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3 Reasons Why Antivirus Is Essential For Active Web User

source: https://digitalguardian.com/blog/dont-get-hooked-how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-attacks-infographic

Contemporary web users realize one thing – there is no absolute winner in the niche of anti-virus programs. Most browsers are consuming digital data via apps with reasonably well-structured safety protocols, making them believe that they are protected against cybercrimes. However, this is a slightly twisted version of the reality. Perhaps, people are not reading into the density of online break-ins and data poaching instances that have left some of the most glorious organizations publically embarrassed. Yes, there is a need for an antivirus even as digitally-smart users choose the best browsing patterns to ensure maximum data security. The best online reviews about devices with highly intuitive security protocols might be hiding the fact that you still need a capable antivirus running in the background for your own online safety.

Read ahead to understand why you cannot dump the antivirus…not yet!

source: http://blog.marginmedia.com.au/our-blog/77-facts-about-cyber-crimes-you-should-know-in-2018-infographic

1. Hackers are Evolving: prepare for the WORST!

Security threats are omnipresent. Many app creators are realizing their downfall which lies in privacy/protection codes that are not in-sync with evolving threats. As soon as security software providers fix the loopholes, cybercriminals uncover another way to breach in the most unsuspecting manner. Antivirus updates are often an eyewash where the security providers just try to make the users feel more updated, more confident that their security program is proactive. This is why many security software programs are losing the trust of web-savvy users. Some ransomware-styled malwares have been withholding critical private data where web users are being forced to pay an online ransom just to get back some control of their personal details. It is not just organizational-level data is at high risk. Confidential individual data, like health insurance or financial policy details, is being attacked with increasing regularity. Not preparing yourself with a capable antivirus just makes you more vulnerable!

source: https://www.business2community.com/infographics/5-cyber-security-predictions-solutions-2018-infographic-01978590

2. Not just heavy web users, even casual browsers are NOT safe!

Unless you have found a way to stay connected to the web and still insulate yourself from all potential threats, the antivirus is really not an option—you should have it at all times! Yes, better computing habits can make you less vulnerable. Similarly, any security protocols installed on the laptop or smartphone by your workplace IT team can diffuse the threat to some extent but largely, everyone is at risk. If you are online, even when interacting with the most trusted sites, downloading data from the reputed resources only, you still need some type of cybersecurity to create resistance against data-theft possibilities. From keyloggers to Trojans and rootkits, there is always an online threat, ready to take advantage of any security compromise that your device makes. For instance, free Wi-Fi at an upmarket café is now overwhelmed with the possibility of your device being illegitimately accessed to steal personal data. Many cyber-attacks are choreographed to perfection, staged via the browser only. A new, emerging threat can take a serious toll on devices that don’t have any type of anti-malware or anti-virus protection. Breach in security can come through multiple sources, including hotspots, cloud services, social media accounts, emails and third-party apps that are not prepared to handle the onslaught of hackers.

source: https://www.business2community.com/infographics/5-cyber-security-predictions-solutions-2018-infographic-01978590

3. Digital interfaces are evolving & Antivirus is one layer of assurance everybody needs!

There will always be more digital footprints that you create, in ways that are still taking shape. A few years back, digital wallets seemed impractical. Today, news of the most security-packed online payment systems being hacked is not shocking. In-app shopping experiences are evolving and the abundance of apps that make your digital interactions happier will continue to surge. This is why having an antivirus makes sense. It ensure that you have a basic degree of resistance against an uncovered, lesser mapped-out security ambiguity that can leave you exposed. While online data exchange and sharing patterns will change, the principal nature of personal data really does not change. From usernames & password combinations to identification data, from bank details to email contacts and app preferences, some things will remain similar across the more futuristic digital platforms too. Yes, AI might bring more unforeseen challenges but still, having antivirus running in the background gives you some immunity!

source: https://www.business2community.com/infographics/5-cyber-security-predictions-solutions-2018-infographic-01978590

Concluding Thoughts: Invest in a Trustworthy, Pre-emptive Antivirus

Choosing an antivirus software is not easy. The gamut of digital threats is infinite and one-solution-fits-all does not work here. However, you can make an educated decision. You can browse the best online reviews for different antivirus software options out there. You can easily search and read-up on consumer reviews about different types of antivirus programs or providers. Agreed, there is some room for uncertainty as all online reviews are not genuine—not all the time! However, think of if it as a game of probability. Eventually, the best names will surface. Search engine results cannot leave out real recommendations by genuine users. You should prefer antivirus solutions that have generated widespread goodwill and won the trust of users. This is why having access to authentic and not just the best online reviews actually helps. From causal virus removers to antivirus programs that can fight against the most heinous cyber-attack, you will find comfort in knowing that other people who regularly browse the web have trusted a handful of antivirus solutions. It is up to you to take a few minutes to evaluate the reviews and filter the best options for your own, online safety!

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cyber security

Is Your Business Vulnerable to Cyberattack?

Up until recently, most people were relatively disinterested in the topic of cyber-security. Even many small business owners took little to no interest in their own security outside of basic protocols and policies. This was not necessarily because people did not care about their own security; most just felt as though they were too unimportant to be targeted and that hackers would be uninterested in average individuals or small businesses.

If you still believe that to be the case, you must have been living under a rock for the last year or so. Cyber attacks have increased in scale and sophistication, but they have also increased in frequency. The WannaCry ransomware event from earlier this year was the largest cyber attack in history, impacting over 200,000 devices in 150 countries including hospitals in the UK, a large telecom corporation in Spain, FedEx in the US and even the Russian government.

"Hosted eCommerce platforms offer many benefits ranging simple Domain Name registration to advanced security measures, meant to make setting it up and keeping it secure easier than with self hosted options."

Recent Events

It seems as though cyber attacks occur every day, with a variety of targets ranging from governments to banks to entertainment companies. Most recently, the systems of HBO were infiltrated with hackers threatening to leak scripts for the upcoming programs. While we all hate having to wait another week to find out what happens next to Jon Snow, these attacks are only indicators of a larger problem. Not to mention that these are only the ones large enough to make national news.

Small Crime

Every day, thousands of businesses are at risk and vulnerable to cyber attacks, no matter their size, status or industry. Although traditional wisdom may tell you that the attackers would seek one large score from a major corporation, it’s actually not the case at all. The majority of modern cyber-criminals would prefer to extort or steal from several smaller companies with less security and higher rates of success.

Additionally, smaller companies may have less experience with these types of security risks and fewer resources to deal with them, and they are more likely to give into demands quickly. This also carries less risk for the criminals, as penalties, publicity and pursuit from authorities may not be as extreme with smaller attacks. Cyber-crime is not like bank robbery; criminals can gain access to just as much valuable information and extort as high of a ransom from a small company as they could from a large corporation.

Combating Attacks

Ransomware and other weapons of cyber-crime are becoming more complex and wide-spread every day. A criminal can now purchase the software necessary to extort money from a small business and download it directly from the internet, meaning that it does not take a brilliant hacker to infiltrate your systems.

Prevention will be the key to combating cyber-crime on a small business level. Every small business owner should educate him or herself about the basics of security including regular software updates, MFA authentication, data backups and similar elements. In addition, every business should have up-to-date policies in place and regular cyber-security training for all employees, even those who do not deal directly with sensitive information.

If your company has already been the victim of an attack, you should immediately contact your security specialists and the proper authorities. Criminals will almost certainly threaten to destroy or release your data if you do, but this could happen either way. Even if you give into attackers’ demands, there is no guarantee that you will get all of your information back whole, and there is nothing stopping them from making the very same attack again.

Unfortunately, most victims do not regain everything that was stolen, and preventing an attack can be much simpler, easier and more beneficial than fighting one after the fact.

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How Vulnerable is your Operating System, Application, and Hardware to Cyber-attacks?

Tech innovation remains one of the greatest achievements of man to date. If you look around, almost everything is tech based, and it would be an entirely different world without technology. While this achievement continues to influence the way people live and conduct themselves, another challenge is threatening to wipe out the benefits of technology and that is - cyber-crime.

This is where tech savvy individuals try to manipulate technology to suit their selfish purposes. This is a very dangerous activity because it leads to data breaches, loss of money, denial of access to your own data and loss of valuable information among other negative effects.

The damage caused by cyber-crime is expected to hit $6 trillion by the year 2021 since it is one of the fastest growing forms of crime today globally. Those who suffer the most are businesses and institutions because they are the ones that are usually targeted by cyber criminals.

Common types of cyber attacks

When it comes to cybercrime, no operating system, application or hardware is immune. However, the security vulnerability is high among the applications followed by the operating systems and to smaller extent - the hardware. This is attributed to the increased development and use of applications compared to the others.

Cyber-attacks come in the form of malware which is malicious software that gets into your computer when you open an attachment or click on a link to download a file that contains such software. Another way is through phishing or pretending to be someone or something else to trick you into responding to something like an email that you wouldn’t do in normal circumstances.

Others include Denial of Service (DOS), SSL attacks, brute force attacks, DNS attacks, port scans and backdoor attacks among many others.

Cyber security vulnerabilities

Security misconfiguration

Misconfigured web servers and applications are the common ways of vulnerabilities that give entry to cyber-attacks. This is usually through the use of outdated software, using debugging modules, using default accounts, passwords and keys and running unnecessary programs on your system. All these actions can be very catastrophic because cyber criminals will easily take charge of your system.

Poor authentication and session management

Lack of proper authentication measures will expose the users’ passwords, session IDs, and even accounts. Cyber criminals will then use that information to impersonate other users or steal sensitive information that users have access to.

Encryption flaws

Lack of encryption of sensitive data, weak algorithm usage and poor key generation and management can be a paradise for cyber attackers as all this will expose your sensitive data whether it is at rest, in transit or backup. This can also happen to the user browsing data, and so you should encrypt your sensitive data with strong encryption algorithms to minimize the chances of attacker’s success.

Buffer overflows

Buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when your application puts more data in the buffer than it can handle. This will mean writing outside the buffer space where attackers will easily overwrite the content and cause program crashes, data corruption or execution of malicious code.

Injection flaws

This happens when an application sends untrusted data to the interpreter. When attackers carry out an injection attack, they can get access to sensitive data which might further lead to data loss or denial of service.

According to one of the cyber security firm Michigan based experts, cyber criminals always target systems that happen to have a particular tech flaw because it is easy for them to break in.

These are things that may be hard to detect on your own, and this is why businesses are investing in cyber security providers to shield their businesses from cyber-attacks.

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How to Prepare for a Cyber Attack

Cyber threats are ever-present in this digital age, and one wrong move could compromise all your data. In 2019, 15% of small businesses reported cyber incidents. This year that statistic has increased with 28% of all data breaches involving small businesses. This is due to the widespread digital migration brought about by strict lockdown guidelines. The sheer amount of businesses transitioning to online platforms makes it a hotspot for cybercriminal activity. Here’s how you can protect yourself:

1. Protect your hardware and software

Your first order of business is securing the source of your data. Protect your hardware with strong passwords, and don’t write them down anywhere that is easily accessible. If your work computer is in the office, consider putting up surveillance cameras or an alarm system in the room. You could also opt to use a biometric scan to unlock your devices.

As for your software, always keep your system up to date. This makes it safe from vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit. Also, put up a strong firewall and invest in security software. If hackers can't get into your devices, that ensures the safety of your data.

2. Back up and encrypt your data

Next, make sure to back up your data on a separate device or cloud application. This is particularly crucial against ransomware attacks, which involves a hacker encrypting all your data, making it inaccessible to you, then demanding a fee for its return. But if you routinely back up your data, you’ll still be able to continue with your operations.

On the flip side, you could encrypt your data. Encrypting your database makes it inaccessible if it ends up with someone outside of your business. Just make sure to protect your encryption keys. Change them regularly and control who has access to them.

3. Educate the workforce

The next step is to manage your human resources. There is a large margin for error when it comes to dealing with cyber threats, so cyber-security knowledge cannot end with your tech team. All employees must know the basics of data protection, especially since human error is often regarded as the weakest link in cyber-security. To minimize the risks, educate the entire workforce, so that they’re aware of what’s at stake and how to deal with potential cyber attacks. Doing so gives you peace of mind, knowing that your employees are equipped with the knowledge to protect your data.

4. Exhaust all legal means of protection

This last tip involves deciding your plan of action in case of a cyber attack. For the planning phase, involve your stakeholders in the conversation. You should also consider hiring a cyber-security professional, as they have the skill set required to effectively guard against cyber attacks. It’s also worth investing in cyber liability insurance, as these can effectively mitigate your losses. If, after everything, you still find preparations to be lacking, it might be a good idea to rethink your overall business structure. While large businesses are often corporations, smaller businesses can opt to file as an LLC. An LLC separates personal and business assets, which means that an owner’s personal finances and property will be protected from the legal fallout of an unexpected cyber attack. This will not be the case if you are operating as a sole proprietor or partnership, and this difference can draw the line between post-attack recovery and shutting down. Protection measures like these are crucial in keeping your business afloat against cybercriminals, so think about them carefully.

These are simple, but powerful measures you can take to guard your data. Waste no time in implementing them, because cyber threats are present every second. The sooner these protection measures are in order, the better. For more articles on the latest technological trends and innovations, check out the rest of our content!

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Employees Don’t Care About the Data Breach Pandemic

Throughout the last decade, data breaches have exploded in numbers, regularity, and severity. Consumer concerns around safety have similarly reached new highs, as they continue to bear the brunt of leaky databases and illicit cybercriminals. The security fabric of organizations is being stretched thinner than ever, but a worrying report has found that a concerning number of US employees simply don’t care.

The Danger of Data Breaches

Data breaches are highly dangerous thanks to their free and indiscriminate sharing of deeply confidential data. Nowhere is this more self-evident than in the recent breach suffered by credit reporting firm Equifax. Toward the middle of 2017, Equifax fell foul of a leaky API that attackers used to scrape the personal financial data of 143 million US customers. A month after the initial report was made in 2018, they then added another 2.4 million to that list of potentially affected individuals.

Equifax is hardly the only financial institution suffering from the bite of data breaches: in 2019, Capital One bank finally acknowledged that hackers had access to the personal information of 100 million Americans and 6 million Canadians between 2005 and 2019. According to the bank, malicious actors obtained the information from swathes of credit card applications. This included full names, addresses, contact information, dates of birth, and income. Alongside the individual details of every victim, attackers also gleaned their credit scores, bank balances, payment history, alongside the social security numbers of 140,000 US citizens, and roughly 1 million Canadian Social Insurance numbers.

Unlike most malicious data breaches, the culprit behind the Credit One breach was caught and actually charged for her crimes. Paige Thompson, a former Amazon Web Services employee, posted to code compilation site GitHub about her methodology. She was charged shortly thereafter, pleading guilty to all crimes.

The financial and personally identifiable information that these data breaches let loose onto underground marketplaces can be used for a variety of criminal acts. Theft, for instance, can look like a drained bank account or a line of credit taken out under someone else’s nose. The financial allure of these data breaches go further than theft, though: two-thirds of financial service institutions have experienced attacks that target their market strategies in particular. This economic espionage allows attackers to conduct insider trading attacks, and front-run the market.

The Data Breach Epidemic

The cause of these data breaches is overwhelmingly human error. According to a 2022 report by Verizon, 82% of all data breaches are directly attributable to human elements. This includes incidents wherein employees directly expose information via misconfiguration, or by simply making a mistake that then allows illicit actors access to the organization’s systems.

To combat this threat, organizations need to understand how human error impacts their customers and appreciate the true severity of the risk. The same report establishes how businesses need to care: human-related attacks such as phishing and business email compromise scams cost roughly $5.01 per individual record stolen. The scale of many mature organizations - alongside the sheer wealth of data collected for each customer - has us facing a data breach epidemic that benefits profiteering cybercriminals above all else.

Employees Don't Care

Faced with the reality of ever-leakier databases, a recent survey of 1,500 U.S. employees sought to discover their own levels of concern over cyber risks. Over a third of those surveyed expressed little-to-no concern about data theft at work; a quarter of all employees believed they couldn’t be targeted by cybercriminals at all.

The alarmingly high numbers of employees who overlook the ever-present risk of data breaches is concrete proof that more training is required. There is clearly still confusion over who is responsible for protecting company data, too. Over 75% of the surveyed employees believe it's the IT department's responsibility to protect company data, wholly overlooking the key role that each individual plays in protecting the data they use for their daily roles.

The fact is that US companies are failing to highlight the importance of cybersecurity. Only 41% of surveyed employees work in a company where cyber security and threat awareness training is mandated. 43% claimed they hadn’t participated in any cyber security training, while 31% indicated that their company doesn't offer any security training at all. Bafflingly, these incredibly low rates aren’t thanks to a lack of interest. In fact, cybersecurity is wholly recognized as interesting, with 77% believing as much. 57% of respondents have even started or completed training when offered.

It’s easy to blame the endless data breaches on individual human mistakes. However, in order to survive the onslaught of illicit cybercriminals and ever-tightening regulations, it’s becoming increasingly clear that organizations need to wholly own up for their own data security.

How to Take the Human Error Out of Cybersecurity

The humans that make up organizational power are the first line of defense to any cyberattack. Being able to spot an attack is not a guarantee, but training and education are some of the most powerful forms of cybersecurity that can greatly accelerate an organization’s security stance.

However, employees can’t be the only line of defense. A hybrid approach allows for human identification and reporting, but also needs to fill the gaps for novel and unexpected attacks. Automated access controls represent the latest step in next-gen security; here, a third-party security solution places data at the forefront of organizational security. An automated solution discovers ungoverned data, before classifying it and assessing any potential access vulnerabilities.

From there, the solution continuously monitors who is accessing the sensitive data, and where that data is going. Once you’ve established a rough perimeter, it then becomes possible to detect anomalous behavior and flag up potential data exfiltration before the attacker has run away with that highly confidential data. Alongside continuous monitoring and false positive reduction, incident response time is drastically accelerated. By fostering employee interest in cyberattacks, and reinforcing the perimeter with next-generation security tools, you can protect both employees and customers from the data breach pandemic.

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Common Types of Security Threats and How to Address Them

In this digital era, technology is becoming more and more advanced with each passing day. At the same time, fraudulent practices are also evolving because cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to hack business networks and steal individuals’ sensitive information. Unfortunately, the more you rely on technology, the more vulnerable you become to security threats and hacks. These security breaches can have tremendous impacts that are usually very difficult to recover from. Here are the common types of security threats you need to be on the lookout for and how to address them.

Phishing

Phishing is the method where hackers disguise emails to gather personal and private information. Unfortunately, phishing emails are appearing more and more sophisticated as cybercriminals are getting smarter at deceiving recipients, making it very difficult for you to gauge the email’s trustworthiness. It’s important to learn how to detect these emails and avoid these types of scams.

The content usually depicts a venerable looking website, some that you may recognize, such as Netflix or Apple, and may ask you to click on a link to make a payment. Another common phishing email asks you to confirm personal information or claims that they’ve noticed some unusual or suspicious activity on one of your accounts, etc. Keep an eye out for any of these types of emails and never respond or hand over your credit card details – no matter how legitimate the email may look, they’re not. The best way to protect your email from these scams is to enable spam filters on your account, use security software, back up your data, and use 2-factor authentication.

Malware

Viruses and malware are sneaky little things because they manage to worm their way into your system even when you have a firewall in place. Moreover, security software could already be installed, yet users sometimes turn the firewall off or change its settings due to its constant intrusion.

Prevent malware and viruses from getting through by installing anti-malware software. This software will immediately identify any malicious threats. However, anti-malware can only efficiently run if it is up to date, so don’t ignore its notifications.

Human Error

The absence of security measures or poor employee training can leave you vulnerable to the largest security threats and data breaches. If your employees are not aware of the security practices they must follow, they will most likely be susceptible to fraudulent practices, putting your organization in jeopardy. Luckily, this problem can easily be solved by providing all your staff with efficient training regarding security procedures and regularly following up with them to ensure they follow protocol.

You must demonstrate the importance of these security procedures by taking the time to learn how to avoid security threats. As a business owner, you can work on improving your workplace security standards by taking an online course that teaches you how to identify and avoid different types of cyber-attacks. If you and your employees enroll in a trusted compliance training course, your business will be better off for it.

Ignoring Software Updates

As mentioned above, all software operates better when they get frequent updates. These updates are designed to provide better security and efficiency for your computer or device. They involve improved systems to correct issues that occurred during the previous update, so always check for updates and don’t hesitate to give your software the necessary upgrades. Even if the timing is inconvenient, you are preventing any vulnerabilities from persisting.

Weak Passwords

It should be blatantly obvious that weak passwords are prone to hacks, yet this is still one of the most common issues in IT security. Data theft and security breaches are usually a result of poor passwords. Enable 2-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security. However, you must still choose strong and rare passwords and avoid leaving your login information at a default setting.

Mobile and Personal Access to Data

Even efficient security procedures can’t protect an organization if the employees aren’t cautious when granted data access. If your staff have access to corporate data on their private laptops and devices, it can cause a bigger threat if one of their devices is compromised allowing cyber criminals access to all company data. Similarly, employees who enter corporate networks through unsecured networks are putting all company data at risk of a breach.

Consider providing all your employees with work devices to access data to avoid using their own laptops and unknown networks, or require employees to strengthen security on their own devices before accessing the company network.

It’s best to learn all that you can about the security breaches that may befall you so you can take preventative measures to avoid them rather than deal with their detrimental aftermath. Aside from employing the appropriate software and security measures, it’s also important to avoid human errors that often occur because we simply don’t understand the risks associated with certain actions.

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Reasons Why You Should Secure Your Business Digitally

Today's market is all about new business opportunities and structures in e-commerce. A great deal of every business’s efforts goes into digital offers found at physical locations and new social media outreach. Small businesses these days are competing to provide the ultimate nurturing systems for innovative selling networks. However, small businesses must be aware of the online threats that can strike their networks to expand successfully. These phishing schemes, malware risks, and hacking attempts may pose risks to regular internet users, but they’re aimed directly at small businesses to collect valuable data. This article explains why it’s important to secure your business’s digital assets and encrypt your company data.

Increasing Brand Value

Digital security is not designed to boost a company’s reputation, however, implementing a successful security system increases your brand’s worth across your consumers’ networks and overall market networks. Studies show that around 46% of businesses that witnessed cybercrime or cyber-attacks also experienced significant damage to their brand perception and market worth. Customers or potential consumers viewed these brands as less secure after their breach incidents which lead many to switch to other providers.

Although a lot of money can be wasted to fix such reputational damages, a brand that cares for its consumers would be able to nurture healthy growth again through utilizing a reliable digital security platform. This will show your customers that you care about their utmost data protection.

Protecting Individual Employees

Digital attackers and cybercriminals may target small businesses for valuable data insights, but they tend to do that by exploiting the business’s data accounts. This is not much of a problem these days as modern privacy protection seems to deliver great efforts toward increasing the efficiency of personal data security. Although, if you don’t cover your entire scope of digital activities as a business owner, you’ll be leaving a significant part of your sensitive information exposed.

IT experts at https://www.ecsoffice.com/services/managed-it-services/ say many sweeping digital security systems seem like they provide comprehensive protection when in fact, they can be more susceptible to cyberattacks than several security platforms with shorter reaches. Keep in mind that your employees are connected by a network of devices that is protected by one digital security system. This means that a security breach can very easily lead to a chain reaction and allow for rapid access to your exposed data.

Taking Advantage of Insurance Benefits

Commercial insurance policies are designed to fit the different architectures of different businesses. Yet, the quality of your data security platforms can influence the price of the insurance policies you purchase. As a business owner, your biggest concern should not be to lower your insurance expenses, rather it should be the amount of money your company can lose if it fails to protect your customers and employees. A security breach may not only lead to the loss of valuable data and personal information, but it can also leave lasting effects that can drown your company in debt.

Gaining Loyal Customers

Digital security helps maintain better levels of customer retention just like it boosts your brand’s perception. Businesses that were exposed to data theft and other forms of security breaches were reported to lose almost half of their customers. This is shown clearly in the category of businesses that offers phone, internet, and TV products and services. It’s considered a misconception that only large corporations are vulnerable to this threat if they lose their customer data as a result of online breaches. The reality is that businesses of all sizes are at risk of losing their customers if they overlook their digital security.

Improving Industry Traction

Since most services these days revolve around the internet and other digital platforms, cyber threat is constantly present. However, it is acknowledged that small businesses spend all their efforts in the beginning to fortify their network and system security. This can take up a lot of any startup business’s resources at the beginning of its expansion. When you implement a powerful security strategy, you manage to free up a lot of resources that could have been spent otherwise on constant surveillance. These resources can be really valuable to cover even additional security costs when they are dedicated to your brand growth.

Digital security is becoming more important with the rise of digital services that modern consumers rely upon these days. Any brand’s reputation needs to have a powerful digital protection platform that keeps its customers’ data safe. It also affects how a brand is perceived amongst other competitors in the same market category. To keep your consumers and healthily nurture your business growth, you need to find a reliable digital security platform that can help you avert breaches and protect your employees' individual information.

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5 Password Alternatives You Need to Consider

Passwords are the typical way of authentication. People create passwords to access any content online. It is also important to protect their accounts from third parties. But are passwords reliable? Our answer is negative.

Although so many websites or application force users to create strong passwords that are made up of digits, letters, and symbols and robust password security, passwords can be insufficient to provide total security. The reason for this is the improving encryption methods that are used by hackers. Hacking a password and encrypting it is not a big deal to many cyber-criminal.

Drawbacks of Passwords

Being easily stolen is not the only drawback of passwords. Sometimes people can forget their passwords and can not reach their accounts. It can affect the user and the customer experience in a bad manner.
In a large scaled organization, it is hard for IT specialists to manage whole password circulation and be sure of their safety. It is known that the majority of employees reuse passwords and put their companies’ security on the line.
Another disadvantage is that even if people think their passwords are unpredictable, due to the increasing number of accounts, almost all passwords became presumable. There are so many similar password combinations available.

So, we can clearly say that passwords are not effective as we thought.

Since passwords are not adequate to protect online security, different methods came into play. We call them password alternatives. Yes, they are regarded as an alternative but they do not exterminate password usage at all. You can consider them as support which are strengthen network safety in addition to passwords.

Password Alternatives That You Can Consider

● Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

You may have heard of two-factor authentication. Using only passwords means one-factor authentication. All you need to do is type the right password. On the other hand, in a 2FA, you should do one more authentication to prove that you are that person.

The second authentication can be in different ways. For instance, to identify the user identity, some system asks for a code that is sent via telephone message or e-mail. After typing the password you should enter the right code that is sent to your e-mail or phone. When two-step has been passed, you can access what you intended to.

In some platforms, they ask users queries to obtain a correct answer. Users define these answers when they create an account. What is your first pet’s name or your favorite singer are the example questions. In the access moment, the user should answer queries correctly to reach the network.

● Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication is a prominent password alternative. As you can infer from the name, it takes two or more steps to authenticate an identity. Compared to 2FA, it is quite demanding and takes more time than 2FA. But the more authentication is hard the more your network is safe. So, even if the MFA method seems time-consuming and sometimes causes slowdowns, it is an indispensable way to prevent the network from threats.

In multi-factor authentication, users should persuade the system by using several methods. For instance, to confirm identity, users should enter a password, answer a security question, and fingerprint scan. Authentication methods can be combined in different forms in multi-factor authentication.

You can see the most common MFA factors below:

● Fingerprint Scan, Iris Scan, and Face ID

Fingerprint authentication is used commonly and we can consider it a remarkable way to replace or support passwords. In some workstations, employers use this method to monitor employees.

Iris scan and Face ID are also popular among workplaces and when it comes to digital tools such as tablets, smartphones, and monitors these methods are indispensable. Alongside the passwords, Face ID and Iris Scan can be used for robust network security.

● Cryptographic Devices

Cryptographic devices stand for user possessions such as tokens, smart USBs, and security keys. To access the definite resource or network, these tools should contact the device directly and instantly.

In comparison to security questions or passwords, it is much safer in terms of online security. Even if a hacker or malicious person encrypts a user password or guesses some answers; it is hard for them to obtain cryptographic devices and cause unpermitted access. You can consider these devices as almost impenetrable walls.

Which One is Better: Two-factor Authentication or Multi-factor Authentication?

Both methods have their own advantages so MFA vs 2FA is a tough decision. MFA is preferable if security is your prior concern and you are ready to sacrifice some time and labor for it. On the other hand, 2FA can be more practical for your organization.

Consider how your production may be affected if you choose MFA. If you do not have so much private data and vulnerable resources, you may consider 2FA and it may be sufficient to grant you protection. Whatever alternative method you choose, you can be sure that it is better than a single password.

In Conclusion

Password security is an erupting concern even in our daily lives. To eliminate the drawbacks of passwords there are alternative ways that organizations can give a chance. Especially when it comes to medium and large-sized organizations, password security becomes a huge problem.

Always remember that protecting company resources and private data must be your priority. To succeed in online protection, authentication methods should be robust and reliable. Trusting only a single password is not a smart idea in such a threatful digital world. Keep up with the digital era and give a try latest password alternatives.

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How to Secure Your Business from Digital Threats

Digital threats are now a common thing due to changes in technology and available hacking tools and software. Most businesses are in constant threats from malicious software, hacks, and cybercriminals, who are doing everything to steal data, divert funds, and other cyber-attacks. Most attackers usually target large companies and those that deal with online transactions. However, smaller businesses aren't secure either since sometimes they fall on the target. If you are a business person, you need to take precautions to see your business protected from these attacks. How do you protect your business? Here are some ways.

1. Data Encryption

Data encryption involves securing your data so that no one will open it unless they have a password. This method reduces the data falling into the wrong hands, including thieves and hackers. With encryption and other related measures, your data stays safe even when you lose your hard disk or other storage devices. According to security experts from D Solutions Group, encryption makes the data not readable even if someone accesses it and can't be broken into unless by the person who encrypted it. Where is data encryption effective? It effectively protects data stored in flash disks, hard disks, cloud storage, and any data sent through emails or any other internet media.

Learn more: What is AEC

2. Stay Updated

Having outdated software and equipment in your business can easily lead hackers and cyber-attacks to hit your business. It is recommended to keep all your operating systems and software up-to-date to minimize any attacks on your business. How do you do this? Although it can be a daunting task, investing in a competent IT department or having a digital company undertake your updates will be crucial in this step. Other than this, after installing software or operating systems, you can allow your systems to update security details every time there is an upgrade automatically. Most software and operating systems make updates regularly to improve competency and stability. You can set your system to accept the critical updates while checking on the optional updates. You also need to invest in modern software and operating systems.

3. Educate your Employees

Do you know that your employee can mess up with your digital equipment, compromising your online security? Yes, especially in a large company where everyone has access to this equipment. Some can modify the settings and uninstall software crucial in maintaining your data security, leaving your business vulnerable to hacking. At all times, you should take your employees through data protection procedures and educate them on how to browse and carry out their processes safely. You also need to have a dedicated IT department that will be checking every computer or device once in a while to ensure their security systems are intact and that there are no threats. This step is essential in situations where your business relies on web-based services and where you carry online transactions.

4. Use Anti-malware Protection

Most digital devices, such as computers, laptops, and smartphones, come with factory-built protection to protect the devices from online attacks and hackers. While this anti-malware software offers protection, it can't be enough for business use. Also, sometimes, they might be outdated to counter-attack modern hackers and fraudsters. If you rely on web-based procedures and offer online transactions, it's better to outsource and install anti-malware suited for business needs. The modern software for businesses can detect and stop in real-time unauthorized transactions or use of your computer. These security systems also protect your data, apps, websites, and other extensions used to perform business procedures.

5. Lock the Wireless Network

Do you have Wi-Fi in your business for use by the employees and the visiting clients? Does it have a password? If it doesn't, then your business devices are on the verge of being hacked. WI-Fi is good for business, but it must be controlled. Anyone connected to the Wi-Fi network can use sophisticated tools to capture and use your data through the internet. It is also vital to use WPA2 protection and a router since they provide a secure connection compared to the older connection methods. Experts also recommend keeping your Wi-Fi private and having a separate connection for the guests and clients visiting your business.

There are many ways of protecting your business from online threats. This article has provided some of the significant ways to use and protect your business from hackers and cyber-attacks. It might require an extra budget and someone to control the systems, but it is worth it, rather than losing everything to online thieves. Using these tips will ensure your business data, employees, and clients are protected at all times when making transactions.

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How To Manage Customers' Data And Protect Their Privacy

In this day and age, it is more important than ever to protect our customers' data. With all of the recent scandals involving companies like Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, people are more aware than ever of the importance of privacy. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your customers' data is protected. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for managing your customers' data and protecting their privacy.

1. Data management

The first step in protecting your customers' data is to properly manage it. This means keeping track of where the data is coming from, who has access to it, and what it is being used for. It is important to have a system in place for managing customer data so that you can ensure that only authorized personnel has access to it. When managing sensitive data, it is also important to consider security measures such as encryption and password protection. Another important aspect of data management is customer data governance. This refers to the process of ensuring that customer data is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with privacy laws and regulations. Customer data governance includes things like developing policies and procedures for collecting, storing, and managing customer data.

2. Data security

Once you have your data management system in place, the next step is to implement security measures to protect your customers' data. As we mentioned before, encryption and password protection are two important security measures that you should consider. You should also consider investing in a reliable firewall and intrusion detection system. These systems can help to prevent cyber attacks and protect your customer data. Another important aspect of data security is employee training. It is important to educate your employees on the importance of protecting customer data. You should also have procedures in place for what to do in the event of a data breach. It is important to have a plan for how you will respond to a data breach so that you can minimize the damage and protect your customers' data.

3. Data privacy

The final step in protecting your customers' data is to ensure that their privacy is respected. This means making sure that their personal information is not shared without their consent. It is important to have a policy in place for how you will use and disclose customer data. You should also consider giving customers the option to opt-out of having their data shared. Lastly, it is important to keep your customers' data secure and confidential. This means ensuring that only authorized personnel has access to it and taking measures to prevent unauthorized access. It is also important to destroy customer data that is no longer needed so that it cannot be accessed by anyone who should not have access to it.

4. Encrypt user data

One of the most important things you can do to protect your customers' data is to encrypt it. Encryption is the process of transforming readable data into an unreadable format. This makes it difficult for anyone who does not have the proper encryption key to access the data. When encrypting customer data, it is important to use a strong encryption algorithm. You should also consider using multiple layers of encryption so that even if one layer is broken, the other layers will still provide protection. It is also important to keep your encryption keys secure and confidential. This means ensuring that only authorized personnel has access to them and taking measures to prevent unauthorized access.

5. Test for vulnerabilities

Another important aspect of protecting your customers' data is to regularly test for vulnerabilities. This means testing your systems and networks for weaknesses that could be exploited by hackers. There are many different ways to test for vulnerabilities, but one of the most common methods is penetration testing. Penetration testing involves using tools and techniques to attempt to break into a system. This can help you to identify weaknesses in your system so that you can fix them before they are exploited. It also helps to educate your employees on the importance of data security and how to identify and avoid potential threats.

6. Implement security measures

Once you have identified the vulnerabilities in your system, the next step is to implement security measures to protect your customers' data. As we mentioned before, encryption and password protection are two important security measures that you should consider. You should also consider investing in a reliable firewall and intrusion detection system. These systems can help to prevent cyber attacks and protect your customer data. Also, it is important to have procedures in place for what to do in the event of a data breach. Having a plan for how you will respond to a data breach can help you to minimize the damage and protect your customers' data.

There are many steps that you can take to protect your customers' data. By taking the proper steps, you can help to ensure that their data is safe and secure. Implementing a data management system, investing in security measures, and respecting customer privacy are all important aspects of protecting customer data. By taking these steps, you can help to keep your customers' data safe and secure.

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VPN

The Benefits of Multi-Factor Authentication

Using a password is arguably the most common and popular security measure available for most types of accounts and information storage. But unfortunately, it is often one of the most vulnerable to hackings and other types of cyber-attacks.

A 2016 study revealed that hackers and other cybercriminals usually perform the most significant data breaches with the aim of stealing individual identities. However, after these attacks take place, the most common response from companies is simply to change your password to avoid having it happen to you.

The problem with this is that using a password has a lot of flaws and imperfections. For starters, passwords don’t generally provide a very strong way to identify a person and basically, anyone who gets their hands on a password can simply log on to an account and do or take whatever they wish.

Additionally, an account’s security level is based only on the strength of the password being used. And most of the time, this isn’t a very strong measure since people don’t usually want to remember long strings of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Instead, users typically use a password that is simple and easy to remember. In other words, they unknowingly use something that’s easy to hack.

Because of the deficiencies with using a single password, many companies are now turning to more secure solutions, such as email encryption and multi-factor authentication, to control account access and provide users with alternatives to traditional passwords.

Still, this might leave you wondering what precisely multi-factor authentication is and how it can help improve your online safety and security.

What Is Multi-Factor Authentication?

In simple terms, multi-factor authentication is the process used to identify an individual online by validating more than one claim from several different categories of authentication, which are presented by the user.

The process is also sometimes referred to as advanced authentication, step-up authentication, or two-factor authentication. Regardless, it is simply the means of verifying an individual’s identity by using more than just a simple password as recognition.
In most cases, multi-factor authentication will involve two or more of the following basic elements:

Something is known by the user, such as a PIN or password.
Something owned by the user, such as a mobile device or email account.
A user biometric, such as a fingerprint, facial scan, or voice recognition.

Essentially, the concept of multi-factor authentication understands that no authentication factor is completely secure. In fact, any type of authentication factor will have both its own strengths and weaknesses. However, multi-factor authentication improves identification by using a second or third factor to compensate for the weaknesses of the other factors being used.

By now, it should be easy to see why multi-factor authentication is needed to ensure the safety and security of your online presence. Below, we’ll go over a few of the benefits of using multi-factor authentication.

Increased Security

As we’ve already mentioned, traditional password security is no longer as effective as it once was. Fortunately, multi-factor authentication can supplement a traditional password with an additional factor that cannot easily be guessed, such as a verification code sent to your mobile device or a given biometric factor such as your fingerprint or a facial scan.

These additional factors make it much harder for a cybercriminal to get into your accounts unless they actually possess all the factors required by the system.

Simple Account Access with Single Sign-On Software

Most people assume that using multi-factor authentication will make logging into their accounts a more complicated and time-consuming process. However, the added security of multi-factor authentication allows companies to provide their users will login options such as single sign-on.

Single sign-on, or SSO, is the process of authentication which allows a user to gain access to multiple applications or accounts by using a single set of login credentials. Therefore, once a user is authenticated, they will be logged onto the single sign-on account and will have access to any other apps or accounts that are covered by the software.

One of the biggest challenges in implementing multi-factor authentication is the belief that it will make logging in more complicated. But when combined with software such as single sign-on, multi-factor authentication benefits internet users by making it easier to sign into a variety of different apps at the same time.

Regulatory Compliance

Today, there are many different compliance standards when it comes to organisations that use and store their customer’s sensitive information. And, in many cases, some laws specify the need for these organisations to implement safety features such as multi-factor authentication.

So, not only does multi-factor authentication keep your personal identifiable information safe and simplify logging into your accounts, but it is also a step towards regulatory compliance for most companies and organisations, which ensures that your online safety is held in the highest priority.

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The Difference Between Industrial and Military Servers

While military and industrial PCs have almost the same purposes, a closer look at the two components shows that they are not similar. The differences between the two are significant but not immediately obvious. Read on to learn the difference between industrial and military servers.

Security

The security demands for military servers can be significantly high compared to industrial PCs since they deal with highly sensitive information. Military PCs require data encryption, and they also have restricted access to drive bays and I/O ports. The computers used by the security services also have high protection against elements like cyber attacks and eavesdropping attacks that make them different from industrial PCs.

Durability

Military PCs are customized to suit different environments, and the systems are available as standard COTS solutions. The servers for military use are rugged and are customized for rough terrain, and made to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Each system boasts of aircraft-grade aluminum to provide the optimum ruggedness to support both airborne, naval, and ground-based operations. The other advantage of aluminum is that it is lightweight, and the systems use the SysCool Intelligent Adaptive Fan Control System that helps to ensure optimum environmental performance, while at the same time, minimizing fan noise. Military-grade servers also come with rugged LCDs, keyboards, and storage arrays. In other words, a defense server is a rugged computer that is designed for use by the army, air force, navy, or any other military branch. Military servers also include radar systems, communications systems, and surveillance systems.

Industrial servers

An industrial server, on the other hand, is a rugged computer-primarily designed for use in manufacturing and other production-related applications. Industrial computers are made to perform different functions in production lines, telecommunications, medical, as well as in the aviation industries. The security systems of industrial servers are not as strict as the military system ones. The security requirements for military PCs are higher as a result of the highly-sensitive nature of the applications they handle. On the other hand, industrial applications do not require a high level of security as required by the army personnel.

Customer Support

The follow-up customer support is determined by the requirements that are set by the industry and the defense system. The primary role of customer support by the manufacturers of the servers is to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and longevity of the server. The industrial servers usually get support services for about three to five years, whereas the military servers can get up to 15 years of support services. The support service for rugged servers is ongoing while it is time-limited for industrial PCs.

Military certifications

There are various certifications for military servers that are required by the US Department of Defense that include the MIL-STD-810 as well as the MIL-STD-461 which are used to determine the electromagnetic capability. The MIL-S-901 certification helps to test the impact of the mechanical shock on different grades. The primary purpose of MIL-STD certifications is to ensure that the servers meet the environmental stress requirements for defense applications. To get a MIL-STD Certification, the server is sent to a third-party testing facility where specific standards are outlined. However, not all military projects and programs require certified rugged computers. Other non-defensive sectors also use these types of computers.

Industrial certifications

Some certifications are particular to specific industries, and they do not apply to other sectors. For instance, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics is specifically meant for aerospace environmental testing and for standardized tests that include temperature, vibration, flammability, and humidity among others.

The electromagnetic certification is also critical to industrial applications, and it helps to ensure that the electronics in a given application do not compromise public safety or interfere with public airwaves. The Federal Communications Commission divides its testing into different product categories that are also called parts. These help to determine the necessary type of testing required for a particular device.

Reliability

In most cases, military computers function in harsh environments and other critical applications. The servers are designed to maintain a high MTBF while operating in extreme shock, vibration, and temperature conditions. Ordinary computers may struggle if they are operated in the same environments as military servers.

As the names imply, military servers are specifically designed for different applications in the army, navy, as well as air force while industrial servers are for industry-related functions. Military servers are rugged and they are specifically meant to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Industrial PCs may not function normally in different environments where army PCs operate. More importantly, military servers boast of strict security features compared to industrial servers.

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The Types of Jobs You Can Go into With a Computer Science Master's Degree

When you look to study any type of degree, you want to make sure that you are getting a positive outcome. For a lot of people, this means the types of jobs that they can go into. Broadly speaking, unless you are looking to go into a very specialized field, it is a great idea to study a topic that allows for a lot of flexibility and a lot of different options when it comes to getting a job. Many people have found that one of the best high-paying and flexible careers can be found if you study for a computer science degree, which can be completed either online or in person.

To help you with your quest with regards to studying a computer science degree, whether you are in the middle of your master's, have just finished, or you are thinking about starting one, this guide has been created to outline several jobs that you could go into as well as listing their average starting salary expectations — a lot of which top out at over $100,000 a year, meaning that you can easily live a comfortable life even in some of the most expensive cities in the country, such as New York or San Francisco. Additionally, none of these jobs has an average starting salary of lower than $50,000, meaning you can live comfortably nearly anywhere else. If you are interested in learning more, then you are definitely in the right place. Read on below to get the full career overview now.

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $110,000

As Facebook's recent announcement regarding the Metaverse has shown, artificial intelligence is everywhere and is only likely to rise in importance over the coming years. If you want to get ahead of the future, it might make sense to move into this type of role, which includes developing, training, and programming AI to work in a variety of different contexts. Due to the high level of skill involved in such a role, artificial intelligence engineers can expect to command rather respectable salaries straight from getting hired.

Machine Learning Engineer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $141,000

With a position that some could say is rather similar to that of an artificial intelligence engineer, a machine learning engineer is responsible for creating and implementing machine learning systems, selecting the right data sets and data representation methods, testing and making sure that the machine learning systems are working to the best of their ability and checking the variety of data quality that comes past them. Due to its technical difficulty, machine learning engineers start with very reasonable salaries. If you want the qualifications that can give you a machine learning job, it is definitely recommended to look around for the best online computer science master's degree you can find.

Computer Scientist

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $82,000

The position of a computer scientist is generally the one that you will be most equipped for when you have finally completed your computer science master's degree. This is because the role of a computer scientist involves using technology for a whole series of different applications. For example, they might want to be able to focus on the ways that both the customer and the company can combine to make the most out of what a business can provide.

Research and Development Scientist

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $75,000

As the name suggests, a research and development scientist use the power of computers and science to create, test, and finally roll out new products and services. It is likely that to get into this role, you should be combining your computer science master's with a science undergraduate degree such as biology, chemistry, or physics to get the highest chance of being hired. This is a role in high demand thanks to the rise of bio-information technology and companies looking for people with inter-disciplinary skills.

Information Technology Specialist

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $69,000

Information technology specialists are basically needed at any company that has anything to do with computers. The average role that somebody with this type of qualification and interest can expect to be getting on with includes making sure that all the computer systems in a company — spanning from hardware to software, the Internet of Things and the cloud — is working in sync, thus making them one of the most important roles in any business.

Information Technology Analyst

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $76,500

Similar to the role of an information technology specialist, it is the responsibility of an information technology analyst to be able to look at how technology is working within a company or an institution before suggesting ways that they can improve. If you are looking to move into this role, you can expect to either be hired directly to work for a company or you can work as an external freelance consultant.

Mobile Application Developer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $79,000

Mobile apps have risen from an oddity to one of the biggest markets in the world over the past ten years. It is likely that mobile apps are only going to rise in popularity and become more important in the upcoming years. This means that there are a whole host of opportunities if you are looking to go within this industry. While companies can hire you as a developer for their mobile app offerings, you might also find that you can create and sell apps separately, which might be able to net you a large sum of money if you play your cards right.

Quality Assurance Manager

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $81,500

Businesses have to run as smoothly as possible if they have any chance of success. This is where the quality assurance manager comes in. Their role is to analyze business operations and to see where they could improve and where they can maintain their safety for the best possible outcomes. As so much of this is tied up in computer security, you can expect to be able to move into the quality assurance field with relative ease.

Information Security Officer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $83,000

As the numerous hacks across the world have shown — spanning from the SolarWinds attack to the Microsoft data breach — one of the most pressing threats of our time is that of cyber-security. That's why businesses everywhere are making sure that they have an information security officer on their team who can make sure that they can operate to the highest possible security standards. These skills can easily be learned through a computer science master's degree.

Professor in Computer Science

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $118,000

If you don't want to move into the corporate world, there is definitely the opportunity to move forward and become a professor in computer science. While a masters alone will not give you the skills necessary to obtain this role, it is a necessary stepping stone towards that eventual success. While the wages you could expect as an adjunct professor are very low, if you are lucky enough to become a tenured professor, you can expect to command a decent salary as well as paid for, or at least very heavily subsidized accommodation.

Cloud Computer Engineer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $104,000

Cloud technology is everywhere these days, with more and more businesses pivoting towards the cloud for their different needs. This means that people working with cloud technology will be higher and higher in demand, making it one of the best professions that you can go into. Therefore, when you are studying for your master's degree in computer science, it is definitely worth taking modules in cloud computing, so you are aware of this amazingly useful technology.

Database Manager

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $68,500

Companies need databases for all sorts of reasons, from regulatory to marketing. However, to make sure that their databases are both safe and running to the best of their ability, it is necessary for them to hire a specially dedicated database manager. This is someone who is comfortable with creating databases, managing them, and protecting them to the best of their ability.

User Interface Designer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $98,500

Most companies try and design their websites, mobile apps, and products with the customer in mind. This is because they want to make sure that the customer can navigate it with the easiest possible use, increasing its popularity. This is where a user interface designer can come in and make the most out of what a company has designed and make sure that it is as accessible as possible for the user.

Full-Stack Developer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $68,000

Generally speaking, every application has a back end, which refers to the server, and a front end, which refers to the side that the client uses. It is the role of a full-stack developer — who should be fluent in a whole variety of coding languages, all from R to Snakemake to C++ — to make sure that both ends are in communication with each other, and everything is working well. Of course, some specialists work primarily in just the back end or the front end.

Software Developer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $62,500

A software developer is responsible for creating new software that a company can use either internally or that they can sell to other companies. They should be identifying particular needs, design the interface, and then test the software for any bugs. This is an especially exciting job for anyone who wants to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology.

Business Analyst

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $56,000

While business analysts might not necessarily need a master's degree in computer science, given the fact that so many businesses operate now with computers and have digitized thanks to the coronavirus, it is definitely a road that you can choose to go down. Business analysts are responsible for seeing how a business is getting on before making recommendations as to how they can improve.

Software Tester

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $55,500

Similar to the role of a software developer, a software tester makes sure that everything that has been created is fully-functional for use. Their work requires painstaking attention to detail as well as a scrupulous approach to design. Many companies might hire software testers to work internally, while other software testers could be hired on an external freelance basis.

Data Scientist

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $100,500

Data is the new oil, meaning that the way that we use data has huge ramifications for business processes at large. As a result, more and more companies are looking to hire data scientists to better understand how they can use data to better improve their company offerings. Therefore, while you are studying for your computer science master's degree, it is a good idea to take additional data science courses to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

Web Developer

Average starting salary expectations per annum: $73,500

If businesses want to successfully advertise their wares and connect with customers, then they need a well-designed website. This is where the power of a web developer can definitely come in and help save the day. If you already have a computer science master's degree, take a look around to see if businesses are hiring web developers today.

Conclusion

The express aim of this guide is to outline a whole series of jobs that you might be able to go into once you have completed a master's in computer science. It's worth pointing out that this list is by no means exhaustive. Technology is always changing and adapting, meaning that there is always the chance that new roles will emerge that haven't been written on this list. Nonetheless, if you are stuck in the future when it comes to thinking about your career, there is no shame in revisiting this list now and again. Finally, good luck in your career search!

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How to Ace The New CCNA Routing and Switching Exam

Network Administrators, Support Engineers, Technicians, Specialists, and analysts are perhaps the most needed professionals in this IT-centric era. They are in charge of keeping the IT infrastructure and network of any business alive, healthy, and less prone to security threats or attacks. The latter is, in fact, one of the greatest challenges that players in this ever-evolving field have to contend with.

Cisco Systems is a global market leader in networking technology. This company happens to be among the largest vendor server provider in the world and some of its other product offerings including Ethernet Switches, security systems, and other technological solutions are highly depended on.

Why do you Need a CCNA Certification?

Let’s just say that a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is not a mandatory requirement. However, even with an in-depth knowledge of networking systems, strong hands-on skills, and vast experience, it may take some effort to get noticed by recruiters as this is one field with far too many talented individuals.

As such, the CCNA certification is one way of elevating your profile in the tech space. In fact, certifications and a related degree are among the requirements that recruiters look for in your CV when scouting for talent. By and large, be sure that most recruiters see the CCNA certification as authentic evidence of your skill.

Certifications Offered Under CCNA

There are several specialist certifications offered under CCNA. These include:

CCNA Cloud Certification
CCNA Collaboration Certification
CCNA Data Center Certification
CCNA Cyber Ops Certification
CCNA Routing and Switching Certification
CCNA Industrial Certification
CCNA Security Certification
CCNA Service Provider Certification
CCNA Voice and Wireless Networks Certification

However, by February 24, 2020, this exam has been reviewed and consolidated into one CCNA certification which replaces the above specialist certifications.

The CCNA Routing and Switching Certification

The CCNA Routing and Switching Certification is ideal for those who are interested in taking the Network Technician, Network Designer, or Network Administrator route. This certification does not only sharpen your networking skills in IT technologies but also keeps your skills up to date as technology keeps evolving. A certification demonstrates your knowledge in designing, building, installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining a network infrastructure among others.

Prerequisites for the CCNA Routing and Switching Certification Exam

There are no prerequisites for taking the CCNA routing and Switching Certification exams being that it falls only second among the basic Cisco Certifications. However, you need to have taken and passed the following exams.
Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices: Accelerated (CCNAX) exam.
Or
Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices ICND 1 100-101 and ICND 2 200-101.

In addition, the following will be an added advantage in your career:

IT-related bachelor’s degree, for instance, in computer science, information science, or engineering. This is because you will have acquired some basic knowledge of technology.
Consider starting off with an entry-level course like the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) Certification to give you an easier landing on the more advanced certification courses. This course comprises 640-822 ICND part 1.
Do you have working experience? Consider having at least 3 years of working experience as this will equip you with a practical understanding of routing and switching.
Finally, register for your exam early in advance, at least 6 weeks before the exam date.

What Areas Does the Exam Cover?

The CCNA certification exam composes of about 60 to 70 questions. The examination will test your understanding of:

IP Addresses, services, routing technology, and data network operation (specifically IPv4 and IPv6 routing technologies)
LAN switching technologies
Network basics
WAN technologies
Configuring, troubleshooting, and monitoring network infrastructure
Infrastructure security and management
The terminology used in routing and switching

The exam structure

You can either take the Cisco exams at authorized exam centers throughout the world or online.
CCNA Routing and Switching certification exam is composed of 50-60 questions to be completed within 90 minutes. Questions come in several formats including multiple-choice, filling the blank, simulation, as well as drag-and-drop formats.

The Cisco Certification Exam Tutorial should give you a glimpse of how the exam looks
The passing score for this exam is 85% however, this might change from time to time.

Cost

Professional certification exams, including the CCNA Routing and Switching exam, costs between $ 325 but will vary slightly depending on local taxes and the cost of inflation.

Acing the exams on the first attempt

Take an online self-paced course or register in a college for regular classroom programs.
Access free tutorials and study materials available at the Cisco website. This is an excellent study resource as you will have access to flexible E-learning programs, practice exams, study sessions, labs, and blogs.
Practice the skills you have learned through Cisco’s learning labs.
Do more studies on your own. Study textbooks and take up the CCNA practice test from credible training sites online such as Simplilearn.
Join a study group. There is always something positive about studying with others.
Consider being part of the CCNA Routing and Switching community.

Keeping your certification valid

CCNA certifications are valid over three years. To keep your certification valid, you have the following options:

Pass any current professional-level exam, for instance, CCNP Routing and Switching or the CCIE written exam, after which the validity of your certification will be extended to the expiration of the advanced certification.
Pass the current CCDE written or practical exam.
Pass the Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) interview and board review
Pass an associate-level exam apart from the ICND1
Pass the current CCNA exam before your Routing and Switching certification expires
Take and pass any other specialist exam by Cisco apart from the sales Specialist, MeetingPlace specialist exams

Some skills you need to perfect

Oral and written (and documenting) communication skills
Organizational skills
Troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Customer relations
Knowledge of Microsoft office suite and Cisco
Familiarize with technology tools like routers and servers

Conclusion

The beauty about taking the CCNA certification is that even without a technical background, you can still get a certification based on your skills and passion. It also sets you up on a platform to advance to higher levels in experience, knowledge, and recognition.

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1. Hackers are Evolving: prepare for the WORST!

2. Not just heavy web users, even casual browsers are NOT safe!

3. Digital interfaces are evolving & Antivirus is one layer of assurance everybody needs!

Concluding Thoughts: Invest in a Trustworthy, Pre-emptive Antivirus

Recent Events

Small Crime

Combating Attacks

Common types of cyber attacks

Cyber security vulnerabilities

1. Protect your hardware and software

2. Back up and encrypt your data

3. Educate the workforce

4. Exhaust all legal means of protection

The Danger of Data Breaches

The Data Breach Epidemic

Employees Don't Care

How to Take the Human Error Out of Cybersecurity

Phishing

Malware

Human Error

Ignoring Software Updates

Weak Passwords

Mobile and Personal Access to Data

Increasing Brand Value

Protecting Individual Employees

Taking Advantage of Insurance Benefits

Gaining Loyal Customers

Improving Industry Traction

Drawbacks of Passwords

Password Alternatives That You Can Consider

● Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

● Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

● Fingerprint Scan, Iris Scan, and Face ID

● Cryptographic Devices

Which One is Better: Two-factor Authentication or Multi-factor Authentication?

In Conclusion

1. Data Encryption

2. Stay Updated

3. Educate your Employees

4. Use Anti-malware Protection

5. Lock the Wireless Network

1. Data management

2. Data security

3. Data privacy

4. Encrypt user data

5. Test for vulnerabilities

6. Implement security measures

What Is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Increased Security

Simple Account Access with Single Sign-On Software

Regulatory Compliance

Security

Durability

Industrial servers

Customer Support

Military certifications

Industrial certifications

Reliability

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Machine Learning Engineer

Computer Scientist

Research and Development Scientist

Information Technology Specialist

Information Technology Analyst

Mobile Application Developer

Quality Assurance Manager

Information Security Officer

Professor in Computer Science

Cloud Computer Engineer

Database Manager

User Interface Designer

Full-Stack Developer

Software Developer

Business Analyst

Software Tester

Data Scientist

Web Developer

Conclusion

Why do you Need a CCNA Certification?