IT Brief New Zealand - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers

Microsoft stories - Page 3

Founded in Albuquerque in April 1975 by the famous duo of founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is today one of the biggest global IT companies. More than five decades after its inception, the company is now the world's third most valuable enterprise by market cap.

Computer software, personal computers and consumer electronics are the core business of Microsoft, but the company is also focused on cloud computing services and video games as well.
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Dtcc expands cloud first push with AWS & Microsoft

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DTCC expands its Cloud First plan with AWS and Microsoft, moving core clearing systems to public cloud while widening Azure support for digital assets.
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Former Black Basta affiliates target executives in Teams

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phishing
ReliaQuest says suspected former Black Basta operators are bombarding staff with emails and posing as IT support in Microsoft Teams to reach senior executives.
Debasish

Building security outcomes for small businesses: Why breaches persist despite available tools

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malware
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firewalls
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data protection
SMBs already own the tools, but cyber breaches keep breaking through because patchwork security, weak access controls and over-trust still leave gaps.
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Bitdefender launches GravityZone email security for MSPs

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ransomware
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endpoint protection
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hybrid cloud
Bitdefender adds integrated email defence to GravityZone, giving MSPs and businesses post-delivery protection against phishing, ransomware and BEC.
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Proofpoint flags mailbox rule abuse in Microsoft 365

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cloud security
Proofpoint says mailbox rule abuse is becoming a routine Microsoft 365 takeover tactic, helping attackers hide alerts, hijack threads and drive fraud.
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Splashtop launches unified IT platform for endpoints

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endpoint protection
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digital transformation
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it automation
Splashtop bets on AI-assisted patching and security alerts in a single console as it targets lean IT teams and MSPs with a new endpoint platform.
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HackerEarth launches AI interview tool for technical hiring

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HackerEarth debuts AI interview platform with verification and proctoring to help enterprises screen technical candidates around the clock.
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Khan TED Institute targets low-cost AI-focused degree

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e-learning
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ETS, Khan Academy and TED plan AI-focused higher education model with skills-based progression and corporate backing, aimed at costing under $10,000.
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Leapwork launches AI-driven continuous validation platform

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hybrid cloud
Leapwork unveils enterprise validation suite with new performance and AI testing tools as firms race to manage faster software releases.
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Auctor raises USD $20 million for software implementation

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devops
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digital transformation
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Auctor secures USD $20 million from Sequoia Capital and backers to automate enterprise software rollouts and cut costly project delays.
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Emergent launches Wingman AI agent for daily tasks

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crm
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digital transformation
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martech
Emergent's Wingman promises an always-on digital assistant that can juggle email, calendars and chat, while pausing for approval on bigger actions.
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Dayshape teams with Microsoft on AI staffing tools

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digital transformation
Dayshape, selected for Microsoft’s Agentic Launchpad, will let professional services firms query staffing, skills and project finances in Teams.
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Cyber security chiefs split on quantum threat urgency

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firewalls
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data protection
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ransomware
Cyber security leaders are split over whether firms should rush into post-quantum cryptography now or keep attention on AI-driven malware.
Adam

Microsoft April Patch Tuesday reveals 167 vulnerabilities

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firewalls
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network security
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breach prevention
Microsoft's latest security update fixes an exploited SharePoint flaw and a critical Windows IKE bug as browser patches surge to record levels.
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Stop pouring money into cloud providers: The cost of inaction

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digital transformation
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public cloud
Britain's organisations are being urged to tackle cloud waste before cutting jobs, as FinOps discipline and independent oversight could trim costs by up to 30%.
Fran

What organisations need to know about Microsoft EA licensing heading into 2026

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digital transformation
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partner programmes
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finops
Microsoft's enterprise licensing landscape is shifting fast, with tighter EA access, slimmer discounts and new models forcing organisations to rethink 2026 renewals.
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Splashtop launches unified IT platform for endpoints

This month
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endpoint protection
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digital transformation
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advanced persistent threat protection
Splashtop unveils AI-assisted endpoint platform for IT teams, blending patching, remote support and security alerts in one console.
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Owl Labs secures Microsoft Teams certification for devices

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hybrid & remote work
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Owl Labs wins Microsoft Teams approval for its Meeting Owl 5 Pro, bringing full certification to its current hybrid meeting device range.
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Anthropic launches Claude for Word with tracked edits

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risk & compliance
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erp
Anthropic brings Claude into Microsoft Word as a beta add-in, letting users edit tracked changes, check documents and draft in templates.
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Westpac NZ launches Microsoft AI contact centre platform

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network infrastructure
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digital transformation
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hyperscale
Westpac NZ rolls out Microsoft Dynamics 365 Contact Centre with AI support, aiming to speed up calls and cut waits across New Zealand branches.