Regularly update software and operating systems

To protect yourself against computer threats, it is essential to keep your software and operating systems up to date. Indeed, publishers regularly correct security vulnerabilities, which helps reduce the risk of cyberattacks. Consider setting up automatic updates so as to remember this crucial step.

Raise awareness and train employees

Employees are often the preferred target of cybercriminals. It is, therefore, crucial to make them aware of the risks linked to IT security and to train them to adopt good practices. Regular training and practical workshops can help improve their vigilance in the face of threats.

Implement robust and secure passwords

A weak password can be easily guessed or hacked by a cybercriminal. It is, therefore, imperative to use strong passwords composed of at least 12 characters, including upper and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. In addition, it is recommended to change your passwords regularly and avoid reusing them on multiple accounts.

Use a robust firewall and antivirus

To protect your business from cyberattacks, it is essential to install a firewall to filter incoming and outgoing network traffic. In addition, using a powerful antivirus will detect and block malware before it infects your system.

Back up sensitive data regularly

To minimize the impact of a possible cyber attack, it is essential to back up your company’s sensitive data regularly. This precaution will allow you to quickly recover your information in the event of data loss or corruption.

Call on cybersecurity experts and carry out regular audits

Finally, to strengthen the IT security of your company, do not hesitate to call on cybersecurity experts. These professionals can help you implement appropriate protection measures and carry out regular audits to ensure that your system is secure.

Also Read: Cybersecurity Policies In Companies And Their Benefits

The post How To Avoid A Cyberattack In Business? The Six Essential Tips! appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

These technological advancements allow logistics professionals to do their duties, as these tend to be complex. Consider the responsibilities of a logistics coordinator, which involves overseeing a company’s supply chain from preparation to delivery. Their responsibilities include streamlining warehouse operations, optimizing logistics processes, and managing material acquisition. Meanwhile, a demand planner forecasts supply and demand for companies. They use sales data to determine future demand for certain products and assist in improving logistics process efficiency.

Given these detailed yet crucial duties, logistics professionals need all the help they can get. Luckily, they don’t need to look further, as these emerging technologies are set to shape logistics as soon as next year:

Quantum computing

Optimizing logistics operations is no easy task. It takes time and effort to determine the best delivery routes, packing systems, and storage solutions to ensure efficient operations. Thankfully, logistics professionals can start relying on quantum computing. This uses quantum mechanics to solve problems that are too complex for ordinary computers. Using this, logistics personnel can find faster solutions to supply chain problems.

Unisys Logistics Optimization, a quantum-powered solution, utilizes pre-trained models to generate answers to complex queries in a few seconds. For example, a logistics staff can ask for the most optimal packing, storing, and routing for air cargo carriers, securing smoother and faster operations.

Digital freight marketplaces

A digital freight marketplace is a network where shippers and carriers can connect and arrange transportation. Here, shippers find carriers more promptly, and carriers find more business opportunities in turn. In the past, these shippers and carriers connected through networking and referrals. With digital freight marketplaces, logistics experts like freight brokers can now more easily fulfill their responsibilities. These professionals act as middlemen between shippers and carriers, and specialize in various types of freight.

With digital freight marketplaces, brokers can work more efficiently by providing them with a platform where they can document inspections, administer payments, and manage documents. Alibaba Logistics is one of the most popular digital freight marketplaces today that offers services on an international scale, connecting freight brokers, carriers, and shippers from various countries.

Autonomous vehicles

Autonomous vehicles operate without human intervention. Staff would only need to load packages before such vehicles drive themselves to a specific destination. These can reduce costs and improve efficiency by reducing the need to wait for a driver before taking supplies to a destination. Deliveries can be made anytime—and with these vehicles taking optimized routes, packages can be delivered faster, too.

FedEx began testing autonomous delivery vehicles in October 2021 in Beijing to deliver small packages. In May 2022, it expanded its use of self-driving trucks in Texas. With the company’s influence in the industry, it’s sure to popularize the use of autonomous vehicles for more deliveries.

Last-mile drones

Last-mile delivery often encounters this problem: a package will be out for delivery, yet customers don’t receive it within the day. This leads to unhappy customers and frustrated logistics professionals, as this is the last leg of the transportation journey. Such problems occur because of the long distance or traffic congestion on the way to the customer.

So, engineers invented last-mile drones that carry packages directly to their final destinations. Not only will these result in quicker deliveries, but they have found that drones use less energy compared to other transportation modes, like vans. UPS began experimenting with delivery drones in 2020 to deliver medical supplies to people in need, and in September 2023, they were given clearance by the FAA to fly longer distances for deliveries.

Technological developments in logistics management will lead to more optimized and efficient operations. As we enter 2024, you can look forward to these technologies to improve a company’s logistics capabilities.

The post Emerging Technologies That Will Shape Logistics Management in 2024 appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

Expectation management

The effort required for a successful cloud migration is often underestimated, including by company management. Accordingly, those responsible for the migration project should manage expectations regarding time and costs from the outset. Promises about when the process will definitely be completed should not be made too hastily. Depending on how complex the migration turns out to be, it can take weeks or even months to complete and may take longer than originally planned due to changes or unforeseen events.

Since many people are skeptical about changes – or reject them altogether – employees should also be informed as early as possible about the process and possible consequences for their everyday work and be trained in optimized working methods. This can avoid later disappointments. In the best-case scenario, it’s just a matter of missing icons or functions. In more extreme cases, employees such as admins are laid off because their role in the data center infrastructure is no longer available.

Do not rush

Since cloud migration often offers immediate benefits – such as access to data and applications regardless of location and time – it is tempting for many companies to implement it as quickly as possible in a lift-and-shift approach. However, moving into the cloud is a crucial investment in the future and should, therefore, not be rushed. Given the long-term business goals to be achieved through the migration, it may make sense to plan these over a longer period and approach them gradually. For example, companies can initially rely on hybrid structures before prematurely switching off outdated on-premises systems.

Also Read: How Developers Can Use the Cloud To Their Advantage When Creating Apps

Analysis of stack, users, data

In order to plan the migration, you have to know exactly what is to be migrated. The prerequisite is a complete understanding of your tech stack: How is it structured? What are the individual applications used for? Are they still necessary in the cloud?

With regard to the users, the question arises as to how access has been managed so far and what changes are required. Users should be checked before the migration to ensure that everyone can only access the systems or data that they actually need. Access rights that are too broad are a security problem; access rights that are too limited are a productivity problem. Inactive users can also be identified and deleted in this step. At this point, it also makes sense to review how data has been managed and protected so far and how both can be optimized.

Documentation and evaluation of controls and processes

Control mechanisms and processes that are intended to protect data and users are often not well documented. Cloud migration is a good time to change that and adapt it if necessary. The important thing here is to find out why something is the way it is. Sometimes, the reasoning is sound. Sometimes, a decision made sense in the past but no longer makes sense because technology has evolved. And some were quick fixes that were never replaced by another. Once all controls and processes are recorded, vulnerabilities can be closed before migration to the cloud takes place.

Regulatory responsibility

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affects all companies that collect personal data from customers or employees in Europe. If this data is to be migrated to the cloud, it should be ensured, for example, that personal data is stored and processed in accordance with the GDPR. If this is not the case, there are high fines.

Depending on the industry, there may be additional regulatory requirements, for example, in healthcare or finance. Companies should, therefore, deal with the relevant requirements for cloud use at an early stage.

Training for employees

In order to get employees excited about the new ways of working in and with the cloud – or at least to ensure that they do not resist them – it is not enough to just tell them the advantages and prepare them for changes. Companies should also show them specifically how they can use the new systems and workflows to complete their tasks.

Training is also useful for management to fundamentally understand what the systems in the cloud are capable of and, based on this, to make decisions about processes, workflows, and reporting.

Regular checks

Last but not least, a point that is not part of the preparation for cloud migration but is still important for long-term success: the continuous review of user, data, and access management, controls and processes, as well as regulatory requirements. Companies today operate in such a dynamic environment that a one-time review and adjustment is simply not enough. Accordingly, you should repeat this process at regular intervals. This not only ensures your safety but also saves costs and offers your employees a working environment in which they can be productive.

Also Read: Data Cloud: How To Master Migration And Deal With Legacy Systems

The post Seven Essential Steps For A Successful Cloud Migration appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

Economic headwinds require an examination of the ROI of digital transformation

Macroeconomic headwinds – inflationary pressures, tight markets, and supply chain issues – are cause for concern. What is needed now is thorough self-reflection.

By actively listening to their teams and asking the right questions, leaders can get on the right track – either to ensure digital transformation efforts are successful or to at least turn slow-moving transformation into successful digital outcomes.

These potential conversation starters will help you make a decision:

• How will digital transformation change the way our company creates value?
• Do we have the right foundations – team structure, budget, resources, reporting metrics, etc. – to execute a digital transformation successfully?
• What OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), which measure impact rather than activity, can we set to understand whether we are achieving the desired results from our digital transformation efforts?
• Do we have the processes and systems in place to measure effectiveness and delivery risks across often cross-departmental teams, tools, and data?

In order for digital transformation efforts to bear fruit, companies must first create the framework and the necessary foundation for success in the coming year.

Companies need to adopt the digital native mindset and incorporate the flow framework

Companies need to start thinking and acting more like digital natives – no matter what industry they are from.

Examples of how this way of thinking is implemented include automobile manufacturers who are switching their vehicles completely from fossil fuels to electric motors and are, therefore, increasingly relying on software instead of mechanics. To ensure that digital initiatives are not carried out in vain, all companies should use OKRs during their transformation. This framework helps different teams understand what and how their work contributes to achieving the company’s strategic goals.

In addition to planning and OKRs, it is crucial to understand the flow of software development. This means developing a set of metrics to track the flow of business value from software delivery. There also needs to be a mechanism that relates the investments in the flow of each product value stream to the business results of that value stream.

The visualization of the value flow or the implementation of the value flow developed by Dr. Mik Kersten developed Flow Frameworks in a software development process may not be as easy as on a factory floor, but it is not impossible. Thanks to the numerous data and visualization tools at our disposal, software products, and their value streams can be presented just as transparently as production lines.

Optimal digital transformation requires digital agility

No matter how much energy companies invest in their digital transformation, their success will largely depend on whether they are agile.

In 2023, the word “agility” will have more meaning than ever. In fact, more and more companies will understand that agility is the most important element for successful transformation.

To achieve their goals, they need to understand the concept of agility truly. Digital agility goes beyond the methods of agile software development. It’s about more than just an agile mindset and ceremonies with which agility is often only apparently lived. Companies that have not grown up with technology from the start must recognize the importance and dependence on technology and be open to the concept of agility and agile ways of working.

Merely executing agile practices is not the same as being truly agile: true digital agility is about moving projects to products, enduring teams, and data-driven feedback loops. These differences may seem subtle, but they are essential.

Also Read: Special Features Of Management Consulting For Digital Transformation

The post 2023: Digital Transformation Survival Tips appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

But of course concerns remain: Many users shy away from the costs of a smart home system or worry about data protection. The lack of compatibility between manufacturers is also still a problem.

In this article we will tell you the advantages and disadvantages of smart home systems.

Benefits Of Smart Home Systems

Simplifications In Everyday Life

Smart home systems can relieve you of many manual tasks in everyday life: You can open windows, doors and garage doors via smartphone or voice control and operate electrical devices remotely, while a fingerprint sensor on the door makes the key superfluous.

There are also fully automatic systems: if smart blinds are installed, for example, they register the solar radiation and darken accordingly. The light switches on as soon as you enter the room, and Smart Home is also on the rise when it comes to household chores: If you don’t feel like vacuuming, mopping and lawn mowing , for example, you can simply leave this work to your robot .

A smart fridge will show you which groceries are still available when you’re on the go, and even washing machines are already available as Smart Home versions. They can be controlled remotely with a smartphone and automatically adjust the detergent dosage to the amount of laundry. Admittedly, none of these functions are essential to life; However, they help you to make your everyday life more comfortable and efficient.

More Safety

A neat home can arouse desires – but here, too, smart home systems offer the right solution. Anyone who wants to deter burglars , for example , benefits from so-called presence simulations . The lighting switches on and off at random intervals, giving the impression that the house is occupied. If this is not enough, sensors can register when windows or doors are opened without permission – and immediately send an emergency call . Would you like to check on everything in the apartment at all times? Then simply install cameras that you can access with your smartphone.

Of course, a smart home security system is not limited to burglaries: smart smoke detectors automatically send a warning to your cell phone in an emergency; Water level detectors sound an alarm if the washing machine runs out and carbon monoxide detectors monitor the boiler, so you don’t have to worry about toxic gasses.

Also Read: Security Gadgets For When You Go On Vacation

Save Energy

Many experts recommend: The first smart home system in the house should be a heating system – no wonder, because this is where the greatest potential for saving energy lies . A smart heater registers, for example, whether windows are open or the occupants are out of the house, and connects to weather apps to ensure optimal temperatures in any weather. In this way , up to 100 euros can be saved in energy costs per year .

Of course, you can also configure such a heater according to your own wishes : For example, would you like to be greeted by a warm apartment after work? Thanks to heating plans, this is not a problem.

A smart home system also helps to save electricity : intelligent sockets, for example, avoid energy losses in standby; Smart lights only turn on when you’re there, and the robot hoover sucks more efficiently than a two-legged friend ever could. In addition, smart home devices such as washing machines can be connected to the photovoltaic system if desired – and wait until it has reached its maximum output before operating it.

Modularity

So far we’ve been pompously talking about the smart home system – and that term might sound a little intimidating to newcomers. You don’t need a complex system of devices that communicate with each other to start with . You can also start small and first buy a smart home device – for example a vacuum cleaner robot or smart thermostats. If you then realize that you want to expand their operation, for example by voice control , the next device comes along. You decide for yourself how extensive your smart home should be.

Disadvantages Of Smart Home Systems

Lack Of Compatibility

So far there is no uniform standard for smart home devices . This means that some of them can be coupled with each other, others not. While products from the same manufacturer can still be combined relatively easily, it is possible that the different radio standards will thwart your plans. In extreme cases, manufacturers even prevent their devices from being connected to the competition. Unlimited Freedom? None!

The EEBus initiative shows that there is another way : In this initiative, several companies are working on a standard that allows smart home devices to communicate across manufacturers. However, it is currently difficult to foresee how extensively EEBus – or another standard – will prevail. The question also remains: Can the smart home device bought today be connected to new devices in a few years? To be on the safe side here, you should give established manufacturers preference over no-name products.

High Costs

Of course, work simplification and intelligence have their price. You have to pay significantly more for smart home devices than their non-smart counterparts. What’s more, it’s not always the acquisition costs that count. If, for example, several little helpers are to be networked, you need a control center . This collects data such as temperature, humidity and opening of the windows and sends them to the individual devices. Add to that a subscription to the software, a fee to store the data , and the smart home purchase quickly becomes a bottomless pit. Also the cost of installation should not be underestimated, because: The more complex the smart home system, the more likely lay people will reach their limits and have to hire a specialist.

Handling Of Personal Data

Smart home systems know a lot about their users . On the one hand, this is practical for adapting the functions specifically to individual needs. On the other hand, however, the question of safety remains: those who are not familiar with this area can experience nasty surprises. Did you know z. B. That there are entire websites with live streams of private security cameras – all because users forgot to change the default password? Or that hackers can exploit security gaps to manipulate devices and access sensitive data?

As you can see, the risk of misuse increases with the number of networked devices . If you want to make your home “smart”, you should at least learn the basics of cyber security. Equally important is choosing a trusted provider that protects their devices from access and offers regular security updates.

Also Read: Smart Gadgets That Make Your Life Easier

The post How Useful Are Smart Home Systems? appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

In this way, the botmasters can access the network connection, local resources and data of the infected computers and use them for their own purposes. The computers involved are not only “victims” but also “perpetrators”.

Gateway to the Internet

The bots use the Internet and can only attack and include computers in their web if they are switched on and connected to the Internet. Affected computers that work remotely in the background according to the will of the botmaster are also called “zombie computers”.

Is my computer affected?

Botnets work in the background and are difficult for laypersons to recognize. A warning signal can be given if the Internet connection has become noticeably slow without there being any technical reason for this or your own usage behavior has changed. Virus scanner warnings should always be taken seriously. A look at the task manager and the autostart menu can also help if new, unknown processes appear there.

What are botnets for?

Botnets are not always criminal. There are also harmless botnets in which computers are linked together to enable research projects, for example. In this case, however, the participation must be made by the owner of the computer. Criminal botnets, on the other hand, do not ask for permission. They are used, for example, to send spam emails, spied out and resell user data, use storage space for illegal file sharing, spread messages on social media or conceal connection paths on the Internet.

Prevent botnets

• Every computer that is connected to the Internet should have up-to-date virus protection software and a firewall.
• Just like the computer programs used, these should be updated automatically in order to close security gaps. This also applies to browsers.
• The virus protection software should also include browser and mail protection.
• Unknown and unsolicited attachments may not be opened under any circumstances. The same applies to obscure links from banks or shopping portals. Emails with dubious spelling should make you suspicious anyway.

Also Read: 5 Signs Your Computer Might Be Infected With A Virus

The post Botnets: Spider Web In The Background appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

What is SASE?

SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge . It is a security framework designed to enhance network security for modern, distributed enterprises. SASE combines two essential components: SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking) and Zero Trust security solutions . This combination enables organizations to converge networking and security to create a comprehensive solution that operates at the network edge.

SASE features: Identity-enabled security for global protection of all edges in a cloud-native solution

A key feature of SASE is identity-based security. Rather than relying solely on traditional security measures such as firewalls, SASE grants access to resources based on user and device identity. Also known as “zero trust,” this approach ensures that every user and device accessing the network must first be authenticated and authorized. Continuous identity verification significantly reduces security risk by allowing only legitimate users and trusted devices access to corporate resources.

In addition, SASE provides both the network infrastructure and the security solutions in the cloud. This cloud-based approach offers several advantages. First, it allows for great flexibility and scalability, as organizations can dynamically adjust their network and security resources as needed. Second, it ensures faster delivery of security updates and patches because they can be managed centrally in the cloud and deployed across the network. Third, it eliminates the need for extensive on-site hardware infrastructure, resulting in significant cost savings.

Another key feature of SASE is support for all areas of the edge. Traditionally, security measures have focused primarily on the corporate network and its perimeter. In today’s era of widespread mobile devices, cloud applications and the Internet of Things (IoT), the concept of the edge has expanded significantly. SASE provides security for every physical, digital, and logical edge, from mobile devices to IoT devices to cloud applications. This comprehensive security coverage ensures a holistic approach to protecting the entire enterprise network.

In addition, users are protected with SASE regardless of their location. With organizations today often having decentralized teams and remote workers, it is imperative to ensure global protection. SASE enables organizations to enforce consistent security policies for all users and devices regardless of their geographic location. Whether employees are at headquarters, in the field, or working from home, they can securely access corporate resources without compromising security.

Also Read: VPN: Secure Data Transmission Over Public Networks!

The building blocks of modern network security

SASE comprises a variety of components and technologies that work together to provide a comprehensive security solution. Let’s take a look at these building blocks:

SD-WAN

SD-WAN is a fundamental component of SASE and revolutionizes the way companies manage their wide area networks (WANs). It enables centralized management and control of traffic across multiple connections, such as MPLS, broadband internet and 4G/5G. By intelligently using different links, SD-WAN can minimize bottlenecks, improve network performance and reduce costs. It also offers increased resiliency as it can seamlessly reroute traffic to alternative connections if one connection fails.

SWG (Secure Web Gateway)

The Secure Web Gateway is another important part of SASE and serves as a central security service to monitor and protect web traffic. SWG acts as a proxy between users and the Internet and can monitor and block traffic for malicious content, malware, and other threats. It also enables security policy enforcement to control access to specific websites and content, ensuring user safety and productivity.

CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker)

CASB is a critical building block of SASE specifically designed to ensure the security of cloud applications. As companies increasingly use cloud-based services, it is important to control and monitor the security of these applications. CASB provides visibility and control over access to cloud applications and data, enables security policy enforcement, and protects against data loss and unauthorized access to sensitive information in the cloud.

FWaaS (Firewall-as-a-Service)

FWaaS is a modern variant of traditional firewall technology and a central part of SASE. FWaaS protects the network by filtering traffic based on security policies and blocking unwanted or malicious traffic. By delivering the firewall as a cloud-based service, FWaaS can seamlessly respond to the changing network environment while providing high scalability and flexibility.

ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access)

ZTNA is a security concept that states that no user or device should be trusted by default, even within the corporate network. This Zero Trust philosophy is an integral part of SASE and is used to grant access to resources based on the identity and security posture of each user and device. ZTNA enables organizations to implement fine-grained access control and ensure only legitimate users and trusted devices have access to corporate resources.

Centralized and Unified Management

Another key feature of SASE is centralized and unified management. SASE platforms provide a single, cloud-based console from which organizations can manage all of their network security. This enables IT teams to apply security policies consistently, proactively detect and respond to threats, and efficiently distribute security updates and patches.

Various advantages for modern network security

The integration of SD-WAN and Zero Trust security in a SASE platform offers a whole range of advantages for companies:

Reduced IT costs and complexity

SASE combines various security components in a single, cloud-based platform. This reduces the need for a variety of specialized hardware and software solutions that have traditionally been deployed for various security needs. Integrating network and security services into one platform simplifies management and maintenance, reducing IT costs and complexity.

Agilely Scalable, Customizable WAN and Security Services

SASE enables organizations to flexibly scale their network and security resources to meet the demands of business growth. The platform offers customizable services that meet the specific needs and requirements of each organization, creating a tailor-made network security solution.

Rapid Deployment of New Services

The cloud-based nature of SASE makes it quick and easy to implement new services and security features. This enables companies to adapt agilely to new threats and requirements and to continuously improve security.

Ensuring performance for real-time sensitive applications by reducing latency

SASE enables intelligent traffic optimization and prioritization to reduce latency and ensure real-time sensitive applications such as video or voice communications have optimal performance. This helps increase employee productivity and enhance the customer experience.

Also Read: Information Security Companies: The 10 Most Important Levers

Central definition and control of security policies

With SASE, companies can centrally define and control their security policies. This enables consistent enforcement of security measures across the entire corporate network, regardless of the location or device from which the network is accessed.

Enhanced security by inspecting network traffic and identities at the network edge

SASE applies security measures directly at the network edge to inspect traffic and user and device identities before they are allowed access to corporate resources. This significantly reduces the risk of security breaches, since potential threats can be identified and averted at an early stage.

High level of security through Zero Trust Network Access

SASE is based on the Zero Trust principle, which states that no user or device should be trusted by default. This approach ensures a high level of security as access to resources is tightly controlled based on the identity and security status of each user and device.

Auditing access security to services and applications close to the user

By providing security functions at the network edge, SASE can audit access security to services and applications close to the user. This enables faster and more accurate access verification and helps improve security.

Fine-Grained Access Controls to Data, Applications, and Devices

SASE enables organizations to implement fine-grained access controls to data, applications, and devices. This means that companies can define exactly who has access to which resources and what actions they are allowed to take.

High level of security for applications and transmitted or stored data

Through the integration of various security components, SASE offers a high level of security for applications and the transmitted or stored data. This helps ensure the confidentiality and integrity of company data and minimizes the risks of data leaks and breaches.

Enforce security policies based on identities and context

SASE enables organizations to enforce security policies based on the identities and context of users and devices. This allows organizations to fine-tune their security measures to specific threats and requirements.

Provision and management of the inspection engines by the SASE provider

The SASE platform is provided and managed by a provider that runs the inspection engines for the security checks and analysis. This allows companies to focus on their core business while benefiting from the latest and most effective security technologies.

High level of protection against malware and DDoS attacks

Malware and DDoS attacks are among the most common and dangerous threats to companies and their networks. Malware can wreak havoc, from leaking data to disrupting operations. DDoS attacks can overload networks and affect the availability of applications and services. SASE provides a high level of protection against these threats by integrating a variety of security features, including next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), antivirus and anti-malware scanning, and DDoS protection mechanisms. These features work together to identify and block suspicious traffic before it reaches the corporate network, effectively stopping malware infections and DDoS attacks.

Flexible data traffic prioritization options

In an increasingly connected world, businesses must use their network resources efficiently to ensure smooth operations. SASE allows organizations to flexibly prioritize their traffic and allocate optimal bandwidth to the most important applications and services. This is particularly important for real-time sensitive applications such as video or voice communications that require low latency to ensure high quality and user experience. By intelligently optimizing and controlling traffic, SASE can ensure that these critical applications are prioritized and receive optimal performance, while less important applications, such as email or file transfers, are given appropriate resources.

Integration of network and security functions

Another advantage of SASE is the seamless integration of network and security functions. SASE combines both functions in a single, cloud-based platform, giving companies a holistic solution for their network security. This integration enables SASE to analyze traffic in real time and dynamically apply security policies to detect and block suspicious activity before it can cause harm.

Implementing SASE: Protect, Transform, and Support in the Digital Era

Organizations that need comprehensive threat and data protection, are driving their digital transformation, and want to support the demands of mobile or hybrid work should consider a SASE framework. However, implementing SASE requires thorough planning and preparation, as well as continuous monitoring and optimization to realize the full potential of this innovative security solution.

Step-by-step implementation of SASE:

1. Analysis of Current Environment: The first step in implementing SASE is to analyze the organization’s current network and security environment. Here, the existing network components, security solutions, applications and data flows are examined in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the existing infrastructure.
2. Identification of security vulnerabilities: The analysis must be used to identify important security vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated. This can include security gaps in the network architecture, missing or outdated security measures, insufficient access controls or unprotected cloud resources. Identifying these vulnerabilities is critical to remediating the vulnerabilities and improving security.
3. Integrating Existing Technology Investments: Many organizations already have investments in security technologies that potentially can be combined with SASE solutions. It is important to determine which existing technology investments can be combined with current tools that already comply with Zero Trust principles. Seamless integration of existing solutions can save costs and reduce implementation time.
4. Planning and Preparation: Implementing SASE requires thorough planning and preparation. This includes defining security policies, considering compliance requirements, and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of the implementation. A detailed implementation plan should be drawn up, taking into account all the required steps, resources and timeframe.
5. Continuous monitoring and optimization: SASE is not a one-time implementation, but requires continuous monitoring and optimization. The threat landscape is constantly changing, and new vulnerabilities may appear. It is important for organizations to continuously adapt and improve their security measures to keep up with changing requirements.

Conclusion on SASE

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has undoubtedly established itself as a game-changing technology in network security. With its holistic approach that combines network and security functions in a cloud-based platform, SASE offers a powerful solution for today’s threats and requirements. The benefits of SASE, such as a high level of protection against malware and DDoS attacks, flexible traffic prioritization and central security management, enable companies to securely protect their networks and data, increase productivity and drive digital transformation.

For the future, companies and users can expect continuous further development and refinement of SASE technologies. With the ever-growing threat landscape, SASE vendors will strive to further improve their security mechanisms to counteract the latest threats. This will most likely result in even greater effectiveness in defending against malware and DDoS attacks, providing organizations with an even higher level of security.

In addition, companies can expect more flexibility and customization options when implementing SASE in the future. Technological advances and innovations could allow SASE solutions to be seamlessly integrated into a wider range of applications and platforms, giving organizations more opportunities to strengthen the security of their networks and data.

As SASE becomes more widely accepted and spread, users will also reap the benefits. Because the improved security of corporate networks means that personal data and information is better protected, leading to greater confidence in the security of online services. Additionally, users will benefit from a smoother and more efficient user experience as SASE enables traffic prioritization, ensuring critical applications and services always get optimal performance.

Both sides – companies and users – can expect an increasing merging of network and security technologies as SASE continues to play a central role in the modern business world: SASE will be an essential part to meet the growing challenges of cybersecurity while maintaining agility and to promote flexibility of companies.

Also Read: What Are The Programming Languages ​​For Network Security?

The post SASE: The Future Of Network Security appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

What is Cactus ransomware?

Cyber ​​criminals are known for constantly coming up with new ways to inject malware and compromise systems. This is also the case with ransomware: The security researchers from “BleepingComputer” have discovered a new sophisticated ransomware variant called “Cactus” . This mainly uses weaknesses in VPN applications to get into foreign networks. The special thing about it: The Cactus ransomware can apparently encrypt itself in order to make detection by antivirus software more difficult. Combating it with common antivirus programs is therefore difficult.

How does the new Cactus ransomware work?

Typically, ransomware uses malware to infect another system. After ransomware is finally loaded onto the other system, it encrypts access to files, software and programs. In this type of attack, the cyber criminals demand a ransom from the victims in exchange for decrypting the files.

What makes Cactus even more dangerous compared to other ransomware variants is that the attackers use encryption to protect the ransomware binary.

An attack focuses on vulnerabilities in known VPN servers from Fortinet. The cybercriminals access the network via the VPN server and execute a batch script that loads the actual ransomware. The malicious code is transmitted in a ZIP file and extracted after the download. Using a special key in the command line, the attackers can start the application and encrypt files on the affected system in such a way that users no longer have access.

Additional business model with Double Extortion

But that’s not all: before encryption, the files are transferred to the attackers’ servers. This allows the ransomware gang another leverage. Firstly, ransom money can be demanded for decrypting the files on the compromised system and additionally, the cyber criminals can threaten to publish the captured data. This is also mentioned in the Cactus ransomware ransom note.

Also Read: How Zero Trust Can Help You Stay Protected Against Ransomware Attacks?

Spread of ransomware Cactus

Ransomware Cactus mainly targets large companies with a lot of sensitive data, because these are more willing to pay larger ransom sums due to the high importance of the data. According to various reports, the claims for previous Cactus attacks are said to be in the millions and the attacks are specifically tailored to the respective victims. It is not yet known which companies have been affected by the Cactus attacks so far – no sensitive data has yet been published.

What is Cactus ransomware?

It is not yet known who is behind the new ransomware gang. The investigation is proceeding swiftly.

How to protect yourself from ransomware Cactus

Cactus ransomware is extremely dangerous, as common virus scanners have difficulty detecting it due to the encrypted attacks. But there are ways you can protect yourself from attacks.

This includes:

• Updates: Get the latest software updates for your applications and keep public systems up to date
• Monitoring: Continuously monitor your network for abnormalities, especially PowerShell
• Password Manager: Implement a password manager to secure your access data even better
• 2FA: Use two-factor authentication
• Monitor access: Check administrator and service accounts
• Backups: Create regular backups to protect essential data

Cactus ransomware summary:

The cyber criminals behind Cactus ransomware have been active since at least March 2023. Ransomware Cactus is particularly dangerous because it encrypts itself and is therefore difficult to detect. This trick makes it possible for ransomware Cactus to bypass conventional antivirus scanners.

The main attack vectors are vulnerabilities in VPN applications. To avert danger, monitoring is to be emphasized in particular. For protection, it is therefore essential to use the latest software updates from the provider, continuously monitor your network and react quickly to any abnormalities.

Conclusion: Tricky ransomware Cactus spreads quickly

Ransomware remains a “never-ending story”: The new Cactus variant currently attacks primarily via Fortinet VPN servers. The “double blackmail” approach aims to achieve a higher ransom and the attacks are tailored specifically to the respective victim. Therefore, please note our tips on protection against ransomware Cactus.

Also Read: Three Important Facts To Know About Ransomware

The post Ransomware Cactus: Attacks On VPN Vulnerabilities appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

Indeed, it calls on creativity, analytical thinking and decision-making based on relevant data to achieve rapid and sustainable growth.

Growth hacking, definition

The goal of growth hacking is to achieve exponential growth with minimal cost. This can be accomplished through innovation and testing. Growth hacking [definition] is a term that was coined by Sean Ellis in 2010. He defines it as “a process of rapid experimentation across marketing channels and product development that identifies the most effective ways and efficient ways to grow a business. »

In other words, growth hacking is about finding creative ways to grow a product or service quickly and efficiently.

It should be noted that this practice is very recent, and therefore there is no single approach. Also, every business is different, so you have to be flexible and adaptable in order to find the best growth strategies for your business. While growth hacking can be incredibly effective, it’s also important to remember that it’s not a panacea.

Also Read: Tools In Online Marketing – Briefly Explained

How to use growth hacking in your e-marketing strategy?

Growth hacking techniques are typically used by start-ups and small businesses that don’t have the time or resources to invest in traditional marketing methods . But it should be noted that what works for one company may not work for another. Let’s now discover the techniques most used by most companies .

The free content

One popular growth hacking technique is to offer a free trial or discount to users who sign up for your service . Indeed, this allows in the long term, to increase your conversion rate and to arouse the interest of the user for your products . When you offer a free trial, you are essentially giving users a taste of what your product has to offer. If they like what they see, they are more likely to continue using your service .

Sponsorship programs

Many startups also use referral programs to encourage their existing users to spread the word about their product. Rewards like discounts , gifts , or even simple recognition can entice them to help you grow your business .

Viral marketing or social proof

Another common growth hacking technique is to create viral content using social media to spread it and reach a wider audience. It has to be content that is interesting and compelling enough to be quickly shared on social media like Facebook and Instagram… It can take the form of a video, an article or an infographic.

The natural referencing of your website (SEO)

Now, did you know that 65% of businesses publish more than two articles per month and get an average increase in leads of 220%, and traffic of 26%? (Source: Hubspot) .

This is largely due to the performance of a well-ranked website. SEO consists of optimizing the content and architecture of your site in order to improve its ranking in search engines . This can help your potential customers find a product or service more easily. Plus, you increase traffic to your site and brand awareness.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Unlike traditional marketing techniques, growth hacking focuses on solutions that can be implemented quickly and at low cost.

However, there is no silver bullet when it comes to growth hacking. Even the best growth hackers will sometimes fail. So don’t be afraid to experiment with new strategies until you find the one that works best for your business!

Also Read: Growth Through Sustainable Marketing: Definition, Criteria

The post Growth Hacking Definition: The New Popular E-marketing Technique appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.

As a result, they know how lucrative it can be to attack a small business. Therefore, small businesses need to take cybersecurity concerns very seriously. According to Statista, there have been more than 16,000 incidents of cyber-attacks from November 2021 to October 2022.

Cyber-attacks have impacted multiple companies operating in various sectors. These stats indicate that data protection is a concern for businesses in almost every industry. In this article, we’ll be discussing cybersecurity concerns for emerging businesses and how they can deal with them.

5 Threats Businesses Should Be Aware Of:

Having the right strategy is vital for businesses to ensure that they don’t end up with losses when it comes to cyber-attacks. For instance, companies should focus on reliable third-party solution providers such as DashLane, Graylog, and JFrog and that can help them deal with cyber threats.

The introduction of tools like DevSecOps combine security, operations, and development in a cycle that is synchronized and continuous; DevSecOps security tools are part of and play their role in the development process for the application right from the start. This way, it can decrease the number of resources and time that companies invest in cybersecurity.

But what are the top cybersecurity concerns for businesses today? And how can companies deal with them? Let’s delve deeper into the top 5 cyber security concerns.

1. Malware Attacks

Malware attacks are one of the major threats that small businesses are facing. This type of attack entails various cyber threats like viruses and Trojans. Usually, attackers will try to gain access to the business’s internal network or steal sensitive information through malicious code. In most cases, the attackers will penetrate through malicious code via infected devices, spam emails, or website downloads.

Small businesses might hire individuals that bring their laptops, mobiles, or other devices to work so it can cut costs. However, this will lead to a greater danger of potential malware attacks since personal devices have a greater threat from malicious attacks. As a result, small businesses might have to deal with cyber incidents that can lead to various damages, such as crippled devices. They would have to repair or replace those devices, which can be costly. Not just that, but attackers can also access sensitive data, which can put your employees and customers at risk.

How to Prevent Malware Attacks?

The optimal method of keeping a business safe from malware attacks is by placing strong technological defenses. The installation of Endpoint Protection solutions will keep all hardware and devices safe from malware codes. Additionally, these solutions will provide a central control panel that allows admins to handle devices and ensure user security is updated.

2. Weak Passwords

Another major threat small businesses have to deal with is weak passwords. In the wake of rapid digitization, most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) use various cloud-based services. These services require multiple user accounts that hold critical financial information or other sensitive data. So, if teams use weak passwords or the same passwords for various accounts, then hackers can easily access them. Most SMEs find themselves at risk because of weaker passwords by the employees. Since employees don’t fully understand how weak passwords can compromise overall security, they don’t prioritize this practice the way they should.

How to Keep Your Passwords Safe?

Making use of Business Password Management technologies is vital for businesses. These technologies will ensure that employees have stronger passwords. One of the best things about using password management platforms is that they will tell employees if the password isn’t strong.

Furthermore, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) technologies are also something that businesses should consider. Even if cyber-attackers do crack the passwords, they won’t be able to get through MFA. It can be as simple as sending a passcode to an email address or mobile device.

3. Phishing Attacks

Out of all the cyber-security threats, phishing continues to be the most common and damaging one for small businesses. This type of attack takes place when the criminal will show themselves as a trusted contact, and lure the user to:

• Check out a malicious link
• Install a malicious program or file
• Provide access to critical information (credentials or account details)

Phishing attacks have become more difficult to be identified in recent years. Attackers have come up with new tricks to show themselves as legitimate contacts. The thing that makes phishing attacks so dangerous is that these attacks are quite challenging to deal with; instead of attacking technological weakness, phishing attacks use social engineering to target individuals in an organization. Nevertheless, there are various ways to deal with phishing attacks.

How to Prevent Phishing Attacks?

First and foremost, using a robust email security gateway is vital. These gateways play a major role in helping businesses to stop phishing emails from getting into their employees’ inboxes. Furthermore, employees can also use these solutions to flag phishing emails. Doing so will enable admins to remove phishing emails from all inboxes. Besides having a robust email security gateway, small businesses can also train their employees and increase their awareness about such security issues.

Teams will have the capability to spot and report any such potential instances of phishing attacks. MFAs can also be a great way in helping organizations prevent phishing attacks, to begin with. With the help of MFA, businesses can have an additional layer of security that protects their employees from any phishing-related incidents.

4. Ransomware

Thousands of businesses become a victim of the ransomware cyber-attack, leading to substantial losses. There are more and more instances of these types of attacks happening since they offer greater profits for hackers. Ransomware entails locking the company’s crucial information through information so no one can access it. Next, the cybercriminals will demand the organization pay a ransom amount to retrieve back the data. As a result, businesses are left to choose from either one of the following options:

• Pay the ransom and incur huge losses
• Suffer data loss that can cripple their system ad reputation

Small and medium businesses are at a greater risk to suffer from this type of attack, which can cost them huge amounts of money. Cybercriminals and attackers know that SMEs will pay the ransom since they don’t have any data backup.

Most notably, ransomware attacks impact the healthcare sector significantly. By locking medical records and their schedules, the attackers can disrupt the entire operations of businesses in the healthcare industry. Consequently, businesses don’t have any other option but to pay the ransom and unlock their data quickly.

How to Prevent Ransomware Attacks?

There needs to be Endpoint Protection in position throughout all the systems within the business. Doing so will ensure that the ransomware attacks are futile and can’t encrypt any data of the business. Furthermore, businesses should also back up their data from time to time. Businesses can have a robust cloud backup solution to reduce the losses that they can suffer in the event of a data loss. A small business should carefully research the options and analyze the most suitable option for its business. Moreover, an organization can choose from a wide range of data backup methods.

Implementing data backup and recovery will allow keeping businesses safe in case of a ransomware attack. A business can easily have its backed-up data within reach, while not having to incur financial loss or losing productivity. Not just that, but data back-ups also play a major role in improving cyber-resilience.

5. Insider Threats

Last but not least, insider threats are also a major threat that small businesses have to stay alert about. Insider threats refer to the risk due to the activities of current or former employees, business associates, or vendors. These people might have access to sensitive information about the company and they can cause damage to a company because of greed or simply due to a lack of awareness. According to statistics, insider threats are the reason behind 60% of data breaches.

Insider threats have become a growing problem, putting business sustainability at stake. As more and more employees access multiple accounts, insider threats will become a major cyber-security threat for organizations.

How to Prevent Insider Threats?

The best way to prevent insider threats is through continuous learning and development. This means that small businesses should develop an environment of security awareness within the organization. In addition, advanced access control can be implemented, with certain teams having access to certain and limited amounts of information.

Wrapping Up:

In a world where businesses continue to face the imminent threat of cyber threats, having a robust cybersecurity policy within an organization is vital. By staying updated with possible cyber-security concerns, businesses can ensure they keep their data safe. Organizations can take protective measures and enforce relevant policies. Most importantly, the right policies will keep businesses safe from any data losses or incurring significant financial losses.

The post Cybersecurity Concerns For Emerging Businesses; And How to Tackle Them appeared first on TechUpdatesDaily.