Network Monitoring: Enhancing Cyber Security Operations

In today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats continue to proliferate, ensuring robust security measures is crucial for businesses of all sizes. Cybersecurity operations play a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive data, mitigating risks, and protecting against potential breaches.

While many organizations focus on implementing firewalls, encryption, and other security measures, one vital but often overlooked step in comprehensive cyber defense is network monitoring. In this article, we delve into the importance of network monitoring in cyber security operations and how it can significantly enhance your organization’s overall security posture.

Understanding Network Monitoring

Network monitoring involves the continuous surveillance of a computer network to identify and respond to security threats, performance issues, and other network-related problems. It provides valuable insights into the overall health, performance, and security of your network infrastructure. By leveraging advanced monitoring tools and technologies, organizations can gain real-time visibility into network activities, identify anomalies, and respond promptly to potential security breaches.

The Vital Role of Network Monitoring in Cyber Security Operations

Proactive Threat Detection: Network monitoring acts as a proactive defense mechanism, allowing organizations to identify potential threats before they escalate into major security incidents. By monitoring network traffic, suspicious activities, and system logs, IT teams can swiftly detect unauthorized access attempts, malware infections, and other malicious activities. Early detection enables timely response, minimizing the impact of security breaches and preventing sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.
Improved Incident Response: In the event of a security incident, network monitoring provides essential data for incident response and forensic investigations. Detailed logs and network activity records enable IT teams to trace the source of the breach, analyze the extent of the damage, and develop effective remediation strategies. This valuable information ensures a more efficient incident response process, reducing downtime and minimizing the potential damage caused by cyber attacks.
Enhanced Performance Optimization: Network monitoring not only aids in identifying security threats but also offers insights into network performance. By monitoring bandwidth usage, latency, and other network metrics, organizations can optimize their network infrastructure for better performance. Identifying bottlenecks, optimizing traffic flow, and managing network congestion become easier with the continuous monitoring and analysis of network data.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Many industries are subject to stringent compliance and regulatory standards regarding data privacy and security. Network monitoring plays a vital role in meeting these requirements. By monitoring network activity, organizations can ensure compliance with data protection regulations, identify vulnerabilities, and implement necessary security controls. This proactive approach helps organizations avoid penalties, legal consequences, and reputational damage associated with non-compliance.
Internal Threat Detection: While external cyber threats are a significant concern, internal threats can also pose a substantial risk to an organization’s security. Network monitoring enables the identification of suspicious activities originating from within the network, such as insider threats or unauthorized access attempts by employees. By monitoring user behavior, access privileges, and data transfers, organizations can detect and mitigate internal security risks more effectively.

Best Practices for Effective Network Monitoring

To harness the full potential of network monitoring, organizations should consider the following best practices:

Choose the Right Tools: Invest in robust network monitoring tools capable of providing real-time insights into network activities, identifying anomalies, and generating actionable alerts. Select tools that align with your organization’s specific needs and network infrastructure.
Implement Comprehensive Monitoring: Monitor all critical network components, including routers, switches, firewalls, servers, and endpoints. Ensure that network monitoring covers both internal and external network traffic to gain a holistic view of your organization’s security landscape.
Continuous Monitoring and Analysis: Network monitoring should be an ongoing process, not a one-time setup. Regularly review network logs, conduct deep packet inspections, and analyze network traffic to identify any
Outsource the manual portion to WatchDog. Just provide the logs and we do the rest.

The Power of Website Security: Safeguarding Your Online Presence

In today’s digital age, where online interactions have become an integral part of our daily lives, ensuring the security of your website has never been more crucial. Cyber threats and attacks are on the rise, putting sensitive data, user privacy, and even business reputation at risk. As a leading provider of website security solutions, we understand the importance of safeguarding your online presence. In this article, we delve into the realm of website security, offering valuable insights and practical steps to help you fortify your website against potential vulnerabilities and outrank other websites in Google search results.

The Rising Threat Landscape

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, constantly seeking new ways to exploit weaknesses in websites. From data breaches and malware infections to hacking attempts and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, the threat landscape is diverse and ever-evolving. It is imperative for website owners to adopt a proactive approach to protect their digital assets.

Understanding Website Vulnerabilities

Before we delve into effective security strategies, it is essential to understand the common vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors. By gaining insights into these weak points, you can take appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks. Here are a few noteworthy vulnerabilities:

1. Outdated Software and Plugins

Running outdated versions of content management systems (CMS) or using obsolete plugins can open doors for cyber attackers. These outdated components often have known vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited.

2. Weak Authentication Mechanisms

Weak passwords, default login credentials, or lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) can leave your website susceptible to brute-force attacks or unauthorized access attempts.

3. Insecure Communication Channels

Failure to implement secure communication protocols, such as SSL/TLS, can expose sensitive data to eavesdropping or interception by malicious individuals.

4. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

XSS attacks occur when an attacker injects malicious code into a website, which then gets executed by unsuspecting users’ browsers, potentially compromising their data or exposing them to further attacks.

5. SQL Injection

SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that do not properly validate user input. Attackers can manipulate database queries, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or modifying data.

Effective Strategies for Website Security

To outrank other websites and establish your online presence as a reliable and secure destination, it is crucial to implement robust security measures. Below, we outline key strategies that will help safeguard your website:

1. Regular Software Updates and Patching

Keeping your CMS, plugins, and other software components up to date is paramount. Developers frequently release security patches and bug fixes to address vulnerabilities. Staying current with these updates is vital to ensure your website remains secure.

2. Strong Authentication Practices

Implementing strong passwords, enforcing password complexity rules, and encouraging the use of 2FA significantly enhance your website’s security posture. By adding an additional layer of verification, you mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.

3. SSL/TLS Encryption

Securing your website with SSL/TLS certificates ensures that data transmitted between your users and the server remains encrypted and cannot be easily intercepted or tampered with. This fosters trust among visitors and can positively impact your search engine rankings.

4. Web Application Firewalls (WAF)

Deploying a WAF helps protect your website against common vulnerabilities, such as XSS and SQL injection. It acts as a shield, analyzing incoming traffic and filtering out potentially malicious requests, ensuring the integrity of your website’s data.

5. Continuous Security Monitoring

Utilize robust security monitoring tools to detect and respond to potential threats in real-time. Implementing intrusion detection systems (IDS)

Google Trends PH Pres Search

Real Time Updates of Google Search Trends for PH Presidential Candidates, using Worldwide Scope and the most recent 7 days’ data.

Why Social Sentiment is Better at Gauging Voter Preference than surveys

Why Sentiment is Better at Gauging Voter Preference

Why is sentiment analysis better than surveys? Many political scientists believe that this technique has the potential to predict future voting behavior more accurately than other survey methods. But there are some problems with sentiment analysis. In particular, it is inaccurate during election years, when the polls are often wrong. The 2016 election was an example of this. In that election, Donald Trump won despite the fact that the majority of the polls predicted that he would not. This is because sentiment analysis was in its infancy, and the voters’ perception of the candidates was still being formed.

Despite its many limitations, sentiment analysis is useful for gauging public opinion. For example, it can help identify trends and help companies improve their products and train their salespeople. The analysis is also useful for tracking changes in consumer behavior, which can lead to more effective marketing campaigns. Furthermore, huge volumes of written information are produced every moment and published on the internet. The data gathered through sentiment analysis is valuable to companies and journalists to measure the perception of their products and services over time.

Social media is a great place to collect data, and you can use the data collected to improve your products. A good sentiment analysis can show changes in public opinion and help you adjust your products or sales staff to meet the needs of your customers. Using this information, you can create new marketing campaigns and improve your product. If you’re running an election, it is important to understand your audience and what they like and dislike. Using this information to improve your products and services is one of the best ways to stay on top of what customers are thinking.

Sentiment analysis is an invaluable tool for evaluating the political sentiment of people. While a survey can only capture a portion of a given population, it can reveal trends over time. In addition, it also helps you better target your advertising campaigns and better target your market. If you want to improve your products, it’s important to know how your customers think of them. With the right sentiment analysis, you can make smart decisions about your products and services.

Another reason why sentiment is better at gauging voter preference is because surveys are often prone to bias. For example, polls rely on past votes that are inaccurate can lead to the opposite outcome. That means that they can be a great indicator. A strong candidate can increase their chance of winning. Therefore, it is important to understand what your customers really think. And, you should also know what to do to improve your services.

Unlike surveys, sentiment analysis is a more reliable way to understand your customers’ attitudes. Its high accuracy means that people are more likely to vote for candidates who have the highest positive sentiment and negative sentiment. In the next election, it could be even more effective than the polls in predicting which candidate will win the presidential race. With so many variables involved, the difference is not worth ignoring.

The biggest problem with sentiment analysis is that it can be time-consuming. A survey can take days to be accurate. While a poll may be accurate, it does not measure how people feel about the candidates. For example, you might expect a candidate to have positive sentiment if they’re popular among his or her supporters. But if you’re worried about the polls’ accuracy, you should use an opinion survey instead.

In other words, it is more sensitive to a sudden change of opinion. For example, it is more likely to reflect the real-world mood of a person than a poll. For this reason, Sentiment is a better measure of voter preference than surveys. In other words, it can give you a better idea of what the people actually want. But a poll is not a substitute for a survey.

In Demand Jobs to Enhance Your Wellbeing and Succeed During COVID-19

Having work-life balance is vital to achieving happiness in life. In the US, most employees spend over 40 hours per week at work. Overwork can have adverse effects on your health. So, even if you have a six-figure salary, you must recognize when it’s time to take a break. Because of COVID-19, companies have experienced a shortage of talent. They are now offering exceptional salaries and perks to attract the attention of qualified candidates.

Because of the increasing demand for tech skills, the competition has become tougher. Many workers are jobless because of the pandemic, and they are struggling to get a new job. If you’re wondering how to succeed during COVID-19, here are some job alternatives that will help you become an attractive worker. As you’ll have what’s necessary to meet world-class companies’ requirements, getting employed and having a better lifestyle won’t be a barrier.

Digital Marketer

Digital Marketing with person using a laptop on a white table

The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the pace of the digital transition. Digital channels have become mainstream, and companies are looking for new ways to attract customers’ attention. Nowadays, digital marketers play a crucial role in improving companies’ marketing strategies and increasing brand recognition. Digital marketers use websites, social networks, and email to provide the best customer service.

Years ago, using television, radio, and newspapers was an excellent option to attract and retain customers. But, since they are spending more online, digital advertising plays an essential role in making customers feel engaged. You need to learn a wide range of tech skills to become a digital marketer. However, Thinkful is a coding school that makes becoming a digital marketer much easier.

Thinkful is committed to its students’ success. For that reason, students receive help from a career coach, an industry-experienced mentor, and an academic success manager throughout each course. Their tuition guarantee allows students to receive their money back if they don’t land a qualifying job within six months of graduation.

At Thinkful, students learn everything they need to stand out from the competition. In that case, landing the job of your dreams will be possible. For example, a digital marketer can earn, on average, $120K per year at Amazon. They can also enjoy great perks like paid time off, annual discounts, and paid parental leave.

Mobile Developer

Mobile apps are helping companies reshape the market. They provide customers with the power to control everything with only one tool. Smartphones have become essential for our everyday lives, and companies are using mobile apps to make them more comfortable. Since online shopping is what customers prefer, companies like Home Depot and Gucci have taken their apps to the next level. By implementing augmented reality features, their apps allow customers to have 3D previews of products.

Gucci’s app enables users to try on shoes before they buy them by using their smartphones’ cameras. Home Depot provides users with 3D previews of merchandise. With this technology, customers can see how products fit in a specific room. AR has allowed organizations to provide a better user experience and reduce costs on product returns.

In 2020, companies like Apple and Samsung are providing mobile developers with benefits and perks like on-site gym classes and spa sessions. Also, workers can receive product discounts and even tuition reimbursement benefits. Professional development has become a need, and companies are willing to do everything they can to meet the needs of skilled aspirants.

You can take online courses or enroll in a coding bootcamp like General Assembly to learn mobile development skills. General Assembly offers not only an iOS development course but also an Android development course. In that case, aspirants can decide between learning Java or Swift skills.

At General Assembly, students learn from experience by building real mobile apps. They get the right knowledge to design and code any app. Also, they gain an understanding of fundamental concepts to impress employers during interviews.

Cybersecurity Specialist

Since data is helping companies take significant strides, cybersecurity specialists have become a must for organizations. These professionals are responsible for keeping companies’ data safe and improving security strategies. Cybersecurity experts have to search for vulnerabilities in software and hardware. And by implementing analytics skills, they must develop new strategies to deal with potential threats.

Since they have a lot of responsibilities on their shoulders, more companies are providing outstanding benefits. They can work from home and enjoy schedule flexibility. Also, organizations like Microsoft provide workers with health insurance benefits and premium savings to help them improve their wellness. Becoming a cybersecurity expert requires a lot of tenacity. But, I can assure you that your efforts will be rewarded.

Flatiron School offers a cybersecurity program that allows aspirants to learn how to deal with rapidly-advancing threats. With their real-world lab environments, students can learn how to set traps and catch hackers. The program is offered full-time and can be completed in only 12 weeks.

Data Scientist

Becoming a data scientist is an excellent alternative to enhance your wellbeing and succeed during COVID-19. They are in-demand, and employers are in a hunt for candidates with data science skills. Data scientists have to analyze, interpret, and visualize data to create actionable insights. By allowing organizations to make data-driven decisions, they play a key role in leading companies to success.

Metis is a coding school that offers online education to accelerate data science learning. Their data science bootcamp is designed to give aspirants the skills and connections they need to launch a rewarding career in data science. The company counts with career advisors that help students and grads to get hired. At Metis, students learn through hands-on projects and from the best tutors.

Conclusion

In general, these job alternatives are excellent for succeeding during the pandemic. Since candidates with these kinds of skills are in-demand, getting a better job and enhancing your wellbeing won’t be a problem. No matter what option you choose, you’ll be ready to overcome unemployment as well as future challenges. Keep in mind that the tech market is a fast-growing industry and it’s affecting every industry around the globe.

Outsourced Data Engineering Service

Our clients typically need to quickly complete their machine learning projects. They also need to be flexible and nimble without adding head counts. Our outsourced data preparation service takes care of your ETL tasks (Extract, Transform, Load) and delivers quick and accurate data for their needs. We help with the 80% part that slows down the analytics portion.

This 80% typically involves :
Data preparation tasks like Data Digitization, Data Aggregation/Consolidation, Data Entry, Data labeling.

Our trained and experienced teams off load these tasks and help your team accelerate your data analytics projects. We understand your needs. We can work with Microsoft Access, PDF files, Excel, Statistical files and connect to data on Amazon Athena, Aurora, EMR Hadoop Hive, Redshift, Microsoft Azure, Apache Drill, Aster Database, Cloudera Hadoop, Denodo, EXASOL, Google Cloud, Horton works Hadoop Hive, IBM DB2, IBM PDA (Netezza) and more!

Data Digitization is involved with scanning paper based forms and applying OCR with human editors to ensure that the digitized data is accurate. Most often, data are in different silos. Our teams can consolidate this into one dataset for your teams to work on.

Typical Tasks at this stage includes:

Cleansing
(Correcting inconsistent Data, renaming field names and formatting, outliers and grouping common values)
Integration
(Union and Joins of various input sources)
Transformation
(Aggregation, creating new calculated fields, pivot data, creating links among data sources and reshaping data)
Annotation
Data, Text, Image, Video, Audio labeling service to provide your machine learning project with Labeled Data.
Reduction
(removal of unwanted data)

Data Entry involves human intervention in completing those missing values that would otherwise invalidate the records. Data editing is also needed to normalize the inputs as well.

Finally, data labeling (Annotation) helps you train your AI process. Our teams have labeled hundreds of thousands of images for past projects.

Finally, our project managers have data analytics background that understands your team’s need for data quality. Contact us for a zoom conference to find out more.