We’re pleased to announce that we have achieved Fortinet’s Cloud Security Specialization as part of the Fortinet Engage Partner Programme. We’re the first Fortinet partner in South Africa to earn this level of recognition and one of the few partners in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region currently holding this particular specialization.
Fortinet’s Cloud Security Specialization is awarded only to those partners who have demonstrated the advanced knowledge and skills required to deploy and manage Fortinet’s range of cloud security solutions effectively.
“We’re thrilled with this achievement, and we’re so proud of our people,” says Donovan Vernes, BUI Service Delivery Manager (Network Operations). “Fortinet has very strict qualifying criteria, from technical expertise and experience to sales alignment, and we met every single benchmark.”
The BUI Network and Security teams are already highly certified, with credentials that span the full breadth of the Fortinet certification path, but Vernes emphasises the significance of our new Cloud Security Specialization. “It’s a validation of our cloud capabilities and an acknowledgement of our commitment to deliver the best possible cybersecurity solutions to our customers.”
Cloud adoption continues to accelerate as customers modernise and transform their operations, notes Vernes. “We’re seeing more and more business organisations with public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud environments in play. These complex systems can be challenging to secure – and even more so when there are diverse technologies involved… That’s why customers need experts they can count on to provide consistent, quality service and support. By earning the Fortinet Cloud Security Specialization, I believe BUI has distinguished itself as a trusted security advisor and guide,” he says.
The cost of cybercrime is predicted to hit $8 trillion this year – and no company is immune to the threat posed by cybercriminals. “Organisations of all sizes, across sectors and industries, are potential targets,” warns Vernes, citing statistics from Fortinet’s recent research.
“According to The 2023 Global Ransomware Report, half of enterprises fell victim to a ransomware attack in the last 12 months, and 46% were targeted by ransomware two or more times,” he says, adding that phishing, access via vulnerable ports, and remote desktop exploits were the most common tactics observed.
“Now, more than ever, enterprises should strive for unified security,” advises Vernes. “By integrating your security tools, technologies and systems, you can gather relevant, actionable data from your business sources and gain deeper insights regarding potential threats. This will allow you to close security gaps, enable faster detection and response, and minimise your attack surface.”
As a Fortinet partner, BUI offers professional consultations, reactive support, and managed services tailored for each customer’s security journey. “Our comprehensive security expertise, our advanced security solutions, and our ability to help customers improve their overall security posture sets us apart,” says Vernes.
Cybersecurity is a critical profession in this digital age, but there aren’t enough professionals to meet the global demand. “The skills shortage is a major concern for customers, who want top talent to protect their business resources,” says Vernes.
“As a Fortinet Select Partner, BUI is required to have top talent… Experienced technologists who have undergone specialised training to address the unique security challenges of hyperconnected workplaces. Customers who choose BUI are choosing a team with deep cloud and security expertise and a track record of success.”
As a Cloud Security Specialization partner, BUI has access to Fortinet’s advanced security solutions, including FortiGate Cloud (for the management and maintenance of Fortinet’s FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls), FortiCASB (Fortinet’s Cloud Access Security Broker for monitoring security risks), and FortiCWP (Fortinet’s Cloud Workload Protection solution).
“There’s a wide range of Fortinet tools available to give customers greater visibility across their cloud infrastructure and greater control over their connected systems,” explains Vernes. “Customers who choose BUI can benefit from single-pane-of-glass cloud management, streamlined network and security operations, and holistic protection with cutting-edge technology.”
To maintain business continuity in a world of evolving cyber threats, organisations must ensure the security of their cloud environments. “A clear understanding of the enterprise security posture is vital,” says Vernes.
“Customers need to know how effective their defences really are so that they can adjust their IT strategies accordingly. We can help them find the right Fortinet products to support their security goals, and ensure that the requisite network, application and platform solutions are correctly integrated and fully optimised,” he concludes.
Looking for a technology partner to enable comprehensive protection for your organisation’s users, devices, applications, and network edges?
Book a consultation with us to explore Fortinet’s cutting-edge security solutions for public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
According to the Pew Research Center, 79% of adults report being concerned about the way their data is being used by companies. By being open about how you use data and respecting privacy, you can earn customer trust and stand out from your competition.
The US National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) recommends adopting the following market leading practices:
Additionally, you can also focus on upskilling your employees in the following ways:
A privacy awareness campaign can empower your employees to make the best cybersecurity choices.
Share messages about privacy in places employees will see them: on internal social media, around the office, on employee intranet portals, in company newsletters, and emails.
Use our resources or look for other resources online. You shouldn’t have to start from scratch, and there are a lot of materials available for free, especially leading up to Data Privacy Week in January.
Privacy is moving quickly. New legislation and regulations are always in the works, and your business doesn’t stand still either.
You may be launching a new product in a country or state that has privacy laws you’ll need to comply with. Find privacy training that fits your culture.
There are many providers and while the meat of the message is largely similar, the way it’s delivered varies. It’s a question of style and tone: do you want friendly and animated, or a more buttoned-down e-learning course?
Pick what’s right for your organization, not just in terms of covering all the facts, but culturally as well. That way the training is more likely stick and give you the ROI you’re looking for.
Make it easier to prioritize privacy. Provide your employees with the tools they can use to improve their privacy, such as company-branded camera covers, privacy screens for their devices, and virtual private networks (VPNs) to secure their connections, or password management software.
Many of these tools will cost the company money, but the peace of mind is well worth it. And the costs pale in comparison to dealing with an incident or breach.
Remember that most employees aren’t privacy or security experts. You will need to build in mechanisms that make it easy for them to report privacy and security concerns to your experts. Just like tools for preventing privacy incidents are critical, tools that easily empower employees to report are necessary in your company’s privacy toolbox, too.
Outsourcing to professional cybersecurity companies takes a load off your plate and ensures you have the data protection you deserve.
Another way to differentiate yourself within your market is by becoming a Data Privacy Week Champion.
Data Privacy Week began as Data Privacy Day in the United States and Canada in January 2008 as an extension of the Data Protection Day celebration in Europe. The National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), a leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness, leads the effort each year.
The NCA is a non-profit organization on a mission to create a more secure, interconnected world. They advocate for the safe use of all technology and educate everyone on how best to protect themselves, their families, and their organizations from cybercrime. They also create strong partnerships between governments and corporations to ensure cybersecurity for all.
For more information about Data Privacy Week and how to get involved, visit https://staysafeonline.org/programs/data-privacy-week/.
Cybercriminals are targeting enterprises big and small to try to gain access to sensitive, confidential, or proprietary data and resources.
How are you protecting your IT environment? Stay ahead of threat actors by choosing a managed detection and response service from BUI.
Keeping sensitive data safe and secure is a challenge for businesses of all sizes. Major shifts in the workplace – from in-person to remote and hybrid productivity – forced companies to change, or at least re-assess, their cybersecurity practices and protocols. And far too often, they were not adequately prepared for the evolving cyberthreat landscape.
In fact, according to CyberEdge’s ninth annual Cyberthreat Defence Report, more than 80% of organisations suffered from a successful cyberattack in 2021. With data privacy and data security top of mind, businesses are looking to strengthen their defences against cybercriminals. Here are four simple steps you can take to better protect your workplace data.
Knowing what kind of data cybercriminals want is an essential part of your defence strategy. Therefore, creating an inventory of your so-called crown jewels (the most valuable data and data-related assets within your organisation, including hardware and software information) is important.
In addition, you should have a current (and actively maintained) list of every end-user who has access to your critical business data. Keep accurate records, with device and location details, so that you can carry out the necessary forensic investigations in the event of a data breach.
Keep your operating systems, software packages and web browsers up to date and ensure that all devices have automatic updates enabled. When your connected environment is well maintained, with patches and updates carried out timeously, then your overall security posture is that much stronger.
In addition, make sure that your staff use multifactor authentication (MFA) when they log in. Simple username-and-password combinations are not enough to keep cybercriminals at bay, and MFA could mean the difference between a successful or an unsuccessful hack.
You should monitor your IT environment continuously to detect misconfigurations, vulnerabilities, breach attempts, and cyberattacks in real time. If you have dedicated cybersecurity personnel, they can implement endpoint security technology to help monitor your network. If not, you can bring in SecOps experts to actively identify, investigate, and mitigate cyberthreats 24/7/365.
Moreover, make sure that everyone in your organisation understands the importance of good cyber hygiene and is following the security policies you have in place. When your people know how to spot phishing attempts, for example, then they can respond appropriately.
No matter how many safeguards you have in place, the unfortunate reality is that cyber incidents still occur. However, responding in a comprehensive manner will reduce the impact on your business and send a positive signal to your customers and employees. Therefore, you should have an incident response plan prepared in advance.
This document should be stored safely and your dedicated response team should be able to access it quickly when the need arises. Make sure your incident response plan includes clearly defined technical, operational, legal, and communication-related steps for your team to follow.
BUI is proud to be a Champion organisation for the 2022 edition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This article was originally provided by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and is republished here with permission.
Cybercriminals are targeting enterprises big and small to try to gain access to sensitive, confidential, or proprietary data and resources.
How are you protecting your IT environment? Stay ahead of threat actors by choosing a managed detection and response service from BUI.
We’re excited to announce that we won the Azure Infrastructure Partner of the Year Award, the Modern Work Partner of the Year Award, and the Security Partner of the Year Award at the FY22 Microsoft South Africa Partner Awards on 28 September 2022.
The gala dinner and prizegiving ceremony took place at the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch in Sandton, where members of the local Microsoft Partner ecosystem gathered together, in person, for the first time since 2019. Microsoft SA’s awards evenings in 2020 and 2021 were held virtually as lockdown protocols remained in place at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Microsoft SA Partner Awards are presented annually to acknowledge the partner organisations that have excelled in delivering Microsoft solutions over the past 12 months. Award submissions are reviewed by a panel of judges and entries are evaluated in terms of partner competencies, cloud transformation, entrepreneurial spirit, and sales performance, among other factors.
This year, Microsoft SA CEO Lillian Barnard praised partners for pushing beyond all limits to modernise, transform, and enable success for enterprises in South Africa and around the world. In her opening speech on the night, Barnard remarked: “Let me start first by just expressing my gratitude on behalf of the Microsoft company for all that you’ve done in our markets, and in our business. The work that you continue to do in our country is just simply inspiring. You are driving digital transformation and innovation, and you are doing this with a deep sense of commitment.”
BUI was named Azure Infrastructure Partner of the Year for its proven success in helping customers modernise their infrastructure and migrate their applications and data to the cloud. “We’re always thrilled to receive this award,” says Managing Director Ryan Roseveare, highlighting the ninth time that BUI has won this award.
“This accolade is a tremendous achievement in recognition of our team’s focus and positive outcomes. It’s also a validation of our consistency, our high standard of work, and our dedication to our customers. We’re actively driving digital transformation by helping businesses to become more agile and more resilient with Azure’s extensive range of solutions,” adds Roseveare.
As the Modern Work Partner of the Year, BUI was acknowledged for enabling performance and productivity with Microsoft’s comprehensive set of cloud-powered tools for the modern workplace. “From Office 365 to Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Viva, we’re empowering customers with the technology they need to communicate and collaborate effectively in remote and hybrid scenarios,” says National Sales Manager Paul Wallett.
“We’re also supporting our customers as they adapt to new ways of working, and making sure that they’re able to leverage the full power of the cloud and the Microsoft resources at their disposal to take their enterprises to the next level,” he continues. “The whole BUI team is invested in creating real value for customers – by delivering cutting-edge business solutions and world-class service.”
Roseveare is thrilled to take home the Security Partner of the Year award yet again – especially after the recent expansion of BUI’s security portfolio. “In an environment where the right skills are harder to find than ever before, we’re putting more energy and focus into our security solutions and services – because customers are looking for trusted partners to help them protect their digital environments. From our own Cyber SoC and MDR facilities, and as part of Microsoft Security Experts, we’re helping businesses to manage and strengthen their cyber defences,” he says.
“We’ve earned our reputation as a leader in the security space by combining talent and technology,” notes Wallett. “Our security operations division includes some of the most highly skilled and highly certified professionals in the country, and we’re constantly innovating with the Microsoft stack to offer our customers bespoke solutions to accelerate their security.”
With three new Microsoft Partner of the Year awards to celebrate, Wallett and Roseveare are quick to praise the BUI team. “I’m so proud of everyone,” says Wallett. “It’s rewarding to receive these accolades and to be acknowledged in our industry, but none of it would be possible without the dedication shown by our people every day.” Roseveare agrees. “It’s wonderful to see the team’s efforts honoured by Microsoft. We look forward to another year of collective success as we continue to support customers through every stage of the cloud journey,” he concludes.
Cybercriminals are targeting enterprises big and small to try to gain access to sensitive, confidential, or proprietary data and resources.
How are you protecting your IT environment? Stay ahead of threat actors by choosing a managed detection and response service from BUI.
BUI is proud to be a Champion organisation for Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October 2022. Launched in 2004, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is held annually in October, and is regarded as a leading global initiative in the promotion of cybersecurity awareness and best practices.
The Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champions Programme is a collaborative effort among businesses, government agencies, industry associations, non-profit organisations, universities, and individuals. This year’s theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is “it’s easy to stay safe online” and Champions – including BUI and technology giants like Microsoft and Cisco – will be sharing actionable advice to help people improve their digital safety.
“We’re excited to take part in Cybersecurity Awareness Month for the fifth consecutive year,” says BUI Managing Director Ryan Roseveare. “Worldwide campaigns like this, which are designed to drive public awareness and public action, show that cybersecurity really is a team effort. We all have a role to play in protecting the devices, applications and networks that enable our personal and professional activities.”
From smartphones and wearable devices to home-automation systems, technology is becoming more intertwined in our lives every day. And while the evolution of technology is accelerating at a rapid pace, cybercriminals are working just as hard to find ways to compromise technology and disrupt business operations.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to highlight some of the emerging challenges in the world of cybersecurity today, and provide straightforward and actionable guidance that anyone can follow to create a safer and more secure digital world for themselves and their loved ones.
This year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month will focus on four key areas:
Now in its 19th year, Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues to build momentum and impact with the ultimate goal of providing everyone with the information they need to be more secure online. BUI is proud to support this online safety awareness and education initiative, which is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
For more information about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022, visit the staysafeonline.org website. And be sure to follow BUI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube for helpful cybersecurity tips and #BeCyberSmart resources throughout the month of October!
On 31 December 2022, Microsoft will end support for all StorSimple 8000 series devices and StorSimple Data Manager and Snapshot Manager software. This end of support (EOS) date will coincide with the discontinuation – or end of life (EOL) – of the StorSimple service.
If you’re using StorSimple as your hybrid cloud storage solution, then it’s important to understand how EOS for the 8000 series and EOL retirement of the service itself will impact your enterprise. Here’s what you need to know…
EOS for the StorSimple 8000 series is effective on 31 December 2022. On that day, Microsoft will end support for:
EOL for the StorSimple service is also effective on 31 December 2022, which means the following will no longer be available:
StorSimple users are being encouraged to finalise a migration strategy as soon as possible to avoid losing critical stored data when the StorSimple service is discontinued at the end of the year. Today, we’re answering the most common questions about StorSimple migrations to help you take your next steps…
A. The StorSimple 8000 series follows Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy. Mainstream Support ended on 1 July 2020 and Extended Support will end on 31 December 2022.
Several other StorSimple products – including the StorSimple 5000 series, 7000 series and 1200 series – also follow Microsoft’s Fixed Lifecycle Policy, and adhere to their own EOS timelines:
Since its launch in November 2014, the StorSimple 8000 series has been embraced by enterprises looking for the best of both worlds: the scalability of cloud storage for limitless capacity, and on-premises physical or virtual storage arrays for performance and flexibility. Now, as Microsoft continues to expand its portfolio of Azure hybrid storage capabilities with new services for data tiering and cloud ingestion, there are more options for customers to store data natively in Azure.
A. You will lose all data stored locally on your StorSimple device, which has a limited, local cache capacity. Microsoft has advised customers: “Once the StorSimple cloud service is shut down, you will not be able to access tiered files that your local device only holds a cloud reference for… Eventually, the device will stop working when it is no longer able to reach the cloud service.” To preserve your data, you need to migrate it into a new solution before the StorSimple EOL date in December 2022.
A. Depending on your contractual obligations, you may be able to keep the device hardware. Microsoft has indicated that it will not ask for leased devices to be returned. Bear in mind that your device will stop working; the StorSimple service will stop working; and hardware and software support will no longer be available from Microsoft.
A. As a StorSimple customer, you have a range of choices for migrating your data – but the right choice will depend on your particular business environment. You’ll have to evaluate your existing StorSimple deployments and workloads, and then match them with an alternative solution that can support your current file-storage demands and scale to meet your future requirements. Need help? Talk to our experts, who can recommend the right solution for your enterprise and customise a migration strategy to streamline your StorSimple move.
A. Every StorSimple migration project is different and time-to-completion will depend on the structure of the existing StorSimple deployment, the data volumes in play, and any bandwidth limitations, among other factors. The depth and breadth of the planning and preparation done beforehand will also affect the speed and progression of the migration, so make sure that you engage with your cloud solution provider in advance.
The timelines announced by Microsoft (EOS for the StorSimple 8000 series and EOL for the StorSimple service) are concrete – and there are only a few months left until yearend. If you haven’t started planning your StorSimple data migration yet, then you should prioritise the task immediately so that your stored files remain accessible beyond 31 December 2022.
“I did one of those aptitude tests in high school and the recommended job for me was ‘mechanic’ or something hands-on like that,” says BUI Technical Consultant Emily Bekker as she describes an early discussion about her career path. “The test revealed that I used both sides of my brain equally… Left and right, or logical and creative, pretty much the same. I was advised to look at professions where I’d get to use the two abilities together, but I already knew I wanted to work with computers. I knew that my analytical nature would serve me well,” recalls Bekker.
When she matriculated in 2005 and announced her plans to pursue CompTIA’s A+ and Network+ certifications, there were a few raised eyebrows in her Free State hometown. “My family and friends were supportive, but they were also really surprised. There were a lot of conversations that started with ‘why’,” laughs Bekker. “Even in the early 2000s, I guess the idea of a young woman wanting to study something so technical was a bit strange to people. And maybe there were expectations for me to explore art instead,” she muses.
Bekker comes from an artistic family and has been drawing and painting since childhood. “When I was little, I wanted to become a graphic designer,” she confesses. “But I got my first computer in primary school and I was fascinated by it.” Bekker’s PC DOS 6.1 provided hours of entertainment when it worked – and when it didn’t. “I was a total nerd… I still am! I’d spend all day trying to find the problem and fix it. I was curious about technology, and I was determined to learn as much as possible about my computer, step by step.”
While she’s always been inquisitive, Bekker credits her parents for the measured, methodical approach to problem-solving that she’s employed throughout her career. “My mom and dad are very grounded and very rational. They taught me how to think critically and how to look at things from different angles,” she explains. “These are valuable skills to have when you’re in an IT job, especially one where troubleshooting is an integral part of your day.”
Armed with her A+ and Network+ qualifications and a solid foundation in hardware and software support and network maintenance, Bekker joined a computer sales-and-repair store in Welkom. “It was my initiation into operational support, but I learned so much about sales, customer service, and business processes,” she says, adding that the position paved the way for her later roles with larger corporate and retail establishments, as well as a lengthy spell with a gold-mining firm.
“Working in the mining sector was an eye-opener for me,” remembers Bekker. “I knew, going in, that it was a male-dominated industry, but I’m not sure I was prepared for the level of gender bias I experienced back then. It was intimidating at first, but I wanted to prove myself. I also wanted to prove that success didn’t come down to gender.” Bekker’s tenacity paid off, and she counts her seven years as an on-site support technician among her most formative experiences.
Today, as a technical consultant and key member of the BUI managed services team, Bekker provides operational and service support to customers around the world. “No two days are the same, and I love that about my job,” she says, explaining how she might move from server patching one moment to desktop troubleshooting the next. “I spend a lot of time talking to people, and it’s so rewarding to be able to help them. When I’ve answered their question or fixed their issue, and they can happily move on with their day, I know I’ve made a difference. There’s always something new to learn, though, and that certainly keeps things interesting!”
Bekker is currently studying towards her Microsoft 365: Modern Desktop Administrator (Associate) certification, and plans to expand her M365 skills in the future so that she’s equipped to manage and secure Microsoft 365 enterprise environments. “I’m grateful to have such supportive colleagues here at BUI, and to be part of a company where career development is not only encouraged, but enabled.” As an enthusiastic learner, Bekker admits she finds it tough to walk away from her textbooks. “But I’m taking Women’s Day off, for sure,” she chuckles, sharing her plans for a spa day with her mom.
What else is on the horizon for Bekker? She hasn’t closed the door on her childhood aspirations and may still add “graphic design” to her list of skills – but technology remains her favourite niche. “I’m always telling people to get into the IT field… A logical brain and a healthy sense of curiosity will take you far in this industry. And don’t let anyone box you in: when you find your passion, make it your life,” she concludes.
We’re excited to announce that we’ve been awarded the Microsoft Modernize Endpoints Advanced Specialization for our holistic expertise in endpoint deployment, management, and security.
The Modernize Endpoints Advanced Specialization is our 10th such premier accreditation from Microsoft and our fourth in the Modern Work category, which includes Adoption and Change Management, Calling for Microsoft Teams, and Teamwork Deployment.
To achieve it, Microsoft partners are required to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of Azure technologies and Microsoft 365, including modern and virtual desktop administration in enterprise environments. “We undergo an in-depth audit, and it’s a review of our skills, competencies, and business performance,” explains Managing Director Ryan Roseveare. “But more than that, it’s an evaluation of our ability to provide the highest levels of service. I’m proud to say the BUI team passed with flying colours once again.”
“Advanced specializations like this are important differentiators,” adds Chief Technology Officer Willem Malan. “Customers are looking for cloud partners they can trust to deliver sound guidance and superior support on every project. The Modernize Endpoints accreditation proves not only our technical aptitude, but also our success in managing access to corporate resources across mobile, desktop, and virtual endpoints. It’s a hallmark of service excellence that gives customers peace of mind. I’m thrilled to see BUI – and our Cloud Centre of Excellence in particular – acknowledged in this way.”
In today’s hybrid workplaces, effective endpoint management is critical for productivity and security alike, says Cloud Centre of Excellence Lead Dhiren Boodhia. “More and more enterprises are giving their people the power to work from any device, in any location, and it certainly paves the way for greater collaboration across teams and time zones. But to enable remote and on-the-move employees to carry out their tasks effectively and safely, you have to deliver reliable services, consistent user experiences, and comprehensive security, no matter the endpoint in play.”
The evolving cyberthreat landscape means it’s also crucial to manage and safeguard endpoints from the get-go, notes Malan. “Your devices must be up-to-date and protected, your operating systems must be secure by design, and user access to your applications and data must be controlled. This is all possible with Microsoft technologies. Here at BUI, we’re already leveraging our expertise in security, virtualisation, networking, and identity and access management to help customers transform their endpoint estates for a more modern, secure way of working,” he says.
Roseveare welcomes Microsoft’s latest recognition of our team’s focus and acumen. “The Modernize Endpoints Advanced Specialization verifies that we can support businesses throughout the process of endpoint modernization, and empower them to give their people seamless work experiences, every day. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Microsoft, and helping our mutual customers thrive with tools geared for the hybrid workplace,” he concludes.
You can give your remote and hybrid teams a more flexible, secure workplace that allows them to use whatever device they want to carry out daily tasks.
Talk to our experts about modern endpoint management, with cloud-powered tools for additional security, and build your business resilience with a trusted partner.
BUI is proud to announce its selection as a Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) partner for Microsoft’s new business security services, Microsoft Security Experts.
Microsoft Security Experts was unveiled this month and includes three new managed services: Microsoft Defender Experts for Hunting, Microsoft Defender Experts for XDR, and Microsoft Security Services for Enterprise. Two existing services – Microsoft Security Services for Modernization and Microsoft Security Services for Incident Response – are now also part of this portfolio.
As an MXDR partner, BUI will work in conjunction with Microsoft to manage extended detection and response services for some of the largest enterprise customers globally, from threat monitoring to mitigation and investigation.
“We’re excited to continue our security journey with Microsoft,” says BUI Managing Director Ryan Roseveare. “This new collaboration builds on our longstanding relationship, and we look forward to working alongside Microsoft to help customers protect and defend their IT environments from emerging cyberthreats.”
In 2021, Microsoft security technology blocked over 9.6 billion malware threats and more than 35 billion phishing emails and malicious messages. “Technology is critical, but it’s the combination of leading technologies, comprehensive threat intelligence, and highly skilled people that makes for a truly effective security posture,” notes Vasu Jakkal, Microsoft Corporate Vice President: Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management.
Roseveare agrees. “The cybersecurity landscape is incredibly complex. You need comprehensive tools and holistic knowledge to navigate it successfully. Here at BUI, we’ve focused on building both: our Cyber Security Operations Centre is a state-of-the-art facility designed to leverage and integrate with Microsoft technology, and our security specialists are world-class technologists with a deep understanding of the challenges that businesses are facing today.”
BUI’s tried-and-tested blend of people, process and technology will be critical going forward, adds Roseveare, given the alarming increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks.
BUI was part of a select group of Microsoft Partner organisations involved in the development of Microsoft Security Experts. As a Microsoft Azure Expert MSP, a managed security service provider, and a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association, BUI is consistently recognised as a strategic partner for cybersecurity innovation. BUI holds nine Microsoft Advanced Specializations – including Cloud Security and Threat Protection – and earned Microsoft South Africa’s Security Partner of the Year Award in 2021, 2020, and 2019.
“We’re serious about security. We always have been,” says Roseveare. “We’ve earned the trust and loyalty of customers around the world because we provide the best possible security solutions and the right advice. As an MXDR partner for the Microsoft Security Experts portfolio, we’ll continue to put our expertise to work for customers – because we’re here to help them safeguard their business resources, from the endpoint to the cloud,” he concludes.
Cybercriminals are targeting businesses large and small to try to gain access to sensitive, confidential, or proprietary data and resources.
What steps have you taken to prevent a breach? Stay ahead of threat actors by choosing a managed detection and response service from BUI.
Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience has reached Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform licensing in the Cloud Solution Provider programme – and there are significant changes coming in 2022.
Here at BUI, we’re already hard at work, helping our cloud customers to navigate the New Commerce Experience successfully.
We’re also fielding queries from business teams who are struggling to understand Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience. We hear you. And that’s why we’re tackling your most common questions today. You asked, and we’re answering. Let’s take a closer look.
A. The New Commerce Experience (NCE) is Microsoft’s integrated commercial platform, designed to simplify the sale of its cloud products and services globally.
Microsoft created the NCE to streamline and standardise licensing via Cloud Solution Providers (CSPs), Enterprise Agreements (EAs), and its own online portals – so that customers experience similar pricing and terms across a number of sales models.
In 2019, Microsoft implemented the NCE for CSPs, starting with Microsoft Azure. And since then, the NCE has been rolled out in stages. Today, customers with Azure Plan subscriptions – as well as those who buy Azure Reserved Instances, perpetual software, server software, and third-party apps and offers through CSPs – transact through the NCE platform.
In January 2022, Microsoft expanded the NCE to include commercial seat-based subscriptions for Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform in the CSP programme – and introduced new offers with new rules.
“The New Commerce Experience is the present and future of how Microsoft sells cloud products and services to customers, both directly and through partners… It will also make the selling process, requirements, and capabilities much more consistent across the Microsoft sales ecosystem.” – MICROSOFT
A. Simply put, the NCE will change the way that you purchase Microsoft 365 (M365), Dynamics 365 (D365), and Power Platform subscriptions from your CSP. There are three key differences between the legacy CSP experience you’re familiar with and the NCE. It’s important to note:
1. The subscription options. Under the NCE, there are monthly and annual subscription options to help you cater for fixed and fluid staffing scenarios within your business.
2. The cancellation policy. In the legacy CSP experience, an option to cancel a subscription wasn’t available. Instead, your CSP could suspend a subscription to stop the billing for it, and the subscription would expire if not renewed at the end of the term.
3. The seat reduction policy. Seat counts on NCE subscriptions can be reduced – BUT only within the first 72 hours of the term. After the first 72 hours, no seat reductions are possible. It’s therefore critical to ensure that your subscriptions and seat counts are accurate from the start of the agreement.
A. Microsoft has made it clear that the NCE platform will soon be the platform on which all CSP products and services are provisioned.
During the months in which the NCE and the legacy CSP experience are available side by side, your CSP will initiate the process of moving your existing subscriptions to the NCE platform, and start placing new subscriptions via the NCE in preparation for the eventual decommissioning of the legacy CSP experience.
A. From 10 March 2022, CSPs will no longer be able to order new subscriptions on the legacy CSP platform. From 1 July 2022, CSPs will no longer be able to renew existing subscriptions on the legacy CSP platform. You should engage directly with your CSP to determine the best schedule for your transition to the NCE. Your licensing strategy, your business needs, and your budget (among other factors) should be considered during this discussion.
A. Microsoft is clear about the NCE timelines, and there are several dates to diarise:
1 March 2022. Although unrelated to the New Commerce Experience, Microsoft’s previously announced commercial price increases for Microsoft 365 come into effect at the beginning of March this year. If you have Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Office 365 E1, Office 365 E3, Office 365 E5, or Microsoft 365 E3 subscriptions in play, then you’ll need to consider the new pricing as part of your planning for the NCE.
10 March 2022. All new subscriptions must be purchased via the NCE platform from 10 March 2022 onward. Your CSP will no longer be able to order new subscriptions on the legacy CSP platform.
1 July 2022. Starting in July, all renewals must occur via the NCE platform. Your CSP will no longer be able to renew existing subscriptions on the legacy CSP platform.
From October 2022, all customers will have to make purchases via the NCE platform.
In June 2023, all legacy CSP subscriptions will be retired.
If you rely on Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform in your day-to-day business environment, then it’s important to evaluate your current subscriptions in line with the New Commerce Experience timelines.
How many licences do you have? How many licences do you actually need? Are you paying a premium for features that aren’t being used? What is the best time for your business to transition from the legacy CSP experience to the NCE? What Microsoft NCE promotions can you take advantage of right now? Consider these questions with your CSP as you review the cloud solutions that enable workplace productivity for your teams.
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