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How Businesses Can Remain Profitable and Secure in the Cloud

Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cloud computing has become an integral part of how businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. The cloud offers unprecedented advantages, such as scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, enabling organizations to optimize their operations and drive innovation. However, as businesses embrace the cloud, they must navigate the challenges associated with data security, privacy, and financial risks.

Maintaining profitability while ensuring the security of sensitive information is a critical concern for businesses operating in the cloud. While cloud platforms provide powerful tools and infrastructure, they also introduce new vulnerabilities and potential threats that organizations must address proactively. This article will delve into strategies and best practices for businesses to achieve profitability and security in the cloud, with a specific focus on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

By leveraging cloud platforms like GCP effectively, businesses can unlock growth opportunities, expand their market reach, and improve operational efficiency. GCP offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of organizations, including scalable computing resources, advanced data analytics tools, and robust security features.

However, amidst the benefits, businesses must ensure the security of their data and systems. Data breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance violations can have severe consequences, including financial losses and reputational damage. Therefore, implementing robust security measures, adhering to compliance requirements, and following industry best practices are essential for businesses to thrive in the cloud securely.

In the following sections, we will explore strategies for leveraging GCP to drive profitability, focusing on cost optimization, data analytics, and scalability. We will also delve into key security considerations, including identity and access management, data encryption, disaster recovery, and compliance. By implementing these strategies and prioritizing security, businesses can unlock the full potential of the cloud while safeguarding their valuable assets.

I. Understanding Cloud Computing and its Impact on Businesses

Cloud computing has transformed the business landscape by providing on-demand access to computing resources and services over the Internet. Businesses no longer need to invest heavily in on-premises infrastructure, as cloud platforms offer a pay-as-you-go model, allowing them to scale resources up or down based on their needs.

Cloud computing has a significant impact on businesses by improving efficiency and reducing operational costs. With cloud platforms, organizations can quickly provide and deploy applications, leverage advanced data analytics and machine learning tools, and enhance collaboration and productivity through cloud-based communication and project management tools. Additionally, the cloud enables businesses to reach a global audience and expand their market presence without significant infrastructure investments.

However, the adoption of cloud computing introduces new challenges. Data security, privacy concerns, and financial risks are among the top concerns for businesses migrating to the cloud. Organizations must understand these challenges and implement effective strategies to address them.

II. Leveraging Google Cloud Platform for Profitability

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services that businesses can leverage to enhance profitability. Here are some key strategies to consider:

Cost Optimization

To ensure profitability in the cloud, businesses need to optimize their costs. GCP provides various tools and services to help organizations achieve cost efficiency. Right-sizing resources to match demand, utilizing auto-scaling and managed services, and adopting serverless computing are some of the strategies that can significantly reduce infrastructure costs.

By analyzing usage patterns and leveraging GCP’s cost management tools, businesses can identify areas of optimization and make informed decisions about resource allocation. Regularly monitoring and adjusting resource utilization based on demand can lead to substantial cost savings.

Data Analytics and Insights

Data analytics is a powerful tool that can drive profitability and inform business decisions. GCP offers robust data analytics and machine learning services, such as BigQuery and Data Studio, that enable businesses to derive actionable insights from large datasets.

By leveraging GCP’s data analytics capabilities, businesses can analyze customer behaviour, identify market trends, optimize marketing campaigns, and make data-driven decisions to improve their products or services. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, better targeting of resources, and improved operational efficiency.

Scalability and Agility

Scalability and agility are essential factors for businesses to remain competitive in the cloud. GCP’s global infrastructure allows organizations to scale resources quickly to meet fluctuating demands. By leveraging GCP’s managed Kubernetes service, businesses can efficiently manage containerized applications, enabling rapid deployment, scaling, and resource optimization.

Implementing a microservices architecture can also enhance scalability and agility. Breaking down applications into smaller, independent services allows businesses to develop and deploy new features quickly, improve fault tolerance, and scale components independently as needed.

III. Ensuring Security in the Cloud

While the cloud offers various benefits, security remains a top concern for businesses. Implementing robust security measures is crucial to protect sensitive data and maintain business continuity. Consider the following best practices:

Identity and Access Management

Implementing strong identity and access management (IAM) practices is fundamental to maintaining security in the cloud. This includes implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for user accounts, assigning appropriate access controls and permissions, and regularly reviewing and revoking unnecessary access privileges. GCP’s IAM capabilities provide fine-grained control over user access to resources and help ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data and applications.

Data Encryption and Protection

Encrypting data at rest and in transit is vital to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. GCP provides encryption mechanisms that businesses can leverage to encrypt data at various levels, including data stored in databases, object storage, and during transmission. Utilizing key management services offered by GCP ensures secure key storage and management.

Implementing data loss prevention (DLP) mechanisms help prevent unauthorized data leakage by monitoring and classifying sensitive information. This enables businesses to enforce data protection policies and reduce the risk of data breaches.

Regular Data Backups and Disaster Recovery

Data loss can have severe consequences for businesses. Implementing automated backup processes and testing and validating disaster recovery plans are essential for data protection. GCP provides tools and services that enable organizations to implement robust backup and recovery strategies. Regularly backing up critical data and storing backups in off-site locations ensures that businesses can quickly recover in the event of data loss or system failure.

Security Monitoring and Incident Response

Proactive security monitoring and incident response capabilities are crucial to identifying and mitigating potential threats. Implementing a robust security monitoring system that continuously monitors the cloud infrastructure and applications can help detect and respond to security incidents promptly.

Establishing incident response protocols and conducting regular drills ensures that businesses are well-prepared to handle security incidents effectively. Threat intelligence and vulnerability management practices can help identify and address potential security risks proactively, reducing the likelihood of security breaches.

IV. Compliance and Regulatory Considerations

Businesses must adhere to various compliance and regulatory requirements when operating in the cloud. Failure to comply with these standards can result in significant financial penalties and reputational damage. Consider the following:

Cloud Provider Compliance

When selecting a cloud provider, businesses should choose one that maintains compliance certifications and aligns with the necessary regulatory requirements. GCP, for example, adheres to numerous compliance frameworks, including GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Understanding the shared responsibility model is crucial, as it clarifies the division of responsibilities between the cloud provider and the business.

Data Governance and Privacy

To ensure compliance with data governance and privacy regulations, businesses should establish policies and procedures to safeguard customer data. Obtaining the necessary consent and permissions for data processing is crucial. Regularly reviewing and updating privacy policies to reflect changing regulations and ensuring transparency in data handling practices can help build trust with customers and regulatory bodies.

Conclusion

While cloud computing presents businesses with tremendous opportunities, it also requires a diligent focus on profitability and security. By leveraging the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) effectively and implementing robust security measures, businesses can maximize profitability while ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Strategies such as cost optimization, leveraging data analytics and insights, and embracing scalability and agility through GCP enable businesses to gain a competitive edge in the cloud environment. Additionally, implementing strong security practices, including identity and access management, data encryption, regular backups, security monitoring, and incident response, ensures that businesses can protect their assets and respond effectively to security threats.

Moreover, businesses must consider compliance and regulatory requirements specific to their industry and geographic location when operating in the cloud. By selecting a cloud provider that meets necessary compliance standards and establishing appropriate data governance and privacy policies, businesses can maintain compliance and mitigate legal risks.

In conclusion, with the right strategies, a focus on security, and adherence to compliance requirements, businesses can thrive in the cloud environment. By effectively leveraging cloud platforms, such as Google Cloud Platform, businesses can unlock new growth opportunities, drive profitability, and ensure a secure and resilient digital presence.

8 Min. Read/May 31, 2023/0 Comments/by Team Descasio

Business Model

5 Revenue-Boosting Solutions for Your Business

As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to boost revenue and stay ahead of the competition. You’ve probably tried all sorts of strategies, from marketing campaigns to sales incentives, but have you considered investing in technology solutions? That’s right, technology can be a game-changer for your business, and in this article, we’re going to explore eight revenue-boosting solutions that can help you take your business to the next level.

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s take a moment to talk about the importance of technology in today’s business landscape. We live in an age where technology is omnipresent, from the smartphones we carry in our pockets to the software solutions we use to manage our businesses. Technology has revolutionized the way we work, communicate, and interact with our customers. It has made our lives easier, more efficient, and more productive. It has also opened up new business opportunities to innovate, grow, and succeed.

However, with the benefits of technology come new challenges, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. As businesses become more reliant on technology, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in software and networks, and businesses need to be prepared to defend against these threats. That’s why cybersecurity is one of the vital revenue-boosting solutions we’ll be exploring in this article.

But cybersecurity is just the tip of the iceberg. Technology can help your business in many other ways, from automating processes to improving customer service. That’s why we’ll be exploring a range of solutions, from cloud platforms to banking software, that can help you optimize your business operations and boost revenue.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of technology solutions and explore how they can help your business thrive.

Fortinet

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Businesses of all sizes face a range of cyber threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware and malware. These threats can have a significant impact on your business, ranging from lost productivity to reputational damage and financial loss. That’s where Fortinet comes in.

Fortinet is a cybersecurity solution that offers a range of tools to help protect your business from cyber threats. The company provides a range of products and services, including firewalls, secure access solutions, endpoint protection, and more. With Fortinet, you can leverage a range of advanced security features to keep your business safe and secure.

One of the key features of Fortinet is its ability to provide comprehensive security for your network. The company offers a range of firewalls that are designed to protect your network from cyber threats, including next-generation firewalls that use advanced technology to identify and block even the most sophisticated cyber attacks. Fortinet’s firewalls are also designed to provide granular control over your network traffic, allowing you to block specific types of traffic or restrict access to certain websites or applications.

In addition to firewalls, Fortinet offers a range of other security solutions that can help protect your business from cyber threats. For example, the company offers secure access solutions that allow you to control who has access to your network and data. This can help prevent unauthorized access and protect your business from data breaches.

Fortinet’s endpoint protection solutions are also designed to help protect your business from malware and other threats. The solution offers a range of endpoint protection tools, including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and more. These tools can help protect your business from a range of threats, including viruses, Trojans, worms, and other types of malware.

By implementing Fortinet solutions, businesses can protect their digital assets from cyber threats, which can help prevent costly data breaches and other security incidents. This, in turn, can help businesses avoid the financial losses that often result from such incidents.

Barracuda

Another comprehensive cybersecurity solution to consider is Barracuda. Barracuda is a cloud-enabled cybersecurity solution that provides businesses with a range of tools to protect against cyber threats. The company offers a range of products and services, including firewalls, email security, web application security, and more. With Barracuda, you can leverage advanced security features to protect your business from cyber threats.

One of the key features of Barracuda is its cloud-enabled security solutions, which allow businesses to deploy and manage their cybersecurity solutions easily. With Barracuda’s cloud solutions, you don’t need to worry about complex on-premises hardware, as the company takes care of everything for you. This makes it easy for businesses to manage their cybersecurity solutions, while also providing advanced protection against cyber threats.

Barracuda’s firewall solutions are also designed to provide businesses with advanced protection against cyber threats. The company offers a range of firewalls that use advanced technology to identify and block cyber threats in real time. Additionally, Barracuda’s firewalls provide granular control over your network traffic, enabling you to block specific types of traffic or restrict access to certain websites or applications.

Barracuda’s web application security solutions are also designed to help protect your business from cyber threats that target your web applications. These solutions use advanced technology to identify and block cyber threats, such as SQL injection attacks, cross-site scripting attacks, and more. With Barracuda’s web application security solutions, you can rest assured that your business is protected from cyber threats that originate from your web applications.

One way Barracuda can help businesses improve their revenue is by increasing their online visibility. With Barracuda’s web application security solutions, companies can ensure that their web applications are always up and running, which helps to improve their online visibility. When customers can access a business’s website and web applications efficiently, it increases the chances of them engaging with the business, leading to potential sales.

Google Cloud Platform

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a powerful cloud computing platform that provides businesses with a range of tools to manage their computing resources, store data, and build applications. With GCP, businesses can take advantage of Google’s vast infrastructure and powerful tools to streamline their operations and accelerate their growth.

One of the key benefits of GCP is its scalability. With GCP, businesses can easily scale their computing resources up or down based on their needs, allowing them to manage their costs effectively. This is particularly useful for businesses that experience sudden surges in demand or that need to scale their operations quickly.

GCP also offers businesses a range of tools to store and manage their data securely. With GCP’s data storage solutions, businesses can store their data in the cloud and access it from anywhere in the world. This makes it easy for businesses to share data and collaborate on projects, even if their employees are located in different parts of the world.

Another advantage of GCP is its ability to support multiple programming languages and platforms. This makes it easy for businesses to build and deploy applications on GCP, regardless of the programming language or platform they use.

Moreover, GCP’s machine-learning capabilities allow businesses to leverage the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve their operations. With GCP’s machine learning tools, businesses can analyze large amounts of data quickly and make data-driven decisions that can help them grow their revenue and improve their customer experience.

One way GCP can help businesses increase their revenue is by providing them with a range of powerful tools and services to help them better understand their customers. With GCP’s big data and analytics tools, businesses can collect and analyze vast amounts of data to gain insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and trends. This information can be used to optimise marketing campaigns, improve customer experiences, and ultimately drive revenue growth.

Amazon Web Services

Like Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also gained significant popularity among companies. AWS is a comprehensive cloud platform that offers a wide range of cloud computing services to help businesses reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately increase their revenue.

One of the key advantages of AWS is its scalability. Businesses can easily scale their operations up or down depending on their needs without having to worry about the infrastructure. This makes AWS an excellent choice for businesses that want to grow quickly and scale their operations without having to invest in costly infrastructure.

In addition to scalability, AWS also offers a range of other services that can help businesses increase their revenue. For instance, AWS offers a range of data storage and management services that can help businesses manage their data more efficiently, making it easier to extract insights and improve decision-making. AWS also offers a range of machine learning and artificial intelligence services that businesses can use to automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and drive revenue growth.

Plug

Another way businesses can increase their revenue is by using innovative no-code platforms like Plug. This no-code platform empowers organizations to build custom business applications without having to write a single line of code or rely on software developers.

With Plug, businesses can automate several critical internal and external operations, allowing them to streamline processes and improve workflow efficiency. By enabling businesses to build reliable applications in the shortest possible time, Plug empowers organizations to rapidly respond to changing market demands and quickly adapt to new business opportunities.

The best part of Plug is that business applications can be developed directly by people within the organization who understand the processes and workflow. This means businesses no longer have to rely on external developers or specialized IT staff to build custom applications, saving them both time and money.

Conclusion

There are many powerful tech solutions available to businesses today that can help them increase their revenue and drive growth. From security solutions like Fortinet and Barracuda to cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services, businesses have a wide range of options to choose from.

At Descasio, we are committed to helping businesses leverage these solutions to drive revenue growth and stay ahead of the competition. Our team of experts can help businesses identify the best tech solutions to meet their unique needs, deploy these solutions, and provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure they continue to deliver value over time.

Whether you need to enhance your network security, migrate to the cloud, or develop custom business applications, Descasio has the expertise and experience to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help deploy these solutions and boost your business revenue.

9 Min. Read/April 26, 2023/by Team Descasio

Information Technology

6 Importance of Managed Security Service Providers

Managed security services in computing are network security services that have been contracted out to a service provider. A business offering such a service is referred to as a managed security service provider. The origins of MSSPs can be found in the mid-to-late-1990s Internet Service Providers.

An MSSP (managed security service provider) offers outsourced management and monitoring of security tools and devices. Managed firewall, intrusion detection, virtual private network, vulnerability screening, and antiviral services are examples of common services.

Why Managed Security Service?

Recent industry research indicates that while 82% of IT professionals have either collaborated with or want to engage with a managed security service provider, the majority of firms (74%) manage IT security in-house.

Businesses look to managed security services providers to help them cope with the daily pressures they experience in relation to information security, such as targeted malware, customer data theft, a lack of skilled workers, and resource limitations.

The methodical approach to managing a company’s security requirements is known as managed security services or MSS. The services may be carried out internally or contracted out to a service provider that manages the network and information system security of other businesses.

A managed security service’s duties include managing firewalls and intrusion detection systems round-the-clock, supervising patch management and upgrades, conducting security audits and assessments, and responding to crises. To assist in organizing and directing the procedures involved, a variety of vendors offer a variety of solutions. This relieves administrators of some of the grunt work associated with doing the tasks manually.

Here are six reasons why you need to employ the services of a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP):

1. MSSPs Have Vast Experience and Expertise in Cybersecurity

Managed security service companies are very knowledgeable about both the most prevalent and sophisticated cybersecurity problems that most businesses face. They are more flexible and adaptable because of the additional expertise they obtained from managing security issues for other businesses across other industries. The expertise and experiences MSSPs have gained over many years are immediately useful to you.

2. Utilizing Cutting-Edge and Innovative Technology

Nearly every company has put comprehensive security measures in place, but even the best-of-breed technology has some vulnerabilities that must be fixed if a reliable solution is to be achieved.

In order to maintain your security posture, a premium managed security solutions do more than merely use their own technologies. They gather information and reports from a variety of sources, standardize it, and then use it proactively to identify threats and close weaknesses. They additionally employ technology to assess corporate security posture, report gap analysis, system controls, and key vulnerabilities—which are frequently utilized by cybercriminals to breach even the most protected businesses.

3. Prompt incident response and real-time monitoring

Finding a breach after the fact can be disastrous for companies that handle a lot of confidential or proprietary data. Managed security solutions involve ongoing monitoring rather than sporadic checks. They can identify abnormalities as they occur with ongoing monitoring. They even use a combination of manual and automated penetration testing to evaluate the firewall’s strength.

4. Reduced Alert Fatigue

Zero false positives are one of the most important advantages of managed security services. Security experts have to deal with multiple cybersecurity alerts every day that come from different security tools that have been set up in their firms. The notifications are sometimes ineffective or lack the necessary details to prompt action. The likelihood that the true threat may go undetected rises as a result of this kind of false positive.

5. Scaling up and Down is easy

The flexibility of managed security services is one of its main benefits. It is available for demand-based subscriptions. With a staff that is already qualified and experienced to handle the fluctuating volume of business, it enables organizations to swiftly expand.

6. Cost-effective approach to security

For small businesses, maintaining an in-house team with the right levels of experience is challenging and costly. Investing in the right tools, hardware, and software that are continuously evolving needs expertise and a considerable budget as well. To be on top of the cybersecurity plan and priorities, an organization needs to keep pace with new trends. While cyber threats do not differentiate small businesses and big corporations, the large investment required for the tools and technology may not be easy for small businesses but Managed Security Services can help your business level the playing field with big companies by providing access to top-notch security technology.

Conclusion

Considering the increasing number of IT security threats, it is crucial to have robust security solutions to protect your assets. If you are lacking in security, consider MSSP. Carefully considering client testimonials, industry certifications, and references with their clients can come in handy here. Descasio offers Managed Security Services with a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity and IT risk assurance services to detect, prevent, and proactively respond to security threats. Talk to our experts to know more.

A top-notch security service provider will go above and beyond, ensuring security and performance in ways you might not even be aware of. The Sense Of Security is the main advantage of using a managed security solution.

5 Min. Read/July 13, 2022/by Team Descasio

Business Model, Lifestyle

5 Ways to Safeguard Your Business Assets During a Time of Uncertainties

“In the Midst of Chaos, there is also Opportunity”

Sun Tzu

The words of Sun Tzu above, legendary Chinese master military strategist, ring eerily true with the world seemingly in turmoil at the moment.

The Ukraine – Russia war is currently putting (no pun intended) the entire world rightly in a massive frenzy with businesses across industries affected directly (Russian business owners read Oligarchs who have been barred by Western countries) and indirectly (businesses that are affected by other variables like high gas prices as a result of the war), after just recovering from one of the most devastating pandemics in history. As a result of the war, Oil prices are spiralling out of control, same as commodities like wheat, Russia and Ukraine together exported more than a quarter (25.4%) of wheat in 2019, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

The story is equally not savoury back home, the price of diesel has more than doubled in the last fortnight. The country is also currently under its usual siege of petrol queues as a result of petrol scarcity. These issues coupled with the country’s mounting debt profile and a spate of insecurities have made it imperative for business owners to start thinking of possible bunkers somewhere to crawl into.

Bunkers aside, how do business owners protect their assets during these wild uncertain times? How would they form a massive moat around their assets and insulate them from this chaos? Not to worry, we’ve put together 5 great ways you can secure these assets and none of them includes hiding somewhere in that bunker.

1. Put it in the Cloud

If you haven’t stored your business’ or company’s assets/data which include important business documents, projects documents, email communications, etc… on the clouds, you could be casting a dark cloud in the long run over your business or company. The concept of storing data in the cloud using cloud computing software has been around with us over the last three decades since the inception of the internet and it has grown astronomical.

Last year, cloud computing marketing was worth over $370 billion (N153.9 trillion) and is expected to more than double by 2025 with the top three Cloud computing companies (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud) having a combined market share of about 60%. These staggering stats prove that businesses across all industries are adopting cloud computing technology at a fast pace to safeguard their data, especially during these uncertain times.

Thankfully, we offer cloud computing services to help small and big businesses like yours manage their data and assets more efficiently.

2. Subscribe for That Cybersecurity software Now If You haven’t Yet

One of the most popular tools deployed for modern warfare during a time of uncertainty is cyberwarfare. It’s no surprise the use of cyber warfare tools grew at the height of the pandemic two years ago and is set to continue the upward trajectory as the war in Ukraine rages on.

Already, it is estimated that almost 60% of small companies go out of business within the first six months according to data gathered by National Cyber Security Alliance, a nonprofit organisation. This is quite telling as hackers tend to focus on startups without the necessary security structure compared to much more entrenched companies. But this is not to say big companies are not susceptible to cyberattacks.

Making it even more imperative for companies of shapes and sizes to protect their online assets with the best cybersecurity software we have on offer.

3. Adopt a Digital-first Approach

This is an obvious no brainer, especially in an age where everyone is talking and experimenting with the concepts of having their social identities in a virtual reality world read Metaverse. But the right structure must be put in place for a successful digital-first approach adoption.

For example, companies that have gone fully remote have put in place the right interactive and collaborative software to aid seamless interaction among employees outside the office. At the moment, no thanks to the pandemic, more than 16% of companies worldwide are fully remote, this is according to a study carried out by Owl Labs in collaboration with Global Workforce Analytics. Some Ukraine based software companies didn’t have their services disrupted by the war as they already had the remote structure in place.

We can help you make that transition if you haven’t hopped on the digital train yet by signing up on this link.

4. Don’t Panic!

So much negativity from tumbling revenue numbers for businesses due to high oil prices to the high cost of commodities like gas, high inflation cost by these growing costs and economic downturn will be aired repeatedly by news outlets across the media like TV and podcasts during these uncertain times. It is very important as a business owner, you practise the art of calmness by switching your focus to other relaxing and meditative activities. You can also visit places with rich natural habitats that will refresh your thought process and improve your emotional intelligence to avoid making rash decisions.

And remember this as a rule of thumb; whatever choices or decisions you make during these moments, make sure you avoid pushing that panic button!

5. Diversify Your Assets

This is probably the most essential safeguard of all especially if you want to come out on the other side of these uncertain times smiling. Thankfully, there are so many investment opportunities to try out; from the conventional ones such as stocks and real estate to disruptive ones like cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and others), the much talked about NFTs and Metaverse.

There are a million more ways you can diversify your investment, but it is very crucial to note that whichever way(s) you choose to helps you limit your exposure during a time of crisis.

Conclusion

These safeguards are not cast in stones and should not be seen as the only way to protect your assets in a time of chaos, as there are several other means of safeguards. But this article will help in guiding you to make the best decisions for your business during uncertain times.

6 Min. Read/March 21, 2022/by Team Descasio

Information Technology

12 Powerful Cybersecurity Software To Secure Your Business in 2022

As a business owner, the cost of not investing in cybersecurity is huge. It’s like leaving your car keys on the ignition with your car doors open in a car park while shopping a few kilometres away. It is estimated that over $6 trillion will be lost annually to cybercrime from 2021. That’s more than the proceeds made from the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined.

Importance of Cybersecurity Software

You might be thinking that hackers in this clime are not as sophisticated as their destructive peers worldwide. Think again! In the last 10 years, Nigeria has lost up to N5.5trillion ($9.7 billion), that’s an average of N550 billion ($9.7 million) every year! Also, Nigerian companies recorded the second-highest percentage (86%) of cyberattacks worldwide behind India last year.

These staggering and scary statistics show that Nigerian businesses are far from immune to cyberattacks, let alone get attacked. This is why companies must set aside not so large a chunk of money to invest in standard cybersecurity software. It doesn’t just protect your company’s assets and data from being stolen but gives your business a fighting chance to last far longer as 60% of small businesses are expected to go out of business within six months of falling victim to a data breach or cyberattack.

Here are 12 powerful cybersecurity software products you can invest in to secure your business:

Barracuda Spam Firewall

One of the increasingly popular and obnoxious ways to gain access illegally to sensitive information of a company is through malicious emails. This can be prevented by the use of the Barracuda Spam Firewall. Barracuda is one of the most popular cybersecurity companies in the world with a lot of security products geared towards protecting businesses from internal and external threats.

The Spam firewall, connected to the Barracuda security cloud, scans internal and external emails and incoming files using three layers of powerful virus scanning technology. Integrating this security software with your company’s

Fortinet Security Fabric

Most times, hackers attempt to hack into your system simultaneously from all angles. To prevent this, you will need a complex integrated security system like the Fortinet Security Fabric.

The FSF is a complex ecosystem of security networks that continuously assesses the risks and automatically adjusts to provide comprehensive real-time protection across the digital attack surface and cycle. The FSF is a great security solution for large enterprises with a vast and deep system.

Google Cloud Security

One of the most efficient and intelligent means of protecting your entire digital assets is Google Cloud Security. From businesses with a single asset like a YouTube channel to businesses with multiple digital assets, Google Cloud Security guarantees the topmost security.

Google Cloud Security quickly detects and halts cyber threats by deploying different solutions which include Security analytics and operations and Web App and API Protection to protect your business from future attacks. Top organizations like Twitter and Evernote have their assets secured with Google Cloud Security.

You can start with Google Cloud Security for free with $300 free credits available for use.

Intruder

Just as the name suggests, the Intruder software is meant to crash the parties of potential hackers by blocking every pathway to an attack. Used by major brands, Intruder is an online vulnerability scanner that finds cyber security weaknesses in a company’s digital infrastructure, to avoid costly data breaches.

It also increases productivity as it frees employees to accomplish other important duties. The cybersecurity company claims to scan as many as 50 potential vulnerabilities delivering comprehensive data that can be used to strengthen the security structure of a company.

The software comes with a 30-day free trial. It also includes three pricing plans; the Essential, Pro and Verified plans.

Syxsense Secure

Another cloud-based vulnerability scanner is the Syxsense Secure which provides end-to-end security scanning and usable insights to prevent cyberattacks from unscrupulous individuals or organizations.

Other features from Syxsense secure include Patch everything; a feature that automatically deploys third-party security patches to secure and support major operating systems, Quarantine Devices to block, isolate and kill infected and malicious processes before they spread, and Collaborate with Ease, a feature that enhances collaboration among the IT and security team.

The key selling point of this cybersecurity solution is the ability to combine all these features into one single cloud console.

Syxsense Secure also comes with a 14-day free trial and two pricing plans which are Syxsense Manage and Syxsense Secure.

Proofpoint Email Security

As earlier alluded to in this article, email remains the most vulnerable source of cyberattack for large and small scale businesses around the world. According to a Trend Micro report, 94% of targeted emails use malicious file attachments as an infection source. Also, 91% of cyberattacks begin with a ‘spear-phishing email, one of the most sophisticated ways cybercriminals steal sensitive information.

Hence, the need for a cybersecurity solution like Proofpoint Email Security which deploys Machine Learning enabled technology to catch both known and unknown threats missed by others.

The software also detects and blocks threats that don’t involve malicious payload, such as impostor email—also known as business email compromise (BEC), a favourite for cybercriminals.

There is no visible pricing on its website, but a contact form is available to fill.

Acunetix

Aside from Google Cloud Security which is arguably the most complete web and API security software out there, Acunetix offers a great option for businesses looking to secure their websites, web applications, and APIs. It also offers actionable insights after performing a deep scan of all web pages and complex web applications.

It is an intuitive and easy-to-use solution with functionalities like scheduling full/incremental scans and seamless integration to other software like Azure and Github.

It can be used by both small businesses and large enterprises. It comes in three pricing plans; standard, premium, and Acunetix 360. A demo can be requested.

Cisco Application – First Security

Most cybersecurity companies tend to offer a one size fits all approach for businesses looking to secure their online and offline assets which might not necessarily speak to the latter’s individual security needs. But Cisco Application – First Security offers different layers of cybersecurity approach that is closer, continuous and adaptive.

The different layers or products include Cisco Secure Workload which offers automated protection micro-segmentation based on recommended policies tailored to your applications, Cisco Secure Cloud Analytics which detect and respond to advanced threats across private and public cloud networks, Cisco secure Access which Establish user-device trust and highly secure access to applications, AppDynamics which performs monitoring and deep insight into transaction behaviour and metrics for applications running in public and private cloud environments and finally Cisco Secure Application which prevent and detect application vulnerabilities across your digital business.

The Cisco Application – First security’s adaptability to different cybersecurity needs makes it a go-to choice for big and small enterprises alike.

Netsparker

One of the best cybersecurity automation tools for software companies out there has to be the Netsparker. The tool’s unique dynamic and interactive scanning capabilities are top-notch amongst its peers.

Netsparker offers features and functionalities for automating the security testing throughout the software development life cycle (SDLC). These features save a huge number of hours for team members, identify vulnerabilities that matter, and help security and development teams get ahead of their workload.

Netsparker claims they consistently identify more vulnerabilities and return fewer false positives than other scanning tools.

Another unique offering from the application is its capacity to perform comprehensive scanning while detecting vulnerabilities within a very short time. It also assists developers with actionable feedback that helps them produce more secure code meaning less work for your security team.

As earlier mentioned, the Netsparker tool is incredible for software companies looking to protect their assets throughout the SDLC.

Sophos

Sophos tagline says it all “Sophos stops Ransomware”. Just the kind of messaging that will get companies chomping at the subscribe button.

The British-based security software company, through its unique security products, offers protection against known and unknown malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, and data leakage and also provides a comprehensive network access control to businesses.

Some of these products include Sophos XDR which can intercept and investigate threats across endpoints, servers, firewalls, and other data sources, Sophos MTR which automatically neutralizes the most sophisticated threats, Sophos Cloud Optix, Sophos Emails, Sophos Phish Threat, etc.

A free trial is available for businesses looking to test the waters.

Vipre

Viper is one of the oldest security software companies out there, and like new wine in an old bottle, they’ve been able to adapt to the changing cybersecurity landscape to remain one of the go-to security platforms.

They offer comprehensive layered protections that cater to both personal and business needs. Some of the features Vipre offer include simplified solutions to protect businesses from online threats and data risks, an all-inclusive package and scalable pricing, unparalleled protection for email and endpoint security with the help of AI technology, and a fully integrated solution that is easy to deploy and manage.

Vipre business protection which is suitable for large and medium and small scale enterprises alike is available in three pricing plans i.e. Core Defense ($96 per user per year), Edge Defense ($96 per user per year), and Complete Defense ($144 per user per year).

Norton Security

Norton has evolved over the years from being seen as just an antivirus software to an all-inclusive cybersecurity company. In addition to the aforementioned Antivirus, the company offers different cybersecurity solutions such as Virus Removal, Malware Protection, Cloud Backup, Password Manager, and Secure VPN. It also offers an extra layer of protection for gamers, an interesting distinction from the rest on this list.

Other features include five-layer protection for recognizing and blocking threats, cloud backup services that can store and protect files and documents, a simple, secure, and smart solution for managing passwords, a secure Norton VPN that helps block hackers from seeing what you do online and a series of Norton 360 plans.

Norton is suitable for all businesses looking for top-level digital protection and provides a 30-day free trial for Antivirus while the price for Norton 360 starts at $9.99 for the first 3 months.

Conclusion

It’s digitally suicidal if you don’t have your online assets protected by any of this cybersecurity software on the list. Thankfully, Descasio has got you covered. We’ve partnered with some of these security companies that can comprehensively secure your entire digital assets at the most favourable pricing.

10 Min. Read/October 27, 2021/by Team Descasio

Information Technology

6 Ways to Keep Hackers Away From Your Business

Table of Content

The Consequences of Cyber Attack
Hacker Apocalypse
It’s Coming Home
Multi-Factor Authentication
Don’t Click That Link
Invest in Security Software
Training Training Training
Encryption is Key
Watch Your Employees

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine, a young versatile entrepreneur, had launched a revolutionary financial product to bridge the credit gap for the unbanked. His product gained incredible traction in the first year with over 100,000 users downloading the app and a million naira in processing.

Unfortunately, a chink was found in the company’s armoury unexpectedly halting my friend’s upward trajectory. The company’s database was hacked, wiping out its entire financial records and customer base.

What is a Cyber Attack?

A cyberattack is an attempt to steal, alter, or destroy a specified target by hacking into a susceptible system. According to Wikipedia, cyberattacks can range from installing spyware on a personal computer to attempting to destroy the infrastructure of entire nations.

The Consequences of CyberAttack

Twenty one years into a much more digitized century, a million and one online tools have popped up for big and small companies to optimize regular work processes with.

The cost incurred from a cyberattack or a data breach is mind-blowing. According to a report from Atlas VPN, over $1trillion (N504 trillion) was spent on cybersecurity or given up as a result of a cyberattack in 2020 (this cost was exacerbated by the COVID 19 pandemic).

And this is not abating any time soon. Cybersecurity Ventures, a cybersecurity research firm, expects global cybercrime costs to grow by 15 per cent per year over the next five years, reaching $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 (more than 10x the expected GDP of Nigeria in 2025).

Hackerpocalypse

These staggering stats only point to one thing; companies all over the world are losing the cyberwar to hackers, most especially small and medium-sized corporations where it is estimated that 60 per cent go out of business within six months of falling victim to a data breach or cyber attack.

Already, 1 in 6 companies pays a ransom to hackers according to the annual Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report.

READ: Top Reports On Data Security Issues In 2020

It’s Coming Home

Back home in Nigeria, the statistics are grim as well. According to a British software and hardware company report, Nigerian companies recorded the second-highest percentage (86% were targeted by hackers) of cyberattacks worldwide behind India last year. In 2019, a report by Serianu, an IT Services and Consulting firm, Nigeria lost $649 million (N327.1 billion) to cybercrime.

This shows that Nigeria, and in extension, Africa isn’t insulated from this ongoing cyberwar. Africa is increasingly the target of cyber espionage, making it imperative for businesses across the continent to find effective ways to protect their assets from would-be hackers.

Here are 6 easy ways businesses can avoid being hacked:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication

The easiest and most popular way to breach a company’s backend is through password theft. According to a 2020 Verizon data report, 81% of the total number of breaches leveraged stolen or weak passwords. Also, in a breach report done in 2019, over 1 million passwords are stolen every day. What’s worse is most hackers do the bare minimum to hack these passwords. When it comes to password security, all a hacker needs is an employee’s insistence on being the weak link (you know what they say about the weakest link?).

Thank goodness there are ways a company can guard against such monstrous vulnerabilities and one of them is the use of Multifactor Authentication like Google and Microsoft Authenticator to help stave off would-be snoopers. In addition, employers can put in place second-level security protection like tokens and biometrics for their employees.

2. Don’t Click That Link

Employees are daily bombarded with emails, but quite a lot of them are intended to steal sensitive information. This is called phishing, which tricks victims into revealing vital and personal information to the attacker. Phishing attacks are increasingly becoming the norm. A 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report estimated that 94% of malware are delivered via email while in a 2019 report done by Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, 48% of email attacks are office files.

This makes it imperative for businesses to adopt anti-phishing strategies to guard against regular phishing attacks. Some of these strategies could include using more sophisticated anti-phishing filters, user training for employees to recognize phishing attempts and deal with them immediately, setting up firewalls and security measures.

Most importantly, employees and business owners should learn NOT to click on a link or download any file until sure!

3. Invest in Security Software

Investing in cybersecurity software and firms is a no-brainer for businesses and organizations looking for a holistic approach to protect their data, especially in a year where global spending on cybersecurity is expected to exceed $1 trillion. This is more pertinent for small businesses as they are more prone to data breaches.

A trusted anti-spyware will limit a company’s exposure to snoopers by quickly detecting malicious applications.

4. Training Training Training!

You can spend all the gazillion dollars you have on anti-spyware software but if your employees aren’t versatile enough to quickly detect or identify malicious links or are careless with their company’s credentials, your business will always be susceptible to cyberattacks.

According to an IBM study, over 95% of cybersecurity breaches are due to non-IT-related human error. This means for every 10 breaches that occur in a company, only 0.5 are due to non-human error.

This makes training of employees in basic cybersecurity very imperative. Employees must understand what a malicious attack looks like and must be careful enough not to disclose confidential details to third parties.

5. Encryption is the Key

Except you are trying to cyber spy on North Korea or into the espionage business in general, you don’t need high-level complex encryption to protect your business from cyber-attacks. However, you still need standard level encryption for your data and entire work process to keep the low life, online snoopers, away.

If you don’t already know, encryption is the process of converting information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access. Encryption plays its most important role when two parties intend to exchange confidential information across digital platforms.

Think of it as Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak or switching on stealth mode in the middle of a splinter cell mission. Your messages will travel right through the noses of ill-intentioned parties and stay undetected.

6. Watch Your Employees!

Your employees are the heartbeat of the company. On the flip side, they can also act as the death knell to a company by contributing, either deliberately or inadvertently, to its downfall through cyberattacks.

To guard against this, avoid/limit the sharing of very sensitive data to your staff. If you must share this data, ensure you plug all potential leakages. If possible, create a sort of ‘Watch System’ for your staff, but this must not impugn their rights to privacy.

Most importantly, put a premium on employing the right and trusted person who will do nothing to sabotage your business which includes subjecting it to cyber hacks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you need to ask yourself a brutal question; can your business withstand a cyberattack without collapsing under the wave? If your answer is a no or a wimpy yes, then you need to adopt some of (if not all) the cybersecurity solutions in this article.

7 Min. Read/September 17, 2021/by Team Descasio