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Russell Smith

Editorial Director

Russell Smith, the Editorial Director at Petri IT Knowledgebase, has over two decades of hands-on experience in IT, in both small business settings and government IT infrastructure projects.

Russell started writing for Windows IT Pro Magazine in the early 2000s. Since then, he has contributed insights to various IT publications, including Petri and CDW. His authoritative voice has resonated across industry blogs, where he dissects complex topics into an ‘easy read’.

Russell has authored over a thousand articles, each a testament to his depth of knowledge. His expertise doesn’t stop there: he wrote a book on Privilege Management and co-authored another for Microsoft’s MOAC series. Moreover, Russell’s commitment to education shines through in the courses he crafted for Pluralsight.

He is also presenter on his own YouTube channel, This Week in IT, and the current presenter of Petri Dish.

LATEST

Microsoft Teams AMA

GET-IT: Submit Your Questions for Microsoft Teams Product Manager Anupam Pattnaik

As usual, we are looking forward to our annual Microsoft Teams free 1-day virtual conference, this year coming up November 30. In addition to the customary sessions presented by industry professionals and Microsoft MVPs on everything from managing users in the Admin Center to driving collaboration with proper governance, Petri’s Chief Technology Officer, Stephen Rose,…

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Network Security

This Week in IT – Is Your Data Safe? How Microsoft’s ‘Secure Future’ Plans to Outsmart Digital Threats

This Week in IT, get ready to navigate the cutting-edge of security and AI with Microsoft’s latest innovations! From the robust Secure Future Initiative, safeguarding against cyberthreats, to the seamless new Teams web client enhancing online collaboration, and the buzz around Windows 11’s Copilot possibly joining Windows 10—this is your look into the fast-moving pace…

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This Week in IT Episode 88 - Windows 11 23H2

‘This Week in IT’ – Windows 11 23H2 Enhanced File Explorer and Passwordless Security Unveiled!

This Week in IT, discover the future of Windows and Microsoft Teams in our latest tech roundup: From the many enhancements in Windows 11 23H2 including a modernized File Explore and more secure, password-free experience, to a pivotal shift as we say goodbye to the classic Teams app. Plus, we’ll explore the new Teams Meet…

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TWiIT ep86 - Snapdragon X Elite

This Week in IT – Could Windows on Arm Outperform Apple M2, Teams Milestone, & Windows LAPS GA

This Week in IT, Snapdragon X Elite takes the lead against Apple’s M2 Max! Meanwhile, Teams skyrockets with 320 Million active users and Microsoft streamlines Defender for Endpoint deployment. Plus, discover how Windows LAPS is supercharging protection with the latest Entra ID and Intune support. Links and resources Transcript This week in IT, Snapdragon X…

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Microsoft Loop

This Week in IT: New Loop Features in Teams, Security Copilot Update, Resource Guard for Azure Backup, and much more…

This Week in IT, unlock seamless collaboration in Teams with the new Loop components update, allowing real-time edits, sharing, and integration across Microsoft 365! Plus, Microsoft introduces extra security to protect Azure Backup vaults from ransomware, Windows 365 Cloud PCs get an important new security feature, and Security Copilot gets an update and wider availability….

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Microsoft Outlook

This Week in IT – Google’s Strict Anti-Spam Rules: What M365 Admins Need to Know!

This Week in IT, there’s a critical Alert for MS 365 Admins: Your Emails Might Be at Risk with Google’s New Anti-Spam Rules – Discover Vital Steps to Ensure Seamless Communication Now! Plus, what you can do to protect your Windows Server 2012/R2 workloads as it reaches end of support, Active Directory is getting some…

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OneDrive thumbnail v4

Next-Gen Cloud File Management: OneDrive 3.0 Is Here!

Last Update: Oct 12, 2023

This Week in IT, OneDrive gets a huge update, including AI recommendations, new file filters, customizable folders, and collaborative views, plus there are new controls for IT Pros! And Microsoft makes an announcement about the new Teams client, there are several important updates coming to Exchange Online, and security improvements for Entra ID. Links and…

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Datacenter networking servers

Azure VMware Solution – Maximizing Security and Control with Customer-Managed Keys

Last Update: Oct 10, 2023

In this article, I look at Azure VMware Solution, a Microsoft virtual machine (VM) service, verified by VMware, that runs on Microsoft Azure infrastructure. And specifically, how you can add a second layer of encryption to your datastore and ensure Microsoft cannot read or write any data within your private cloud. Data security is a…

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This Week in IT Episode 83

Rust Revolution: Microsoft is Reinventing Windows Driver Security

This Week in IT, discover how Microsoft’s pivot to Rust could mark the end of notorious Windows driver vulnerabilities! Plus, M365 gets a new Loop service plan, which means the Loop app could be approaching GA, the new Outlook for Windows gets some key updates, and lots more of the week’s most important IT news….

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This Week in IT Episode 82

Windows 11’s Latest Twist: What You NEED to Know About the September Update!

This Week in IT, September’s bringing a fresh wave of features to Windows 11. Discover what’s changing and why it matters in my deep dive. Plus, Microsoft 365 Copilot is coming for commercial customers – we know the date, and Azure Update Manager is now generally available, and Microsoft Planner is getting personal. Transcript This…

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Security Authenticator

Microsoft 365 MFA Cracked: Are You at Risk from W3LL Hackers?

This Week in IT, is your Microsoft 365 tenant vulnerable to the W3LL Phishing attack that bypasses MFA? Stay tuned as I look at the risks and how to protect your users. Plus, get the latest updates on Windows 365 and OneDrive, and there are major changes coming to Outlook and printer support in Windows….

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Microsoft Teams

This Week in IT: Microsoft Teams Client for Mac Gets a Major Update

This Week in IT, are you a Microsoft Teams user on a Mac? Then you won’t want to miss this game-changing update! Stick around to find out what’s changing. Plus, Microsoft releases a new Group Policy analytics tool and Loop components are getting a new feature for developers. And all the rest of this week’s…

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