How NetworkSecurity can Change your Business Perspective?

Network security is becoming crucial part of IT security and it is playing a major role in reducing vulnerabilities of a system and helping companies to increase their potential. Here are some very important moves that are taken during network security assessment.

Security Policy Document

The important part of security assessment policy is that it must be documented well and one of the important parts is considered as security policy document for every organization. The security policy document describes almost every policy which is implemented in an enterprise network. It describes the duties of an employee and what they can do with the resources. The policy document also includes non-employees such as consultants, clients, business partners and even terminated employees. Moreover, these security policies are defined for internet e-mail and virus detection. It also covers complete cyclical processes to further assess the security system.

Perimeter Security

The second phase of this assessment is performing perimeter security; it explains a first line of defense that external users must deal with before authenticating to the network. It is a security for traffic whose destination is an external network. There are several components that are used to secure the perimeter of a network. During the process of assessment, all perimeter devices are utilized such as firewalls, TACACS servers, dial servers, external routers, modems and VPN concentrators.

Network Security

Network security assessment, a vital part of security assessment in which all of the servers and legacy host security are assessed. A security process implemented for authorizing and authenticating internal and external employees. In perimeter security, when a user is authenticated through perimeter security, it is that security that should be dealt with before starting any applications. The network carries traffic between workstations and network applications (while network applications are implemented on a shared server that could be running on different operating systems such as Mainframe MVS or UNIX).

Here are some important features of network that can be distributed as:

• Non-Repudiation /RSA Digital Signatures
• MD5 Route Authentication and integrity
• Authentication along with Digital Certificates
• Confidentiality holding IPSec/IKE/3DES
• Virus Detection using antiviruses and continuous monitoring of security

Transaction Security

Transaction security works in a dynamic domain of functionality and cover five primary activities to boost network security. These five elements are

• Non-repudiation
• Authentication
• Integrity
• Confidentiality
• Virus detection

Transaction security ensures that session data is protected before being transported across the enterprise communication channel or on the internet. This is important when dealing with the internet channel since data becomes vulnerable to those that would use the important information without permission. E-commerce employs some industry standards such as SSL and SET which describe a set of protocols that provide non-repudiation and CIA (confidentiality, integrity and authentication). Network security must be kept as the top preference because it is the only way to keep the security system healthy and defensible.

How data centers works?

What are Data Centers?

What are data centers and why they are often called as "central nervous system" of a company?

This happens because most organizations rely completely on smooth operations of their information system in order to run all kind of business functions. No company can bear the catastrophe caused by the failure of such systems as they often lead to unbearable loss. So what these data centers contain exactly.

There are many components that can make up an organization’s data center. These can include:

1. A data center can be telecommunication and storage systems. 
2. A data centercan be uninterruptible power supply system. 
3. A data center can be redundant data communication connections.
4. A data center can be form of security device.
5. A data center can be controls for the environment such as air conditioning.

All of these components usually housed together and it is vital to ensure that the design and infrastructure is logical and implemented in a way to ensure that these elements can perform their required function correctly.

How they work?

After understanding what actually data Centre design is, it is really important to know that, “How are data center’s design and infrastructure planned?"

                                    

These centers can be of many types usually depends on the size and need of the organization; they can be fit in a room or may take a broad space of a building or even an entire building. However, the bigger a data center of an organization is the comprehensive planning it will need. It is however clear that large data centers need much more planning in terms of design and infrastructure.

Some basic planning:

Some of the basic planning principles for the process of designing a center, whether they are large or small, are as follows:

Modeling Configurations –

This is the initial planning principle whereby it is important to create a plan for all of the required elements within the data center and costing. This can include sizing, power supply issues, spacing issues, data center location requirements and much more.

Mechanical Engineering –

It comes after modeling phase with the focus on the ability to maintain the information systems by ensuring their environment is suitably designed for them to function correctly. This encompasses temperature control and de-humidifiers as well ventilation control.

Flexibility and Adaptability –

The company or organization’s requirements are often ever evolving which has a direct effect on the requirements of the center. Keeping this in mind, it must be flexible enough to adjust in the changing needs of an organization.

The importance of ISO27001 in Qatar

The ISO27001 Qatar is an international standard which acts as a framework for the ISMS (Information Security Management System). Those companies who receive this certification can show it as a proof that they are following the best security practices for their private data. There are many changes in the newer version of this software as compared to its older counterpart.

What is the ISO27001 Qatar?

The ISO27001 Qatar is established by the ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee. The latest version of this standard released on 25th September 2013, which succeeded its older version which was established in 2005. ISO27002 is a companion of this standard. The latest version in the ISO family can be used by all sorts of organizations, irrespective of the sectors they may belong to. Companies who wish to prevent risks related to the loss or theft of vital data can get this certification. Nowadays, it is eminent for all organizations, whether large or small, to get them certified. This serves as a verification that their systems are protected and there is no risk of losing data.

Importance of this certification:

In Qatar, majority of the companies are getting themselves ISO27001 certified as they understand the

importance of ISO27001 certification. Through this certification, they are able to make their reputation better in their market. This is because of the international standard of the certification. It acts as a competitive edge in the market and companies who aren’t certified may feel as if they are losing customers. Also, with the help of this certification, companies can win the trust of third parties and customers. Because this certification ensures that the company has all the security standards which will help in the prevention of losing data, customers are ready to trust the firm without any doubts.

Difference from the ISO27001:2005:

The ISO27001:2013 introduced new regulations which did not exist in its previous version. Some of them are listed as follows:

• The PDCA (plan-do-check-act) model does not exist in the older version. Organizations can now apply through any sort of continual improvement method.
• The clauses mentioned in annex A have been changed.
• The structure of the new standard has changed.
• The roles of the upper level management have been clearly described in the standard.
• The standard is more flexible for the organization.
• The newer version integrates better with the other ISO standards.

ISO27001 Qatar– Domains, Objectives and Controls

ISO27001 Qatar is used commonly because all companies understand the need of keeping their information safe and secure from others. That is why they prefer achieving this certification to increase the level of trust of their potential customers and interested parties. ISO27001 refers to an international standard which helps in maintaining certain security controls for the organization.

Introduction:

ISO27001 is used by many companies in Qatar to ensure the safety of their information systems. Many companies consider it a risk to keep data in their devices without proper security controls and consider security the first priority of their business. They are well aware of the fact that competitive companies can steal their private data and use it for their own advantage.

ISO27001 Qatar acts like a framework for the information security management system and helps in the establishment, management and implementation of security controls. Many businessmen prefer being ISO27001 certified as it is an international standard. This will help them in expanding their business as well as in trading internationally. This standard has many other benefits as well. It helps in compliance with other security controls and helps businessmen in maintaining a good image of their company in the market. Customers and interested parties are more likely to trust those companies in Qatar which are ISO27001 certified.

Domains objectives and controls:

The domains and control objectives of ISO27001 are given as follows:

1. Security policy:

The objective of this policy is to help in the management of security controls in accordance with the laws related to information security. This also assists the management in making important decisions related to security.

2. Organization of Information Security:

The objective is to manage information security within the workplace i.e to assist managers with security controls. Another objective is to maintain the organization’s information which is managed by third parties.

3. Asset management:

The objective of this control is to manage the assets of the company and to protect it from risk.

4. Human resource security:

The main objective of this security is to ensure that all the employees and interest parties are capable and understand their job responsibilities. After getting the job, the objective is to ensure that they understand the risks and threats involved in managing information security.

5. Physical environment and security:

The objective of this control is to prevent physical access to the information.

The Controls of Information Security

Information security Dubai means the proper protection and safeguard of information from getting into the wrong hands. These days’ companies must be very prudent regarding their private data and keep it protected. Almost all companies consider security as their top most priority and do all they can to protect their data.

In this fast track world, companies have advanced from being small entrepreneurial businesses to large business hubs. Competition exists amongst all levels, even amongst the smallest companies. This competition can also be unhealthy and companies may want to reach the maximum heights to achieve more profit than others. For this, they might also need to steal the company’s private data. Through this, they can unveil the company’s future plans and use it for their own benefit. The leakage of data is now possible through various software products and computer hackers. As companies now prefer to transfer all their vital data on their systems rather than on files and physical documents, a pathway for computer hackers has been created to leak this data. To avoid this situation, information security is now a necessity for every firm, no matter how small it may be.  Information security Dubai refers to the protection of vital data present in computer systems of the company. It must be ensured that this data does not get to the wrong hands and information security assists’ company on this matter.

Information security controls:

The company must select proper controls to minimize the risk of leakage of data. These controls may vary in nature but their fundamental aim is to protect the data from getting stolen. The controls are listed as follows:

 

1.    Administrative:

This consists of written policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. They form a model for the proper management of the business. These procedures are used in guiding the employees on how to manage and run the business properly and with ease.

 

2.    Logical:

Logical controls refer to the usage of software and data to monitor the access to information in computers. Examples of this control are passwords, firewall and access control lists.

 

3.    Physical:

These controls are used for the proper monitoring and controlling of the environment of the work place. This control also helps in monitoring access to the computer systems of the workplace. Examples of this control include locks, doors, smoke and fire alarms, cameras, fencing, security guards, cable locks etc.

Why Managers are an Important Actor of Information Security Schema

Why managers must be involved in planning a thorough information security plan for the company, why? This is one of the most common questions we have been answering since long, but still this exists in many minds. Why managers are given so much importance, the reason is that managers are the one who is managing everything in a working culture OR simply he is responsible for maintaining Confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information assets.

Have you ever thought or experience workflow of an organization when there is no manager, there is hardly one person who will take the responsibility of protecting the digital assets. There is only one person who is then held responsible for data leakage, “the manager”. And a manager who fails to accept the responsibility of data leakage will out his/her organization’s survival at risk.

Why managers must know about information security?

There are many organizations that are still working without any kind of security policies and they are considered as “rudderless” when it comes to providing information security. The technical IT people are responsible for creating a master plan for information security and they simply fight with any kind of mitigation attack (also they have limited control or authority of the overall system). At this point, manager’s role starts as he/she is responsible for keeping check on any data leakage by ensuring every team member follow set guidelines. A manager will act as a backbone and help the company to achieve its goal of information security.

Companies which are operating in GULF especially in Qatar are still lacking such practices that are why there is a big loophole exists for hackers.

Many information security companies in Qatar must understand that managers have direct authority to supervise information policies for an organization. And to do this job a manager do not even need to be a computer nerd, basic training and responsible role can help him/her achieve their goals. There is a need of realizing that organizations must undergo with some kind of the systematic approach to assuring information security in their organization.

Manager’s responsibility:

The following items are included in the manager's responsibility for computer security:

1. Vital assets of an organization must be identified, described and itemized.

It is really important to identify all information assets in order to provide an appropriate level of security for each set of information. In addition to that an organization without explicit knowledge of what information assets it owns cannot provide information security.

2. Each of the information assets must be classified as to its level of criticality.

What “critical” means must be described in terms of an information asset, what are they and why they must be protected? For example, financial accounts are more critical than a backup copy of a public website. Policies and procedures must be developed on how information is to be processed in the organization.

Why Information Security is a Management Issue

Mike Gillespie a principal information security consultant, he says that many people even the experts or business owners think that information security is an IT problem, but this is actually a management issue.

He adds that if anyone needed any evidences he/she may look deep inside the current wave of data loss incidents, (how can we forget the recent Apple cloud hack), where companies as well as users are paying the fee of such loss.

He says, only few were caused by an IT practice, instead many are because of business or human errors. However, there are a list of moves Governments are taking to ensure information security in KSA, Europe, and other parts, but still there are vulnerabilities that exist in the system.

Why do we need revolutionary moves in policies?

There are a number of information security moves that have been addressed and clarify information security professionals gathered at one forum and see here what they added in the further discussion.

Lack of integration:

Where are the physical security guys in the information security plan? Where are the people who are expert in dealing with personnel-related risks? Who is the co-ordinated response?

These information security professional added that it is true that IT security does not have its part to play, it does, but where are these guys who are also important in securing the system as guardians, and they must be part of the team too.

And this negligence must be tackled by the senior management as these guys are equally important in securing the information of any IT infrastructure.

These guys also added that there is no such standard to help us out at the individual company level and there is no single guideline exists in the whole information security world.

However, they added that information security standard ISO 27001 is still in the process of development and improvement, but still it builds on 11 key blocks clearly stating that information security is a combination of set of policies and procedures involving HR, business continuity, compliance, and physical security and so on. This clearly states that information security is just not an IT thing in fact it is a complete organization process which must be handled by the management itself.

Why we need accountability?

One thing we must understand that and that is ISO 27001 standard is on the rise and organization who really want to get it right must have to create an overarching security function, but only few business do this.

In most cases, large companies from KSA set up a separate department with highly trained Information security, while companies who cannot afford big team, invest in hiring one to two individuals with Information security knowledge.  But experts say, that this approach must be added into the overall organizational structure to protect the overall system and business integrity. No company can get the desired success unless they rotate its wheel continuously and adopt the new moves as quickly as possible.

Security Consulting UK – Why Cyber Security is so Important?

Who are security consultants?

Information security specialists or InfoSec professionals or Security Consulting UK professionals are IT professionals with cyber security or computer security credentials. These professionals not have years of experience, but skill set that only comes with deep knowledge and brain faster than computer. According to experts, information security is a field that cannot be learnt through certifications or degree instead it is something you are born with. Cyber- security is part of information security domain that covers physical and virtual assets and threats and people related issues. Cyber security is just one part of the wider field of information security, which also covers physical assets and threats, and people-related factors. However, in the current context of growing threats to critical national infrastructure (such as power plants) in certain countries, it is the "cyber" part of the term that is taking an increasingly high profile. But nature of growing threats on ‘critical infrastructure’ in certain countries, cyber part of InfoSec is becoming top concern of companies, enterprises and Governmental bodies. It is also true that many organizations are not at risk from state-sponsored agents, but there are many amateur hackers who can take benefit.

It is time when a company will need help from security consulting UK professionals. An information security consultant can reshape the overall enterprise security posture by preventing the system and mitigating future incursions.

What do they offer?

A cyber security consultant can audit enterprise existing system, verify the level of current IT security, point out vulnerable areas in a system (for instance, webpages ask for credentials such as user name and password encryption pages).

They check software for updates as a software not updated to the latest patch becomes ineffective against many threats and make system vulnerable. In such case, an update can solve the problem, however in other cases where software is update a re-configuration may be needed. Security consulting service provider’s professionals will do the penetration testing and vulnerability scans to unearth vulnerabilities. They ensure that all vulnerabilities are fixed before hackers can identify to take benefit.

Why they are crucial?

Cyber security consultants are pivotal for a company and they can offer much more than just vulnerability assessment. Security consulting UK is expert in offering customized security services to develop a comprehensive security plan for an enterprise. They believe in offering fully tailored solutions rather installing one-fits-all solution and methodologies. Most security consulting firms not only offer security paradigm to ensure information security, but they also offer proper training to employees to keep security vulnerabilities at bay. Without employee training, no company can survive no matter how complex and comprehensive security measures are implemented.

This is not just it as many security consulting service providers help companies in achieving international certifications such as ISO 27001 etc. It is a fact that security consulting UK can bring a lot of benefits to an enterprise culture so keep financial concerns aside and invest in hiring a good service provider.

Top 3 Threats to Cloud Security Services

Cloud computing is grabbing its vital place after RSA Conference 2013, among organizations and vendors involved in comprehensive IT solutions. These companies are offering quick controls to companies in order to avoid threats, but first it is an important way for companies to identify their cloud related threats. To avoid such threats companies need reliable cloud security services.

 

10 Best Practices for Integrating Data

Even now in corporate world data integration is often underestimated and poorly implemented. To help companies in identifying cloud computing threats by mentioning nine cloud computing threat for 2013.

The first threat is data breaches.  To point out the importance of this type of threat, CSA pointed to a research paper describing how a virtual machine can be used as side-channel timing information to extract private cryptographic keys in use by other connected virtual machines on the same server. In fact, with such strong connectivity a malicious hacker wouldn’t go to that depth in order to extract important information. In short, if a cloud computing network is not designed properly, even a single flaw in one single machine can leave the whole cloud just like a piece of cake for the hacker. Hackers can steal easily not only information from one node, but from all computers connected to that cloud.

 

Challenge:

The challenge is addressing is eradicating this threat from cloud networks in order to save people from any kind of important data loss. Encryption of data can be used to eradicate the data breach risk using certain encryption technique, but what if you lose your encryption key, you will lose your data.

However, if you are someone ready to keep backups of your data to reduce data loss, but at the same time you will expose your system for more data breaches.

Second threat in a cloud computing environment is disappearing of data to some other place without leaving a single trace.  Hacker might delete a target’s data out of spite, but still this is a situation in which you can leave your data to an unsecure cloud or a careless cloud service provider for bigger disaster such as a flood, earthquake and fire. Summarizing the challenge, encryption of your data in such a way that you can retain it in case of such incidents using your encryption key.

Data loss is not only one threat that is challenging in cloud computing, but also it is really difficult for people who want to store important data in order to get compliance with Government agencies such as HIPPA.

The third cloud computing risk could be service or account hijacking – we are almost familiar with such kind of threat, but in case of cloud computing it will be really hard.  For instance if an hacker can get access to your credentials, he or she can easily monitor, hijack or even mitigate it according to his/her needs by leaving hopeless.

What are the Benefits of Firewall Security

Internet usage has been expanding and is becoming a vital part of everyone’s life. Internet is playing a great in connecting communities and helping them in developing to achieve the best of them.  Applications on the internet are the fun games, but they are also unsafe and prone to unauthorized access and security threats. Also, in many cases a person can face important information theft within the possibility of unauthorized software hampering, which all points to security threats. 

So, you must do to protect your computer? How can you protect yourself from getting hacked? The best-recommended thing is to use firewall security, here in this article how you can protect your system using firewall security practices will be discussed. But before that we should know that why internet security is very important?

Why is internet security so important?

All of us are vulnerable to a different type of cyber security threats, but we can protect ourselves from getting hitched by using proper security measures. We must understand few things especially when we talking about the hit target or hackers then we must consider governmental agencies, their IT system including defense and power generation projects. These attackers always look for the cyber security breach and simply jump inside the system. So how to protect such important places from devastating attacks the best-recommended thing is firewall security.

Firewall protection is essential to the security, how?

Firewalls both default and the third part are considered as the best solution for tackling cyber threats. Firewalls are hardware or software system protecting any unauthorized access from or to a network. Following are the benefits of firewalls security to the IT systems:

• Firewall protection makes sure that unauthorized internet users never reach private networks when connected to the internet. In fact, firewall is the midpoint, which checks the entering or leaving of data in the intranet and verify each packet and allow it to pass through if it matches specified security criteria.
• Firewalls are the most suitable ways to remain safe from viruses, malwares and Trojans which are reported to try repeatedly to interfere and damage connecting the internet or network.
• Firewall security bans unauthorized access to the network and only allows the access of authorized communications. Moreover, a firewall operates one way and monitors inbound traffic. Windows XP and Vista, for instance, fail to tackle multiple threats, although 8.1 comes with advanced firewall security, but still people and companies want more.
• For complete firewall protection, one should go with a two-way firewall or simply use third party firewalls. These firewalls check both the inbound and the outbound traffic for possible internet threats. The two-way firewall operates as an intrusion detection system that starts with the outbound connection.

Firewall security is one simple way to protect the network on the whole. Firewalls work really simple, they communicate with the system by sending small packets.

Top Benefits of Security Audits

Security audits are part of security and networks, their aim is to keep security measure in check to remove any vulnerability from the system. With the expansion observed in cyber-crime there is an increase in need of a comprehensive audit with the core focus on the security and safety of the IT infrastructure and data associated with it. The audit focuses on both Physical Access and virtual Data Security. So, why need regular security audits? Here, we are discussing them in detail.

Important security features:

There is a list of security features with regard to physical and virtual security will be audited and they are recorded as:

1. Data Access Control 
2. User Authentication System 
3. Data Folder Structure / Permission 
4. Storage Media Control 
5. Data Protection /Data Leak Protection 
6. Internet / Intranet
7. Email/network/software Security 
8. Firewall Setup 
9. Anti-Spyware Setup /Anti-SPAM Setup / Anti-Virus / 
10. Software Patch Management 
11. Vulnerability Assessment 
12. General Assessment (fire protection, security personnel, and burglar alarms,)

Any other security related features which may be left will be taken into consideration during the auditing on need basis. The data and information gathered forms the basis of the Audit recommendations, the first thing auditing team does an AS-IS Analysis of the security environment and maps it according business processes, objective and goals of the organization.

The auditing findings are then documented in Audit Report (which is a detailed presentation of complete AS-IS analysis, assessed issues and possible challenges) in the existing IT infrastructure.

The benefits:

1. Deficits and gaps in the security features, the failure point or simply vulnerabilities that are considered hinders in business continuity. The security audit recommendations focus on correcting things which are assumed to cause serious issues in the future. 
2. The security audit report also focuses on identifying data leakage pathways and unethical data access vulnerabilities.
3. The prime focus of creating comprehensive system audit report is to ensure the maximized security of the IT systems.
4. On the other hand, the AS-IS based report is the observation and situations to assess the system in various folds. Cost and utilization anomalies, are also highlighted in the detailed report (even from the darkest hidden part). 
5. Considering the audit report, the auditing team will recommend a possible solution to eradicate assessed vulnerabilities and to seal the data leakage pathways to ensure the security of IT system. 
6. The recommendations may include, downgrade, upgrade or even change of solutions to affect the long term security plan for the assessed system.

Purpose:

The purpose of a security audit is to offer an organization ways to improve its Return On Investment (ROI). According to security experts, the successful audit would be considered as one which does not need for further investment on the system; rather help the management to remove every possible vulnerability from the existing system. The additional benefits would be:

• Productivity benefits 
• Cost-saving benefits 
• Relationship benefits
• Security benefits

How A Good Audio Visual Design Can Benefit Your Business?

Intense global pressure is putting great pressure on engineers to deliver high-end audio visual systems with higher input. Now, corporate sector needs efficient and cost effective systems. For the success of a company, it is a must to convey its message to its guests. In the modern business world, corporate events range from fancy to spectacular, with each event aiming to outdo company’s previous event. The most important thing now is audio visual equipment as more companies rely on innovative design to make their event a big success.

There are several reasons why people choose to invest in innovative audio visual communication channels, whether they are the complete systems or simple video conferencing equipment – it is becoming a new standard. Here are top ten benefits of these great communication systems that will just scratch the surface and provide a plethora of benefits.

Enhance teamwork:

Video conferencing systems are the corporate success mantra as it can really bring people closer and encourage teamwork. The world of business is now expanding and most of the time people give an excuse that they cannot meet on a short notice and delay the meet-up session. With the help of modern audio visual design now, it is possible to have a meeting face-to-face. It is also impossible to ditch a meeting because it offers the quickest way of interacting with people from remote locations.

Boost productivity:

A good audio visual system can help in boosting productivity. An audio visual design is comprised of different devices from large screens to showcase targets or key messages. Your team can feel charged up and more motivated because of the continuous display of motivational content and they will work with more passion and it will obviously boost their productivity – A great thing for any company.

Save money:

A great way for companies to cut short their heavy expenses and look for better opportunities is to use innovative video conferencing system. A company can easily reduce its yearly traveling cost; what more is a company can save lots of time.

A less talked yet very effective benefit of using audio video design is they are helping companies in being eco-friendly. But for any organization, being green is really important and mitigate traveling can help them in achieving their objectives.

Increase efficiency:

A good audio video design can increase work efficiency of an organization. For a successful business, it is really important to know how well it is with its clients. The more efficient your business becomes, the better it can deliver. So, how video conferencing can improve efficiency, it can save time which can be invested in doing other important tasks such as improving your services or product quality. When you have a lot of time you become able to meet deadlines.

Using visuals, video conferencing and digital signage can have a real impact on employees as well as on stakeholders. People want to feel more engaged and a good visual system would be the right solution.

ICT Management For Modern Businesses

The current technology cycle is actually a new generation of technological devices, offering plethora opportunities and challenges to both organization and governments. Information and communication technology or ICT is a general term used in communication devices and applications, including: cellular Phones, radio, television, computers and networks (both hardware and software), satellite applications (including distance learning and video conferencing) and the various services and application associated with these devices.

ICT management is becoming vital to managing utilities like cloud computing and it must focus on supporting the holistic objectives of organizations implementing an EA. Factually, shared data have less value than reusable data as it has a direct impact on system reliability. Why we need ICT management and where it must be implemented to support several business objectives.

Where do we need ICT?

A recent survey report shows that in USA only almost every government agency needs a proper management. Here are two very important government sectors where we must implement ICT such as:

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR)

Recent surveys of government agencies around the world including USA, UK, and Dubai indicate in most cases limited or no disaster management or continuity of operations planning. In addition to that the risk of data loss due to natural or man-made disasters is very high, and the ability to recover from such loss is really restricted in terms of recovery time objective/RTO (it is a point when any government agency resume its services after a disaster occurred and the point of data restoral RPO).
Implementation: In recent ICT environments, it is now possible to extend RTOs and RPOs to near indefinite where data backup plan and system restoral resource capacity is not present.

Benefits of ICT:

Implementing information communication technology can positive change in your business and has the ability to thoroughly change the business perspective. It will make decision making really easy and increase productivity.

Decision Making:

ICT systems enable enterprises to process, analyze, share and store big data blocks. ICT systems ensure availability of essential corporate data for managers and employees to make quick and accurate decisions also enable them to manage operations effectively and respond wisely to business opportunities or threats. In addition to that ICT, system can bring decision makers from remote locations to one table to take a joint decision.

Increase productivity:

ICT tools can automate business processes and gives employees a freedom to perform tasks. For example, on the production line computer-aided design can improve manufacturing accuracy and reduce the reworking time. Fast access to manufacturing data will enable managers to plan production effectively, help them in using resources in a better way and also reduce load times.

In short, ICT management is vital for existing business especially when they have to retain their huge customer base; it will help an enterprise in managing its resources more accurately and can increase their productivity. 

Why Your Company Needs Their Services?

What is information security?

InfoSec is set of practices and methodologies implemented to protect confidential data from unauthorized access, to maintain the integrity and to ensure availability of a network/system. Information security management is implemented to ensure continuity by minimizing security threats. To prevent security threats, there is a need of comprehensive information security management system (ISMS). According to a commissions report most enterprises are facing following security challenges.

• Information security breaches
• Equipment theft
• IT frauds
• Computer hacking
• System interruptions

To deal with such security issue it is time to comprehend services of professional security consultants. Who are they and how they are reshaping security methodologies and common practices.

What security consulting UK can offer? 

 

Modern technology challenges force managers to think about revising their information security practices. They look for different sources can help them in assessing their system and suggest them better solution can overcome their needs of today and help in facing future challenges.

There are a lot of firms claim to offer best security consulting services UK making it difficult to choose the right one. They perform different security related tasks such as:

Here are few pointers can help managers in finding the best security consulting company in UK.

Are they certified?

Firstly, check whether the selected security consultant is backed with some security certification and must be associated with professional bodies. For example, for UK market, a security consultant can be a member of Government bodies such as:

• CESG (Communications Electronic Security Group)
• CLAS (Administered by government Advisor Scheme)
• CREST (Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers)
• CHECK (a UK Government scheme for IT “Health Checks”)

A security consultant with CLAS membership means security consulting services provided are approved for data that is marked up to SECRET level. CLAS membership also ensure that security consultant possess specific skills. All remaining have their own functionality specific to some industries and it is better to look for industry specific security specialist.

There are international security certifications offered by International Security Council (ISC). Few are pointed below:

• CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
• CGEIT certification (Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT)
• CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control)
• CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

There are individuals working as a freelance professional also come with ISC certifications, they are good options in case your company cannot opt for expensive firm.

My 10 years’ experience in this field made me think about budget and security consultation outcomes initially they are not balanced, but later results can prove your decision was right. Usually managers stick to security consulting UK companies with low price quotation, a big mistake instead they should look for the best and then negotiate on expenses and cost reduction.

Why a Company Must Deploy Superior Security Practices?

In today’s political, social and economic world where everything is connected to some kind of technology, customers are demanding the security of their information as with technology advancement the concern about privacy and identity theft rises. Business stakeholders are requiring security from one and another, especially when they are utilizing one mutual network and share same information. In fact, national and international regulators are asking enterprises to prove that they obey privacy laws and are into implementing high-end security measures.

In addition to that in July 2012, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners released their 7th report on Occupational Fraud and Abuse. The report was based on more than 1,300 cases of occupational frauds in nearly 100 countries, provided by certified fraud investigators. The findings of the report were eye-popping. Here we are sharing some of the facts from the horrifying report.

• The examined organization loses 5% of its revenue to fraud every year.
• The median loss caused by frauds was estimated at $140,000.
• More than one-fifth of the observed companies was facing loss of at least $1 million.
• Billing schemes and corruption pose the greatest risks to organizations.
• More than 50% of victim organizations do not recover any loss caused by frauds.

Why do we need proper Information security? To survive in such competent business world, it is really important to protect confidential data and business processed information. There is a need of superior information security practices that must be designed to capture system vulnerabilities on time and make a system proactive against security threats and risks.

Superior security information requires a combination of smart decisions and intelligent security strategies. Big budgets to implement new technologies are not enough to stop or control the growing rate of frauds and thefts. To implement security practices, it is really important to know when and how to implement complex security measures. It is really important to know that almost every company use a different setup and they have different requirements which can make designing security a completely difficult task and most of the time professionals are needed for this.

Benefits:

Here are five important outcomes that can be expected after implementing effective security governance.

• Reduce risks to an acceptable level.
• Strategic alignment of security practices with company’s ongoing strategies and objectives.
• Boost company’s market share by enhancing its reputation for safeguarding information.
• Business value increased through the optimization of security investments with the company’s goals.
• Efficient utilization of security investments to fit in company’s budget constraint.

It is really important for an enterprise to align their internal structure with security practices; it will help in eradicating internal information security risks. According to the survey report many companies in the Dubai started outsourcing security service providers to cut down costs without compromising the quality of service. Deployment of security strategies takes time and effort and unlike other fields it needs continuous surveillance.

What Is Information Security UK?

Information Security is set of practices to manage administrative, technical and physical controls in order to protect the confidentiality, Integrity and Availability of information. Information Security UK is holding a powerful profile and consists on different concepts which are essential to know in order to understand information security in UK.

• Administrative Control
• Technical Control
• Physical Control
• Confidentiality
• Integrity
• Availability

Administrative Control:

Administrative Control is to manage human involvement in InfoSec. It consists on management directives, guidelines, policies, procedures or standards. Some of the good administrative controls are training and awareness program on information security UK policies and business continuity OR Disaster recovery plans.

Technical Control:

Technical controls cover all technical factors of information security. They are technology dependent such as file permissions, firewall, Anti-virus software, access control lists.

Physical Control:

It is designed to control Physical factors involved in information security. These are controls that can be touched or seen and people can easily relate with them. They are designed to control physical access to confidential information such as Fences, Locks and alarm systems.

Why information security?
 

Why we need information security especially for UK market, sometimes it is not an easy job to answer such questions. 

Most of us know that information security is for protecting CIA of information and every company needs some kind of security parameters to protect their confidential business information. To understand more why your company needs information security here are few questions for you to answer.

1. Do you have confidential information to protect?
2. Do you have information that must be available, when needed?
3. Do you have information that must remain accurate?

Every company needs information technology to minimize unauthorized disclosure of confidential information and mitigation. Every company needs implementation of security practices to reduce a risk to a level acceptable to the business. Information security is needed to keep business continuity and for company survival in competitive business world.

Who will take the pledge?

Well, honestly and practically everyone is responsible for information security. A hierarchy is implemented in information security too; from senior management to the junior employee every employee is responsible for securing information.  But it will “start” from top management and follow the drop down pattern. Senior management must take a serious commitment towards information security. After that they must communicate their strategies and commitment with their team.  Management must understand the importance of employee training and awareness towards information security and how to maintain.

Senior management must implement set of policies and take required measure to ensure information security. They take responsibility of implementing new technology to minimize data breaches. Risk analysis and budget approval is a responsibility assigned to top management only. Without a commitment of top management, information security is impossible. To ensure information security, serious involvement of top management is crucial.

How Health Industry Can Benefit From Information Security Risk Management?

Health care industry is booming with new technological solutions leaving it vulnerable to all security threats faced by Information security. Risk management, risk assessment and risk mitigation is equally crucial for the health industry. Keeping health care system up with privacy and compliance programs is equally important.

• Modern health industry is comprised of following important elements:
• Financial sector
• Medical unit
• Billing, employee and customer record unit (technology dependent)
• Inventory system (technology dependent)

The technological dependent units are considered backbone of health care industry. With their addition need of information, security management has increased. Patient data, financial and employee record is in sheer need of securing from hackers and threat generators. The system needs information security paradigm to protect the confidentiality of health care unit to impose a greater level of stakeholder trust.

In health care industry CIA (confidentiality, integrity and authentication) is also implemented to ensure the system is secured.

Electronic medical records:

Electronic medical records are becoming vital part of health care industry resulting increase its vulnerability to threats. Recent attack on Griffin Hospital USA has made experts anxious about patient’s records security. Luckily there was no financial record of social security data was saved. But this one attack made every security expert cautious about information security of the health industry. A study made in 2008 shows that defibrillators, glucose infusion pumps and heart monitoring system can be hacked wirelessly. Mobile phone devices can also be used to control these devices and to manipulate patient data.
To prevent such manipulation of patient’s record there is a sheer need of modern information security measures. There are many software programs designed especially for health care industry. Medical security programs or MSPs are designed to protect patient’s data as well as to get back the hacked device. There is always a need of installing a theft control and protection program to save valuable data. 

List of MSPs:

Here is a list of tools and software programs offer best management and information security protection for health care industry:

1. End-point security system:
To ensure patient’s data security from malware, spyware and viruses, there is a need of comprehensive end-point security system. Semantic is an example of end-point security suite which comes with malware, spyware and virus identification and protection tools. This suit is designed specifically for health care industry that is why considered a comprehensive solution.

2. Encryption software:
Encryption software is used to layer the system after end point security system in order to protect patient data by encrypting it. VOR-metric Transparent Encryption is an example of encryption software.

3. Information security and backup solution:
Information security and backup solution are crucial for health care system because it is essential to get back the information lost during a set-back. Barracuda Backup is widely used to take back-up of patient’s data.

4. Mobility management tools:
It is an important part of MSP because mobile devices have penetrated in health care system too and to manage them it is very essential to install a mobility management tool. VM-Ware’s Air-Watch Enterprise Mobility Management is a comprehensive mobility management suit used in healthcare information security.

ISO 27001 Securing info management system

This digital era has rapid development of technology and infrastructure. The manner in which internet and information technology is becoming revolutionary, it also brings concerns about cyber threats that an organization faces.

 Information is an essential component that makes or breaks business entities. It is a vital asset that helps businesses grow and plan strategies in order to gain the competitive edge. Protection of such information against cyber-attacks is a critical task. International standard bodies have taken measures and have invented means to rationalize the security criteria.

ISO/IEC’s 27000 is a family dealing with digital threats. ISO 27001 is a member of this family which identifies the potential risks and threats and also induces protective shields to reduce and eliminate them. This standard is approved and implemented worldwide and we are focused to the market of Dubai.

ISO/IEC 27001 facilitates not just effective and efficient security of information but it also clearly targets the threats to companies operating in Dubai and eradicates them by following a systematic approach.
Information Security Management System (ISMS) gained through ISO/IEC 27001 certification and consultancy offers a complete package which detects, evaluates and confers cyber-attacks which are a brutal threat to company’s strategies. The system entails all kinds of organizations ranging from private entities to government enterprises, profitable to nonprofit organizations, catering all masses ranging from micro-level to international businesses in all industries such as health, financial sector, education and many more.
ISO27001 is specifically designed to protect organization’s integrity and confidentiality against the vulnerabilities. Under this framework not only information technology such as firewalls and anti-virus are managed but the entire business processes entailing the human resource, legal, physical and documentation is secured and is in trusted hands in your reach on the border of UAE and especially in Dubai. 
ISO/IEC 27001 information security management system is worthy for your company because

•  It meets international standards giving you an edge to attract more clients on the basis of trust and integrity.
•  It follows cost-leadership strategy helping your business grow at a faster pace without involving heavy monetary deals and resources.
•  Implementations of ISO 27001 in Dubai have 99% compliance with laws related to information security as it is a compact package.
•  It enhances the operational performance of business and offers flexibility to implement it at a departmental or executive business area.

Its implementation will project risk free transfer of information in a systematic manner whether or not you operate Dubai it gives you digitalization to keep your information transfer secure in any part of the world. In business world following security standards are the secret of success. Delay is death, so you have to follow the Nike mania ….  Just do it.