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Businesses today depend on digital operations more than ever, making IT security a fundamental aspect of their resilience. The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks have skyrocketed—research from Q2 2024 reports a 30% year-over-year global increase  in weekly cyberattacks for organizations, showing that businesses of all sizes can be in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. From sensitive customer data to proprietary business information, the assets at stake are invaluable, and the consequences of a breach can ripple far beyond financial losses to include reputational damage and regulatory penalties. IT security concerns are multifaceted, encompassing threats like ransomware, phishing, insider risks, and data breaches. Addressing these challenges effectively is vital to ensuring business continuity and building trust with stakeholders. In this article, we delve into the most pressing IT security concerns facing organizations today, examine the pivotal role of comprehensive security policies, and suggest some actionable steps to help fortify your defenses. Common IT Security Concerns Businesses Face Data Breaches Data breaches remain one of the most significant threats to organizations. Whether caused by weak passwords, unpatched vulnerabilities, or malicious hackers, breaches can expose sensitive information, leading to financial loss and reputational damage. For example, in 2023 alone, the average cost of a data breach exceeded $4 million globally . Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks Phishing emails and social engineering scams exploit human error, tricking employees into revealing credentials or clicking malicious links. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking trusted sources to gain access to sensitive systems. Insider Threats Insider threats—whether intentional or accidental—pose unique challenges. Employees with improper access controls or poor cybersecurity habits can inadvertently compromise systems, while malicious insiders may intentionally harm the organization. Even when it’s unintentional, the most common way threats get in is when employees open the door. Ransomware Ransomware attacks have become more sophisticated and targeted, locking organizations out of critical data and demanding hefty payments for recovery. Small and medium-sized businesses are particularly vulnerable, often lacking the resources to defend against these attacks. The Role of IT Security Policies   A robust IT security policy lays the foundation for protecting your organization. Clear guidelines and practices ensure all employees are on the same page regarding cybersecurity. Key Elements of an Effective Security Policy Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):  Restrict access to sensitive data based on job responsibilities. Employee Training:  Regular training programs to educate staff on recognizing threats like phishing emails. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):  Adding an extra layer of protection beyond passwords. Compliance with data privacy regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA should also be a core part of any security policy. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines and legal consequences. Technology Solutions for Addressing IT Security Concerns Data Encryption Encryption is a critical tool for protecting sensitive information, ensuring that even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable without the correct decryption keys. Endpoint Protection Endpoint protection solutions safeguard devices such as laptops and smartphones from malware and other threats. Advanced endpoint monitoring can detect and respond to threats in real time. Security and Business Continuity Frequent, secure backups are essential to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks or data loss. A comprehensive disaster recovery plan ensures quick restoration of operations in the event of an attack. Synergy specializes in implementing these  and other cutting-edge solutions to protect businesses from evolving cybersecurity threats. Steps Businesses Can Take to Stay Protected Conduct Regular Risk Assessments:  Identify and address vulnerabilities before they become critical issues. Adopt a Zero-Trust Security Model:  Assume no device or user is trustworthy without verification. Invest in Employee Cybersecurity Training:  Empower your staff to recognize and avoid common threats. Partner with Managed IT Services Providers:  Continuous monitoring and expert guidance can significantly enhance your security posture. Conclusion Addressing IT security concerns requires a proactive and comprehensive approach. By understanding common threats, implementing robust security policies, and leveraging advanced technologies, businesses can significantly reduce their risk. Don’t wait for an attack to disrupt your operations—take action today. Partner with Synergy to secure your business with tailored IT security solutions. Contact us  to learn how we can help protect your organization.

Powell, a global leader in digital workplace transformation solutions, is proud to announce SYNERGY as the recipient of the 2024 North America Partner of the Year award. This prestigious accolade recognizes SYNERGY’s outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to driving mutual growth and success in the North American market. Powell, renowned for its innovative tools that help organizations design and implement digital workplace transformations swiftly and effectively, partners with over 50 companies worldwide. These collaborations are crucial in helping customers achieve their digital workplace goals, and SYNERGY has consistently exemplified excellence in this area. 2024: A Year of Strategic Redesign and Growth As IT and business decision-makers look to 2024 as a pivotal year to rethink and rebuild solid digital workplaces, Powell emphasizes the importance of connecting employees, enhancing governance, and unifying tools within this evolving employee hub. The recognition of SYNERGY as North America Partner of the Year highlights their significant role in this mission. A Partnership Built on Expertise and Innovation SYNERGY has shown relentless dedication to Powell over the years by combining technical expertise in deploying the Powell 365 platform with a strong drive and ability to present Powell’s unique value proposition to new projects. This combination has been instrumental in achieving remarkable outcomes and driving the digital transformation of numerous organizations. About Powell Powell is dedicated to transforming the digital workplace, making it more inclusive, collaborative, and productive. Through its innovative solutions, Powell empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of the digital era and create environments where employees can thrive. About SYNERGY SYNERGY specializes in delivering comprehensive digital workplace solutions, leveraging its deep technical expertise and strategic approach to help organizations achieve their digital transformation goals. As a premier partner of Powell, SYNERGY has consistently driven success and innovation in the digital workplace landscape.

Powell, a global leader in digital workplace transformation solutions, is delighted to name SYNERGY as the 2023 North America Partner of the Year. This recognition, now the fourth consecutive year SYNERGY has earned this distinction, celebrates their continued excellence and dedication to advancing digital workplace innovation across North America. Powell partners with over 50 companies globally, fostering collaboration to help customers achieve their digital workplace goals. SYNERGY has consistently set the standard for delivering exceptional results, making them an indispensable part of Powell’s partner ecosystem. 2023: Driving Innovation in the Digital Workplace In 2023, Powell focused on supporting organizations in navigating an evolving digital workplace landscape, with a particular emphasis on empowering hybrid teams and streamlining collaboration. SYNERGY’s deep expertise and ability to deliver impactful solutions, from intranet design and adoption to governance within Microsoft Teams, played a vital role in helping clients thrive in this shifting environment. A Partnership of Growth and Success SYNERGY’s technical acumen, strategic approach, and customer-first mindset have been instrumental in extending Powell’s mission of creating engaging and effective digital workplaces. Their success in tailoring solutions to address specific organizational needs, especially in SharePoint and Microsoft Teams, has consistently delivered measurable results for clients. About Powell Powell is dedicated to transforming the digital workplace, making it more inclusive, collaborative, and productive. Through its innovative solutions, Powell empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of the digital era and create environments where employees can thrive. About SYNERGY SYNERGY specializes in delivering comprehensive digital workplace solutions, leveraging deep technical expertise and a strategic approach to help organizations achieve their digital transformation goals. As a premier partner of Powell , SYNERGY continues to lead in driving success and innovation in the digital workplace landscape.

Powell, a global leader in digital workplace transformation solutions, is proud to announce SYNERGY as the recipient of the 2022 North America Partner of the Year award. This marks the third consecutive year SYNERGY has been honored with this prestigious accolade, a testament to their consistent contributions and steadfast commitment to driving mutual success across the North American market. Powell, renowned for its innovative tools that help organizations design and implement digital workplace transformations swiftly and effectively, partners with over 50 companies worldwide. SYNERGY continues to stand out, demonstrating unparalleled excellence in empowering customers to achieve their digital workplace goals. 2022: Strengthening Digital Workplaces Together In a year that saw organizations increasingly embracing hybrid work and digital transformation, Powell emphasized the importance of delivering engaging intranet solutions and addressing challenges like Microsoft Teams governance and sprawl. SYNERGY’s instrumental role in tackling these priorities reflects their expertise in designing tailored solutions that drive adoption, enhance branding, and foster collaboration within digital workplaces. A Legacy of Expertise and Collaboration SYNERGY’s technical expertise, strategic approach, and deep understanding of Powell’s platforms have played a critical role in their ability to deliver exceptional results. Their work in implementing engaging intranets in SharePoint, addressing governance challenges in Microsoft Teams, and enabling seamless branding and adoption strategies has been pivotal in helping clients realize the full potential of their digital workplace. About Powell Powell is dedicated to transforming the digital workplace, making it more inclusive, collaborative, and productive. Through its innovative solutions, Powell empowers organizations to navigate the complexities of the digital era and create environments where employees can thrive. About SYNERGY SYNERGY specializes in delivering comprehensive digital workplace solutions, leveraging deep technical expertise and a strategic approach to help organizations achieve their digital transformation goals. As a premier partner of Powell, SYNERGY continues to lead in driving success and innovation in the digital workplace landscape.

"Powell is a Partner first company, working with more than 50 partners across the globe to help customers design their digital workplace transformation and implement it in the fastest way using Powell’s innovative tools. We have a tremendous opportunity with our entire ecosystem. 2022 is the time to take a step back as IT and Business decision-makers, to think, redesign and build solid digital workplaces. It’s an opportunity to better connect employees, bring structure, governance, and unified tools within this new employee hub, and to unify the three core pillars of the digital workplace. After making these announcements at the Digital Workplace Convention, we took the opportunity to recognize the hard work and commitment of our partner network. Each year we recognize the contribution of our partners during our annual convention, and we were delighted to bring this online in 2020 and again in 2021. Powell is very proud to have SYNERGY among its premier partners and be able to rely on SYNERGY to drive our mutual growth every day in APAC and in North America. We are pleased to announce that SYNERGY is our Powell 2021 Partner of the Year winner! SYNERGY has demonstrated a relentless and continuous commitment to Powell throughout the years by combining a true technical expertise in deploying the Powell 365 platform along with a strong drive and ability in pitching Powell’s unique value proposition on new projects. This award is well deserved. Thank you so much for this commitment to our strategic partnership!"

"​2020 has been a challenging year for everyone across the globe, including within our own industry. However, during this time, we have seen a significant acceleration in digital transformation projects for organizations throughout the planet. The need for modern digital workplaces has never been so strategic, with every company now needing to refocus time and investments into “how to connect employees” This is our core mission at Powell, and we are very honored to partner with you every day to achieve this. We have a tremendous opportunity with our entire ecosystem. 2021, is the time to take a step back as IT and Business decision-makers, to think, redesign and build solid digital workplaces. It’s an opportunity to better connect employees, bring structure, governance, and unified tools within this new employee hub, and to unify the three core pillars of the digital workplace. After making these announcements at the Digital Workplace Convention, we took the opportunity to recognize the hard work and commitment of our partner network. Each year we recognize the contribution of our partners during our annual convention, and we were delighted to bring this online in 2020. Our winners have demonstrated a relentless commitment to Powell. Combining true technical expertise in deploying the Powell 365 platform, with a strong drive and ability in pitching Powell’s unique value proposition to detect and close new projects. We are pleased to announce that Synergy is our Powell 2020 Partner of the Year winner for Australia and NZ region! Synergy has demonstrated a relentless and continuous commitment to Powell throughout the years by combining a true technical expertise in deploying the Powell platform along with a strong drive and ability in pitching Powell’s unique value proposition to detect and close new projects. This award is well deserved. Thank you so much for this commitment to our strategic partnership!”

The world of artificial intelligence is often predictable, with advancements announced well in advance. Yet, the sudden emergence of Deepseek has upended this norm, sparking curiosity and speculation across the tech community. Released with little fanfare, Deepseek has made an ambitious debut as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the reigning leader in conversational AI. What exactly is Deepseek, and how does it stack up against ChatGPT? Let’s explore the key features and challenges of this surprising new contender. The Arrival of Deepseek Deepseek’s release is nothing short of a curveball. Unlike most AI innovations that are teased and marketed for months, Deepseek seemingly materialized overnight. Speculation about its origins is rampant—some believe it stems from a stealth-mode startup, while others hypothesize a major tech company is testing the waters under an anonymous brand. Despite the mystery, one fact is clear: Deepseek has entered the AI landscape with bold claims of advanced natural language understanding, real-time data integration, and a more contextual conversational approach. Deepseek vs. ChatGPT: A "Day One" Comparison Although it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions, here’s how Deepseek compares to ChatGPT in key areas: 1. Language Understanding and Conversational Flow ChatGPT, trained on billions of parameters, has established itself as a versatile conversationalist capable of generating coherent and context-aware responses across countless topics. It’s a proven tool for both casual users and enterprises. Deepseek, by contrast, has demonstrated surprising potential for a new entrant. Early adopters note its conversational flow feels natural, though some gaps in continuity persist—a common challenge for newly launched models. With refinement, Deepseek could rapidly enhance its performance in this area. 2. Real-Time Data Integration One of Deepseek’s standout features is its apparent ability to fetch real-time data natively. Unlike ChatGPT, which relies on plugins or extensions for live updates, Deepseek claims to provide up-to-date information on current events. While early testers have reported occasional inaccuracies, the feature’s potential is undeniable. If Deepseek can scale this capability, it could redefine user expectations for conversational AI. 3. User Interface and Accessibility ChatGPT’s interface has undergone years of refinement, resulting in a polished, user-friendly experience. Deepseek’s UI, on the other hand, is more utilitarian, prioritizing function over form. While some users appreciate its straightforward approach, others have noted minor navigation issues. These can likely be addressed with user feedback in future updates. 4. Knowledge Depth ChatGPT’s extensive training dataset allows it to excel across technical, creative, and general topics. Deepseek’s knowledge base is narrower by comparison but shows promise, particularly in areas like real-time topics and current events. This could make it an appealing choice for users prioritizing timely insights over expansive domain coverage. 5. Innovation and Unique Features Deepseek’s early marketing hints at features like adaptive personalization—tailoring responses based on user interactions—as well as advanced sentiment analysis and seamless integration with productivity tools. While these capabilities are still in development, they highlight Deepseek’s innovative approach to the AI market. Challenges for Deepseek Breaking into a market dominated by ChatGPT is no small feat. To succeed, Deepseek must overcome several significant challenges: Trust and Adoption:  ChatGPT has built a reputation for reliability and data security. Deepseek must quickly establish its credibility, particularly in sensitive areas like privacy and compliance. Scalability:  Early interest is promising, but Deepseek’s infrastructure must handle increasing demand without compromising performance. Community Engagement:  ChatGPT benefits from a robust developer and user community that provides continuous feedback. Deepseek needs to foster a similar ecosystem to stay competitive. The Verdict: Early Days, Big Potential Deepseek’s sudden debut has injected excitement into the AI landscape. While it remains an underdog compared to ChatGPT, its real-time data integration and ambitious features signal a shift in the competitive landscape. On "Day One," Deepseek shows immense promise, though it still has a long way to go to match ChatGPT’s polish and breadth. For now, ChatGPT holds its position as the leader in conversational AI. However, Deepseek’s innovative approach and potential for rapid development make it a contender worth watching. As it matures, it could redefine what users expect from AI and carve out its own niche in the market.

The WEBCON Marketing Team is thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Synergy for their outstanding achievement in maintaining Premium Partner status for the year 2024. This prestigious recognition comes as a result of Synergy's unwavering commitment, dedication, and exemplary performance within the WEBCON International Partner Channel. In an official announcement made yesterday, WEBCON unveiled its list of the most active and accomplished companies in the International Partner Channel, and Synergy has once again proven their excellence in this competitive field. Synergy's consistent performance as a Premium Partner underscores their deep expertise in WEBCON's solutions and their ability to provide valuable services to their clients. As a Premium Partner, Synergy has access to exclusive resources, training, and support from WEBCON, enabling them to deliver top-notch solutions to businesses across the globe. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, WEBCON has prepared a special graphic dedicated to Synergy, which is attached to this press release. Synergy is encouraged to use this graphic on their official social media profiles and in other communications to showcase their well-deserved Premium Partner status. Synergy's continued success as a Premium Partner is a testament to their dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled service to their clients. WEBCON looks forward to another year of collaboration with Synergy and the mutual growth that lies ahead. About WEBCON: WEBCON is a leading provider of business process automation software and solutions that empower organizations to streamline their operations, enhance productivity, and achieve digital transformation. With a strong global presence and a network of dedicated partners, WEBCON helps businesses of all sizes optimize their processes and leverage the power of automation to drive success.

On October 24th, Synergy had the opportunity to join WEBCON Day, an event dedicated to exploring the future of business process automation. WEBCON Day provided invaluable insights into WEBCON ’s vision and roadmap, bringing together customers, partners, and the WEBCON team for a closer look at how the company is advancing in AI technology and expanding its offerings. With attendees from diverse industries, the event was an inspiring showcase of how businesses are leveraging WEBCON to drive process automation and achieve tangible results. Exploring WEBCON’s Path to Flexible Automation For businesses and service providers like us, WEBCON Day presented a unique chance to see firsthand how WEBCON’s platform is evolving to support business process automation in flexible and secure ways. As WEBCON’s partners, it’s crucial to stay aligned with their development, particularly their strategic focus on using automation to enable agility and adaptability for clients. Key Takeaways WEBCON's Core Strengths and Philosophy Leadership emphasized WEBCON's reliability, citing 18 years in the field and their strong commitment to creating flexible solutions that evolve alongside businesses. They highlighted their ISO certifications (27001 and 9001), underscoring their commitment to excellence and security. Expanding Automation Starting with HR WEBCON illustrated how businesses often start small, automating initial HR processes like onboarding, which can then expand into dozens of additional workflows. The presentation showed that this journey is organic, evolving with the company's needs and increasing ROI over time. New AI Innovations WEBCON announced exciting AI advancements, building on their early adoption since 2016. They demonstrated new AI capabilities, including cognitive services that leverage Large Language Models (LLMs), and shared plans to make their SaaS solutions more accessible and flexible. Recognizing Customer Success and Partner Achievements The event celebrated achievements with awards for developers, partners, and long-term customers, recognizing innovations and loyalty in the WEBCON community. Customer Case Studies Nine customers shared their WEBCON success stories, showcasing diverse implementations across industries like retail, finance, manufacturing, and education. Their experiences illustrated WEBCON's adaptability and the transformative effects of automation on their organizations. Synergy’s Perspective From a partner’s viewpoint, the event validated our understanding of WEBCON’s roadmap and highlighted new opportunities for future collaboration. Networking with other attendees revealed that customers were inspired by the success stories shared, discussing potential applications for their own businesses. The event's production quality, comfortable venue, and well-organized sessions reflected WEBCON’s commitment to delivering a valuable experience. Actionable Insights For those looking to implement WEBCON, these insights could help smooth the journey: Start Small. WEBCON customers who achieved the most success often began with a small, focused project—usually within HR or another process-heavy department. This initial proof of concept (POC) demonstrated value to stakeholders and opened the door for more comprehensive automation efforts. Embrace the Learning Curve. The learning curve of a first process implementation can be steep. WEBCON’s InstantChange™ technology is designed to accommodate mistakes and adjustments, making it easier for teams to adapt processes as they go without starting from scratch. Invest in Training. Skilled teams play a crucial role in realizing the full benefits of automation. Many successful WEBCON clients invest in training and establish a center of excellence (even if it’s just one dedicated developer) to maintain momentum and drive further process improvements. Leverage Reporting for Compliance. For regulated industries, WEBCON’s audit and reporting features offer significant advantages by providing transparency and supporting compliance. Organizations benefit from seamless documentation to help meet security and regulatory requirements. Looking Ahead with WEBCON WEBCON Day not only reinforced WEBCON’s position as a leader in business process automation but also provided a clear path forward for businesses aiming to automate and innovate effectively. We look forward to applying these insights and working with WEBCON’s advancements to drive value for our clients. As WEBCON continues to advance its platform with powerful automation and AI features, Synergy is excited to bring these capabilities to our clients, helping them streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and stay agile in a rapidly evolving market. Our partnership with WEBCON enables us to deliver tailored process automation solutions backed by WEBCON’s reliability and innovation. With a commitment to transforming business processes for sustainable growth, Synergy leverages WEBCON’s technology to build adaptable, future-ready solutions. Contact us today  to learn more about our collaboration and how Synergy can help your business succeed with WEBCON.

We are thrilled to be attending WEBCON DAY, our strategic partner WEBCON 's annual conference, held in person this year in Poland. With 550 attendees, WEBCON DAY is an essential event for anyone interested in process automation, digital transformation, and leveraging workflow automation to create more efficient business processes. As one of the leading conferences in the digital workflow space, WEBCON DAY provides a unique platform for networking, learning, and exploring the latest advancements in technology. WEBCON is known for its innovative approach to workflow and business process management solutions. Their flagship product, WEBCON BPS (Business Process Suite), is a comprehensive platform that helps organizations create, manage, and optimize business processes with ease. The platform is renowned for its rapid application development capabilities, integration with Microsoft technologies, and its ability to scale from small departmental applications to large, enterprise-wide solutions. WEBCON BPS offers a low-code environment that empowers organizations to build and modify applications quickly, reducing time to market and improving agility. As a long-standing partner, we have seen firsthand the transformative impact WEBCON's solutions have on businesses, helping them streamline operations and drive productivity. This year, WEBCON DAY is focused on showcasing the latest developments in the WEBCON BPS platform, including enhancements to its low-code capabilities, new features that improve user experience, and integration possibilities with other major platforms such as Microsoft 365. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from WEBCON's leadership team, industry experts, and clients who have successfully implemented WEBCON BPS to transform their business processes. Key sessions include discussions on best practices for implementing process automation, real-world case studies of successful digital transformation projects, and hands-on workshops to deepen understanding of WEBCON's offerings. We are especially excited about the in-person format this year, as it provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect face-to-face with industry peers, WEBCON experts, and other partners from around the world. The conference agenda is packed with insightful sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities that will allow us to gather valuable insights and bring fresh ideas back to our clients. Being part of WEBCON DAY helps us stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in digital transformation, which is crucial for delivering high-value solutions to our clients. Attending WEBCON DAY allows us to stay at the forefront of innovations in process automation and digital transformation, ensuring that we bring the best possible solutions to our clients. By participating in this event, we reinforce our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance our clients' operations and maximize their return on investment. We are confident that the knowledge and connections we gain from WEBCON DAY will play a key role in continuing to provide exceptional service and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients.   Stay tuned for updates on the insights and opportunities we gain from WEBCON DAY, as we continue to provide solutions that drive efficiency and success for our clients. We are proud to partner with WEBCON and look forward to sharing how the latest advancements in process automation can benefit your organization.