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Microsoft Price Rise

Updates to Microsoft Subscription Pricing

We have some news to share! Microsoft is rolling out important updates to their subscription pricing in the coming months. These changes are part of Microsoft’s regular pricing reviews and are designed to ensure you get the best value for your subscription. Here’s everything you need to know:

 Key Changes to Microsoft Subscription Pricing

Starting from 1st April 2025, Microsoft will be adjusting their subscription pricing. If you have an annual commitment but pay monthly, you will see a 5% price increase. However, if you choose to pay annually upfront, this increase will not apply to you. This means you can lock in your current pricing and avoid any future increases for the duration of your annual commitment.

 Timing of Price Changes

All price changes will only take effect at the renewal of your agreement. This means your current pricing remains unchanged until your next renewal date. It’s a great opportunity to review your subscription plan and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you’re getting the best value.

 How to Switch to Annual Upfront Payment

To avoid the 5% price increase, you can switch to an annual upfront payment plan at the time of your renewal. This option allows you to lock in your current pricing and avoid any future increases. To make this switch, please contact our sales team at salesteam@bespokeitsolutions.com They will assist you in setting up the annual upfront payment and ensure you get the best value for your subscription.

We understand that this is a lot to take in, so we’re providing further guidance and information to help make everything clearer. We will be sharing videos on our social media about this in the coming weeks to help make this simpler for you.

 Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to contact us if you have any questions! Contact our sales team at salesteam@bespokeitsolutions.com to lock in your pricing today.

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How to create secure passwords

How to create secure passwords

Apr 28, 2025 |

Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks to your business.
Why?
Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than ever before. If they manage to crack just one password, they could gain access to your sensitive business data, financial information, or even gain control of your entire system.
Cyber criminals use automated tools to guess passwords, allowing them to try out millions of combinations in seconds. So, if you’re using something like “Password123” or “CompanyName2025”, you’re practically handing them the keys to your business.
A compromised password can lead to big issues, such as:
• Data breaches
• Financial losses
• Identity theft
• Reputation damage
But how do you create strong passwords without driving yourself (and your team) mad?
Think of your password like a secret recipe, where only you should know the ingredients. It should:
• Be at least 14 characters long (the longer, the better)
• Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• Contain a few numbers and symbols (like @, $, %, or &)
• Not contain any common words or easily guessable information (like birthdays, names, or the word “password”)
Instead of using a single word, you could try a passphrase – a short, random sentence that only you would understand. For example, instead of “Sailing2025”, try something like “Coffee&CloudsAreGreat9!”. This is much harder to crack, yet still easy to remember.
You should also steer clear of these common mistakes:
• Using personal info (your name, birthday, business name, etc.)
• Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts
• Using simple sequences (“123456” or “abcdef”)
• Storing passwords in an easily accessible place (like a sticky note on your desk)
If remembering unique passwords for every account sounds impossible, there is another option: Password managers. These generate strong passwords, store them securely and autofill them for you.
With a password manager, you only need to remember one strong master password for the manager app itself. The rest are encrypted and stored safely, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Even the strongest password isn’t foolproof, which is why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also important. MFA requires a second form of verification, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated from an authentication app.
If you have employees accessing your business systems, it’s a good idea to have a password policy in place to explain your rules and why they’re important. This should include:
• Unique passwords for each system and account
• Regular security training on password best practices
• Business-wide use of MFA for critical systems
• Scanning for compromised passwords regularly
By making password security a priority, you can reduce the chances of a cyber attack creating a nightmare for your business.
And if you need help making your business more secure, get in touch.

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