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IoT Technologies and Trends: What You Should Know About Them

Daniel Segun
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IoT Technologies and Trends: What You Should Know About Them

Here, I will talk about IoT technologies and trends.

These days, the Internet of Things (IoT) is considered one of the most promising technologies with the hugest potential to change a lot of industries and, consequently, many processes and tasks in our daily and professional lives.

The IoT market is actively expanding. It is predicted that in 2023, the IoT market’s total revenue will reach $1,177 billion. This is an impressive figure, but analysts forecast that the industry will be able to get even more funds in the future.

Today, IoT-powered solutions already have a lot of use cases. They are applied to automate multiple processes within numerous industries to increase product safety, productivity, efficiency, and quality thanks to real-time access to valuable data.

With the expansion of such products’ functionality and the introduction of new advancements in this field, the popularity of IoT systems is growing. This trend can be a good explanation for the increase in demand for the services of the top IoT providers.

Reaching the desired results is not enough to deliver a solution. It is also necessary to ensure that this solution is reliable and secure enough and can be seamlessly integrated into your broader IT system.

Another important thing to do if you want to fully leverage all the opportunities that the Internet of Things offers is to analyze the ongoing situation in the industry, detect the latest trends, and ensure that the most relevant technologies will power your product.

To help you with this task, we’ve prepared the following short overview of the current IoT technologies and trends.

IoT And Blockchain

IoT And Blockchain

These two emerging technologies can be used together and become an excellent symbiosis. Thanks to the introduction of blockchain, it is possible to greatly increase security, transparency, and trust in IoT systems.

Unfortunately, it’s worth admitting that IoT devices are often vulnerable to attacks. It is explained by the fact that they are connected to the internet (or the local network). This means that malicious actors can easily target them.

With the implementation of the blockchain, it becomes possible to rely on a secure and tamper-resistant ledger to store information about IoT devices and their data. By applying blockchain for device authentication and access control, you can also enhance the entire security of IoT ecosystems.

Moreover, thanks to smart contracts that can be issued on blockchain networks, it is possible to automate many actions efficiently. When predefined conditions are met, these contracts will be executed simultaneously.

Digital Twins

A digital twin represents a physical item or process in a virtual format. These representations can be applied to individual devices, systems, or even cities. They can be described as detailed, real-time digital replicas and can be used for tracking, analysis, and simulation. 

Thanks to the capability of IoT devices to collect real-time data from physical assets, such as machinery, vehicles, or infrastructure, it is possible to increase the accuracy and efficiency of such digital twins. The collected data is sent to the corresponding digital twin for analysis.

As such solutions are created to provide insights into optimizing operations, they need to analyze the freshest data. That’s exactly what IoT devices can provide.

In general, integrating IoT and digital twins provides a wide range of advantages across various industries, including but not limited to manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, and many others.

It helps companies gain highly valuable insights into their operations and the performance of their machinery, equipment, tools, and production lines, enhance decision-making, and optimize their business processes while minimizing risks and costs.

5G

5G

Another technology that has an important impact on developing IoT systems is 5G. IoT solutions can demonstrate the best performance only when they have permanent access to the latest data IoT sensors collect.

Real-time data transmission is essential for autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, smart city infrastructure, and other IoT cases. IoT systems can’t fulfill their tasks if the connection is lost or not stable enough. However, the introduction of 5G connectivity can change the game.

5G networks offer ultra-fast data speeds, significantly reducing latency compared to previous generations of wireless technology. 

5G networks support many devices per square kilometer, which is important for the proliferation of IoT devices. This scalability allows for deploying sensors and devices across various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and smart homes.

IoT Technologies and Trends: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the future trends of IoT technologies?

The future of IoT is brimming with potential. Here are some exciting trends to watch:

  • AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things): Merging AI with IoT creates intelligent devices that can learn, adapt, and anticipate user needs. Imagine smart thermostats that adjust to your preferences or refrigerators that order groceries when running low.
  • Edge Computing: Processing data closer to where it’s generated (on devices or local servers) reduces latency and improves efficiency for bandwidth-intensive applications.
  • Cybersecurity advancements: As the number of connected devices explodes, robust security measures are crucial. We’ll see advancements in encryption, authentication, and threat detection to safeguard IoT ecosystems.
  • Focus on interoperability: Ensuring seamless communication between devices from various manufacturers will be key to creating a truly unified IoT experience.
  • The rise of low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN): These networks enable long-range communication for battery-powered devices, expanding the reach of IoT applications.

What are the current IoT technologies?

Current IoT technologies are already transforming various industries. Here are some notable examples:

  • Smart homes: Connected thermostats, lighting systems, appliances, and security devices create automated and personalized living environments.
  • Wearable technology: Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health monitors collect user data for health and wellness insights.
  • Industrial IoT (IIoT): Sensors in manufacturing facilities monitor equipment performance, predict maintenance needs, and optimize production processes.
  • Smart cities: Connected infrastructure enables efficient traffic management, waste collection, utility management, and environmental monitoring.

What is the trend of IoT-connected devices?

The trend for connected devices is a sharp upward trajectory. Forecasts predict a massive increase in connected devices in the coming years, reaching tens of billions globally. This growth will be driven by factors like:

  • Decreasing sensor costs: Making it more affordable to integrate sensors into everyday objects.
  • Improved connectivity options: Advancements in network technologies like 5G will facilitate widespread IoT adoption.
  • Growing demand for automation and remote monitoring: People and businesses increasingly seek connected solutions for convenience and efficiency.

What is the trend in IoT in 2025?

Looking ahead to 2025, we can expect even deeper integration of AI and IoT, leading to more intelligent and autonomous devices. Security will remain a top priority, with advancements in authentication and encryption methods.

Additionally, interoperability standards will likely become more prominent, allowing devices from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly. The focus on sustainability is expected to grow, with IoT solutions used to optimize energy usage and promote environmentally friendly practices. Overall, 2025 promises to be a pivotal year for IoT’s continued growth and evolution.

Conclusion

The Internet of Things is a rapidly evolving field. The solutions regularly introduced by various businesses are gradually becoming more and more advanced. However, it is worth bearing in mind that some basic issues may obstruct the introduction of further innovations.

Among these issues, we can name security and data protection risks, dependency on the battery life of devices, and poor connection. Such problems should be efficiently addressed shortly to allow the industry to develop further.

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What Is Business Benefits Of The Blockchain Market?

Daniel Segun
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What Is Business Benefits Of The Blockchain Market?

Blockchain technology has dramatically evolved and is widely used worldwide. Hence, more and more businesses are searching for ways to use this technology in their project. Check out this article to learn more about blockchain’s benefits for business.

Indeed, blockchain technology is quite popular nowadays for various reasons. It has plenty of advantages and is widely used in diverse industries.

The majority of companies interact with this technology by accepting cryptocurrency payments. Still, there are lots of other benefits that this technology can bring to your business. 

Do you want to learn about other helpful blockchain solutions that can increase revenue? Are you searching for custom blockchain solutions? Then, keep reading and discover the opportunities this technology can bring your business. 

Main Advantages And Drawbacks Of Blockchain Technology

Main Advantages And Drawbacks Of Blockchain Technology

As aforementioned, blockchain technology has lots of pros. First, it provides transparency, and its transactions ledger for public addresses is open to viewing. Secondly, its decentralized nature leads to faster transactions and increases efficiency.

Thirdly, this technology is far more secure than any other record-keeping system. Each transaction is encrypted and tied to the previous one. Hence, you don’t need to look for proxy servers to ensure your data is safe. Plus, blockchain reduces costs and provides 24/7 access to funds.

Still, even with all these pluses, this technology has some cons. They should be taken into consideration by any business that plans to apply blockchain. 

First of all, some governments don’t recognize the value of cryptocurrencies. Secondly, this technology offers irreversible transactions. Plus, the transaction can be very slow due to various reasons. 

So, companies should evaluate each use case individually. It’s essential to ensure that investing in blockchain technology will benefit them. 

Benefits Of Blockchain For Business

Benefits Of Blockchain For Business

But what are blockchain technology’s benefits, and how can it be used in your business? As stated above, it has plenty of features that increase efficiency and reduce the costs of transactions. Blockchain helps your business to grow as it:

  • creates trust between participants 
  • can handle transactions faster
  • ensures the safety and security of transactions and minimizes fraud attacks
  • enables effective monitoring and auditing by participants

(Benefits of blockchain)

It has the potential for many use cases, and this technology will evolve shortly. Hence, businesses should keep exploring the benefits of blockchain.

They need to find possible ways of implementing it in their projects. Investigating and applying this technology can help them create new tools and apps and increase their income. 

Blockchain Business Opportunity

Blockchain Business Opportunity

There are many ideas on how blockchain technology can be used in various spheres. For instance, when it comes to the healthcare sector, it can help store and protect medical records and enhance traceability. 

If we talk about media and entertainment, blockchain can be used to create a database for music copyright. Moreover, it can help protect users’ data on social networks.

Plus, it can reduce costs in the real estate segment by securely connecting sellers and buyers. In this case, they can negotiate without third parties and make deals without extra fees. 

Business Benefits Of The Blockchain Market: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of blockchain for business?

Businesses can leverage blockchain for:

  • Enhanced Security & Trust: Blockchain’s tamper-proof ledger fosters trust and transparency in transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
  • Increased Efficiency & Speed: Streamlined processes and faster transaction settlements save time and money.
  • Cost Reduction: Removing intermediaries and automating tasks reduces operational costs.
  • Improved Traceability & Transparency: Track products, assets, and data movement seamlessly throughout a supply chain.
  • Innovation & New Business Models: Unlock new possibilities like secure data sharing and tokenization of assets.

What are the benefits of blockchain in digital marketing?

Blockchain can bring:

  • Transparency in Ad Campaign Tracking: Eliminate ad fraud and ensure accurate campaign measurement.
  • Improved Data Security & Customer Targeting: Securely manage customer data and personalize marketing campaigns more effectively.
  • Enhanced Content Protection & Royalties: Protect digital content ownership and streamline royalty payments for creators.

How are Blockchains used in business?

Businesses use blockchain across various sectors:

  • Supply Chain Management: Track goods from origin to destination, ensuring authenticity and reducing counterfeiting.
  • Financial Services: Facilitate secure, efficient cross-border payments and smart contracts and automate transactions.
  • Healthcare: Securely store and manage patient data, streamline medical record sharing, and enable trackable medication distribution.

How does blockchain help the economy?

Blockchain can:

  • Reduce Friction in Transactions: Lower transaction costs and processing times through automation.
  • Promote Financial Inclusion: Provide access to financial services for unbanked populations.
  • Enhance Transparency & Accountability: Improve trust and reduce corruption in financial systems.

What is the primary purpose of blockchain?

The core purpose is to create a secure, decentralized, and transparent ledger system for recording and tracking transactions. This eliminates the need for a central authority to verify transactions, fostering trust and streamlining processes.

Conclusion

All in all, it’s impossible to deny that blockchain technology will keep developing. Therefore, more and more businesses will look for ways to implement it in their project. Even though this technology is immature, it has already shown how beneficial it could be. 

Diverse industries use it in their projects as it brings diverse advantages. It lets them reduce costs, increase efficiency, and ensure all transactions are safe. Moreover, companies search for new blockchain opportunities that help increase income.

Some organizations create NFTs and raise funds by selling digital assets to clients. It’s also possible to invest in ICO as more and more projects offer such an option.

So, blockchain business opportunities have only begun to be explored. Therefore, it’s the right time to consider how this technology can benefit your use case. 

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5 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Magento eCommerce Store

Daniel Segun
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5 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Magento eCommerce Store

This post reveals five ways to improve the security of your Magento eCommerce store.

An alarming report shows that over 90% of small online enterprises are prone to data breaches. Because of this, building security authentication for eCommerce should never be a one-time effort once your site is up and running.

Your site must be safeguarded from the prying eyes of hackers notorious for stealing data at any time. Here are five ways to improve your Magento store security:

5 Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Magento eCommerce Store

1. Use HTTPS and Run a Site Security Audit

Use HTTPS and Run a Site Security Audit

HTTPS has become the industry standard for internet security. Sites with the old HTTP protocol have more significant security risks. Businesses exclusively using HTTPS for payment gateways that handle sensitive data have fewer online safety threats. 

In the age of password breach concerns, eCommerce business owners are migrating their entire site to HTTPS. It protects the security of their payment sections and all other pages on their website. It also safeguards your customers’ data.

Site security is not a passive activity. You must monitor your eCommerce business regularly to spot any suspicious activities. Sure, many components of your site’s security, such as scheduled backups and routers, can be automated, but you should be aware of a lot more to security trust. You can use Magento security audit to determine if your site has enough features to detect and block malicious behaviors.

2. Never Save Credit Card Info on Your Backend

Saving credit card information may be against the law, depending on where you are. Even if it’s not, it is still unethical. Never keep credit card information online to protect your E-Commerce shop from any online threats.

Since third-party suppliers process E-Commerce payments, they can represent a significant risk to your company’s and clients’ credit card details.

READ ALSO: How To Make Your Thrift Store A Success

3. Use Safety Plugins and Get Your Customers Involved

Plugins are helpful to E-Commerce stores worldwide that use platforms that support them. For example, Wordfence Security is a plugin that provides E-commerce sites with a robust security system that works with the online application firewall. This plugin protects your website and gives you a real-time view of your traffic and any potential hacking activity.

Even if you take all the measures to keep your customers’s information safe, there are still dangers that their accounts can be stolen.

While you can’t dictate how to create a secure account for your client, you may apply basic security features like CIAM authentication or a strong password for better protection.

4. Secure Your Admin Dashboard

Secure Your Admin Dashboard

Hackers may access your eCommerce site in various ways, but the simplest is to gain access to your Admin account. Hackers need one easy password to start sneaking through your admin panel, uncovering the information they’re looking for—and even locking you out.

Many website owners leave their admin login credentials as quickly as “admin” for the username and “password” for the passcode. Later on, they are surprised when their admin panel is accessed by someone else.

When eCommerce sites are created, the default login is Admin, and many vendors are so caught up in the rush of getting things up and running that they never change it. Don’t be like them.

5. Backups Now and Then

It’s infuriating when your eCommerce store website has been hacked, and all your business and client information has been compromised. It’s upsetting to discover that someone has been looking at your website, especially when you discover the damage it caused.

Attackers can do everything from copying your data to destroying and preventing you from reaccessing it. When you have a copy of your database, it’s easier to rebuild your site if any unfortunate event happens.

There you go! 5 things to do for your Magento store security.

Ways To Improve The Security Of Your Magento eCommerce Store: FAQs

Running a successful Magento store requires keeping your customers’ data safe and secure. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you fortify your store’s defenses:

How can I keep my Magento store software up-to-date?

  • Updates are crucial: Outdated software can have vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Magento releases regular updates with security patches. Make installing these updates a top priority.
  • Automatic updates (optional): Consider enabling automatic updates for security patches, but thoroughly test them on a staging environment before deploying them to your live store to avoid compatibility issues.

What are some strong password practices for my Magento store?

  • Complexity is critical: Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using dictionary words, personal information, or easily guessable phrases.
  • Unique passwords: Don’t reuse the same password for your Magento store login and other accounts. Consider a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords.
  • Enforce strong passwords: Configure Magento to enforce password complexity requirements for all user accounts.

Should I be using HTTPS on my Magento store?

  • Absolutely! HTTPS encrypts communication between your store and customers’ browsers, protecting sensitive data like credit card information from being intercepted by hackers.
  • Customer trust and SEO: Having an SSL certificate for HTTPS also builds customer trust and can boost your store’s SEO.

What additional security measures can I take?

  • Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all admin accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from a phone app or security key and the password to log in.
  • Limit admin user access: Only grant admin privileges to users who need them. Regularly review and remove unused accounts.
  • Security extensions: Consider installing reputable security extensions offering malware scanning, monitoring login attempts, and firewalls.

How can I stay informed about Magento security threats?

  • Subscribe to Magento security advisories: Sign up for Magento’s security advisory notifications to stay updated on the latest vulnerabilities and available patches.
  • Security blogs and forums: Follow security blogs and forums related to Magento to learn about emerging threats and best practices.

By implementing these steps, you can significantly improve the security of your Magento store and protect your customers’ data. Security is an ongoing process, so stay vigilant and adapt your approach as needed.

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Web skimming: Hackers Target Online Shoppers with Google Analytics

John Raymond | ✔️Fact-checked by: Christian Schmitz
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Web skimming: Hackers Target Online Shoppers with Google Analytics

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of web skimming, how it exploits Google Analytics, and what you can do to safeguard your sensitive data while shopping online.

While you browse online stores adding items to your cart, unseen threats may lurk beneath the surface. Web skimming, a devious tactic employed by hackers, targets online shoppers by exploiting vulnerabilities in a website’s Google Analytics implementation.

How Does Web Skimming Work?

How Does Web Skimming Work?

Traditionally, Google Analytics is a valuable tool for website owners to understand user behavior. It tracks metrics like page views, traffic sources, and user demographics, providing valuable insights into how customers interact with the website.

However, this very functionality can be turned against unsuspecting users by malicious actors. Hackers can inject malicious code into a website’s codebase, often disguised as legitimate Google Analytics scripts. This rogue script lurks silently in the background, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.

When a customer reaches the checkout page and enters sensitive information like credit card details, billing address, and CVV code, the malicious script springs into action.

It can either directly steal this information and transmit it to the hacker’s server or manipulate the legitimate Google Analytics code to funnel the stolen data through that channel. This makes it even trickier to detect, as the malicious activity appears to originate from a trusted source.

Why Target Google Analytics?

Google Analytics’ ubiquity makes it a prime target for hackers. Because it’s a legitimate and trusted service used by countless websites, malicious code can be cleverly disguised within the Google Analytics script.

This cloaking technique makes it challenging for security software to identify the threat, allowing the hackers’ code to operate undetected for extended periods.

Furthermore, Google Analytics often has permission to access various parts of a website, including forms that handle sensitive payment information. This broad access gives hackers a potential backdoor to steal the very data they’re after.

How to Protect Yourself from Web Skimming

How to Protect Yourself from Web Skimming

Web skimmers are crafty, so a multi-layered defense is essential. Here’s how to be a savvier online shopper:

  • Look for the padlock: Ensure the website uses HTTPS encryption, indicated by a padlock symbol in your browser’s address bar. HTTPS scrambles data like credit card details and shipping information, making it unreadable to eavesdroppers, even if they manage to intercept it. Think of HTTPS as a suit of armor for your data.

  • Be wary of unfamiliar stores: Exercise caution while exploring new online stores, which can be exciting. Research the store’s reputation before finalizing your purchase. Look for customer reviews on independent websites and check if the store is on trusted social media platforms. A legitimate store typically has a well-designed website with clear contact information and a detailed return policy.

  • Consider using virtual credit cards: Some banks offer virtual credit cards for online shopping. These temporary card numbers are linked to your main account but have unique details. Even if a hacker steals the virtual card information, they won’t be able to access your primary account funds. Consider virtual credit cards as disposable accounts for online transactions, adding an extra layer of security.

  • Stay updated: Don’t underestimate the power of keeping your software up-to-date. Make it a habit to update your web browser and operating system regularly. These updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers might exploit. Think of updates as security shields, constantly strengthening to deflect new threats.

  • Be cautious of unsolicited emails or calls: Phishing attempts are a standard tactic hackers use to steal personal information. If you receive an email or call supposedly from a store you recently purchased from but weren’t expecting contact, don’t click on any links or reply with sensitive information. Instead, log in to the store’s website (not through any links provided) to verify its authenticity.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to web skimming and ensure a safer online shopping experience. Remember, a little extra vigilance goes a long way in protecting your hard-earned money and personal information.

The Role of Web Stores

The Role of Web Stores

The responsibility for securing customer data lies heavily with web store owners. Here’s what stores can do:

  • Regular security audits: Conduct regular security audits, focusing not just on Google Analytics but their entire website infrastructure. Qualified security professionals should perform these audits to ensure a thorough examination of vulnerabilities.
  • Encryption: Enforce HTTPS encryption on their website, not just the checkout pages. This ensures all data transmitted between the website and the user’s browser is encrypted.
  • Payment gateways: Partner with reputable payment processors with robust security measures, including fraud detection and tokenization of sensitive data. Tokenization replaces actual credit card details with a unique identifier, reducing the risk of stolen information.
  • Stay informed: Web store owners should stay updated on the latest web skimming tactics and implement security measures accordingly. This can involve subscribing to security advisories and attending industry webinars.
  • Transparency: Communicate their security practices to customers. This builds trust and reassures shoppers that their data is protected.

Bottom Line

By working together, online shoppers and store owners can combat web skimming and create a safer online shopping environment.

If you suspect a website might be compromised, report it to the authorities and avoid entering sensitive information. Remember, vigilance is vital in protecting yourself from online threats.

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How Hyper-Converged Market Is Shifting

Marie Beaujolie | ✔️Fact-checked by: Daniel Segun
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How Hyper-Converged Market Is Shifting

This post will show you how hyper-converged market is shifting.

In recent years, hyper-converged industry experts have stayed consistent, but technological options among such giants and other companies have evolved.

Hyper-converged infrastructure pledges can improve IT by merging storage and processing in a single appliance or system. This one-box strategy condenses the flexibility of networked storage and virtualization.

Likewise, providers are increasingly aiming to supply hyper-converged software, particularly software-defined storage.

However, the market is shifting. This is partly due to consumer demand and the increasing focus on cloud-based and as-a-service-style usage during the outbreak, which is expected to last.

Read on to learn what hyper-converged infrastructure is and how the hyper-converged market is shifting.

What Exactly Is Hyper-Converged Infrastructure?

What Exactly Is Hyper-Converged Infrastructure

HCI (hyper-converged infrastructure) is merging servers and storage into one global one with intelligent software to produce flexible basic components that replace historical infrastructure made up of individual servers, storage arrays, and networks.

It mixes data center server hardware with locally connected storage devices and is driven by a distributed software layer to minimize typical pain points associated with old infrastructure.

The 5 Changes In The Hyper-Converged Market

While some vendors have determined that hyperconverged infrastructure is not a viable business model for them, some have joined the industry, particularly with software-defined products.

HCI is now well established as an on-premise alternative, particularly in installations where administrative simplicity is critical. We will look at some of the changes in the hyper-converged industry.

1. As-a-Service

Suppliers market HCI as a service, and it becomes part of the product line. The rise of hyper-converged as a service may be driven more by vendors recognizing a chance to provide resources on a subscription model than by technological advances.

On one level, it makes perfect sense for enterprises purchasing infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to acquire HCI. Scalability of cloud infrastructure on a node-by-node basis will decrease administration overheads if the workload suits itself to horizontal instead of vertical scaling. It may also make it easier to replicate on-premise HCI workloads onto the cloud.

In response, CIOs must determine if HCI is appropriate for the workloads they want to migrate to IaaS or the public cloud in general. One advantage of the cloud is purchasing computation and storage resources independently and scaling them up and down as needed.

Some of this intrinsic flexibility is lost when using HCI as a service. However, providers are investing in as-a-service delivery, which should simplify fine-tuning hyper-converged instances to varied workloads, especially when combined with the opportunity to utilize opex rather than capex for HCI.

2. Vendors Expand and Retrench Software Products

Vendors Expand and Retrench Software Products

Famous companies demonstrate that HCI is gaining momentum among suppliers worldwide. The system offers recovery, backup, and high-quality application performance.

Even though HCI software is designed for data storage/data centers, it provides a wide range of services owing to better IT controls. Because of horizontal scalability, HCI can handle a massive workload.

Moreover, with the increased popularity of HCI among suppliers, some believe the technology does not meet their demands. According to several observers, certain vendors no longer consider HCI services.

Famous suppliers may be found in the technology business. Other providers are developing software-only solutions to maintain market share. Rather than physical items, the companies are focused on supplier-agnostic software.

READ ALSO: Addressing Geopolitical Risks in Vendor Relationships

3. Disaggregation

The basic goal of hyper-converged infrastructure is to combine all components. The adaptable software enables IT developers to install solutions effectively and quickly. This saves firms money, and time and ensures efficient system administration. HCI software is more horizontal than vertical in size.

In addition, vertical scaling applications do not need the use of an HCI system. However, some customers use SAP Hana on HCI, although most monolithic software does not support HCI. Hyper-converged systems are unable to grow resources independently.

HCI elements are being divided by manufacturers, easing the scalability. VMWare is a fantastic software that enables customers to share storage across several locations. It is simple for vendors and people to share Dell storage over the v SAN architecture by utilizing VxRail.

However, HCI cannot scale resources on its own. Because the storage, computing, and virtualization are all housed in the same chassis, administrators must include all three, even if they only need one of them.

Vendors that missed the initial HCI wave attempted to join the market with disaggregated solutions that could scale independently for servers and storage.

Traditional HCI suppliers, on the other hand, paid heed. This year, VMware launched the HCI Mesh functionality to their vSAN HCI software, which allows for flexible scalability. Instead of purchasing extra HCI nodes with storage and computing. However, all vSAN clusters required vSAN storage.

4. HCI for Containers

HCI for Containers

HCI is extensive and includes container support. Various providers in the technology sector value containerized workloads. Some businesses operate with Red Hat to develop open-sourced Kubernetes versions.

Although the HCI system isn’t yet ready for containers, providers are creating hyper-converged nodes to meet the demand. Because HCI supports containers, it is a reliable technology for many providers and purchasers. Most businesses are investing in containers, which HCL providers should follow.

READ ALSO: How to Protect Your Computer from Ransomware

5. An Excellent Fit at the Edge

HCI provides solutions to some of the issues businesses have when implementing technology in branch offices, small offices, or distant sites. These may not have separate IT staff or data rooms for bigger and more complicated gear.

Similarly, hyper-converged will lend itself to border applications, mainly when offered in a durable appliance form. By eliminating the demand for separate storage, computing, and network interface, cooling requirements and energy consumption are reduced.

Furthermore, using a single supplier also implies fewer moving components. It may be an exaggeration to state there is less to go wrong with hyper-converged systems – they may be complicated – but IT teams should be able to oversee all of their systems from a single management console.

However, as one corporation warns, there is no uniform industry concept of edge. Suppliers are considering a wide variety of use cases, and you should avoid those claiming to be able to satisfy all of them.

CIOs must begin by examining the use case for hyper-converged in their contextual setting and then determine which vendors have the best solution for the workload and configuration.

How Hyper-Converged Market Is Shifting: Frequently Asked Questions

How Hyper-Converged Market Is Shifting: Frequently Asked Questions

The hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) market is undergoing a period of significant change, driven by evolving technology trends, growing user demands, and intensifying competition. Here are frequently asked questions about the current landscape:

What are the major trends shaping the market?

  • Integration with public cloud: HCI vendors are increasingly integrating their offerings with public cloud services, enabling hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.
  • Focus on edge computing: HCI’s ability to simplify management and resource allocation makes it attractive for edge deployments, driving growth in this segment.
  • Software-defined everything (SDx): The HCI architecture aligns well with SDx principles, offering greater flexibility and automation.
  • Security and compliance: Security concerns remain paramount, with vendors focusing on advanced features and certifications.
  • AI and machine learning integration: Integration of AI and ML is unlocking new capabilities for performance optimization and resource management.

READ ALSO: The Crucial Role Of Cloud Computing In The Business World

How is the competitive landscape evolving?

  • Consolidation: The market is seeing consolidation, with established players like Nutanix and Dell EMC facing competition from cloud giants like AWS and Azure.
  • Open-source options: Open-source HCI options like RancherOS and StarWind are gaining traction, driven by lower cost and customization flexibility.
  • Focus on specific verticals: Vendors are increasingly targeting specific industry verticals like healthcare and education with tailored offerings.
  • Partnerships and acquisitions: Partnerships and acquisitions are becoming more common as vendors seek to expand their reach and capabilities.

What are the key challenges facing the market?

  • Skill gap: Finding skilled professionals to manage and troubleshoot HCI systems can be challenging.
  • Integration complexity: Integrating HCI with existing IT infrastructure can be complex, requiring careful planning and expertise.
  • Security concerns: Securing HCI environments requires ongoing vigilance and proactive measures.
  • Vendor lock-in: Some HCI vendors may create vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch to other solutions.
  • Keeping pace with innovation: The rapid pace of technology advancement necessitates continuous evaluation and upgrade strategies.

What does the future hold for the HCI market?

Despite these challenges, the HCI market is expected to continue growing as organizations seek simpler, more flexible, and scalable IT infrastructure solutions.

Key areas of growth will likely include:

  • Increased adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud deployments.
  • Greater focus on security and compliance.
  • Enhanced integration with AI and ML for automation and intelligence.
  • Wider adoption of HCI in edge computing scenarios.
  • More partnerships and consolidation within the market.

Conclusion

You must upgrade your IT infrastructure to thrive in such a rapidly expanding environment. To put it another way, you should make it more hyper-converged.

This will assist you in developing a more effective IT infrastructure that improves cost-effectiveness, adaptability, and performance.

Staying informed about these trends and challenges will be crucial for businesses to navigate the evolving HCI landscape and make informed decisions about their IT infrastructure investments.

Hopefully, the above discussed may provide insights into how significant hyper-converged changes are for each industry.

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Great Ideas For Selling Products Both Online And In Stores

Pranjal Bora
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0
Great Ideas For Selling Products Both Online And In Stores

Here, I will show you great ideas for selling products online and in stores…

It can be challenging for a small business to simultaneously run brick-and-mortar and online stores simultaneously. Figuring out how to make both areas successful may seem overwhelming when there are many expenses involved and inventory to restock.

Please read below for great ideas on selling products online and in-store while giving both areas of your business the attention they deserve. 

Cross-promote Your Business Areas

Cross-promote Your Business Areas

Let your customers know they can buy from you online and in-store by cross-promoting each area.

For example, if an online shopper wants to purchase a top from you, such as the Bella + Canvas unisex raw seam crew pullover, include a postcard with the online order letting them know the address of your physical store. 

The next time, they may wish to shop in person if they’re nearby. Include the same postcard with in-person purchases so shoppers will know that they can also buy online. 

Post your store’s location on your online site’s “Contact Us” page. Include details on the “About Us” page regarding when your brick-and-mortar store opened, when your online store launched, and other details about the history of your business to connect readers with information about your brand.

Hang signage advertising your website address in the physical store, preferably above the checkout area where it’s easy to see. 

Offer the same prices online and in-store

Whatever you’re charging online for a particular item, consider setting the same price at your brick-and-mortar location for the same product.

It shows consistency between the two areas, builds trust, and you won’t have shoppers questioning why the prices differ or asking for price adjustments. It also makes it easier for you to remember prices as well. 

Make sure to remember to adjust the numbers in both places when you’re changing the prices. One easy way to stay on track during this task is to do a spreadsheet (if that’s your preferred method). Make the first five headers: “Product,” “Current Price,” “New Price,” “Online,” and “In-store.” 

List all the products in the first column for prices you want to change. In the next column, fill in the current prices, followed by the new prices in the next columns.

As you adjust each in-store price, check it off on the row of its respective product. Do the same for the online column. 

Offer the same prices online and in-store

Have exclusives in each place

Consider offering products online that you don’t sell in your brick-and-mortar location and vice versa. If customers know they can expect certain exclusives in the two separate areas, it could be a way to pique their interest, making them potentially want to see what’s available to buy.

If there are breakable products you’ve been wanting to sell, think about offering them as an exclusive in-store item. 

There won’t need to be any concern about packing the fragile items carefully for shipping or worrying about them getting damaged while in transit. However, display them in an area of the store where they won’t get accidentally broken. 

Lightweight clothing can be a great option for your website as an exclusive product. Items ranging from socks to tank tops in limited edition styles are easy to ship and could be popular depending on their designs.

Whatever exclusive products you offer, please give them a custom, stand-out look that differs from others on the market.

Sell products that are in the same niche.

If you’re a small business, consider keeping the products you sell on your website in the same niche as those you offer in your brick-and-mortar store. For instance, you’re selling electronics on your website.

Your physical store of the same name also sells electronics instead of unrelated items, like sneakers, scarves, or other apparel. 

Expanding your brand is good. However, carrying too much inventory or a wide range of products can be overwhelming and costly for a small business. Instead, begin selling items in your brand’s niche and expand as the business grows. This approach may be more beneficial and profitable. 

READ ALSO: Starting A Bar: What You Need To Know

Intertwine your website, store, and social media channels for events 

Intertwine your website, store, and social media channels for events 

Incorporate any events you plan on hosting in your brick-and-mortar store into your website and social media channels. It lets your shoppers take part wherever they are. 

For example, let’s say you have a clothing store and want to host a Christmas-in-July event at your location. There might be an elegant evening party with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, string lights hanging in the space, and Christmas apparel on sale. You may even want to make it a fundraiser for a local charitable organization.  

You could consider live streaming the event on your social media channels to let others experience it for themselves, even from a distance. Consider temporarily changing the theme to festive and Christmas-inspired for your online store.

You can indicate that it’s for a Christmas-in-July event and offer holiday apparel at the same discounted price you’re selling it for in your physical store. 

Executing an event at your brick-and-mortar location to have it intertwine with your social media channels and online store will require advanced planning.

The earlier you get started, the better. Write a plan for the events you’re considering hosting throughout the year and how to incorporate the themes into all three spaces.   

It is demanding to be a small business owner. While meshing your business’s virtual and physical areas will require some forethought, the advertising, marketing, and profitable results are well worth the effort. 

Handle one task at a time, starting with writing a plan (and timeline) of how you want to make changes for selling products in your online and physical stores.

Put the high-priority ideas at the top of the list so you take those on, complete them, and move on to the next ones easily. The result will be that both sides of your business, the online and physical store, will begin and continue to grow.

READ ALSO: 20 Best Cybersecurity Business Ideas For Entrepreneurs

Great Ideas For Selling Products Both Online And In Stores: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest product to sell?

There’s no magic bullet, but focusing on products with:

  • High Demand & Low Competition: Consider evergreen products people consistently need or trending items with low competition in your market.
  • Profit Margin: Choose products with a healthy profit margin after accounting for production, storage, and marketing costs.
  • Easy Fulfillment: For online stores, consider products that are lightweight, easy to ship, and less prone to damage.

What category of products sells the most online?

Here are some popular online categories:

  • Convenience Items: Busy consumers love the ease of online shopping for everyday essentials (consumables, personal care products).
  • Digital Products: E-books, software, and online courses offer easy delivery and high profit margins.
  • Unique or Personalized Items: Products with customization options or catering to niche interests can thrive online.

What sells very fast in the USA?

While trends can change, some fast-selling in-store categories include:

  • Impulse Buys: Small, affordable items strategically placed near checkout lines can tempt customers into unplanned purchases.
  • Seasonal Products: Capitalize on seasonal trends with strategically timed promotions and displays.
  • Locally Sourced or Unique Products: Customers appreciate locally-made goods or products not easily found elsewhere.

Remember: Success isn’t just about the product. Consider these factors, too:

  • Target Audience: Identify your ideal customer and tailor your product selection and marketing to their needs and interests.
  • Competitive Landscape: Research your competitors and find ways to differentiate yourself through product features, customer service, or unique selling propositions.
  • Effective Marketing & Branding: Develop a strong brand identity and utilize effective marketing strategies to reach your target audience and generate interest in your products.

Beyond these FAQs, here are some additional tips:

  • Offer excellent customer service: Build trust and loyalty by providing a seamless shopping experience, both online and in-store.
  • Embrace data and analytics: Use data to track sales trends and customer behavior and identify areas for improvement.
  • Stay adaptable: Be willing to adjust your product mix and marketing strategies based on market changes and customer feedback.

A Final Word

By understanding your target market, creating a strong brand presence, and implementing effective sales strategies, you can increase your chances of success selling products online and in stores.

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300-425 ENWLSD: 3 Tips for Designing Your Online Cisco Exam Space

Christian Schmitz
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0
300-425 ENWLSD: 3 Tips for Designing Your Online Cisco Exam Space

So, you’ve scheduled your Cisco 300-425 ENWLSD certification exam, and you’re wondering how to prepare your study and online exam space. You’re not alone.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, online exams were already a big deal in and outside the tech space. But they’re even a bigger deal now in this post-pandemic world. Thus, you are not the only one who has wondered how to design your space to pass an online proctored test.

By the way, if you didn’t already know, Designing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks or just 300-425 ENWLSD is a rigorous exam, so to succeed at it, you’ll require lots of focus and expertise. You don’t want anything standing in the way of your test success, not even your exam space.

Tips For Arrangement Your Exam Space

So, in this article, you’ll find helpful tips for setting up your home study and exam space while optimizing for focus and supported environments for passing.

Tips For Arrangement Your Exam Space

  1. Get a good location

The location of your study space is as important as what you will write in the exam. Cisco recommends that you choose a quiet and private place with a strong internet connection, preferably one where you can shut the door at will. If you take the 300-425 ENWLSD CCNP Practice Test at home, let everyone know you pass the serious test on a specific day and would not like to be disturbed.

  1. Invest in good furniture.

Whether studying or taking an online exam, good furniture and lighting in your proposed test space are is priceless. In other words, you should select a table and chair that is comfortable but not so comfortable that you drift into sleep in the middle of the exam process. Find a table and chair combo that allows you to sit upright and look straight into your computer screen without slouching or looking down or up.

  1. Please keep it clean, organized, and focus-friendly.

You may think this is obvious and doesn’t need to be said. But it is necessary to mention that many peopleto skip this important step. Keeping your online exam and study area trash-free helps your concentration. Moreover, it not only prevents distraction but also saves you from constantly having to fix something or put it in a different place mid-study or test.

Additionally, ensure that essential items are easily accessible from where you’re sitting. It would be best if you didn’t have to get up to grab anything. Things such as your pen, highlighter, and pencil should be kept within arm’s reach. If you don’t need them during the CCNP Enterprise Certification 300-425 exam, put them in your drawer.

300-425 ENWLSD Cisco Exam: Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key topics covered in the exam?

The 300-425 ENWLSD exam focuses on designing and implementing secure and scalable wireless networks. Here are some core areas to prioritize in your studies:

  • Wireless Network Design Principles: This includes understanding radio frequency (RF) fundamentals, site surveys, WLAN architecture components (access points, controllers), and factors influencing wireless network design.
  • Wireless LAN Technologies: Grasp the functionalities and capabilities of different wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies like 802.11 standards (802.11ac, 802.11ax), mobility features (fast roaming, handoff), and security protocols (WPA2, WPA3).
  • Cisco Wireless Solutions: In-depth knowledge of Cisco’s wireless solutions is essential. Be familiar with Cisco access points, controllers (lightweight access points, mobility controllers), and management tools like the Cisco WLAN Solution Director.
  • RF Site Surveys and Troubleshooting: The ability to conduct proper RF site surveys to determine optimal access point placement and troubleshoot common wireless network issues is crucial.

What resources can I use to prepare for the exam?

Cisco offers various resources to help you prepare for the 300-425 ENWLSD exam:

  • Official Cisco Learning Resources: Cisco provides a comprehensive learning path with courses, study guides, and practice tests on their website.
  • Cisco Press Books: Official Cisco Press books offer in-depth coverage of the exam objectives and can be valuable study companions.
  • Online Resources: Several websites and communities offer practice tests, study guides, and other resources created by experienced network professionals.

How much hands-on experience is necessary?

While the exam focuses heavily on theoretical knowledge, having some practical experience deploying and managing wireless networks can be beneficial. Consider setting up a lab environment or participating in online simulations to gain hands-on exposure to Cisco wireless solutions.

What are some tips for taking the exam?

  • Thorough Preparation: The key to success is comprehensive preparation. Ensure you understand the exam objectives and dedicate ample time to studying the core topics.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Use practice tests and resources to familiarize yourself with the exam format and test your knowledge.
  • Time Management: The exam has a set time limit. Practice managing your time effectively during practice tests to ensure you can complete all sections within the allocated timeframe.
  • Read Questions Carefully: Don’t rush through the exam. Carefully read and understand each question before selecting your answer. Pay close attention to keywords and eliminate answer choices that are incorrect.
  • Review Your Answers: Once you’ve completed the exam, use any remaining time to review your answers. This can help you catch any careless mistakes.

Conclusion – 300-425 ENWLSD Cisco Exam Space

Cisco certification exams such as the 300-425 ENWLSD are a tough nut to crack. That’s why you should design your space to be distraction-free, comfortable, and bright.

By following these tips and dedicating yourself to studying, you can significantly increase your chances of passing the 300-425 ENWLSD Cisco exam and demonstrating your expertise in designing enterprise wireless networks.

Therefore, following these tips above will make you much closer to final test success.

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Cryptocurrency Payment: Pros And Cons

Angela Daniel
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0
Cryptocurrency Payment: Pros And Cons

This post will show you the pros and cons of cryptocurrency payment.

Cryptocurrency, or virtual currency exchange methods, has evolved rapidly in recent years. Originally designed to eliminate financial intermediaries through direct peer-to-peer transactions, many developing countries have started adopting cryptocurrencies as an exchange medium. Likewise, you can buy Bitcoin with a debit card.

Recent reports project that this market is primed to continue its revenue growth for several years. A recent report estimated the global cryptocurrency market size at $754.0 million in 2019, with projections of $1,758.0 million by 2027.

cryptocurrency payment

Consumer acceptance of digital currency grows as cryptocurrency becomes more integrated into everyday life. So, what are the positives and negatives of using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or any other cryptocurrencies out there? 

READ ALSO: Most Secure Online Payment Services

Let’s get started with the pros and cons of cryptocurrency payment.

Cryptocurrency Pros

1. Anonymity

If online privacy is important to you, then one of cryptocurrency’s main benefits is anonymity. Because purchases are never linked to personal identity, a user cannot be traced, just like cash.

This means there is no chance of identity theft, an increasingly vital element in online transactions. Each time a user purchases with a cryptocurrency, an anonymous address is generated for them. 

This address will then change with every subsequent transaction. Of course, cryptocurrencies are not completely anonymous, but they offer a level of protection way beyond current traditional payment methods.

2. Transparency

virtual payment methods

To many, transparency is what sets cryptocurrencies apart. All transactions using digital currency are stored using blockchain technology on a public ledger that is visible to everyone.

The information is decentralized, so it does not rely on just a single computer to work. Therefore, all transactions are instantly visible to everyone, allowing them to see that payments have been made.

So, instead of using a traditional bank to transfer money, blockchain and cryptocurrencies can eliminate the intermediary.

3. Speed

The cryptocurrency exchange is extremely quick compared to traditional banking methods for transactions, especially when transferring high-value sums. Whereas banks can often take several days to process purchases, the speed of digital currency cuts out the middleman, changing the speed at which we do business.

Many online gamers value the benefits of cryptocurrencies, although they are not yet widely accepted on many gaming platforms. However, you’ll notice that PayPal poker is readily available, highlighting the gap in trust between cryptocurrencies and the most trusted payment methods.

4. Accessibility

PayPal Pokers

The ability to send and receive digital currencies on smartphones allows people without access to banks or credit cards to access their ‘money.’ This is particularly crucial in underdeveloped countries where infrastructure is lacking.

Allowing people to manage their finances on their phones means their ‘money’ is always available, wherever and whenever they want it. As long as there is internet access, purchasers can spend their money on whatever they like.

5. Low Fees

How many times have you been charged fees for transferring money by a bank or money lender? How about account maintenance, minimum balance fees, or any other fee they can consider?

Thanks to the peer-to-peer trade of cryptocurrencies, the need for financial institutions is removed. This streamlines and speeds up the whole transaction process and vastly reduces transaction costs, irrespective of the amount involved.

Wire transfers and foreign purchases will traditionally involve fees and exchange costs, adding extra travel expenses. However, with no intermediary institutions or government involvement, transaction costs for cryptocurrencies are minimal.

READ ALSO: 5 Secure Online Payment Services to Consider

Cryptocurrency Cons

1. Currency Fluctuations

Currency Fluctuations

All currencies will naturally fluctuate as investors buy and sell them. However, the most valuable national currencies, such as the dollar and sterling, are backed by governments and bank vaults filled with gold.

Cryptocurrencies lack such security and are prone to wild market fluctuations that can wipe huge amounts off their value. These instabilities are also partly down to investors looking to make money by gambling on the price.

Such huge spikes in value can make purchasing a product prohibitive. Until cryptocurrency is more widely accepted as a payment method and not an investment, these fluctuations will no doubt continue.

2. Lack of widespread consumer appeal

Cryptocurrency is still primarily an investment for many people, and until it becomes more widespread in its appeal, take-up will suffer. Because digital currency transactions are still in their infancy, many companies do not offer or accept it as payment.

Traditional credit card and cash methods are still more popular thanks to a more developed integration with online services. 

READ ALSO: Tips On Investing In Cryptocurrency [MUST READ]

3. Speed

The biggest challenge cryptocurrencies face is transaction speed and network load. Bitcoin, the most well-known and widely used digital currency, can only process five transactions per second compared to Visa’s 1,700 transactions per second.

Sure, crypto payments beat banks regarding money transfers and large-scale purchases. However, it cannot compete with cash and cards when it comes down to daily use, such as in a supermarket.

These slow transaction speeds and a lack of scalability mean cryptocurrencies are still unsuitable for everyday use.

4. Difficult to Understand

To many people, cryptocurrency is too complex a topic for them to understand. On top of that, several cryptocurrency options are available, making the choice even more difficult.

A lack of understanding inevitably leads to a lack of trust and, ultimately, a reluctance to use digital currency despite its many benefits.

5. Security

As with any currency, fraud and theft are serious concerns, especially online transactions. With digital currency currently experiencing a boom in its valuation, the incentive for criminals has increased.

Traditional methods, such as credit card payments, give customers added consumer protection against fraud and theft. Any time, any losses incurred with digital will berries are gone forever.

Cryptocurrency Payment Pros And Cons: Frequently Asked Questions

Is cryptocurrency a good form of payment?

It depends on your business, risk tolerance, and target audience. Cryptocurrency payments can be an attractive option for businesses that are comfortable with some volatility and looking to expand their customer reach. However, traditional payment methods might be better suited for businesses prioritizing stability and catering to a less familiar customer base with crypto.

Which crypto is most accepted as payment?

Bitcoin (BTC) is the most widely recognized cryptocurrency and is often the first choice for payment processing. However, other established cryptocurrencies like Ethereum (ETH) are also gaining acceptance.

READ ALSO: Things To Look Out For When Making Payments Online

Are there any tax implications for accepting cryptocurrency payments?

There can be tax implications for businesses and individuals receiving cryptocurrency payments. Tax regulations around crypto vary by country, so consulting a tax professional familiar with cryptocurrency is recommended. Generally, cryptocurrency payments are treated as property for tax purposes, meaning you might owe capital gains taxes on any appreciation in value when you sell or convert the crypto to fiat currency.

How can I start accepting cryptocurrency payments?

Several cryptocurrency payment processing services can integrate with your existing business systems. These services handle the complexities of crypto transactions, convert crypto to fiat if needed, and often provide tools for managing price volatility. Popular options include:

  • Coinbase Commerce
  • BitPay
  • Stripe (accepts certain stablecoins)

What about the environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining?

The energy consumption associated with mining some cryptocurrencies has raised environmental concerns. However, ongoing efforts are to develop more energy-efficient mining practices and alternative consensus mechanisms (ways to verify transactions) that use less energy.

Will cryptocurrency eventually replace traditional forms of payment?

It’s difficult to predict the future. Cryptocurrency offers advantages like speed, security, and borderless transactions. However, challenges like price volatility and regulatory uncertainty remain. Cryptocurrency might become more widely adopted in the future, but it’s likely to coexist with traditional payment methods for some time.

READ ALSO: A Beginner Guide To Cryptocurrency Investment

The Future Of Cryptocurrency

Those are the pros and cons of cryptocurrency payment. Inevitably, there are drawbacks to any technology in its infancy, and these are to be expected.

However, as more financial institutions buy into it and companies begin to accept payments, digital currencies such as Bitcoin are here to stay.

The world of cryptocurrency payments is evolving rapidly. Staying informed about the latest developments, security best practices, and regulatory changes will be crucial for businesses considering crypto.

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Ways To Prevent Supply Chain Attacks

Christian Schmitz
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0
Ways To Prevent Supply Chain Attacks

Here, we will show you ways to prevent supply chain attacks.

Your supply chain is the lifeblood of your business. When it works properly, you can get much work done efficiently while making your customers happy to work with you. However, there is a lot of valuable information in supply chains, and you need to ensure that it is safe and secure to help prevent attacks. 

Prevent Supply Chain Attacks

It is estimated that supply chain attacks have increased by 78% in the past few years. This makes it a big concern that companies must work with now rather than putting it away until the future. Taking the right actions will protect your ecosystem right now and will make it less likely that there will be a potential attack against you later.  

Companies must be ready to take the reins and keep the attacker out. Some of the steps that they can take to prevent supply chain attacks include:

Know Who is In the Ecosystem

The first step that you need to take to protect your supply chain is to have a good idea of who is in the ecosystem and what their job is. This takes a little time on your part to be prepared. You can’t let everyone, and you can’t allow everyone full access to the whole thing, or you set yourself up for failure. 

Keep in mind that you are now part of an ecosystem, and there are a lot of threats that come to you. Many of these will come asymmetrically. You are not always the intended target, but you will still have to deal with them, or a hacker will have a lot of fun taking your information.  

To ensure you know what is happening in the ecosystem, consider doing a risk assessment to take a look. This helps you to analyze the system and identify some of the possible issues that may be there. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you can fix some of the problems later on. 

supply chain ecosystem

Understand Security Postures

Similarly to your business’s security posture, your ecosystem needs one of these here. Understanding how members of that same ecosystem handle their security, the security policies, regulations, and compliance with these security measures can help you get started.

As you look at the ecosystem, you may notice that there isn’t a lot of security within the ecosystem. While this is not uncommon, it is something that you need to pay attention to. If your system lacks the right security,  you must sit down and put one together and ensure everyone is trained to use it. 

Through this plan, you need to know whom you can call, either the suppliers or the end customers, if there is a breach in the supply chain. In most cases, the faster you can respond to the issue, the less damage there is in the system. 

Always Be Informed

Another thing that you should consider doing is staying informed and aware of some of the things that are going on in your industry. If you hide away from the information, it is hard to know when things are changing and when you may need updates or other changes to keep your supply chain safe. 

There are different groups you can join that will keep you fully informed along the way. The FBI’s InfraGard program is a good option. This public-private sector partnership allows collaboration to protect critical information, including some of the information in your supply chain. 

If you do not want to work with that group, you can consider ISAOs to provide information. These will provide a lot of information and analysis on many different topics, so you are more likely to find some of the information you need. 

Leverage Assessments and Testing

Leverage Assessments and Testing

How do you know that your system is safe if you do not take the time to test it out? This is where penetration testing will come in. Penetration testing is done by ethical hackers who are helping a business out. Their goal is to go through the system and network, with the company’s permission, and find and exploit all of the vulnerabilities they find. 

When they are done, they will present a report to the company, sharing what they found, where they found it, and some of the steps that they believe the company should follow to avoid an actual hacker coming in and causing some of the damage. 

While this kind of testing is a useful way to find some of these gaps in the system, companies have tried to limit the scope and eliminate using these because they want to get certain answers or hope to save face to the news and others in their industry. This may look good now, but it does leave the company open to a big attack. 

If your company wants a penetration test, do the whole thing. Let the ethical hackers go to town and see what problems are present in the system. This may be hard to hear, especially if you have worked hard to keep the system safe, but it gives you a clear picture of what is working and what you can improve.  

Keeping Your Supply Chain Safe

Finding ways to keep the supply chain safe is always a good idea. There are a lot of people who would love to get on and gain access to the data that is inside there. Having a good plan in place to keep the whole thing safe will be key to ensuring your supply chain is not turned off or run down. With the help of the tips above, you can make this a reality. 

Ways To Prevent Supply Chain Attacks: Frequently Asked Questions

How can supply chain attacks be prevented?

There’s no single foolproof method, but a layered approach combining various strategies is most effective:

  • Vendor Risk Management: Thoroughly assess potential vendors’ security practices before partnering. Look for certifications, security policies, and a history of addressing vulnerabilities.
  • Patch Management: Ensure your systems and software are up-to-date with the latest security patches to close known vulnerabilities attackers might exploit.
  • Asset Inventory Creation & Management: Maintain a comprehensive inventory of your organization’s hardware, software, and cloud resources. This helps identify potential weaknesses and prioritize patching.
  • Sandbox Testing: Test new software or updates in a secure sandbox environment before deploying them to your main network. This helps detect vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
  • User Awareness Training: Educate employees on recognizing phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and best practices for secure software downloads.
  • Access Control Policies: Implement strong access controls to limit access to sensitive data and systems only to authorized users based on the principle of least privilege.
  • Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): Implement a ZTA approach that verifies user and device identity before granting access to resources, regardless of location.
  • Security Monitoring: Monitor your network and systems for suspicious activity that might indicate a potential attack.
  • Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to ensure a coordinated and efficient response in case of a breach.

What mitigates the risk of supply chain attacks?

Several factors lessen the risk:

  • Vendor Transparency: Choose vendors with a track record of transparency regarding their security practices and a commitment to responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities.
  • Code Signing and Verification: Implement code signing and verification processes to ensure the integrity of software updates and downloaded applications.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA to add an extra layer of security to access control, making it harder for attackers to gain unauthorized access even if they steal credentials.
  • Network Segmentation: Segment your network into different zones, limiting the potential impact of an attack if a vulnerability is exploited.

How do you ensure supply chain security?

Supply chain security is an ongoing process, not a one-time fix. Here’s how to prioritize it:

  • Regular Vendor Risk Assessments: Don’t rely on a single evaluation. Regularly reassess your vendors’ security posture to stay informed of any changes.
  • Collaboration: Collaborate with your vendors on security best practices. Open communication is key to building a strong defense together.
  • Stay Informed: Stay updated on the latest supply chain attack trends and vulnerabilities to adapt your security measures proactively.

What’s the most overlooked element of preventing a supply chain attack?

People: While technical measures are crucial, human error and social engineering tactics can be effective entry points for attackers. User awareness training and fostering a culture of security are essential.

Why are supply chain attacks hard to prevent?

Supply chains are complex and interconnected. Attackers can target any point in the chain, from software vendors to third-party service providers. Maintaining complete control and visibility over all potential vulnerabilities makes it challenging. Additionally, the constantly evolving nature of cyber threats necessitates ongoing vigilance and adaptation of security strategies.

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