Insights

Insights on IT operations, security, and AI

Advice, trends, and recent changes – written for businesses that want to stay in control of their IT.

Security

Outlook vulnerability is being actively exploited – update Office now

Microsoft has fixed an Outlook vulnerability that is already being used in attacks. The fix is in the Office update, not in Windows Update.

Trends

Five IT operations trends that will shape 2027

IT operations is less about keeping machines running and more about security, governance, and value from AI. Here's what we're seeing among our customers.

Security

What will you do the day a cyberattack hits?

Once a cyberattack is underway, it's too late to make a plan. The first few hours largely determine how much damage is done.

Trends

Sustainable IT: Longer lifespans and smarter purchasing

The biggest environmental impact of IT comes from manufacturing the equipment. That makes a longer lifespan the most important climate action.

Operations and lifecycle

Windows 10: Year two of advanced security updates costs twice as much

Year two of Microsoft's paid security updates for Windows 10 began on October 14. The price has doubled.

Trends

Ten questions to ask before choosing an IT provider

Switching IT providers is a big decision. These questions separate the good providers from the ones that are just good at selling.

Operations and lifecycle

New hire? A PC that's ready on day one – without waiting for IT

With modern deployment, a new PC can ship straight from the vendor to the employee and be fully set up after the first sign-in.

Trends

How to build a predictable IT budget

Unexpected IT costs are one of the biggest frustrations for CEOs. With the right model, IT can become a fixed, planned expense.

Security

Scanners and printers that send email? SMTP AUTH is turned off in December

Many multifunction printers, scanners, and older line-of-business systems send email with basic password sign-in. It stops working by default at year-end.

Copilot and AI

Shadow IT and shadow AI: When employees choose their own tools

Employees who adopt their own apps and AI tools usually do it to work better. But it can create risk for your business that no one has visibility into.

Copilot and AI

The EU AI Act: When will the EU rules on artificial intelligence come to Norway?

The EU AI Act is being phased in across the EU. In Norway, the law is not yet in place – but that does not mean anything goes.

Security

Passkeys are now the default in Microsoft Entra ID

As of September 2026, passkeys are the recommended sign-in method in Microsoft 365. Users will notice it the next time they sign in.

Security

AI-powered phishing: When scams become convincing

Typos and awkward wording used to be a warning sign. With AI, scam emails are now almost impossible to tell apart from real ones.

Security

SMS and voice calls for MFA go away on February 1, 2027

Microsoft's own SMS and voice codes for sign-in are being phased out. Businesses that still use them need to act now.

Security

Your phone is a work device too – secure it like one

Email, Teams, and documents live on your employees' phones. You can secure them without taking control of the entire phone.

Operations and lifecycle

SharePoint in 2026: Add-ins, alerts, and InfoPath are gone – have you checked?

Several legacy SharePoint features were removed this year. Anything you haven't migrated simply stops working.

Operations and lifecycle

SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019 are out of support – time for the cloud?

If you still run SharePoint on your own servers, they no longer receive security updates.

Licensing and pricing

What you actually get for the new Microsoft 365 price

Microsoft justifies the price increase with more than 1,100 new features. Some are worth putting to use right away.

Licensing and pricing

The Business plans with Copilot are now permanent

What started as promotions are now permanent offerings: Microsoft 365 Business with Copilot included.

Licensing and pricing

Microsoft 365 got more expensive on July 1 – here's what it means for you

Microsoft has raised list prices on most commercial Microsoft 365 plans. For many customers, the increase won't take effect until the next renewal.

Copilot and AI

Copilot Cowork and Work IQ: From answers to completed work

Copilot is moving from answering questions to carrying out tasks that take time and involve many steps.

Copilot and AI

From assistant to colleague: AI agents are coming

AI is moving from answering questions to carrying out tasks on its own. That creates major opportunities – and new governance requirements.

Trends

Why more businesses are consolidating IT with a single partner

Five providers don't make your IT five times better. Often, they just mean five times as many places where accountability can get lost.

Licensing and pricing

Microsoft 365 E7: The new top-tier plan – and who it's for

E7 combines E5, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and Agent 365 in one license. For most smaller businesses, there are better options.

Copilot and AI

Agent 365: Take control of your AI agents before they take control of you

AI agents are showing up everywhere in Microsoft 365. Agent 365 gives IT one place to see, manage, and secure them.

Operations and lifecycle

Teams chaos? Here's how to restore order

Hundreds of teams, files no one can find, and old projects that were never cleaned up. It's common – and it's fixable.

Security

Zero Trust in practice – for businesses without an in-house security team

Zero Trust sounds like something for large companies. But you can adopt the principles step by step, using tools many businesses already have.

Security

Home, coffee shop, and hotel Wi-Fi: How to work securely anywhere

The office is no longer the only workplace. That means security has to follow the user, not the network.

Copilot and AI

Claude in Microsoft 365 Copilot: More AI models in the same tool

Microsoft 365 Copilot no longer uses just one model family. Anthropic's Claude is now part of the tool.

Operations and lifecycle

New Outlook: You have an extra year – use it

Microsoft has postponed the automatic switch to new Outlook for enterprise customers until March 2027.

Operations and lifecycle

Is your Microsoft 365 data actually backed up?

Many people assume Microsoft backs up everything. In reality, Microsoft protects the service – but you are responsible for your data.

Copilot and AI

Copilot Chat is free – but how does it differ from Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Everyone with Microsoft 365 has access to Copilot Chat at no extra cost. The paid license does something else entirely.

Copilot and AI

AI strategy for midsize businesses: Start small, but start right

Many businesses wait for the perfect AI strategy. The ones that succeed start with a few specific needs – and clear guardrails.

Security

The supply chain has become part of the attack surface

Attackers increasingly get in through vendors and partners. New rules make staying in control a management responsibility.

Copilot and AI

Before you turn on Copilot: Clean up permissions

Copilot doesn't create any new permissions. But it makes it much easier to find content that's already shared too broadly.

Operations and lifecycle

When an employee leaves: How to keep access from lingering

Forgotten accounts are one of the most common security risks in smaller businesses. With a standard routine, they are easy to avoid.

Security

Ransomware most often hits smaller businesses

Many people think ransomware is a problem for large corporations. Microsoft's data shows the opposite.

Licensing and pricing

Copilot Business: Microsoft 365 Copilot at a price small businesses can justify

Microsoft has launched a dedicated Copilot license for businesses with up to 300 users – with the same features as the enterprise version.

Security

Goodbye to password changes every 90 days

Many businesses still force employees to change their passwords every three months. That makes security worse, not better.

Security

Identity is the new attack surface – the numbers from Microsoft

Microsoft's latest Digital Defense Report shows that attackers go after sign-ins, not servers.

Trends

IT security has become a leadership responsibility

Cybersecurity used to be the IT department's job. New regulations and a tougher threat landscape have shifted responsibility to management and the board.

Security

The Norwegian Digital Security Act and NIS2: How Microsoft 365 can help

Norway's digital security requirements are tightening. Much of the documentation can be built on tools you already have.

Licensing and pricing

Enterprise-grade security for Business Premium: Defender Suite and Purview Suite

Businesses with up to 300 users can now get E5-level security and compliance – without switching licenses.

Need an IT provider that understands your business?

Tell us a little about your business and what you need help with, and we'll reach out to schedule a no-obligation conversation.

Or call +47 977 99 889, or email post@iqonic.no.

post@iqonic.no