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The Impact Of Technology And Automation On Today’s Businesses

tmercer@iboxg.com (Tim Mercer) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:44:05 GMT

Over the last year, companies had to embrace technology and automation to maintain operations and keep customers serviced.

Almost every business had to implement new systems and solutions rapidly to overcome immediate challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Even if the trend existed before 2020, the last year saw unprecedented acceleration that is likely to continue. Every business owner now understands what benefits are available from process automation and advanced IT infrastructure. For the workforce, the opposite may be true as emerging technologies are making some jobs obsolete.

The Benefits of Technology and Automation for Businesses

Introducing new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and robotic process automation (RPA) are now part of a solid business strategy. Some of the advantages that come from these technologies include increased productivity, higher rates of production, better quality service, and the efficient use of materials.

Depending on the type of business, new technologies exist that could disrupt almost every process in the organization. The companies that already embraced modern technologies were able to adapt quickly, while those that dragged their adoption had to overcome a steep learning curve.

Technology and automation are disrupting operations like:

Manufacturing – Robots and remote operations enable manufacturers to reduce their workforce while increasing production quantities.
Administration – Remote access solutions and cloud infrastructure helps organizations to keep workers productive from anywhere.
Analytics – AI and ML systems are creating predictive models that companies use to analyze operations, created accurate forecasts, and automate supply chains.
Customer service – To improve customer service, AI bots can record, communicate, and engage with customers while routing requests to the relevant department.
Data capturing – RPA can automate repetitive tasks by capturing information from invoices, orders, or service requests.

Additionally, companies need to increase cybersecurity capabilities using AI to help filter out incident notifications. The performance benefits available from technology and automation make it an attractive business strategy for any kind of organization, capable of building a resilient and future-proof company.

Impact of Technology and Automation on the Workforce

For some workers, the new capabilities could pose a risk to job security. In any environment where work is predictable and processes remain structured, automation has the potential to replace middle-skilled workers.

Industries where the automation potential remains high include manufacturing, accommodation, food services, and retail. In the United States, it could represent as much as 51% of work activities . By 2018, analysts predicted that automation and emerging technologies could cut the workforce by as much as 10%—but the good news is that it will add 3% new jobs.

While blue- and white-collar jobs may be at risk, it does create a demand for “new collar” jobs where non-traditional education helps organizations with their technology adoption. Training for new collar jobs may include vocational schools, software boot camps, technical certifications, and on-the-job mentorships or internships. In short, these workers stay up-to-date with all the latest developments in automation and technology, and can serve a company’s operations better.

Speed Up Your Technology and Automation Adoption

There are many technology service providers that can help firms, private companies, and government agencies to speed up their technology adoption. With a team of technologists, engineers, and IT professionals, any organization can implement new systems that improve productivity, speed up task execution, and enhance security throughout their operations.

First featured on Forbes.com

Cybersecurity: Can You Protect Your Privacy in the Digital World?

tmercer@iboxg.com (Tim Mercer) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 21:36:00 GMT

Cybersecurity.

Cyberattacks.

Vulnerabilities.

There are entire companies that have been created for the sole purpose of profiting from people that hear these words on an almost daily basis—in online ads or tv commercials—underlining your openness for an attack, the threat of identity theft, or the imminence of your lost fortune.

They channel slogans that highlight the ease at which they can protect you, leaving you to wonder if you can trust their legitimacy in the first place.

You might wonder—“If it is really that easy, why isn’t it something I can do myself?”

In this article, we will briefly discuss the true impacts that these kinds of threats can carry and attempt to point you in the right direction.

The Real-World Consequences: Should You Be Concerned About Cybersecurity Threats?

The short answer is yes.

Cyber threats are real , and they do matter.

That isn’t to say that there is nothing anyone can do to stop them, or, more importantly, protect you from them. However, before we dive deeper into that, let’s take a look at what cybersecurity really is.

In layman’s terms, cybersecurity is the simple act of protecting, or encrypting, any information that is stored online.

At a personal level, this can include important passwords or banking and personal finance information, as well as photographs, videos, and other media on the cloud.

At a more industrial level, this can refer to any device using Wi-Fi, new cars , or, as has been seen more recently, utility companies.

Hacking can occur in many different forms, ranging from someone stealing the password to a web subscription you stopped using years ago to remotely accessing and manipulating the regulated settings scrutinized by power and water companies—perhaps resulting in large-scale outages or poisoning water supplies .

Should You Take Immediate Action?

Given that essentially every modern system is potentially vulnerable to a cyberattack at any given time, your first thought might be to go withdraw your savings from the bank and slide the cash into a freshly-minted hole in your mattress.

Some people wouldn’t blame you for doing so. But the world is only getting more digital, and if you want to grow with the rest of society, you probably shouldn’t speed away just yet.

What Can You Do?

In your own, personal life, there are services that you can take advantage of to protect yourself from a seriously detrimental, and very costly, cyberattack, like identity theft—a kind of insurance if you will.

These companies will monitor your online information and, with the help of a dedicated team of hacking experts of their own, can protect your data.

The industrial level is a little different, though. Without the support of local and community leaders, cybersecurity will not be taken seriously. Many utility companies, for example, rely on outdated software, encryption protocols, and mechanical safety switches to watch their backs.

“These methods have protected us so far,” a politician may argue, but look around. Even in the media, there’s an ever-growing inundation of video games and TV shows, particularly those that promote hacking and the power that comes with it.

With every passing day, is it only a matter of time?

First featured on Forbesbooks.com

5 Things Your Company Needs To Know About Cloud Security Basics

tmercer@iboxg.com (Tim Mercer) — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 21:29:13 GMT

Cloud adoption is a business model that continues to disrupt industries around the world. It provides convenience, cost savings, and near-permanent uptimes compared to on-premises infrastructure. Due to the benefits available from cloud migration, analysts expect spending on public cloud infrastructure and services will grow to $500 billion by 2023.

Although the flexibility and increased capabilities of cloud infrastructure provide organizations with greater efficiencies, it could also put organizations at risk. Cyberattacks continue to plague organizations of every size and moving your IT infrastructure and services to cloud environments requires a different approach to traditional deployments.

Understanding the Cybersecurity Risks with Cloud Adoption

Two main types of cloud deployments are available, with most organizations adopting a hybrid model for their systems. A private cloud keeps all infrastructure and systems under the company’s control while a public cloud hands over the responsibility to a third-party company. In hybrid deployments, some services are in public cloud infrastructure while others remain in the company’s data center.

To distinguish between hybrid models, the following terms may apply:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – The organization retains control of their applications, data, runtime environments, middleware, and operating systems. Public cloud service providers handle virtualization, servers, networking, and storage systems.
Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Moving all networking, storage, servers, virtualization, operating systems, middleware, and runtime environments to the cloud but maintaining application and data on private infrastructure.

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Software as a Service (SaaS) – All elements of the IT landscape are available on a public cloud without any resources under the organization’s direct responsibility.

Determining which cloud deployment model will s uit your organization often depends on the risks involved. In highly regulated environments, moving to a complete SaaS deployment will require validating the cybersecurity frameworks adopted by the service provider.

Cloud Security Basics You Need to Know

Regardless of which deployment you choose, you should know the cloud security basics before migrating to the new environment. Here are five things you need to know about cloud security to help you manage risks.

1. Shared Resources for Multi-Tenancy Cloud Customers

Multi-tenancy refers to the shared resources your cloud service provider will allocate to your information. The way the cloud and virtualization works is, instead of physical infrastructure dedicated to a single organization or application, virtual servers sit on the same box and share resources between containers. You should ensure that your cloud service provider secures your containers and prevents other entities from accessing your information.

2. Data Encryption During Transmission and at Rest

As you’ll be accessing data from a remote location, your service provider should encrypt all your information whether at rest in the virtual environment or when transmitting it over the internet. Even when the service provider’s applications access your information, it should not be readable by anyone else except your company’s resources. To protect your information, ask your service provider about what encryption they use to secure your data

3. Centralized Visibility of Your Cloud Infrastructure

It’s not enough to trust service providers. You’ll also want to verify your data remains secure in their host environments. Cloud Workload Protection (CWP) tools provide centralized visibility of all your information, so you can get adequate oversight of the environment.

Ask your cloud company if they can provide you with security tools like:

Network traffic analysis and inspection of cloud environments for malicious content
Monitoring for configuration changes in your containers
Alerts for any configuration issues that could create vulnerabilities

4. An Integrated and Secure Access Control Model

Access control models remain a major risk in cloud environments. User Identity and Access Management (IAM) limits abuse from privileged accounts. Your provider should have cloud-based security that includes a management solution to control user roles and maintain access privileges. The solution should alert you when any suspicious access requests arise or have an automated revocation process in place when anomalous activities occur.

5. Vendor Sprawl Management with Threat Intelligence

In complex cloud deployments, you may end up using different vendors each with its own cybersecurity framework. Threat intelligence solutions can provide you with clear insight into all your vendors and the latest global threats that could put your business systems at risk. A threat intelligence tool will gather and curate information from a variety of cybersecurity research firms and alert you of any vulnerabilities in your vendor’s systems.

Moving to the Cloud Securely

I founded IBOX over 20 years ago to work with companies and public agencies to ensure a safe and secure cloud deployment. For any organization that’s considering a complete cloud migration or wants to leverage the benefits by using a hybrid deployment, understanding the entire threat landscape is essential. Find a team of cybersecurity experts that can assist with the planning, evaluation, and oversight of your cloud migration to mitigate risks and establish the necessary controls.

What is a Framework in Cybersecurity? (A Beginner’s Guide)

tmercer@iboxg.com (Tim Mercer) — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 08:38:46 GMT

Today, every individual and organization is vulnerable to cybercrime. Historically, most cybercriminals went after large enterprises expecting big payoffs if they managed to penetrate the network. Over the last few years, this is no longer the case as hackers realized that smaller companies and government agencies are easier to exploit and have fewer resources to protect their networks.

In 2019, cybercrimes increased by 17% but the number of records exposed dropped by 64% in the United States. One conclusion we can draw from these statistics is that although cyberattacks continue to increase, hackers are less successful, and organizations are more capable of defending against attacks. The key difference is that many organizations and agencies have adopted a cybersecurity framework to protect their digital assets.

What is a Cybersecurity Framework?

Cybersecurity frameworks are models you can adopt (including standards, guidelines, and best practices) to align your IT system with your security objectives. It formalizes the organization’s approach to protecting critical business systems, application data, networks, and endpoints. While it may not be mandatory to adopt a cybersecurity framework, many government agencies and regulated environments can require the organization to have one in place.

Different Cybersecurity Framework Examples

Depending on the organization’s industry, choosing which framework will work best within the scope of your operations can be challenging. Different frameworks address a variety of regulatory compliance requirements, leading to some companies creating hybrid models that address specific concerns in their business processes.

Some of the major cybersecurity frameworks include:

NIST – The S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework helps improve cybersecurity for owners and operators of critical infrastructure.
CIS – Developed more than ten years ago, the Center for Information Security (CIS) provides 20 controls and receives regular updates from government agencies, academia, and industry professionals.
HIPAA and PCI DSS – These frameworks are specific to the health sector (HIPAA) and financial services industries (PCI DSS). You can combine these with additional frameworks to address more than just specific, regulated information.
ISO/IEC 27000 Family – A comprehensive, internationally recognized cybersecurity framework that covers all aspects of information security processes and controls.

Frameworks also come in three main categories, which are:

Control Frameworks – Developing strategies and providing basic sets of controls.
Program Frameworks – Assessing the state of cybersecurity controls and building a comprehensive program.
Risk Frameworks – Identifying, measuring, and mitigating inherent risks within the company’s IT landscape.

Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Framework

In most cases, adopting the ISO/IEC 27000 family of standards will ensure compliance with any applicable laws in your industry. It covers all aspects and requirements for establishing a robust Information Security Management System (ITSM).

Another popular model is the NIST framework, first published as an Executive Order (EO) in 2013. The NIST framework aims to protect vital public infrastructure from cyberattacks and secure the nation’s digital supply chains. Developed in collaboration with private sector industries and government agencies, it provides three main elements required for implementation. You can download the NIST cybersecurity framework in PDF format from the NIST website.

How the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Works

The three components of the NIST cybersecurity framework are Core, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles. Each element addresses different levels of technical details that help improve an organization’s cybersecurity practices.

Core – Provides a set of desired controls in easy to understand language to help the business align their security goals and reduce cyber risk.
Implementation Tiers – Often used as a communication tool for the cybersecurity program by covering the budgets, risk appetite, and mission priorities.
Profiles – Gives insight into the unique alignment of the program against the desired outcomes and helps identify opportunities that can improve the organization’s cybersecurity controls.

Additional Cybersecurity Frameworks to Consider

One framework that will become mandatory for all defense contractors, agencies, and subcontractors is the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Used by the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), it will soon be a mandatory requirement for all contractors who work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

CMMC provides five levels of certification that reflect the maturity of an organization’s cybersecurity framework. These levels include:

Level 1 – Requires a contractor to practice basic cyber hygiene like using antivirus software and regular password updates.
Level 2 – Documenting intermediate cyber hygiene practices to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Level 3 – Adopting good cyber practices using an institutionalized management plan following NIST 800-171 R2.
Level 4 – Developing processes to review current cybersecurity practices and measure the effectiveness of the framework against advanced persistent threats (APTs).
Level 5 – The highest level of certification requires a standardized process with optimized control across the entire organization to protect and respond against APTs.

Establishing an Effective Cybersecurity Framework

To protect your organization, IBOX works to secure the nation’s digital supply chains with public agencies and private firms. Our team of experienced and certified cybersecurity professionals can assist any company to understand the risks involved and develop the necessary controls to protect the entire information management environment.

If you need access to a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts, reach out to IBOX today.

First featured on Forbesbooks.com