Enterprise Mobility
Article | June 15, 2023
The third Annual OCP China Day, organized by the Open Compute Project (OCP) Foundation and hosted by Inspur, will be held on July 27, 2021 in Beijing. It marks another step in the right direction to popularizing open computing across the globe. This year is the tenth anniversary of the open compute project and the theme of OCP China Day is “Open compute for a new decade: Decarbonization, Efficiency, Adoption”.
Omdia has tracked the open computing market in detail for 5 years and over that period we have seen the end-user base expand and adoption take off. We expect 40% of the servers shipped in 2025 to be developed based on open standard, up from 7% in 2016. This is a very significant number, partularly given that our forecast takes into account large scale adoption at only two or three of the hyperscale cloud service providers. Most of the net new deployments are expected to be at tier-2 cloud, communication service providers and enterprises, including the public or government sector.
Read More
Network Infrastructure, Network Management
Article | July 10, 2023
Cybercrimes have increasingly become a matter of concern for companies worldwide. Over the past few years, the rise of big-ticket ransomware attacks and exposure of perilous software supply chain infections has awakened organizations to various digital dangers.
So, the big question is, how to combat the security threats that are on meteoric growth?
The best solution is to adopt a security vulnerability assessment.
What is Security Vulnerability Assessment?
A vulnerability assessment involves a systematic review of security hazards, which helps identify IT infrastructure’s weaknesses, risks, and vulnerabilities.
When it comes to mitigating vulnerabilities and resolving issues, the collective imperative is to analyze the problem areas before getting them fixed.
A security assessment is critically important to combat the complexities and with an effective vulnerability assessment program, organizations use the tools required to comprehend the probable security weaknesses and enable the protection of systems and data from intruders and unauthorized breaches.
For most organizations, ensuring the safety of devices, networks, applications, and digital assets are part of a broader vulnerability management strategy. It includes an extensive assessment, in-depth processes, and mitigation methods to explore the entire threat spectrum.
Typically, it is conducted regularly. Vulnerability assessment offers a firm assurance in the security of data, especially when some alterations have been implemented or a new service has been added, or, for that matter, and installation of new equipment has taken place.
Each assessment provides a perspective about the risk in its periphery and suggests solutions to control the risk factors and the evolving threats.
Why Security Vulnerability Assessment Is Necessary?
The perpetual threat of cybercrime has necessitated the demand for vulnerability assessments significantly. They make organizations realize their security defects and contribute towards mitigating them.
Hackers are forever ready to make phishing attacks. As per reports, hackers are at work every 39 seconds. Thus, it is extremely important to be vigilant or complacent to activate hackers’ and cybercriminals’ machinations. Over the period, cybercrimes are fluctuating and thus need ongoing attention.
The ideal solution is to undertake consistent vulnerability assessments to safeguard confidential data, systems, and networks. Furthermore, it helps organizations understand the risk and enables smart decision-making.
To ensure security, companies ought to conduct both external and internal scans of their networks.
According to Gartner (paywall), “Large organizations with thousands of employees, tens of thousands of servers and many operating systems receive hundreds of requests per year to patch thousands of vulnerabilities that cannot be remediated in less than 15 days.”
One of the best reasons security vulnerability assessments are important is because it confirms an enterprise’s management processes and whether it has covered every critical patch through outlined existing remediation.
Why Do Companies Need Vulnerability Assessment?
A vulnerability assessment provides companies insightful details on all types of security discrepancies in their environment.
It paves ways to evaluate the risks associated with the flaws.
This helps organizations have a better knowledge of their security scare, overall weaknesses, and assets.
Moreover, the first thing that strikes us on hearing about a cyber-attack is the security of data. With the right and adequate implementation of security assessments, the safety and security of important data could be easily protected. A security assessment would be helpful to reduce irrelevant expenses and make space and increase the IT budget to invest in other key aspects.
Undoubtedly, data breach causes substantial loss to an organization, which leads to legal hassles and financial hazards. In fact, most of the time companies fail to recover the loss.
Thus, it doesn’t harm to place solid policies and methods to strengthen the entire security position of the organization and this can only be possible with a strategic security vulnerability assessment.
In a nutshell, this would keep the companies aware and, in all likelihood, keep the cyber-criminals at bay.
A CASE STUDY ANALYSIS
To cite an example, let’s take how Zensar conducted a three-pronged vulnerability assessment with port scan and penetration scanning. It determined the security of its offerings to meet customer requests for Brainshark, a leading provider of on-demand presentation solutions, helping customers deliver business interaction across 600+ ranking companies in the market.
While Brainshark knew their systems were secure and could also establish it through their documentation, they still undertook a third-party security vulnerability assessment.
Zensar’s vulnerability assessment procedures were based on the industry’s best practices that included tests for SQL injection, cookie manipulation, access control weakness, session state, and cross-site scripting.
The focus of the test was to identify the host and application security concerns. Upon completing the tests and assessments, Brainshark expressed satisfaction and was confident enough in their ability and solution. They knew their security posture was highly protected and secure.
Types of Vulnerability Assessments:
Vulnerability assessments unearth a variety of system and network vulnerabilities. This indicates the reliability of the assessment process, which is implemented with different tools, scanners, and methods that helps discover the vulnerabilities, risks, and threats.
Network-based assessment scanning: It is used to determine the presumptive network security attacks. This kind of scanning can also detect the vulnerable systems on wired as well as wireless networks.
Host-based scans: It is easy to locate the vulnerabilities in servers or other network hosts with host-based scanning. This type of scanning provides visibility into the configuration settings and legacy systems.
Database scans: Database scans ascertain the weak points in a database to preclude malefic attacks.
Application Scans: It examines websites to identify and recognize software vulnerabilities and inaccurate configurations in network or web applications.
Summing Up
Organizations need to be watchful every minute and ensure the security posture is rigorous, which is only possible with security vulnerability assessments. Based on this criterion, understanding company risks gets simplified in turn preventing intrusions and threats.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Are the Advantages of Security Vulnerability Assessment?
There are several advantages attached to security vulnerability assessments. To put it precisely, it can help identify the vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do and determine the level of risk.
Undoubtedly, opting for vulnerability assessment would save a lot of time and money and mitigate the risk and prevent the irrelevant expenditure that follows after the cyber-attacks.
What Are the Disadvantages of Security Vulnerability Assessment?
While vulnerability assessments are highly advisable, it has its share of drawbacks which cannot be ignored. One of the primary limitations of vulnerability assessment is that it does not hint at every vulnerability that exists. Moreover, it sometimes signals false positives too.
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What Are the Advantages of Security Vulnerability Assessment?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "There are several advantages attached to security vulnerability assessments. To put it precisely, it can help identify the vulnerabilities before cybercriminals do and determine the level of risk.
Undoubtedly, opting for vulnerability assessment would save a lot of time and money and mitigate the risk and prevent the irrelevant expenditure that follows after the cyber-attacks."
}
},{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What Are the Disadvantages of Security Vulnerability Assessment?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "While vulnerability assessments are highly advisable, it has its share of drawbacks which cannot be ignored. One of the primary limitations of vulnerability assessment is that it does not hint at every vulnerability that exists. Moreover, it sometimes signals false positives too."
}
}]
}
Read More
Network Management, Network Security
Article | July 17, 2023
The cloud, robotics, automation, and digital technologies are indispensablefor efficient, adaptable, and dynamic business operations. Artificial intelligence and 5G have evolved to become two of the most revolutionary technologies of the decade. While 5G and AI are capable ofindependently revolutionizing industries and facilitating future experiences, combining the two will be ground-breaking.
The combination of AI with 5G mobile technology has the potential to transform business and society, paving the wayfor new products and services that were previouslyunimaginable.So, let’s check out how AI and 5G can revamp and upgrade businesses.
AI with 5G: Making Network and Devices Better
Using AI on 5G networks and devices will enhance wireless communication and battery, and most importantly, improve the user experience. With the help of machine learning, you can now focus on major wireless issues that are tough to tackle with traditional methods.
The wireless industry has been talking about the ways in which AI can improve 5G networks.AI will significantly impactthe fundamental aspects of 5G network management, including efficiency, deployment, service quality, and security.
One of the less-discussed aspects is how on-device AI will enhance the 5G end-to-end system. Radio frequency awareness (RFA) is at the center of 5G improvements and AI's involvement in the process.Instead of a hand-crafted algorithm, machine learning can decipher the device's RF signals. Improved radio awareness increases device experience, system performance, and radio security.
Embracing 5G for Future Telecom & Business Operations
The fifth generation of mobile technology comes with many use cases that are enough to completely transform almost every industry. As the world gets ready for a substantial transformation, it's important to know what they are and how they can help your business. Presently, 5G is driving three significant global trends.
5G technology will alter connected devices by driving consumer adoption, making them smarter, and making large-scale device integration easier.
Cloud and edge computing depend on accessibility, and 5G will make cloud and edge computing more powerful and accessible than ever before.
As 5G allows algorithms to be much more efficient at collecting and analyzing data at scale, AI becomes more accessible and fundamental for businesses powered by 5G. This can be considered a scientific and ethical endeavor.
PartingThoughts
Like any new technology, there is indeed a lot of hype around 5G's debut. 5G and AI are two synergistic, necessary components driving future advancements. Those whocombine these technologies will have a competitive edge and the opportunity to build future forward brands.Businesses that adopt 5G will not only witness revenue gain but will also emerge as an influential player in the future.
Read More
Enterprise Mobility
Article | June 28, 2022
Wi-Fi and the Internet have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Because of the importance and convenience of a business Wi-Fi network, it is now a must-have service for most businesses. Unfortunately, numerous small-to-medium-sized businesses lack the resources and cyber skills required to appropriately secure their networks. This can be a major issue because an unsecured network exposes the company to attacks from hackers looking to steal valuable company information or customer data.
How Can Businesses and IT Leaders Strengthen Their Wi-Fi Security?
A data breach can cripple your business. It not only undermines consumer trust, but data breaches cost an average of $4.24 million. Fortunately, improving your Wi-Fi security is not difficult. To safeguard your company's wireless Internet connection, follow the steps outlined below.
Use Up-To-Date Wi-Fi Encryption
You should upgrade your hardware if it can only support WEP or WPA encryption. The Wi-Fi Alliance strongly encourages the widespread use of WPA2. Cutting-edge encryption has been demonstrated to be protected against even the most persistent attackers when correctly implemented. If you run an enterprise environment, you should take advantage of the extra security provided by specific digital certificates.
Encrypt Wi-Fi Router Administration Pages
Taking your Wi-Fi security a step further needs the use of a Wi-Fi digital certificate to secure your admin login pages. Self-signed certificates that come pre-installed on a few routers are untrusted, easy to copy, and prone to Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks. TLS certificates from reputable certificate authorities can ensure that all of your Wi-Fi connectivity is safe and confidential. If your router's quick start guide does not contain digital certificates, you can obtain information on the manufacturer's support page.
Consider Restricting MAC addresses
Smaller network managers can lock down MAC addresses for more control. Wireless routers and access points use MAC (Media Access Control) address filtering to block attacks. Every WiFi-enabled device has a unique MAC or physical address and a list of connected devices. You can manually enter addresses to define network access, but hackers can fake MAC addresses.
Use Always-On SSL
You must utilize HTTPS across your website and apply it to Wi-Fi. Accessing an account on an encrypted page and subsequently interacting with the site through unencrypted pages exposes the user to session-side jacking.
Create a Guest AP with Tighter Security
Not all businesses must enable guests or customers to connect to their networks, but some companies do offer guests access by providing them with guest login credentials. If your company falls into this category, set up a dedicated guest AP that is isolated from the rest of the company network.
You can set up a second AP on your router and utilize a firewall to limit access from that AP to certain services that you want your visitors to be able to access.
Closing Lines
Nowadays, having an internet connection is critical for organizations, as is keeping it secure from hackers. Moreover, when conducting business, it is crucial to keep critical information and customer data secure.
Otherwise, you risk compromising your company's image. So, if you want to maintain your Wi-Fi network security and keep your business working effectively, you must adhere to a few fundamental principles.
Finally, you are on the path to make your Wi-Fi network safer and more robust by following all of these techniques at once or step by step.
Read More