects.---Contact//Tel: 0161 883 1383 Email: [email protected] the website: https://www.synextra.co.uk---Social media//• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd- • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNhzi_d1GyV1WKtvO4sbdA • Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextraAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailLadies and gents, we are back again with another contentious episode! Or maybe not contentious enough...Today we're playing a twisted game of Cluedo with IT, and it looks like Colonel Mustard has done the wicked deed with a Candlestick in the Billiard Room! In this instance Colonel Mustard is Microsofts Azure platform, the Candlestick is Public Cloud, and the unfortunate soul is our beloved SysAdmin IT Professional. Forget about the Billiard Room, it doesn’t fit into this metaphor really well so we're hoping you don't read this far!Seriously tho, we're talking about the Death of the SysAdmin and the role that Azure and the public cloud plays in its demise!*Spoilers we don't actually think the role of the Sysadmin is done, we do think it will begin to look pretty different in the near future, watch now to find out the opinions of or CEO Chris Piggott and Infrastructure Engineer Michael Wilde.Four our UK audience and people unfamiliar with the term, SysAdmin is short for System administrator, the are our IT professionals who ensure an organisation's computer systems are functioning and meet the organisation's needs. In other words, SysAdmin support, troubleshoot, and maintain computer servers and networks.---Contact//Tel: 0161 883 1383 Email: [email protected] the website: https://www.synextra.co.uk---Social media//• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd- • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNhzi_d1GyV1WKtvO4sbdA • Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextraAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailIt has been a long time since our last podcast, but we are back!💪Today we're talking about where have we been,  the cost of living crisis and how crazy is at the moment for the public sector, our temporary (for 3 months already 😝) studio and its "fancy" chandelier, the new technology and the old fashioned but still a beast AS/400, customer projects and Cohesity the baffling backup solution (seemingly magical) that has our experts wondering how it work and much much more... That's enough with the spoilers!Get some popcorn, a soft drink, sit back and enjoy!#podcast #technology  #business 00:00 Intro00:34 Office renovation recap02:57 New PCs, laptops on lease and browser tabs05:49 Inflation and the cost of living07:26 Customer projects09:36 Cohisity backup solution - how does it work?14:30 Old technology - AS/40015:58 What's coming up16:32 Fin---Contact//• Tel: 0161 883 1383 • Email: [email protected]• Synextra: https://www.synextra.co.uk---Social media//• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailMeet Andy Sefton, Head of IT and Data Security @ Centrepoint, the tech-powered UK charity with standout ambitions to “end youth homelessness by 2037”… ·       Centrepoint charity: centrepoint.org.uk·       Contact details & FAQs: Centrepoint contact ·       Synextra: synextra.co.uk·       Call, email, visit: Synextra contact --- 🥳Happy new year, techie addicts 🥳 – we’re back!  That’s right, just when you thought 2021 had brought all the technology tutorials and cloud-based capers you could handle, it’s time to buckle up for even more IT top tips and practical insights in 2022.  EPISODE 5 | This week, we caught up with Andy Sefton, part-time international man of mystery and full-time technology guru.  When Andy isn’t striving toward his yoga black belt in India or ordering another slice of Sugarloaf in Rio, he can be found helping to hasten the positive impact of charity on society in his role as Head of IT & Data Security at Centrepoint.  What’s in store: ✔ Meet Andy (the man, the myth, the mainframe magician). ✔ Centrepoint Charity work – discover more about Centrepoint, one of the UK’s top charity organisations working to support young homeless people.   ✔ Insights from an industry legend whose first job was replacing “OM” (Office Machinery – that’s “typewriters” to the rest of us) with IT equipment in 1986. As always, if you enjoyed the video, please like, subscribe, and click the bell.   Got a question? Ask us anything. From the life and times of Andy Sefton to Centrepoint’s exemplary charity work (and anything about MSP channel partners along the way), let’s start the conversation and kick 2022 off with new friendships.  🎁2022 GIVEAWAY🎁 To be in with a chance of winning one of 2022’s Hoodie – keyboard – mouse, simply leave a comment! … every 100th subscriber will trigger a hamper giveaway. We’ll choose a lucky winner from the comments section at random – could it be you? Subscribe & comment today. About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailA hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) is a software defined IT solution, redeploying elements such as storage & network to the cloud. Join the debate.---Today, we’re unpacking a two-word topic with the vast potential to transform, streamline, and simplify enterprise level IT operations. Listen in as Chris, Dean, and Mike explore the past, present, and future of hyperconverged infrastructure…What are the benefits of hyperconverged infrastructure?Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) offers multiple benefits over a traditional hardware-defined three-tier architecture. The virtualised layer abstracts and groups resources, expediting the allocation of data requests to apps running in virtual machines. A hyperconverged resource management approach results in:• Efficient IT ProcessesWith HCI, a single outsourced team can monitor, maintain, and manage a company’s virtualised IT solution, eliminating the associated ongoing expenses linked to permanent on-site siloed expertise.• Flexible ScalabilityHCI significantly reduces a company’s on-premises IT requirement. Replace the CAPEX of a traditional three-tier structure with a flexible hyperconverged infrastructure that avoids both vendor lock-in & overprovisioning.• Lowered Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)Vendors can pass on the reduced TCO of a hyperconverged infrastructure in many ways. For example, users stand to make savings across equipment, software, staffing, power & cooling costs, and IT housing costs.• Single-Pane-of-GlassBy virtualising all mission critical elements of a company’s IT solution (e.g., storage, compute, networking), a hyperconverged infrastructure delivers single-pane-of-glass control features, allowing users to control multiple VMs from one centralised interface. • New Deployments & Time to Market HCI facilitates expedited app development & rollout times – all of which can be carried out by less experienced staff accessing online features with reduced physical on-site architecture. For more information on how Synextra can help you to deploy and manage hyperconverged infrastructures for your clients, contact us today.  ---Contact//• Tel: 0161 883 1383 • Email: [email protected]• Synextra: https://www.synextra.co.uk---Social media//• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd- • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPNhzi_d1GyV1WKtvO4sbdA ---As mentioned in the episode:vSAN ReadyNode™ Sizerhttps://vsansizer.vmware.com/About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailEver wondered what the role of a non-executive is in a business?  With a huge amount of experience, not just as a non-exec, but in business as whole, we sit down with Paul Beaumont and dig into how he helps businesses achieve more and perform better. Paul takes us through his interesting journey, detailing just how he got to where he is today talking through his stance on sales and marketing and the importance of brand. Get in touch with Paul on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultpb/Join us as we get inside knowledge and insights, really getting that non-executive perspective. TAKE A LOOK AT OUR NEW WEBSITE!https://www.synextra.co.uk/ STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.synextra.co.uk/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-/ Twitter | @SynextraAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailThis is your chance to get behind the scenes of recruitment... In this episode we explore the good, the bad and the ugly truth of recruitment - offering genuine insights and insider information. Join us as we talk CV red flags, interview mishaps and what not to do when you’re being technically assessed.Give this episode a listen, get the inside scoop and finally complete that job application we know you’ve been putting off!Give this episode a listen and finally complete that job application we know you’ve been putting off!TAKE A LOOK AT OUR NEW WEBSITE!https://www.synextra.co.uk/STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.synextra.co.uk/LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-/Twitter | at SynextraAbout SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailExperts in Polo Shirts: Why Working From Home Isn’t Working for UsWe’re all familiar with remote working or as we often see it, WFH. We are also familiar with the benefits associated with working from home as we see post upon post on social media detailing the perks enough - often alongside pictures of coffee cups and dogs. But are we hearing about the other side of working from home enough? We know about the good, but what about the bad and the ugly?With more and more businesses opting for hybrid working, are you against the norm if you or your business feel five days of working in the office is key? Well, you’re not alone. In this episode we sit down with our CEO, Chris Piggott and Infrastructure Manager, Dean Murray and discuss, why working from home, just isn’t working for us.If you’re looking for some inspiration or just want to listen to an interesting story, get comfy and enjoy!Watch our video podcast here - https://youtu.be/9XX9Ub8AmEkTAKE A LOOK AT OUR NEW WEBSITE!https://www.synextra.co.ukLinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-/Twitter | @synextraFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/synextra/About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra

Send us Fan MailHow did one person go from a service desk engineer to a CEO of a successful technology company? What did the journey look like? Were there any stumbling blocks along the way? In our first episode of Experts in Polo Shirts, we sit down with Synextra founder and CEO, Chris Piggott and discuss where his journey began and what challenges he has faced to get where he is today. We delve into his chosen leadership styles, his view on being a young CEO in technology and how his career has developed working in the cloud industry.If you’re looking for some inspiration or just want to listen to an interesting story, get comfy and enjoy!Watch our video podcast here - https://youtu.be/V7wnIgK5FIETAKE A LOOK AT OUR NEW WEBSITE!https://www.synextra.co.uk LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-/Twitter | @synextraFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/synextra/About SynextraWe're your new favourite cloud provider.Based in the North-West of England, our team of experts help organisations like yours thrive in the new era of cloud tech.Visit https://www.synextra.co.uk/ to find out more and book a chat with one of our cloud specialists. We'd love to show you just how good a cloud-powered work life can be.Connect with us:• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Synextra• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synextra• LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/synextra-ltd-• YouTube: / @synextra• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/synextra