2025-02-15 - Version 2

Best practices for web application security

Today, as we see the costs of dealing with hacks and data breaches skyrocket, businesses are increasingly looking to ensure the complete security of their IT infrastructure. Although preventing every attack with 100% certainty is simply impossible, mitigating the risks by following web application security best practices can significantly improve the chances of staying secure. This is why, for many companies, securing web applications is no longer optional—it’s essential. Today, we’ll be looking at common vulnerabilities related to web apps and ways to boost security.

What is web application security?

Web application security comprises strategies, tools, and practices designed to protect web applications from external threats, breaches, and vulnerabilities. It’s not just about responding to attacks. Think of it as more of a proactive approach that integrates security considerations right from the developmental phase, ensuring that every facet of a web app is secure against potential threats.

With the ever-increasing volume of sensitive information being shared online every single moment, the stakes have never been higher. Cyber threats are not static. Hackers adapt and evolve. This dynamic threat landscape demands vigilance and proactive measures, including addressing vulnerable attack points like APIs and securing the entire software supply chain to prevent breaches at every stage of the development lifecycle.

Web application security, therefore, remains a critical concern, ensuring businesses and their users can operate with confidence in the digital world.

What are common web app security vulnerabilities?

While web applications add to the ease of doing business, they also become a part of the potential attack surface area for hackers to target. In most cases, vulnerabilities related to web applications are due to a lax attitude towards best web application security practices. SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and authentication flaws are the favorite attack vectors that hackers use to exploit web apps. For an in-depth look at web app security risks, please check out our website security guide.

Why is secure web development important?

The 2021 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report notes that as more businesses continue to migrate their operations to the cloud, attacks on web applications have come to represent 39% of all breaches. The numbers are alarming, and organizations relying on web apps need to realize that ensuring the security of the infrastructure is an essential part of web and software development, which pays off in the long run.

The primary purpose of web app security is to prevent cyberattacks. Suffering a cyber incident often means compromised user accounts, derailed customer trust, damaged brand reputation, loss of sensitive data, loss of revenue, and a whole lot more. A recent IBM report indicates that the average cost of a data breach in 2021 stood at an astounding $4.24 million, which for smaller businesses can threaten their very existence.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to this: if businesses want to thrive in today’s internet-based economy, focus and resources can’t be limited when it comes to security.

Web application security best practices

Effective website security requires all-around effort. It includes such factors as making security a part of development procedures, configuration of the web server, creating password policies, and much more. Here are a few proven ways that you can boost your web application security.

#1: Web application security testing: Maintain standards during web app development

While developing a web application, remember that the old way of developing first and testing later is no longer the way to go. Be sure to place web application security at the top of the priority list during the development phase.

Test the security of your web application by sending different types of inputs to provoke errors and see if the system behaves in unexpected ways. These are what we call “negative tests,” and they can highlight design flaws within the system.

We also highly recommend employing the use of static application security tests (SAST), dynamic application security tests (DAST), and penetration tests (PT) during the development phase. By maintaining security standards during web app development, you will save yourself precious time in the future and have an app designed to withstand a security threat.

#2: Encrypt your data

Web apps and services rely on data and its flow between the server and the end user. Whenever someone uses your web application, they share information that often is sensitive in one way or the other. Data gathered and stored from user activity on your web application should be encrypted to mitigate the risks of a breach. For those who want to have a better understanding of what encryption is, how it works, and why it is so important in today’s digital world, here’s our guide to encryption.

#3: Backup your data

Preventing anything from happening with 100% certainty is not feasible. As we already established, the same applies to cyber threats. This is why it is so important to make regular backups of your data related to your web application.

If you suffer a breach or other sort of hack that relates to data leakage or theft, backups will be crucial in reinstating the functionality of your web app services. Backups will allow you to be back up and running in no time.

#4: Implement HTTPS

SSL technology is used to ensure encrypted data flow between the server and the end users. It is a required prerequisite for any secure web application. Typically SSL encryption is enabled by using HTTPS protocol, which can protect the flow of such sensitive information as credit card numbers, login credentials, and social security numbers. Think of it this way: by using HTTPS for your web applications, you will render data flow to and from your web app incoherent for any potential eavesdroppers. Furthermore, failing to use HTTPS will more than likely result in your users being warned about potentially unsafe websites by commonly used browsers, which is not a great look, especially in the eyes of first-time visitors.

#5: Have a strong password policy in place

Passwords are the first line of defense when it comes to unauthorized access. Use them correctly and your web application’s odds of withstanding an attack increase exponentially. Use them incorrectly and you’re in trouble. It’s important to encourage your users to use passwords the right way, too.

We’ve said it over and over, and we’ll continue to repeat ourselves. It is absolutely crucial to use complex and unique passwords. During the development stage, it is a good idea to adopt a business password manager for internal use. Not only will a password manager such as NordPass create strong passwords for you automatically, but it will ensure that they can be easily accessed and won’t ever be lost. In addition to improving your overall security posture, a password manager will increase your productivity thanks to convenient little features such as autofill and autosave.

On the user side of things, it is critical to implement strong password policies to mitigate possible risks. Make sure that the minimum password length for users is eight characters. Also, requires the use of upper- and lowercase letters and special symbols. While your users may not be thrilled to fulfill these requirements, they will thank you in the long run.

#6: Don’t forget about hosting

It’s common knowledge that a large part of your web application security relies on your hosting service provider and its security practices. Choosing the right host for your web application can be tricky and time-consuming. However, it is important to realize the importance of this decision. Choose a poor provider and face the consequences of poor security or reliability.

A reputable hosting provider, such as Hostinger, has a nice track record security-wise and is praised by its users. In most instances, reliable hosting services will put in the time to update their infrastructure and adhere to the best security practices of the time. The worst mistake that you as a web app developer can make is to choose the cheapest option and disregard other aspects of the service.

#7 Perform a regular web application security audit

The purpose of a web application audit is to review an application’s codebase to determine potential vulnerabilities. Audits can also provide a look at the security of the application’s communication challenges. As you continue to build and update your web application, new vulnerabilities may sneak in without you noticing. This is where regularly performed web application security audits can prevent you from releasing a potentially vulnerable app update and in turn save you a lot of time, frustration, and revenue among other things.

#8 Embrace authentication and Access Control

Authentication functions as a foundational aspect of web app security. It is there to verify and authorize the identity of users. Authentication serves as the first line of defense against unauthorized access. After authentication, access control defines what a user can see and do within the application.

Robust authentication mechanisms, especially multi-factor authentication (MFA), have become essential. Concurrently, access control operates on the principle of least privilege, ensuring users are granted only the permissions necessary for their specific roles. Regularly reviewing and updating these permissions is crucial if you wish to maintain the security integrity of the web app.

#9 Make web application security awareness training a part of your security strategy

When people think about how to protect a web application, they often focus on tools and systems to prevent issues, overlooking the human element—which can be a major vulnerability. Realizing this, discussing web application security with your team and organizing dedicated training sessions becomes essential.

Web application security awareness training is designed to provide the team with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to security threats and incidents. Such training sessions explore common cyber threats, best practices in web application security, and the importance of adhering to security protocols and requirements.

By fostering a culture of security awareness, you can reduce the risk of breaches resulting from human error or oversight. Regularly updating and refreshing this training ensures that all personnel are aware of the latest threats and mitigation techniques.

#10 Follow secure coding practices

Everything can be done securely or insecurely—and coding is no different, whether it’s for an application, system, or platform. By following secure coding practices, developers can reduce the likelihood of an application will have bugs and vulnerabilities that attackers can later exploit.

So, what are some of these practices? For example, using parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, implementing secure encryption, avoiding hardcoding sensitive information like passwords, and regularly reviewing code to identify and fix security issues. There are plenty more, of course, and all professional coders should not only be aware of them but also follow them consistently.

#11 Use a web application firewall

If you’re familiar with the concept of a firewall as a middle ground between your device or system and the internet—monitoring and filtering incoming HTTP traffic—then you already have an idea of what a web application firewall (WAF) does. In simple terms, it analyzes incoming requests and blocks suspicious or malicious activity, preventing SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other types of attacks to protect your application from potential risks. While it’s not a substitute for other layers of security, a web application firewall is a valuable extra defense mechanism—especially for handling new or unexpected threats.

Bottom line

As web applications become more complex and businesses’ dependency on them grows, application security should be at the top of the priority list for all businesses wishing to succeed in today’s digital economy. Moreover, experts note that the recent increase in web application attacks is only set to grow. Businesses cannot afford a lax attitude towards web application security anymore. However, with a holistic cybersecurity approach that includes following best web application security practices, organizations can significantly lower the threat risk and maintain a secure perimeter.

One such practice is using a robust IT password manager like NordPass, which helps protect access to company resources from unauthorized parties, enforce a strong password policy across the organization, and monitor the dark web for compromised company data. So, if your company is not using a password manager, give NordPass a try and see how it can improve your company’s cybersecurity.

About NordPass
NordPass is developed by Nord Security, a company leading the global market of cybersecurity products.

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.

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 Scott Mann and Kyle Fenske Named to CRN’s 2025 Channel Chief List

Mann also recognized on CRN’s elite 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs for 2025

INDIANAPOLIS – February 3, 2025 – Scale Computing, a market leader in edge computing, virtualization, and hyperconverged solutions, today announced that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named both Scott Mann, Managing Director and Vice President of Scale Computing International, and Kyle Fenske, Director, North American Channel, to the prestigious 2025 CRN Channel Chiefs list, which recognizes the IT vendor and distribution executives who are driving strategy and setting the channel agenda for their companies. Scott Mann was additionally named one of 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs, an elite subset of CRN’s Channel Chiefs list.

Scale Computing's Scott Mann and Kyle Fenske Named to CRN's 2025 Channel Chiefs List

The Channel Chiefs list, released annually by CRN, showcases the top leaders throughout the IT channel ecosystem who work tirelessly to ensure mutual success with their partners and customers. The notable 50 Most Influential Channel Chiefs list highlights leaders who have achieved remarkable professional and channel accomplishments. Their influence and strategic leadership play a significant role in shaping the future of the IT community, fostering innovation, and supporting the success of solution providers.

Mann has been named a Channel Chief for seven consecutive years for his leadership within the Scale Computing Partner Community. In 2024, he continued to grow Scale Computing’s channel team and spearheaded the company’s growth initiatives across all international markets, while overseeing the global channel. This is Fenske’s inaugural year on the Channel Chiefs list, recognizing him for his integral role in leading Scale Computing’s North American channel activities. Over the past year, Scale Computing achieved record growth in revenue from both existing and net new business and expanded key global partnerships, driven by customers and partners seeking VMware alternative virtualization platforms, edge computing, and AI inference solutions.

“We are very proud of Scott and Kyle for their Channel Chief list inclusion. Both are very deserving of this recognition as they play pivotal roles in our partner community. Scale Computing is a proud channel-first organization and we remain committed to ensuring that our partners find us to be the best and most productive solution in their portfolio. Coming off an incredible 2024, we look forward to continuing to grow our business with our partner community,” said Dave Hallmen, chief revenue officer, Scale Computing.

Registration is currently open for the annual Scale Computing Platform Summit (Platform//2025), the company’s flagship event for IT professionals and partners. The three-day event, held May 13-15, 2025, at Resorts World in Las Vegas, will feature live educational and best practices sessions, dedicated networking opportunities, the Platform//2025 Awards Dinner, training and certification opportunities, and more. Guests can register for the event and view the event agenda on the Platform//2025 website. Special early bird pricing is available through February 14, 2025.

Scale Computing’s channel recognition on the 2025 Channel Chiefs list comes on the heels of the company’s 2024 CRN Annual Report Card (ARC) award win in the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure category, sweeping all subcategories. The Channel Company also honored the Scale Computing Partner Community with a 5-star rating in the 2024 CRN Partner Program Guide and named Scale Computing Autonomous Infrastructure Management Engine (AIME) a winner of the CRN’s 2024 Products of the Year Awards in the Edge Computing/IoT category.

“This year’s honorees exemplify dedication, innovation, and leadership that supports solution provider success and fosters growth across the channel,” said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. “Each of these exceptional leaders has made a lasting channel impact by championing partnerships and designing creative strategies that get results. They’ve set a high bar in the channel, and we’re thrilled to recognize their standout achievements.”

CRN’s 2025 Channel Chiefs list will be featured in the February 2025 print issue of CRN® Magazine and online beginning February 3rd at CRN.com/ChannelChiefs.

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

Scale Computing Scale Computing News 2025

How CISOs Can Implement Effective Crisis Simulations: A Strategic Guide

It’s not a matter of if a crisis will happen but when. Whether it’s a ransomware attack, a massive data breach, or an insider threat gone rogue, the best defense is a well-practiced offense. That’s where crisis simulations come in.

CISOs who want to ensure their organizations are prepared for the inevitable must go beyond basic tabletop exercises and create realistic, high-pressure simulations that truly test their teams’ readiness. But how do you build an effective crisis simulation? What are the key roles that need to be involved? And how do you measure its success?

Let’s break it down.

Key Considerations for Crisis Simulations

Before jumping into running a crisis simulation, CISOs must consider several factors to ensure the exercise is meaningful and impactful.

1. Define Your Objectives

Not all crisis simulations are created equal. Some aim to test incident response speed, while others focus on communication breakdowns or decision-making under pressure. Clearly defining the goals of your simulation will guide its design and ensure participants extract valuable lessons from the exercise.

Some common objectives include:

Identifying gaps in incident response plans
Evaluating the effectiveness of security controls
Improving interdepartmental coordination
Strengthening executive decision-making under stress

2. Choose the Right Type of Crisis Scenario

CISOs should tailor the crisis scenario to their organization’s risk profile. A fintech company may prioritize a financial fraud attack, while a healthcare provider might focus on ransomware locking up patient records.

Popular types of crisis scenarios include:

Ransomware Attack – Simulating a situation where an attacker encrypts company data and demands a ransom.
Data Breach – Testing how the organization handles a leak of sensitive customer or employee data.
Insider Threat – Examining the impact of an employee with privileged access who intentionally or accidentally compromises security.
Cloud Service Disruption – Evaluating response when a critical third-party provider suffers an outage.
Social Engineering Attack – Assessing how well employees can detect and respond to phishing, smishing, or deepfake-enabled threats.

3. Simulate Real-World Pressures

One of the biggest pitfalls of crisis simulations is making them too easy. A real cyber crisis will be high-stakes, with confused teams, conflicting information, and time-sensitive decisions.

To create realistic pressure, consider:

Injecting misinformation to see how teams separate fact from fiction.
Simulating media or public relations pressure with mock journalist inquiries.
Testing executive decision-making with financial or regulatory consequences.
Limiting key resources (e.g., “your security lead is on vacation”).

4. Cross-Functional Involvement is Key

Cybersecurity is not just an IT problem—it’s a business problem. Crisis simulations should involve a cross-functional team that reflects real-world response dynamics.

Critical Roles Involved

For a comprehensive simulation, ensure the following key roles are represented:

1. Cybersecurity & IT Team

Security Operations Center (SOC) analysts
Incident response team
IT infrastructure and cloud security teams
Forensic investigators

2. Executive Leadership

CISO (Chief Information Security Officer)
CIO (Chief Information Officer)
CEO (if testing high-stakes decision-making)
Board members (for strategic-level simulations)

3. Legal & Compliance Team

General counsel or external legal advisors
Data protection officers
Compliance officers (GDPR, CCPA, PCI-DSS, etc.)

4. Public Relations & Communications

Media relations specialists
Internal communications team
Crisis PR consultants (if available)

5. Business Unit Representatives

Finance and operations teams
HR (for insider threat scenarios)
Customer support (if client data is impacted)

Different Approaches to Crisis Simulations

There are multiple ways to conduct crisis simulations, ranging from low-key discussions to full-blown cyber war games. Here are the most common approaches:

1. Tabletop Exercises (TTXs)

Tabletop exercises involve gathering key stakeholders in a conference room (or virtual call) to walk through a hypothetical crisis. Participants discuss how they would respond at each stage of the attack.

Pros:

Low cost and easy to set up
Ideal for leadership teams
Good for testing policies and communication plans

Cons:

Lacks real-world technical stress
Doesn’t test hands-on incident response skills

2. Live Incident Response Drills

This method involves a simulated attack on the company’s network to test the SOC, IT, and security teams’ ability to detect, contain, and mitigate threats in real-time.

Pros:

Provides a hands-on technical test
Identifies gaps in threat detection and response
Builds muscle memory for security teams

Cons:

Requires more time and resources
Can be disruptive if not planned properly

3. Red Team vs. Blue Team Exercises

A dedicated “red team” of ethical hackers attempts to compromise the organization’s defenses, while the “blue team” (internal security teams) defends against them.

Pros:

Mimics real-world adversarial behavior
Improves detection and response capabilities

Cons:

Requires skilled red teamers
Can create internal friction if teams take it personally

4. Full-Scale Cyber Wargames

In this high-intensity approach, multiple teams (security, legal, PR, executives) must respond to a simulated crisis over several hours or days, dealing with real-time injected challenges.

Pros:

Comprehensive stress test of incident response plan
Encourages interdepartmental collaboration

Cons:

Resource-intensive and complex to manage

Measuring the Effectiveness of Crisis Simulations

How do you know if your crisis simulation was a success? Here are some key metrics and evaluation techniques:

1. Response Time Metrics

Time to detect and escalate the incident
Time to contain the threat
Time to restore normal operations

2. Communication Effectiveness

How well teams coordinated their response
Accuracy and speed of internal and external messaging
Effectiveness of executive decision-making under pressure

3. Policy & Process Gaps

Did teams follow the incident response plan?
Were there any gaps in escalation procedures?
Were legal and compliance requirements met?

4. Post-Mortem & Lessons Learned

Conduct a structured post-mortem meeting to:

Identify what went well and what failed.
Document gaps in security controls.
Update incident response plans accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Crisis simulations are one of the most powerful tools in a CISO’s arsenal. When done correctly, they expose weaknesses before an actual attack does, ensuring that both technical teams and business leaders are ready to handle high-stakes incidents.

By taking a structured approach—defining clear objectives, involving the right stakeholders, using realistic stressors, and continuously improving based on lessons learned—CISOs can turn crisis simulations from a check-the-box exercise into a critical pillar of their organization’s cyber resilience strategy.

So, are you ready to put your organization’s crisis response to the test?

About Portnox
Portnox provides simple-to-deploy, operate and maintain network access control, security and visibility solutions. Portnox software can be deployed on-premises, as a cloud-delivered service, or in hybrid mode. It is agentless and vendor-agnostic, allowing organizations to maximize their existing network and cybersecurity investments. Hundreds of enterprises around the world rely on Portnox for network visibility, cybersecurity policy enforcement and regulatory compliance. The company has been recognized for its innovations by Info Security Products Guide, Cyber Security Excellence Awards, IoT Innovator Awards, Computing Security Awards, Best of Interop ITX and Cyber Defense Magazine. Portnox has offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia. For information visit http://www.portnox.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.。

About Version 2 Digital

Network Portnox 2025

Best VMware Alternatives to Consider in 2025

With the evolution of virtualization technology, many businesses and individuals are exploring VMware alternatives that can offer unique features at more affordable prices. Today, different options are available, depending on your specific needs.

Whether you’re looking for a more budget-friendly solution, open-source flexibility, or specialized capabilities, the market has different alternatives that can provide excellent performance and a wide range of virtualization features. Here are five of the best options to consider.

Virtuozzo Hybrid Infrastructure

Virtuozzo Hybrid infrastructure is a cloud platform designed for service providers, enterprises, and software vendors, which OpenStack fully manages. The platform offers an efficient and secure solution tailored for cloud-native applications, artificial intelligence, and machine learning projects. Virtuozzo Hybrid integrates virtualization, orchestration, and storage technologies into a single hyper-converged platform, simplifying cloud management, ensuring rapid deployment, and saving capital.

The platform includes KVM-based virtualization, Kubernetes orchestration, storage based on software, and S3-compatible object storage. It also consists of an in-built load balancer, management tools that help streamline operations and are very easy to use, and a backup. It allows users access to resources through a self-service portal, allowing for quick provision and monitoring of computing, network services, and storage.

Key use cases include building private or public clouds, running cloud-native applications, and providing disaster recovery solutions. Virtuozzo Hybrid Infrastructure also supports virtual machines, persistent storage for Kubernetes, and high-availability configurations for critical applications. Integration with Storware Backup and Recovery adds a layer of security to data stored and processed on the Virtuozzo infrastructure.

This platform’s advanced features help businesses reduce complexity and operational costs. Its secure, software-defined networking uses VXLAN encapsulation for isolated environments, while built-in analytics and alerting enhance performance monitoring. A unified management console simplifies control of all infrastructure layers.

Virtuozzo Hybrid Infrastructure supports easy scalability, allowing businesses to grow incrementally by adding servers or disks. Data redundancy protects against hardware failure, supporting VM volumes, NFS, and S3 storage types. Compatibility with third-party systems, such as WHMCS and CloudBlue, offers flexible integration options. The multi-tenant architecture isolates shared environments while full Windows guests support adequate desktop and server deployments.

Virtuozzo Hybrid Infrastructure, designed with unimaginable hardware and software capabilities, provides users with ready-to-use cloud solutions that improve performance, enhance reliability, and lower the cost of ownership.

VergeOS

Verge.io, founded in 2010 and based in Clarkston, Michigan, is dedicated to simplifying the complexity and high costs often associated with modern IT infrastructure. Verge.io aims to revolutionize data center operations by providing a streamlined, efficient solution. Its primary offering, VergeOS, is an integrated operating system that combines virtualization, storage, and networking into a single platform. This system maximizes existing hardware use while ensuring high data resiliency and performance levels.

The company’s vision stems from a belief that IT infrastructure has become unnecessarily complex and expensive. Verge.io started by breaking away from the traditional, fragmented IT model that relies on separate, siloed components for each function.

Instead, they created VergeOS, a single piece of software that runs on standard, affordable hardware powered by AI and machine learning for self-management and optimization. This innovative approach allows IT generalists, even those without specialized knowledge, to deploy entire virtual data centers quickly and easily without costly hardware or time-consuming setups.

One key benefit of VergeOS is its ability to extend the lifespan of hardware. By removing the reliance on specific hardware compatibility lists and optimizing resources through AI, VergeOS helps businesses avoid the costly cycle of frequent hardware upgrades. This reduces capital expenditures and cuts operational costs, making IT infrastructure more accessible to companies of all sizes.

Verge.io is changing the IT landscape by providing a more straightforward, affordable solution that reduces the complexity of traditional systems. This empowers businesses to manage their data centers more effectively and efficiently.

Proxmox VE

Proxmox VE is a platform that manages virtual machines, VMs, and containers designed to help businesses and individuals set up and manage virtualized environments simply and cost-effectively. It is a completely integrated solution that combines virtualization and technology into a single platform, allowing versatility and a wide range of use cases.

Promox VE can manage virtual machines and containers using the Kernel-based Virtual Machine for VMs and LXC. It can also use Linux Containers for lightweight, faster, and container-based virtualization. This feature makes it an excellent choice for those who want to get the best of both functions. Promox VE offers a web-based interface for efficiently managing virtual environments. It is designed to simplify tasks that require a lot of manual effort and act as an interface for users who want more control over their systems.

The platform allows for high availability and clustering, which is crucial for companies looking to ensure that their systems are always resilient and online. You can integrate Proxmox VE with backup solutions to protect your data and setups. To learn more about Proxmox VE backup solution read Proxmox Backup Server vs. Storware Backup and Recovery.

Although Proxmox VE is a free platform, it provides subscription options and features for those who want a wider range of assistance. Proxmox is open-source. Therefore, it is a popular choice for companies looking for scalable virtualization solutions without paying exorbitant fees for proprietary software.

Nutanix

Nutanix is a technological company that has revolutionized IT infrastructure, particularly its hyper-convergence (HCI) solutions.

Previously, the traditional silo system was expensive and ineffective, not allowing the different parts of the company’s infrastructure to communicate. However, Nutanix has solved this by integrating the system, making it easier for businesses to manage their IT resources.

Nutanix has evolved to support hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Therefore, companies can manage their on-site infrastructure, cloud resources, and edge devices without using different platforms. Nutanix Cloud Infrastructure and Nutanix Prism help to manage and monitor virtual environments using machine learning, performance optimization, and security features.

Meanwhile, Nutanix is also flexible. Its software is not tied to specific hardware. Instead, it can run on equipment from different suppliers. This includes Dell and Lenovo and cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure. Thus, businesses have the freedom to choose the best solutions for them.

In recent years, Nutanix has expanded its offerings. It now offers tools for database management, cloud cost optimization, and remote or edge environments. Thus, it plays a significant role in helping businesses simplify their processes and improve efficiency as IT ecosystems become more complex.

OpenMetal

OpenMetal is a technology company that provides cloud-based solutions and management services to businesses of various sizes worldwide. Its primary goal is to give users easier access to open-source technologies, empowering individuals and teams to contribute to tech communities. The platform aims to benefit users by positively impacting the future of IT.

OpenMetal’s key feature is its strong commitment to open-source technologies. It has made OpenStack and other open-source systems accessible for teams of different sizes. The platform helps grow the technological ecosystem built on collaboration and shared knowledge.

OpenMetal stands out by providing cost-effective solutions that combine the best of various technologies. These solutions combine the flexibility and power of bare metal, the ease of public cloud, and the security and control of private cloud infrastructure. Building and maintaining a private cloud had previously been costly and complex. Thus, only large enterprises with substantial resources could access this resource. OpenMetal changes this by offering hosted private cloud solutions, enabling organizations of all sizes to leverage the benefits of private cloud technology without heavy investments.

In addition to its hosted private cloud solutions, OpenMetal also provides dedicated bare metal servers. This ensures businesses have a wide range of options to meet their specific IT needs. Ultimately, OpenMetal’s mission is to empower organizations with high-performance, cost-effective infrastructure that competes with traditional public cloud services. It does this while simplifying cloud management and fostering open-source contributions.

Conclusion

The growing demand for VMware alternatives has led to the emergence of different solutions tailored to various business needs. Platforms like Virtuozzo Hybrid, Verge.io, Proxmox VE, Nutanix, and OpenMetal offer a range of benefits, from cost-efficiency and simplicity to robust scalability and advanced cloud capabilities.

Choosing the right option depends on budget, infrastructure requirements, and desired features. Businesses can enhance their IT environments by evaluating these alternatives. This would also help reduce complexity and improve companies’ overall performance.

For every option, including VMware, Storware provides reliable data backup. You can easily book a free session with our engineer and see how to protect your data from cyberattacks, accidental or intentional deletion or other worst-case scenarios.

A data recovery plan (DRP) is a structured approach that describes how an organization will respond quickly to resume activities after a disaster that disrupts the usual flow of activities. A vital part of your DRP is recovering lost data.

Virtualization helps you protect your data online through virtual data recovery (VDR). VDR is the creation of a virtual copy of an organization’s data in a virtual environment to ensure a quick bounce back to normalcy following an IT disaster.

While having a virtual data recovery plan is good, you must also provide an off-site backup for a wholesome data recovery plan that can adequately prevent permanent data loss. An off-premises backup location provides an extra security layer in the event of data loss. Thus, you shouldn’t leave this out when planning your data recovery process.

Let’s try to look at this issue in a general way, knowing how diverse and capacious the issue of virtualization and disaster recovery is. Certainly, implementing a dedicated data protection solution will help streamline data protection and disaster recovery processes.

Benefits of Virtualization for Disaster Recovery

Virtualization plays a crucial role in disaster recovery. Its ability to create a digital version of your hardware offers a backup in the event of a disaster. Here are some benefits of virtualization for disaster recovery.

Recover Data From Any Hardware

If your hardware fails, you can recover data from it through virtualization. You can access your virtual desktop from any hardware, allowing you to recover your information quickly. Thus, you can save time and prevent data loss during disasters.

Backup and Restore Full Images

With virtualization, your server’s files will be stored in a single image file. Restoring the image file during data recovery requires you to duplicate and restore it. Thus, you can effectively store your files and recover them when needed.

Copy Data to a Backup Site

Your organization’s backups must have at least one extra copy stored off-site. This off-premise backup protects your data against loss during natural disasters, hardware failure, and power outages. Data recovery will help automatically copy and transfer files virtually to the off-site storage occasions.

Reduce Downtime

There’s little to no downtime when a disaster event occurs. You can quickly restore the data from the virtual machines. So recovery can happen within seconds to minutes instead of an hour, saving vital time for your organization.

Test Disaster Recovery Plans

Virtualization can help you test your disaster recovery plans to see if they are fail-proof. Hence, you can test and analyze what format works for your business, ensuring you can predict a disaster’s aftermath.

Reduce Hardware Needs

Since virtualization works online, it reduces the hardware resources you need to upscale. With only a few hardware, you can access multiple virtual machines simultaneously. This leads to a smaller workload and lower operation costs.

Cost Effective

Generally, virtualization helps to reduce the cost of funding virtual disaster recovery time. With reduced use of hardware and quicker recovery time, the data recovery cost is reduced, decreasing the potential loss caused by disasters.

Data Recovery Strategies for Virtualization

Below are some practical strategies to help build a robust data recovery plan for your organization’s virtual environment:

Backup and Replication

Create regular backups of your virtual machines that will be stored in a different location—for instance, an external drive or a cloud service. You can also create replicas and copies of your virtual machines that are synchronized with the original. You can switch from the original to a replica in case of failure.

Snapshot and Restore

Snapshots capture your data at specific preset moments, creating memories of them. Restore points also capture data but include all information changes after the last snapshot. You can use snapshot and restore to recover the previous state of your data before the data loss or corruption.

Encryption and Authentication

Encryption and authentication are essential security measures that work in tandem to safeguard data from unauthorized access. By employing both methods, you establish robust layers of defense. This, thereby, fortifies your data against potential cyber threats, ultimately mitigating the risks associated with corruption and theft.

Conclusion

Creating a disaster recovery plan is crucial for every organization as it helps prevent permanent data loss in the event of a disaster, leading to data loss or corruption. Virtualization helps in data recovery by creating a virtual copy of your hardware that can be accessed after a disaster.

Virtualization reduces downtime, helps to recover data from the hardware, reduces hardware needs, and facilitates testing your data recovery plans. However, you must note that virtual data recovery is only a part of a failproof disaster recovery plan. You must make provisions for an off-premises backup site for more robust protection.

About Version 2 Digital

About Storware
Storware is a backup software producer with over 10 years of experience in the backup world. Storware Backup and Recovery is an enterprise-grade, agent-less solution that caters to various data environments. It supports virtual machines, containers, storage providers, Microsoft 365, and applications running on-premises or in the cloud. Thanks to its small footprint, seamless integration into your existing IT infrastructure, storage, or enterprise backup providers is effortless.

2025 Storware

Guardz’s Unstoppable Growth: Tripled Workforce, 500% ARR Surge, and Global Expansion

2024 was a transformative year for Guardz. As cyber threats became more sophisticated and SMBs continued to be prime targets, we remained committed to our mission: empowering MSPs with AI-Native, unified detection & response cybersecurity solutions that simplify protection while enhancing security outcomes.

This dedication has fueled an exceptional year of growth and innovation—from tripling our workforce to achieving a 500% increase in annual recurring revenue (ARR). We’ve also expanded our global reach through key partnerships, strengthened our leadership team, and launched powerful new solutions to better equip MSPs in safeguarding their clients.

A Year of Unprecedented Milestones

The past year has been transformative for Guardz, marked by key achievements that highlight its dedication to innovation and growth. Here’s a closer look at the company’s biggest milestones:

🚀 Massive Workforce Expansion

As demand for cybersecurity solutions tailored for MSPs continues to soar, Guardz responded by tripling its workforce in 2024. This rapid expansion has strengthened the company’s ability to support MSPs with enhanced services, expert-driven insights, and next-generation technology.

Guardz has strategically grown its headquarters in Miami and research & development (R&D) center in Tel Aviv, attracting top-tier cybersecurity talent to drive product innovation and customer success.

💰 500% ARR Growth – A Testament to Impact

Guardz’s incredible 500% increase in ARR over the past year is a reflection of its rapid adoption among MSPs and small businesses. The surge in recurring revenue signifies the growing demand for AI-powered, unified detection and response solutions that reduce complexity while maximizing security effectiveness.

This exponential growth underscores Guardz’s ability to meet real-world cybersecurity challenges head-on, providing MSPs with tools that allow them to protect their clients at scale.

🌍 Global Expansion & Strategic Partnerships

Guardz is not just growing in numbers—it’s also expanding its global footprint. In 2024, the company entered key international markets, extending its reach to Australia, Canada, and EMEA.

This expansion was made possible through strategic partnerships with leading cybersecurity and IT distribution companies, including:

Manage Protect (Australia)
iON (Canada)
Infinigate Cloud (EMEA)

These collaborations allow Guardz to equip more MSPs with cutting-edge security solutions, ensuring that small businesses worldwide receive the protection they need.

Additionally, Guardz reinforced its leadership team by appointing Tal Hershkovitz as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Esther Pinto as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). These strategic hires bring deep expertise to drive innovation, enhance risk management, and accelerate growth.

To further strengthen its position in the MSP community, Guardz has also launched the Guardz Advisory Board, composed of prominent executives from the MSP industry across North America and Canada. This board will guide the company’s strategy and ensure its solutions remain at the forefront of SMB cybersecurity.

The Ultimate Plan: A Game-Changer for MSPs

One of Guardz’s most exciting advancements is the launch of its Ultimate Plan, a breakthrough offering designed to enhance threat detection, response, and security automation for MSPs.

This new plan integrates Guardz’s AI-driven detection and response platform with SentinelOne’s industry-leading Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technology. By combining these capabilities, MSPs can now:

✔️ Reduce manual intervention – AI-powered automation streamlines security operations, allowing MSPs to focus on high-priority tasks.
✔️ Eliminate security complexity – A unified approach provides visibility and control over identities, emails, devices, and data.
✔️ Deliver faster and more effective threat resolution – With SentinelOne’s EDR, MSPs can quickly detect and neutralize cyber threats before they escalate.

This powerful combination empowers MSPs to enhance their cybersecurity services, reduce operational burdens, and deliver unmatched protection to their clients.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Guardz in 2025?

As Guardz continues its momentum into 2025, the company is focused on expanding its solutions, strengthening its partnerships, and setting new benchmarks in SMB cybersecurity.

One of the biggest ways Guardz is staying connected with the MSP community is through major industry events. The company is set to sponsor and attend two key cybersecurity conferences in February:

📢 Meet Guardz at MSP Expo & Right of Boom

🔹 MSP Expo (Booth #2350) – February 11-14, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, FL
This premier event brings together MSPs, cybersecurity experts, and technology leaders to discuss the latest innovations shaping the industry. Attendees can connect with the Guardz team to explore how its AI-powered solutions can help MSPs grow their businesses while delivering world-class cybersecurity.

🔹 Right of Boom (Booth #44) – February 20-22, 2025 | Dallas, TX
This exclusive cybersecurity conference focuses on incident response, threat mitigation, and security resilience. Guardz will be showcasing its Ultimate Plan and demonstrating how MSPs can leverage AI to prevent and neutralize cyber threats.

Both events offer an excellent opportunity for MSPs to learn, network, and experience firsthand how Guardz is revolutionizing cybersecurity.

Final Thoughts: Guardz is Redefining SMB Cybersecurity

Guardz’s unparalleled growth, innovative technology, and commitment to the MSP community have positioned it as a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity. With tripled workforce expansion, a 500% ARR increase, and global market penetration, Guardz is proving that its mission to protect SMBs worldwide is stronger than ever.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, Guardz remains dedicated to providing MSPs with the tools they need to safeguard businesses in a digital-first world. Whether through its Ultimate Plan, strategic partnerships, or presence at top industry events, Guardz is setting the standard for unified, AI-powered cybersecurity solutions.

Want to learn more? Visit Guardz at MSP Expo & Right of Boom or explore the latest innovations

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.

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2025 Guardz