However, the tricky part about security solutions lies in finding the right fit for your business – understanding which tools are essential and which may result in resource wastage. To address this, businesses should collaborate with a reliable security provider capable of offering custom solutions tailored to their organizational needs.

In this blog, we will dive into the significance of custom security solutions for businesses and how Wowrack can help you with that.

Why Custom Security?

Cost Optimization

Utilizing custom security solutions enables businesses to achieve significant cost savings by prioritizing essential security tools. This approach helps avoid unnecessary expenses associated with acquiring tools that may not be needed for your specific needs. With a customized security solution, you gain the flexibility to scale your resources up or down as required. Additionally, this helps you achieve efficient cost optimization without compromising on the effectiveness of your security defenses.

In collaboration with a custom security provider, businesses can also further reduce costs associated with hiring dedicated cybersecurity staff. Instead, your IT team can concentrate on core responsibilities, ensuring efficient utilization of resources.

Protect Sensitive Information

Information is one of the most valuable assets of a company, and well-tailored security solutions are designed to protect it from unauthorized access, data loss, and data breaches. A study by Acronis also shows that even small instances of data loss can cost a business an average of $18,120 to $35,730. Custom security providers use their expertise to find and protect important areas that keep each business’s sensitive information safe and prevent these incidents from affecting your business.

Ensure Business Continuity

Custom security solutions are designed to help your business minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations at all times. Security providers achieve this by proactively identifying and addressing potential risks within your organization’s IT infrastructure. With custom security solutions, your business can not only protect its operations but also improve experiences for both customers and employees. This results in not just protecting your business processes, but also your reputation.

Regulatory Compliance

Keeping up with industry rules and keeping your IT infrastructure safe can be tough if you try to do it on your own, but with custom security solutions, it gets easier. By communicating your industry-specific needs and regulations to your custom security provider, they can ensure that your business meets these standards while also securing all your IT aspects. This allows your employees to focus on improving other aspects of the business while your custom security providers handle compliance and security measures effectively.

What Wowrack Offers

About Our Custom Security

Our Custom Security Approach

Recognizing that no single solution can provide complete protection, our custom security approach employs multiple security measures at different layers of the network, each focused on specific types of risks. Our dedicated experts ensure the strength of each security layer.

We cover a range of aspects, from network security preventing DDoS attacks to data security ensuring continuous availability and protection against unauthorized access. We also offer end-user security solutions that prevent cyber threats from infecting your company devices.

Moreover, we can help your organization deploy necessary security software tailored to your requirements. You can learn more about the details of our custom security solutions here.

With Wowrack, you can rest well at night, knowing that your infrastructure is secure. We prioritize your peace of mind.

Our Process Flow

1. Consultation and assessment
   We start by understanding your needs through discussions and assessments. This is because we want to understand your company’s pain points. This step will serve as a starting point for us to develop a tailored solution that meets your needs.
2. Designing your solution
   After understanding your needs through the previous step, we will work closely with you to design a tailored security solution that perfectly addresses your needs. We will also make sure that you are fully informed and involved in the process.
3. Implementation
   Once the solution plan is ready, our team will work to put the plan into action in your organization, setting up the defenses tailored just for you. Throughout the process, we will maintain open communication with you, keeping you informed of every progress along the way.
4. Operate and ongoing support
   We don’t stop once your security solutions are fully deployed. We will provide continuous 24/7/365 support and assistance to make sure that your infrastructure remains secure and that all issues or incidents are addressed promptly. You can trust that your IT infrastructure is in good hands and focus on growing your business.

Certification and Compliance

ISO 27001

Wowrack proudly holds the ISO 27001 certification. This means we meet the highest standards for information security, ensuring your data is in the safest hands. We make sure that your company’s data remains confidential and available to be accessed whenever you need it.

SOC II Type 2 Compliance

Wowrack has completed the SOC 2 Type II/SSAE 18 audit, further showing our commitment to information security, specifically in internal controls and processes as well as service delivery. You can trust in our dedication to ensuring that your business infrastructure is secure from various evolving threats. You can learn more about why completing the SOC II Type 2 audit matters here.

Conclusion

We have learned that partnering with a custom security provider to create a tailored solution for your business is crucial. It can optimize your IT costs, protect sensitive data, ensure business continuity, and assist with industry regulations. However, achieving all this is only possible when collaborating with a reliable security provider that understands your needs. Therefore, finding a trustworthy provider committed to maintaining open lines of communication with your business is essential to ensure you get exactly what you need.

Wowrack is here to help you with that. Our dedicated team of certified experts will help in crafting, implementing, and maintaining the right security solution for your business. From network security to backup and end-user protection, we’ve got you covered. Furthermore, with our custom security solution, you can rest, knowing that all your IT security needs are taken care of, and you are only paying for what you truly need—nothing less or more.

The post Deep Dive Into Our Custom Security appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Managed Security Provider Trends

In our increasingly digital world, the cost of cybercrime is projected to continually increase as well, according to a report published by eSentire, reaching $8 trillion in 2023 and $10.5 trillion by 2025.

Alongside this threat, businesses are also faced with a shortage of cybersecurity professionals. A report published in 2022 by ISACA highlighted that 62% of organizations feel understaffed in terms of cybersecurity professionals, and 60% struggle to hold on to qualified cybersecurity staff.

These challenges show the need for a proactive solution that can help businesses keep their company systems secure. As a result, the managed security services sector is on the rise. According to a report published by GlobalData in 2022, the managed security services market will grow from US$63.6 billion in 2023 to US$87.2 billion in 2026. This is because MSSPs can help businesses tackle these cybersecurity challenges with their specialized support, while not having to worry about hiring a dedicated cybersecurity professional for their company.

What Can Managed Security Services Help You With?

Monitoring and Threat Detection

Managed security service providers can help monitor all your networks and systems to identify suspicious activities, vulnerabilities, and potential threats. This approach allows early detection and response to potential security breaches, preventing them from harming your business processes.

Deploy and Manage Security Software

Security software deployments can be both challenging and time-consuming. By utilizing managed security services, you can take this burden off your shoulders as the provider will help you with the installation, configuration, and updating of your necessary security tools. They guarantee that your systems are up to date and protected from cyber threats.

Threat Response

Managed security service providers can help provide effective threat response in the case of security incidents or breaches. Their team of experts will help you minimize downtime and ensure business continuity by containing the threat and restoring your operations.

Improve Security Posture

Managed security service providers will help you assess your company’s current security measures, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend strategies to protect you from cyber-attacks and breaches. You no longer have to worry about hiring a cybersecurity specialist, as you can always consult with your MSSP for advice on how to improve your company’s security posture.

How to Get the Most Out of Managed Security Services Provider

Review Your Security Needs Before working together with an MSSP

Before partnering up with an MSSP, you should first assess your organization’s security requirements. This includes identifying potential vulnerabilities and checking for your company’s compliance needs. Through this process, you will be able to know what to look for in a managed security service provider.

Alignment with Your Needs and Budget

Don’t forget to check the provider’s Service Level Agreements (SLAs), offerings, and pricing before partnering with them. Make sure that their services and what they offer are in line with your company’s needs and budget. We also recommend you ask for a detailed breakdown of their pricing, as sometimes there can be unforeseen costs that you may need to prepare for.

Regular Performance Reviews

Implementing security measures is not just a one-time task; it requires continuous updates and monitoring. Likewise, when working together with a managed service provider, you need to continuously evaluate their performance. This includes assessing their responsiveness, security incidents handling capabilities, and overall effectiveness. Regular performance evaluations help you get an idea of the necessary adjustments you need to make with your provider. This ensures you get the best services from them.

Foster a Partnership Approach

It is important to view your relationship with your MSSP provider as a partnership rather than a transactional arrangement. Do have open communication with your provider about your concerns and insights regarding your systems and operations. This way, they can understand better about your needs and tailor their services accordingly.

Conclusion

To summarize, managed security service providers can be a great help for your company. They help you improve your security posture and give top-quality services to your customers. However, to get the best out of them you need to make sure that the services you are purchasing are in line with your company’s needs, and don’t forget to regularly assess your MSSP and have an open communication with them regarding your concerns and requirements.

The post Getting the Best from Your Managed Security Services Provider appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

What is a Firewall?

The term firewall originates from construction. Basically, it’s a fire-resistant barrier that sits inside the walls of a building, which helps prevent the spread of a building fire.  

While it uses the same name, a computer firewall serves a different purpose. Essentially, the firewall allows and denies access to traffic. Thus, it acts as a barrier between a private network and the public internet.

Types of Firewalls

Furthermore, your firewall is your first line of defense against attackers. Now you might be thinking there is only one generic firewall. However, there are several different types.

Software Firewalls

A type of computer software that runs on your computer/ network. Unlike hardware firewalls, these one’s are installed on individual devices.

Hardware Firewalls

This type sits between your local network of computers and the internet. This firewall will inspect all the data that comes in from the internet allowing safe data packets to come through while blocking harmful ones.

Packet-filtering Firewalls

The packet-filtering firewall is the most basic as it controls data flow from network to network. It allows for network packets to move across networks using user-defined rules, IP addresses, ports, and protocols.

Circuit-level Gateways

A circuit-level gateway heightens security between User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Typically, these gateways are used in combination with other firewall applications. 

Stateful Inspection Firewalls

This firewall type monitors the state of active connections and uses this information to determine which network packets to allow through the firewall.

Proxy Firewalls

A proxy firewall acts as a gateway between the internet and internal users. It monitors security and blocks traffic for the internal network that is transmitted to and from the internet.

Next-Generation Firewalls

Next-Generation firewalls (NGFW) are like a stateful inspection firewall but with some additional features. It allows for access control and blocks modern threats such as advanced malware and application layer attacks. 

Cloud Firewalls

Cloud firewalls protect against malicious network traffic. However, these ones are hosted by the cloud.

Common Reasons People Disable Firewalls

Performance Concerns

Some people disable their firewalls because they think that firewalls are the reason why their computers are lagging, or that firewalls cause their internet speed to slow down. As firewalls filter the incoming and outgoing traffic from your computers, they do indeed have an impact on your internet speed. This especially applies to computers with weak CPUs. However, computers with stronger CPUs usually don’t feel any significant impact of the firewalls on the internet speed, or maybe only experience a very minimal impact.

Trusted Networks

People also sometimes lower their guard and disable their firewalls on trusted networks, such as their homes, family or friend’s place, or even within their workplace. This false sense of security leads them to believe that everything will be okay even with their firewalls turned off in these environments.

Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness

Some people may turn off their firewalls due to a lack of cybersecurity awareness, meaning that they don’t know a firewall’s function and purpose. This lack of awareness makes them vulnerable to instructions from websites asking them to turn off their firewall. This is very risky as suspicious websites that offer free software downloads may request their visitors to turn off their firewalls. This is because the “software download” they offer may contain malware.

The Risks of Turning Off Your Firewall

Malware Infection

Turning off your firewall increases the risk of malware infection. This is because firewalls can block suspicious or unauthorized traffic that may carry malware. They can also protect you by blocking access to known malicious websites or servers that distribute malware. Thus, if you download a suspicious file or access a malicious website with your firewall turned off, it opens the possibility of malware infecting your systems.

Data Breach

A device with a disabled firewall is more vulnerable to malware infections, thus it is also vulnerable to data breaches, as malware is often created to give cybercriminals access to sensitive information. This includes passwords, credit card information, and other personal details. You can learn more about why you should watch out for malware here.

Business Impact

As mentioned previously, disabled firewalls might expose the entire company network to potential attacks. This can lead to data breaches and malware infections, which eventually can also impact businesses negatively. This is because malware may cause downtime, and data breaches also will affect the business’s credibility and reputation.

Firewall Best Practices

Regular Firewall Updates

Like every other software, you also need to regularly update your firewall. These updates usually include security patches that help shield your systems against the latest vulnerabilities. Keeping your firewall updated helps ensure that it can protect you against the latest attack methods effectively. These updates can also improve your firewall’s performance and efficiency in handling traffic and detecting potential threats.

Firewall Audits

A firewall audit is an examination of your firewall’s settings, rules, and configurations. For businesses, it’s important to conduct this audit routinely to ensure optimal security of your systems and networks. These audits help you identify misconfigurations in your firewall rules that may create network vulnerabilities. It also helps you ensure that your firewall is effectively implemented.

Make Sure That Your Firewall Is On

Last but definitely not least, whether you are using a company device or a personal device, you should always make sure that your computer’s firewall is turned on. You should also make sure that it remains operational, as sometimes changing some computer settings can disable our firewall.

Other Security Measures

Strong Password Practices

One of the ways you can prevent unauthorized parties from gaining access to your company networks, aside from implying the firewall best practices, is by requiring your employees to use strong passwords. Encourage them to not use weak or commonly used passwords like “password” or “123456789” for all their accounts.

Multi-Factor-Authentication Implementation

Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, as cybercriminals who manage to gain your passwords will still not be able to access your accounts without access to your MFA codes or devices. For businesses, it’s best to require your employees to turn on their MFA for all their accounts.

Stay Updated on Cybersecurity Trends

According to a report by Verizon in 2022, 74% of data breaches involved the human element. Thus, it’s important to make sure that all your employees and the people around you stay updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and best practices. This prevents them from falling victim to phishing attempts, malware, or other cyber threats.

Network Monitoring

Aside from firewall audits, it’s also best for companies to regularly monitor their networks, as firewalls sometimes cannot identify zero-day malware. Therefore, by regularly monitoring your networks, you can identify potential suspicious activities that might not be detected by firewalls, and prevent them from infecting your networks and systems any further.

Conclusion

We have learned about what a firewall is, its types, the risks of turning it off, and what are its best practices. Often, people turn off their firewalls because of misconceptions: assuming it impacts internet speed, feeling secure on familiar networks like home or office, or simply due to lack of awareness. However, turning off your firewall increases the risk of getting infected by malware, which may lead to data breaches. For businesses, this may cause a negative business impact. Thus, aside from ensuring that our firewall is turned on, we must also make sure that it is regularly updated. For businesses, it’s also important to regularly conduct firewall audits. Additionally, to ensure network security, it’s important to also apply other necessary security best practices such as strong password policies, MFA, conducting cybersecurity training, and monitoring your networks regularly.

The post Importance of Turning On Your Firewall appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Types of Cyberattacks

Theft of Sensitive Information

Theft of Players’ Data

One of the most famous forms of cyberattacks that target gamers these days is phishing attacks. The goal of a phishing attack is to steal personal information or to trick people into sending money. Cybercriminals carry out phishing attacks by tricking their victims into downloading a malicious file. This will allow attackers to gain access to their victim’s sensitive information. Gamers are a popular target because most of them usually purchase items in their games. This gives criminals the chance to gain their victims’ payment credentials once they can access the devices.

According to Kaspersky’s research, cybercriminals nowadays are targeting the younger population who play games. This is because most of them lack knowledge of cybersecurity issues. Moreover, kids usually use their parents’ devices to play video games. Thus, by tricking these kids into downloading malicious files, attackers can gain access to the parents’ personal information.

Moreover, the research also found that in 2022 alone, over 878,000 phishing pages were created for Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. These are all popular games among the younger population. Cybercriminals usually trick their victims into installing malicious files by promoting the files as cheat codes for these games.

In addition to stealing data through phishing, cybercriminals also often try to gain access to players’ accounts through brute force methods and social engineering techniques. Social engineering techniques may include posing as a gaming company staff to trick players into revealing their usernames and passwords. Aside from gaining the player’s payment credentials, gaining access to the player’s account can give criminals the chance to sell that account for a sum of money. This especially applies to accounts that have a high level or a lot of items on the game.

Theft of Gaming Companies’ Data

Aside from stealing personal information from gamers, cybercriminals also often try to steal game source codes and other sensitive data from gaming corporations. Similar to how they gain the personal information of gamers, cybercriminals also try to gain access to these source codes by distributing phishing links. The only difference is that this time, the phishing attacks are targeting the gaming companies’ employees.

In 2022, criminals stole GTA’s source code, and they even released video footage of GTA’s unreleased game. This happened because the criminals were able to enter the slack channel of GTA’s employees.

A game called Neopets, also got their source codes stolen by cybercriminals in 2022. It was reported that 69 million Neopets member registrations and source codes were listed for sale for 4BTC. The company also confirmed that the stolen data included its players’ usernames, e-mail addresses, birth dates, gender, IP addresses, Neopets PINs, hashed passwords, as well as data generated during the game.

Similarly, in 2023, it was discovered that 4GB of Roblox company data had been exposed, with the cybercriminals posting some of this data on the dark web. The criminals were able to lay their hands on these data from an employee, through social engineering tactics.

DDoS Attack

The goal of a DDoS attack is to make an online server go offline or unavailable to its users or visitors. To achieve this, attackers will flood the target’s server with traffic. They can generate this traffic by hacking into devices and turning them into an army of bots. Some gaming servers, unfortunately, may not flag requests from these bots as malicious. This gives attackers a chance to launch their DDoS attack. According to Akamai’s research published in 2022, DDoS attacks against the gaming industry accounted for 37% of the DDoS traffic observed across all industries.

For game developers, a DDoS attack on your gaming server may cost you some downtime. For game players, if the game you’re playing is attacked by DDoS, you may get logged out from your gaming account, experience some lagging, and you might not be able to reach the gaming server for some time. As a result, this will reduce the game’s satisfaction rate among its players.

How to Avoid Them

For Gamers

Implement Two-Factor Authentication

For gamers, it’s important to always turn on Two-Factor Authentication for your login method. This way, cybercriminals won’t be able to access your account directly even if they have your username and password. It adds a layer of security to your accounts.

A lot of game developers have added the option to enable 2FA for their users. These include Steam, Ubisoft, League of Legends, Xbox Live, and more.

Educate Yourselves on Cybersecurity Trends

By staying up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity trends, you are not just protecting yourself but also the people around you. You can do this by reading the latest tech news or blogs on cybersecurity. Equipping yourself with cybersecurity knowledge can help you recognize a scam or phishing attack when you see one. After educating yourself, do not forget to share what you have learned with the people around you. especially the younger ones.

Watch Out for Those Asking Credentials

When we play online games, it’s common for us to interact with strangers on the internet. Thus, we must always be careful with what we share with the people we encounter on the internet. Moreover, we also should be careful of people who claim they are staff of a gaming company and ask us to share our personal information with them. Usually, gaming companies won’t request your personal information through e-mails, calls, chats, or suspicious websites.

Make sure that your devices are protected with security software, and make sure that they are always turned on

Some suspicious websites specifically request their visitors to turn off their antivirus when downloading their files. This is so that the malware can infect the device without getting detected. Thus, we must always make sure that our devices are protected with reliable security software, and that they are always turned on. This is a preventive measure that can help us stay away from unwanted applications that aim to infect our devices.

For Game Developers

Deploying Firewalls

By deploying firewalls, game developers can filter the incoming and outgoing network traffic. This protects the game server from security threats or unauthorized access.

Extra Protection for Sensitive Data

To prevent unwanted parties from gaining access to your sensitive data, you can apply data encryption, and enforce strict access controls to ensure that only the authorized personnel can gain access. Moreover, we also recommend you implement 2FA or MFA for an additional layer of security. This way, you can further prevent unauthorized parties from gaining access to your system.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

You need to regularly back up your data and make sure that it can be restored quickly. This is necessary to prevent data loss and minimize downtime. You can also outsource this job to a backup service provider, and let them help you in making sure that your data is safe and protected.

Active Monitoring

Continuously monitoring your game’s performance and server in real-time can help you identify any suspicious activities and address those issues quickly.

DDoS Protection

Another major cause of downtime aside from data loss is DDoS. Aside from actively monitoring your infrastructure, you can also protect your site against DDoS attacks by partnering with a security provider that provides DDoS protection and mitigation services. This way, you can focus on other business processes and let your provider make sure your operations are running smoothly.

Conclusion

We have learned how important it is to implement cybersecurity measures even in the gaming world, as there has been an increase in cyberattacks targeting gamers and/or gaming companies. For gamers, it’s important to implement 2FA, stay updated with the latest cybersecurity news, watch out for people who ask for credentials, and make sure that all devices are protected with security software. Game developers can also implement security measures in their environment by deploying firewalls, protecting sensitive data, having backup and disaster recovery strategies, actively monitoring their infrastructure, and applying DDoS protection strategies.

The post Cybersecurity in Gaming appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Use Cases of AI  

Content Creation 

ChatGPT, the second fastest app to reach 100 million users, is an AI-powered tool that has been widely used by people from various industries over the past 10 months. It helps copywriters and content creators to generate relevant content ideas, outlines, and even scripts, saving them lots of time. Aside from ChatGPT, writers also can use AI-based software that helps them with checking their grammar, like Grammarly.  

Businesses also benefit from AI as software like Canva and Dall-E can help them in creating graphics and slide designs. Another software that is also popular for content creation is Lumen5. It helps businesses in creating video content for marketing purposes, without having to be an expert at videography. 

Cybersecurity Measures 

AI-powered software can also help monitor your IT systems, identify cyber threats, and respond to attacks in real-time to prevent your systems from getting infected. SentinelOne is one example of this. It uses AI to help their clients in the incident response process. This helps in saving time and with SentinelOne, users can sleep well at night knowing that SentinelOne will take care of whatever problem that may happen to their devices.  

Business Process Automations 

Some administrative tasks can be repetitive and take a lot of your employees’ time. An example of this would be transferring a customer’s data or information from calls or emails to your record.  

The good news is, AI can now save you from that. It can recognize words from those calls and e-mails and convert them to text. It can also use NLP techniques to extract dates, names, and even order numbers from e-mails. With this, your employee can now focus on resolving customer’s issues, engaging with them, and checking if the extracted information is accurate. 

Data Analysis 

AI can help you analyze lots of data and identify the patterns within them quickly. While it is true that we can do this on our own, we usually take more time, and we might also overlook some details. AI on the other hand, can analyze more accurately.  

With the help of AI, our staff can focus on checking and validating the analysis that it has provided. This way, companies can generate more accurate analysis and forecasts that eventually can help with resource allocation and strategic decision-making.  

Tailored Marketing 

Through data analysis, AI can help so that your ads are shown to your target market. Additionally, it can also help you in sending personalized emails to your potential or current customers. It can also help analyze your current and predict your future customer behavior. Analyzing this stuff can sometimes take a lot of time if you do it on your own. With Artificial Intelligence, you can save a lot of time and focus on developing your products instead. 

Concerns Regarding AI 

Unemployment 

One of the most common fears that arises with the growth of AI is job loss. AI-powered software now can create graphics, write articles, and handle coding faster than humans do. Due to this, people are worried that they may be replaced by AI. This also applies especially for jobs that require a routine task, like data entry or customer service, as AI makes it possible for companies to automate these tasks. 

Although AI may create new job opportunities, it may take some time for workers to acquire these new skills. This eventually also leads to temporary unemployment. Adapting to the AI-driven job market may also require a lot of training and resources, which not everyone has access to. 

Security

People are also worried about the possibility of AI being used for malicious purposes. This includes if it were to collect our personal data without our consent, AI-powered cyber-attacks, and the misuse of AI software to scam others. 

An example of AI-powered technology that raises a lot of ethical concerns is Deepfake. With Deepfake apps, you can record videos of people doing things they never actually did. It uses Artificial Intelligence algorithms to manipulate people’s faces and voices. With the rise of Deepfake apps, people are starting to worry about how this software can be used to spread fake news and scam others. 

Bias

Another concern that circulates around the usage of AI is regarding bias and fairness, as AI software usually makes decisions and draws conclusions only based on the data that it has been supplied with. Thus, if the data it has is biased and limited, the AI is likely to make biased conclusions and recommendations.  

Imagine if these biased conclusions were to be used by the human resources department in the application screening process. There’s a chance that the screening process was biased, and people might get eliminated unfairly.  

What the Future Holds for AI 

Human-AI collaboration 

In the future, we can look forward to more collaboration between humans and AI. This is also because humans still possess certain skills and traits that Artificial Intelligence doesn’t have, such as empathy, creativity, and complex problem-solving skills.  

Thus, rather than replacing humans, many experts think that we should see AI as a tool that can help humans in increasing their productivity. It can help humans by doing the more routine tasks such as data processing and analysis, while humans can focus on the more complex tasks that require critical thinking, such as building relationships with customers. AI can also help generate ideas or solutions, while humans can use their creativity and critical thinking skills to evaluate and modify these ideas to fit their needs. 

Regulation for AI

With the growth of AI, the government and policymakers will definitely develop and issue regulations for its usage. This is to ensure that it is being used ethically and not for malicious purposes. These regulations include how AI systems should use its data, safety standards and assessment for AI technologies, as well as how it should be developed and deployed.  

AI and sustainability 

AI has the potential to help the environment be more sustainable. With its capability to analyze data, it can identify areas where energy usage can be reduced and optimize resource allocation. Moreover, it can generate insights that can guide policymakers to make more environmentally friendly practices.  

Conclusion  

Now we can see how Artificial Intelligence is altering our way of life. It can benefit us in many ways. This includes generating ideas for our articles, protecting our data, and providing us with useful advice based on its analysis. However, issues including unemployment, security concerns, and the fairness of the output it produces has been brought up as a result of its growth.  

In the future, we may look forward to more human-AI collaboration. While humans can manage more complicated issues requiring creativity, empathy, and critical thinking, AI can help do repetitive tasks. Additionally, we may anticipate how Artificial Intelligence will be applied to solving more significant issues like climate change. 

The post Artificial Intelligence Essentials Part 2 appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Why is Protecting Patient Privacy Important?

Patient privacy and data security are paramount in the healthcare industry. EHRs contain sensitive information that includes everything from medical history to personal identifiers, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. A breach in network security can lead to devastating consequences such as identity theft. Furthermore, maintaining patient trust is foundational to the doctor-patient relationship, and compromised security can erode that trust.

Why is Healthcare a Common Target for Threat Actors?

The healthcare industry is an attractive target for cyberattacks due to the value of the data it holds and the potential impact of disrupting healthcare services. Ransomware attacks and phishing attempts have become increasingly common. Attackers may exploit vulnerabilities in:

• Outdated software
• Weak passwords
• Unsecured medical devices

Our Recommended Network Security Strategies for the Health Industry

1. Encryption: Utilizing encryption for data, both at rest and in transit, can thwart unauthorized access. Encryption converts sensitive data into unreadable code. This is done to ensure that even if a breach occurs, the stolen data remains indecipherable to hackers.
2. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security. This method requires users to provide multiple forms of verification before accessing systems or data. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access in case passwords are compromised.
3. Regular Software Updates and Patch Management: Outdated software is a prime target for cyberattacks. Regularly updating and patching operating systems and medical devices minimizes vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
4. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): These tools monitor network traffic and detect unusual or suspicious activities. Firewalls establish a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, while IDS alerts administrators to potential security breaches.
5. Employee Training and Awareness: Human error is the most common contributor causing 88% of security breaches. Educating employees about social engineering tactics and best practices for data handling can significantly reduce the risk of successful attacks.
6. Vendor Security Assessment: For healthcare organizations that rely on third-party vendors for services or software, conducting thorough security assessments is crucial. Ensuring that vendors adhere to stringent security standards helps safeguard patient data.
7. Incident Response Plan: Having a well-defined incident response plan in place can minimize damage in the event of a security breach. Rapid and coordinated action can help mitigate the impact of an attack and prevent further compromise.

Network security in the healthcare industry is not merely a technical concern; it directly impacts patient well-being and the integrity of healthcare services. As technology continues to shape the future of healthcare, the importance of a secure network cannot be overstated. By implementing encryption, multi-factor authentication, regular updates, and comprehensive employee training, healthcare organizations can create a strong defense against cyber threats. In an environment where information is sensitive, prioritizing network security is a non-negotiable step towards ensuring a more secure digital healthcare ecosystem.

The post The Healthcare Industry and Protecting it Against Threat Actors appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

What are the 12 Benefits of a Dedicated Server Solution?

1. Enhanced Performance with a Dedicated Server Solution

When it comes to performance, a dedicated server takes the lead. By having all the server resources exclusively at your disposal, you ensure high-performance levels and lightning-fast loading times for your website or applications. Say goodbye to sluggishness and hello to seamless user experiences.

2. Increased Reliability

With a dedicated server solution, you never have to worry about other users’ activities impacting your website’s performance or availability. By having exclusive access to the server, you can rely on its robust infrastructure and enjoy uninterrupted operations.

3. Enhanced Security with a Dedicated Server Solution

Security is paramount in the online realm, and dedicated servers provide a higher level of protection compared to shared hosting. With a dedicated server, you have the power to implement stringent security measures, customize firewall settings, and have complete control over your server’s security configuration. Safeguard your valuable data and protect your customers’ privacy with peace of mind.

4. Customization and Flexibility

One size does not fit all in the digital landscape. Thankfully, dedicated servers offer extensive customization options. Tailor your server to meet your exact hardware specifications, operating system preferences, and software configurations. Enjoy the flexibility to optimize your server environment according to your specific requirements.

5. Scalability

Businesses evolve, and your server should be able to keep up with the changing demands. Dedicated servers provide seamless scalability, allowing you to effortlessly upgrade or downgrade server resources as your business grows. Add more CPU, RAM, storage, or bandwidth whenever necessary, ensuring your server aligns with your expanding needs.

6. Improved Website Performance

A slow-loading website can lead to frustrated users and high bounce rates. With a dedicated server, you can bid farewell to these concerns. By efficiently handling high traffic volumes and large data transfers, a dedicated server ensures optimal website performance, resulting in superior user experiences and increased customer engagement.

7. Better Control and Administrative Access

Take the reins of your digital infrastructure with a dedicated server. Benefit from full root/administrator access, granting you complete control over server settings, software installations, and application configurations. Shape your server environment precisely to your liking and streamline your operations.

8. Dedicated IP Address

Establishing a reputable online presence is crucial for businesses. Dedicated servers come with a dedicated IP address, providing a multitude of advantages. From running SSL certificates to facilitating seamless email server setups, a dedicated IP address bolsters your online credibility and enhances your digital communication channels.

9. Enhanced Data Privacy

Data privacy is a top concern for businesses, especially those handling sensitive customer information. With a dedicated server, you are the sole user, ensuring your data remains private and isolated from others. Safeguard your critical data and maintain compliance with data protection regulations confidently.

10. Resource Optimization with a Dedicated Server Solution

Efficient resource utilization is a key factor in maximizing server performance. Dedicated servers allow you to allocate server resources according to your needs, ensuring optimal resource utilization and maximizing your server’s performance potential. No more wasted resources or bottlenecks holding you back.

11. Improved SEO Ranking

A dedicated server can be a game-changer for your SEO efforts. Fast loading times, server reliability, and dedicated IP addresses all contribute to better search engine rankings. Boost your online visibility, attract more organic traffic, and surpass your competitors in the search engine results pages.

12. Better Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

In certain industries regarding data storage and security are stringent. A dedicated server empowers you to implement the necessary measures to meet these standards effectively. Stay ahead of legal obligations, build trust with your customers, and safeguard your business reputation.

Choosing the best server solution is paramount for businesses and individuals seeking high performance and security for their hosting needs. With these mentioned pros, dedicated servers unlock your true potential in the digital landscape. Embrace the power of a dedicated server and thrive in today’s competitive online world.

The post The Best Server Solution for Enhanced Performance and Reliability appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

Based on Cisco’s 2022 Global Hybrid Cloud Trends Report, which surveyed 2500 IT decision-makers in 13 countries, 82% of IT leaders have adopted the hybrid cloud. However, the same survey also found that when deploying a hybrid cloud, the top 3 challenges are:

1. Security (37%)
2. Increased operational complexity and cost management (33%)
3. Compliance and privacy (31%)

What are Some Hybrid Cloud Best Practices?

To address the challenges mentioned in the previous section, businesses can implement a set of best practices to optimize their hybrid cloud deployment and mitigate potential risks. These are some of those best practices: 

Evaluate your needs and requirements

Evaluating your company’s needs and requirements ensures that your hybrid cloud deployment is tailored to your specific needs while avoiding unnecessary costs. This involves assessing storage needs, computing power, and network bandwidth. However, it’s important to note that this evaluation is an ongoing process. Regularly tracking resource usage and evolving needs allows you to optimize resource utilization and prevent unexpected costs. 

Additionally, consult with your provider to see if they allow you to pay only for what you use, or provide bundled service packages that can help you save money and avoid overspending. 

Check the hybrid cloud provider’s SLA

A provider’s Service Level Agreement outlines the provider’s guarantees regarding uptime, performance, availability, support, and security. Thus, before choosing a hybrid cloud provider, make sure that you review and understand their SLAs. By making sure that the SLA aligns with your organization’s requirements, you can minimize the risk of downtime and ensure business continuity.  

Implementing security measures

Security is a crucial best practice for hybrid cloud usage as you want to make sure all private information related to your business is kept confidential. Implementing security measures in your cloud environment can be done through encryption strategies, managing access controls, and regularly patching and updating your systems. Moreover, you should also continuously monitor your systems for potential security threats and make disaster recovery plans for your business, so that you can respond to any security issues quickly. It’s recommended to consult with your provider to see if they can help you with implementing these security measures so you don’t have to manage all that on your own.  

Who should use a hybrid cloud?

Small medium businesses (SMBs) 

Hybrid cloud is the perfect solution for small-medium businesses as it allows them to store their sensitive data securely in a private cloud while still utilizing the public cloud for scalable and cost-efficient resources. This ensures that the business has optimal website performance and delivers an excellent and secure customer experience. 

Software developers

Hybrid cloud provides software developers with an affordable and flexible platform to build, test, and deploy applications quickly and efficiently. Developers can still keep their sensitive data on the private cloud while using budget-friendly resources from the public cloud for development and testing needs. 

Regulatory-driven businesses

Hybrid cloud allow businesses that have strict compliance requirements to maintain control over sensitive information by safely storing them in the private cloud while still enjoying the scalability and cost benefits of public cloud services. This is so they can comply with regulatory standards and ensure data privacy and security, while still saving some costs.  

Media and entertainment industry

Businesses in the media and entertainment industry has to deal with large files that require big-sized storage. This includes high-resolution video, images, and graphics. Using the this type of cloud can help them store and process those data cost-effectively. They can also use the public cloud resources for their content distribution and streaming while safely storing their valuable assets and information on the private cloud. This helps them to ensure a smooth content delivery while maintaining the protection of intellectual property. 

Educational institutions and research organizations

Hybrid cloud can help educational institutions and research organizations as they allow them to keep their students and research data secure on the private cloud while taking advantage of the public cloud for hosting online courses and learning platforms. This way, they can enjoy easy and convenient access to resources, while still keeping their sensitive data private.  

Overall, a hybrid cloud is a perfect solution for organizations or individuals who want flexibility, scalability, affordability, and secure data management by combining private and public cloud environments to meet their specific needs.

Click here to learn more about how Hybrid Cloud works. 

The post Hybrid Cloud Best Practices appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

A strong security posture is less vulnerable to cyber threats or cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and a company with a weak security posture is justifiably more vulnerable. A company’s security posture is also not static. Cyber threats are constantly emerging and evolving. New types of threats keep appearing every day, so companies need to be constantly on the alert and evaluate their security posture and prepare themselves on how to respond to the ever-changing security threats.

• Read More: Impact of Rising Cyber Attack on Businesses Operation 

Security posturing is different from security compliance in the sense that security posturing is more focused on how a company can protect itself against cyber threats, while security compliance is focused more on how a company can follow the existing rules, standards, and regulations related to cybersecurity (for example HIPAA and ISO 27001).

Why is it important?

1. To know which areas need improvement or investment

Understanding your security posture means recognizing which specific areas in your business are more susceptible to outside threats. Knowing this will allow you to know which areas need more security improvement or investment.

2. Poor security posture puts company and customers’ data at risk

By knowing and improving your security posture, you are protecting not only your company’s sensitive information but also your customers. Having a poor security posture means you are vulnerable to cyber threats, which include ransomware and data breaches, that can impact not just you but also your customers.

3. Poor security posture can make your company fail at complying with security standards

To comply with or pass audits of security standards such as HIPAA and SOC, you need to maintain a strong security posture and review it regularly. Complying with these security standards increases your company’s reliability and thus, creates trust with your current or future customers.

• Read More: Why SOC 2 Type II/SSAE 18 Matters for Your Business 

4. To know what to do when an attack comes or how to prevent attacks

Cyber threats can cost you a lot, but you can prevent this from happening if you (and your employees) know what to do when it happens and how to prevent them from happening in the first place. By understanding your security posture, you can prepare your employees better for what they should do when an attack does happen and how to prevent them from happening.

How to measure?

A security posture review is usually conducted in four stages:

1. Planning Stage

In this stage, a team leader or project manager from the company will plan out the whole process of assessing the company’s security posture and also assign tasks to the members accordingly.

2. Documentation Stage

After planning out the process, the team leader will document the current security practices of the company.

3. Evaluation Stage

Next, the company’s security posture will be evaluated based on the available security posture assessment resources. We recommend you collaborate or consult with an external security service provider in doing this to make sure that you get the best evaluation. They can also help in providing cybersecurity metrics resources.

4. Reporting Stage

Finally, the company will review the security posture level based on the evaluation, highlight the areas that need improvement or needs to be prioritized, and conduct further planning on how to improve the areas that are vulnerable to cyber threats.

How to improve?

1. Automate Threat Detection and Response

Requiring the IT team to monitor your company’s security systems and networks 24/7 could be risky as there is always room for human error. A recommendation you could use is to utilize automated threat detection and automated endpoint protection software. It’s more reliable and saves your employees’ time. SentinelOne automatically stops malware in its tracks without requiring the system administrator to take care of it, thus helping its users to save time while still protecting their endpoints.

2. Provide Security Training

As mentioned in our previous blog post , a survey in 2021 held by Kenna Security found that 31% of companies do not provide cybersecurity training to their employees or multi-factor authentication for their systems. Because of this, threat actors are able to take advantage of companies. The best defense for these security gaps is to provide corporate security training. While it can be pricey it is worth the investment as everyone gets on the same page. Additionally, it prepares your employees to take action when a cyberattack happens.

It is important to note that companies should provide training for off-boarding to help ensure that resigned employees no longer have access to the company’s networks or data.

3. Update Software Regularly

Regular software updates are a must. Remember that every outdated software and patch you have running makes your devices and data more vulnerable and easily exploited. Updating the software regularly is very important as it gives you the best security patch available, keeping you secure and safe.

4. Security Assessment

Risk assessments should always take priority when improving and optimizing security posture. It allows you to get a holistic environment of the current security situation of your business. Completing a cybersecurity risk assessment will allow you to identify all possible vulnerabilities and weaknesses that are exploitable across all assets. A risk assessment identifies the most important IT assets at your company, the likelihood of an exploit, the potential impact of a data breach, and more. Going through these exercises is necessary to know the information in the event of a breach. There are security tools that can run through this kind of assessment for you, but it can also be done by an in-house security team.

5. Incident Management Plan

The incident management plan is a plan that lists the contingency plan when a cyberattack happens – typically, one would be created for every individual cyber vulnerability or risk. An incident management plan highlights the necessary steps to take so that when that type of cyberattack occurs, the business can mitigate the damage and recover quickly, making policies to protect the business in the future. The plan should also highlight what each employee or team member should do and who to notify when a cyberattack occurs.

6. Access Control

Controlling access to networking, hardware, and operating system settings is crucial in security. Allowing only vetted required personnel to have access; not everyone in the company should be given access to modify system settings, mitigating the dangers of unauthorized personnel accessing crucial security tools.

7. Prioritize Risk

Cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities look differently based on industries and individual companies. These vary from low to high-level impact exploits and occurrences. Prioritization is necessary to create plans to eliminate risks that are more likely to happen and have the greatest impact on your business before you go on the risks that are less likely to happen or have a smaller impact.

Ultimately, Evaluating and continuous optimization of your organization’s security posture is essential to safeguarding and securing your valuable data. Implementing any of these tips will improve your cybersecurity presence and lessen vulnerabilities being exploited in your systems. Remember, it is not if an attack happens, it is when an attack happens and the best way to mitigate attacks is with a knowledgeable staff.

The post What is Security Posture? appeared first on Wowrack Blog.

There are a lot of things that you can do with a dedicated server. This includes hosting online games, e-commerce sites, websites, and applications.  A lot of users choose to use a dedicated server because of its security, performance, and customization features. 

To put it simply, a dedicated server is like a powerful computer that you can rent to play a game with your friends. Using your computer to run the game may cause technical problems, and you have to solve them on your own. However, you don’t have to worry about all that when you rent a powerful computer that is made specifically for running that game. This explains why renting is a popular option these days for both businesses and end-users.

Trends and Statistics

Based on research published by Maximize Market Research, the global dedicated server hosting market was valued at USD 12 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 24 billion by 2029. The study also mentioned that the growth in demand is mainly driven by the increase in virtualization and cybersecurity awareness. Dedicated servers provide users with more control and security, allowing them to handle their own security measures instead of relying solely on the provider. Moreover, the region that is expected to hold the highest share in the market is North America. 

Dedicated vs Shared Server

There are some differences between the two kinds of hosting services, which are:

Performance

Dedicated server offers better performance and faster speed than a shared server as it gives you full access to all the resources of the server. This includes the CPU, RAM, and storage. Meanwhile, with a shared server, you have to share those resources with other websites, which can slow down the speed. 

Prices

A dedicated server is often more costly compared to a shared server because you are paying for the entire server’s resources. Meanwhile, with a shared server, you will share the cost of those resources with the other users. 

Security

A dedicated server offers a higher level of security as it allows you to be the only user who has access to the server. This gives you more control over the security aspects of your server. Meanwhile, a shared server is more vulnerable as your website can be affected by security problems from other users.

Scalability

A dedicated server is more scalable than a shared server due to the difficulty of upgrading the RAM and CPU on the shared server. Albeit, there is a heavy upfront cost, you will see savings overtime. Like a car payment, once you pay off the car loan, the only bill you have left is gas and maintenance resulting in a consistent predictable bill. Opposed to a shared sever which charges for the amount of resources you use causing an unpredictable and potentially high monthly payment.

Customization features

You can always customize a dedicated server to fit your needs, as you have complete control over the server. However, when using a shared server, the number of features you can customize may be very limited. This is because you still have to share the resources of the server with other users.

Technical expertise requirement

Typically, a dedicated server will require the user to have more technical expertise compared to a shared server. This is because the user will handle the server maintenance and management. Meanwhile, with a shared server, the server management will be handled by the provider.

Who Should Consider Using a Dedicated Server?

Software developers

If you are a software developer that is looking for a server with customizable features, then you should consider using a dedicated server. It gives you the freedom to scale the resources up or down according to your needs. Additionally, it provides you with greater power and reliability.

Companies that manage large amounts of data

Security is key when it comes to handling sensitive information. If your business has to handle lots of sensitive information, then a dedicated server will be the right choice for you. This is because you will be fully in charge of your website’s security aspects. With full control, you can apply the security measures and configurations that you need to protect both your business and customers. With a shared server, there is a chance that a threat actor will be able to break through your security system due to another organization’s lack of due diligence.

E-commerce or business sites

No one likes to wait for too long. Thus, having a website that loads very slowly can lead to a high bounce rate. This can therefore lead to low engagement rates on your site. The good news is, utilizing a dedicated server can help you prevent them. Dedicated servers can also help you give a better experience to your customers as it allows you to customize the security aspects of your site. Thus, dedicated servers can help to give your audience a reliable and secure user experience.

Online gaming companies

If your website is designed to host online games, then a dedicated server is a good choice for you. This is because dedicated servers are reliable, and also very scalable, making it possible for you to upgrade your resources at any time, depending on your online game’s workload and/or needs, making sure your website has a stable speed. Thus, using a dedicated server can help to provide the best gaming experience for your clients.

Overall, a dedicated server is the best option for people or businesses that need a reliable, secure, yet customizable infrastructure.

When it comes to choosing the right provider for your business, you should make sure that your provider can meet your support, scalability, security, and performance requirements as it impacts your IT operations and business’ overall success. You can contact one of our IT experts here to learn about how we can help you integrate a dedicated server into your business.

The post Everything You Need to Know About a Dedicated Server appeared first on Wowrack Blog.