ESDS Software Solutions Ltd.

In today\'s highly competitive world, being a startup can become a great challenge. Startups are rich with ideas, passion for developing products, and an elaborative plan to establish themselves. However, the larger counterparts having abundant IT resources and infrastructure can possibly hinder your survival in the marketplace.

Everything that is managed works great, right? So, why not successfully get your organizational security managed?

In sum, hardware issues account for 45% of unplanned downtime. The loss of power (35%), software failure (34%), data corruption (24%), external security breaches (23%), and unintentional user error (20%) are all followed by this.

According to data from Seagate, human errors, such as accidental data loss, improper device management, and other incidents, account for 22% of downtime events. Only 5% of business downtime, according to Seagate, is due to natural disasters. We believe that many corporate leaders lack a solid understanding of business continuity plans and catastrophe recovery plans based on those figures and summaries.

Business continuity is the strength of an organization to continue key operations both during and after a crisis. With the intention of preventing interruptions to mission-critical services and resuming full organization function as quickly and easily as possible, a business continuity plan establishes risk assessment methodologies and procedures.

While we see the other end, a disaster recovery plan is a written declaration created by a corporation that provides detailed instructions on how to handle unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, blackouts, cyber-attacks, and other disruptive occurrences.

What is a Business Continuity Plan (BCP)?

A business continuity plan (BCP) is a process for creating a plan for averting and resolving potential threats to a company. The plan ensures that in the event of a disaster, operations can resume quickly and that personnel and assets are secure.

The most basic requirement for business continuity is to keep crucial functions running throughout a crisis and to recover as quickly as possible. A business continuity plan should cover natural disasters, fires, disease outbreaks, cyberattacks, and other external hazards.

Why do Companies Need Business Continuity Plan?

Every organization needs a business continuity plan to function properly. Threats and disruptions cause a loss of revenue, higher costs, and a drop in profitability. Additionally, because insurance does not cover all expenditures and causes lost customers to the competition, businesses cannot rely primarily on it. Additionally, it typically involves significant stakeholders and personnel and is preplanned. Although maintaining business operations is important for businesses of all sizes, maintaining all services during a crisis may not be practical for all but the largest companies.

Businesses are susceptible to a variety of calamities, with severity levels ranging from minor to catastrophic. Hence BCPs are an integral part of any company. BCP is often designed to help a firm carry on in the face of threats and disruptions. This could lead to a decrease in profitability due to lost income and higher expenses. Additionally, because insurance does not cover all costs or customers who switch to a competitor, businesses cannot rely completely on it.

Businesses are susceptible to a wide range of catastrophes, from minor to catastrophic. A common goal of a business continuity plan is to help a company carry on in the happening of a major disaster, such as a fire. BCPs are different from disaster recovery plans in that they put more emphasis on a company’s IT system’s recovery after a catastrophe.

What is a Disaster Recovery Plan?

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a written strategy and/or procedure that aids a firm in putting recovery procedures into place during emergencies in order to safeguard its IT infrastructure and, more generally, to encourage recovery. Compared to a business continuity plan, a disaster recovery plan is more focused and might not account for all potential outcomes regarding corporate operations, assets, human resource management, and business partners.

Not only can good disaster recovery solutions address major natural or man-made disasters that render a location unworkable, but they also frequently address other types of operational disruption. Disruptions can include things like power outages, communication system breakdowns, temporary access restrictions resulting from explosives threats, prospective fires or small, non-destructive fires, floods, or other incidents. The kind of disaster and the location are typically factors in the creation of a disaster recovery plan. It must contain scripts (instructions) that are simple for anyone to follow.

Why does your Business Need a Disaster Recovery Plan?

Nearly every part of a business is supported by technology; nevertheless, the more we rely on our devices, networks, and software, the more we stand to lose if they fail. To quickly repair and replace IT systems in the case of a failure, every firm has a disaster recovery (DR) strategy in place.

In the event of a disaster leading to system failure, a disaster recovery plan’s objective is to minimize damage or interruption and recover as quickly as feasible. Therefore, the two core elements of the majority of disaster recovery plans are a recovery time target (RTO) and a recovery point objective (RPO)

The RTO, which measures how long it takes to restore systems after an outage, has an impact on how quickly corporate operations may be resumed. The RPO establishes a time range for how long the company can suffer data loss, which reveals how frequently a backup is necessary.

Why are Both a BCP and DRP Essential for Business Sustainability?

Both man-made and natural disasters, such as espionage and cyberattacks, can have a negative impact on business operations. Natural disasters include hurricanes, storms, fires, cyclones, and earthquakes. For instance, businesses had to adapt to the need for many of their employees to work remotely after the pandemic. Despite the initial difficulties, the majority were able to transition to situations that allowed them to function in this new environment. Particularly for businesses with business continuity and disaster recovery plans in order, this was true. This highlights the value of a BCP and DRP.

BCPs and DRPs assist in minimizing the effects of tragedies on business operations, as shown by the responses of businesses to the pandemic. With the help of a successful BCP and DRP, businesses are better prepared to handle catastrophes both while and after they occur.

You need both a business continuity plan and a disaster recovery plan to tackle operational challenges brought on by disasters since they are complementary. They are frequently referred to as BC/DR, or business-continuity/disaster-recovery, due to their close connection.

51% of businesses have no plans in place for handling this kind of situation.

The goal of a disaster recovery strategy is absent in 75% of small enterprises.

93% of businesses that experience a significant data disaster without disaster recovery go out of Business within a year.

Our Word

A DRP that is prepared to take action when a disaster strikes an organization is included in the business continuity plan. Companies can use either the business continuity plan or the disaster recovery plan —or both—during a crisis, depending on the circumstances. BCP and DR are two ideas that are frequently seen as being connected; while they do not exactly represent the same concept, they do overlap in certain areas and work best when developed simultaneously. Both are preventative measures that aid companies in becoming ready for unexpected, disastrous events. ESDS’ DR services adopt a proactive strategy, attempting to lessen the effects of a disaster before it happens, as opposed to reacting to one.

RPO Definition

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Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is\r\n a metric that defines the maximum acceptable amount of data loss a \r\nbusiness or organization can tolerate in the event of a disaster or data\r\n loss situation. It represents the time when a company’s data must be \r\nrecovered to minimize the impact of a disaster on its operations. The \r\nRPO helps organizations plan and implement disaster recovery and \r\nbusiness continuity strategies.

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Because it relates to the last point \r\nwhen the organization’s data was maintained in a usable manner, it also \r\nprescribes methods for disaster recovery planning, including the permissible backup interval. In the case of an RPO of 30 minutes, every 30 minutes, a backup must be performed.

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What is a Recovery Point Objective?

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In simple words, the loss tolerance of \r\nan organization, or how much data it can lose without suffering \r\nsignificant harm, is the RPO recovery point objective. RPO is a time-based evaluation of the maximum amount of data loss that an organization can tolerate. RPO, also known as the backup recovery point objective, is crucial in establishing whether an organization’s backup schedule is sufficient to recover from a disaster.

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The recovery point goal is crucial since\r\n data loss is almost always possible during a disaster. In many cases, \r\nreal-time backups cannot completely prevent data loss when large-scale \r\nfailures occur.

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Why is RPO Important?

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Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) are important in determining a company’s disaster recovery and business continuity strategies.

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As the world shifts towards remote work,\r\n cybersecurity has become a top priority for companies of all sizes. \r\nWith the rise of digital communication and the increasing reliance on cloud services,\r\n businesses are now more vulnerable to cyber threats than ever before. \r\nCybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, making it crucial \r\nfor companies to maintain high digital hygiene standards to protect \r\ntheir valuable assets.

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In this article, we’ll explore the \r\nimportance of cybersecurity in the age of remote work and how digital \r\nhygiene can help safeguard your company’s future. We’ll discuss the top \r\ncyber threats facing modern businesses, the best practices for \r\nmaintaining digital hygiene, and how to create a cybersecurity strategy \r\nthat can keep your company safe from potential attacks. So, whether \r\nyou’re a small business owner or a CEO of a large corporation, read on \r\nto learn how to protect your company’s digital assets and maintain a \r\nsecure future.

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Understanding the Top Cyber Threats Facing Modern Businesses

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In today’s digital age, businesses are \r\nconstantly under attack from cybercriminals. From phishing scams to \r\nransomware attacks, cyber threats come in many forms and can cause \r\nsignificant damage to businesses of all sizes. One of the most common \r\ncyber threats facing modern businesses is phishing. Phishing is a type \r\nof social engineering attack that uses fraudulent emails or messages to \r\ntrick individuals into giving away sensitive information. These emails \r\noften appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or a company\r\n that the recipient does business with. Once the victim provides their \r\nlogin credentials or other sensitive information, the attacker can use \r\nthat information to gain access to their accounts or steal their \r\nidentity.

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Another common cyber threat facing \r\nmodern businesses is ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that \r\nencrypts a victim’s files and demands payment in exchange for the \r\ndecryption key. Ransomware attacks can be devastating for businesses, as\r\n they can lead to the loss of valuable data and significant downtime. \r\nOther common cyber threats facing modern businesses include malware, \r\nDDoS attacks, and insider threats.

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What is Digital Hygiene?

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Digital hygiene refers to the practices \r\nand habits individuals adopt to maintain their online health and \r\nwell-being. In today’s hyper-connected world, we spend a significant \r\namount of our time on digital platforms. As we navigate the virtual \r\nworld, we expose ourselves to various risks like cyberbullying, identity\r\n theft, phishing attacks, and more. Digital hygiene aims to protect us \r\nfrom such threats by promoting responsible and safe online behavior. So,\r\n what is digital hygiene, and why is it essential? To put it simply, \r\ndigital hygiene involves everything from securing your passwords to \r\nbeing mindful of the content you consume online. It is similar to \r\npersonal hygiene, where you take measures to keep yourself clean and \r\nhealthy. In the same way, digital hygiene involves taking steps to keep \r\nyour online identity and data secure.

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Importance of Digital Hygiene in Cybersecurity

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Maintaining good digital hygiene is \r\ncrucial for protecting your company’s assets from cyber threats. Digital\r\n hygiene refers to the practices and routines that individuals and \r\norganizations use to keep their digital devices and data safe from cyber\r\n threats. Good digital hygiene can help prevent cyber-attacks, reduce \r\nthe risk of data breaches, and protect your company’s reputation. Some \r\nof the best practices for maintaining good digital hygiene include using\r\n strong passwords, keeping software up to date, and regularly backing up\r\n data.

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Using strong passwords is one of the \r\nmost important aspects of digital hygiene. Passwords should be at least \r\neight characters long and should include a combination of uppercase and \r\nlowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Passwords should also be \r\nchanged regularly, and password reuse should be avoided. Keeping \r\nsoftware up to date is also crucial for maintaining good digital \r\nhygiene. Software updates often include security patches that can help \r\nprotect against known vulnerabilities.

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In today\'s digital age, data centers play a crucial role in the storage, processing, and management of vast amounts of information. As businesses and organizations continue to expand their digital footprint, the demand for reliable and efficient data centers in India has surged. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 data centers in India that are leading the way in providing cutting-edge infrastructure and services. So, let\'s dive in and discover the powerhouses of data management in India.

1. Tata Communications

Tata Communications is a global leader in providing data center solutions. With a strong presence in India, they offer state-of-the-art facilities that are designed to meet the highest standards of security, scalability, and reliability. Their data centers boast advanced cooling systems, redundant power supplies, and robust network connectivity, ensuring uninterrupted operations for their clients.

2. Netmagic (an NTT Communications company)

Netmagic, a subsidiary of NTT Communications, is one of India\'s premier data center providers. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including colocation, cloud computing, managed hosting, and network solutions. Netmagic\'s data centers are equipped with advanced security measures, redundant infrastructure, and excellent connectivity, making them an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes.

3. ESDS

ESDS is a homegrown data center provider known for its cutting-edge infrastructure and innovative offerings. They provide a range of services, including cloud hosting, managed data centers, and eNlight Cloud, their patented intelligent cloud platform. ESDS\' facilities are designed to offer high availability, energy efficiency, and cost optimization for businesses.

4. CtrlS

CtrlS is a leading player in the Indian data center market, known for its innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Their data centers are built to withstand natural disasters and provide uninterrupted services. With multiple Tier-4 certified facilities across the country, CtrlS offers exceptional uptime and high levels of security, making them a preferred choice for enterprises.

5. Sify Technologies

Sify Technologies is a prominent player in the Indian data center landscape, offering a wide array of services, including colocation, cloud hosting, and managed services. Their data centers are strategically located across various cities in India, providing businesses with the flexibility and scalability they need. Sify\'s facilities adhere to industry-leading standards and offer robust security features to protect sensitive data.

6. Web Werks

Web Werks is a leading data center provider known for its state-of-the-art infrastructure and excellent customer support. They offer a comprehensive range of services, including colocation, cloud hosting, disaster recovery, and managed services. Web Werks\' data centers are equipped with advanced security systems, redundant power and cooling, and high-speed connectivity, ensuring optimal performance for their clients.

7. GPX Global Systems

GPX Global Systems is a pioneer in providing carrier-neutral data centers in India. They offer world-class infrastructure with multiple Tier-4 certified data centers. GPX\'s facilities are known for their robust connectivity options, low-latency network, and scalable solutions, catering to the needs of diverse industries such as finance, media, and e-commerce.

8. NxtGen

NxtGen is a rapidly growing data center provider that focuses on delivering innovative solutions to its clients. Their data centers are designed with a modular approach, allowing businesses to scale their infrastructure as per their requirements. NxtGen\'s facilities offer high-density computing, energy-efficient operations, and stringent security measures.

9. STT GDC India

STT GDC India is a leading data center operator with a strong presence across major cities in the country. They offer carrier-neutral colocation services, cloud connectivity, and managed hosting solutions. STT GDC\'s data centers adhere to global standards and are equipped with advanced technologies to ensure reliable and secure operations.

10. Nxtra Data (Airtel)

Nxtra Data, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, is a prominent name in the Indian data center industry. They offer a wide range of services, including colocation, cloud, managed hosting, and disaster recovery solutions. Nxtra Data\'s facilities are equipped with advanced technologies, robust security measures, and 24x7 support, making them a preferred choice for businesses across various sectors.

By leveraging the services of these top data centers, businesses can benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructure, high security standards, reliable connectivity, and excellent customer support. When it comes to managing and storing critical data, choosing the right data center partner is crucial for success.

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Stolen passwords are a factor in 81% of breaches, highlighting the critical importance of cyber security.\r\n It has long been known that passwords are not secure. They are \r\ndifficult to recall and simple to lose, making them susceptible to \r\nvarious cyber security threats. They are also the primary target of \r\nonline fraudsters, underscoring the need for robust cyber security \r\nmeasures.

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Without the use of a password, \r\npasswordless authentication verifies a user’s identity, enhancing cyber \r\nsecurity. The usage of biometrics (fingerprint, retina scans) or \r\npossession factors (registered smartphones, one-time passwords [OTP], \r\netc.) as opposed to passwords is safer and more resilient against cyber \r\nsecurity attacks.

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Let’s take a closer look at passwordless authentication and its significance in cyber security.

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What Kinds of Authentication Are Passwordless?

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There are many methods to accomplish passwordless authentication, all contributing to better cyber security. To name a few:

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Biometrics: A person \r\ncan be uniquely identified by physical characteristics like fingerprints\r\n or retinal scans, enhancing cyber security. Behavioral traits like \r\ntyping and touchscreen dynamics also play a role in this secure \r\nauthentication method.

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Aspects of Possession: \r\nAuthentication by possession or item that the user is carrying, adding\r\n to cyber security. A hardware token, an OTP sent through SMS, or a code\r\n produced by a smartphone authenticator app are a few examples.

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Magic Links: When a \r\nuser inputs their email address, the system automatically sends them an \r\nemail. The email includes a link that, when clicked, gives the user \r\naccess, improving cyber security.

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What is IT Infrastructure Security?

IT infrastructure security encompasses the strategies and measures to safeguard your business data, mitigating the risks associated with cyber threats and data breaches. It extends its protective umbrella over various aspects, from corporate hardware and software to user devices and cloud resources.

Maintaining a trustworthy and fortified IT infrastructure is pivotal in averting potential challenges. These include the financial and operational fallout from data breaches, the disruptive impact of malicious malware on your operations and data integrity, costly system failures leading to downtime, financial setbacks resulting from data theft, ransom payouts, and recovery expenses, as well as penalties incurred for non-compliance with stringent data protection regulations.

To protect your IT infrastructure, here are the 12 best IT security tips

1. Invest in User Education for IT Security

Your employees, while well-intentioned, may not have cybersecurity at the forefront of their minds. Investing in comprehensive IT security education is crucial. Provide a curriculum with practical examples and follow up with testing to ensure that IT security concepts are understood and retained.

2. Understand IT Security Threats

IT professionals should be well-versed in network and system administration but must also comprehend the various IT security threats that loom on the internet. Keep abreast of common threats such as phishing, malvertising, and browser injections by following IT security experts and organizations like OWASP.

3. Practice Good User Account Management

Implementing sound user account management practices, like two-factor authentication and regular password updates, might seem bothersome to users but is essential for IT security. Rotating passwords, requiring VPN access for external connections, and conducting compliance audits can help contain account compromises.

4. Keep Your IT Software Updated

Outdated software is a prime target for cyber attackers. Establish a routine for updating your IT software to remain current and less susceptible to exploitation.

5. Maintain Secure Backups

While backups won’t prevent IT security attacks, they can minimize the impact of such incidents. Keep backups separate from your primary network to ensure they remain uncompromised in case of a network breach.

6. Segment Your IT Network

Not all parts of your IT network are equally critical. Consider segmenting your network to restrict unnecessary interactions. For instance, create a ‘guest’ network for external connections, separating them from your core network. Focus your cybersecurity measures on the most critical components of your IT infrastructure.

7. Establish an IT BYOD Policy

In today’s world of personal devices, personal smartphones and tablets are commonplace. However, these devices pose potential threats to your network if not appropriately managed. Develop and enforce policies regarding how these devices can interact with your IT infrastructure, including access limitations, security certificate requirements, or even prohibitions.

8. Retire Old IT Devices & Services

As your organization evolves, older IT devices and services can become obsolete. Retire and remove them from your network to streamline management and reduce potential IT security vulnerabilities.

9. Test Your IT Security and IT Infrastructure

Keep your user education plan up to date as new threats emerge. Continuously test its effectiveness, ensuring that employees follow incident reporting procedures and that IT responds promptly to concerns. Consider designating a cyber hygiene trainer responsible for overseeing this crucial aspect of your IT operation.

10. Encrypt Critical IT Information

Encrypting critical data in your IT infrastructure can significantly reduce the risk of data loss in a breach. Encryption renders the content inaccessible without the appropriate keys. Prioritize encrypting your most sensitive and confidential IT information.

11. Secure Cyber-Insurance for Your IT Infrastructure

It’s impossible to eliminate 100% of cyber risk. Standard insurance policies often don’t cover data loss due to a breach. Cyber insurance is essential in protecting your organization from potential third-party liabilities and costly lawsuits in the event of an IT security incident.

12. Monitor Your IT Network(s)

Maintain constant awareness of the devices on your network. Understand how they interact with your IT infrastructure and promptly identify abnormal behavior. Your Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system plays a pivotal role in monitoring. Address unusual activities decisively and swiftly to bolster your IT security.

Cloud Computing includes the delivery of on-demand user computing resources over the Internet, with resources being used and charged on a Pay-Per-Consume basis. With Cloud Computing, businesses can easily rent resources hosted on the Cloud from Cloud Service Providers like ESDS. Also, by using Cloud Computing Solutions, companies can cut down their overhead costs & reduce the complexity of owning & maintaining their in-house IT infrastructure.