As cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, the demand for robust privacy and security measures has reached an all-time high. Industries, corporations, and individual users are in a relentless quest to protect their sensitive data from breaches, unauthorized access, and leaks. Enter edge computing: an innovative approach to data processing that’s rapidly gaining traction. While the term might sound esoteric to some, its implications for cybersecurity are profound. In this article, we will delve into how edge computing not only inherently amplifies security by minimizing the distance data has to travel but also significantly curtails exposure to potential threats.

What is Edge Computing?

Edge computing is a computational paradigm that brings data processing closer to the data source or “edge” of the network, rather than relying on a centralized cloud-based system. In simpler terms, instead of sending vast amounts of data across long distances to a centralized data center for processing, edge computing processes that data locally, right where it’s generated—be it from smartphones, IoT devices, sensors, or any other data-generating device.

Difference from Traditional Cloud-based Computing:

At the heart of the distinction between edge computing and traditional cloud-based computing is the location of data processing.

1. 1. Centralization vs. Decentralization: Traditional cloud computing is centralized. It depends on large-scale data centers, often situated in remote areas, to process and store data. Edge computing, on the other hand, decentralizes this approach. It operates on the premise that computing should happen as close to the data source as possible, leveraging a network of local devices or “edge devices.”
   2. Latency: One of the chief advantages of edge computing is reduced latency. Because data doesn’t have to travel back and forth between the source and a distant data center, as it does with cloud computing, responses and data processing are much faster in edge-computing setups.
   3. Bandwidth Efficiency: Edge computing can significantly reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent over the network. By processing data locally and only sending what’s necessary to the cloud, it can conserve bandwidth and decrease associated costs.
   4. Resilience and Reliability: With edge computing, even if a connection to the central cloud is lost, local devices can continue processing and storing data. This can be especially vital in scenarios where real-time decision-making is crucial, such as in autonomous vehicles or healthcare monitoring systems.

Other Important Aspects of Edge Computing:

• • Scalability: Edge computing offers a scalable solution, especially for applications and industries where a vast number of devices are interconnected. By distributing processing tasks, systems can handle more devices without significant upgrades to centralized infrastructure.
  • Security and Privacy Implications: While our focus will be detailed later in the article, it’s worth noting here that edge computing has inherent security benefits, such as reduced data exposure and enhanced local data control.
  • Interoperability: Given the decentralized nature of edge computing, it often necessitates standards and protocols that ensure different devices, apps, and systems can work together seamlessly.

In essence, edge computing is not just a new buzzword but represents a fundamental shift in the way we think about data processing and storage. By adapting to this model, industries can expect more responsive, efficient, and adaptive systems in an increasingly connected world.

Inherent Security Benefits of Edge Computing

Reduced Data Travel Distance

At the crux of edge computing’s security advantages is the significant reduction in data travel distance. Traditional cloud-based models often involve transmitting data across vast geographical expanses, sometimes even across countries or continents, before it gets processed. This long-distance journey introduces a range of vulnerabilities:

1. 1. Interception: The longer data is in transit, the higher the chance it might be intercepted. Cyber adversaries employ various tactics to eavesdrop on these data streams, aiming to capture sensitive information or manipulate it for malicious purposes.
   2. Transmission Errors: Extended data transmission can lead to errors, which not only compromise data integrity but also present openings for attacks. Error handling can sometimes reintroduce the data into the system, offering another point of vulnerability.
   3. Increased Surface Attack: Every router, switch, or any other intermediary device that data encounters on its journey is a potential point of compromise. Each of these touchpoints could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access.

By leveraging edge computing, these vulnerabilities are greatly minimized. With data processing occurring closer to the source, the need for extended data travel is reduced, thus curtailing the time and distance over which data is exposed to potential threats.

Limited Exposure to Threats

Edge computing fundamentally restructures the data journey, consequently reducing the number of touchpoints— and thus, potential attack vectors. Let’s delve deeper:

1. 1. Fewer Intermediaries: As mentioned, every intermediary device in a data transmission chain can be a potential weak link. By processing data locally, edge computing limits the number of routers, switches, or servers that the data must traverse, reducing the risk of compromise at each stage.
   2. Reduced Data Redundancy: Traditional systems often involve multiple backups and redundant data copies, increasing the risk of unauthorized access at various points. With edge processing, the data is primarily localized, minimizing redundant copies and the associated risks.
   3. Isolation of Compromised Components: In an edge computing framework, if one device or node is compromised, the damage can often be isolated to that particular segment without affecting the entire network. This containment strategy is crucial for rapid response and mitigation.

Enhanced Real-time Monitoring and Response

Another distinct advantage of edge computing is its ability to offer real-time data monitoring and quicker response times. With data being processed locally:

1. 1. Rapid Threat Detection: Any unusual activity or anomaly can be quickly identified, allowing for immediate action, rather than waiting for data to travel to a central server and back for analysis.
   2. Immediate Defensive Actions: Devices operating on the edge can be programmed to take defensive measures instantly upon detecting threats. This could include shutting down specific operations, alerting administrators, or isolating affected components.

Edge computing doesn’t just offer computational benefits, but a reimagined security blueprint. By reshaping the very pathway of data, it inherently builds a more fortified, agile, and responsive defense mechanism against an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape.

Enhancing Trust and Privacy in Various Industries

Healthcare: Safeguarding Sensitive Patient Data

Healthcare is one of the industries where the sanctity of data isn’t just about privacy—it’s often a matter of life and death. Patient data encompasses everything from medical histories and test results to prescription details. A breach can have dire consequences, including misdiagnoses, prescription errors, or even personal threats to patients.

How Edge Computing Elevates Healthcare Data Security:

1. 1. Real-time Monitoring: Devices like heart rate monitors, insulin pumps, and other wearable medical devices can leverage edge computing to process and analyze data in real-time. By not transmitting this sensitive data across a network, the chances of interception are drastically reduced.
   2. Localized Electronic Health Records (EHR): Instead of sending patient data across a network to a centralized data center, edge computing allows clinics and hospitals to store EHRs locally. Not only does this speed up access times for medical professionals, but it also significantly decreases the risk of a large-scale data breach.

Finance: Ensuring Transactional Data Security

The financial sector, with its vast troves of transactional data, personal details, and sensitive credentials, is a prime target for cyber adversaries. Trust is paramount, as clients need assurance that their assets and personal details are secure.

Edge Computing’s Role in Reinforcing Financial Security:

1. 1. ATM Transactions: Edge computing allows ATMs to process many transactions locally, reducing the need to connect to central servers. This not only speeds up transactions but also minimizes the risk of data interception during transmission.
   2. Real-time Fraud Detection: By analyzing transaction data on the spot, edge devices in banks and financial institutions can instantly detect suspicious activities and either halt transactions for further investigation or alert the customer immediately.

Retail & E-commerce: Protecting the Digital Shopper

In the bustling world of online shopping, customers entrust retailers with a myriad of personal information, from credit card details to home addresses. Protecting this data is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring smooth business operations.

How Edge Computing Strengthens E-commerce Security:

1. 1. Localized Payment Processing: Rather than routing every payment through centralized servers, edge computing allows for localized payment processing. This reduces the exposure of customer financial details to potential threats during data transmission.
   2. Inventory and User Data Analysis: Large e-commerce platforms receive vast amounts of user data and inventory updates daily. Edge computing can process this data closer to the source, minimizing the risk of large-scale data breaches and enabling faster, more secure inventory management and personalized user experiences.

A Glance at Other Sectors:

Manufacturing benefits from edge computing by processing data from machinery sensors on-site, preventing industrial espionage and enhancing operational efficiency. The energy sector leverages edge for real-time analysis of grid data, ensuring more secure and efficient power distribution. Across numerous industries, the principle remains consistent: by processing and storing data closer to its source, edge computing inherently boosts security and operational efficiency.

Edge computing isn’t just a technological upgrade; it’s a paradigm shift. As various sectors recognize its potential, the integration of edge computing promises not just enhanced efficiency but also fortified trust and privacy in a world increasingly dependent on digital operations.

Key Components in a Secure Edge Ecosystem

Data Encryption: The Shield of Information

Encryption, in the simplest terms, is the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. Within the realm of edge computing, encryption takes center stage, given the decentralized nature of data storage and processing.

Levels and Importance of Encryption in Edge Computing:

1. 1. End-to-End Encryption: This ensures that data is encrypted from its source (e.g., a sensor or device) all the way to its final destination. Only the sending and receiving ends possess the necessary keys to decrypt the data, ensuring it remains shielded during its entire journey.
   2. At-rest Encryption: While data in transit often gets much of the attention, data “at rest” (stored data) is equally vulnerable. At-rest encryption ensures that data, even when stored in edge devices, remains inaccessible to unauthorized entities.
   3. Best Practices: Regularly updating encryption algorithms and keys is vital. As cyber threats evolve, so must our defensive tools. Implementing multi-factor authentication alongside encryption can further fortify data access points.

Secure Gateways: The Sentinels of Edge Computing

A secure gateway in edge computing serves as an intermediary interface or buffer between local networks (like IoT devices) and larger networks (such as the internet or a centralized cloud). It plays a pivotal role in filtering and processing data before it gets transmitted or received.

Role and Significance of Secure Gateways:

1. 1. Data Filtering: Secure gateways can screen out redundant or non-essential data, ensuring only valuable information is transmitted, reducing bandwidth usage and potential data exposure.
   2. Protection Against Threats: By scrutinizing data packets for any signs of malware, anomalies, or unauthorized access attempts, secure gateways act as a protective barrier against potential cyber threats.
   3. Protocol Conversion: They facilitate seamless communication between devices that may use different protocols or standards, ensuring data integrity and consistent communication.

Decentralized Architectures: Strength in Distribution

At the heart of edge computing is the principle of decentralization. Instead of relying on a centralized hub for data storage and processing, tasks are distributed across a network of devices.

Security Advantages of Decentralization:

1. 1. No Single Point of Failure: In centralized systems, if the primary data center goes down or gets breached, the entire system can be compromised. Decentralized systems distribute the risk. A breach in one node doesn’t spell catastrophe for the entire network.
   2. Reduced Attack Surface: With data processing and storage scattered across multiple points, attackers can’t focus their efforts on a single, lucrative target. Instead, they’re faced with a multitude of fortified, smaller targets.
   3. Isolation of Breaches: Should a compromise occur in one node or device within a decentralized system, it can often be isolated, preventing the spread of malware or the compromise of additional data.

Automated Security Protocols:

In a constantly evolving digital landscape, having systems that can autonomously update their security protocols ensures that edge devices remain protected against newly discovered vulnerabilities or threats.

A secure edge ecosystem is not just about the hardware and software; it’s a comprehensive architecture that encompasses data protection, filtering, distribution, and autonomous defense mechanisms. As edge computing continues its upward trajectory, understanding and implementing these key components will be paramount to ensure both efficiency and security.

Edge Computing — A New Frontier in Cybersecurity

As we transition to an era where data is not just abundant but omnipresent, the tools and techniques we employ to manage, process, and protect this data must undergo a transformation as well. Edge computing stands out not just as a technological marvel, but as a beacon in the ongoing battle against cyber threats. There are multifaceted security advantages to edge computing. From reducing data travel distances, thereby minimizing vulnerabilities, to decentralizing storage and processing to negate single points of failure, edge computing redefines the boundaries of cybersecurity. Industries, be it healthcare, finance, and many more, find in edge computing a trusted ally to safeguard their data.

The stakes for application security have never been higher. With cyber threats constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, the need for robust defense mechanisms is paramount. Enter containerization—a revolutionary approach that has emerged as a game-changer for application security. Beyond merely being a development and deployment tool, containerization provides a protective cocoon, enhancing the fortitude of applications against potential threats. This article delves deep into how containerization strengthens the digital bulwarks, ensuring that applications not only perform seamlessly but also remain safeguarded from malicious entities. From understanding the foundational principle of isolation in containers to exploring real-life incidents where containerization could have turned the tide, we will embark on a comprehensive journey to spotlight how this technology is reshaping the landscape of application security. So, whether you’re a developer, a cybersecurity enthusiast, or simply curious about the future of digital safety, stay with us as we unravel the potent union of containerization and security.

What is Containerization?

Imagine a situation where every application you wish to run comes with its own environment – carrying not just the core software but also its dependencies, configurations, and libraries. This encapsulated package is what we call a ‘container’. Containerization, therefore, is the method of packaging, distributing, and managing applications and their environments as a singular unit.

Contrasting with the Old Guard: Virtual Machines (VMs)

Traditionally, Virtual Machines (VMs) were the de facto standard for running multiple applications on a single physical machine. Each VM housed an application, its necessary tools, and a complete copy of an operating system. This setup, while effective, was bulky and resource-heavy.

Containers revolutionize this by eschewing the need for multiple OS copies. Instead, they share the host system’s OS kernel, while still encapsulating the application and its environment. This makes containers lighter, more efficient, and quicker to deploy compared to their VM counterparts.

The Perks of Going with Containers:

1. 1. Portability: Given that containers wrap up an application and its environment, they can run consistently across various computing environments. From a developer’s local machine to a public cloud, the behavior remains unchanged.
   2. Resource Efficiency: By sidestepping the need for multiple OS installations and running directly on the host system’s kernel, containers maximize hardware usage, leading to more applications running on the same hardware footprint.
   3. Isolated Environments: Containers ensure that each application operates within its boundary, preventing potential conflicts or vulnerabilities from spreading between applications.
   4. Dynamic Scalability: Containers can be swiftly scaled up or down based on demand, making them perfect for applications that experience variable loads.

The Isolation Principle in Containers

At the heart of containerization is a foundational principle that sets it apart: isolation. Much like how a sealed compartment in a ship prevents water from one section flooding the entire vessel, container isolation ensures that applications and their environments remain distinct and separate from one another.

Why Isolation Matters:

1. 1. Integrity and Independence: Containers operate in a manner that ensures one application’s performance or potential issues do not influence another. Even if one container faces a problem, it doesn’t ripple out and affect other containers on the same system.
   2. Enhanced Security: Isolation creates a barrier that safeguards containers from potential threats. If a malicious entity compromises one container, the isolation mechanism ensures that the threat remains confined, preventing it from spreading to other containers on the same host.
   3. Consistent Environments: With isolation, developers can be confident that the environment they use for developing and testing will remain consistent when the application is deployed. This uniformity reduces the “it works on my machine” conundrum, a frequent challenge in software development.
   4. Resource Allocation and Management: Containers have defined resource limits, ensuring that they use only their allocated share of system resources like CPU, memory, and I/O. This allocation ensures that no single container monopolizes the host resources, maintaining equilibrium and smooth performance for all containers.

Under the Hood: How Isolation Works:

Containers achieve this unique isolation through a combination of namespaces and control groups (cgroups). Namespaces ensure that each container has its own isolated instance of global system resources. This means that processes running inside a container can only see and affect processes within the same container.

Control groups, on the other hand, manage the allocation of resources, ensuring that each container gets its fair share and does not exceed its allocation. This dual mechanism of namespaces and cgroups ensures both the isolation and fair utilization of system resources.

Application Stability and Reliability:

One of the hidden gems of container isolation is the enhancement of application stability. Since each container remains unaffected by the actions of others, applications are less prone to unexpected behaviors or crashes. Even if one application goes haywire, it doesn’t bring down others with it. This isolated operation mode enhances the overall reliability of systems using containerized applications.

Containerization: Cultivating a Secure Application Deployment Ecosystem

Containerization is more than just a mechanism for packaging applications—it’s a comprehensive system that fosters a controlled, monitored, and secure environment for deploying applications. Here’s a closer look at how this comes to fruition:

1. Immutable Infrastructure:

Containers are typically designed to be immutable, meaning once they’re built, they don’t change. Instead of patching or updating a container, a new version is built and the old one is replaced. This approach:

• • Reduces inconsistencies: Every deployment is consistent since it starts with a fresh container.
  • Minimizes vulnerabilities: By regularly replacing containers with updated versions, potential security vulnerabilities can be addressed at the source.

2. Microservices Architecture Compatibility:

Containerization naturally complements the microservices architecture, where an application is broken down into smaller, independent services. This alignment brings:

• • Enhanced security granularity: Each microservice, being in its container, can have security policies tailored to its specific function.
  • Reduced attack surface: Even if a malicious actor compromises one microservice, the damage is contained, preventing system-wide breaches.

3. Centralized Management with Orchestration Tools:

Tools like Kubernetes provide centralized orchestration for containerized applications, ensuring:

• • Automated security updates: With centralized management, security patches can be rolled out seamlessly across multiple containers.
  • Efficient monitoring: Unusual behaviors or vulnerabilities can be detected swiftly, triggering automated responses to neutralize threats.

4. Least Privilege Principle:

Containers can be configured to operate on the ‘least privilege’ principle, where they only have the minimum permissions necessary to function. This minimizes potential damage if a container is compromised.

5. Network Segmentation:

With container orchestration platforms, it’s possible to define intricate networking rules. This allows for:

• • Isolated communication: Containers can be set up so that they only communicate with specific containers, reducing potential pathways for malicious activities.
  • Enhanced data protection: Sensitive data can be isolated in containers with particularly stringent communication rules, ensuring it’s shielded from potential breaches.

6. Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Alignment:

The agility of containerization dovetails neatly with CI/CD pipelines. This synchronicity means:

• • Swift vulnerability rectification: If a security flaw is detected, it can be fixed in the development phase, and a new container can be deployed rapidly, minimizing exposure.
  • Regular security scanning: Containers can be scanned for vulnerabilities at every stage of the CI/CD pipeline, ensuring only secure containers reach the deployment phase.

In the intricate dance of modern software deployment, containerization stands out, not just as a method of packaging but as a comprehensive philosophy that prioritizes security at every step. Its principles, when applied judiciously, can significantly elevate the security posture of any organization.

Best Practices for Securing Containers

Containers, while inherently secure in their design, can be further fortified by following a set of best practices. Here are some foundational steps to ensure the utmost security of containerized applications:

1. Regularly Update Container Images: Maintain a regular update schedule for your container images. This ensures that you benefit from the latest security patches and avoid potential vulnerabilities. Remember, an outdated container image can be a security risk.
2. Implement Image Scanning: Adopt automated tools that scan container images for vulnerabilities. Such scans should be an integral part of your CI/CD pipeline, ensuring that no vulnerable images make it to production.
3. Use Minimal Base Images: Instead of using bloated, generic images, opt for minimal base images that only contain the essential components your application needs. This reduces the potential attack surface.
4. Control Container Capabilities: By default, containers might have more privileges than they require. Limit these by defining and assigning only the necessary capabilities, ensuring the principle of least privilege is upheld.
5. Network Segmentation: Set up network policies that define which containers can communicate with others. This not only enhances performance but also limits potential vectors for malicious activities.
6. Limit Resource Usage: Use control groups (cgroups) to set resource limits on containers, preventing any single container from monopolizing system resources or initiating Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks from within.
7. Use Read-Only Filesystems: Where feasible, deploy containers with read-only filesystems. This ensures that the container’s file system cannot be tampered with or written to during runtime.
8. Monitor Runtime Behavior: Implement monitoring solutions that keep an eye on container behavior during runtime. Any deviation from expected behavior can be an indication of a compromise and should trigger alerts.
9. Secure Container Orchestration: If you’re using orchestration tools like Kubernetes, ensure that their configurations are hardened. This includes securing API endpoints, using role-based access control (RBAC), and encrypting sensitive data.
10. Regularly Audit and Review: Periodically review and audit container configurations, deployment protocols, and security policies. The landscape of security is ever-evolving, and continuous assessment ensures that you remain a step ahead of potential threats.

By proactively embracing these practices, organizations can further enhance the inherent security advantages of containerization, ensuring that their applications remain robust, resilient, and shielded from a myriad of threats.

Challenges and Limitations of Containerization

While containerization boasts an impressive array of security and operational benefits, it’s not without its challenges and limitations. Understanding these is crucial for organizations aiming to deploy containers effectively:

• Complexity in Management: The initial shift to containerization can seem daunting, especially for larger applications. Orchestrating numerous containers, each with its configurations, inter-dependencies, and communication requirements, demands a higher level of management skill and oversight.
• Persistent Data Storage: Containers are ephemeral by nature, which can pose challenges for applications requiring persistent data storage. Integrating and managing storage solutions in such transient environments necessitates strategic planning.
• Security Misconceptions: There’s a common misconception that containers are completely secure by default. While they do offer inherent security advantages, they’re not invulnerable. Relying solely on their native security without additional measures can lead to vulnerabilities.
• Overhead and Performance: While containers are lightweight compared to traditional virtual machines, running many of them simultaneously can introduce overhead. Performance optimization becomes crucial, especially when managing resources for a multitude of containers.
• Inter-container Dependencies: As applications grow and evolve, so do their inter-container dependencies. Managing these intricacies, ensuring smooth communication and operation, can become a substantial challenge.
• Vendor Lock-in Concerns: With various container tools and platforms available, there’s a risk of becoming too reliant on a specific vendor’s ecosystem. This can limit flexibility and complicate migrations in the future.
• Networking Challenges: Creating secure and efficient networking configurations for containers, especially in multi-container setups, can be intricate. It requires careful planning to ensure both security and performance.
• Evolving Ecosystem: The container ecosystem, though robust, is still evolving. This means that standards, best practices, and tooling are continually changing, which can pose adaptation challenges for organizations.
• Skill Gap: As with any emerging technology, there exists a skill gap in the market. Organizations may find it challenging to source or train professionals proficient in container management and security.

Recognizing these challenges and limitations is the first step in effectively navigating the container landscape. With informed strategies and a comprehensive understanding of both the pros and cons, organizations can harness the full potential of containerization while mitigating its associated risks.

Harnessing the Power of Containers

In the dynamic world of software deployment and development, the potential of containerization cannot be understated. As we’ve traversed its multifaceted realm, from understanding its core principles to evaluating its real-world impact, a consistent theme emerges: containerization offers a promising avenue for enhancing application security. Its holistic approach to software deployment — encapsulating applications in isolated, efficient, and easily managed units — is a formidable response to the challenges of the digital age.

By integrating containers into their infrastructure, organizations can fortify their defenses against breaches, ensure more consistent application performance, and pivot rapidly in the face of emerging vulnerabilities. But as with all technological advancements, the true power of containerization lies in informed and strategic implementation. It’s a tool, and like any tool, its effectiveness is determined by the hands that wield it. As we look forward to a digital future rife with both opportunities and challenges, containerization stands as a beacon, guiding us toward more secure, scalable, and resilient application landscapes.

Chain businesses are a significant part of our world now. This includes businesses with multiple public locations, like McDonald’s and Target, as well as those with fewer public locations, like Amazon. Having so many sites, however, means a great deal of communication happens outside one specific building. That information must reach different facilities and sometimes different states or even countries.

Building Network Communication

The idea of growing and expanding into multiple locations may still be new for younger businesses. All too often, companies assume that they can simply call or email information as needed to their other sites. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s efficient, right? But there are other things to think about when it comes to communication. It’s not just about talking to someone in another location.

Other Forms of Network Communication

Network communication includes conversing with your coworkers and data sharing, interoperability, inventory management, and much more. Of course, these things can be shared over a phone call or email, but that’s not the most efficient way to go about it.

Sending this information via email leads to security issues. Sharing it via phone calls leads to recording or transferring data errors. You need a system that will automatically allow each location to see and share the information they need in a secure, accurate fashion.

Systems Are Available

The good news is, there are systems available for precisely this function. In fact, there is a multitude of different systems that are in place specifically for multi-location organizations to communicate with each other. These systems are designed to carry out a variety of different functions, including:

– Keeping track of current inventory- Keeping all information secure– Transferring files between locations- Ensuring adequate and complete backups- Sharing devices/equipment- Enabling single software licenses for multiple locations

Do You Need a Network Communication System?

If you have more than one location, setting up a network communication system is a good idea. These systems will improve your business’s communication and make it easier for you to continue growing. In addition, by improving your communication from the outset, you reduce potential trouble later on when you’re already busy working on other, more advanced issues.

The Easiest Network Communication Option

Many businesses use cloud storage servers as the number one method for their communication systems. While several of these offer free services, there are also many more that are paid. These paid services are the best way to get started for smaller businesses because:

– Startup costs are reasonable- You only pay for what you need- They have reasonable levels of security- You can store whatever you want- They’re easy to access- They’re easy to learn- It’s easy to upload/download information

On the other hand, these systems have some limitations. Finding ones that will allow for the transfer of more detailed or specific information can be difficult. Most cloud servers are designed to be only a way-point or a storage point.

However, you can find systems that offer cloud storage as a feature rather than those that are cloud storage providers first. This allows you to get the benefits of more personalized information storage and recording while also having the ability to access that information from any location.

What to Do

The best thing you can do is find a specific system that allows for transferring the type of information you need. For example, there are systems in place that are designed for financial information. While you can do all your financial tracking through Microsoft Excel, most people will choose a more dedicated system that offers the specific features and abilities they need (rather than coding and customizing Excel to meet those needs).

The same is true of other types of network communications software and systems. You want something that will allow you to easily carry out the specific tasks you’re looking for and share that information with all your locations.

The sooner you learn which systems will do this for your business, the better off you’ll be in your expansion.

When it comes to IT, there’s a day and an age for everything. Remember when we thought it would never get better than dial-up internet? How about when we got hard drives with one gig of storage space? Or when we created a DVD player that could go in the car?

In their times, those advances were the best that was available. But things changed, and those advances then became obsolete. The same is often true of IT systems. Businesses are obligated to get rid of older systems as they become outdated.

What Does Sunsetting Legacy Systems Mean?

Sunsetting a legacy system is phasing out an old system and implementing a new one. This must be performed systematically, which requires mapping out what is to be done and remaining aware of every step of the process.

1. Is it Necessary?

If the current system can no longer be upgraded or repaired, that’s a clear sign that an upgrade is needed. Industry requirements can also change at any time, and remaining compliant is crucial. Security, for the team as well as the clients, is also a consideration.

2. Make a Plan

Consider the security and integrity of all information currently stored on the system. This involves conducting a full audit of all the data to be retained, backing up everything before initiating the transfer process, and ensuring that everything is secure and uncorrupted, during and after the transfer. Creating a plan for how to do this will minimize stress.

3. Keeping it Secure

For those sunsetting legacy systems, it’s essential to stay cognization of the legacy systems themselves. Know that any information remaining on an old framework will still be secure. Zero trust and edge security are excellent ways to protect systems. Also, be sure that only essential information is being transferred. Transferring unnecessary or incomplete data is not recommended, as it can give rise to security issues or other unforeseen problems.

4. Is it Going as Expected?

Throughout the entire process, ensure that things are progressing properly. For example, is the new system working as expected? Are problems being encountered or suggested during the transition process? If even minor errors are noticed, the transfer should be rolled back. The only way to know is to ensure proper monitoring at each step.

5. Train Everyone

Ensure that the entire team knows how to operate and interact with the new system. Some procedures will necessarily be modified, so schedule training sessions to familiarize the team with every change.

Tips and Guidelines

Remember the below recommendations when contemplating sunsetting legacy systems.

1. Always have a backup. Without fail, backup all data before initiating a transfer. Without a backup, a serious risk of data loss will be incurred during the sunsetting process.
2. Transfer one component at a time. This is another way to minimize the potential for loss. Transferring only one element of the old system at a time to the new system makes complete data loss nearly impossible.
3. Monitor security. Keep an eye on all security features while sunsetting legacy systems. Then, track the latest security features and options for the new system, keeping it consistently up to date.

Final Considerations

1. Is it necessary? Do these changes really need to be made? Is there a way to mitigate the amount of change required? Changing information or processes as slowly as possible makes things easier for the team, and can cut attendant costs.
2. What are the benefits of sunsetting my legacy system, as well as using the new system under consideration? Will this transition ease operations for the business? For the clients? Will the new system be less or more expensive to run? More or less secure?

Sunsetting legacy systems are important. Ensure that it’s done correctly.

 

There are mini investments that produce healthy returns and create both enormous tax revenue and new jobs. A few of them are as repeatably successful as the modern data center. According to a recent U.S Chamber of Commerce report, the average economic impact for a data center is approximately $32.5 million. This report also shows that $9.9 million in revenue is typically generated during the data center construction process.

The same report shows that data centers provide jobs for around 1,688 local workers while paying out an astonishing $77.7 million in labor wages while producing $243.5 million in output through local surrounding supply chains. 

For taxes, AreaDevelopment.com states that tax revenue from data centers is explicitly a massive win for the local and state governments. At the state level, taxes are generated from employee jobs, equipment purchases, and sales tax generation through construction purchases. At the community level, sales and real estate taxes are two of the most significant avenues of new tax revenue.

The Economic Effect of Data Centers

The household name for search engines also has a bustling data center business. According to a report from Oxford Economics, Google data centers generated $1.3 billion in economic activity in 2016 alone while also providing around $750 million in labor income and 11,000 jobs throughout the United States. 

Housing and the Local Economy

This is incredible, showing how much economic assistance is provided from a big room full of servers. Jokes aside, these Google data centers stimulate the economy in other, less measurable ways. For example, in the housing market: Employees from the data center helps fill vacant rentals and assist with housing growth due to the sudden influx of new people in an area. What do all of those employees do when they’re not working? They shop, eat, and patronize local amenities. 

Data Centers and the Environment

Regarding energy, Google has committed to providing renewable energy generation for its data centers. Their data centers helped to create $2.1 billion in renewable energy projects, including wind and solar. This creates even more jobs during construction while also providing recurring jobs across the country.

Other Data Centers

Giant monoliths like Microsoft and Amazon also contribute similar economic impacts with their data center creation. Other big names to watch out for in the data center space include Dell, Hewlett Packard, Inspur, Facebook, Apple, and Salesforce.

Data Centers Are Revenue Wins

The average data center creates tremendous revenue generation wherever they are placed. From jobs, tax revenue, and renewable energy projects, they inject vast spikes of income that help communities become bigger and better than ever before.

Best Small Business Data Strategy

As the threat of cyberattacks grows, protecting sensitive business data is important. For small businesses, the stakes are even higher in some ways than for larger businesses. This is because small businesses often lack the necessity or budget to outfit their company with sophisticated cyber security solutions in the same ways that an enterprise company would. But the truth is, *any* business has the ability to apply a meaningful, cost-effective approach to data protection that can scale as the business’s security needs grow. As with most things in life, it begins by seizing opportunities.

A Mini Guide on Protecting Small Business Data

Utilizing the template below, perform a business analysis that answers two simple questions: 

**What data needs protection?**

 **What can be done to protect it today *and* tomorrow?**

Step 1 – Identify Areas of Improvement

The first step in any data protection strategy is to analyze the business’s failure points. 

*What data needs to be protected?*

*What measures should be put in place to achieve adequate protection for my business?*

*If there are protection methods in place, is it worth it to improve on the current process?*

For example, a small health clinic will have different data protection needs than a well-established Level 1 Trauma Center. Likewise, the small clinic may not need as many protocols in place to achieve an equivalent level of protection relative to the size of the business. Since cyber security scales, it’s always best to identify any weaknesses within since each business is unique and will have its own set of requirements.

Step 2 – Learn and Teach Best Data Practices

For small businesses without a dedicated IT team, there are some fundamental principles that can be applied in order to ensure a great level of data protection.  The biggest one, however, is standardization. There are three main components that should be standardized: Employee equipment, software, and network access.

First, limit the total number of devices on the network to employees only.  Additionally, create a company-wide policy on mobile devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets that clearly states what devices are allowed.

To standardize software, simply decide on what software is needed for business operations to flow uninterrupted and cut the rest. If it’s not essential to business, it’s probably not needed on the company machines.

And lastly, standardizing network access is the most fundamental, but arguably, most important step. When we talk about data protection, that will look different for every business. Doubly important is limiting *who* has access to that data since unauthorized network access can quickly produce disastrous results no matter what size a business is. A few best practices to protect network access are multi-factor authentication, a strict password policy, and company-wide limits on outside interaction.

Step 3 – Data Backup

While the failure rate of hardware is far less today than ever before, it can still fail. The largest cause of data loss in a business outside of cyberattacks is human error. In most small businesses, this will default back to employees as the main culprit. On purpose or by accident, employees should be well trained on any company-sanctioned backup practices. And the best way to ensure employee compliance is through the steps above: Standardization.

Creating a standard set of backup principles, for both employees and the business as a whole, will help keep data safe and ready to go in the event of a critical data failure.

NetCov Data Protection Audits

Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company or a smaller e-commerce shop, data should always be top of mind. Network Coverage can help audit your network and backup protocols to provide an excellent data protection strategy for any budget. If you’re ready to stop leaving data protection in the hands of fate, contact us today and let one of our data experts partner with you on creating your company’s own personalized data protection plan.

Avoiding Non-Criminal Data Loss

There are lots of things that get lost in life — keys, wallets, top-secret security thumb drives — but aside from that last one, as a business, data loss is the most painful. And while NetCov is a cybersecurity company, we’re also a data protection company; unfortunately, not all data loss is caused by cyberattacks. While nefarious criminals can certainly wreak havoc on sensitive data, we often become victims of our own undoing. One-off accidents or mishaps can quickly turn into large-scale outages should the correct protective measures not be in place. 

We don’t want that to happen to you. Here are the top causes of data loss not from hackers and how to avoid them.

The Top Causes for Business Data Loss

1. Equipment Failure

Whether at home or at work we’ve all likely experienced a loss of data due to some sort of hardware mishap. For personal usage, a computer’s hard drive could’ve gone out or a crucial report that was saved to a thumb drive was lost because the drive needed to be formatted. Failing equipment is one of the tougher forms of data loss because there are some scenarios where that data can’t be recovered or the cost associated with recovery efforts may not be worth it. On the higher end, server storage, including the latest and greatest solid-state drives, can bring down entire websites, or in some cases, entire data centers. 

There’s this fun term called the bathtub curve which illustrates that most drives fail on a curve that — you guessed it — is shaped like a bathtub. The good news is that storage technology has become more resilient over the years, although they’re still prone to failure.

Best Way to Avoid Drive Crashes?

Off-site backup, plus multiple redundant backup copies across multiple drives

2. Human Error

Billy Joel famously said, “We’re only human, we’re supposed to make mistakes,” but Mr. Joel also wasn’t responsible for critical information systems as a living. That said, human error is indeed one of the biggest causes of data loss not from hackers. But a bad drive swap or manually deactivating backups to troubleshoot an error are both very real errors that can result in data loss. Those, of course, aren’t the only ways that human error can cause data loss. 

Best Way to Avoid Human Errors With Data?

You can’t, at least not fully. No matter how many systems and procedures are in place, there’s always the potential for human error, even when humans aren’t directly involved. Relatively autonomous systems still need human interaction, so it’s impossible to fully rule out.

3. Power Failures

Would that surge protector really have made any meaningful difference? We’ll likely never know. But having a backup power source is definitely important, especially when dealing with troves of data like many medium-to-large businesses do. There’s never a good time for power failures, and even the protocols we’ve set up in the event of a power failure aren’t meant to be long-term solutions. 

Best Way to Avoid Data Loss From Power Failures?

This one is tough. The obvious answer is backup power sources, but in the event of a natural disaster, offline, off-site, and unconnected backups are likely to be the only ways to be truly immune.

Data Loss Prevention

Data is the lifeblood of your business. From customer records to important company data, we deal with a lot of data vulnerabilities every day. And while the only thing guaranteed in life is death and taxes, there are ways to make sure your data is protected against total loss. Schedule a consult with one of our data experts to see how we can help design the perfect data center with recovery options today!

DCIM Software Implementation Best Practices

Building a data center is a very involved process. From building materials to air management, there are a lot of physical comments that need to be managed. Beyond that, all of those pieces of technology — servers, firewalls, networking cables, and other supporting infrastructure — all have to be managed. 

But manually managing these assets, especially individually, is a near-impossible task. And doing so without the assistance of some sort of software to help could severely limit a data center’s potential to grow. There is an answer, though, and it’s called data center infrastructure management.

What Is Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Software?

DCIM software is used to handle the status of IT equipment and infrastructure within a data center. It allows IT teams to manage the interactions and functions of the various pieces that make up a data center in the cloud or on-premises. Additionally, DCIM software provides an easy way to measure and calibrate data center performance while monitoring data center health. 

Benefits of DCIM Software

DCIM software is so beneficial to data center operators because it allows a holistic look at the health of a data center. When planning for data center upgrades, knowing exactly where specific bottlenecks are will allow for more efficient equipment and system upgrades. 

IT teams will also gain many remote monitoring tools, allowing for single teams to monitor multiple data centers no matter how far they’re distributed. Imagine an overall increase in IT productivity with the ability to proactively manage and mitigate incidents in real time.

In addition to the visibility benefits, DCIM software can help increase overall uptime thanks to the enormous amount of information it can provide. For example, the most important thing for a rapidly growing data center is capacity. As more users are added to the mix, IT teams are able to monitor the data center’s overall performance or the performance of specific parts and systems. 

Improving DCIM Software

While DCIM software has much potential, there are areas where additional improvements could be had.

To start, let’s look at what is arguably the most important thing in maintaining anything that’s connected to the internet — security. Because DCIM software ties multiple systems together, this also increases the number of vulnerabilities IT teams face within the data center. 

Data centers also need to consider external monitoring tools that cover environmental factors like heat, energy use, and power consumption. To rectify this, data centers may need to invest in the necessary monitoring tools or replace outdated, non-compatible hardware.

The Structure of DCIM

DCIM intuitively brings many different data center systems and components together under one monitoring ‘umbrella’. While DCIM software can certainly monitor for abnormalities, it’s also incredibly proficient in mapping out critical upgrade paths or providing critical data center-wide reporting. A few of these benefits include:

The Ability to Plan Capacity

Easily construct data-backed models of future data center expansion based on adjustable parameter limitations.

Better Analysis

Because data is collected for each individual data center system, IT teams can deeply analyze specific systems for performance metrics, potential hazards, and more.

Planning for Hardware Changes

When calculating downtime risks due, DCIM software can create a documented journey for necessary hardware changes. If a newly added piece of equipment begins to affect the performance of the data center, IT teams can easily check the center’s logs to see when and where that performance change happened.

In the Cloud or On the Ground

Data centers require constant monitoring and support. Handling these functions without DCIM software can severely hinder an IT team’s productivity. If you’re ready to take full control of your data center and free up skilled labor with a better way to manage critical data center systems, reach out to our data center experts for a consultation.