Perimeter81, Zero Trust Network Access(ZTNA) & its Benefits

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Category: Scale Up

Perimeter81, Zero Trust Network Access(ZTNA) & its Benefits

Posted on by Steve Wilde

Perimeter81, Zero Trust Network Access(ZTNA) & its Benefits

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security framework that ensures secure access to resources in a corporate network. Perimeter 81 is a cloud-based platform that provides ZTNA solutions for businesses. Perimeter 81 is designed to help organizations improve their network security posture by providing a scalable and flexible platform for securing their network perimeter. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of using Perimeter 81 for ZTNA.

Secure Access to Cloud and On-Premises Applications

Perimeter 81 provides secure access to cloud and on-premises applications. It ensures that only authorized users can access these applications. With Perimeter 81, organizations can establish a secure connection between their users and the applications they need to access.

Improved Network Visibility

Perimeter 81 provides organizations with improved network visibility. It allows IT teams to monitor and control user access to applications and resources on the network. This level of visibility enables organizations to detect and respond to potential security threats in real-time.

Simplified Network Management

Perimeter 81 simplifies network management by providing a single platform for managing network security. It allows IT teams to manage access policies, monitor network activity, and configure network security settings from a single dashboard.

Scalable and Flexible Architecture

Perimeter 81 provides a scalable and flexible architecture for securing the network perimeter. It can accommodate the changing needs of an organization’s network and scale to meet the demands of growing user and application traffic.

Easy Deployment and Integration

Perimeter 81 is easy to deploy and integrate into an organization’s existing network infrastructure. It supports a wide range of VPN protocols, and it can integrate with popular identity and access management (IAM) solutions such as Okta and Microsoft Active Directory.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Perimeter 81 provides multi-factor authentication (MFA) for securing user access to applications and resources. It ensures that only authorized users can access the network and prevents unauthorized access attempts.

Comprehensive Security Controls

Perimeter 81 provides comprehensive security controls for securing the network perimeter. It includes features such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and malware protection.

Reduced Complexity and Costs

Perimeter 81 reduces network complexity and costs by providing a cloud-based platform for securing the network perimeter. It eliminates the need for organizations to invest in on-premises hardware and software solutions and reduces the need for IT teams to manage complex network security configurations.

 

Perimeter 81 is a cloud-based ZTNA platform that provides comprehensive security controls for securing the network perimeter. It improves network visibility, simplifies network management, and provides secure access to cloud and on-premises applications. Perimeter 81 is easy to deploy and integrate, and it provides multi-factor authentication for securing user access to the network. With Perimeter 81, organizations can reduce network complexity and costs and improve their overall network security posture.

Perimeter81 and Zero Trust Network Access(ZTNA)

Posted on by Steve Wilde

Perimeter81 and Zero Trust Network Access(ZTNA)

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security model that ensures secure access to corporate resources by granting access based on identity and context rather than physical location. This means that each user has access only to the resources they need, and this access is determined by identity and context. Perimeter81 is a ZTNA solution that integrates several technologies, including identity provider-based authentication and single sign-on, policy-based network segmentation, encrypted tunneling, and real-time activity monitoring, to help organizations manage network access for on-premises or remote employees while reducing the maintenance and hardware costs of physical alternatives.

Policy rules

Policy rules are at the core of ZTNA, and Perimeter81 allows organizations to quickly segment their users into groups and create policies that define which of their connected resources (on-prem servers or apps, public cloud apps, etc.) are accessible to specific groups. Perimeter81’s Firewall as a Service feature, Network Traffic Control, also allows IT to control how traffic flows within the network between objects including users, groups, services, and addresses. Additionally, Device Posture Check grants the power to block access for endpoints that don’t meet posture parameters like certificates, anti-virus software, disk encryption and more. Perimeter81 ZTNA also supports agentless, browser-based connections for application-specific access, allowing organizations to give third-party contractors access to specific applications without exposing the entire corporate network, while controlling and monitoring access with rules based on identity, time, location, and other relevant details.

Monitor and Logging

Zero Trust does not assume that users have good intentions or security hygiene. Therefore, Perimeter81 offers network activity monitoring and logging by default in all their plans. Administrators have access to logs of network activity such as logins, gateway deployments, app access, connected device inventory and more, and can choose to integrate a variety of SIEM services including Amazon S3, Splunk, and Azure Sentinel for more in-depth reporting and analysis.

Identify providers(IdP)

Identity Providers (IdP) act as the foundation for security authentication that can be applied to users and groups. Perimeter81 integrates with Identity Providers, including Google, Azure Directory, and multiple SAML 2.0 solutions like OKTA and OneLogin. This allows organizations to offer seamless network access to employees via Single Sign-On, and grant them specific privileges or limited access that suit their individual role, device, or location.

Backbone of global PoPs for fast remote access

Perimeter81’s backbone of global Points of Presence offers organizations the ability to quickly create a gateway that gives remote employees a lower latency, faster, and encrypted connection to their corporate network. They encrypt with bank-level AES-256 encryption in multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPSec, encouraging organizations to keep connections private in the way that works best for their network infrastructure.

ZTNA versus a Legacy VPN

In comparison to a Legacy VPN, ZTNA offers better scalability, cost-effectiveness, and a higher level of security that serious businesses require. Open-source or self-deployed VPNs like OpenVPN are inexpensive, but insecure (without variable privileges or effective access limitations) and hard to orchestrate for larger firms. VPN services from major firewall providers are overpriced and don’t offer the support that growing businesses require to get set up quickly and easily, or to scale up as their organization expands.

Perimeter81’s ZTNA offers IT teams better encryption over faster connections and enables them to implement security that helps visualize and control the entire network from a single platform. Security professionals are able to create rules that enforce device posture, limit resource access by user and group, orchestrate traffic between network addresses and objects, and monitor activity to ensure everything is working as intended.

Why is Outsourcing IT Support beneficial to a company?

Posted on by Steve Wilde

Why is Outsourcing IT Support beneficial to a company? 

There are several reasons why outsourcing IT support can be beneficial to a company. Some of the main benefits include: 

Cost savings

Outsourcing IT support can be more cost-effective than hiring a full-time in-house IT team. It eliminates the need to pay for expensive employee benefits, training, and equipment. 

Increased expertise

Outsourcing IT support allows a company to access a wider pool of technical expertise than it would be able to find with an in-house team. IT support providers often have a large and experienced staff with a wide range of skills and specialties. 

Scalability

Outsourcing IT support allows a company to scale its IT support needs up or down as needed, without the need to hire or lay off employees. 

Access to the latest technology

IT support providers often have access to the latest technology and tools, which they can use to provide better and more efficient support. 

Improved security

Outsourcing IT support to a reputable provider can help to improve a company’s overall security posture, as IT support providers often have specialized security expertise and can help a company to implement best practices for protecting sensitive data and systems. 

Flexibility

Outsourcing IT support allows a company to redirect internal resources to focus on core business activities. Also, it provides flexibility in working with various levels of support from simple phone support to 24/7 on-site support. 

Keep in mind that while outsourcing IT support may have many benefits, it also requires a company to carefully evaluate and select a reputable provider and have effective communication, monitoring and management to ensure the provider deliver the desired level of service. 

What are key responsibilities of an IT Service Desk that would improve Scalability

Posted on by Steve Wilde

What are key responsibilities of an IT Service Desk that would improve Scalability 

An IT service desk plays a critical role in ensuring that an organization’s IT systems and services are running smoothly and addressing any issues that arise in a timely and efficient manner. Here are a few key responsibilities of an IT service desk that can help to improve scalability: 

Ticket management

An IT service desk should have a system in place for managing and tracking service requests, incidents, and problems. This allows for quick and efficient resolution of issues and allows for better tracking and reporting of performance metrics such as response and resolution times. 

Problem management

The IT service desk should have a process in place for identifying, diagnosing and resolving problems that may arise. This can help to reduce the number of incidents and improve overall system availability and performance. 

Change management

An IT service desk should have a process in place for managing changes to IT systems, including change requests, approvals, testing and implementation. This can help to ensure that changes are properly planned, tested, and implemented, minimizing the risk of service disruptions. 

Knowledge management

The IT service desk should have a system in place for capturing, storing, and sharing knowledge about IT systems, services, and common issues. This can help to improve efficiency, reduce resolution time and improve customer service. 

IT asset management

The IT service desk should have a process in place for tracking, maintaining and disposing of IT assets, including hardware, software and licenses. This can help to ensure that all assets are properly accounted for and utilized, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Automation

The IT service desk should take advantage of automation tools that can speed up resolution times and improve the overall effectiveness of the service. This can include using chatbots, automating repetitive tasks and using Machine Learning to route tickets to the right technician. 

Communication and collaboration

The IT service desk should have a process in place for communicating and collaborating with customers, stakeholders and other teams. This can include regular updates and escalations and involving customers in problem resolution. 

By implementing these key responsibilities, an IT service desk can help to improve scalability by providing efficient and effective support, reducing downtime and improving overall system performance. 

Managing IT infrastructure during a crisis

Posted on by Steve Wilde

Managing IT infrastructure during a crisis

Managing IT infrastructure during a crisis is a challenging task for businesses. A crisis, such as a natural disaster, a cyber-attack, or a pandemic, can disrupt business operations and cause significant damage to IT infrastructure. In this blog post, we’ll explore some best practices for managing IT infrastructure during a crisis.

Develop a Crisis Management Plan

The first step in managing IT infrastructure during a crisis is to develop a crisis management plan. This plan should include procedures for identifying and responding to a crisis, prioritizing critical systems and data, and communicating with stakeholders. It’s essential to review and update the crisis management plan regularly to ensure that it remains effective and relevant.

Ensure Redundancy and Resilience

To manage IT infrastructure during a crisis, businesses should ensure that their systems have redundancy and resilience built-in. Redundancy and resilience can help ensure that critical systems remain operational during a crisis, even if primary systems fail. This includes implementing backup and failover mechanisms, using cloud-based services, and leveraging redundant network and power infrastructure.

Monitor Systems Continuously

During a crisis, it’s essential to monitor systems continuously to identify and respond to any issues quickly. Businesses should implement real-time monitoring and alerting tools that can notify IT staff of any critical issues. Additionally, businesses should establish communication channels to enable IT staff to collaborate and share information effectively.

Prioritize Communication and Coordination

Communication and coordination are essential for managing IT infrastructure during a crisis. Businesses should establish clear communication channels and protocols for IT staff, stakeholders, and customers. It’s also essential to establish coordination mechanisms to ensure that IT staff can work together effectively to respond to a crisis.

Ensure Cybersecurity and Data Protection

During a crisis, businesses may be more vulnerable to cybersecurity threats and data breaches. It’s essential to implement cybersecurity measures and data protection practices to minimize the risk of an attack. This includes implementing multi-factor authentication, using secure backup and storage solutions, and educating employees on cybersecurity best practices.

 

Managing IT infrastructure during a crisis is a complex task that requires planning, preparation, and coordination. By developing a crisis management plan, ensuring redundancy and resilience, monitoring systems continuously, prioritizing communication and coordination, and ensuring cybersecurity and data protection, businesses can minimize the impact of a crisis on their IT infrastructure and ensure business continuity. As such, it’s essential for businesses to prioritize crisis management and invest in the technologies and processes needed to manage IT infrastructure during a crisis.

How would a managed IT Provider be cost-effective?

Posted on by Steve Wilde

How would a managed IT Provider be cost-effective? 

Managed IT providers can be cost-effective for companies in several ways: 

No need to hire and train in-house IT staff

Hiring and training in-house IT staff can be expensive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. With a managed IT provider, you only pay for the services you need, eliminating the need for full-time in-house staff, employee benefits, and other associated costs. 

Access to a wider pool of expertise

Managed IT providers often have a large and experienced staff with a wide range of skills and specializations. This means that you have access to a higher level of expertise than you would be able to find with an in-house team, which can help you to resolve technical issues quickly and efficiently. 

Scalability

As your business grows, so do your IT support needs. Managed IT providers offer scalability in terms of the services provided, which means that you can scale up or down as needed, without the need to hire or lay off staff. 

Savings on equipment and software

Managed IT providers often have access to the latest equipment and software, which they can use to provide better and more efficient support. This can help you to save money on purchasing and maintaining IT equipment and software. 

Predicted IT expenses

With a managed IT provider, you’ll have a predictable IT expense, allowing you to budget accordingly, and reducing unexpected expenses. 

Improved security

Managed IT providers often have specialized security expertise and can help you to implement best practices for protecting sensitive data and systems, which can reduce the cost of potential breaches and mitigate related risks. 

It’s worth noting that while managed IT providers offer a cost-effective solution, it’s important to choose a provider that can deliver the right level of service, at the right cost and aligns with your company’s goals. It’s important to carefully evaluate and select a reputable provider and have effective communication, monitoring, and management in place to ensure that the provider is delivering the desired level of service. 

Best practices for data backup and disaster recovery

Posted on by Steve Wilde

Best practices for data backup and disaster recovery

Data backup and disaster recovery are critical components of any business’s IT strategy. With the ever-increasing volume of data and the growing threat of cyber attacks and natural disasters, businesses must have a robust backup and disaster recovery plan in place to ensure business continuity and protect their valuable data. In this blog post, we’ll explore some best practices for data backup and disaster recovery.

Develop a Backup Strategy

The first step in creating a robust data backup and disaster recovery plan is to develop a backup strategy. This includes identifying the data that needs to be backed up, determining the frequency of backups, and deciding where to store backup data. Businesses should consider using a combination of on-site and off-site backups to ensure redundancy and protection against different types of disasters.

Test Backup and Recovery Processes

Once a backup strategy is in place, it’s essential to regularly test backup and recovery processes to ensure that they’re working correctly. Regular testing can help identify any potential issues before they become critical and ensure that data can be restored quickly in the event of a disaster.

Consider Cloud-Based Backup

Cloud-based backup solutions offer several benefits over traditional backup methods. They provide automatic backups, off-site storage, and scalability, allowing businesses to easily increase their backup capacity as their data needs grow. Additionally, cloud-based backup solutions are often more secure than traditional backup methods, providing protection against cyber attacks and other security threats.

Implement Disaster Recovery Processes

Disaster recovery processes are essential for ensuring business continuity in the event of a disaster. These processes should include identifying critical systems and data, creating redundancy and failover mechanisms, and developing a plan for restoring systems and data quickly in the event of a disaster.

Train Employees

Employees play a critical role in data backup and disaster recovery processes. It’s essential to train employees on the importance of data backup and disaster recovery, their role in the process, and what steps they should take in the event of a disaster. Regular training can help ensure that employees are prepared to act quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster.

 

Data backup and disaster recovery are critical components of any business’s IT strategy. By developing a backup strategy, testing backup and recovery processes, considering cloud-based backup solutions, implementing disaster recovery processes, and training employees, businesses can ensure that they’re prepared to handle any disaster and protect their valuable data. As such, it’s essential for businesses to prioritize data backup and disaster recovery and invest in the technologies and processes needed to ensure business continuity and protect against data loss.

Trends of Cyber Security

Posted on by Steve Wilde

Trends of Cyber Security

One of the main trends in cybersecurity is the continued shift towards cloud-based services, which can bring cost savings, scalability, and other benefits, but also introduces new security challenges. As companies increasingly rely on cloud-based services to store and process sensitive data, securing these services and the data they contain will become increasingly important. 

Another trend is the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in cybersecurity. These technologies can help organizations to detect and respond to security threats more quickly and effectively, but they also raise new challenges, such as the need for transparency and explainability in decision-making.  

Increasing connectivity and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices also presents new cybersecurity challenges. These devices often have limited computing power and memory, making it difficult to secure them, and they can also introduce new vulnerabilities into the network. 

Ransomware attacks are expected to continue to be a major threat, as they have been growing in frequency and sophistication in recent years. 

The increase in remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an impact on cybersecurity. Remote work can create new security challenges, such as the need to secure data and devices outside the traditional corporate network. 

Overall, the cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and threats emerging constantly. Organizations will need to stay informed and adapt to these changes in order to protect themselves 

What are 5 main challenges when you don’t have IT Support

Posted on by Steve Wilde

What are 5 main challenges when you don’t have IT Support 

Not having adequate IT support can present several challenges for a company. Here are five of the main challenges that can arise when a company does not have IT support: 

  1. Downtime: Without IT support, a company may experience prolonged periods of downtime, which can result in lost productivity, revenue, and customer satisfaction. 
  1. Lack of security: Without proper IT support, a company’s data and systems may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which can lead to data breaches and other security incidents. This can cause damage to the company’s reputation and financial losses. 
  1. Difficulty in staying current with technology: Without IT support, a company may have trouble keeping up with the latest technology and software updates, which can result in outdated systems and applications that are less efficient and less secure. 
  1. Difficulty in troubleshooting and resolving issues: Without IT support, a company may struggle to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, which can lead to longer resolution times and increased downtime. 
  1. Difficulty in Managing and Planning for future needs: Without IT support, a company may have difficulty identifying and planning for future IT needs, such as scaling up to accommodate growth or preparing for new regulations. This can lead to a lack of scalability, which can inhibit the company’s growth and development. 

Having a reliable IT support team that can help manage, troubleshoot and plan for future needs can help a company stay competitive and maintain its operations smoothly. It can also help a company protect its sensitive data, ensure the continuity of operations, increase productivity and streamline communication. 

The Role of IT in Digital Transformation

Posted on by Steve Wilde

The role of IT in digital transformation 

Digital transformation is a process of using digital technologies to fundamentally change the way businesses operate and deliver value to customers. In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business environment, digital transformation is becoming a necessity rather than a choice. And IT plays a critical role in enabling and driving this transformation.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of IT in digital transformation and how IT can help businesses stay competitive and relevant in today’s digital age.

Enabling New Business Models

One of the primary roles of IT in digital transformation is enabling new business models. With the emergence of new technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), businesses can leverage these technologies to create new products and services, enter new markets, and even disrupt existing industries. IT can help businesses identify opportunities for digital transformation and develop the technologies and systems needed to make them a reality.

Improving Operational Efficiency

Another important role of IT in digital transformation is improving operational efficiency. By digitizing and automating business processes, IT can help businesses streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve the speed and accuracy of decision-making. For example, a company may use a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to automate and integrate its various business processes, from supply chain management to accounting, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings.

Enhancing Customer Experience

IT can also play a critical role in enhancing customer experience. By leveraging digital technologies such as social media, mobile apps, and data analytics, businesses can gain deeper insights into customer behavior and preferences, and deliver personalized experiences that meet their needs and expectations. For example, a retailer may use data analytics to track customer preferences and behavior, and then use this information to develop targeted marketing campaigns that speak directly to individual customers.

Driving Innovation

Finally, IT can help drive innovation within a business. By providing the tools and technologies needed to experiment and test new ideas, IT can help businesses develop new products and services, explore new markets, and stay ahead of the competition. For example, a company may use agile development methodologies and cloud-based infrastructure to rapidly prototype and test new product ideas, allowing it to quickly iterate and refine its offerings based on customer feedback.

Digital transformation is a complex and multifaceted process, and IT plays a critical role in enabling and driving this transformation. By enabling new business models, improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience, and driving innovation, IT can help businesses stay competitive and relevant in today’s digital age. As such, businesses that want to succeed in the digital era must embrace IT as a key enabler of digital transformation and invest in the technologies, processes, and people needed to drive this change.