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Is SD-WAN Dead? Why SD-WAN Still Matters in Hybrid and Remote Work Environments

Introduction

Quick Answer: SD-WAN isn’t dead—it’s evolving. As businesses embrace hybrid work and lean towards security-driven solutions, SD-WAN remains essential. But it’s now frequently integrated with robust security frameworks like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to meet modern demands for secure, adaptable connectivity.

Sdwan evolution infographic

Why SD-WAN Still Plays a Key Role in Today’s Networks

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is a powerful tool for managing and optimizing network traffic, especially as businesses scale across branch offices, remote users, and cloud environments. Initially, SD-WAN gained popularity by helping organizations manage traffic across multiple network connections, making it easier and cheaper to access cloud applications and other remote resources without relying on costly MPLS networks. Even today, SD-WAN remains highly relevant for providing flexibility, connectivity, and performance.
However, the role of SD-WAN is evolving. More organizations are moving towards integrated solutions that combine SD-WAN with security tools, like Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and SASE. This shift allows companies to secure their networks and streamline operations, helping them address the needs of a more distributed workforce. Research shows SD-WAN’s market growth is steady, with analysts forecasting a 16.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2027. SD-WAN is adapting, not disappearing.

What’s “Coffee Shop Networking” and How Does It Impact SD-WAN?


Coffee Shop Networking

What is Coffee Shop Networking?

Dive deeper into this topic ➡

The rise of remote and hybrid work has redefined network requirements. With employees connecting from home or flexible workspaces, some businesses no longer need full-featured SD-WAN at every location. This demand for flexible, lighter connectivity options has led to what’s being called “coffee shop networking”—a model where remote users access corporate resources from various locations with minimal infrastructure.

For about 10-20% of enterprise sites, lighter SD-WAN functionality is sufficient to provide the required connectivity, allowing businesses to save on costs while maintaining reliable access. For these cases, streamlined SD-WAN services can offer just enough support for users working outside traditional offices. However, for industries like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing, full-featured SD-WAN remains critical due to the higher demands for network reliability and performance.

Integrating SD-WAN with Security: Why SASE and ZTNA are Essential

Integrating SD-WAN with Security graphic

As network and security needs converge, companies are moving towards integrated frameworks that combine SD-WAN with built-in security. Stand-alone SD-WAN solutions are becoming less common as organizations seek unified approaches that prioritize security and user access control. This shift is largely driven by Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), a framework that combines SD-WAN functionality with security services, allowing businesses to protect remote connections without compromising performance.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is another important layer, enabling strict access control based on identity and device, ensuring only verified users gain network access. By integrating SD-WAN with security solutions like SASE and ZTNA, businesses create a streamlined, secure environment suitable for today’s decentralized workforce.

How Thinfinity Workspace Enhances SD-WAN with Extra Security Features

For companies looking to get even more value from their SD-WAN, Thinfinity Workspace provides enhanced security and access controls that complement traditional SD-WAN capabilities. Here’s how Thinfinity Workspace boosts SD-WAN performance:

  1. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
    Thinfinity Workspace adds ZTNA to SD-WAN, enforcing user and device-based access controls that limit network access only to authenticated users. This advanced layer of security ensures that both on-site and remote users can access resources securely, making it ideal for supporting a distributed workforce.
  2. Remote Privileged Access Management (RPAM)
    Thinfinity Workspace also includes Remote Privileged Access Management (RPAM), which provides secure, controlled access for privileged users and third-party vendors. Unlike traditional SD-WAN, which focuses on traffic routing and network performance, Thinfinity Workspace’s RPAM allows businesses to tightly control access to sensitive resources, enhancing overall security for remote and hybrid environments.

Is SD-WAN Dead? Why the Future of SD-WAN is in its Adaptability

SD-WAN is not dead; it’s evolving to meet the changing demands of hybrid work and distributed teams. Organizations still need reliable connectivity across branch locations and cloud applications, especially in a world where secure access is critical. By adapting to include features like SASE and ZTNA, SD-WAN continues to play an essential role in enterprise networking, while tools like Thinfinity Workspace add even more flexibility, security, and control.

Conclusion

SD-WAN remains a valuable solution for enterprises looking to manage and secure their networks in today’s hybrid work environment. By integrating with security frameworks like SASE, and adding advanced capabilities through Thinfinity Workspace, businesses can keep their networks adaptable, secure, and prepared for the future.

About Cybele Software Inc.
We help organizations extend the life and value of their software. Whether they are looking to improve and empower remote work or turn their business-critical legacy apps into modern SaaS, our software enables customers to focus on what’s most important: expanding and evolving their business.

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.

Scale Computing’s Katie Beezley Named to CRN’s 2024 Channel Women on the Rise!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Katie Beezley, our Senior Marketing Events Manager, for her well-deserved recognition as a rising leader in the IT channel! Katie has been named to CRN’s prestigious 2024 Channel Women on the Rise list—a testament to her dedication, innovation, and the incredible impact she’s had on both Scale Computing and our valued partner community. A seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience, Katie excels at crafting engaging, impactful events that drive business growth and customer engagement. From orchestrating large-scale conferences to developing the strategic plans that support them, she brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Katie’s inclusion on the esteemed CRN list is a testament to her exceptional talent and the impact she’s had on both Scale Computing and the wider IT channel. This year, Katie’s leadership shone through in the planning and execution of our flagship partner and customer event, Scale Computing Platform 2024 (Platform//2024), in Las Vegas. The event offered a vibrant platform for networking, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, and delivering valuable educational sessions with industry leaders. Under Katie’s meticulous guidance and partner-centric approach, Platform//2024 was a resounding success, achieving a Net Promoter Score of 97 (nearly double the industry average!). The event welcomed over 700 attendees from 53 countries around the world—including over 250 members of the Scale Computing Partner Community—creating meaningful connections, fostering stronger partnerships, and bolstering business growth. We’re excited to build on that success as Katie and the team plan for Platform//2025 and anticipate welcoming over 500 partners from the global Scale Computing Partner Community to next year’s event, held May 13-15 in Las Vegas. “Every woman on the CRN 2024 Channel Women on the Rise list has demonstrated outstanding commitment to innovation and excellence in the IT channel,” said Jennifer Follett, Vice President of U.S. Content and Executive Editor of CRN at The Channel Company. “They are making great strides in their careers because of their dedication to advancing success for their partners and shaping the future of the channel ecosystem.” The Scale Computing team extends our sincerest congratulations to Katie and all the remarkable women on this year’s list who are making their mark on the IT channel! The 2024 Channel Women on the Rise list will be featured online November 25th and in the December issue of CRN Magazine.

About Scale Computing 
Scale Computing is a leader in edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions. Scale Computing HC3 software eliminates the need for traditional virtualization software, disaster recovery software, servers, and shared storage, replacing these with a fully integrated, highly available system for running applications. Using patented HyperCore™ technology, the HC3 self-healing platform automatically identifies, mitigates, and corrects infrastructure problems in real-time, enabling applications to achieve maximum uptime. When ease-of-use, high availability, and TCO matter, Scale Computing HC3 is the ideal infrastructure platform. Read what our customers have to say on Gartner Peer Insights, Spiceworks, TechValidate and TrustRadius.

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.

Guide to Apple’s M chips: M1, M2, M3, and beyond

 

The M chip is perhaps Apple’s most important release in the 2020s (so far).  

Introduced in November 2020, the M1 chip was the first one designed exclusively for macOS.  

Its speed, efficiency, and power have provided a notable boost to the complete Mac experience. 

Before the M1 release, Apple used Arm technology in its iOS devices (iPhone and iPad). Arm chips were used in Macs from 2016 to 2020 and are still commonly used in Windows machines.  

Still, the M1 chip delivers faster performance and exceptional power efficiency, including a 2X longer battery life.  

Following the successful release of M1, Apple unveiled the M2 chip in 2022, the M3 chip in 2023, and the M4 chip this past May.  

It’s a safe bet that the M5 chip will be released in 2025. Of course, it’s expected to be faster than all its M series predecessors.  

Try Parallels Desktop for Mac and run all your favorite apps on the M chip Apple computers, including Windows-exclusive apps. 

What are the differences between each M chip version?

There are significant differences among M chip versions, each with generation-over-generation updates and improvements. Let’s take a closer look:  

M1 chip

Released in 2020, the first M1 chip integrates the CPU (central processing unit) with the GPU (graphics processing unit) on a single piece of silicon. Consequently, enabling it to perform faster and extend MacBook’s battery life.  

Johny Srouji, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Technologies, said at the M1 announcement, “There has never been a chip like M; our breakthrough SoC (system on a chip) for the Mac.  

It builds on more than a decade of designing industry-leading chips for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, and ushers in a whole new era for the Mac.”  

The M1 chip is available in MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac models.  

M1 Pro

The M1 Pro offers increased performance with more CPU and GPU cores, making it 70 percent faster than the M1.  

 A PC chip’s peak performance paled compared to M1 Pro’s 1.7x higher CPU performance while using less than 70 percent power.  

The M1 Pro chip’s integrated graphics performed 7x faster than the 8-core PC laptop chip with its 16-core CPU.  

The M1 Pro is available on MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, and iPad Pro.  

M1 Max

When it launched in the fall of 2021, the M1 Max was the largest chip Apple had ever built.  

With a 10-core CPU similar to the M1 Pro, it added an impressive 32-core GPU, making its graphics processing capabilities 4x faster than the original M1.  

It performed like the highest-end GPU for the largest PC laptops but required far less power.  

The M1 Max allows for faster performance while it generates less heat and uses quiet fans.  

The M1 Max is available on MacBook Pro and MacBook Studio models.  

M1 Ultra

In the M1 series, M1 Ultra is the M chip on steroids.  

It is the UltraFusion packaging of two M1 Max dies, thus creating a powerful system on a chip.  

As a result, it produces 2.5 terabytes of bandwidth—four times higher than its competing PC.  

Mac M1 Ultra is exclusive to Mac Studio, providing access to apps designed for iPhone and iPad plus universal apps.  

M2 chip

Launching the next generation of Apple’s silicon, the M2 is exclusively designed for Macs.  

Like its M1 predecessor, it maintained its focus on power and efficiency and delivered a CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. 

The SoC design of M2 has 50 percent more bandwidth than M1, with up to 24GB of fast unified memory, enabling it to handle larger and more complex workloads. 

The M2 chip is available on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, iPad Pro, and Mac Studio. 

M2 Pro

The M2 Pro is available on the Mac Mini and the MacBook Pro. 

M2 Max

M2 Max is the answer for users who require heavy media tasks.  

The M2 Max was the most powerful chip Apple put in a laptop until the M2 Ultra debuted. It has the power to function in GPU-in-depth tasks and machine-learning applications.   

The M2 Max is available on MacBook Pro and Mac Studio. 

M2 Ultra

Inspired by its precursor, the M1 Ultra, the M2 Ultra is created from two M2 Max chips with UltraFusion technology.  

It offers scaled-up workflows, transcodes, exports video, runs intricate particle simulations, and works within 3D environments.  

When the M2 Ultra chip was released in June 2023, it made the new Mac Studio and Mac Pro the most powerful Mac desktops ever released up to that point.   

The M2 Ultra is available on Mac Studio and the Mac Pro.  

M3 chip

The M3 series was released in the fall of 2023, introducing the first three-nanometer technology.  

Apple surprised the industry by releasing the three models all at once, rather than their usual practice of releasing them in waves.  

Laura Metz, director of Apple’s Mac product marketing team, stressed how important it was for the M3 series to democratize features and ensure they are accessible to all users while also building their systems for real-life workloads.   

The M3 chip series introduced the Apple 3nm (or 3-nanometer), allowing more transistors to be packed into smaller spaces while elevating speed and efficiency.  

The devices with M3 chips include the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the iMac. 

M3 Pro

The M3 pro streamlines workflows for creatives, coders, and researchers. This efficiency was accomplished by making the GPU 40 percent faster than the M1 Pro.   

The MacBook Pro comes with the M3 Pro chip.  

M3 Max

The M3 Max is designed for users who require complex applications like 3D graphics and video editing due to its architectural improvements to the performance and efficiency cores. 

M2 Ultra

Despite the success of its predecessors, the M1 and M2 Ultra, and anticipation for the M3 Ultra, Apple scrapped releasing it. Instead, they skipped over this version and went straight into the M4 chip series. 

M4 chip

In May 2024, Apple released the iPad Pro powered by an M4 chip, making it the second-generation three-nanometer technology.  

The M4 series comes with advanced machine-learning features for future software releases.  

Building on the M series legacy, the M4 offers power-efficient performance while making the iPad Pro the most powerful device of its kind.  

Devices with M4 chips include iPad Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, and the MacBook Pro. 

M5 chip

The M5 chip is anticipated for release in 2025, leaping further into performance efficiency.  

At this time, Apple has not shared what M5 will bring; however, it is expected to continue to build off the previous series.  

There are speculations that new iterations like the Pro, Max, and Ultra will follow the M5.  

It is worth pointing out that all the M series chips are 100% carbon neutral, aligning with Apple’s carbon neutral plan to have net-zero climate impact across its business by 2030.   

Parallels Desktop works beautifully with M chip Macs

Parallels Desktop allows Mac users to run Windows, Linux, and more on all M chip Macs.  

As the only Microsoft-authorized solution running Windows on Macs with Intel and Apple silicon, the Parallels Desktop team continues to collaborate closely with Apple to bring our millions of users with the latest updates so that they can feel confident investing in their Mac.   

Elevate your Mac experience running Windows and Windows applications. Choose from over 200,000 apps to work, study, and play.  

Want to try it for yourself? Get your free trial of Parallels Desktop now.  

About Parallels 
Parallels® is a global leader in cross-platform solutions, enabling businesses and individuals to access and use the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers leverage the best technology available, whether it’s Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android or the cloud.

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.

ESET Research discovers the first UEFI bootkit for Linux

  • In November 2024, a previously unknown application, named bootkit.efi, was uploaded to VirusTotal, upon inspection ESET Research discovered it to be an UEFI application.
  • Further analysis confirmed that it is a UEFI bootkit, named Bootkitty by its creators; surprisingly, it’s the first UEFI bootkit to target Linux – specifically, several Ubuntu versions. The bootkit contains many artifacts, suggesting that this is more like a proof of concept than the work of a threat actor.
  • ESET Research also discovered a possibly related kernel module, which we named BCDropper, that deploys an Executable and Linking Format (ELF) Linux program responsible for loading another kernel module.

BRATISLAVA — November 27, 2024 — ESET research has discovered the first UEFI bootkit designed for Linux systems, named Bootkitty by its creators. ESET believes this bootkit is likely an initial proof of concept, and based on ESET telemetry, it has not been deployed in the wild. However, it is the first evidence that UEFI bootkits are no longer confined to Windows systems alone. The bootkit’s main goal is to disable the kernel’s signature verification feature and to preload two as yet unknown ELF binaries via the Linux “init” process (which is the first process executed by the Linux kernel during system startup).

The previously unknown UEFI application, named “bootkit.efi”, was uploaded to VirusTotal. Bootkitty is signed by a self-signed certificate, thus is not capable of running on systems with UEFI Secure Boot enabled by default. However, Bootkitty is designed to boot the Linux kernel seamlessly, whether UEFI Secure Boot is enabled or not, as it patches, in memory, the necessary functions responsible for integrity verification.

The bootkit is an advanced rootkit that is capable of replacing the boot loader, and of patching the kernel ahead of its execution. Bootkitty allows the attacker to take full control over the affected machine, as it co-opts the machine’s booting process and executes malware before the operating system has even started.

During the analysis, ESET discovered a possibly related unsigned kernel module that ESET named BCDropper – with signs suggesting that it could have been developed by the same author(s) as Bootkitty. It deploys an ELF binary responsible for loading yet another kernel module unknown at the time of analysis.

“Bootkitty contains many artifacts suggesting that this is more like a proof of concept than the work of an threat actor.  Even though the current version from VirusTotal does not, at the moment, represent a real threat to the majority of Linux systems since it can affect only a few Ubuntu versions, it emphasizes the necessity of being prepared for potential future threats,” says ESET researcher Martin Smolár, who analyzed Bootkitty. “To keep your Linux systems safe from such threats, make sure that UEFI Secure Boot is enabled, your system firmware, security software and OS are up-to-date, and so is your UEFI revocations list,” he adds.

After booting up a system with Bootkitty in the ESET testing environment, researchers noticed that the kernel was marked as tainted (a command can be used to check the tainted value), which was not the case when the bootkit was absent. Another way to tell whether the bootkit is present on the system with UEFI Secure Boot enabled is by attempting to load an unsigned dummy kernel module during runtime. If it’s present, the module will be loaded; if not – the kernel refuses to load it. A simple remedy to get rid of the bootkit, when the bootkit is deployed as “/EFI/ubuntu/grubx64.efi”, is to move the legitimate “/EFI/ubuntu/grubx64-real.efi” file back to its original location, which is “/EFI/ubuntu/grubx64.efi”.

Over the past few years, the UEFI threat landscape, particularly that of UEFI bootkits, has evolved significantly. It all started with the first UEFI bootkit proof of concept (PoC) described by Andrea Allievi in 2012, which served as a demonstration of deploying bootkits on modern UEFI-based Windows systems, and was followed with many other PoCs (EfiGuard, Boot Backdoor, UEFI-bootkit). It took several years until the first two real UEFI bootkits were discovered in the wild (one of those was ESPecter in 2021 by ESET), and it took two more years until the infamous BlackLotus – the first UEFI bootkit capable of bypassing UEFI Secure Boot on up-to-date systems – appeared (in 2023 discovered by ESET).  A common thread among these publicly known bootkits was their exclusive targeting of Windows systems.

For a more detailed analysis and technical breakdown of Bootkitty, the first bootkit for Linux, check out the latest ESET Research blogpost “Bootkitty: Analyzing the first UEFI bootkit for Linux” on WeLiveSecurity.com. Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X) for the latest news from ESET Research.

Bootkitty execution overview

 

About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint security to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give individuals and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D facilities worldwide, ESET became the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003.

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.

Click. Buy. Oops! How Small Businesses Can Avoid Cyber Traps This Black Friday

Key Takeaways:

  1. Cyber risks such as phishing, credential theft, and data breaches surge during shopping festivals, leaving small businesses particularly vulnerable.
  2. A lack of awareness and preparedness among small businesses makes them prime targets for cybercriminals.
  3. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a crucial role in securing these businesses but require robust tools and strategies to protect digital assets effectively.

The Holiday Season: A Goldmine for Cybercriminals

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, consumers eagerly anticipate significant discounts, and businesses brace for increased sales. However, amidst this commercial excitement, cybercriminals are equally prepared to exploit the surge in online activity. The combination of heightened online transactions, distracted employees, and hurried decision-making creates an ideal environment for cyber threats. From phishing emails masquerading as legitimate invoices to malware-laden advertisements, attackers leverage the chaos to infiltrate systems.

A notable example is the 2013 Target data breach, where attackers accessed the retailer’s network through a third-party vendor, compromising the credit and debit card information of approximately 40 million customers. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance during peak shopping periods.

Small Businesses: The Unseen Targets of Cybercrime

While large corporations often dominate headlines following cyberattacks, small businesses are far from immune. In fact, their limited resources and less sophisticated security measures often make them more attractive targets for cybercriminals.

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing emails see a significant uptick during shopping festivals, with cybercriminals impersonating trusted brands or vendors. A single employee clicking on a malicious link can grant attackers access to sensitive business data. For instance, in 2020, a small manufacturing company in the U.S. fell victim to a phishing scam that resulted in a $100,000 loss, highlighting the severe impact such attacks can have on small enterprises.

2. Data Breaches and Leaks

Hackers often aim to steal customer information, such as credit card numbers or personal details. Small businesses, particularly those managing e-commerce transactions, are at significant risk if their systems aren’t secure. The 2018 breach of a small online retailer led to the exposure of thousands of customer records, resulting in financial loss and reputational damage.

3. Credential Theft

Weak passwords or reused credentials across platforms make it easier for attackers to infiltrate accounts, including cloud-based business tools and payment systems. In 2019, a small law firm experienced a data breach due to credential theft, compromising sensitive client information and leading to legal repercussions.

4. Ransomware

Once inside a system, attackers can deploy ransomware, encrypting vital data and demanding hefty sums for its release—crippling small businesses financially. The 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, though affecting a large entity, serves as a stark reminder of the potential devastation ransomware can cause, emphasizing the need for robust security measures across businesses of all sizes.

The Role of MSPs in Fortifying Cyber Defenses

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are on the frontlines, tasked with protecting small businesses from evolving cyber threats. Their responsibilities extend beyond implementing security solutions; they must also educate their clients.

Why MSPs Are Vital

  1. Expertise Across Platforms: MSPs possess a deep understanding of the complexities of modern IT environments, from endpoint devices to cloud-based systems.
  2. Proactive Monitoring: They can detect and neutralize threats before they escalate, ensuring continuous protection.
  3. Education and Awareness: By training small business employees to identify threats, MSPs help minimize human error—still the leading cause of breaches.

However, to succeed in this mission, MSPs require cutting-edge tools that provide comprehensive protection, visibility, and ease of management.

Practical Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses

Small businesses may lack extensive resources, but adopting these practical measures can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to cyberattacks:

  1. Educate Employees
    • Train staff to recognize phishing attempts, suspicious links, and fraudulent websites.
    • Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness sessions.
  2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
    • Avoid using the same passwords across platforms.
    • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
  3. Secure Payment Processes
    • Only use trusted payment processors with end-to-end encryption.
    • Monitor transactions for anomalies during high-traffic periods.
  4. Update Software and Systems
    • Regularly update operating systems, browsers, and security software to patch vulnerabilities.
    • Use automatic updates to ensure timely protection.
  5. Limit Access to Sensitive Information
    • Implement role-based access controls.
    • Regularly review user permissions and revoke access for former employees.
  6. Partner With a Trusted MSP
    • Collaborate with an MSP to implement advanced cybersecurity measures and maintain ongoing protection.

How Guardz Helps MSPs Safeguard Small Businesses

Guardz is a purpose-built solution designed to empower MSPs in their mission to secure small businesses during peak shopping seasons and beyond. Here’s how Guardz delivers unmatched protection:

  1. Comprehensive Endpoint Security Guardz provides real-time threat detection and response for all connected devices, ensuring no vulnerability goes unnoticed.
  2. Cloud Security and Visibility With Guardz, MSPs gain full visibility into their clients’ cloud environments, identifying misconfigurations and preventing unauthorized access.
  3. Streamlined Management Guardz simplifies cybersecurity management, enabling MSPs to protect multiple clients efficiently through a single platform.
  4. Employee Training and Awareness Tools Integrated training modules help MSPs educate small business employees, reducing the risk of human error.
  5. Affordable and Scalable Solutions Guardz understands the budget constraints of small businesses, offering flexible plans that grow with their needs.

Closing Thoughts

Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring immense opportunities for businesses but also attract cybercriminals looking to exploit vulnerabilities. Small businesses must remain vigilant, investing in cybersecurity and working closely with MSPs to fortify their defenses.

With tools like Guardz, MSPs can not only shield their clients from cyber threats but also instill confidence in their ability to navigate an increasingly digital world safely.

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About Guardz
Guardz is on a mission to create a safer digital world by empowering Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Their goal is to proactively secure and insure Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) against ever-evolving threats while simultaneously creating new revenue streams, all on one unified platform.

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.

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