Cracks in the System
Cybersecurity threats don’t always kick the door down—sometimes, they slip in through the cracks. This month, we’re spotlighting three subtle but serious security risks that could be undermining your defences right now.
Windows 10 - The final countdown
Windows 10 has served us well, but time is running out as we are almost into our final year before support for this platform retires 14th October 2025. Therefore, for business users, it is time to start planning upgrades to Windows 11.
Why Upgrade to Windows 11 Now?
- Security Concerns - No more updates mean no more security patches. Upgrading to Windows 11 ensures you receive the latest security updates.
- Support - No more support provided by Microsoft.
- Enhanced Performance – Windows 11 is designed to be faster and more efficient. It optimises your hardware thus providing better performance.
- Improved Features -
- A redesigned cleaner UI with centered Start Menu and simplified Taskbar.
- Snap Layouts and Snap Groups help you organise your workspace.
- Virtual Desktops allow you to create different desktops for different tasks.
- Integrated Microsoft Teams, quickly start a chat or video call directly from the taskbar.
These enhancements increase productivity and make your workstation experience.
Hardware Recommendations for Windows 11
Not all current workstations can run Windows 11. Here are the basic hardware requirements:
- A compatible 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz clock speed and 2 or more cores.
- 4 GB of RAM or more.
- 64 GB of storage or more.
- UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability.
- TPM version 2.0.
- DirectX 12 compatible graphics with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
To check whether your workstation is Windows 11 compatible, simply run the ‘PC Health Check’ tool from the Search bar. Alternatively, for those customers with workstations covered by a Symetri IT Support contract, Symetri can provide you with an asset list which shows which workstations are Windows 11 compatible, along with their warranty status and hardware EOL and EOSL dates to help make the decision easier. If your workstation doesn’t meet these requirements, then consider upgrading.
The Benefits of Upgrading Your Computer
- An opportunity to modernise – Newer workstations come with better processors, more RAM and faster storage.
- AI-Enabled Workstations – Consider workstations that offer advanced features powered by AI.
- Energy Efficiency – Modern workstations use less power without compromising performance.
What Are the Risks of Waiting to Upgrade?
- Increased Vulnerability – Waiting to upgrade increases your vulnerability. As the end of support date approaches, the risk of security threats grow and updating now minimises the risk.
- Potential Compatibility issues – Applications you may be currently running may not be Windows 11 compatible, so it’s worth checking this ahead of time and to ensure this has been factored into your upgrade plan.
- Business Disruption – Starting a rollout of Windows 11 early ensures a smoother rollout!
What is Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)?
Learn what Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is and how it helps teams manage product data, processes, and collaboration across the lifecycle. Discover the key benefits and PLM tools driving innovation.
Sovelia Vault: The Smarter Way to Manage Design Data
If you are an Autodesk Vault user in the mechanical engineering and manufacturing industry, you are likely familiar with the challenges of managing design data. While Vault provides a solid foundation for storing and organising design data, it falls short in some critical areas. You might have noticed this if you ever wanted to automate workflows or configure company-specific rules and processes in Vault. Let’s dive into these challenges and possible solutions.
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