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Protecting your Data: Best practices for Data Protection Day

Data Protection Day – also known as Data Privacy Day – is an annual event observed on January 28 to raise awareness about the importance of protecting data and data privacy (think NIS Directive, NIS2 Directive, and GDPR).

 

It’s here to make data protection, such as SaaS data backup and recovery, top of mind—and for good reason.

 

Businesses must take the necessary measures to not only ensure the continuity of their operations and to protect themselves from the potentially catastrophic outcomes of a data loss event like ransomware, but to also comply with the increasingly strict demands from legislation such as the NIS2 Directive and the GDPR.

 

Why Is Data Protection Relevant?

 

As businesses increasingly move operations to software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications to streamline their operations, add flexibility (such as enabling remote work), and reduce operational costs, huge amounts of business-critical cloud data are produced every day, and it becomes ever more important to assess and ensure a robust backup and recovery plan is in place.

 

There is a widely shared assumption that data stored in a SaaS cloud is automatically backed up and secure since it’s in the cloud. However, that is not always the case as what is offered may not provide the protection necessary for business continuity, data restoration, or compliance: Read more about the M365 shared responsibility model.

 

Cloud Data Concerns

 

It should come as no surprise that working with cloud services can come with risks. Ransomware and disaster recovery are more and more frequently in the headlines and serve as cautionary tales. (Read our post about the disruptive power of ransomware attacks here.)

 

The rapid adoption of SaaS applications has also come with new and increased instances of data loss and breaches—especially in cases where there is a lag between adoption of SaaS apps and adoption of the necessary data protection. Companies may be left vulnerable to costly disruptions, downtime, and devastating fines without an adequate data security plan in place to safeguard mission-critical cloud data.

 

What Needs to Be Backed Up?

 

Data protection not only involves “just” backing up cloud SaaS data, but it should also focus on ensuring control of and continuous access to it (and the right access for the correct users at that). As with Microsoft 365 and Azure AD (Active Directory), there is a data plane and a control plane – and both need to be protected.

 

One way to achieve this is to adopt a solution that can not only protect the data plane but can also preserve and protect the control plane, e.g., the admin center. Coverage of identity and application objects businesses rely on to remain operational is vital. For those using Microsoft 365, it’s important to learn about why you also need Azure AD data protection: Find out why in our AAD blog here.

 

How Do Businesses Protect Their Data?

 

The best way to mitigate the risks of SaaS is to implement a data protection and management plan. This can involve using cloud-based data backup and recovery solutions which allow businesses to store their data in an independent cloud and access it from anywhere, at any time.

 

Data protection is especially important for businesses that rely on SaaS data for their operations, which is many, many businesses (Microsoft 365 alone has over 345 million users), as it can help ensure that data is always available, even if there is a disruption with the SaaS provider.

 

While cloud services can (and do) provide many benefits for businesses, they also present their own set of risks. For example, there is a very real risk that data stored in the cloud could be accessed by unauthorized parties (read our blog about the Zero Trust Principle here), or that data could be lost due to any number of issues, from technical glitches and issues to human error. Therefore, it’s important for companies to follow cloud data protection best practices. Read about backup strategy here.

 

Data Risks and Responsibility

 

But why is backing up SaaS data so important? Because it allows companies to mitigate the effects of ransomware and other data loss events. Many SaaS providers (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Salesforce) have shared responsibility models that state you, the customer, are responsible for the data created and processed.

 

Here are a few reasons why backup is vital:

 

  1. Data breaches can happen to anyone.

    While no company is immune to data breaches, having a backup solution in place can help minimize (or even nullify) the impact of a breach, helping businesses get up and running again quickly.
  2. Data loss can be costly.

    Losing data can lead to lost productivity and lost revenue within the company, and it can even result in substantial legal penalties. (Read our NIS2 post here.) According to the World Economic Forum, “historically severe fines for data loss are also helping change the cost-benefit assessment around investment in cybersecurity measures.” By implementing a backup solution, businesses can minimize the impact of data loss, avoid fines, and get back to business as usual faster, and more comprehensively, than without.
  3. The future is uncertain.

    A bit cliché, but it’s impossible to predict the future and that includes the risks to your data. According to the ESG (Enterprise Strategy Group) ransomware e-Book, “79% of respondent organizations report having experienced a ransomware attack within the last year.” By implementing a backup solution now, businesses can protect themselves against potential risks down the road – which stand to only increase.

 

Where to Go from Here?

 

Data Protection Day reminds us that SaaS data (and the protection of it) is essential to many daily operations. Not only that, with the scope and penalties of NIS2 and GDPR, enterprises are obligated to ensure a dedicated data protection solution is in place.

 

Researching a third-party backup solution like Keepit can simplify the complexity of the current SaaS data protection environment. Businesses can maintain control of their data always and protect themselves against data loss events and mitigate the impacts of breaches and ransomware – all while remaining compliant.

 

Don’t wait until it’s too late — what better way to celebrate Data Protection Day than to start backing up your SaaS data. Continue your journey by exploring our

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About Keepit
At Keepit, we believe in a digital future where all software is delivered as a service. Keepit’s mission is to protect data in the cloud Keepit is a software company specializing in Cloud-to-Cloud data backup and recovery. Deriving from +20 year experience in building best-in-class data protection and hosting services, Keepit is pioneering the way to secure and protect cloud data at scale.

UX/UI Designers in cybersecurity: An essential role for a safer digital world

While most people associate cybersecurity solutions with complex code, it also involves a significant amount of design work. That’s where UX/UI specialists come in. But exactly what role do these designers play in the cybersecurity field, and where can we see their impact?

To answer these questions, we talked to two UX/UI designers working at Nord Security, Teodora Žvilaitytė and Irma Škuratovaitė. They shared their experiences and some insights on their work in this challenging industry and how it feels to shape a quality user experience for the world’s fastest VPN. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.

Meaningful work

What makes working in the cybersecurity field exciting and fulfilling for you as a UX/UI designer?

Irma: It is really gratifying to know that I’m helping make the online world safer for millions of people across the globe. And it’s even more rewarding to see that our hard work has been recognized by TIME magazine, which listed NordVPN as one of the best innovations of 2022.

While UX/UI design may not be the most crucial part of the product (the tech side is), it still plays an essential role in ensuring that the security features of NordVPN are accessible and user-friendly. This involves designing intuitive interfaces, clear instructions, and helpful features that guide users in managing their security settings.

Teodora: It’s crazy how cyber threats are everywhere and can affect not just companies but also ordinary people, who often think they are too small to become a target of cybercriminals – but they’re not. Knowing this, I’m glad to work for NordVPN, securing people’s digital lives.

The fact that I’m playing an active role by creating a seamless, enjoyable experience, allowing NordVPN users to take control of their online security, is what makes my job so fulfilling. Seeing how much they appreciate and trust our product is incredibly inspiring, and it gives me a great sense of purpose that is hard to come by.

Skills needed to succeed

UX design is a broad field that covers many areas of expertise. What skills do you need to succeed as a UX pro?

Irma: To work at Nord Security, you need to have open-mindedness, communication, and presentation skills, along with problem-solving abilities. Being open to discussion, feedback, and different viewpoints will help you collaborate more effectively with stakeholders and cross-functional teams and create better design solutions.

Communication and presentation skills are essential for conveying ideas, preparing presentations, and ensuring that the design process runs smoothly. Problem-solving skills are crucial for empathizing with users and finding solutions to their pain points.

Teodora: Besides having strong communication skills, as Irma mentioned, you also need to have a keen attention to detail and a willingness to tackle problems creatively. As a UX/UI designer, you’ll need to balance aesthetics with functionality and security, and sometimes combining these factors can be challenging.

Finally, since the cybersecurity field is constantly changing, you have to be prepared to work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment, as designers often work on multiple projects and must meet tight deadlines.

Irma: In terms of hard skills, proficiency in Figma is a must, while familiarity with Adobe AI, PS, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is also important. Creating wireframes and prototypes, knowing user research methodologies, and following accessibility standards are all key. Knowledge of A/B testing and Google Analytics is also beneficial for deeper insights.

Teodora: Figma will definitely be your major tool in this role, along with the web technologies that Irma mentioned. Besides that, knowledge of user experience (UX) design principles, including user research, information architecture, prototyping, and testing, is a must if you want to work in this role. If you’d like to learn more about what UX/UI designer’s job looks like in the cybersecurity field, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Irma: Once you join Nord Security, your professional growth will only accelerate. You’ll have access to a supportive community of experts who are always willing to share their knowledge and wisdom. And our learning and development team is absolutely amazing! They provide us with a wide range of learning opportunities, from internal and external training to mentorship programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events.

All these resources help us stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the field and continuously improve our skills. It’s inspiring to work for a company that truly invests in the growth and development of its team members.

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Exciting challenges

What are the challenges of working as a UX/UI designer at Nord Security?

Irma: As a UX/UI designer on the conversion rate optimization (CRO) team, my main focus is on creating designs that convert. The team helps me to identify pain points, problems, and opportunities for improvement on our website. Based on that, I create wireframes and prototypes and design A/B test variations for our landing pages.

The biggest challenge in this role is to visually communicate and translate complex security concepts and product features into clear, intuitive, and user-friendly designs.

Teodora: Another challenge is ensuring that our products are accessible and easy to use for all users, including those with disabilities. This involves designing interfaces and user experiences in a way that meets accessibility standards and considers their special needs. By doing so, we can provide a secure digital environment that is inclusive and accessible to all.

One more challenge in this role is finding common ground and ensuring that every stakeholder, from product managers to engineers who have different perspectives and priorities, is working towards the same goal. This challenge can be overcome through effective communication, collaboration, and finding a shared understanding of the project goals.

The impact of work

What is the impact of your work on the world’s fastest VPN?

Teodora: Well, my work has a direct impact on the experience of millions of users. One recent project I worked on was introducing a new navigation menu on our global website, which has already improved the user experience for many NordVPN users. Another was optimizing and raising interest for specific audiences in our Amazon (Indirect Sales) store, which has led to increased engagement and sales.

In addition, I am involved in daily suggestions and problem-solving decisions, such as optimizing our landing pages, localizing web content and adapting it to specific countries, etc. It’s amazing to think that my work is visible to millions of people across the globe and that every design decision I make has the potential to impact someone’s online security and privacy. This is a huge responsibility, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to know that I’m making a difference in the world.

Irma: My team and I have a direct impact on the world’s fastest VPN, NordVPN, by creating design solutions that significantly improve landing page conversions. Through data analysis, we were able to redesign sections with better UI and brand compatibility, improve storytelling for clearer communication, and enhance mobile UX on specific components.

Our work is crucial in making NordVPN more accessible to people worldwide, providing them with a secure and easy-to-use digital environment. By constantly improving the user experience, we are helping NordVPN to continue to grow and maintain its position as the leader in the VPN industry, serving millions of users worldwide.

Work in cybersecurity

Want to catch a glimpse of what working with other Nord Security products as a UX/UI designer looks like? Watch the Meet Nord People video. And if you’re ready to take the next step and join our team, explore our UX/UI designer opportunities here!

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

How nameless malware steals your data (and gets away with it)

Imagine if malware got into your computer. In fact, how do you know it isn’t there already? With some help from third-party researchers, we uncovered and analyzed a database of stolen data. It’s big — and the victims likely never knew their files had been stolen.

The discovery of a stolen database

We want to make it clear: we did not purchase this database nor would we condone other parties doing it. A hacker group revealed the database location accidentally. The analysis of the database was conducted in partnership with a third-party company specializing in data breach research. The cloud provider hosting the data was notified so it can be taken down.

1.2 TB database of stolen data

The stolen database contained 1.2 TB of files, cookies, and credentials that came from 3.2 million Windows-based computers. The data was stolen between 2018 and 2020. The database included 2 billion cookies. The analysis revealed that over 400 million, or 22%, of those cookies were still valid at the time when the database was discovered.

We now know that the virus escaped with 6 million files it grabbed from Desktop and Downloads folders. 3 million text files, 900,00 image files, and 600,000+ Word files made up the bulk of the stolen database, but it also contained over 1,000 types of different files.

Screenshots made by the malware reveal that it spread via illegal software (Adobe Photoshop), Windows cracking tools, and pirated games. Moreover, the malware also photographed the user if the device had a webcam.

The dangers of custom malware

Just like with hurricanes, experts love naming dangerous malware. But computer viruses don’t have to have names to be capable of stealing lots of data. The truth is, anyone can get their hands on custom malware. It’s cheap, customizable, and can be found all over the web.

Dark web ads for these viruses uncover even more truth about this market. For instance, anyone can get their own custom malware and even lessons on how to use the stolen data for as little as $100. And custom does mean custom – advertisers promise that they can build a virus to attack virtually any app the buyer needs.

How to stay safe

Based on the feedback from the researchers, it may be impossible to tell whether a file is infected. If the malware is new, no antivirus can recognize it. The only way to stay safe is to follow good cyber hygiene rules:

  • Web browsers are not good at protecting sensitive data. Use password managers to protect your credentials and auto-fill information.
  • Malware can’t access encrypted files. Services like NordLocker protect your files both on your computer and the cloud, so malware can’t just grab them.
  • Some cookies are valid for 90 days, and some don’t expire for an entire year. Make deleting cookies a monthly habit.
  • Peer-to-peer networks are often used for spreading malware. Only download software from the developer’s website and other well-known sources.
  • All malware gets recognized eventually. Make sure that your antivirus is always updated to prevent old viruses from slipping through the cracks.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

How ScottMadden rolled out security integration with Azure AD

ScottMaden is a management consulting group that supports Fortune 500 companies. The service provider focuses on two primary business areas: the energy sector and corporate & shared services. With 40-year experience in the industry, ScottMadden provides its clients with strategic planning through implementation across different business fields and functions.

Addressing numerous global clientele challenges represents ScottMadden’s expertise in sophisticated planning. Therefore, how does a company with up to 250 full-time employees throughout the United States and three local East Coast offices face internal security issues? Clinton Miller, IT Director of ScottMadden, shares their story on filling in the missing links in the organization’s cybersecurity strategy.

The Challenge

Securing employees on the go the right way

The company consults domestic and international clients — employees travel quite a bit to client sites and work hands-on on their projects. Hence, a hybrid work model wasn’t the new normal for the organization once the pandemic hit.

ScottMadden consultants spend a lot of time in airports and other public spaces where they would connect to the airport or mobile hotspots and hotel wifi. Yet, the company’s solution wasn’t as good for protecting and running smoothly while traveling.

“The concern was to improve the existing security model and ensure our employees had an encrypted connection regardless of which network they were on.”

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Having better performance, following industry best practices, and fulfilling client requirements to protect data outside the office were the driving factors in looking for a change. But is there a solution that can solve the problem effectively and efficiently onboard?

The Solution

Streamlined client drive-out to different environments

The traveling ScottMadden consultants and employees working from home used to rely on browser-based encryption. Using built-in data encoding in Office365 applications allowed them to perform job tasks and communicate with teams with some security levels.

However, the issue was the poor connection flow while video conferencing — latency is a deal breaker for online business meetings in a remote setup.

“Everyone during the pandemic did a lot of video conferencing via Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom. We aimed to ensure there was a minimal impact on video calls.”

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One thing is handling latency to elevate employees’ and clients’ experience. But can the transition process administratively have a minimal impact on existing company infrastructure and cybersecurity strategy?

“One of the things we wanted to do was to push out the client fairly easily, operating on an SSO solution already in use.”

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ScottMadden uses solution Azure AD single sign-on solution for user identification within the organization. The company operates in macOS and Windows environments, so the chosen solution had to fit into the criteria for integration and simplicity.

Why choose NordLayer?

NordLayer solution is compatible with major service providers on the market. Thus, the company could integrate with AzureAD IAM solution and roll out organization-wide onboarding to a new solution using existing SSO.

The endpoint management solution allowed remote access in macOS and Windows environments.

“The implementation of NordLayer went a lot easier when we connected clients to Azure AD. It relieved us from setting up new individual accounts for every 250+ people in the organization.”

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The IT Director handled the process — it didn’t require a lot of resources and time to deploy the solution in the organization.

Organization onboarding using Azure AD by ScottMadden

According to Clinton Miller, the IT Director of the company, the longest step was to create an Azure group and add NordLayer. Once it was solved, the complete rollout to NordLayer solution took only a few hours.

The Outcome

Onboarding to a chosen solution enabled the company to secure team connections and extensive access to functionalities that comply with ScottMadden set benchmarks. Achieving data security didn’t have to compromise connection speed and video conferencing quality.

“Anytime employees are outside the office – at home or coffee shop – wherever they might be, we validated that they can reach all the services they needed, and speed wasn’t an issue.”

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The transition to the new tool was heavily based on the company’s SSO. The documentation, knowledge base, and support team are highly responsive with communication to walk IT leaders through the process.

“For other potential decision-makers: onboarding NordLayer isn’t a heavy lift — you have the support and knowledge base ready, so it’s pretty straightforward.”

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Moreover, NordLayer’s Control Panel provides a good cross-reference point for those using the tool while working outside the office by filtering ongoing active connections.

It also delivers another step in the reporting process for the IT admin and the whole organization. For instance, it verifies that the organization follows internal policies by exporting connection data to verify and justify to a third-party audit.

Pro cybersecurity tips

Different sectors, industries, and services, but the same goal unites every organization’s IT leaders — securing their company assets. Following best practices and professional knowledge helps achieve security targets easier. Clinton Miller, the IT Director at ScottMadden, shares his top-on-the-list tips:

Do you need to upgrade existing tools used in your organization to align with best practices in the industry, improve processes and performance for the team, or expand your capabilities of tracking and reviewing the implemented security strategy?

Using NordLayer, you can integrate more features and functionalities with the organization’s preferred tools, service providers, and IAM solutions. It is possible without committing to massive changes and re-organizing current policies and infrastructure. Reach out to find out about your options on how to secure connections for the off-office employees and improve their experience while working online.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About NordLayer
NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses – from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

You can now filter by your agent version!

Whenever you are investigating any issue in your organization, it’s good practice to know which version of the agent is running on each asset. And now you can!

This filtering capability will also be useful when agent rolling updates will be released! Stay tuned!

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

About VRX
VRX is a consolidated vulnerability management platform that protects assets in real time. Its rich, integrated features efficiently pinpoint and remediate the largest risks to your cyber infrastructure. Resolve the most pressing threats with efficient automation features and precise contextual analysis.

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