Risky Cyber Threats & How to Stop Them

Risky Cyber Threats & How to Stop Them

Be Aware of Emerging Cyber Threats

A simple cyber-attack might easily crush your business and even put you out of business. A recent study showed that 60% of businesses that did go through a cyber-attack closed their doors within 6 months. Sadly, cyber-criminals are working overtime to find loopholes in the present security landscape, making it necessary for companies to be on their toes to outmaneuver the bad guys.

Ideally, your data security is only as strong as your weakest security link. As long as you can work to get rid of the emergent security dangers, you can protect your company’s track record and acquire a competitive advantage in your market. Is it a simple job? No, it isn’t. Keeping up with current security threats requires a keen eye and a skilled IT team, however leaving things to opportunity is never an option. The technique is to build a robust danger evaluation program and to use the required security controls.

Here is why danger evaluation is vital and how to battle all cyber dangers:

Contents

  • Focus On Risk Assessment
  • 4  Threats and Their Solutions
    • Zero-Day Exploits
    • Shadow IT
    • Warshipping – a Major Threat
    • IoT Attacks

Focus On Risk Assessment

Comprehending your present risk landscape and where your business vulnerabilities are, security-wise, is an important part of developing a solid security posture. Preferably, you need to recognize the most vulnerable parts of your security system, whether the existing security tools are capable enough, and how to seal any loopholes. Threat evaluation helps to determine the best methods to eliminate threats.

It also assists to rank the risks, making it simple to take full advantage of a company’s available resources. When it comes to your IT group, it assists to determine weaknesses that you have talent-wise and offer sustainable solutions. For instance, you can contract out a task, hire more experts, or intensify staff member training. It likewise makes it easy to determine the very best individual to use the role of monitoring a specific danger. Basically, the threat evaluation will give you a overall view into your entire security risk landscape and support your decision-making process.

4 Key Threats and Their Solutions

Zero-Day Exploits

A zero-day attack is simply an attack that exploits unidentified vulnerabilities in your business’ systems. IT teams barely have enough time to patch the vulnerability, and often have to work towards fighting against attacks to regain control. While it can be possible to stop some attacks before they even happen, it is difficult to fight against something that you barely know exists.

Even worse, some software updates might expose your business to vulnerabilities, which at times results in zero-day exploits. Patching these vulnerabilities before they can turn into an attack is essential, especially considering that zero-day attacks are becoming more refined. To solve the problem, IT teams need to watch out for vulnerabilities in their company’s systems constantly.

Also, it is essential to install security updates as soon as they are sent out. Sadly, Wannacry affected a lot of businesses that ran under the Microsoft OS, despite Microsoft having sent out a patch for the ad hoc vulnerability. Lastly, you need to use both AI-based security tools and data-based ones. While data-based tools are effective in identifying and preventing known threats, AI-based tools can be effective in keeping your business from unknown threats that cause your business’ system to behave abnormally.

Threats in Shadow IT

How well do you know the IT assets that employees use in their daily operations? Sometimes, employees might download applications that are outside the scope of what your business provides to streamline their work. While they will mostly use these unsanctioned applications without meaning any harm to your business, there is the chance that the applications can expose your business to security risks.

For instance, if a hacker were to find a vulnerability in these applications, they can quickly gain access to your sensitive data. Worst of all, it might be tough for IT teams to identify the threats since they do not know the applications that employees are using. Your IT team needs to take inventory of all applications that employees are using to battle shadow IT.

You should outline the application that you sanction for use by employees and have policies warning against using unsanctioned apps. Since employees tend to mostly use other applications due to shortcomings in the ones you provide, it is ideal for collaborating with employees in choosing these applications. This ensures that they will stick to the applications that you provide as a business.

Warshipping Is Becoming a Major Threat

Warshipping is a simple phishing threat in which hackers use the mail delivery system to launch their phishing attacks. They attach remote-controlled devices to packages that they send out to organizations and use these devices to access an organization’s network remotely. Once in the network, they can collect credentials and make costly changes to your data.

Worst of all, it might take some time for the inattentive IT teams to identify the looming threat. Start by asking employees to have their personal packages delivered at home, not at work, as this reduces the chances of an attack. Quarantine packages delivered into your premise, and place them in an area that has little to no access to the corporate network.

Such packages should be scanned for any threats before the recipients accept them. Lastly, be on the lookout for unsanctioned Wi-Fi devices that may connect to your network or any rogue wireless access points that employees can confuse for your business’ network.

IoT Attacks

IoT devices are gaining traction in today’s convenience-oriented business world. You might already have devices such as cameras and sensors that help make your business’ daily operations smooth. Sadly, most of these devices are made with security as an afterthought, making them easily vulnerable to attacks. If hackers manage to gain access to such devices, there is no limit to what they can have access to in terms of sensitive data.

Realizing this, IoT device manufacturers have started creating devices that are designed with security as a key consideration. The best device manufacturers are also always looking for vulnerabilities in their current devices and sending out ad hoc updates to patch them. Ideally, your business should continually update its devices once a patch is sent out. Partnering with security-conscious companies might also pay when it comes to identifying the best IoT tools to use and the security precautions to follow.

While the threats above are plaguing businesses at the moment, more threats are bound to arise with time. The initial step to creating a safe environment for your business is to indulge in risk assessment religiously. Follow the tips above to keep your business protected from the outlined threats.

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What Will the World Be Like in a Year or Two?

What Will the World Be Like in a Year or Two?

The Videos Below Give Us a Picture

For decades, people have made use of innovation to make day-to-day life more comfy and also simple. Science has actually evolved and also come to be much more sophisticated to satisfy consumer demands in the marketplace. For instance, the Entertainment marketplace has advanced from many technical developments of online reality games turning into immersion experiences.

Technology has altered the world in many methods current decades, however, the development of innovations promises that by 2020 technology will certainly transform a lot more. It is worth mentioning that 2020 has been named the “year of the great modern technology leap”.

Modern technology has entirely transformed the means we work as well as is advancing in different markets. Below, we offer a listing of the seven innovation predictions that will happen in 2020 and that will transform nearly all elements of working life.

Artificial Intelligence or AI

A core purpose of the digital world is the development and the growth of systems efficient in finding out and also adjusting to improve efficiency. In this regard, AI is the a huge wager as it makes into every area of our lives and will certainly end up being the foundation to improve the customer experience, enhance services, help with the search and also administration of info and reinvent a wide range of corporate versions, since it is by definition a series of innovations capable of learning to execute very common tasks or jobs efficiently, such as recognizing as well as refining human language. Some innovations offered to the consumer that includes AI, entail video gaming consoles, like the Sony PS5 Home. New patents submitted by Sony have exposed a brand-new attribute that Sony is creating for its PlayStation computer game gaming consoles called PlayStation Assist. The application will offer gamers tips by capitalizing on customer data as well as expert players. It will have the ability to identify a player’s progress and also offer details advice reports on sites like Gamerbolt.com.

Innovation has completely revolutionized how we work and is growing by leaps and bounds in many sectors. Below, we provide a list of the seven key predictions that will be happening in 2020 and that will impact nearly all aspects of everyday life.

Rise in Social Media

The most interesting thing about our century is that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to become the next generation technology of recent times. Like Facebook, in a few years Artificial Intelligence in digital marketing and social media networking will become such an important pillar of our daily interactions that future generations will not be able to contemplate what life was like without it.

The future of social networks depends largely on Artificial Intelligence.

Facebook has been using Artificial Intelligence to analyze its users’ activity and demographics and improve their experience. That is, Facebook algorithms, among other things, track user comments on different topics and use them to find out what content is located at the top of a particular user’s news. This new technology has also helped social network users better identify themselves through face recognition and easily find friends through user location and other provided data. Twitter, on the other hand, uses Artificial Intelligence to track trend and determine which #hashtag to rank.

In social media, AI, is driving growth for many platforms by providing personalized experiences and engagement for users. For instance Chinese video app TikTok is gaining popularity very fast through ingenious methods of engagement and body part recognition. Driving it’s success and more followers for tik tok is advanced technology capabilities like machine learning, algorithms, body recognition and sourcing news made possible by its developer who specializes in AI and big data analysis.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT forms the basis of the next industrial revolution and is considered the next great novelty in home automation technology. Today we see that there is an invasion of IoT in our lives, homes and offices and even in big cities and transportation. By 2020, we intend to see 50 billion interconnected objects. Owners can control everything in their homes, from lighting to temperature.

Experts predict that by 2020, more than 50 billion “things” (physical objects) will be interconnected. With all this, it will no longer be just the internet of things. It will be the “internet of everything” and “everywhere.”

5G Networks

Directly related to the evolution and implementation of IoT is 5G technology, which is postulated as the high-speed highway through which all data will travel in the most immediate future. Its deployment will allow new business models in the field of Industry 4.0; major advances in the development of services linked to IoT and will provide improvements in speed and latency.

Not only would it enrich the user experience by offering higher data rates when we talk about virtual reality or augmented reality, but it will also favor security, which is where the latency point comes in. It is anticipated that when a movie takes 26 hours to download on a 3G network, in 5G the time will be reduced to 3.6 seconds.

Blockchain

Blockchain allows companies to track a transaction and work with un-trusted parties without the need for a centralized part (i.e., a bank). This greatly reduces friction in business. Blockchain could potentially reduce costs, reduce settlement times of transactions and improve cash flow.

The current state of Blockchain shows everything about its uses and will continue its position in the top technology predictions of 2020. Slowly, but surely, it is positioning itself among the many industries. By 2020, the maximum companies will adopt it for their website.

Edge Computing

Perimeter computing is a computer element in which everything, from information processing, content collection and delivery, is close to the source of information. This new model greatly reduce latency (time required for sending data).

Being an important part of a new 2020 technology predictions, we are expected to witness that more attention is paid to perimeter computing to enable smart grids, in which the connected devices will perform the necessary analyzes in place and use the results to perform them.

3D Printers

The 3D printer has been strongly adopted in recent years. It is a growing technology that has opened a new door of possibilities in different industries. 2020 will be a year of take off for 3D printers, which will constitute the next technological revolution. This new manufacturing system will bring major changes to current business models. It should be mentioned that 3D printing is called the third wave of the industrial revolution. This imparts power to people, to produce whatever they want. This new manufacturing system will bring major changes in current business models.

Cybersecurity

It is one of the most important perditions in the current technology landscape and will continue to be in the coming years, since it influences in a transversal way in any sector. With the rise of cyber attacks, all those matters related to defense against external threats and Internal data protection are the main concerns of IT managers in almost all organizations. In addition, by 2020, organizations must already be fully adapted to the new data management and protection framework.

Final Words

The technology predictions for 2020 closer than we think

In this era of globalized economy, we see that there is an unprecedented invasion of changes in the social, economic and technological areas. Technology predictions will change the way we do business in the future.

The possibilities and benefits offered by these seven technological trends are apparently endless. Most experts believe that taking advantage of these highly advanced technologies in our society and workforce will definitely improve our lives, both professionally and personally. The pace of technological innovation in any organization will create substantial opportunities to grow and provide the right service at the right time.

The year 2020 is just the beginning of the revolution that is yet to come. When we reach 2050, the world as we know it will have completely transformed to be better. Technology year by year surprises us and we must be prepared to adapt it to our business.

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Protect Your Computer from Malware and Virus Attacks

Protect Your Computer from Malware and Virus Attacks

(One of our favorites)  Information Technology Blog – – How to Protect Your PC from Viruses and Malware – Information Technology Blog

Knowing the fact malware threat is not limited to any user base or country, as it is looming large and causing serious data security threat, it becomes important to apply preventive measures.

In this article, we have discussed a few simple yet most effective ways to protect your PC from viruses and malware.

Update Software

Outdated software brings you a lot of troubles. These troubles aren’t limited to performance issues, instead, it also causes security issues as well. If you are running on old software, then it’s time you should immediately update your system software. To do this, Windows sends you regular software updates which help you keep your system software up-to-date. In case you have missed these automatic updates, then you also update system software manually. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Go to Start menu and right-click on it to select Settings.
  • Once you are on the Settings page, select Update & Security option.
  • Next, choose the Windows Update option from the left pane.
  • Click on “Check for Updates”. It will help you find & install all available updates on your PC.

Enable Firewall

A firewall is an effective security solution on your PC that keeps your system protected from malicious content coming online. It builds a security wall between your system and open network where it tracks and blocks all malicious content effectively when you are online. While it comes built-in on all Windows versions, not necessarily it comes enabled. Thus, you can consider enabling it on your PC along with antimalware software for complete security. To enable this feature, follow these steps:

  • Go to Start menu > Settings.
  • Select Update & Security.
  • Select Windows Security from the left panel.
  • Select “Firewall & Network Protection” option from the right panel.

Here, make sure the firewall is ON for domain network, private network, and public network.

Scan system for viruses

Next effective solution to keep the system protected is to scan your system storage on regular intervals. It will help you find and remove all malicious content on your device effectively. To do this, you can find an effective built-in security utility called Windows Defender that will run multiple scan types for effective security.

To use this tool, follow these steps:

  • Go to Start menu > Settings.
  • Select Update & Security > Windows Security.
  • Select “Virus & threat protection”.
  • On the next window, click on Scan Options under Current Threats.

Here, you will find multiple scan options to select from including Quick Scan, Full Scan, Custom Scan, and Windows Defender Offline Scan. You can select one of these options as per your needs.

Use Best Malware Protection Software

Using the best anti-malware software, you not only manage to keep your system safe from various malware threats, but it also helps you boost system performance with various features. While there are tons of malware protection software available, you can choose one based on the advanced features it offers. Here, it should provide real-time protection to your system, it should provide database updates to keep you protected from existing & emerging malware threats, it protects your system from all malware & virus families, and more with best malware protection tools

Avoid Clicking on Unknown Links

You get tons of emails & messages the whole day from unknown senders. While few of them are related to marketing & promotion, lot of them brings serious security threats. Here, scammers and cybercriminals send you unsolicited attachments & links which could compromise your data & system security once clicked or opened. Thus, you should remain vigilant to these suspicious emails & attachments. You should strictly avoid clicking on links & attachments found in these emails and messages.

So, these were a few quick tips to keep your system protected from malware and virus threats. If you have encountered any such threat, then feel free to share how you dealt with it. You can also comment if you have more suggestions to fix malware issue on your PC.

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5 Major Tech Trends That Are Transforming the Construction Industry

5 Major Tech Trends That Are Transforming the Construction Industry

Information Technology Blog – – 5 Major Tech Trends That Are Transforming the Construction Industry – Information Technology Blog

Digital Construction Industry Trends to Watch out For: The next generation of “digital natives” are constantly bringing new technology to the workplace. Discover the latest digital construction industry trends here.

In the United States, the construction industry employs about 10.7 million people.

The construction industry is one of the markets that have the largest opportunity for growth in innovation and technology.

The year 2019 comes with new construction industry trends. We expect these trends to improve productivity and efficiency.

Below are five major technology trends that are transforming the construction industry.

The Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT is transforming various industries to develop smarter working environments. It’s made up of central control systems and sensors. IoT creates a connected worksite, which enhances better site regulation and improved safety.

Managers of construction sites take more control over the worksite without having to struggle with time. These construction site managers use mobile data, wearable construction technology, and centralized software.

Some of the major benefits of IoT include giving workers a warning when they are about to enter a danger zone. This helps to ensure that the workers at the construction site are safe.

Also, the Internet of Things allows workers to check-in and out of the site efficiently. In case of emergencies, managers can send broadcast messages to the employees in the site using IoT.

Additionally, it is possible to track footfall on the site using the Internet of Things. On-site cameras and construction management software make it easy to report actual-time status. These also help to view the progress of the project.

It is easy to track usage and know when products are running out when the equipment in the site have sensors.

Using IoT, you can turn things off by simply moving a button. This reduces the environmental harm often caused by the activities in construction sites.

IoT gives important information. This data forms part of the operational management of a construction site. This construction technology also affects the flow of a project.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

When you use technology to improve the quality of your work, then you’ll have more data to process. Construction companies now rely more on real-time information to achieve efficient project management. Thus, they need systems to organize and add data.

AI and machine learning help to improve efficiency. This is by automating the workflows in a construction site. These construction trends make suggestions based on trends in historical data to enhance the quality of work.

Machine learning and AI are going to be vital in the construction industry. They are expected to analyze and collect large quantities of data from a workflow.

AI, that’s appropriately trained can separate data quicker compared to a human operator. This makes it possible to get a clear picture of the activities in the construction site at a short time.

Using machine learning and artificial intelligence maximizes efficiency by reducing costs. Also, the construction technologies will help in educating the employees on how to create safer working environments.

Including these technologies in the construction industry can reduce the estimated cost. It can also develop generative designs.

Machine learning and AI technologies provide solutions. These help construction companies to focus on and track risks in the worksite. Thus, project teams can use their limited resources and time to focus on the largest risk factors.

Artificial intelligence helps in the automatic ranking of factors. By including AI and machine learning, constructors can work with high-risk teams to achieve risk mitigation.

Machine learning is useful in creating opportunities for other uses of technology. In the coming years, we expect more innovative applications of this technology.

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are known to revolutionize various industries. In the past, VR enabled stakeholders and project teams to view their proposed schemes even before the start of the project. Among the industries that VR is revolutionizing in 2019 is the world of construction.

With the help of this advanced technology, construction managers can oversee each level of the project from the lowest to the highest. AR and VR tools reduce the need for rework.

Virtual reality makes it possible to check progress and offer guidance in the digital job. It also helps in co-design, safety, and health.

For instance, the Daqri helmet gives the users better situational awareness. This makes users more aware of their surroundings. They can spot unsafe conditions and temperature changes.

The Daqri helmet also makes complex installations more precise.

Virtual reality uses 3D modeling. This allows people to engage in a project and provide them with real-life experience.

Through the 3D modeling software, it is possible to create an accurate and detailed model. Also, 3D modeling enhances the sharing of these models across teams in the construction company.

Besides, virtual reality allows workers in different locations to tour the site together. This ensures that the colleagues work on projects together regardless of their locations.

VR allows workers to have a picture of how the project will look even before it’s complete. Thus, employees in the construction site can have expectations for the project. They can prepare for it during its development stage.

With the help of augmented reality, construction workers and managers can view a clearer image through a camera lens. This technology is likely to open several new opportunities for the construction industry.

Virtual reality is developing a world of new possibilities. It allows collaboration between builders and innovative designers.

Connectivity

The construction industry technology is improving. There’s a need to have a support system for the large data quantities required and for greater speeds. So, connectivity is crucial in construction sites.

WiFi6 and 5G are some of the technologies that are becoming more popular. These make it easier to provide greater reliability and speeds. They also provide solutions to enterprise-grade.

Integrating mobile broadband is associated with various advantages. For instance, it is portable and can be moved easily with the project. Also, mobile broadband is easy and quick to install. Providers of mobile technologies offer short-term contracts.

Traditional broadband has fixed lines. However, 5G offers less congestion, better handling of traffic, and greater speeds.

Cloud technology makes it possible for colleagues in a construction site to access information of all types. This is regardless of their physical location.

Connected construction sites improve safety, productivity, and communication among the workers. This is through information provided by geolocation. Also, location tracking of personnel, remote site monitoring, and live mark-ups enhance connectivity.

The JSU builder is among the services that allow construction managers to manage their Job Safety Analysis (JSA). This service makes it possible to share knowledge about safety across the construction site. Check this service to ensure your construction site is safer and reduce the costs.

Bluebeam “Atlas” is a technology that has been made available in 2019. This technology beneficial for geospatial mapping and improving access to mobile information.

Drones

Drones are popular in most construction sites. These drones help in saving time. For instance, it is easier for surveyors to survey all areas of a construction site in a few minutes.

Surveyors can use drones to create 3D mapping pictures to use in zoning a particular area. Drones are equipped with Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), cameras, and other technologies. These enable them to collect information and access remote areas.

In the past, surveyors took months or weeks to survey a site. Drones also help the construction industry to save a large amount of money.

In the coming years, drone technology is set to develop even more. Thus, less human involvement will be necessary.

Most companies hesitated to use drones in the past. This is because they required the involvement of a controller.

However, most construction companies are embracing the use of drone technology. This is as a result of the growing technology.

Drone technology is also referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It allows site teams and managers to access updates on real-time progress. Construction managers can also use drones to check problems in safety and health that they missed earlier.

Besides, the use of drone technology attracts agents and surveyors. This is because construction companies can use drones to get the time-lapse footage of projects in progress.

Construction Industry Trends Benefits

It’s without a doubt that 2019 is a breakthrough year, especially for the construction industry. Some of the technology trends in the construction industry in 2019 are drones, connectivity, and the Internet of Things. Also, Virtual Reality, and AI and machine learning are new construction technologies.

The industry will be one that operates on data. It will emphasize real-time communication and collaboration. The above technologies and construction industry trends are vital. They ensure less unpleasant delays and increased productivity.

Also, having connected digital workflows will help to define collaboration. Construction managers and stakeholders will have better access to decisions and status about the ongoing projects in the site. Drones are among the new-old technology that will move the construction industry to new levels in the future.

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