A Quick Guide to the Internet of Things

Internet of things, IOT, Office IT, Office Network, Ophtek, user friendly, , , , ,
30
Apr 2019

You have may have heard the Internet of Things (IoT) mentioned several times in the media and by colleagues, but what exactly is it?

Thankfully, the good news is that the IoT is a relatively simple concept and, more importantly, it can make a huge difference to your organization’s IT operations. It’s likely that you’re rapidly becoming interested in the IoT the more you hear about it, so wouldn’t it be amazing if you had a quick guide to the ins and outs of the IoT? Well, you’re in luck as that’s exactly what we’ve put together for you.

What is the Internet of Things?

Any business, no matter the size of its operations, needs to use a wide variety of IT devices on a daily basis. Traditionally, the majority of these devices have been connected by cables and controlled directly by the end user or through an onsite IT team with access to the network. The IoT, however, brings a whole new level of accessibility with its revolutionary use of internet connections.

Put simply, the IoT allows users to connect devices to other devices and networks that can accept an internet connection. Sure, it may sound as though this is merely using wireless capabilities and nothing new, but the IoT is significantly different. Connecting to central servers through an internet connection means that your organization’s networks and smart devices can be remotely controlled from any location in the world.

What Can You Do with the Internet of Things?

The accessibility on offer from the IoT is clearly an interesting proposition, but what exactly can your organization use it for? To be honest, it’s a more a case of what you can’t use it for. Let’s take a look at some of the IoT most popular uses:

  • Remote Working: As long as your employees have an internet connection, they can connect to your organization’s networks and access email, databases and files just as easily as if they were sat in the office at their workstation. This is highly beneficial for employees who are working away on business, but it also opens up a whole new world of remote working which, with studies showing it’s highly beneficial for staff, could seriously increase productivity. 
  • Collecting and Sharing Data: The amount of data in use by businesses is getting bigger and bigger, but monitoring this is becoming more difficult with traditional IT setups. However, IoT devices are so varied and widespread that it’s now possible to collect data on almost any element of business you want. Tracking vehicle data, for example, through the use of IoT trackers can allow you to make use of your vehicles more efficiently. 
  • Enhance the Customer’s Experience: The lifeblood of any organization is the customer base and thanks to the IoT you can understand their needs better than ever before. IoT sensors installed in products such as, for example, refrigeration units can remotely monitory temperature fluctuations and, if necessary, send alerts when temperature thresholds are breached. 

The IoT Is Here to Stay.

With over 26 billion IoT devices due to be in use by the end of 2019, the IoT is clearly making a massive impact on the IT landscape. With a number of benefits that can make a significant difference to the way your organization works, it’s time to start embracing the power of the IoT.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Basics of Protecting Your Network

anti malware, firewall, network, Ophtek, security, two factor, , , , , ,
23
Apr 2019

Computer networks are complex pieces of technology, but, thankfully, when it comes to protecting them, the processes are relatively simple.

If you’re an organization that works with PCs then the chances are that the backbone of your IT infrastructure will be a network. Packed full of benefits that enhance accessibility, speed and communication, a PC network is crucial for productivity. However, due to the incredible amount of data being transmitted across a network, these bastions of connectivity are squarely in the targets of hackers. And that’s why it’s important that your network is protected from any external threats.

You can, of course, invest heavily in a wide range of security solutions to protect your network, but it’s vital that you make sure you follow the basics as your best defense. So, if you want to know what these are, just take a look at our guide on the basics of protecting your network.

Always Use a Firewall

Your organization’s network is private and, therefore, the last thing you want is for third parties to be accessing the network and viewing its traffic. The most popular and effective method for preventing this is by installing a firewall. A piece of software that analyses incoming and outgoing activity, a firewall is a multi-layered form of defense that can monitor network activity, report unusual behavior and enforce security policies.

Work with Two-Factor Authentication

It’s highly likely that you’re familiar with the process of using login credentials to access networks and applications, but have you ever used two –factor authentication? While the standard practice of entering a login name and a password is highly secure, two-factor authentication makes it doubly so. The concept of two-factor authentication is that users have to go through two forms of authentication to gain access to the network e.g. after entering a username and password, users must then activate a link emailed to a secure email account.

Install Anti-Malware Software

Malware is any form of malicious software that aims to exploit vulnerabilities in your PCs (and their users) to gain access to your network. Naturally, this is the last thing you want, but it’s almost impossible to manually identify every threat entering your network. Therefore, it’s essential that you install anti-malware software to help protect your network. Capable of identifying the vast majority of active threats (and regularly updated against new ones), anti-malware software provides you with peace of mind that your defenses are strong.

Segment Your Networks

A simple way to enhance the security of your network is by segmenting it into individual sub-networks. Not only does this approach enhance the performance of each ‘segment’, it also increases the security of the network as a whole. For example, if a hacker manages to gain access to one of the segments, they will only have access to that one segment. The other sub-networks will be fenced off with their own unique security measures and, therefore, make it much harder for a hacker to gain access to the entire network.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Are Internet of Things Devices Safe to Use?

Internet of things, IOT, IoT Attacks, Ophtek, Security, , , ,
16
Apr 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we connect and interact with physical devices, but is this new technology as secure as it should be?

Clearly, with around 26 billion associated devices estimated to be in use during 2019, the IoT needs to be secure due to the amount of data being transmitted. However, as the IoT is a relatively recent phenomenon, it’s no surprise that so many headlines are warning against the dangers of this technology. Naturally, this kind of scenario can cause concern for organizations that are looking to get on board with the numerous IoT benefits on offer, but should you really be worried about the security risk?

What is the Internet of Things?

The basic premise of the IoT is a lot simpler than you would imagine: using internet connections, physical devices can communicate with one another while also being remotely controlled and maintained. So, for example, if you want to control the lighting in your office, you could use a remote application to adjust the lighting from, if necessary, from anywhere in the world. And all you need is an active internet connection for the app to connect to the device.

What are the Safety Risks of IoT Devices?

As we’ve mentioned, there are certain dangers attributed to IoT devices that can seriously threaten the security of your devices and any data transmitted by them. Some of the more pressing risks include:

  • Default Login Credentials: Many IoT devices are sent out with default login credentials, so this means that the username and password details will be exactly the same for every single one of those devices sold. And it doesn’t take long for hackers to begin sharing details of this vulnerability with their fellow hackers. Accordingly, changing default login credentials to a more unique configuration should be the first thing you do before connecting such a device to your networks.
  • Unnecessary Features: Sometimes, IoT devices are packed with a wide range of features that are completely unnecessary for your organization’s needs. The most common example of this is the option of remote access which, for many in-house IoT devices, simply isn’t necessary as all it does is open up a pathway to your network for hackers. Therefore, make sure that only the most relevant features are activated on your IoT devices.
  • Patching IoT Devices is Difficult: Due to the wide variety of manufacturers making IoT devices, many of these companies simply don’t have the technical knowledge to release regular and effective patches. And this represents a major security risk due to the constant efforts of hackers to exploit security vulnerabilities. In these instances, the best way to prevent a breach is to monitor these less secure devices for any unusual network activity. This approach should, at least, indicate if there is a potential security breach in progress. 

Final Thoughts

Although there are a number of very real security risks associated with integrating IoT devices into your organization’s IT network, these don’t have to convert into a major security breach. Instead, these risks can be significantly reduced by following the advice listed above which will protect your network and keep all your IoT devices interacting with it seamlessly.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What are Your Options for Data Storage?

Cloud Storage, External Hard Drives, NAS, Network Attached Storage, Ophtek, Optical Drives, USB Flash Drives, , , , , ,
09
Apr 2019

We’re living in an age of big data and, as a result, having adequate storage space is a major concern in business. So, what are your storage options?

The days of floppy disks, with their limited 1.44mb storage capability, are well and truly over thanks to a revolution in storage methods. Not only are there more options, but the rapid advance of technology has ensured that we can store even more data in even smaller spaces. However, this wide range of options means that understanding each and every one can be a little bewildering.

Thankfully, we’re here to provide you with a quick education on your options, so let’s get started:

  • Optical Drives: While optical drives such as CDs/DVDs/BluRays may feel a little old fashioned, they still represent a fantastic storage option. Low cost and immune from being remotely hacked, optical drives provide a suitable storage option when it comes to archiving data such as Microsoft Office documents and media files including sound, picture and video.
  • USB Flash Drives: Again, USB drives are relatively traditional storage options, but what marks them out is their accessibility. Perfect for employees who are regularly on the move, the small measurements of a USB flash mean that it can easily be attached to a key ring or simply stored in a pocket. However, their small size is highly deceptive as flash drives are now capable of storing a huge 512GB of data.
  • External Hard Drives: Available in both desktop and portable versions, external hard drives are very similar in design to those found within desktop PCs and laptops. While not as easy to store in your pocket as a USB flash drive, external hard drives come equipped with some serious real estate in terms of storage space. The newest models on the market can hold up to 16TB of data and should never be underestimated in terms of storage space.
  • Network Attached Storage (NAS): Connected directly to networks, an NAS allows your organization to connect several storage drives all at the same time. This allows you to benefit from two major benefits: speed and size. In terms of speed, your data is available to your network almost instantly and makes it perfect for initiating restores. And, when it comes to size, the combination of several devices allows NAS to hold massive amounts of data.
  • Cloud Storage: The newest innovation in data storage, cloud networks offer up a whole new world of possibilities for data storage. Available through third party providers, cloud networks are virtual storage spaces that your organization can hook up to. Significant investment is currently going into cloud computing and this means that crucial factors such as speed and size are almost unparalleled when it comes to storing data in the cloud.

As you can see, there are several major options for you to consider when it comes to data storage. And the beauty of data storage is that you don’t have to stick with just one method. You can mix and match several different methods to provide quick and safe storage options.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What are the Basics of PC Exploits?

Best Practices, Company Updates, Cyber Security, Disaster Recovery, Ophtek, PC Security, software exploits, , , ,
02
Apr 2019

 

At the center of all unauthorized access to your computers or servers is a PC exploit. What are these exploits, though, and how do you protect against them?

Without the presence of an exploit, hackers find themselves in a position where gaining access to a victim’s PC is incredibly difficult. However, it suddenly becomes a lot easier if there’s an exploit available that they can take advantage of. It’s probably becoming clear, very quickly, that it’s crucial that you, as a PC user, also know about the existence of these exploits. Unfortunately, the level of knowledge that the average organization has regarding the nature of exploits is disturbingly low. And that’s why so many businesses fall victim to PC exploits.

If, however, your organization can begin to understand even the basics of PC exploits, then you stand to make your IT operations considerably more secure.

What is an Exploit?

The simplest way of looking at an exploit is by describing it as a hole in a security gate. Once hackers become aware of this hole then they can easily bypass your security by climbing through the hole impeded. If we’re talking slightly more technically, then this hole isn’t necessarily a hole but some form of weakness in your PC. These weaknesses can be found in operating systems, software code and any applications installed on your network. And the impact that exploits can have on these components can be devastating.

What Does an Exploit Do?

An exploit can work in a number of different ways; most commonly, a PC exploit is used to infect huge numbers of PCs. It only takes one PC to be infected to help kick-start a process whereby this infection spreads across networks within an organization and, eventually, across the world. This allows hackers to execute the following tasks:

  • Malicious software can be downloaded to PCs without the user’s knowledge
  • Vast amounts of sensitive data can easily be recorded and transmitted to remote locations
  • Ransomware can be used to encrypt data and extort payment in return for the un-encrypted data

How Do You Protect Yourself Against Exploits?

Exploits, of course, are the result of vulnerabilities that are already present on your PCs. Therefore, exploits are down to failures by developers and manufacturers in the design and testing phases of their products. As a result, once an exploit has been identified, any decent developer should work on remedying this exploit by producing a security patch. This patch can be installed on any vulnerable PC to effectively seal the hole in your security gate and keep any hackers out.

Final Thoughts

Exploits can cause major disruption to your organization very quickly due to the ease of access that they gift to hackers. Protecting your organization from these exploits, therefore, is vital to keep your PCs online and productive. Time and knowledge are important commodities when it comes to protecting against exploits, so make sure you remain up to date with not just the latest software patches, but also any breaking news on emerging exploits.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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