The IT Bridge

Cyber Essentials is changing and the 2026 update (Danzell) raises the bar. David Lawrence is joined by Paul Sinclair, our NCSC Assured Cyber Advisor, to talk through what's changing in 2026 and what it means for organisations. They cover the fundamentals of Cyber Essentials, with a focus on the Danzell update, including stricter expectations around MFA, tighter marking criteria, and why Cyber Essentials should be treated as an ongoing process rather than a "tick-box" exercise. They also break down the difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, including what additional assurance Plus provides and when it becomes relevant. The conversation highlights common issues businesses run into, from not knowing what assets they have to gaps in cloud security and why these are often the points that cause organisations to fail. #CyberEssentials #CyberSecurity #Danzell #CyberEssentialsPlus #CyberEssentials2026

David Lawrence is joined by Grant McGregor’s IT Installation Engineer, Michael Khan, to discuss Microsoft Intune and Conditional Access. They explain how modern device management helps protect company data while keeping people productive across different working environments, including hybrid and remote teams. The conversation covers compliance policies, personal devices, user privacy and how Intune supports a secure and well-managed Microsoft 365 environment.#MicrosoftIntune #CyberSecurity #Microsoft365 #DeviceManagement #ITSecurity

In this special anniversary episode of The IT Bridge, David Lawrence and Paul Sinclair look back on 25 years of Grant McGregor, from a small start-up with a handful of clients to a trusted IT and cyber security partner supporting organisations across the UK. They reflect on how a people-first philosophy, built on relationships and trust, shaped the company’s growth. From the early days of unreliable servers, manual morning checks and dial-up connections to today’s proactive monitoring, ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 compliance and managed security services, the conversation shows how the industry has evolved while the company’s values have remained unchanged. #CyberSecurity #ManagedITServices #DigitalTransformation #TechPodcast #BusinessGrowth

Doug Davey is joined by Cameron Rendall to talk about IT strategy meetings and the role they play for growing organisations. They explain how regular strategy meetings give businesses time to step back, plan ahead and keep IT aligned with their wider goals. These clear, non-technical conversations help organisations think about what's coming up over the next six to twelve months, from cyber security and budgeting to upcoming changes and the growing role of AI.The episode also touches on how tools such as Microsoft Copilot are being used to improve productivity, streamline everyday tasks and support better decision-making. #ITStrategy #BusinessIT #ManagedIT #TheITBridge #MicrosoftCopilot

In this episode of The IT Bridge, David Lawrence from Grant McGregor is joined by Neil, Head of Cyber Essentials at the IASME Consortium, to discuss the latest developments in the scheme.New Willow question set, passwordless authentication and MFA adoption: key changes shaping UK cyber resilienceWhy patching and regular software updates remain essentialWhy Cyber Essentials continues to be the foundation of strong cyber hygieneFrom policy to practice! Discover how Cyber Essentials is adapting to new threats and helping shape stronger security habits across UK businesses.

Why cyber security should be seen as a business investment rather than a cost.In this episode, David Lawrence from Grant McGregor talks with Zibeon Serrato (ZB), Senior Director of Product for MSP at Bitdefender, about the growing risks for small and mid-sized businesses, the rise of ransomware and phishing attacks, how cyber insurance requirements are changing and key security measures every organisation should prioritise, such as MFA, reliable backups and Managed Detection & Response (MDR).ZB has more than 17 years’ experience in IT and security, having led security operations for a major US managed service provider before joining Bitdefender to help MSPs and their customers strengthen defences and respond effectively to modern threats. #cybersecurity #businesssecurity #ITSupportEdinburgh #manageditservices #bitdefender

Running your business without an IT strategy is like driving a car without a service plan. It might run fine for a while. But eventually, the costs and risks will catch up with you. In the latest episode of The IT Bridge, Grant McGregor directors David Lawrence and Paul Sinclair explain why every organisation, from 5 users to 500, needs a defined IT strategy. We answer the key questions: What is an IT strategy?Why does it matter?And how do you create one that really works? #ITStrategy #TheITBridge #TechnologyPodcast #CyberSecurity #BusinessGrowth #GrantMcGregor

Everyone’s talking about AI, but what can Microsoft Copilot really do to make your day-to-day work easier?In this episode, David Lawrence and Doug Davey look beyond the headlines to explore how Copilot can help with everyday tasks within Microsoft 365.They discuss:Why it’s not just "another ChatGPT"What makes it different and safer than public AI toolsHow Copilot learns and adapts over timeTime-saving wins across departmentsCommon mistakes users make when getting startedA good listen for anyone wondering whether Copilot is worth the licence or how to get the most out of it.

The IT Bridge is back, helping you connect business needs with technology! In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of Grant McGregor's onboarding process. David Lawrence is joined by Dan Taylor, our Service Delivery Manager, to explore: • What the onboarding process involves • How we keep it simple • And how it sets the stage for a long-term IT partnership Are you thinking of switching IT providers or working with a managed IT service for the first time? We’ll take care of every detail, ensuring a supportive, stress-free experience. #ITSupport #ManagedITServices #ITOnboarding #MSP #TheITBridge

What if secure connectivity didn’t require open ports or complex firewall rules?In this episode, our guest speaker Tom Davis from Enclave Networks explores a modern alternative to traditional VPNs and what it means for today’s evolving cyber threat landscape.We cover:How Enclave differs from traditional VPNsThe role of our partnership in delivering safer, more reliable accessHow our collaboration supports stronger security outcomesHow emerging threats are shaping the future of secure connectivityWhy zero-trust architecture and private access are essential for modern organisationsTune in for expert insights into the future of secure access.Simple. Secure. Enclave.#CyberSecurity #ZeroTrust #RemoteAccess #ITSecurity #TheITBridge

Is your device ready for Windows 11 and the AI-powered future? Doug Davey and Piotr Grabowski break down everything you need to know ahead of Windows 10 reaching end-of-life this October, from device compatibility and AI-ready Ultra processors to reasons not to leave the upgrade until the last minute. #Windows11 #TechUpgrades #AIFuture #UltraProcessors

Join Doug Davey and David Lawrence as they explore the day-to-day challenges organisations face when managing Azure.They discuss how to keep costs under control, make sense of complex invoices, stay organised, avoid unnecessary resource growth and get the most value from Azure - all with practical tips you can apply right away.#azure #cloudsolutions #remotework #hybridwork #microsoftazure #GrantMcGregor #microsoft #azureservices #cloudservices #virtualdesktop #cloudserver

Join Doug Davey and David Lawrence as they dive into the benefits of migrating to Azure, breaking down how organisations can improve scalability, security and cost efficiency by moving to the cloud.

Join David Lawrence and Paul Meenan as they discuss Grant McGregor's people centric service model and how it helps organisations build smarter, more efficient IT systems with tailored support.