Williams Technology

AI is changing cyber risk faster than most businesses realise - and the decisions you made about your IT security even six months ago may no longer be enough. In June 2026, Australia's cyber security agencies and their Five Eyes counterparts released a joint statement confirming what we're already seeing on the ground: AI is lowering the bar for malicious actors, increasing the speed and complexity of attacks, and shrinking the window between a vulnerability being discovered and its exploitation. This isn't a future risk. It's happening now. Fortunately, the most impactful steps aren't complicated: • Reduce unnecessary access to your systems • Keep software and firmware up to date • Retire outdated technology that creates exposure • Ensure teams only have access to what they genuinely need If you're not sure where your business stands, we're happy to have that conversation. No jargon, no pressure - just honest advice. Source: https://lnkd.in/gBD4gyje

Our founder Timothy Williams recently joined Acronis executives and select APAC partners in Bangkok for an exclusive cyber and data protection forum. The experience reinforced something we see every day: cyber resilience isn't just a local conversation. Markets like Singapore are setting a high bar for cyber posture across their economies - and Australia won't be far behind as the ASD continues to advance its mission. It's always valuable to step outside the local echo chamber and bring those insights back home!

A fantastic day was had at the GTIA ANZ Community Forum in Auckland, and our General Manager, Devi van Aalst, was in the thick of it! In the morning, Devi co-facilitated a workshop organised by the GTIA ANZ Global Women in Tech Interest Group (of which she's a proud member). Themed around confidence, presence and visibility, it was a wonderful chance to share ideas and support one another. Later in the day, Devi was one of three facilitators for the World Café event, where attendees moved between tables to discuss key issues facing our industry. She also hosted the table on Strategic Partnerships - a topic close to her heart. A big thank you to GTIA ANZ for bringing the community together. Events like these remind us how much we can achieve when we learn from and lift up one another. https://lnkd.in/gEFZTwD9

Heading overseas for work or a well-deserved holiday? Make sure to add one more thing to your checklist: letting your IT team know At Williams Technology, we use geo-blocking to protect your Microsoft 365 environment from unauthorised access in unexpected locations. If you try to log in from a new country without letting us know, your access might be flagged as suspicious and temporarily blocked to keep your data safe. To ensure smooth access to your emails and Teams while travelling, simply send us a quick update before you fly: • Who is travelling • Destination countries • Travel dates • Devices you will be using We will temporarily adjust your permissions so you can work seamlessly while maintaining the security of your tenant. Have a trip coming up? Reach out to our friendly support team today to let us know.

Did you know that popular consumer VPNs are involved in about 20% of the security incidents we see? While great for personal use, these VPNs can introduce significant risks to your organisation by masking the locations of cybercriminals trying to access corporate accounts. To keep your remote work environment secure, our Managed Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) service now actively monitors Microsoft 365 logins to identify and block connections from public or privacy-focused VPNs, stopping unwanted access before it escalates. To ensure your team stays connected and protected: • Advise staff to avoid using public or personal VPNs on work devices. • Ensure all remote access uses company-approved, enterprise-grade VPNs. If you need help reviewing your remote access options or configuring approved services, reach out to Williams Technology. We're here to help.

Join our very own Devi van Aalst as she hosts an insightful GTIA roundtable discussion on neurodiversity in the tech industry. • Date: 9 April 2026 • Time: 10 am (AEST) This essential conversation will delve into practical strategies for how organisations can better attract, retain, and support neurodivergent talent. The panel will explore ways to foster a culture of true belonging, creating inclusive workspaces where all minds can thrive. Don't miss your chance to be part of this important dialogue. Register for the free virtual event today! https://lnkd.in/gF5wxNhW

Devi van Aalst has been bringing her knowledge, passion, and sparkle to our client base for 20 years of continuous service. And yes, that is five years longer than Williams Tech has existed in its current iteration! The whole team wants to give her an enthusiastic round of applause for her contribution to the Williams Tech culture, the splash of colour she brings to the office, her dedication to an office party theme and for helping shape the business into what it is today. Thanks for an incredible 20 years of service, Devi! (And yes, we know it is April Fools, but we're very serious about this one!!)

Congratulations to Maria Armstrong on her election to the chair of the GTIA - Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ). And to the rest of the executive council including Avocado Consulting CEO Gerardo B. who is now the vice chair and Nortec IT Business Solutions managing director David Norris as chair emeritus. The other executive council members are Williams Technology general manager Devi van Aalst, Varonis sales engineer Alex A., Business Copilot's Dean Calvert, Secure Access IT CEO Jason Garland, Sophos principal sales engineer Aaron Jacobs, Uptake Digital managing director Brenton J., ConnectWise regional sales manager Oscar Settle, Pax8 senior vice president of business development Chris Sharp, and Dijital Team managing director Peter Ward. CJI Systems’ head of IT delivery, Lynda Irving, will also serve on the council from New Zealand. “Our responsibility is to take the needs of the A/NZ community to global and say, ‘This is what A/NZ needs,’” Maria said. “We obviously will bring global GTIA and resources to the community, and we’d be the go between.” https://lnkd.in/gVhSvG53

We’re proud to share that Devi van Aalst, General Manager at Williams Technology, will be serving on the 2026 ANZ Executive Council of GTIA - Global Technology Industry Association. GTIA is committed to advancing the people and businesses of the global IT channel through trusted, unbiased insight, collaboration, and industry leadership. As a member of the Executive Council, Devi will help represent the voice of the ANZ Community, contribute to strategic initiatives, and shape conversations that influence where the IT channel is headed next. This reflects not only Devi’s leadership and expertise, but also our commitment at Williams Technology to actively engage in the important work that is moving the IT channel forward. Congratulations, Devi — we’re excited to see the impact you’ll make. #WeAreGTIA