# Frequently asked questions > Answers about iTechnology Australia and its services. Page: https://itechnologyaustralia.com.au/faq ## Frequently asked questions ### What does managed IT support from iTechnology Australia include? We look after your devices, accounts and systems day to day: a service desk for your team, monitoring and maintenance, on-site visits when needed, and proper setup for new starters and new devices. It can sit alongside your in-house IT person or replace the need for one. ### Can you help us move to Microsoft 365 or Azure? Yes. We plan the move first, then migrate email, files, servers and applications in stages and test along the way, so disruption stays low. Afterwards we keep the environment secure and review the costs so they stay predictable. ### What are Microsoft Entra ID and Intune, and do we need them? Microsoft Entra ID is the sign-in and identity service behind Microsoft 365 and Azure, and it is where multi-factor authentication is enforced. Microsoft Intune manages company laptops and phones, so they are set up, secured and updated from one place. Most businesses on Microsoft 365 benefit from both, and we configure them as part of your setup. ### How do you improve our cybersecurity? We start with a security assessment to show where you stand, then close the biggest gaps first: identity protection with multi-factor authentication, Microsoft Defender endpoint security, email protection, and tested backups and disaster recovery. We can also review where you stand against the Essential Eight. ### Do you implement Odoo ERP? Yes. We map your current processes, implement and configure Odoo around them, connect it to your other systems, migrate your data, test it, and train your team. If you are not sure Odoo is the right fit, an ERP discovery helps confirm that before you commit. ### Can you build Power BI dashboards and apply AI or automation in our business? Yes. We bring data from your spreadsheets and business systems into Power BI dashboards, automate repetitive workflows, and help you work out where AI is genuinely useful and whether your data is ready for it. ### Are small businesses really targeted by cyber attacks? Yes. The Australian Signals Directorate received more than 84,700 cybercrime reports in 2024-25, about one every six minutes, and small businesses reported an average cost of $56,600 per report (ASD Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024-25). Many attacks are automated and try every business they can reach, so multi-factor authentication, prompt updates and tested backups matter at any size. ### What is the Essential Eight, and how do we know where we stand? The Essential Eight is a set of eight mitigation strategies from the Australian Signals Directorate, including patching applications and operating systems, multi-factor authentication, restricting administrator privileges and regular backups. ASD's maturity model scores each strategy from level zero to level three. We can review where you stand and plan the next improvements in order of impact. ### Doesn't Microsoft back up our Microsoft 365 data? Microsoft keeps the service running, but its default retention is short. Deleted Exchange Online items are recoverable for 14 days by default (up to 30 if an administrator extends it), and the SharePoint and OneDrive recycle bins hold deleted files for 93 days. After that, deleted email and files are generally gone, so a separate backup protects you from accidental deletion, ransomware and staff who leave. ### Do I need to bring my device in, or can you work on-site or remotely? It depends on the problem. Software faults, settings and many account issues can be fixed over a remote session. Hardware faults, failed drives and equipment that needs hands-on work usually need the device brought in or a technician on site. Tell us what is happening and we will recommend the quickest option. ### Which services do you provide in Australia? For businesses: managed IT support, Microsoft 365, Entra ID and Intune, Azure and cloud, cyber security, backup and disaster recovery, networking, IT procurement, Power BI, AI and automation, Odoo ERP, custom software and apps, and IT consulting. For individuals and businesses: computer, laptop and mobile repair, virus removal, and data recovery. ### What is the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, and does it apply to us? Under the Privacy Act 1988, organisations covered by the scheme must tell affected people and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner when a data breach is likely to cause serious harm. It applies to most organisations with annual turnover above $3 million and to some smaller ones, such as health providers. We can help with the technical controls that reduce the risk; your legal adviser can confirm what applies to you. ### What are the best ways to protect my data from a cyber attack? Turn on multi-factor authentication for email and every important account. A 2023 Microsoft Research study found it reduces the risk of account compromise by 99.22%. Then use a password manager with unique passwords, install updates promptly, keep tested backups offsite, and treat unexpected links and payment-change requests with suspicion. ### What is data recovery, and when should I consider using it? Data recovery is retrieving files from a storage device that has failed, been damaged, become corrupted or had files deleted. Consider it when a drive will not start or show up, files disappear, a device has been dropped or flooded, or a RAID or NAS has lost a disk. The sooner you stop using the device, the better the chances. ### What kinds of devices and media do you recover data from (hard drives, SSDs, RAID arrays, USB sticks, mobiles)? Common media include hard disk drives, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, SD and microSD cards, NAS units, RAID arrays and mobile devices. Results vary: a logical fault on a hard drive is usually more recoverable than a failed SSD controller, and modern phones encrypt their storage, which limits recovery from a damaged handset. ### What are the typical costs associated with data recovery services? Cost depends on the device, the type of fault and how much work recovery takes. A logical problem such as a deleted partition costs less than a physically damaged drive or a multi-disk RAID. Tell us the device, the symptoms and what happened, and we will explain your options and the cost. ### What should I do (or not do) immediately after data loss to maximise chances of recovery? Stop using the device straight away. Deleted files usually stay on the drive until new data overwrites them, so every action after the loss lowers your chances. Do not save files to the drive, install recovery software on it, run disk repair tools such as chkdsk, or keep powering on a drive that clicks. On SSDs, TRIM can clear deleted data soon after deletion, so act quickly. ### Do you offer preventive services like backup and restore to avoid future data loss? Yes. We set up automated backups for files, servers, laptops and Microsoft 365, and test that they restore. A common standard is the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two types of storage, with one copy offsite. We also handle data transfers when you move to a new device. ### Can you recover data from water-damaged, fire-damaged or physically broken drives? Sometimes. Do not power the device on, dry it with heat or rice, or open the drive, because each can cause more damage. Corrosion, impact and heat affect recovery differently, and severe physical damage usually needs a specialist cleanroom. Bring the device in as it is and we will assess whether recovery is realistic. ### Do you recover data from RAID configurations and network-attached storage (NAS) systems? Often, yes. A RAID array survives a limited number of disk failures: one for RAID 1 and RAID 5, two for RAID 6. Beyond that, data has to be recovered from the disks themselves. Do not rebuild, reinitialise or reorder the disks, as that can overwrite recoverable data. Label the disks in their original order and contact us. RAID is not a backup. ### How long does the data recovery process usually take? It depends on the fault and the amount of data. A simple logical recovery can be quick, while failing or physically damaged drives take longer because they need careful copying first. We will give you an estimate once we have assessed the device. ### Is there a risk of further data loss during the recovery process? There is always some risk with a failing drive, because each time it spins up or is read, the damage can get worse. Good practice is to copy the drive's contents first and work from the copy. The most common causes of avoidable loss are running recovery software on the original drive and repeated DIY attempts. ### My hard drive crashed and won't boot. Can you still recover the files? Often, yes. A drive that will not boot usually still holds your files, because the fault is commonly in the operating system or boot files. If the drive is detected, a technician can connect it to another computer and copy the files off. If it clicks, grinds or is not detected at all, stop using it and bring it in, since further attempts can make it worse. ### How do you protect my privacy and the confidentiality of recovered files? Your files stay yours, and we use them only to carry out the recovery. If the data is sensitive, tell us when you book so we can explain how the device and your recovered files are handled. If the drive is encrypted with BitLocker or FileVault, keep your recovery key ready, because an encrypted drive generally cannot be read without it. ### I accidentally deleted files. Is recovery still possible? Often, yes. Deleted files usually stay on the drive until new data overwrites them. Stop using the device, then check the Recycle Bin or Trash, OneDrive's recycle bin (which holds deleted files for 93 days by default) and any backups. If the files are not there, do not install recovery software on the same drive. On SSDs, TRIM may already have erased them. ### After recovery, how do I get the files back: internal drive, external drive, cloud? We return recovered files on a new external drive or USB stick, or through a secure download link for smaller amounts. Tell us which suits you when you book. ### Can I continue using the device after recovery, or should I replace it? If the cause was software, such as accidental deletion or a corrupted file system, you can usually keep using it. If the drive had physical faults such as clicking, bad sectors or SMART warnings, replace it, because a drive that has failed once is likely to fail again. Either way, keep the recovered data in at least two places. ### Are all types of file formats and operating systems supported (Windows, macOS, Linux)? Recovery depends on the file system more than the operating system. Drives formatted for Windows (NTFS, exFAT), macOS (APFS, HFS+) and Linux (ext4) can all be recovered in principle, and the files inside are recovered whatever their format. Tell us the device and what was on it, and we will confirm what is possible. ### How do I book or schedule a data recovery consultation with iTechnology Australia? Call us, email us, or send an enquiry through the contact page. Tell us the device type, what happened and any error messages. You can also visit us in store; locations are on the contact page. ### Can I try any DIY methods to restore my lost data? For accidental deletion, yes: check the Recycle Bin or Trash, OneDrive, File History, Time Machine and any backups, and run recovery software from another drive onto a separate destination. If the device clicks, grinds, is not detected or has been wet or burnt, stop. Opening the drive or powering it on repeatedly can destroy what is recoverable. ### Can you recover data if there is no backup? Often, yes. Recovery does not depend on a backup. It depends on the device, the fault and whether the data has been overwritten, and it works directly from the storage device. The sooner you stop using the device, the better the odds. ### My computer's screen is damaged. Can you repair it without losing all my data? Yes. A cracked or faulty screen is a display fault, and replacing it does not touch the files on the drive. If you can, back up first. If the device will not display anything, files can often still be copied off the drive. ### Do you provide mobile repair services as well? Yes. We repair phone screens and troubleshoot software problems, and we diagnose the fault first so you know what needs fixing before you decide. ### Do you provide maintenance for your computer or laptop? Yes. Maintenance covers software optimisation, such as removing unwanted programs and installing updates, and hardware cleaning, such as clearing dust from fans and vents that cause overheating and slowdowns. ### How can I tell if my laptop is worth repairing? Most laptops can be repaired, and it is usually worth it when the repair costs well under half the price of a comparable new laptop. Age, parts availability and whether the fault is a replaceable part or the motherboard decide the rest. We will tell you honestly if replacement makes more sense. ### What are the common laptop issues that need instant repair? Overheating, sudden shutdowns, clicking or grinding from the drive, blue screens, lines or flicker on the display, a laptop that will not charge, and constant pop-ups or redirects to strange sites all need attention. Back up what you can and stop using it. If a battery is swollen or the laptop smells of burning, switch it off and unplug it. ### How long does a laptop repair take? From a few hours to several weeks, depending on the fault, the type of device and whether parts need to be ordered. We will keep you updated on progress. ### What is the cost for laptop repair? It depends on the fault, the laptop model, the cost and availability of parts and the extent of the damage. Contact us by phone, email or the website, describe the problem, and we will explain the process and the cost. ### What repair services do you provide? Laptop and MacBook repair, home and business computer repair, virus and malware removal, operating system upgrades and system reinstalls. ### Are old laptops difficult to repair? Usually not, but parts for older models can be hard to find or no longer worth their price. We will check what is available before you commit to a repair. ### Will you respect the privacy of my data during laptop repair? Yes. Your data is private to you. To reduce risk, back up your files before you hand the device over, sign out of personal accounts such as iCloud or Google, and share only the passcode a repair needs. ### What are deployment services? Deployment is the planning, installation, configuration and testing of hardware or software so it works in your environment from day one. A typical example is setting up a batch of new laptops with your accounts, apps and security settings before they reach your staff. ### Do you provide on-site deployment, and how long does a project take? Yes, we deploy both on site and remotely, depending on the job. The timeline depends on the number of devices or users and how complex the setup is. We agree a plan with you during assessment. ### How do you handle cloud migration, and how do you ensure data security during migration? We migrate in phases: assess, plan, test, then move each workload and check it before the next. Access is protected with multi-factor authentication and data is encrypted in transit, so disruption and risk stay low throughout. ### Can you deploy hybrid cloud solutions? Yes. Some systems run better or more cheaply on site, so we connect on-premises infrastructure securely to Azure and other cloud services and place each workload where it makes the most sense. ### How do you manage software updates post-deployment? We apply updates in groups: a small pilot group first, then everyone else, so a faulty update is caught early. Tools such as Microsoft Intune show which devices have which updates, so nothing is missed. ### What happens if a deployment fails? We plan the way back before each rollout, so if something fails we can restore the previous setup quickly and keep downtime short. ### How do you protect sensitive data during hardware deployment? Devices are set up with full-disk encryption and enrolled in Microsoft Intune before they reach staff, so a lost or stolen device can be locked or wiped remotely and company data stays protected. ### What support is included after deployment? After go-live we monitor system health and performance, deal with issues before they affect your team, and train your people so they can use the system confidently. ### Is there a cost-effective deployment option for small and medium businesses? Start with what you already pay for: many Microsoft 365 plans include tools for device management, automation and security that go unused. Software-as-a-service also avoids upfront hardware costs. Cost depends mainly on user numbers and complexity, and a licensing review shows where you can save. --- iTechnology Australia: call 1300 803 757, email info@itechnologyaustralia.com.au, or send an enquiry or book a discovery call at https://itechnologyaustralia.com.au/contact-us. All pages for agents: https://itechnologyaustralia.com.au/llms.txt (index) and https://itechnologyaustralia.com.au/llms-full.txt (full text).