PrintIT Reseller - issue 72

01732 759725 4 BULLETIN CompTIA launches online testing CompTIA has launched an anytime, anywhere online testing option for its certification exams. The organisation is collaborating with Pearson VUE to make its exams available via its OnVUE online proctoring solution. “Current and prospective IT professionals, students, career changers and others whose plans have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic can resume their studies and schedule their exams with the full confidence that we’re here when they’re ready to take their test,” said Todd Thibodeaux, President and CEO of CompTIA. “They’ll do so on a platform that delivers a rich user experience and robust security protection, all from the privacy and security of their home,” he continued. “This is a great advancement for our global certification program. We’re extremely pleased to work with our longtime partner Pearson VUE to deliver online testing to candidates around the world.” www.comptia.org UK’s tech industry will hold strong Analysis from global recruiter Robert Walters, suggests that the UK’s tech industry will maintain resilience despite the COVID-19 outbreak. In Q1 permanent job vacancies in the tech sector increased by +32.56%, and contract tech roles increased by +48.27% – when compared with the same period last year. Following the government’s postponement to the new off-payroll rules (IR35), Robert Walters experienced a spike in interest from firms seeking contractors – in particular for business- focussed or critical roles within tech. Of the new tech-related contract roles created in the last four weeks in the UK, a fifth (18%) of these were for programmers, and 13% for consultants, specialists, and support staff. Director of Technology Ahsan Iqbal said: “The tech community is largely global – with different skillsets being used in different locations – and so professionals in the sector are quite used to using remote communication solutions in order to stay connected with their team or counterparts in other countries.” He added: “In addition, video interviews and remote onboarding is not something that is new to tech professionals – especially contractors who often work away from the team – and so there will be little adjustment during this period.” www.robertwalters.co.uk Printer hacks Over half of SMBs in the UK are exposing themselves to a serious data breach because they are not adequately protecting their office printers, according to research from Sharp. The research, which provides a snapshot of office printing behaviour across Europe, revealed that UK office workers are oblivious to the potential risks posed by printers and multifunctional printers in their workplace, with 95% not considering these devices as an IT security risk. In contrast, one-third of office workers did associate physical print-outs left in the paper tray with a potential data security risk. Just 18% of office workers were aware that printers could be hacked – but didn’t see this as a risk to their company. 54% said that their printers didn’t require any user authentication, anyone could use the devices freely. The issue is more pronounced for smaller companies – those with less than 50 employees were least likely to have security features in place. 66% allow anyone to use their printer freely, compared to 43% of larger organisations (151-250 employees). Industries typically handling sensitive or confidential information, including HR and legal, were also less likely to have basic security features in place with 62% allowing anyone to use their devices freely. Director of Information Systems Peter Plested, said: “The impact of data breaches, both financially and regulatory, can be devastating for companies of all sizes. As our research highlights, smaller companies have less resource and less ability to tackle cybersecurity, and that’s why educating employees on these risks is so important.” www.sharp.co.uk Home working challenging for small businesses Small businesses are more likely to consider the prospect of working from home indefinitely a major challenge than larger businesses, according to a survey by Hitachi Capital Business Finance. The study also found that small businesses were twice as likely to have concerns about their business survival as larger ones during this period of coronavirus lockdown. One-third of small business respondents (31%) said they had concerns, compared with 19% of larger firms. Technology issues pose a significant problem. When asked to what extent the level of technology in their business was affecting day-to-day operations, 30% of small businesses said they would be held back, and almost half of these suggested they may be forced to close temporarily until the virus was under control. Managing Director Gavin Wraith-Carter, said: “Without warning, businesses have been thrust into a situation that few would ever have imagined. Extreme situations will stretch businesses to limits and expose areas that require attention. Smaller businesses, without the same resources and facilities as their larger counterparts, will have felt this bump the hardest. However, many of these issues can be fixed, and these improvements will offer a significant competitive advantage over the years. Where small businesses have an advantage over their larger counterparts is the speed at which these changes can be implemented and incorporated into the core business practice.” www.hitachicapital.co.uk AWARDS 20 20 ENTRIES & VOTING NOW OPEN www.printitawards.co.uk In this issue... n Shining a light on our Platinum and Gold Sponsors – page 22 n Entering the awards is simple and straightforward – page 24 n Westcoast signs up as Gold Sponsor – page 28