Technology has transformed the concept of the workplace. The hybrid workplace, a blend of remote and on-site work, offers unparalleled flexibility and productivity.
However, it has also created a new set of cybersecurity challenges that organisations must confront to safeguard sensitive information, maintain operational continuity, and protect their reputation. Let’s look at nine threats and how organisations can mitigate the risk.
1. Endpoint vulnerabilities
With employees working from various locations and devices, the attack surface widens considerably. The diverse range of endpoints, including personal laptops and smartphones, increases the potential entry points for cybercriminals. Weak device configurations, outdated software, and lack of security patches can expose organisations to malware, ransomware, and data breaches.
Mitigation: First, implement a strong endpoint security policy that defines the responsibilities of employees. Second, choose a robust mobile device management solution, combined with endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities. Third, regular patch and vulnerability management to ensure that all devices connected to the network are not a threat vector. Set the minimum requirements for non-corporate devices and only allow them to connect to the network if they meet them.
2. Phishing and Social Engineering
Social engineering and phishing (which is a broad sub-category) pose one of the most serious threats to an organisation’s security. Employees are a weak link and considered an easy target for cybercriminals.
Mitigation: Regular security awareness programmes for employees are a must; how to look for signs of phishing attacks and how to respond. Also, technical controls such as mandatory multi-factor authentication can stop an attack even if credentials are compromised through social engineering.
3. Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the victim's data and demands a ransom for its decryption. Ransomware attacks can cause significant disruption, damage, and financial losses to organisations and individuals. In the hybrid workplace, ransomware attacks can target both personal and corporate devices and networks, as well as cloud services and applications.
Mitigation: Educating staff to be careful when opening emails, clicking on links or opening attachments is an important step to prevent ransomware attacks. All data should be encrypted at rest and in transit and a VPN should be used if connecting from an unsecured network. Up-to-date antivirus and antimalware software should be installed if not managed at corporate level.
4. Insecure Wi-Fi Networks
Unsecured public Wi-Fi networks can become a conduit for cyberattacks, allowing hackers to intercept data or launch man-in-the-middle attacks. Some criminals use fake access points hoping that users will connect to it. This is known as an Evil Twin attack.
Mitigation: Educate and encourage the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to encrypt data transmitted over public networks. Provide clear guidelines on secure Wi-Fi practices and discourage the use of unsecured networks for work-related tasks.
5. Data leakage and Loss
Hybrid work has made it very difficult for organisations to manage the flow of information between different environments, increasing the risk of data leakage or loss. Whether through accidental sharing, misconfigured cloud storage, or insider threats, sensitive data can fall into the wrong hands.
Mitigation: Every organisation should consider a data loss prevention (DLP) solution to monitor and control the movement of sensitive data. All use encryption for data at rest and in transit and establish strict access controls based on the principle of least privilege. Various forms of access control can be used to prevent leakage at file level as well.
6. Shadow IT and unauthorised applications
Remote work can drive employees to adopt unsanctioned tools and applications to do their work, bypassing IT policies and security controls. Known as Shadow IT, it can lead to unmanaged vulnerabilities and unauthorised data exposure.
Mitigation: As mentioned earlier, only approved devices with approved applications should be allowed to connect to the network. Solutions like Microsoft Entra and Intune allow admins to enforce policies and define the minimum requirements for devices and the applications that can be used when connected to the corporate network.
7. Insider Threats
While remote work empowers employees, it also introduces the possibility of insider threats. Disgruntled employees or those who fall victim to social engineering attacks can compromise sensitive information or disrupt operations. Insider threats are not easy to identify.
Mitigation: Monitor user behaviour, analysing abnormal activities, and maintaining clear exit procedures for employees can help identify and lower the risk of an incident.
8. Human Error
Human error is one of the biggest cybersecurity risks in any workplace, especially in a hybrid one. Human error can include mistakes such as using weak passwords, clicking on infected links, sharing sensitive data with the wrong people, forgetting to lock or update devices, and so on. Human error can lead to various cyber incidents such as data breaches, malware infections, ransomware attacks, etc.
Mitigation: Awareness, awareness, awareness. Prioritise cybersecurity awareness through regular, comprehensive training as part of HR policy. Develop and enforce a cybersecurity policy, alongside implementing security controls and tools to prevent or mitigate human error.
9. Compliance and Regulatory Challenges
Operating in a hybrid workplace model adds complexity to compliance efforts, especially when it comes to data privacy regulations. Data residing in different environments must adhere to regulatory standards, which can be challenging to manage.
Mitigation: Regularly assess and update compliance practices to ensure they align with applicable regulations. Utilise tools that can help monitor and enforce compliance across various platforms.
While the hybrid workplace unlocks numerous benefits, it simultaneously ushers in diverse cybersecurity risks and threats that necessitate attention. A proactive cybersecurity approach encompassing employee training and a comprehensive suite of technical solutions is imperative for every organisation.
Don't leave the security of your organisation to chance. Ensure that you're well-prepared and resilient against the constantly evolving cyber threats. If you have questions, concerns, or need guidance tailored to your specific business needs, we're here to help. Reach out using the form below to get in touch with our cybersecurity experts!
In today's world, the saying "Better Safe Than Sorry" holds even greater significance. The rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats poses a constant challenge for businesses, irrespective of their size or industry. Cybersecurity has become a non-negotiable imperative for not just survival but thriving in the business realm.
BMIT are pleased to announce that booking is open for “The Cybersecurity Imperative”, a half-day conference, where we are diving deep into the pivotal role that cybersecurity plays in securing businesses and safeguarding profits. Set your calendars for 17 October 2023, because this is one event you won’t want to miss!
Why is Cybersecurity Imperative for Your Business?
Cyber threats are growing in scale, sophistication, and impact. From data breaches to insider threats, no organisation is immune to these threats. This conference is your opportunity to gain insights from some of the best minds in the field.
Meet Our Key Speaker: Lisa Forte
We are excited to announce that the conference's guest speaker is Lisa Forte, a renowned cybercrime and cybersecurity expert. Lisa is an expert in running cyber crisis simulations and helping companies build their operational resilience to cyberattacks.
What to Expect at "The Cybersecurity Imperative"
Cutting-edge insights: Explore the latest cybersecurity trends and threats, ensuring that you stay ahead of the curve.
Best practices: Learn from industry leaders about the best practices in cybersecurity to safeguard your business effectively.
Innovative strategies: Discover innovative strategies to fortify your organisation against evolving threats.
Networking opportunities: Connect with industry peers, tech decision-makers, and business executives to build valuable relationships.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is tailored for:
Business executives: Those who recognise that cybersecurity is an integral part of business success.
Tech decision-makers: IT professionals and CTOs who play a crucial role in safeguarding their organisation’s digital assets.
Industry leaders: Those who want to stay ahead of the curve and lead by example in cybersecurity practices.
Stay tuned for more updates and speaker announcements.
See you at the conference!
Data is the lifeblood of every organisation. Protecting this invaluable asset is essential for business continuity and maintaining a competitive edge but equally important is the ability to recover the data in the event of data leakage or a breach.
Data backup is a fundamental component of an organisation’s cybersecurity and disaster recovery plan. Data backup is not the sole responsibility of the IT team. Senior management must understand and acknowledge the impact that data loss or compromise can have on the business, including financial losses, reputational damage, loss of trust and legal implications.
Why is backup so important?
Sensitive data can be found in many locations, on multiple devices and accessed by numerous employees making it even harder to manage and safeguard.
Volumes of data are also increasing at a fast rate. Rubrik data shows that on average, the growth of data secured in 2022 was 25% (on premises grew 19%, cloud grew 61%, and SaaS data grew 236% last year). Faced with this reality businesses need a robust data backup strategy designed to safeguard critical data by creating redundant copies and storing them in separate locations.
The primary goal of a backup strategy is to ensure data availability and recoverability in the event of data loss, system failures, human errors, cyberattacks, or natural disasters. A well-executed data backup strategy is essential for maintaining business continuity, protecting sensitive information, and meeting regulatory compliance requirements.
A story in numbers
According to Expert Insights, 79% of companies have experienced at least one cloud data breach, and 43% have reported 10 or more breaches in recent years. Given that 92% of organisations are currently hosting at least some of their data in the cloud, that means the majority of all businesses around today have experienced a cloud data breach.
When it comes to backups, data from Statista shows:
91% backup their databases, which are often the most critical and valuable data assets for a business.
68% backup their email, which can contain important communication records and attachments.
However, only 16% backup their SaaS data, which can include cloud-based applications such as Office 365, Salesforce, or Google Workspace. This exposes them to the risk of losing data that is not covered by the cloud provider's backup and recovery policies.
Only 24% of organisations have a mature disaster recovery plan that is well-documented, tested, and updated. This means that many businesses are unprepared for a major data loss event and may face significant downtime and revenue loss.
Defining your backup strategy
There are some questions that you need to ask before you start.
What data needs to be backed up? Not all data is equally important or critical. A business must identify and prioritise the data that needs to be backed up based on its value, sensitivity, and regulatory requirements.
How often should data be backed up? The frequency of data backup depends on how often the data changes and how much data can be affordably lost in case of a disaster. In this case, the backup schedule should balance the risk of data loss with the cost and complexity of backup operations.
Where should data be backed up? The location of data backup affects the accessibility, reliability, and security of the backup data. Costs will also dictate whether to use local storage devices, such as external hard drives or tapes; cloud storage services; or offsite storage facilities.
How should data be backed up? The method of data backup determines how fast and easy it is to back up and restore data. Several backup models exist, each offering distinct advantages and suited for various data backup needs. The choice of the backup model depends on factors such as data size, recovery time objectives (RTOs), recovery point objectives (RPOs), budget, and risk tolerance.
How should data be restored? The process of data restoration involves retrieving and recovering the backup data in case of a data loss incident. Some factors to consider include the recovery time objective (RTO), which is the maximum acceptable time to restore the data; the recovery point objective (RPO), which is the maximum acceptable amount of data loss; and the recovery service level agreement (SLA), which is the contractual guarantee of the quality and availability of the recovery service.
Creating a robust strategy
As a business grows and its data requirements change, the backup strategy needs to be flexible and multi-layered to allow for changes in infrastructure, storage methods and compliance / regulatory requirements.
That said, a backup strategy as a minimum should:
Have many layers of redundancy, across multiple storage types and in different locations. This increases the ability to recover the data in the event of physical disasters, cyberattacks, or hardware failures.
Automate backups to reduce the changes of human error and improve data recovery time.
Require regular testing and validation ensure that your backups are working and the data can be recovered. Hardware can fail and data can become corrupted. Testing helps to identify problems with your backups.
This may seem obvious, but data backup should go hand-in-hand with strong encryption and security measures. Encrypting at rest, in transit and in use. Access to backups should be restricted.
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BMIT’s David Kelleher took centre stage recently to talk about critical aspects of business security, awareness, and the strategic benefits of security investment, in the latest episode of FinanceMalta’s podcast.
In the podcast, hosted by Vanessa McDonald, David shares valuable insights on a range of security topics. He explains why the sudden emphasis on cybersecurity, how threats have multiplied and the traditional perimeter in security no longer exists. With multiple locations and a remote workforce, businesses are waking up to a reality in which they must take action.
Every business is a target, and size and industry don’t matter anymore. More and more companies are giving importance to cybersecurity and this is no longer driven by IT teams but by senior management as well, he says.
He also talks about BMIT’s role as a cybersecurity provider and how the company has expanded its portfolio to offer an almost full stack of managed security services and solutions.
David talks about BMIT’s role in relation to the Maltese government’s Cyber Alt scheme which allocates funds to SMEs to invest in cybersecurity solutions. He encourages businesses to take advantage of these schemes, adding that BMIT can provide assistance during the application process, and also advise on solutions that meet their requirements and ensure spending is aligned with their business objectives.
Here's the full podcast
Finance Malta Podcast with David Kelleher
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring the cybersecurity of your business is critical. We are here to guide, protect, and support you every step of the way. Whether you're considering the Cyber Alt scheme or simply need advice on the best security solutions tailored to your needs, our team is ready to assist. To get started, simply fill out the form below this post, and our team will be in touch shortly. Let's collaborate to safeguard your business's future. Contact us today through the form below!
If you operate an on-premises data centre or lease the infrastructure and hardware from a third-party provider, you understand the paramount importance of maintaining cutting-edge and efficient hardware. The process of hardware refresh entails replacing outdated or underperforming equipment with newer, more potent devices.
Hardware refreshes hold the key to enhancing your data centre's performance, reliability, security, scalability, and energy efficiency.
Unveiling the Essence of Hardware Refresh
The advantages of hardware refresh manifest in various forms:
Performance: Fresh hardware carries the ability to manage heavier workloads, accelerate data processing, and seamlessly support advanced applications. This infusion of power propels your data centre's productivity, responsiveness, and competitive edge.
Reliability: Aging hardware is susceptible to glitches, errors, and downtime. Such occurrences could taint your data centre's availability, quality, and customer satisfaction. The remedy lies in hardware refresh, which minimizes the risk of hardware failures and ensures your data centre's steady operation.
Security: Outmoded hardware might not align with the latest security standards, patches, and updates. This vulnerability opens the door to cyberattacks, data breaches, and compliance lapses. Hardware refresh empowers your data centre's security through the adoption of current and potent security measures.
Scalability: As your data centre evolves, the need for additional capacity, functions, and adaptability arises. Outdated hardware often struggles to accommodate these demands without costly upgrades. Hardware refresh fuels scalability by embracing modular, adaptable, and scalable hardware solutions.
Energy efficiency: Aged hardware tends to consume more power and emit more heat compared to modern counterparts. This spells higher operational costs and environmental consequences. Hardware refresh introduces energy-efficient alternatives, trimming power consumption and contributing to eco-friendliness.
The Optimal Hardware Refresh Frequency
While there's no universal rule for how often hardware should be refreshed, several variables influence the decision, including business requirements, budget, industry trends, and technological advancements. A general guideline suggests a hardware refresh every three to five years. This period aligns with most hardware vendors' three-year warranties, beyond which support costs may spike. Moreover, hardware typically boasts a lifespan of around five years, after which its performance may taper significantly.
However, relying solely on hardware age for refresh decisions falls short. Vigilant monitoring of performance, reliability, security, and efficiency is crucial. Indicators such as sluggish performance, recurrent failures, escalating power consumption, and compatibility issues signal that a refresh is due.
Crafting a Hardware Refresh Strategy: Essential Factors
For a successful hardware refresh you should consider the following:
Business goals: Align your hardware refresh strategy with your overarching business objectives. Define the benefits you aim to achieve, be it heightened performance, reliability, top-tier security, scalability, or efficiency improvements. Evaluate how the hardware refresh resonates with operational aspects such as productivity, customer service, revenue, and profitability.
Budget availability: Determine the financial scope for the hardware refresh and allocate funds judiciously. Evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of different hardware options and vendors, prioritising those that deliver optimal value. The total cost of ownership (TCO) is vital, encompassing not just purchase expenses but installation, maintenance, support, upgrades, and disposal costs.
Trends in technology: Staying attuned to the latest data centre technology trends and innovations is imperative. Examine how these trends can be leveraged to elevate your data centre's capabilities. Embrace best practices and standards while contemplating the integration of emerging technologies like cloud computing, AI, edge computing, or 5G to amplify your data centre's performance.
Planning: Plan a meticulous data and application migration strategy, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and data security. Strategise the timing and execution of migrations, perhaps during off-peak hours or phased rollouts. Rigorously test the migration process in advance and maintain a contingency plan in case of unexpected hiccups.
Do not underestimate its importance
Hardware refresh is a critical component for an optimal performance of your data centre. By methodically and strategically refreshing your hardware, you ensure that your data centre is in peak condition, consistently delivering optimal outcomes for your business. Through this continuous cycle of evolution, you have peace of mind that your data centre is operating as it should.
If your data centre is on-premises or the hardware you are leasing is in a data centre and has not been refreshed for some time, you may be adding unnecessary costs and not benefiting in the long term. BMIT’s experience in the infrastructure, data centre and hybrid IT space can prove invaluable to your business if you want to modernise your IT infrastructure, reduce costs and boost performance. Talk to us today!
Hybrid IT combines on-premises and cloud-based IT resources, providing organisations with benefits such as scalability, flexibility, security, and cost-efficiency. Despite its advantages, some organisations may be deterred from adopting hybrid IT due to misconceptions. In this blog post, we debunk three common myths surrounding hybrid IT and clarify why they are inaccurate.
Myth: Hybrid IT is too complicated to manage
Reality: Although managing a hybrid IT environment may present challenges, it is not necessarily too complex. Many organisations effectively manage hybrid IT environments using automation, orchestration, and management platforms. By implementing these tools, IT teams can simplify management tasks, reduce errors, and improve overall performance.
Some people believe that hybrid IT involves multiple platforms, vendors, and technologies, making it complex and difficult to manage. They fear that they will need to hire more staff, invest in more tools, and deal with more issues and risks. However, this is not always the case. Hybrid IT can actually simplify IT management by enabling organisations to select the best solutions for their needs. For example, cloud services can be used for applications that require high scalability and availability, while on-premises resources can be used for those requiring low latency and high security.
Organisations can also utilise a single management platform or service provider, such as BMIT, that integrates and orchestrates their hybrid IT environment, reducing the need for multiple tools and vendors.
Myth: Hybrid IT is more expensive than traditional IT
Reality: Although hybrid IT may require a higher upfront investment, its long-term costs can be lower than traditional IT. This approach enables organisations to select the best combination of cloud and on-premises infrastructure according to their specific requirements, avoiding over-provisioning, reducing waste, and scaling up or down as needed. Hybrid IT also offers redundancy and failover capabilities, which helps avoid costly downtime.
Another misconception about hybrid IT is that it is more expensive than on-premises or cloud-only IT because it demands more resources and investments. However, this is not necessarily the case. Hybrid IT can reduce costs by enabling organisations to optimise their IT spending and usage according to their needs and objectives. They can utilise cloud services for applications with variable or unpredictable demand, reducing the need for overprovisioning or underutilising on-premises resources.
On the other hand, they can utilise on-premises resources for applications with stable or predictable demand, reducing the need for paying for unused or excess cloud resources. Different pricing models and discounts offered by various providers, such as pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and spot instances, can also be used to maximise their return on investment.
Myth: Hybrid IT is less secure than traditional IT
Reality: Hybrid IT can be just as secure as traditional IT or even more secure. To achieve optimal security, organisations can implement a comprehensive security strategy that includes both on-premises and cloud-based security measures.
This flexibility allows organisations to respond to security threats quickly by moving workloads between environments as needed. Contrary to another misconception, hybrid IT does not expose sensitive data and systems to the internet or third-party providers, as it can enhance security by leveraging the best practices and technologies of both on-premises and cloud-based IT.
Organisations can use encryption, authentication, firewalls, and other security measures to protect their data and systems in transit and at rest, regardless of their location. Additionally, they can use cloud services that comply with industry standards and regulations such as ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR to ensure their data and systems are handled securely and responsibly.
Hybrid IT is a flexible and powerful strategy to overcome IT challenges and achieve business objectives. Organisations should avoid falling for common myths and misconceptions by making informed decisions and implementing hybrid IT efficiently.
If you would like to talk to an experienced managed services provider like BMIT, fill in your details below and one of our experts will answer any questions you may have.
As advancements in cloud technology continue at an unprecedented pace, service providers often need to make significant changes to stay at the forefront. One such transformational move is on the horizon for Microsoft Azure users.
Say Goodbye to Azure Virtual Machines (Classic)
Microsoft has officially shared that Azure Virtual Machines (Classic) will take its curtain call on September 1, 2023. In the spirit of moving forward, Microsoft has made clear that no extensions will be provided beyond this date. For users of this service, timely action is paramount. After the stipulated date, deploying or operating your IaaS VMs using Azure Service Manager will become a thing of the past.
Navigating the Transition: Migrate to Azure Resource Manager
Migration might sound like a daunting task, but with a methodical approach, it's a breeze. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Go to the Virtual Machines (Classic) Portal Blade
Under Subscriptions, select all available subscriptions to get full list of affected classic VMs.
Click on Migrate to ARM.
Click on Validate. If validate failed, use the suggested methods in the error messages or in the Migration Overview document to fix the errors.
Click on Prepare. If prepare failed, use the suggested methods in the error messages or in the Migration Overview document to fix the errors.
View migrated virtual machines at Virtual Machines Portal Blade and Test their operation.
(Optional) Click on Abort to rollback migration.
Click on Commit. Commit finalises the migration and cannot be rolled back.
Public cloud services have become an essential part of modern businesses. With millions of companies incorporating cloud services and platform support into their workflows and core tech stacks, it's time to consider the advantages of using a public cloud.
1. Cost Savings
One of the most significant advantages of using a public cloud is cost savings. Public cloud providers offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which allows businesses to only pay for the resources they consume. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in expensive hardware and software upfront. Moreover, businesses can avoid the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading their infrastructure, as public cloud providers take care of all hardware and software updates.
2. Scalability
Public clouds are highly scalable, which means businesses can easily increase or decrease their resources based on their needs. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with fluctuating demands, such as seasonal businesses. With a public cloud, businesses can quickly scale up during peak periods and scale down during low periods.
3. Workflow flexibility
Public clouds offer businesses the flexibility to choose from a wide range of services and configurations. Businesses can choose the services that best suit their needs and can easily modify them as their needs change. This allows businesses to stay agile and respond to changing market conditions and corporate needs.
4. Global Accessibility
Most public clouds have resources and tools available in almost every country and continent, making it possible to maintain remote teams all using the same tools - often already translated into their own languages and adapted to their time zones. Public cloud providers have data centres located in multiple regions around the world with multiple redundancies. This means businesses can easily deploy their applications and data in multiple locations to improve performance and reduce latency.
5. Reliability and Resilience
Public clouds are designed to be resilient, meaning that you can rely on the services, backed with robust failsafe systems to keep your tools and work environments online no matter what. Public clouds typically offer multiple layers of security, including physical security, network security, and data encryption. Moreover, public cloud providers regularly perform security audits and vulnerability assessments to ensure their services are secure.
6. Advanced Security
Public cloud providers invest heavily in security measures to protect their customers' data. Public clouds typically offer multiple layers of security that a small or medium sized business does not have the resources to implement or the budgets to purchase. Moreover, public cloud providers regularly perform security audits and vulnerability assessments to ensure their services are secure. Provider SLAs vary according to the criticality of the customer’s service needs.
7. Innovation and Agility
Public clouds are always adding new tools, creating new environments, and offering customised workflows for every industry. By accessing public clouds for your business resources, you unlock that innovation and agility as well.
Businesses have a lot to gain from expanding their operations into the public cloud. Businesses can build their operations, scale, go global, and try out new tools or services that may expand their capabilities.
Building a secure, efficient and resilient IT environment is essential for every organisation. With a requirement to support fundamental business objectives and goals, your IT infrastructure will be as unique as the organisation itself. It’s vital to understand your needs before deciding on your IT architecture, and to obtain the help and guidance required to ensure cost savings and efficiencies.
BMIT Technologies is among the largest IT solutions provider in Malta, running multiple datacentres and offering expertise in cloud and productivity solutions. We work with HPE to deliver services to customers across the globe.
Experts in industry solutions
BMIT’s expertise specifically targets the requirements of our customers, with industry solutions for large businesses; professionals and legal services; financial services; and gaming, where IT is ‘mission critical’ for the success of their operations.
Large businesses
Leading global names and large local organisations work with BMIT Technologies when they are looking for solutions with requirements in the areas of cloud, infrastructure, productivity and security. Offering private, public and hybrid cloud services and solutions, we also offer managed services to guarantee data and applications are always available and up-to-date.
Professionals and Legal
Right-scaling solutions for professionals, corporate service providers and legal firms, BMIT Technologies personalises services to meet the requirements of each customer, whatever their size. We can assist an IT department in setting up small or larger scale solutions, working with key expert partners, like HPE, to deliver flexible services that match the needs of our customers.
Financial Services
In the fast-paced world of financial services, solutions need to be future-proofed, reliable and protected. BMIT Technologies develops tailormade services to align with each customer’s requirements, ensuring a cost-effective, convenient and reliable solution. We are fully certified, accredited with ISO 27001 in Information Security Management and PCI DSS certifications, as well as using highly secure, sophisticated security and encryption systems.
Gaming
Offering an unrivalled level of expertise and specialised staff, BMIT is the go-to expert for online gaming organisations. We provide a one-stop shop, guaranteeing the best possible IT solutions for all online requirements. This includes advice and support for gaming-regulated jurisdictions, data, front-end and back-end services across different data centres, and a range of managed services.
Building an environment that’s right for you
It’s easy to think in a ‘cloud-first’ world that digital transformation is a simple step to the cloud, moving all workflows with a view to saving money. However, the opposite may be true in many cases. Not everything can be moved to the cloud, and it is crucial to understand exactly what you require, and the associated costs, before provisioning services.
We tailor solutions to the needs of each organisation we work with, and getting the right mix of technology is important. ‘Cloud’ can mean many things – public cloud – where services are owned by a third party; private cloud – services and infrastructure dedicated for your use, but managed by your service provider and residing within a datacentre; hybrid cloud – where private cloud is combined with one or more public cloud service; and multi-cloud – combining multiple clouds from different providers. Additionally, there are decisions to be made around whether equipment resides in a datacentre or is retained in your organisation, if it needs to be managed on a 24/7 basis, and in addition, planning for potential growth.
Hybrid IT solutions can make a real difference in the success of an IT ecosystem; spanning multiple cloud platforms and datacentres, as well as the organisation’s offices and facilities. All this sounds complex, and in many cases it is, and this is why advice and guidance on building a bespoke infrastructure is so important, to ascertain what kind of environment provides the cost savings, agility, efficiency and security that you need to move your organisation forward.
Ultimately, building and managing IT environments requires engaging with a service provider that has the right experience and expertise, but additionally the willingness to advise on the various options, risks, challenges – and opportunities – involved.
Security and efficiency
Building a secure and efficient solution is crucial to the success of an organisation. Security has evolved, with a growing need for organisations to become more resilient as attacks and threats become more sophisticated. Your security stance needs to cover data protection, user security, resilience to distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks as well as network security.
Additionally, your IT environment needs to be compliant; GDPR and similar laws require data protection and privacy, and contravention of these regulations can result in hefty fines or further penalties. Backup systems and disaster recovery plans are vital, and all this needs to protect and support the collaboration, real-time syncing and flexibility that remote workers require. We work with partners to build security into your IT systems, ensuring a robust security stance to protect your users.
No organisation can truly claim to have 100% expertise across the ever-increasing spectrum of IT infrastructure. This is where partnerships play a key role. For example, at BMIT Technologies, we work closely with partners such as HPE to ensure that we can provide the right advice, deploy the right solution and be able to manage and support you as required. Tapping into HPE’s extensive expertise means increased efficiencyand the provision of world-class solutions to our customer base.
This article was originally posted on Cloud28 Plus.
Cloud computing has transformed the way we use technology and enabled new possibilities for innovation and growth.
The concept of ‘cloud’ goes back to 1963, when theDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) gave the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) a $2 million grant forProject MAC. They asked MIT to create a way that two or more people can use a computer simultaneously, sharing its resources and processing power.
Fast forward to 2006 and the launch of Amazon Web Services (AWS)’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) service – a move which laid the foundations for numerous cloud platforms that we are familiar with today.
Defining cloud computing
Microsoft offers a good definition of what cloud computing is: “The delivery of computing services - including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence - over the internet ("the cloud") to offer faster innovation, flexible resources, and economies of scale”.
The core elements of cloud computing
There are three core elements: infrastructure, platform, and software.
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) provides the basic computing resources, such as servers, storage, and networks. Users can rent these resources on demand and pay only for what they use.
Platform as a service (PaaS) provides the tools and frameworks for developing and deploying applications on the cloud. Users can focus on their business logic and leave the management of the infrastructure to the cloud provider.
Software as a service (SaaS) provides the applications that run on the cloud. Users can access these applications through a web browser, or a mobile app. SaaS eliminates the need for installing or updating software on the user's device.
The types of Cloud computing
Cloud environments fall into four broad categories:
Private cloud
This is a dedicated cloud environment used solely by one organisation. It can be hosted on-premises or in a third-party data centre. The organisation has complete control over resources and can tailor them to suit its unique requirements. Private clouds ensure strong security, privacy, and compliance with regulations. However, they entail substantial initial investment and ongoing maintenance expenses.
Public cloud
A shared cloud environment owned by a third-party provider (CSP) that offers cloud services to the public. It provides low cost, scalability, and flexibility, with access to a wide range of services. However, it has limited control, potential security risks, and compliance issues.
Hybrid cloud
Hybrid cloud combines private and public clouds, allowing organisations to use private cloud for sensitive data and applications, while utilising public cloud for less sensitive or scalable ones. It offers security and control of private cloud along with the cost-effectiveness and flexibility of public cloud. However, challenges include complexity, compatibility issues, management overhead, and network latency.
Multi Cloud
A multi cloud is an environment using multiple public clouds from different CSPs. It allows organisations to select the optimal cloud service for their data and applications based on performance, functionality, cost, and location. Multi clouds offer redundancy, availability, and access to diverse services. However, they come with drawbacks like complexity in integration, governance, and optimisation.
Why businesses choose the Cloud
Cloud computing has become so important because it offers many benefits for businesses and individuals. Here are a few:
Scalability and flexibility - Cloud computing allows businesses to scale their resources up or down based on demand. It provides the flexibility to quickly adapt to changing business needs without the need for significant infrastructure investments.
Cost savings - Instead of investing in costly hardware, businesses can use cloud services on a pay-as-you-go basis, paying only for the resources they use. This eliminates the need for upfront capital expenditures and reduces maintenance costs.
Data storage and backup - Cloud storage enables businesses to securely store and access their data without relying on physical servers. It offers scalable storage options and automated backup, ensuring data availability and protection.
Application hosting and development - Cloud platforms provide infrastructure and tools for hosting and developing applications. Businesses can deploy their applications in the cloud, taking advantage of the platform's scalability, performance, and global reach.
Collaboration and remote work - Cloud-based collaboration tools, such as document sharing, project management, and video conferencing, enable teams to work together efficiently, regardless of their location. Cloud computing facilitates remote work by providing access to business applications and data from anywhere with an internet connection.
Disaster recovery and business continuity - Cloud services offer robust disaster recovery solutions, including data replication and backup across multiple geographically dispersed servers. In the event of a system failure or disaster, businesses can quickly restore their operations and minimize downtime.
Data analytics and machine learning - Cloud platforms provide powerful analytics and machine learning capabilities. Businesses can leverage these tools to gain insights from their data, make data-driven decisions, and develop predictive models for various applications, such as customer behaviour analysis and demand forecasting.
Testing and development environments - Cloud environments offer on-demand resources for testing and development purposes. Businesses can quickly provision and configure virtual machines and infrastructure, reducing setup time and costs associated with traditional testing and development environments.
Internet of Things (IoT) integration - Cloud computing supports the integration and management of IoT devices and data. Businesses can collect, analyse, and process data from connected devices, enabling them to derive insights and deliver value-added services.
Enhanced security and compliance - Cloud service providers invest heavily in security measures to protect data and infrastructure. They often offer advanced security features, such as encryption, identity management, and access controls. Additionally, many cloud providers comply with industry standards and regulations, assisting businesses in meeting their compliance requirements.
The challenges and risks - Not all that glitters is gold and this holds true for cloud as well. Cloud computing faces several challenges and risks that need to be addressed by both cloud providers and cloud users.
Data security and privacy - This is the biggest challenge, as users cannot view where their data is processed or stored, and risks of data loss, leakage, theft, breaches, and hijacking can happen. Cloud providers need to ensure that they have robust security measures and encryption mechanisms to protect their customers' data. Cloud users need to be aware of their data protection rights and responsibilities and choose cloud services that comply with relevant regulations and standards.
Cloud management and governance - This involves monitoring, controlling, and optimizing the performance, availability, and costs of cloud resources. Cloud management can be complex and challenging due to the dynamic and distributed nature of cloud environments. Cloud providers need to offer tools and services that enable cloud users to manage their cloud resources effectively. Cloud users need to define clear policies and procedures for cloud usage, allocation, and optimization.
Cloud integration and interoperability - This refers to the ability of cloud services to work seamlessly with other cloud or on-premises systems. Cloud integration can be difficult due to the heterogeneity and diversity of cloud platforms, architectures, and standards. Cloud providers need to ensure that their cloud services are compatible and interoperable with other cloud or on-premises systems. Cloud users need to evaluate their existing systems and requirements before choosing cloud services that can integrate with them.
Internet connectivity and bandwidth - This is a prerequisite for accessing cloud services. Lack of sufficient internet bandwidth is a common problem when transferring large volumes of information to and from cloud data servers. Internet connectivity can also be unreliable or unavailable in some areas or situations. Cloud providers need to ensure that their cloud services are resilient and responsive to network fluctuations. Cloud users need to consider their internet connectivity and bandwidth needs before adopting cloud services.
Moving to the cloud is a decision based on a clear strategy that looks at the long-term costs, data security, compliance, resilience, and business needs. Once the strategy is in place, a cloud environment could help a business achieve its goals and address its IT challenges.
Find the right IT partner is critical to a successful cloud deployment. Talk to our experts at BMIT who can advise you on the cloud environment that best meets your business requirements and setup.
