February 11 / 2026
CCTV Laws in the UK and How They Impact Your Business
CCTV isn’t just a security add-on anymore; it’s woven into daily business life. Whether you run an office, a warehouse, a school, or even...
February 2 / 2026
Shadow AI: The Hidden Cybersecurity Threat Every Business Should Be Worried About
Artificial intelligence has moved from an innovation talking point to an everyday productivity tool. From desktop assistants to browser plugins, “helpful” AI agents are...
January 28 / 2026
Predictive Maintenance in the Manufacturing Industry
What is Predictive Maintenance? Predictive maintenance enters the industry as a critical tool for modern manufacturing, assisting teams to shift focus from reactive maintenance...
January 22 / 2026
Agile Manufacturing Explained
The manufacturing industry faces unprecedented challenges. Customer requirements are changing fast, the supply chain continues to fluctuate, and the product life cycle keeps shrinking....
January 21 / 2026
Internet of Things (IoT) in Manufacturing
The Internet of Things describes an emerging ecosystem of connected devices that collect, share, and analyse information. Sensors, cameras, machinery, and even building systems...
December 11 / 2025
What Is a Smart Factory? Definition and Benefits
It’s the new wave in manufacturing. Smart factories combine automation, real-time data, and intelligent analytics to create highly efficient, adaptive production ecosystems. In this...
November 24 / 2025
Understanding BadBox Attacks
Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting low-cost, uncertified Android and IoT devices to launch large-scale botnet operations, the most significant of which is the BadBox 2.0...
November 19 / 2025
Is Your Business at Risk from Home Workers?
Remote and hybrid working are now standard practice for many organisations, yet home networks remain one of the least controlled and least understood parts...
November 17 / 2025
What is Zero Trust Architecture?
In past decades, network security worked rather like a house with locked doors. If a person was inside, they were trusted; if they were...
November 3 / 2025
Network Segmentation: Definition and Benefits
Network segmentation splits computer networks into smaller networks or segments. The goals of this approach to network architecture include enhanced performance and improved security. ...
October 23 / 2025
The Ultimate Guide to Password Security
In an era where our lives are increasingly intertwined with digital platforms, the importance of robust password security cannot be overstated. Your passwords are...
October 16 / 2025
The Critical Role of Patch Management
Patch management is one of the most effective ways to protect organisations from evolving cyber threats, yet often one of the most overlooked. Microsoft’s...
October 13 / 2025
Cybersecurity Awareness Month Offer: Free Security Awareness Training and Onboarding
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and this year’s theme“ Stay Safe Online”, highlights the importance of building strong digital defences and well-trained teams. To...
October 9 / 2025
Milestone 2025 Product Launch Round-Up
As a Milestone Premier Partner, Advantex has a front-row seat to where video management is heading, and why it matters for security and operations....
October 2 / 2025
How Cloud Integration is Reshaping Manufacturing Security
Manufacturers are under constant pressure to secure multiple sites, protect their workforce, and keep operations running without disruption, all while navigating the complexities of...
September 22 / 2025
What is Server Management?
Servers are a core element within your IT infrastructure. They run applications, host websites, and store data. Keeping servers stable, secure, and efficient requires...
September 10 / 2025
Patch Management: Definition and Best Practices
With cybercriminals constantly probing digital defences and deploying new tactics to overcome them, new software vulnerabilities develop. This makes patch management an important part...
September 1 / 2025
Redundancy in Computer Networks: What It Is and Why It Is Needed
Redundancy in computer networks is a way of eliminating downtime that brings business activities to a standstill or severely hampers operations. In essence, it...
August 12 / 2025
What is Network Access Control (NAC)?
Network access control is also known as network admission control, and it’s a system with automated features that allows you to easily authenticate and...
August 6 / 2025
Online Safety in Schools
The internet has transformed the world of learning. Children can access information more easily than ever before, and online literacy is a skill that...
July 21 / 2025
How AI is Impacting Video Surveillance
In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized a variety of industries, and video surveillance is no exception. From security monitoring to predictive analytics,...
July 16 / 2025
IT Disaster Recovery Plan: What It Is and Why You Need One
Almost every organisation relies on technology, and an IT disaster may seem likely to have consequences you’d prefer not to contemplate. However, it is...
July 9 / 2025
How AI Is Supercharging Cyber Security
Although AI can be controversial in some contexts, nobody can deny that it is very good at analysing large data sets, especially when the...
July 2 / 2025
A Guide to Data Backup and Recovery
Data backup and recovery are closely related. Backup means copying your data for storage in another location or format, or even in several locations...
June 24 / 2025
What is Data Security?
Data security encompasses everything you do to protect information from unauthorised access, tampering, or destruction. Almost all organisations have sensitive data to safeguard. It...
June 23 / 2025
AI + Rule Engine: The Smart Factory’s New Power Duo
In our previous article, we explored how rule engines enable manufacturers to automate responses to real-world events—helping to reduce downtime, improve safety, and remove...
June 17 / 2025
What Is A Video Management Systems Rule Engine?
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environments, video surveillance is no longer just about keeping an eye on things—it’s about responding in real time. With advances...
May 21 / 2025
What is a UDP Flood DDoS Attack?
If you are not sure what a UDP flood DDoS attack is, we should begin with some definitions. A DDoS attack prevents a server...
May 20 / 2025
The Smart Factory Trio: MQTT / OPC UA, Audio-over-IP & VMS
In an era where efficiency, safety, and agility are paramount, manufacturing facilities are rapidly turning to intelligent technologies to future-proof their operations. Traditional surveillance...
May 19 / 2025
New Government Funding Announced to Upgrade School Connectivity and Infrastructure
As part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) Narrowing the Digital Divide initiative, over £45 million has been allocated to improve digital infrastructure in...
May 14 / 2025
The Importance of Infrastructure Security
In IT, infrastructure security refers to protecting physical and virtual systems and networks. By doing so, organisations can be more certain that they will...
April 30 / 2025
How IP Cameras Are Driving Predictive Analytics in Manufacturing
Once considered passive observers, IP cameras have evolved into dynamic tools that support real-time decision-making and drive predictive analytics in modern manufacturing environments. With...
April 25 / 2025
Network Infrastructure: What It Is and Why It Is Important
Your computer network keeps your business going. The network allows data to move from one place to another. Some of it is perfectly ordinary,...
April 25 / 2025
Cloud Networking: Revolutionising Business IT Infrastructure
On-premises hardware and infrastructure used to be a given, but cloud networking has revolutionised the way businesses work. Cloud networking can refer to both...
April 25 / 2025
What is Network Resilience?
Your network is the nerve centre of your organisation’s operations, and it is important to manage and maintain it so that any disruptions are...
April 15 / 2025
Microsoft Outlook Enforces Stricter Email Authentication Requirements
In a significant move to enhance email security, Microsoft has announced that starting May 5, 2025, Outlook.com and Hotmail will enforce stricter authentication protocols...
March 26 / 2025
How Smart Cameras and Sensors Are Enhancing Primary School Safeguarding
Keeping children safe is the top priority for every primary school. But as safeguarding responsibilities grow and expectations increase, schools need smarter, more efficient...
March 24 / 2025
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 7: What Businesses Need to Know
As wireless technology continues to evolve, the arrival of Wi-Fi 7 signals a major leap forward in speed, reliability, and performance. But what does...
March 19 / 2025
Advantex wins security tech solution for new carbon energy centre
A North East IT specialist has won a major contract with renewable energy company Vital Energi to deliver a new security and surveillance solution...
March 18 / 2025
Cyber Security Audit: What It Is and Why It Is Important
Cyber security audits look for the “entrances” criminals can use to gain unauthorised access to your business’s systems. They examine the systems themselves but...
March 17 / 2025
Cyber Security Incident Response: Plan and Process
Cybercriminals will target anyone or anything that’s open to exploitation. From large, powerful government organisations to small charities and everything in between, they’re ready...
February 28 / 2025
What is Audio Over IP (AoIP) and What are Its Benefits?
Audio over internet protocol (AoIP) transmits audio signals over IP networks. In other words, you can use your local area network (LAN) or the...
February 18 / 2025
The Hidden Financial Toll of End-of-Life Products
When businesses weigh the risks of using end-of-life (EOL) products like Windows 10, the conversation often revolves around cybersecurity threats. However, while unpatched vulnerabilities...
February 7 / 2025
Windows 11: Upgrade Now or Risk Falling Behind
As businesses strive to stay ahead, ensuring your IT infrastructure is up to date is crucial. With Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 on...
February 3 / 2025
PCI DSS 4.0 Mandates DMARC Compliance for UK Businesses
The latest update to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), version 4.0, introduces a critical requirement: by 31 March 2025, businesses...
January 27 / 2025
Why Fast and Reliable Internet is Non-Negotiable
The way businesses operate has fundamentally changed, with connectivity now playing a critical role in every aspect of daily operations. From powering collaboration tools...
January 15 / 2025
What is Social Engineering in Cybersecurity?
Wondering about the meaning of social engineering in cybersecurity? A working definition will give you the basics. Some real life examples of how it’s...
December 20 / 2024
What is Physical Access Control?
Physical access control protects your assets by preventing unauthorised people from entering buildings, offices, or rooms. Nowadays, logical access control, preventing unauthorised access to...
December 19 / 2024
How to Do a Cyber Security Risk Assessment
The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to just about every business these days. After all, businesses gather, store, and use sensitive data...
December 18 / 2024
Cyber Security Policy: What It Is And Why You Need One
Aware as we are about the risks that lie in wait online, just about everybody uses cyber security software. Though you might hope that...
December 5 / 2024
What is a Slowloris DDoS Attack?
A slow loris is a rather cute but slow-moving animal from Asia – and this mammal has a venomous bite. It has lent its...
November 26 / 2024
How Facial Recognition for Access Control Works
Passkeys can be lost or stolen, and entry codes can be “lent out” or hacked. Could facial recognition be the best technology for controlling...
November 18 / 2024
Building Resilience: How Diverse and Diverse Plus Ethernet Solutions Keep Businesses Online
In a world where even a brief connectivity lapse can disrupt operations and impact productivity, businesses need robust network solutions that offer unwavering reliability....
November 7 / 2024
What is Dark Web Monitoring?
Dark web monitoring searches for important information that may indicate that your business’s data is at risk or has already been stolen. At its...
November 6 / 2024
What is Phishing Simulation?
You have all the best tech to keep your data safe, but your people could be the weakest link. In phishing attacks, hackers often...
October 31 / 2024
What is Building Access Control?
Building access control has come to mean much more than simple, or even complex, locking and record-keeping systems. Experience has taught many building owners...
October 17 / 2024
Debunking the 6 Common Myths of Managed IT Services
Managed IT services are increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes, but several misconceptions still cloud their true value. These myths can lead to...
October 8 / 2024
Countdown to 2025: Why Every School Needs a Climate Action Plan
The UK Government has set an ambitious but essential target: by 2025, all schools must have a Climate Action Plan in place and appoint...
September 25 / 2024
What is Physical Security? Definition and Examples
These days, nearly every type of advanced security system has at least some roots in tech. This can lead to confusion on old-fashioned concepts...
September 18 / 2024
What is a Security Operations Centre (SOC)?
In our increasingly digitised world, the security of data and information is paramount for businesses of all sizes. One of the cornerstones of modern...
September 11 / 2024
Navigating the Evolution from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0
The manufacturing sector is on the cusp of a transformative evolution. Industry 4.0, characterised by the integration of cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things...
September 5 / 2024
What is DMARC? How does it work? Why should you use it?
In an era dominated by digital communication, the significance of secure and trustworthy email correspondence cannot be overstated. As cyber threats continue to evolve,...
August 28 / 2024
Why are Business Continuity Plans Important?
With the growing prevalence of natural disasters, cyberattacks, and other unforeseen challenges, organisations must be prepared to maintain their essential functions. These unexpected events...
August 7 / 2024
Types of CCTV Systems for Businesses
Technology keeps evolving, and CCTV systems for businesses have become increasingly high tech. Regardless of the technology you choose to implement, CCTV forms a...
July 29 / 2024
What is Worm Malware? Definition and Examples
There are many types of malicious software (malware) out there, and worm malware is in a class of its own. To understand why worms...
July 11 / 2024
Industry 4.0 in Manufacturing
Manufacturing industries have always led progress. Steam power transformed industries, cutting costs to the point where ordinary people had more consumer options. Electrification, assembly...
July 11 / 2024
What is Intelligent Video Analytics?
AI and machine learning are game-changers, and their ability to analyse surveillance video footage is helping people in a multitude of industries to realise...
July 3 / 2024
Demystifying Adversary in the Middle (AiTM) Attacks
In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, new threats constantly emerge, challenging businesses and individuals alike. One such threat that has garnered attention in...
June 24 / 2024
What is a Botnet? Definition and Examples
It’s almost like science fiction, but it’s tech reality. Imagine this: a criminal mastermind takes control of a multitude of otherwise-innocuous computers turning them...
June 13 / 2024
The Rising Tide of Cyber Attacks on Schools
In recent years, primary and secondary schools have become increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, a trend that highlights the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures....
June 5 / 2024
Everything You Need to Know About SD-WAN
As a decision-maker, you don’t ordinarily need to understand every technical detail behind the systems that make your organisation tick. However, with technology advancing...
May 17 / 2024
What is Spyware? Definition and Examples
Spyware: it’s a word with sinister overtones. You may have guessed that it refers to malicious software that covertly gathers information, making it available...
May 2 / 2024
What is an IP Camera and How Does it Work?
Should your organisation switch from traditional CCTV to IP cameras? There are compelling reasons to adopt this comparatively new form of technology – and...
April 22 / 2024
What is Trojan Malware? Definition and Examples
The name “Trojan” is taken from Greek legend, and the story goes a long way toward explaining what Trojan malware is. During the siege...
April 15 / 2024
Unleashing Manufacturing Excellence with Meraki MV Cameras
In the dynamic landscape of modern manufacturing, staying ahead requires not just cutting-edge technology but also intelligent solutions that seamlessly integrate into operational workflows....
April 8 / 2024
What is Adware? Definition and Examples
All of a sudden, you notice that you’re getting bombarded with popup ads every time you’re online. On the surface, it seems like nothing...
March 25 / 2024
What is Smishing? Definition and Examples
Cyber security is a concern for businesses and private individuals alike, and phishing, in all the many forms it may adopt, is on the...
March 1 / 2024
What is CCTV Remote Monitoring and How Does it Work?
Chances are, you’ll still see a few old-fashioned CCTV systems in action. Think of that little shop with a monitor placed near the cashier...
February 27 / 2024
What is Vishing? Definition and Examples
Online fraud is a growing problem, so being informed about its different forms helps you stay safe. Unfortunately, vishing can seem very convincing. The...
January 18 / 2024
Transforming Education with Smart and Secure Solutions
The education landscape is rapidly evolving, and schools are increasingly turning to advanced technologies to create safer, smarter, and more efficient learning environments. Cisco...
January 17 / 2024
What is Spear Phishing? Definition and Examples
Phishing is a form of cyberattack in which malicious actors strive to get sensitive information or accept malicious links or attachments. But spear phishing...
January 16 / 2024
Our Guide to The G-Cloud 13 Framework
G-Cloud-13, launched in 2022 as an improvement on G-Cloud 12, offers public sector organisations a selection of approved suppliers. Its listings include cloud hosting,...
January 15 / 2024
What is Whale Phishing? Definition and Examples
Phishing is a real threat to businesses around the world, and the UK may be experiencing more than its fair share of this type...
December 18 / 2023
PSTN Switch-Off; What it Means for Your Business
Technology keeps marching on, and it’s good news for your organisation. But as old technologies become obsolete, you will need to switch over to...
December 15 / 2023
What is Clone Phishing? Definition and Examples
Surveys report that 96 percent of UK businesses were targeted by phishing scams within a single year. We all know, and can easily spot...
October 19 / 2023
The Perils of Using End-of-Life Products
On October 10, 2023, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 reached their end of life and on October 14, 2025, Windows 10...
October 3 / 2023
Maximising IT Efficiency: 10 Key Insights for Cisco Meraki
Amidst the ever-changing landscape of IT infrastructure and networking, Heads of IT bear the responsibility of steering their organisations towards adaptable solutions that maximise...
September 26 / 2023
How to select your perfect MSP – A Checklist
Selecting the right managed service provider (MSP) is crucial for your organisation’s success. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a managed...
August 3 / 2023
IP cameras: Protecting people and property
Tony Easingwood, a technology specialist and senior account manager at Advantex, examines how Integrated security and surveillance systems with high-performance IP cameras can offer...
July 25 / 2023
PSTN Switch-Off – Why Starting Early Matters
With the PSTN switch-off still nearly two years away, it’s understandable to question the urgency of addressing it now. However, in this article, we’ll...
July 18 / 2023
Enhancing Cybersecurity: A Holistic Suite for Mitigating Ransomware Attacks
The digital era has brought tremendous opportunities for businesses, but it has also exposed them to ever-evolving cyber threats, including the dreaded ransomware attacks....
June 28 / 2023
Best Practice to Mitigate Cyberattacks
54% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom say they experienced cyberattacks in the last 12 months, an increase of 15%...
June 13 / 2023
What Is Phishing?
In an attempt to capture sensitive data such as personally identifiable information, passwords, and more worryingly, your bank and credit card details, Phishing is...
May 23 / 2023
Evaluating the value of an MSP: Key Considerations
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, organisations are turning to managed service providers (MSPs) to help manage their IT infrastructure and streamline operations. MSPs offer...
May 4 / 2023
Why do schools need secure, reliable and fast Wi-Fi and networks?
A wireless network that meets the latest ratified standard, as specified by the Department for Education (DfE), is something that is aspirational for many...
April 20 / 2023
Unlocking the Benefits of Outsourcing IT Services to a Managed Service Provider
As businesses continue to grow and expand, the need for reliable IT services to keep up with daily operations and customer demands is essential....