Episode 396 – Lessons from a real-life ransomware attack
Welcome to Episode 396 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben walks Scott through a ransomware attack on an on-premises VMware environment. As they discuss the attack and the results of it, they also talk through some lessons and considerations that could have helped mitigate such an attack.
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Show Notes
How Long Does It Take for a Hacker to Crack a Password?
Default Accounts in VMware vSphere
How To Prevent Ransomware Attackers From Taking Over Your ESXi 8.0 Hosts
Zero-Day Security Bug Likely Fueling Fortinet Firewall Attacks
What is the 3-2-1 backup rule?
Ransomware Payment: What Happens if You Pay the Ransom?
About the sponsors
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36:52
Episode 395 – Getting Started with VDI in Azure with Azure Virtual Desktop
Welcome to Episode 395 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we dive into Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and how it enables organizations to deliver secure, scalable Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) in the cloud. Whether you’re looking to modernize remote work, enhance security, or optimize IT costs, AVD provides a flexible solution for accessing virtualized Windows desktops and applications from anywhere.Topics covered include:
What is Azure Virtual Desktop? A breakdown of AVD’s features, benefits, and common use cases.
Deployment essentials – Setting up host pools, session hosts, and assigning users.
Configuration best practices – Managing user profiles with FSLogix and securing AVD with Microsoft Intune.
Cost estimation – Key factors affecting pricing and how to optimize expenses.
Getting started – Steps to connect via the Remote Desktop client on multiple platforms.
Whether you’re an IT admin or just exploring VDI in Azure, this episode is packed with insights to help you get started. Tune in and take your remote desktop strategy to the next level!
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Azure Virtual Desktop documentation
Understand and estimate costs for Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop documentation for users
Get started with the Remote Desktop client
FSLogix for user profiles
Managing with Intune
Manage the operation system of sessions hosts (with Intune)
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
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43:42
Episode 394 – Prepare your Microsoft 365 Tenant for Copilot Success
Welcome to Episode 394 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, we explore everything you need to know to get your Microsoft 365 tenant ready for Copilot. From licensing requirements to deployment best practices, we break down the steps to ensure a seamless setup.Key topics include:
Understanding Copilot licensing, including E3, E5, and Business Premium options.
Ensuring compatibility with Microsoft 365 Apps, OneDrive, Teams, and Outlook.
Exploring Copilot’s data protection and auditing architecture to safeguard sensitive information and prevent oversharing.
Integrating SharePoint Advanced Management (SAM), now included with Copilot, to enhance collaboration and control.
Leveraging Microsoft’s Copilot Control System for managing prompts, sensitivity labels, and security posture.
We also cover the newly announced Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat initiative and the evolving role of AI-driven collaboration tools in business workflows. Whether you’re an IT admin or a decision-maker, this episode provides the insights you need to deploy Copilot successfully and harness its full potential.Don’t miss this comprehensive guide to preparing your organization for the future of AI-powered productivity!
Your support makes this show possible! Please consider becoming a premium member for access to live shows and more. Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
Copilot for all: Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E3 + SAM licenses
Microsoft 365 Copilot admin guide for E5 + SAM licenses
Microsoft 365 Copilot with SharePoint
Get ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot with SharePoint Advanced Management
Copilot Control System explained
AI security posture management
Microsoft 365 Copilot data protection and auditing architecture
Address oversharing concerns in Microsoft 365 Copilot deployment blueprint
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
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42:07
Episode 393 – Microsoft Teams Meeting Room Solutions with Alex Mooney
Welcome to Episode 393 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben is joined on the show by Alex Mooney from Logitech. The two of them discuss the integration of technology into meetings. They start out discussion AI for transcribing in-person meetings, highlighting some of their benefits and then shift into discussion various meeting room systems for Microsoft Teams. They discuss some of the offerings from Logitech including the Rally Bar Huddle, Rally Bar Mini, and Rally Bar and how they are certified for both Android and Windows to work in different scenarios for building out your Microsoft Teams Room system.
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Show Notes
Microsoft Teams Room
Microsoft Teams Room Documentation
Plan Microsoft Teams Rooms
Microsoft Teams Room Devices
Logitech
Conference Room Systems
Request Logitech Demo
About Alex
With a leadership role at Logitech, Alex has had the exciting opportunity to shape the future of digital workspaces. He's directed major collaborations, including the impactful partnership between Logitech and Microsoft that's driving billions in revenue. These aren't just business deals, they're transformations—helping companies worldwide navigate the ever-changing terrain of technology.
Creating and implementing innovative solutions is part of Alex's DNA. Project Ghost, an immersive video conferencing experience, is just one of the many successful initiatives that he's been proud to lead.
He's often invited to share my insights on industry trends and strategies at key events and in publications. It's a role he relishes — helping others grasp the opportunities that this rapid era of technological change brings. His focus is always forward, on the potential of what can be achieved together in the fields of collaboration and efficiency.
Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexm00ney/
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
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30:12
Episode 392 – Building Confidence In Your Microsoft Copilot Deployment with AvePoint CTO John Peluso
Welcome to Episode 392 of the Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast. In this episode, Ben interviews AvePoint CTO John Peluso. Listen in as they discuss Copilot in Microsoft 365 and how to govern and gain insights on your Copilot usage in your organization.
Copilot in Microsoft 365 is becoming a critical tool to supporting modern work. As Microsoft continues to iterate and improve on Microsoft Copilot, partners such as AvePoint help to augment the administration and analytics of Copilot adoption in your organization. While Copilot enables your workforce with the tools to their jobs, Microsoft and AvePoint also provide the tools for administrators to empower their workforce quickly in a safe way. Another part of the puzzle of administering Copilot is how do you measure AI adoption in your organization, benchmark your organization against similar organizations, and understand the activity levels and adoption of Copilot?
Listen in to hear about how AI tools like Copilot and AI in general can be governed in Microsoft 365 and how you can gain insights into how to approach analyzing Copilot adoption in your organization.
Like what you hear and want to support the show? Check out our membership options.
Show Notes
AvePoint Introduces First-to-Market Benchmarking Data for Microsoft 365 Copilot
IT Strategies for Copilot Administration
Ignite 2024 - What's new for Microsoft 365 and Copilot admins
Ignite 2024: Why nearly 70% of the Fortune 500 now use Microsoft 365 Copilot
Microsoft Ignite 2024: Top Microsoft 365 Copilot Updates
About the sponsors
Would you like to become the irreplaceable Microsoft 365 resource for your organization? Let us know!
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