Business Info - i142

businessinfomag.uk magazine 18 COMPUTING are particularly useful for mobile workers who want to gain access to data remotely. Training is vital for SMBs Smaller businesses also need to consider employee training as, according to some estimates, as many as 90% of data breaches are caused by human error. Passwords are easy pickings for today’s cybercriminals and, with many of today’s most common cyber-attacks such as phishing and malware being socially engineered to exploit human weakness, sometimes all it takes is one click on a fraudulent link to compromise business data. Despite this threat, research conducted by ConnectWise shows that only 43% of SMEs have attempted to educate all their employees in cyber security.With smaller businesses remaining a prime target for cyber- attacks, it’s now more important than ever to teach staff about security threats and best practices for handling sensitive information, especially as more of them are likely to work remotely at least some of the time. This training should include insight into a business’s security setup, an explanation of why and how certain security solutions are being used and emphasise the responsibility that employees themselves have for following good cybersecurity practices. SMBs need to implement a multi- layer approach Another consideration that smaller businesses will need to factor in is that the current network infrastructure has not been built with today’s security in mind. This puts the onus on SMEs to go the extra mile and implement measures that protect at the network level as well, using a multi-layer approach that integrates both hardware and software. In particular, secure-core PCs (see previous page) enable staff members to shield their devices from firmware vulnerabilities, protect the operating system from cyber-threats and prevent unauthorised access to devices and data through advanced access controls and authentication systems. An in-built BIOS (basic input/ output system) adds a further layer of protection, removing the risk of potential third-party interference, while smart data encryption features safeguard every area of a device’s hard drive, including all system files. Even if the HDD is removed, data will remain encrypted. Big businesses may dominate the news when it comes to cyber-attacks, but SMEs are far from safe. It is essential that they develop a cybersecurity strategy that includes employee education and device-level security so that employees have the tools to mitigate security threats at a hardware and a software level and the awareness to eliminate risky behaviour. SMBs that aren’t putting employee devices front and centre or investing in training may find themselves next on the cyber-attack list. 1 2019 Global State of Cybersecurity in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses , Ponemon Institute, Keeper Security, 2019 ...continued World first for mobile power users HP has announced the world's first single-source remote workstation solution for high performance, complex workflows n ZCentral Remote Boost software, formerly known as Remote Graphics Software (RGS), which delivers high performance for VFX, simulation and 3D and enables power users to tap into Z Workstation performance and work as if local, even with a thin and light device; and n ZCentral Connect software, proprietary software that enables company IT departments to assign workstations, monitor connections and logins through one simple interface, and power users to connect to dedicated, centralised compute or access the next available workstation within an assigned, centralised pool. The combination of these three elements gives IT departments the flexibility to equip workers with a variety of end-point devices, from thin clients to notebooks and convertibles, with the ability to access centralised workstations whenever they need dedicated workstation performance, regardless of the device they are using. Data security is maintained through the use of highly secure Z by HP racked workstations alongside data storage. Connection is via a secure private network, with only encrypted pixels sent over the network. Commenting on the solution, Jim Nottingham, general manager and global head of workstations at HP Inc., said: “HP is equipping today’s mobile workforce with the world’s only single-source remote workstation solution, accelerating high performance, complex workflows from any location. HP ZCentral is reinventing the way businesses meet the demands of today’s global workforce by accelerating IT deployment and management, reducing costs and providing world-class data security.” hp.com/ZCentral HP has unveiled the world’s first single-source remote workstation solution for powering next generation computing in the AEC, Data Science, Media and Entertainment and Oil and Gas industries. Freeing power users who work on graphics-intensive applications to enjoy remote, mobile and fluid workstyles, HP ZCentral centralises high-end computer power in a single location and delivers predictable, dedicated remote workstation performance via a secure and stable remote workstation connection. HP claims ZCentral provides 16%- 33% higher performance than today’s virtualised workstations, at 59%-72% of the cost, and works withWindows, Linux or MacOS devices, giving end users the flexibility to create or design anywhere, on almost any end-point device. The complete solution includes: n Z by HP racked high performance workstations, the world’s most secure workstations, packed with professional graphics and tuned to deliver ultimate performance and fast load times for complex, multi-application workflows;