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Initial IT's Blog


A down-to-earth tech blog that breaks down complex IT topics with simplicity and humour.
From tips and tricks to real-world insights, making tech easy and accessible for everyone."


Comprehensive IT Support Services in Birmingham: Your Guide to Smarter Tech Solutions
When it comes to running a professional services firm in the West Midlands, technology is your trusty sidekick. But like any sidekick, it needs the right support to shine. That’s where comprehensive IT support services in Birmingham come into play. Whether you’re a small consultancy or a growing legal practice, having reliable IT support can make all the difference between smooth sailing and tech headaches. Let’s dive into what makes IT support in Birmingham a game-changer fo

Andy Price
4 min read


Email Safety: Protecting Your Communications
In today’s fast-paced digital world, email remains the backbone of professional communication. Whether you’re sending contracts, sharing sensitive client information, or simply coordinating meetings, your email is a vital tool. But with great power comes great responsibility - and that means keeping your emails safe from prying eyes and cyber threats. Let’s dive into how you can protect your communications and keep your business running smoothly. Why Email Safety Matters More

Andy Price
4 min read


Why Your Business Needs Managed Cybersecurity
In today’s digital world, running a professional services firm without solid cybersecurity is like leaving your front door wide open with a neon sign saying, “Valuables inside!” If you’re based in the West Midlands and juggling client demands, deadlines, and growth targets, the last thing you want is to be blindsided by a cyberattack. That’s where cybersecurity outsourcing comes in. It’s not just a fancy buzzword; it’s a smart, practical move to protect your business and keep

Andy Price
4 min read


The Lazy Person’s Guide to Cybersecurity
Is Cybersecurity Really That Complicated? If you spend five minutes scrolling the news, you might think cybersecurity requires a PhD, a bunker, and possibly a small army. In reality, most successful cyber attacks are surprisingly unsophisticated. They don’t rely on Hollywood hackers typing furiously in a dark room. They rely on you doing nothing. And that is brilliant news! It means a few tiny habits can stop the vast majority of attacks before they even get started. This gui

Andy Price
5 min read


Stop Wasting Hours: How AI Copilots Can Do Your Admin Work For You (No Coding Required)
If you ever feel like half your week disappears into emails, meetings, typing up notes or rewriting the same message for the tenth time, you’re not alone. Small businesses, especially those in professional services, spend a huge amount of time on admin. It is the quiet productivity thief. The sort of thief that doesn’t even wear a mask or bother sneaking. It just strolls in, drinks your coffee and walks off with six hours of your week. The good news is that AI Copilots are fi

Andy Price
7 min read


The Only DIY Cyber Security Guide Your Small Business Using Microsoft 365 Will Ever Need
If you run a small professional services firm, you probably rely heavily on Microsoft 365. Emails Client files Teams calls Contracts Finance software Day-to-day communication Your whole business runs through it. And here’s the simple truth: most small businesses are not as secure as they think they are. Not because anyone has done anything wrong, but because Microsoft 365 does not come secure out of the box. The tools are there; they just aren’t switched on. This guide shows

Andy Price
7 min read


What Is CAF? Understanding the CAF Framework and Why Your IT Provider Needs to Be CAF Regulated
If you’re a business owner in the UK, you need to know about the CAF framework – and more importantly, why it matters when choosing your IT support provider. The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) is changing how managed service providers (IT Companies) operate in the UK. If you’re working with an IT company that hasn’t mentioned CAF, you might be taking a bigger risk than you realise. What Is the CAF framework? CAF Meaning Explained CAF stands for Cyber Assessment Framework

Andy Price
8 min read


Secure Your Business with Managed Cybersecurity
Running a professional services firm in the West Midlands means juggling a lot. From managing clients to keeping your team productive, technology plays a huge role in your daily operations. But with great tech comes great responsibility - especially when it comes to cybersecurity. You might be wondering how to keep your business safe without turning into a full-time IT detective. That’s where cybersecurity service solutions come in. Let’s dive into how these solutions can pro

Andy Price
4 min read


Your IT Kickstart: 30 Days to Experience the Initial IT Difference
Managed IT Services in Lichfield Choosing a new IT support company in the West Midlands is a big decision. We get it. You’re trusting someone with the technology that keeps your business running, your data secure, and your team productive. That’s why we created our IT Kickstarter offer. 30 days free What You Get: Three Core Services, Free for 30 Days When you start with Initial IT, we give you full access to our three core service areas completely free for your first month

Andy Price
4 min read


Your No Nonsense Guide To Conditional Access: Stop Unauthorised Logins Cold
Halloween is great for jump scares, but in your business, the real fright is an attacker slipping into a Microsoft 365 account at 2 am. If you already use MFA, you are on the right track. By adding Conditional Access, you shut the door, bolt it, and fit a peephole. This guide explains what Conditional Access is, how it differs from MFA, the core policies UK SMEs should turn on, safe rollout steps so you do not lock staff out, and sector examples you can copy today. We will a

Andy Price
6 min read


Comparing Local IT Support Pricing: Why Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story
Choosing the right IT support partner can feel like balancing quality against cost. In the Lichfield area, a variety of managed service providers offer seemingly similar services at very different prices. Understanding what you get for your money - and why some providers charge more or less - can help businesses make smarter decisions. A Snapshot of Local Pricing Several IT support companies within 25 km of Lichfield publish clear per‑user pricing, while others keep their fig

Andy Price
5 min read


Why Your Professional Services Firm Needs a Trusted IT Partner for Cybersecurity and Data Protection
In professional services – (accounting, legal, consultancy and finance) – your clients trust you with their most sensitive data. That trust isn’t just about delivering a great service; it’s also about keeping their information safe. If you’re an organisation based in Lichfield, Birmingham, Tamworth, Walsall, Burton upon Trent or anywhere across the wider West Midlands, that responsibility is even more personal. As a local small business ourselves, we understand what it’s like

Andy Price
7 min read


How to get the most from Microsoft Teams
teams If your business is still stuck juggling emails, chasing missing files, or endlessly renaming documents “final_final_v3”, there’s a...

Andy Price
3 min read
Initial IT Wins Best Managed IT & Cybersecurity Provider 2025, West Midlands
Awarded by Midlands Enterprise Awards We’ve got some incredible news to share this is a huge moment for all of us at Initial IT, and we...

Andy Price
2 min read


Client Instructions: Setting Up Your New Computer from Initial IT: A Simple Guide
Just received a new computer from Initial IT? Great! You're only minutes away from getting started. Whether it’s a desktop or a laptop,...

Andy Price
2 min read


The Top 100 Three-Letter Acronyms (TLAs) Every Business Should Know in IT
Tired of hearing IT jargon you don’t understand? You’re not alone. At Initial IT, we believe in simplifying IT – and that includes...

Andy Price
5 min read


🏆 IT Services Company of the Year for Staffordshire – Business Awards 2025
Initial IT has officially been named IT Services Company of the Year for Staffordshire at the 2025 Business Awards. This marks our third...

Andy Price
3 min read


Welcoming Dave Fielding Our New Head of Technology Services
We’re thrilled to announce that as of 1st July 2025 , Dave Fielding has officially joined the Initial IT team as our Head of Technology...

Andy Price
2 min read


Technician Verification
This blog article is intended for Initial IT Managed Service clients only At Initial IT, your security is our top priority. With cyber...

Andy Price
2 min read


End-User Verification
This blog article is intended for Initial IT Managed Service clients only What Is End-User Verification (and Why It Matters)? End-User...

Andy Price
5 min read
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