October 2024 - Page 5 of 12 - Version 2 Limited

How firewalls support HIPAA compliance: best practices for healthcare providers

Summary: Firewalls support HIPAA compliance by securing patient data. Discover how NordLayer helps healthcare organizations stay compliant.

Healthcare providers and insurers handle more valuable personal data than any other organizations. Losing this data puts millions of patients at risk, which is why healthcare is also one of the most highly regulated sectors.

Regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protect our privacy from an army of cyber attackers. HIPAA recommends administrative and technical solutions to lock down patient data.

There are many HIPAA requirements, ranging from preventing PHI disclosure to making health information available. Firewall barriers help meet requirements for access control policies and role-based access.

That’s because firewall tools allow for the implementation of granular network access controls, which helps protect sensitive medical records and data from unauthorized access. Firewalls enable healthcare companies to benefit from digital environments and remote access while securing data and avoiding HIPAA penalties.

This article will explore what role firewalls play in achieving HIPAA compliance and suggest some best practices for firewall configuration. We will look at firewall risk assessments and help you lock down medical data.

What is HIPAA compliance?

HIPAA compliance involves following security and privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This act is a body of regulations covering the healthcare sector in the United States, and non-compliance can result in significant penalties.

HIPAA is a complex set of acts and regulations, but core aspects include:

Privacy. Organizations must safeguard the confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI) relating to patient identities and healthcare histories.
Security. Organizations must protect against data breaches and implement appropriate data protection and cybersecurity measures.
Assessment. Companies must allow access to patient records.
Portability. Patients must be able to change providers if desired.

Compliance requirements extend to covered entities and business associates. Covered entities include direct healthcare organizations and insurers. Business associates are third parties with access to medical records. Examples include cloud storage providers or IT support companies.

Key takeaway: HIPAA compliance is essential if your company handles or stores PHI.

The importance of firewalls in HIPAA compliance

Data protection is one of the core HIPAA requirements. Although HIPAA does not set out precise technical requirements, organizations can use any technical means to protect patient data.

However, Firewalls usually play a critical role by blocking unauthorized access and filtering data passing to and from network assets.

A robust firewall enables healthcare organizations to regulate who accesses digital PHI (ePHI). Cloud-based firewalls also secure hybrid environments that host patient information or web assets.

Firewalls are not the only tools required to comply with the HIPAA Security Rule, but they are compliance essentials.

Features of a HIPAA-compliant cloud firewall

Every business should use firewalls in their security infrastructure, but not all firewalls suit healthcare organizations. Firewalls that contribute to HIPAA compliance must meet regulatory standards in various ways. Knowing where you stand is vital.

Features of a suitable firewall include:

Data encryption for patient information (at rest and in transit)
Access controls and identity management to block unauthorized access to medical records
In-depth traffic analysis via Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI)
Real-time activity monitoring (inbound and outbound traffic)
Blocking viruses and malicious software
Virtual private network (VPN) coverage
Network segmentation for confidential data
Flexibility and the ability to scale safely

Best practices for using firewalls to achieve HIPAA compliance

Given the requirements above, what is the best way to set up a firewall that helps you meet HIPAA regulations?

Implementations vary depending on the type and amount of PHI you handle. The best practices below apply to most HIPAA compliance situations and provide a solid foundation.

Secure inbound connections. Securing remote access or third-party network connections is a common pain point. Set inbound firewall rules to allow access to legitimate users. Add VPN protection for remote connections to shield traffic from external view.
Manage outbound connections. Configure outbound firewall rules to prevent unauthorized extraction of PHI.
Manage third parties securely. Many covered entities use business associates to process, store, or analyze data. Carry out risk assessments for all third-party access. Consider time-limiting third-party providers to minimize their contact with PHI.
Strategically position your firewall. Firewall rules should manage traffic to and from locations where you store or handle PHI. Assess PHI processing operations and position your firewall to filter inbound and outbound traffic.
Control access to firewall settings. Only approved administrators should have access to firewall controls. Be careful when assigning admin privileges. Apply brief escalation windows to scale back permissions if needed.
Protect PHI inside a secure zone. Secure zones are network segments containing HIPAA-covered health data. Configure firewall rules to filter traffic to and from these zones.
Implement threat responses. Plan how you respond to suspected data breaches or security gaps. Document firewall breaches and actions taken in response. Constantly update firewall rules to meet evolving cyber threats.
Create HIPAA firewall policies. Policies document firewall rules and how your firewall meets HIPAA obligations. Revisit policies annually to assess their effectiveness and make changes if needed.
Backup firewall rules and configurations. Create a secure storage zone for firewall configurations. Regular and secure backups allow you to restore security infrastructure following cyber attacks.
Maintain and review audit logs. Configure firewall logs to record access patterns. Retain logs for at least one year, according to HIPAA guidelines. Store logs in an accessible format and consult logs daily to detect incoming cyber attacks.
Schedule third-party HIPAA audits. Covered entities and business associates should arrange external audits to ensure HIPAA compliance. Audits should include robust firewall assessments. Implement recommendations promptly to resolve vulnerabilities.
Scan systems to detect weaknesses. Scan networks regularly using qualified internal resources or third-party services. Include firewall integrity in vulnerability scans, focusing on access to sensitive data.
Update firewall appliances and software regularly. Implement vendor-supplied updates as soon as they are available. Upgrade or replace software tools if vendors no longer support them. Audit tools annually to detect unsupported firewalls. Vendors may not inform users when products change.
Train staff to use firewalls. HIPAA compliance requires employee training. Programs should focus on handling patient data and preventing cyber threats. Firewall usage is a core component. Ensure staff understand cloud security protocols and tools and test knowledge and behavior annually.
Consider a managed firewall to cut costs. Smaller covered entities under HIPAA may struggle to protect patient information themselves. While firewalls—whether hardware or software—are typically provided by third-party vendors, choosing a managed firewall service adds an extra layer of support. For example, instead of setting up NordLayer’s firewall directly and handling all configurations yourself, you could choose an MSP (Managed Service Provider). MSPs handle all firewall configurations and maintenance, which is ideal for organizations without the internal expertise or confidence to manage these technical safeguards.

Carrying out a firewall risk assessment

Risk assessments consider critical HIPAA compliance risks. They complement the best practices above by systematically assessing firewall setups according to HIPAA risks.

Never roll out firewall appliances without a thorough risk assessment. Risk assessments determine whether your firewall protects patient data while meeting operational needs and limiting costs.

HIPAA risk assessments for firewalls should include several critical elements:

Scope and asset identification. Determine where patient data resides and how it moves around your network. Establish the scope for firewall protection, including any necessary network segments.
Threat assessment. What kind of cyber threats should the firewall counter? Think about DDoS, data breaches, insider threats, and physical risks to firewall infrastructure.
Assess vulnerabilities. Check configuration issues like vendor-supplied passwords, default settings, or compatibility problems. Ensure firmware is current. Look at policies and identify gaps that could impact firewall effectiveness.
Prioritize risks. Identify risks based on vulnerabilities. Rank HIPAA risks based on impact and probability and create risk management plans for each vulnerability. Using a risk matrix makes it easy to visualize risks and keep track of progress.
Risk mitigation. Test firewalls to ensure they protect HIPAA-covered data. Run simulations to test filtering, access control, and packet inspection features. Check training knowledge and admin controls. Verify firewalls are physically secure. If relevant, test remote access from employee workstations.
Continuous monitoring. If you have not already done so, implement continuous firewall monitoring.
Documentation. Create a risk assessment report documenting your findings. This document should explain how your firewall helps you meet HIPAA compliance requirements. It should list any additional mitigation actions and include sign-off from senior company officials.

What happens if your cloud firewall does not guard PHI?

Following best practices and carrying out a robust risk assessment may seem time-consuming. However, spending time on HIPAA risk mitigation is always worthwhile. Insecure firewalls eventually cause serious problems for healthcare companies and their customers.

Firewalls’ most important role is preventing PHI data leaks, the number one cyber attack risk for healthcare organizations.

In 2023, the average data breach cost in the USA was $4.45 million, while the average in healthcare was $10.9 million—a massive difference. Firewalls cut data breach risks by blocking direct access to patient records.

According to HHS, this risk is even greater if companies rely on remote access. Telehealth services and medical practitioners use the public internet to send ePHI and access cloud storage. Firewalls and VPNs secure these connections while allowing innovation and flexibility.

Firewalls can also manage risks from insider attacks by locking ePHI inside secure zones. Only users with a legitimate reason have access to these zones, deterring other users with malicious intentions.

Just as importantly, firewalls achieve HIPAA compliance goals. This avoids some very damaging consequences.

Companies with solid access controls and data filtering systems are less likely to receive HIPAA penalties. Compliant organizations spend less on mitigation activities and avoid reputational damage when regulators detect problems.

How NordLayer can help you achieve HIPAA compliance

Access control policies are essential for HIPAA compliance, and firewalls are key tools for creating secure data environments that meet HIPAA requirements. Firewalls protect sensitive medical records and ensure that only authorized personnel can access critical resources. However, meeting compliance can challenge smaller and medium-sized enterprises.

NordLayer is the ideal HIPAA security partner for companies experiencing these challenges. Our cloud firewall protects today’s hybrid network infrastructures with fine-grained access controls and traffic inspection. Administrators can also set role-based access controls, ensuring only authorized users access sensitive data.

That’s not all. NordLayer also offers VPN coverage, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), Device Posture Security (DPS), and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Quantum-safe encryption of data in transit also meets HIPAA’s cryptography management requirements.

Together, NordLayer’s features address most of HIPAA’s technical and access control requirements. Applying security measures also makes life easier for users by integrating with business systems.

Our cloud firewall scales smoothly, allowing organizations to grow. IT admins can easily change rules to create groups or manage permissions. There’s no hardware to maintain or update. Everything updates automatically, avoiding security gaps.

Ready to update your firewall and enhance your HIPAA compliance status? Contact the NordLayer team today.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Nord Security
The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

Understanding File Sharing Permissions and Their Risks

In today’s fast-paced digital world, sharing files quickly and securely is a must! But while file sharing makes our work easier, it’s important to understand the potential risks if permissions aren’t handled correctly. Knowing the difference between various file-sharing options—especially between sharing files externally and sharing them publicly—can help keep your data safe. Plus, using strong data loss prevention (DLP) measures can reduce the risks even further.

Why File Sharing Permissions Matter

File sharing permissions control who can access, view, or edit a file. These settings aren’t just for convenience—they’re essential for protecting your data! If files are shared incorrectly, it could lead to unintentional data leaks, intellectual property theft, or even issues with legal compliance, especially in industries with strict privacy regulations like healthcare, finance, or government.

File sharing permissions are essential for protecting your data!

Let’s break down the four main types of file-sharing permissions and see how each one differs in terms of functionality and risk.

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1. Private Sharing Within Your Organization

Private sharing lets you share files with specific people within your organization (like manually adding invitedcoworker@company.com). This is generally the safest option, especially for confidential projects, because only the people you choose can access the files. For example, sensitive documents like product development plans or financial reports should be shared this way to avoid them falling into the wrong hands.

This type of sharing works well with data loss prevention systems, which can monitor files for sensitive information—like social security numbers or intellectual property—and prevent them from being shared beyond their intended audience. Awesome, right?

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2. Internal Sharing Across the Organization

Internal sharing makes files available to everyone within your organization (everyone@company.com). This is perfect for files like company-wide announcements, training materials, or resources that everyone needs access to. While it’s super convenient, it does come with some risk. If sensitive data is accidentally shared this way, it could lead to unintentional access by people who shouldn’t see it.

DLP systems can help by scanning files for any sensitive or proprietary information and flagging potential risks before they become bigger problems.

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3. External Sharing with Specific Individuals

External sharing (i.e. inviteduser@external.com) is often used when working with clients, vendors, or other third parties. It allows you to share files outside of your organization in a controlled way, ensuring that only the invited people can access the file. So handy!

However, there’s still some risk. Even when you’re sharing with specific external permissions, the file could be forwarded or misused. That’s where DLP can step in, adding an extra layer of protection by encrypting files or requiring access credentials, so even if the file is forwarded, only the intended person can access it. That’s peace of mind!

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4. Public Sharing: The Riskiest Option

Public sharing means anyone with a link can access the file. While it’s useful for sharing non-sensitive materials—like marketing documents or event invitations—it also poses the greatest risk for accidental data leaks.

If a sensitive file is shared publicly instead of with a specific person, the consequences can be serious. Public sharing opens up files to anyone who gets the link, making it difficult to control who sees or downloads them. This can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or compliance violations. Be careful with this one!

Public sharing can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, or compliance violations.

Externally Shared vs. Publicly Shared: Why It Matters

The big difference between externally shared files and publicly shared files is control. Externally shared files are restricted to specific people outside your organization, while publicly shared files can be accessed by anyone who gets the link. The latter option creates a much bigger security risk because it’s hard to track who has viewed or downloaded the file, making it tough to contain any damage caused by unauthorized access.

Understanding this distinction is critical, especially in industries where data security is a top priority, like healthcare or finance. Sharing a file publicly that contains sensitive information could result in massive breaches, fines, and damage to your company’s reputation. Nobody wants that!

Understanding this distinction is critical, especially in industries where data security is a top priority.

The Role of dope.security in Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

With innovative solutions like dope.security’s CASB Neural, businesses can protect their sensitive data through behind the scenes monitoring and access control to cloud services, making sure your data stays safe from unauthorized access or transfers. By using machine learning and smart analytics, CASB Neural can flag for potential data risks in real time, and allow you to update file access permissions directly from the console.

Have a file accidentally available to anyone with the link? Remove Public access. Have a file shared with an external vendor, who doesn’t need the document anymore? Remove External access. You can rest easy knowing that even in tricky cloud environments, your information is well-managed.

CASB systems are essential for keeping your important data secure by monitoring and preventing unauthorized sharing of confidential files. CASB Neural automatically scans for sensitive content, like financial details, personal information, or proprietary data, before anything is shared. It’s like having a reliable watchdog that helps keep your data safe from accidental or intentional leaks.

Adding DLP to your file-sharing process offers an extra layer of protection, especially when using platforms where it’s easy to accidentally share files too broadly. With tools like CASB Neural, you get peace of mind knowing your sensitive information is safeguarded without any hassle. This added security lets you enjoy the flexibility and convenience of cloud-based platforms while keeping your data protected. It’s a simple, smart way to stay secure and stress-free.

Wrapping Up

As file-sharing continues to evolve, so do the risks that come with it. Understanding the difference between external and public sharing, along with using robust data loss prevention strategies, is crucial for keeping your data safe. It’s a great idea for organizations to regularly review their file-sharing policies, educate employees about the risks, and use technology to protect sensitive information from getting into the wrong hands.

With dope.security, you can easily review all Publicly and Externally shared files within CASB Neural, and with a click of the button turn your shared files Private. Integrate this with department-wide Secure Web Gateway (SWG) Policies and Cloud Application Control (CAC) settings and you’ll be flying the internet skies safely with your files secured in tow.

Stay safe and share smartly!

About Dope Security
A comprehensive security solution designed to protect individuals and organizations from various cyber threats and vulnerabilities. With a focus on proactive defense and advanced technologies, Dope Security offers a range of features and services to safeguard sensitive data, systems, and networks.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Dope Security 2024

ESET updates its Vulnerability and Patch Management module with new functions

ESET Vulnerability and Patch Management (V&PM) receives new updates, expanding its coverage and functionalities
ESET V&PM is now also available for Linux (desktop and server), and macOS systems
The new V&PM dashboard inside ESET PROTECT grants extensive visibility and transparency
More control for security admins, with either always-on scanning or scanning on-demand
Customers can now purchase ESET V&PM as a separate add-on for ESET PROTECT Entry and ESET PROTECT Advanced subscriptions

BRATISLAVA — October 10, 2024 — ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announces its release of an update to its ESET Vulnerability and Patch Management module.

For organizations, it is crucial that they minimize their attack surface. With thousands of vulnerabilities being discovered every quarter, the threat landscape is in constant flux. A single vulnerability can bring a business, nay, a whole supply chain to a standstill. To prevent such an eventuality, vulnerability and patch management is an excellent tool, providing great cyber hygiene while helping build a proactive security posture, preventing incidents from taking place.

ESET understands all too well that threat actors continuously target an increasingly broad spectrum of devices, systems, and software. With our new update, ESET V&PM has expanded to support Linux¹ (desktops and servers), as well as macOS², covering broader parts of a business’ ecosystem.

To support such a comprehensive endeavor, the V&PM module is now also presented in a new dashboard, improved for greater visibility and transparency, enhancing its ease of use while giving an instant overview of vulnerability and patching status across a network.

At the same time, due to ESET V&PM’s deep embedding inside the ESET PROTECT Platform, it now also supports on-demand vulnerability scanning, enabling instant insight into the status of specific machines.

While as a default, vulnerability scanning is fully automated to save you time and close the attack gap against threat actors, for Windows and Linux servers, the product gives manual control to its administrators. This is especially useful in helping security admins have more oversight over their scanning and patching processes, so that they don’t interrupt business workflows.

“We believe that top-level security shouldn’t require needless complexity, as it only makes security workflows too time-consuming, which could be better spent on other important tasks. With this new update to our ESET V&PM module, we take all of this into consideration, focusing on what matters – speed, ease of use, compliance³, and proactive prevention. Threats don’t sleep and with the always-on function, neither does our solution, keeping a constant eye on your business’ security,” said Michal Jankech, Vice President, Enterprise & SMB/MSP at ESET.

ESET’s Vulnerability & Patch Management is available in the following solutions: ESET PROTECT Complete, ESET PROTECT Elite, ESET PROTECT MDR, and ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate. With the latest update, customers can order ESET V&PM as an add-on to ESET PROTECT Entry and ESET PROTECT Advanced subscription as well, upping business security from the smallest player to the largest. As always, the current update will be rolled out automatically without any additional costs.

¹Please check our website for desktop Linux compatibility.

²Additionally, Linux patch management, as well as operating system vulnerability scanning and patching in macOS, is on the roadmap.

³Regulations such as NIS2 in the European Union require transparent vulnerability disclosure and management for compliance.

For more information about ESET Vulnerability and Patch Management, please visit its product page here.

To understand why patch management should be a necessary component of business security strategy, read our blog here.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

ESET 2024

What’s Coming in CentOS Stream 10

Information about CentOS Stream 10 has been trickling in since ISOs first became available in June. CentOS Stream 10 will be based on Fedora 40 and released sometime ahead of RHEL 10, but the current images are still in testing/development and could very well change between now and the actual release.

So what do we know about CentOS Stream 10? Our expert weighs in and offers considerations for enterprise teams considering CentOS Stream for production workloads.

CentOS Stream Project Update

CentOS Stream has an interesting history, with some notable developments in the past few years. After announcing in 2020 that CentOS Linux would be discontinued in favor of focusing on CentOS Stream, last year Red Hat ruffled more feathers by announcing that CentOS Stream would become the sole repository for RHEL source code. CentOS Stream 8, the first release, reached end of life in May 2024; CentOS Stream 9 has been out since 2021.

On June 6, 2024, the CentOS Project posted links to the CentOS Stream 10 compose images, install ISOs, and container images with the following message: “Please note the compose is still taking shape. Packages are still being added and even removed at this point. Not all packages are fully onboarded to gating, so just some updates are landing. Packages are being moved between repositories. Comps groups are being updated…” Developers were encouraged to test and share feedback.

In other words, much is still to be determined. New ISOs have been made available periodically since the June announcement (as of this writing, the last batch dropped on October 22, 2024).

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CentOS Stream vs. CentOS Linux

The main difference between CentOS Stream and CentOS Linux is that CentOS Stream is upstream of RHEL, with packages planned for upcoming releases, and CentOS Linux is a rebuild of the current RHEL release.

Another key difference is how updates are made in the two distributions. For CentOS Linux, new minor versions consist of large batches of updates, with smaller updates between versions. Rather than batch updates, packages in CentOS Stream are updated as they are ready, in a continuous stream, and there are no minor versions.

Before all versions reached end of life, CentOS Linux had a community support lifecycle of ten years, like RHEL and many other Enterprise Linux distributions. CentOS Stream has a shorter lifecycle of five years, with EOL based on when the corresponding RHEL release leaves Full Support and enters its Maintenance Phase (security updates only).

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How Long Will CentOS Stream 9 Be Supported?

CentOS Stream 9 will be supported until May 31, 2027, when RHEL 9 leaves Full Support.

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CentOS Stream 10 Release Date

CentOS Stream is upstream of RHEL and all signs point to the RHEL 10 GA release sometime in the first half of 2025, so the CentOS Stream 10 release is anticipated in late 2024 or early 2025.

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Notable Changes in CentOS Stream 10

Kernel: CentOS Stream 10 will be using a 6.11-based kernel, rather than 5.14 that CentOS Stream 9 used.
Programming language support/compilers: CentOS Stream 10 has GCC 14.2.1 (instead of GCC 11.5), and Python 3.12 (instead of Python 3.9).
CPU compatibility and capabilities: one user encountered a warning message that that x86_64-v3 will be required at a minimum in the future, but as of now it is just a deprecation warning.
Performance: Phoronix ran some benchmarks, and a thorough comparison of performance is available here. That is for Arm64 instead of x86_64, but should still be comparable.

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Using CentOS Stream in Production

There is some debate over whether enterprises should use CentOS Stream in production. Some say the rolling release model makes it too unstable and that it’s more of a ” beta testing ground” for features, or a preview of the next version of RHEL (though not everything in Stream may make it into RHEL). Red Hat explicitly says that CentOS Stream “is not designed for production use in enterprise environments” and recommends using RHEL as a CentOS alternative.

However, depending on your use case, using CentOS Stream for production workloads may not present any issues. Some teams like that Stream gives them access to bug fixes and new features before they become available in RHEL. The notion that CentOS Stream is fundamentally less stable or reliable than RHEL is not really accurate, as everything in Stream undergoes QA and testing, and has been accepted for the next minor RHEL release before being merged into Stream.

The main difference between RHEL and CentOS Stream comes down to commercial support and services that RHEL provides to its paying subscribers.

Still, a lot depends on your particular use case and infrastructure to determine whether or not CentOS Stream is the right fit.

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CentOS Stream 10 Migration and Upgrade Considerations

As usual, you will want to test thoroughly before upgrading important systems. The new kernel version may not support older hardware, and with x86_64-v3 coming in the future, some older hardware may not work at all. Information about glibc-hwcaps can be found here. RHEL 9 did the same with x86_64-v2 and a simple test under Proxmox using x86-64-v2-AES produced a kernel panic during just an install, but x86-64-v3 succeeded.

With a new kernel, glibc, gcc, Python, and other changes, some existing software may not have library versions available to run the older version. Containers or VMs could mitigate the problem, however.

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What to Expect from Future CentOS Stream Releases

In future CentOS Stream releases, you can expect continuous upgrades of packages, with new versions, security patches, and performance improvements. Future releases may introduce new features, such as updated kernels, newer versions of programming languages, and support for emerging hardware or software trends.

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Final Thoughts

CentOS Stream 10 gives us insight into what is likely to be included in the next version of RHEL — the first major release in four years. As to whether CentOS Stream 10 is a viable alternative to CentOS Linux or the best Linux distro for your organization, I recommend checking out this CentOS Stream checklist for guidance.

It’s always a good idea to have technical support for your mission-critical workloads, and ideally, to work with experts who have full stack expertise to troubleshoot issues with updates and integrations. If you decide to use a FOSS Linux OS, it’s wise to pair it with commercial support from OpenLogic so you always have immediate access to Enterprise Architects.

About Perforce
The best run DevOps teams in the world choose Perforce. Perforce products are purpose-built to develop, build and maintain high-stakes applications. Companies can finally manage complexity, achieve speed without compromise, improve security and compliance, and run their DevOps toolchains with full integrity. With a global footprint spanning more than 80 countries and including over 75% of the Fortune 100, Perforce is trusted by the world’s leading brands to deliver solutions to even the toughest challenges. Accelerate technology delivery, with no shortcuts.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

OpenLogic 2024

Optimizing Data Storage Performance in Hybrid Cloud Environments

As organizations try to strike a balance between the benefits of public and private clouds, hybrid cloud systems have become very popular. Combining these two IT environments allows companies to maximize flexibility, scalability, and cost control. However, data storage performance is one of the key factors deciding how well hybrid cloud systems work. Considering the increasing amount of data produced by businesses, it is essential to provide quick access to well-kept data.

Optimizing data storage performance in hybrid cloud settings comes with both technical and strategic advantages. It helps companies to improve data accessibility across many platforms, lower latency, and simplify processes on many systems.

This article will work you through the common challenges associated with frequent hybrid cloud data storage, best practices for optimization, and the solutions accessible to solving these issues.

What are the Common Challenges in Hybrid Cloud Data Storage?

Although the hybrid cloud setup has several advantages, data storage in this model faces many challenges. These difficulties might affect the general operation of the system and compromise the data retrieval and storage efficiency.

Data Silos and Fragmentation

Data silos are one of the most common challenges. Data may get scattered across many storage systems in a hybrid cloud environment, causing inefficiencies. This fragmentation might make it challenging to rapidly access comprehensive data sets, lowering the speed of analytics systems and applications.

Inconsistent Performance Across Environments

Often linking many vendors and technologies, hybrid cloud setups might cause inconsistent data storage performance. Particularly when data is moved across environments, the performance variations between on-site storage and cloud storage might cause bottlenecks.

Security and Compliance Concerns

In a hybrid cloud setup, maintaining data security and regulatory compliance becomes increasingly difficult. The decentralized character of data storage raises the possibility of breaches. Hence, strong security measures must be followed without sacrificing efficiency.

How can Organizations Optimize their Data Storage Performance?

Organizations that wish to overcome these challenges have to implement best practices that improve data storage performance while preserving the scalability and flexibility of their hybrid cloud infrastructure.

Data Tiering and Categorization

Data tiering is the arrangement of data according to frequency of use and relative value. While less important, “cold” data may be kept in reasonably priced, lower-performance tiers. Frequently accessed or “hot” data should be kept in high-performance storage tiers. This method constantly guarantees easy access to important data, enhancing general performance.

Storage Resource Management and Monitoring

Rapidly detecting and fixing performance issues depends on ongoing observation of storage resources. Organizations should use automated technologies that provide real-time analysis of storage use, latency, and throughput. This will enable companies to aggressively improve their storage system.

Caching and Buffering Techniques

Caching, a technique for storing frequently accessed data in a temporary, high-speed storage layer, enhances cloud data optimization. Similarly, buffering helps control data flow across systems, lowering the delay effect. Improving data storage performance in hybrid clouds depends critically on both methods.

Choosing a Hybrid Cloud Storage Solution

Optimizing performance in hybrid cloud systems also depends critically on choosing appropriate storage options. Commonly used storage options include:

Object Storage vs. Block Storage

Large volumes of unstructured data are best managed using object storage solutions like IBM Cloud Object Storage, Amazon S3, and Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, as they allow for scalable storage with metadata tagging. Conversely, block storage solutions like VMware vSAN, Amazon EBS, and IBM Cloud Block Storage offer great performance for transactional data and applications needing quick read-through operations. Knowing the particular requirements of your data will enable you to choose the best kind of storage.

File Storage vs. Cloud-Native Storage

File storage is suitable for collaboration tools and file-sharing services as applications requiring shared access to data will find it most suited. Designed to fit well with cloud services, cloud-native storage provides scalability and adaptability for applications housed in the cloud. Performance may be much improved by choosing the correct storage solution depending on workload demands.

Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI) and Its Benefits

Integrating computation, storage, and networking into a single system, hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) offers a streamlined and effective architecture. HCI can streamline data storage and administration in a hybrid cloud environment, lowering the complexity of integrating many systems and enhancing performance.

Performance Optimization Techniques in a Hybrid Cloud System

Beyond choosing the right storage solutions, implementing specific performance optimization techniques can further enhance data storage efficiency in hybrid cloud environments.

Data Compression and Deduplication

By reducing data size, data compression lowers transmission times. It allows more data to be kept in the same volume of space. Compressing vast amounts of data before moving it to the cloud, for example, may speed up uploads and downloads, minimizing the effect on network resources and data storage expenses.

Deduplication increases storage capacity by removing extra copies of data, complementing compression. This method works especially well in backups or disaster recovery sites where data might be stored in multiple locations. Organizations may reduce the amount of storage needed, increase access speeds, and save maintenance costs by adopting deduplication.

Storage Virtualization and Abstraction

Abstracting physical storage resources into a logical representation, storage virtualization helps to manage and maximize storage across mutiple settings. It facilitates faster access times and more effective data management. The abstraction provided by storage virtualization also facilitates seamless integration between on-premises and cloud storage systems. Supporting automatic load balancing, this abstraction layer guarantees the best use of storage resources and consistent performance throughout the whole hybrid cloud architecture.

Quality of Service (QoS) and Latency Optimization

By allowing managers to give certain categories of data or workloads top priority, QoS settings help to provide greater bandwidth and storage capacity to highly important activities. This prioritization avoids performance bottlenecks, and mission-critical programs run faultlessly even during moments of maximum demand.

In cases of data storage across geographically dispersed locations, latency—the delay between a data demand and its delivery—can be a major problem. Techniques such as edge computing—where data processing occurs closer to the data source—can help reduce latency by minimizing the distance data needs to travel.

Furthermore, latency-sensitive caching allows frequently requested material to be kept in places with the fastest access times, hence reducing user delays. Latency-aware routing systems send data searches to the closest or fastest-performing storage site and also find use cases in a hybrid setting.

The Role of Storware in Optimizing Data Storage Performance

Storware Backup and Recovery can significantly optimize data storage performance in hybrid cloud environments by offering several key features and benefits:

Reduced Storage Footprint: Storware’s deduplication technology identifies and eliminates redundant data, significantly reducing the amount of storage required. This can result in substantial cost savings and improved performance.
Faster Backups and Restores: Compression techniques further optimize data storage by reducing file sizes. This leads to faster backups and restores, improving overall data accessibility.
Efficient Data Movement: Storware leverages efficient data transfer mechanisms to minimize latency and optimize the movement of data between on-premises and cloud environments. This ensures that data is transferred quickly and reliably, enhancing performance and reducing downtime.
Adaptable to Growing Needs: Storware can scale to accommodate increasing data volumes and changing business requirements. This ensures that organizations can effectively protect their data as their workloads grow.
Seamless Integration: Storware integrates seamlessly with major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, enabling organizations to leverage the benefits of cloud-based storage while maintaining a centralized data protection strategy.
Optimized Cloud Utilization: By effectively managing data storage and backup in the cloud, Storware helps organizations optimize their cloud resource usage and reduce costs.

By leveraging these features, Storware Backup and Recovery can significantly optimize data storage performance in hybrid cloud environments, helping organizations achieve improved efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced data protection.

To Sum Up

Organizations trying to exploit the advantages of their hybrid cloud installations must first optimize their data storage performance. Businesses may improve the dependability and efficiency of their data storage by tackling issues of data silos, uneven performance, security concerns, and best practices, including data tiering, resource management, and cache.

Ultimately, organizations that focus on data optimization in their hybrid cloud systems remain agile, safe, and able to satisfy the data needs in today’s marketplace.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Storware
Storware is a backup software producer with over 10 years of experience in the backup world. Storware Backup and Recovery is an enterprise-grade, agent-less solution that caters to various data environments. It supports virtual machines, containers, storage providers, Microsoft 365, and applications running on-premises or in the cloud. Thanks to its small footprint, seamless integration into your existing IT infrastructure, storage, or enterprise backup providers is effortless.

2024 Storware

Android Screen Pinning and How to Set It Up

No one likes this situation where you’re handing your phone to a friend to show them a video, but they start scrolling further. What about personal space? To avoid this, you can use Android screen pinning, a feature that locks your device to just one app, ensuring that your friend can only view the specific video and nothing else. It’s a simple and effective solution for personal use, giving you comfort in situations like this.

But now, think about this on a larger scale. Say you’re managing devices for a company. You need those devices to run only specific apps or tools, like a self-service kiosk or point-of-sale system, while keeping everything else out of reach. In this case, Android Screen Pinning might not be enough. With solutions like Scalefusion MDM, you can lock down devices to one or more designated apps with advanced control and security features, making it a perfect solution for business environments.

In this blog, we’ll explore how Android screen pinning works and its benefits for personal use, but also why it might fall short in a business setting. We’ll look into how Scalefusion MDM’s Kiosk Mode offers a more comprehensive solution for managing and securing devices in a corporate environment.

What is Android Screen Pinning?

Android screen pinning is a handy feature that lets you lock your device to a single app. Think of it like putting your phone in “museum mode” where you can only interact with one app, and everything else is off-limits. It’s perfect for situations where you want to show someone just one thing on your device without them accidentally navigating away or accessing other apps.

When you activate screen pinning, the app you choose stays on the screen, and the user can’t swipe away to other apps or settings. If you want to switch apps or exit screen pinning, you’ll need to use a PIN, pattern, or password. This feature is available on devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and later, making it a simple way to ensure that a device stays focused on a specific task or app.

Benefits of Screen Pinning on Android Devices

Here are some key benefits of using Screen Pinning on Android devices:

Focused Usage: Screen Pinning allows you to lock your device to a single app, ensuring users stay within the intended application without accidentally navigating away. This is especially useful for presentations or interactive kiosks.
Simple Setup: The use of Screen Pinning on Android devices is straightforward and can be activated easily through the device’s settings, making it accessible for users of all levels.
Enhanced Privacy: By locking the device to one app, Screen Pinning helps prevent unauthorized access to other apps and personal information, enhancing user privacy.
Versatile Application: Ideal for scenarios like public kiosks or dedicated information terminals where restricting device access to a single app is essential.
Cost-Free Solution: Screen Pinning is a built-in feature available at no additional cost on Android devices running version 5.0 Lollipop and later.

How to Set Up Screen Pinning on Android Devices

Turn on Screen Pinning

To enable Screen Pinning on an Android device, follow these steps:

Access Settings: Open the Settings app on your device.
Navigate to Security: Scroll down and tap on Security or Security & Location, depending on your device.
Advanced Settings: Under Advanced, look for Screen Pinning.
Enable Screen Pinning: Toggle the switch to turn on Screen Pinning. If you want added security, ensure that you enable the option to require a PIN, pattern, or password before unpinning.

How to Pin an App on Android Devices

Pinning an app to the screen varies slightly depending on your device’s Android version:

For devices running Android 8.1 and below:

Open the App: Launch the app you want to pin.
Tap Overview: Tap the Overview button (the square button at the bottom of the screen).
Pin the App: Swipe up to reveal the Pin icon at the bottom right corner of the app’s window. Tap it to pin the app.

For devices running Android 9.0 and above:

Open the App Overview: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the middle to open the App Overview.
Select the App: Locate the app you want to pin and tap on its icon at the top of the window.
Pin the App: Tap Pin to lock the app to the screen.

How to Unpin Apps on Android Devices

Unpinning the screen depends on your device’s system navigation settings:

Gesture Navigation:

Swipe up and hold from the bottom of the screen until the app is unpinned.

2-Button Navigation:

Touch and hold the Back and Home buttons simultaneously.

3-Button Navigation:

Touch and hold the Back and Overview buttons at the same time.

If a PIN, pattern, or password is set, you will be prompted to enter it before the screen is unpinned, ensuring an additional layer of security.

Why Screen Pinning Falls Short for Business Use

While screen pinning on Android devices is a convenient feature for individual users, it presents several challenges when applied in a business or organizational context. Below are the limitations or disadvantages of using Android screen pinning:

Lack of Centralized Control

Screen Pinning requires manual activation on each device, which becomes impractical when managing multiple devices across an organization. There’s no centralized management or ability to enforce pinning settings remotely, making it difficult for IT admins to maintain consistency.

Security Vulnerabilities

Although Screen Pinning restricts access to a single app, it is not foolproof. Users can potentially bypass the pinning with a few steps, especially if a PIN or password is not set, leading to unauthorized access to other apps and sensitive data.

Limited Customization and Flexibility

Screen Pinning does not offer the customization needed for varied business use cases. For example, it cannot lock devices into multiple apps or allow for the customization of the device interface, which is essential for creating a seamless user experience in environments like retail or customer service.

Scalability Challenges

As organizations grow and their device fleets expand, the manual nature of Screen Pinning becomes a significant bottleneck. Scaling up requires a solution that can handle mass deployment and management, which Screen Pinning alone cannot provide.

No Remote Management

In a business setting, remote management of devices is crucial for troubleshooting, updates, and maintaining security. Screen Pinning lacks the capability for remote control or monitoring, making it less suitable for organizations that need to manage devices across various locations.

Why Choose Scalefusion MDM Over Android Screen Pinning?

Scalefusion MDM offers a more robust solution with its Kiosk Mode, along with several other features that make it the superior choice for businesses.

Scalefusion Kiosk Mode

Scalefusion MDM’s Kiosk Mode is a powerful alternative to Android screen pinning, providing better functionality and control over devices. Unlike basic screen pinning, kiosk mode allows businesses to lock down devices to a single app or a set of apps, preventing unauthorized access to other features or settings. This ensures that devices are used solely for their intended purpose, whether it’s for customer engagement, employee tasks, or digital signage.

Custom Branding

Scalefusion offers branding customization features, allowing businesses to align their device displays with their corporate identity. In addition to screen pinning, enterprises can configure elements such as home screen and lock screen wallpapers, logos, fonts and font sizes, color schemes, and even user interface settings, including notifications. This ensures a seamless and cohesive visual experience across all devices, reflecting the company’s branding.

Bulk Provisioning and Automation

Managing a large number of devices manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Scalefusion MDM simplifies this process with its bulk provisioning and automation capabilities. You can provision multiple devices at once, apply consistent configurations, and automate routine tasks, significantly reducing manual effort and ensuring that all devices are set up correctly and efficiently.

Remote Management

Scalefusion MDM offers comprehensive remote management capabilities, allowing IT admins to troubleshoot and manage devices without needing physical access. Whether it’s pushing updates, changing settings, or locking down a device in case of loss or theft, Scalefusion’s remote management tools provide the flexibility and control that businesses need to maintain their device fleet securely and efficiently.

Security Enhancements

Security is a critical concern for businesses, and Scalefusion MDM offers a suite of advanced security features that go beyond what screen pinning can provide. Features such as Lost Mode, remote wipe, and custom settings apps ensure that devices remain secure, even in the event of loss or unauthorized access. These additional layers of security help protect sensitive business data and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Cross-Platform Support

Scalefusion MDM provides cross-platform support. While Android screen pinning is limited to Android devices, Scalefusion MDM allows you to manage Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, and Linux devices all from a single dashboard. This unified solution is particularly beneficial for businesses that operate with a diverse range of devices, ensuring consistency and control across the board.

Upgrade from Screen Pinning to Scalable Kiosk Mode with Scalefusion

Scalefusion MDM not only addresses the limitations of Android screen pinning but also offers a comprehensive, scalable solution for managing devices in a business environment.

If you’re looking for a more secure solution than Android Screen Pinning, explore Scalefusion MDM. With advanced features like Kiosk Mode, cross-platform support, and enhanced security, Scalefusion MDM is designed to meet the needs of modern businesses.

Contact our experts for more information and start your 14-day free trial today!

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Scalefusion
Scalefusion’s company DNA is built on the foundation of providing world-class customer service and making endpoint management simple and effortless for businesses globally. We prioritize the needs and feedback of our customers, making sure that they are at the forefront of all decision-making processes. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive customer support services, and place emphasis on customer-centric thinking throughout the organization.

2024 Scalefusion

The Future of On-Prem NAC Will be a Permanent Operational Struggle

If we could jump in a time machine and travel back to 2006, we’d throw on some low-rise jeans, a crop top, and some big sunglasses and see some stellar moments in history:

Google bought YouTube
This new website called Twitter was all the rage
The Texas Longhorns won the Rose Bowl
The Nintendo Wii was released

Back in these good ‘ol days there was a blog post for every thought and a meme for every moment…and a NAC on every network.

Once hailed as an essential component of corporate security, NAC (Network Access Control) has since experienced a decline in its popularity. This can be attributed to the complexities involved in its installation, the difficulties in managing it, and its inability to keep pace with the ever-expanding array of things that can connect to the internet.

What does the future hold for the traditional NAC? Well, let’s just say no one’s wearing shades. But before we talk about where we’re going, let’s talk about where we’ve been.

On-Prem NAC Brings Security…and Complexity

The undeniable surge in cybercrime has advanced in lockstep with the internet’s evolution into an indispensable tool for daily life. This escalation has highlighted the glaring inadequacy of rudimentary access control systems, which rely solely on the binary question of “Do you have the correct password, yes or no?”

In response to this pressing need, NAC emerged, introducing a suite of sophisticated and innovative features designed to bolster security:

Role-Based Access Control: This feature restricts user access to only the resources necessary for their job function, preventing unauthorized snooping into confidential information.
Endpoint Risk Assessment: This feature ensures compliance with security policies by enforcing minimum operating system versions, up-to-date antivirus software, and essential updates, effectively cutting off non-compliant users.
Guest Access: Instead of granting visitors access to the main network, this feature creates a separate guest portal, allowing internet use without exposing proprietary information.

These features certainly sound impressive, don’t they?

Regrettably, the implementation of these essential features brought with it a set of significant challenges:

As Network Complexity Grows, So Does Deployment Complexity: Accurately determining the necessary processing power based on fluctuating network loads is a daunting task, more challenging than it might initially seem.
The Rise of Consultants: Resource-strapped IT teams, lacking the bandwidth to navigate these complexities, often contacted external consultants for assistance. Software vendors capitalized on this by offering their own consulting services, which deprioritized user-friendliness and ease of use on their roadmaps.
Downtime on Your Time: Once operational, NAC systems become critical infrastructure. Consequently, any upgrades or security patches necessitate after-hours work, leading to nights and weekends spent on maintenance—a taxing and quickly tiresome requirement.
Scale to Suffer: After enduring the labyrinthine setup and extensive patching, businesses often find that growth outpaces their initial configurations, resulting in sluggish performance. This challenge is exacerbated in industries with seasonal demands, where capacity must either be rapidly scaled or left underutilized.
Vendor Lock-In: Solutions from specific vendors are typically optimized to work seamlessly with their own hardware and software suites. However, modern networks are rarely homogenous, leading to additional complexity in integrating diverse systems.

Taking these factors into account, it’s evident that while NAC offers substantial benefits, it also imposes significant costs—costs that many organizations find prohibitive.

Cloud Propels NAC into the Future

Enter the cloud era, which has revitalized NAC by addressing its most troublesome pain points and simplifying deployment in ways on-premises solutions cannot match:

Simplified Setup: Cloud-based architecture eliminates the need to determine the number of virtual machines or the placement of policy servers, as all infrastructure is managed externally.
No Maintenance: The burden of patches and maintenance, previously shouldered by IT teams, is now handled by cloud providers, freeing up nights and weekends.
Scale in Seconds: Cloud services offer unparalleled elasticity, accommodating gradual growth, sudden spikes in demand, and seasonal fluctuations with ease.
Vendor Agnostic: Cloud-based solutions, untethered to specific vendors, do not gate features to encourage additional purchases. Instead, they innovate universally.
Rapid Innovation: As network needs evolve with the advent of BYOD and IoT, cloud-based software can adapt and release new features more swiftly than traditional solutions.

What’s Left for On-Prem NAC?

This isn’t to say that on-prem NAC is entirely obsolete. There remain scenarios where on-premises solutions are necessary:

Closed networks: Without direct internet connectivity, using cloud-based software is impossible. Closed networks in industries like defense and finance can still benefit from the protection of a NAC.
Where internet is unreliable (or expensive): There are many regions of the world where the internet is simply not reliable enough (or always-on connections are prohibitively expensive) to use a solution that requires constant connectivity. An on-premise NAC would be a good fit in this scenario.
Full control over infrastructure: There are those who wish to retain full control over their infrastructure and software; whether to satisfy stringent regulations, create custom solutions, or just maintain greater control over everything.

Nonetheless, the shift toward cloud-based services is unmistakable, and as their benefits continue to accrue, the prevalence of on-prem NAC is diminishing.

The End of Days for On-Prem NAC

While on-prem NAC retains its niche applications, the compelling advantages of cloud-based solutions—ranging from simplified setup and maintenance to unmatched scalability and vendor neutrality—are driving a transformative shift in network access control.

As the landscape of technology continues to evolve, the footprint of traditional NAC is steadily shrinking, making way for more agile, efficient, and innovative cloud-based alternatives.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Portnox
Portnox provides simple-to-deploy, operate and maintain network access control, security and visibility solutions. Portnox software can be deployed on-premises, as a cloud-delivered service, or in hybrid mode. It is agentless and vendor-agnostic, allowing organizations to maximize their existing network and cybersecurity investments. Hundreds of enterprises around the world rely on Portnox for network visibility, cybersecurity policy enforcement and regulatory compliance. The company has been recognized for its innovations by Info Security Products Guide, Cyber Security Excellence Awards, IoT Innovator Awards, Computing Security Awards, Best of Interop ITX and Cyber Defense Magazine. Portnox has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For information visit http://www.portnox.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.。

Portnox 2024

Survey highlights growing concerns over SaaS data protection amid regulatory complexities

Executives express lack of confidence in protective measures and are unclear on where responsibilities for data protection lie

Copenhagen, Denmark – October 10, 2024 – Keepit, the world’s only vendor-independent cloud-native data protection platform, today released results from a recent survey. As SaaS applications become critical components of modern business operations the survey, conducted by Gatepoint Research for Keepit, reveals a troubling gap in confidence among executives regarding the protection of their SaaS data. The “SaaS data protection confidence survey”, which gathered responses from 100 senior decision-makers across industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing, shows that while businesses increasingly rely on SaaS tools, many leaders are not fully confident in their ability to safeguard their data.

The survey will be a key focus of an upcoming webinar titled “Protecting your SaaS data – pitfalls and challenges to overcome”, scheduled for October 17, 2024. This event will provide industry professionals with actionable insights on how to bolster their SaaS data protection strategies and ensure compliance with evolving global regulations.

SaaS data protection confidence is low

According to the survey, while 28% of respondents expressed high confidence in their data protection measures, a significant 31% reported moderate to severe lapses in their data protection. This lack of confidence is alarming as the use of SaaS applications continues to grow, with critical data stored in applications like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Power BI.

“Moderate confidence in SaaS data protection is not enough in today’s threat landscape,” said Paul Robichaux, Senior Product Director of Keepit and Microsoft MVP. “Organizations must ensure their data recovery processes are robust and regularly tested. Otherwise, they risk discovering weaknesses too late, when a disaster has already struck and they’re trying to recover.”

Compliance and data growth are major challenges

The survey reveals that 50% of respondents cite increased compliance requirements as their top challenge, with growing data volumes and the complexities of managing SaaS data also ranking high. As global regulations like NIS2 and DORA become more stringent, organizations are under pressure to ensure their SaaS data is adequately protected and compliant with these evolving mandates.

“In the financial industry, for example, DORA requires that backup environments be segregated from production environments to reduce risk. And we know that many organizations aren’t well-prepared to meet these requirements,” noted Robichaux. “The rising volume of data, combined with increasingly complex regulations, presents a significant challenge for many organizations.”

Financial and reputational risks drive data protection priorities

The survey also highlights the financial and reputational risks associated with data loss. 57% of respondents identified brand and reputation damage as the most significant business impact of data loss, followed closely by financial consequences and regulatory compliance violations.

“Customer data is among the most valuable assets an organization holds,” said Robichaux. “Losing access to that data, whether through ransomware or accidental deletion, can have devastating financial and reputational consequences. Organizations need to take a proactive approach to ensure their SaaS data is protected.”

The big SaaS data backup disconnect

While 58% of respondents reported using Microsoft to back up their SaaS data, there is a disconnect between perception and reality. Many executives mistakenly believe their data is fully protected by native SaaS backup features. However, shared responsibility models mean that SaaS providers are not accountable for customers’ data backup, leaving a critical gap in protection.

“Only 15% of respondents consider backing up directory and identity services like Entra ID to be crucial, even though losing access to these services could cripple business operations,” Robichaux added. “This shows a need for better education around SaaS data protection.”

Budget and expertise are key roadblocks

When asked about the roadblocks to improving their data protection strategies, 56% of respondents cited budget constraints, while 33% noted a lack of expertise and resources. Many organizations also face the challenge of managing multiple data backup vendors, further complicating their efforts.

To help organizations navigate these challenges, Keepit will host a free webinar titled “Protecting Your SaaS Data – Pitfalls and Challenges to Overcome” on October 17, 2024, at 4:00 pm CEST. The webinar will delve deeper into the survey results and provide actionable insights into:

Managing compliance with evolving global regulations
Testing recovery procedures to ensure preparedness
Mitigating financial and reputational risks associated with data loss

Attendees can also participate in a live Q&A session with industry experts and take a benchmark test to see how their organization stacks up.

Register for the webinar here.

About Keepit
At Keepit, we believe in a digital future where all software is delivered as a service. Keepit’s mission is to protect data in the cloud Keepit is a software company specializing in Cloud-to-Cloud data backup and recovery. Deriving from +20 year experience in building best-in-class data protection and hosting services, Keepit is pioneering the way to secure and protect cloud data at scale.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

2024 Keepit

CloudM launches Migrate 4.0: revolutionizing data migrations with enhanced efficiency and user experience

CloudM is thrilled to announce the release of CloudM Migrate 4.0, a groundbreaking update that signifies a major milestone in the evolution of the industry-leading migration tool. CloudM Migrate has been used in over 80 million data migrations so far, ensuring smooth transfer of user, email and file data following mergers and acquisitions, digital transformation projects and changes of productivity suite to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.

Introducing CloudM Migrate 4.0

Building on the longstanding success of its predecessors, CloudM Migrate 4.0 takes bold strides to enhance its feature set and user experience. This new version introduces conceptual changes and significant improvements to the user interface (UI), streamlining the migration process and boosting productivity for our users. Donna Torres, Managing Director of CloudM, comments: “With over 80 million migrations under our belt, we’re excited to build upon the success of Migrate with carefully considered, impactful features and enhancements. CloudM Migrate has served thousands of customers worldwide and we’re looking forward to supporting even more organizations move and manage their crucial business data.”

Revamped UI with efficiency at the heart

Migrate 4.0 features a completely redesigned UI that is more intuitive and easier to navigate, enabling users to complete their work more quickly and efficiently. With this major release, CloudM Migrate moves away from the previous configuration and child configuration concept. Migrations are now managed as projects with batches, centralizing the management of connections to source and destination platforms. This innovation reduces manual intervention and duplication, saving time and minimizing complexity.

As Shaun Richards, Product Manager Migrate, explains: “Migrate 4 represents a significant step up from its predecessors. The conceptual change from configurations to projects and batches unlocks a host of opportunities to manage migrations more efficiently, some of which we are releasing with 4.0 with others on the roadmap. The feedback from our beta testers has been incredibly positive and we’re excited to release Migrate 4 to a wider audience.”

CloudM Migrate 4.0 represents a conceptual change in how migrations are managed.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About CloudM
CloudM is an award-winning SaaS company whose humble beginnings in Manchester have grown into a global business in just a few short years.

Our team of tech-driven innovators have designed a SaaS data management platform for you to get the most from your digital workspace. Whether it’s Microsoft 365, Google Workspace or other SaaS applications, CloudM drives your business through a simple, easy-to-use interface, helping you to work smarter, not harder.

By automating time-consuming tasks like IT admin, onboarding & offboarding, archiving and migrations, the CloudM platform takes care of the day-to-day, allowing you to focus on the big picture.

With over 35,000 customers including the likes of Spotify, Netflix and Uber, our all-in-one platform is putting office life on auto-pilot, saving you time, stress and money.

CloudM 2024

Securing Your Data in a Multi-Cloud World: Best Practices

Organizations have transitioned from using a single cloud provider to employing multiple ones simultaneously. This has various advantages, including avoiding vendor lock-in, reducing reliance on a vendor, and creating a strong data system by leveraging the strength of each vendor.

Despite the benefits of a multi-cloud world, it brings various concerns, one of which is data insecurity. Using various cloud providers can lead to data disasters if not carefully managed. Fortunately, following the proper procedures might help to secure your data in a multi-cloud environment. This article covers ten best practices for securing data in a multi-cloud context.

What is a Multi-cloud Environment?

A multi-cloud environment is a strategy where organizations use multiple cloud computing services from different vendors within a single architecture. Using this strategy helps companies divide their tasks across many cloud services. Still, one system controls all of them.

A multi-cloud environment helps businesses to improve resilience by distributing the work across various cloud providers, using each vendor’s strengths and unique characteristics, and selecting specific services that meet their needs. It also lessens vendor lock-in risk, helps against total failure or outage, and lessens over-dependence on one supplier.

Unlike a hybrid cloud architecture—which combines cloud services with on-site resources for maximum efficiency—a multi-cloud environment works separately. While hybrid uses both worlds, multi-cloud makes use of many cloud providers.

10 Best Practices to Secure Your Data in a Multi-Cloud Environment

1. Enable Data and Application Portability

Data and application portability has become a major challenge for organizations in the multi-cloud environment. This challenge is a result of silos being created. Cloud providers have proprietary APIs and data management tools. Hence, it becomes difficult to share or move data between clouds, leading to information getting trapped within the cloud it was generated in, which then creates data silos. One way to solve this is by adopting cross-cloud data-sharing technologies. These technologies support high-bandwidth connections between public clouds and give way to actual data sharing.

2. Aggregate and Centralize Data in the Cloud

Organizations process a wide range of data daily, leading to data fragmentation, where valuable data is scattered across multiple platforms. This fragmentation complicates data analysis and can lead to lost insights. However, organizations can address this issue by centralizing their data in a single database, data lake, or cloud data platform and managing data from a single dashboard. Collecting and managing data centrally supports comprehensive data analysis and data-driven decision-making by providing a complete view of all relevant data. Amazon S3,Google Cloud Storage, and similar platforms are durable and scalable storage solutions that can consolidate data from various sources.

3. Standardize Security Practices Across Cloud Providers

Organizations operating in a Multi-cloud environment are susceptible to cyber-attacks. That’s why standardization is critical in security practices across all cloud providers. Organizations must implement a unified security standard within cloud environments, making managing security across different platforms easier. This will lower the chance of being breached and simplify security management across multiple platforms. Centralizing security data into a single repository, like a security data lake, can provide continuous visibility and enable comprehensive monitoring of your entire multi-cloud environment from one interface.

4. Implement Multi-Cloud Disaster Recovery

Disaster recovery is a crucial part of any robust cloud strategy because it prevents data loss in the event of a disaster. Hence, it’s essential to conduct constant backup and implement a fail-proof disaster recovery plan to protect against the effects of the disaster.

Most cloud providers offer disaster recovery. However, relying on only one provider can lead to further problems during an outage. So, it’s better to implement a multi-cloud disaster recovery strategy that is robust enough to protect your diverse cloud systems. This strategy allows you to restore data and apps from one cloud to another should there be an outage. It also improves resilience and leverages the strengths of several cloud providers to provide continuity and reduce data loss after a disaster.

5. Strategic Multi-Cloud Storage

Organizations must be smart about data storage to ensure successful data security. This includes classifying data based on sensitivity and ensuring that sensitive information is stored in the most secure environments. To achieve low latency and regulatory compliance, organizations also need to think about how they disseminate data across geographical areas. Integrating data loss prevention (DLP) technology can also ensure data security and compliance. DLP technology can assist in detecting and preventing data loss or exfiltration across several cloud environments.

6. Automate Security Processes

Automation is crucial in large settings, including multi-cloud environments. Automation ensures that the security process is robust, smooth, and secure. They help accomplish routine tasks like scanning new virtual machines or containers for vulnerabilities, without the need for human intervention. At a higher level, they become essential for reducing human errors and ensuring uniform application of security policies across cloud environments.

7. Consolidated Monitoring

Effective security monitoring becomes critical in a multi-cloud setup, with the platforms offering differing levels of visibility and control. Organizations should design an integrated approach to monitoring that focuses on aggregating logs, alerts, and events from all cloud providers into one system. This will support the ability to detect and react effectively to any potential security incident, ensuring fast remediation with minimal impact of breaches.

8. Optimize Data Retention for Compliance and Analytics

Data retention policies are critical for ensuring compliance and operational effectiveness in a multi-cloud scenario. Organizations should build an inventory of all data generated or collected, assess retention needs based on legal and regulatory standards, and identify data required for operational procedures. Implementing thorough data retention policies allows an organization to ensure that crucial data is securely maintained for the right time, supporting compliance and analytics use cases.

9. Maintain Compliance Across Multiple Clouds

Organizations must comply with regulatory regulations relevant to their industry. However, cloud companies give varying compliance certifications and standards. As a result, enterprises must rely on automated tools to ensure compliance in a multi-cloud environment. These solutions continuously track compliance across all clouds to make sure that your cloud infrastructure complies with all applicable regulations. Thus, you can lower the risk of attracting legal and financial penalties.

10. Implement a Zero-Trust Security Model

In a multi-cloud context, implementing a zero-trust security strategy is critical. This technique ensures that only authorized users can access certain data and apps, reducing the risk of illegal access and data breaches. Organizations should adopt strict access controls, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring to apply zero-trust concepts to all cloud settings.

Storware for Multi-cloud Infrastructure

Storware Backup and Recovery is a highly regarded solution for multi-cloud data protection, offering a comprehensive, centralized platform for safeguarding data across various cloud environments. It provides seamless integration with leading cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, enabling businesses to protect workloads regardless of their cloud infrastructure. Storware’s solution is designed to handle the complexities of hybrid and multi-cloud environments, ensuring consistent data management, backup, and recovery. With an intuitive interface and flexible automation options, it allows IT teams to streamline their backup processes and enforce policies uniformly across all cloud services, enhancing operational efficiency.

What sets Storware apart as the best option for multi-cloud data protection is its robust security features and high-level scalability. It offers strong encryption, both in transit and at rest, ensuring that data remains safe from unauthorized access. Moreover, Storware supports a wide range of backup options, including snapshot-based, incremental, and full backups, providing flexibility in terms of data retention and recovery speed. Its scalability allows organizations to expand seamlessly as their cloud usage grows, while also offering cost-efficient storage optimization. For businesses with complex cloud architectures, Storware delivers a reliable, secure, and user-friendly solution for protecting critical data in diverse cloud environments.

Conclusion

A multi-cloud environment comes with its risks, but adopting the right practices can secure your data against breaches and other dangers. These practices include centralizing data, implementing multi-cloud data recovery, consolidating monitoring, and automating the security processes. Once you implement these strategies, you can better protect your data in a multi-cloud world.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Storware
Storware is a backup software producer with over 10 years of experience in the backup world. Storware Backup and Recovery is an enterprise-grade, agent-less solution that caters to various data environments. It supports virtual machines, containers, storage providers, Microsoft 365, and applications running on-premises or in the cloud. Thanks to its small footprint, seamless integration into your existing IT infrastructure, storage, or enterprise backup providers is effortless.

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