IT Insights by Julian Rouse

Imagine your business as a high-tech fortress. You’ve got solid walls and a secure gate, but if your gatekeeper only asks for a simple password, any determined threat actor could stroll right in. This is where Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) steps in, adding layers of security that make unauthorized access nearly impossible. The Power of MFA MFA isn’t just an extra step; it’s your best defense against cybercriminals. By requiring multiple forms of verification—like a password, a text message code, or a fingerprint scan—MFA ensures that even if a password is compromised, your systems remain secure. Consider Sarah, the CFO of a mid-sized company. She’s out for a coffee when she gets an alert on her phone: Someone just tried to log in to her company’s financial software using her password. But thanks to MFA, that attempt is blocked because the threat actor doesn’t have access to her phone for the second authentication step. Crisis averted, and Sarah can enjoy her latte in peace. Why You...

As a cloud engineer and consultant, I recently completed a complex project: merging a Microsoft 365 tenant and a Google Workspace into an existing Microsoft 365 tenant. This task was crucial for my client, a company undergoing a merger that required unifying their digital environments. While the integration was successful, it wasn't without its hurdles—particularly with Single Sign-On (SSO) issues that arose post-migration. Project Overview The merger involved consolidating three different environments: An existing Microsoft 365 tenant that served as the primary platform. A separate Microsoft 365 tenant brought in through the merger. A Google Workspace , also part of the merger. The goal was to integrate all these systems seamlessly into the primary Microsoft 365 tenant, ensuring users could access their applications and data without disruption. Initial Steps and Planning Assessment and Strategy Development Current State Analysis : I started by assessing the current state of the I...