biobits

Welcome to biobit! Here, you'll find dozens of IT tips, news, and nuggets of wisdom to help you throughout your day-to-day in your world of Biotech!

Browser profiles let biotech consultants run multiple Microsoft 365 identities in parallel by isolating each account’s authentication tokens, cookies, and session states. This prevents Azure AD and Entra ID from overwriting each other’s tokens—a common cause of Teams sign‑out loops, SharePoint access errors, and cross‑tenant permission conflicts. Each profile also maintains its own extension set, cached OneDrive endpoints, and Outlook/Teams URL scopes, ensuring clean separation between work for different clients, internal company accounts, and personal Microsoft services. This isolation reduces credential collisions, keeps compliance‑sensitive environments separated, and makes switching between tenants or organizations fast and frictionless. Most modern browsers support this capability.

Copilot, Zoom AI, 3rd party apps…many options, all with pros and cons. How you fit AI notetaking into your and your team's workflow should be top of mind in your decision. Is note-taking part of a bigger AI strategy for you? Do you have an AI strategy?

The first contact tooltip in Microsoft Defender for Email warns users when an email comes from someone they haven’t interacted with before, helping them slow down and spot potential phishing attempts. It raises awareness of unfamiliar senders without being intrusive, and it disappears automatically once the sender is recognized. This small prompt encourages users to double‑check new or unusual emails, improving overall organizational security.

Microsoft To Do works best as part of a connected workflow, not a standalone list. Issues arise when tasks aren’t reviewed, prioritized, or linked to email and team planning tools, causing individual tracking to drift from shared work. Using Smart Lists, priorities, and Outlook/Planner integrations keeps active work aligned and reduces friction—not increases task volume.

Periodic training ensures everyone stays aware of evolving threats such as phishing, social engineering, and credential‑theft attacks. Even small knowledge gaps can create big vulnerabilities in fast‑moving biotech environments where IP, financial data, and collaboration tools are constantly in use. Topics such as new phishing techniques, AI‑generated scams, or breaches targeting biotech and CRO partners keep the material grounded in the real world.

Use Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) whenever possible. By using MFA, over 97% of the most common attack attempts are can be blocked. In Biotech, strong authentication practices are a baseline security requirement.

Designate a SharePoint/Teams coordinator who can partner with Basis to ensure your environment is able to scale efficiently with your organization. Too many Teams and Site leads to confusion and frustration which can be challenging to resolve.

Regularly review software inventory. Consolidate tools where possible and educate users on approved solutions. Reduces unnecessary expense and support burden. Basis reviews software inventory and educates users on approved solutions.

Educate staff on the difference between junk and phishing. Prompt reporting of phishing attempts helps IT respond quickly and protect company assets. Basis educates staff on the difference between junk and phishing. Prompt reporting of phishing triggers security reviews. Microsoft Defender helps distinguish and manage junk vs. phishing emails.

Using the built-in "Report" button is the best way to report phishing and junk email because it automates and enhances your email provider's filtering systems. Rather than simply deleting the message, your report provides valuable data that helps protect your entire organization and the broader online community.

Train staff to recognize and report suspicious activity from collaboration partners including banking information changes and requests for unnecessary access as they may have been breached . Early reporting limits damage and protects biotech assets. Basis stands ready to manage incidents occurring at collaboration partners.