New research reveals only a handful of organisations can access sensitive data in a timely manner

Findings show that the cost and complexity of data compliance is hampering business innovation

Only 2% of organisations can access sensitive data in less than a week
69% of organisations are waiting over a month to access data, sometimes between 3-6 months
92% of organisations agree that data drives business innovation
Organisations see the innovation and profit opportunity in sensitive data but struggle to capitalise on this cost-effectively without more sophisticated and usable data monetisation strategies.

Protegrity, a global leader in data-centric security and privacy, has today announced the launch of a new research report ‘The State of Data Security Optimisation and Monetisation’. The research reveals that while organisations are using data to drive innovation and new strategies, fewer than 2% of respondents can access sensitive and classified data in less than a week.
Despite 92% of respondents agreeing that the innovation resulting from data has a positive impact on the bottom line, and all agreeing that data can be used to improve customer and employee experiences, it seems that businesses cannot fully leverage the data they hold. They are struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation because the data needed to power new technologies like AI is sensitive and is protected in ways that render it hard to access. While 37% of respondents cited waiting times of 1-2 months to access data, as many as 32% wait between 3-6 months.
The research, undertaken by independent research company, Opinion Matters, surveys CIOs, CTOs, Heads of data and data managers from enterprise organisations. It examines how organisations are protecting, modernising, and optimising data.
According to Nathan Vega, Vice President Solutions Strategy at Protegrity, “From the research results it is evident that businesses are not leveraging the value of data due to delays in accessibility. If an organisation is measuring access to data in months and not days or hours, there is a limitation on their ability to realise the potential of this data. In today’s modern enterprise, organisations should see time to value within days, a few hours being the norm and within minutes or even seconds being optimal.”
Positively, the research findings revealed that organisations are adhering to data regulations and compliance requirements, with 45% using data controls such as tokenisation and pseudonymisation to secure data. Further, 84% state they are either fully or somewhat prepared to meet PCI compliance requirements. While this is promising, equally concerning is that 2% of respondents admit to being completely unprepared, 14% say they are somewhat unprepared and 46% of respondents say they are only somewhat prepared to meet PCI requirements.
Vega adds, “Companies need to implement data protection tools and strategies that allow them to balance the needs of data security with useability to meet new data modernisation use cases. It is also beneficial to make sensitive data usable data if companies are to make timely and effective decisions to improve customer experiences and drive innovation. Many are struggling keep pace and capitalise on innovation cost-effectively without more sophisticated and usable data monetisation strategies.”
Data compliance and governance have secured a place on the boardroom agenda, with 90% of respondents stating that corporate leaders have a good handle on the importance of data and compliance and regulatory issues surrounding their data.
Based on the important nature of data privacy and compliance it is promising to see that 96% of respondents are planning to invest a portion of their IT budget in data security in 2024 with nearly half (49%) of respondents planning to invest up to 15% of their IT budgets on data security.
Vega concludes, “GDPR and other compliance regulations, while necessary and proven effective for driving data security, are adding to the growing complexity and cost for organisations to gain value from their data. Not only does it require more time and money to secure and access necessary data, but the delays in accessing and using this data also have a knock-on impact on various aspects of business.”
“As the technology landscape evolves and threat actors gain access to new tools, securing sensitive data will continue to be a growing challenge for organisations. However, companies can adhere to stringent data regulations and requirements, keeping data secure, and also reap the benefits of this data by investing in data monetisation and optimisation strategies and implementing tools to help make data accessible and useable without compromising on privacy.”
Research methodology
Protegrity commissioned independent research organisation Opinion Matters to undertake research in February 2024. 600 CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, Heads of data and data managers were surveyed from organisations employing 1,000+ people. Six industry sectors were surveyed including: airlines, banking, retail, pharmaceutical, insurance, and telecommunications, with 300 respondents from the UK and 300 from the US.
To Access the full report, please follow this link: https://www.protegrity.com/resource-center/state-of-data-security-optimisation-and-monetisation
About Protegrity
Protegrity is a global leader in data-centric security and privacy. With Protegrity’s Secure Data Service, organisations can secure their sensitive data wherever it is, control how it’s protected, and have confidence that it is safe, even if a breach occurs. Whether encrypting, tokenising, or applying privacy models, Protegrity delivers a first of its kind cross-border data protection service that offers all the tools necessary to reinstate business-critical cross-border data flows. Protegrity’s technology is cloud-agnostic, AI and machine learning-friendly and quantum- resistant. Today, Protegrity protects the data of Fortune 1000 companies, including the top banks and health insurance providers, and the world’s leading multinational companies.
For more information, visit Protegrity.com.

New Product Launch Gives Evolve Customers Unprecedented ‘Vision’

Evolve Vision will give businesses unrivalled visibility of all third-party suppliers to resolve problems before they cause costly downtime.

Leading provider of Managed Network Solutions and IT Services, Evolve, can today announce the launch of its latest ground-breaking product; Vision.

Living up to its name, Evolve Vision will give businesses complete visibility of all their third-party suppliers in a single, easy-to-use portal, so connection problems can be detected before they impact business operations.

The dashboard, which has been designed with usability in mind, allows customers to view the status of on or off-site suppliers, such as payment solutions, gift cards and epos system. This means all connections to data centres and every connected device can be monitored 24/7/365. In fact, Vision is updated every 30 seconds, so any way issues can be spotted, reported and resolved, often before the customer, supplier or end user are even aware of it.

Furthermore, because downtime is so costly and time-consuming for businesses, Evolve customers using Vision will save time and money, as it allows faults to be identified as they occur, minimising the time it takes to resolve them.

This level of visibility is unrivalled in the industry.

Alan Stephenson-Brown, CEO at Evolve Business Group, said: “While traditional managed service providers (MSP) will use different third-party solutions that they resell, we have created our own Host and LAN monitoring solution in-house. The Vision platform essentially gives users ‘x-ray’ vision of their entire network.

“Through Vision, the Evolve team can diagnose which stage of the journey is at fault and get the relevant support teams working on it immediately. What’s more, with more CCTV cameras and other connected security devices now on sites, Vision is a great way to ensure staff are always safe and protected. This reduces the amount of calls to fix the fault and much faster problem resolutions. And because it’s all created in-house, we can design bespoke solutions and dashboards for customers in our specialised sectors where other MSP’s can’t.

“Vision has been made possible because third-party businesses trust Evolve to put their devices into the third-party data centre. This would never happen in many other businesses and is testament to the third-party relationships created by Evolve over the years.”

Vision is highly customisable, and can be tailored to each customers needs. For example, outage thresholds alerts can be specified; so if 20% of devices are offline, an automatic alert would be sent out. The platform also covers third party host monitoring, which gives an overview of any issues within the network between data centres and third party applications.

This launch is the latest extension of Evolve’s current offering and made possible thanks to Evolve’s SD-WAN Mako Networks-powered device.

It’s a particularly relevant product for the fuel forecourt industry, one of Evolve’s key sectors, in light of the upcoming fuel margin legislation, which will force fuel retailers to reveal how much they are charging customers on their forecourts. Inaccurate reporting could see them face a fixed fine, but Vision will ensure uptime of POS and tank monitoring systems, which are essential to pull through accurate data.

Jason Kubasak, CEO of Mako Networks, commented: “The launch of Evolve’s host monitoring platform, Vision, marks the next phase of our partnership and provides businesses with unrivalled visibility of their third-party suppliers. We’re proud that Mako’s feature-rich, security-centric devices are powering this evolution in Managed Network Solutions and we look forward to seeing how our partnership continues to grow and provide increased loyalty, streamlined operations and revenue for customers.”

Vision will be officially launched at The Forecourt Show, which takes place 29 April – 1 May at the NEC in Birmingham. The Evolve team will be on hand to answer any questions about the platform and provide demonstrations.

For more information about Evolve, please visit: https://www.evolvebg.co.uk/

Sony partners with German integrated gesture control leader to launch world-first touch-free solution

AMERIA Touchfree Solutions® integrates with all Sony professional display models, guaranteeing seamless gesture control and pristine image quality for any environment
Sony Professional Displays & Solutions has partnered with integrated gesture control leader AMERIA AG to create a revolutionary non-touch solution designed to work with any Sony professional display model, including BRAVIA 4K Professional Displays and the latest generation Crystal LED displays. The first complete solution not to require protective glass, Sony displays powered by AMERIA Touchfree Solutions® blends superior 4K image quality with seamless gesture control..
The partnership responds to growing demand for interactive displays and digital signage across the corporate, education, retail, manufacturing and hospitality sectors. More than ever, organisations are looking to use this technology to facilitate collaboration and craft personalised experiences. By partnering with AMERIA, both companies can cater to a broader, more demanding client base.
With no protective glass required, AMERIA is the only interactive solution that doesn’t compromise picture quality and Sony’s unique Deep Black Non-Glare coating. By integrating AMERIA Touchfree Solutions, users benefit from interactive displays without compromising Sony professional display’s bright, high-contrast images bursting with rich colour and vivid detail.
Following the success of their initial partnership – and in line with Sony’s commitment to constant innovation and improvement – Sony and AMERIA are now able to offer AMERIA Touchfree Solutions for any Sony professional display.
“Given the growing importance our clients are now placing on interactivity, we’re delighted to welcome AMERIA onboard as a Sony partner,” comments Thorsten Prsybyl, Senior B2B Partnership Manager, Sony Professional Displays and Solutions. “The beauty of the solution we’ve created is that users don’t have to compromise on either experience or picture quality. The solution works with any Sony professional display, so customers have the flexibility to choose a size and model that suits their desired environment best.”
“From our perspective, Sony is the perfect partner,” added Dr Johannes Tröger, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, AMERIA. “We were looking for hardware providers that offer outstanding quality display screens, easy software integration and a willingness to work together to create a standardised set-up. Sony offered us all this and more. It jumped at the chance to innovate together and has been crucial in helping us push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Sony displays powered by AMERIA Touchfree Solutions was first showcased at ISE 2024 and available to preview again in May at DSS Europe and in June at InfoComm. To see the complete list of Sony’s Alliance and Technology partners, visit https://pro.sony/en_GB/sony-av-partners-and-alliances.

Hexa Finance bolster technology finance capability with the arrival of Robert Inchley

Award winning technology finance experts, Hexa Finance are delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Inchley as Head of Wholesale Finance. This appointment comes at a time when technology is advancing quicker than ever and enabling businesses to acquire the latest technology through innovative funding solutions is of paramount importance. Robert’s experience will compliment Hexa’s growing business and ensure they continue to be pioneers of technology financing in the UK.
About Robert Inchley
In a career spanning more than 30 years, working for leading technology funders such as GE Capital, BNP Paribas, Seimens and Quartz, Robert has gained extensive experience working alongside UK-based and global technology providers. His funding solutions have not only helped these partners to substantially increase revenues and gain competitive advantage but also have enabled countless businesses to invest in cutting-edge technology whilst removing the financial barriers to entry.
About the role
In his new role, Robert will be evaluating and enhancing the current products on offer for technology providers operating in the IT, managed service, communications and reprographics space as well as funding mechanisms for emerging technologies, in particular green tech. A critical and growing market in which Hexa currently operates, the addition of Robert will assist Hexa with their plans to double their growth in the coming financial year. By continuing to invest and understand the funding requirements of its customers, Hexa will continue to remain at the forefront of innovation in the sector.
About Hexa Finance
Hexa Finance are a dynamic financial services and consultancy business located in Newport, South Wales. Their reputation proceeds them as a trusted finance partner to local businesses in Wales as well as leading technology providers across the UK.
Quotes
Stuart Mason, Co-Founder of Hexa Finance Limited said:
“Robert’s appointment solidifies our commitment to helping technology providers sell more product, but also address many of the funding challenges for their customers. We are determined to add more flexible funding solutions to empower businesses of all sizes to continue to grow.”
Robert Inchley said:
“I am thrilled to be joining Stu, Ben and the Hexa team at an exciting time for the company. With Hexa’s broad network of customers, technology partners and funding capability I am confident my experience will help enable the business to continue on its impressive growth trajectory. My personal ambitions and professional experience made the decision to join Hexa very easy and I can’t wait to get started.
If you are a technology provider looking to utilise funding for client projects or a business looking to invest in new technology then Hexa Finance are the right partner to help you achieve your goals.”
More information about Hexa Finance: https://www.hexafinance.co.uk/
Top Image Left to right: Ben Davies, Robert Inchley & Stuart Mason

Framework advances digital transformation by awarding Principle Networks control of IT infrastructure across 53 sites

MSP to implement the latest SD-WAN technology across housing association’s East Midlands estate
Network services provider Principle Networks has extended its partnership with Nottingham-based supported housing association and registered charity Framework for a further three years to modernise the organisation’s IT infrastructure.
The new agreement sees Principle Networks awarded the migration of Framework’s wide area network, which includes 53 sites across the East Midlands, including its head office in Nottingham and services across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Sheffield and Nottinghamshire.
This is part of a strategy for Framework to introduce more technology-centric solutions to better cater for tenants and communities and move away from traditional legacy IT systems and service models. Principle Networks will be upgrading each Framework site to a wholly internet-based, cloud-first Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) and deliver a co-managed service to the organisation’s entire network, which extends into its Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop environment.
Framework delivers housing, health, employment, support and care services to people with a range of needs, including people with drug, alcohol and mental health issues, rough sleepers, homeless families and single parents. The organisation has an estimated 3,000 tenants across the East Midlands and supports around 18,000 people annually.
Simon Kane, Head of Information and Technology at Framework, said: “Supporting such a diverse group of clients requires uninterrupted network connections as the organisation operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. During this time, staff need to be able to access sensitive information such as medical records, doctors’ notes or methadone prescriptions. If they can’t view these documents due to network outages or a poor internet connection, people could be at risk.”
Framework has been through unprecedented change in recent years. The impact of the global pandemic led to an acceleration of its planned digital strategy, which required the support of a trusted IT partner.
“Principle Networks was an ideal fit for us”, continued Simon. “The team has been integral to our digital transformation journey. Extending our partnership will ensure we continue to have a reliable and robust network infrastructure which helps us deliver the best possible support to our clients.”
Principle Networks has been working with Framework since the summer of 2023, and extending the partnership is part of a three-year digital strategy.
Russell Crowley, co-founder at Principle Networks, said: “We’ve worked closely with Framework to design a network that fits around its unique offering and the needs of its clients. The ability to provide uninterrupted support is integral to what Framework does. Acquiring these new sites will enable us to implement the latest SD-WAN technology across the organisation’s entire IT environment, ensuring staff and clients have constant access to vital services.”
Russell finished: “We’re excited to continue our relationship with Framework and feel proud they’ve entrusted us with the responsibility of managing the IT in supporting some of the country’s most vulnerable people.”
About Principle Networks
Principle Networks is a modern MSP focused on enterprises becoming more agile, productive, and secure by implementing co-managed cloud platforms and adopting zero trust principles.
Principle Networks empowers enterprises to move away from legacy technology and outdated systems. Its platform enables businesses to leverage market-leading solutions without the constraints of traditional managed services, accelerating time to value and delivering a first-class customer experience.
As a trusted partner to some of the world’s fastest-growing technology vendors, Principle Networks received CRN’s Rising Star Award in appreciation of its growth, innovation, and strength of vision.
www.principle-networks.com

Shortlist for the Technology Reseller Awards 2024 is revealed

Here is the complete list of all the companies and people that have been shortlisted in this years Technology Reseller Awards 2024:
Congratulations to the shortlist for making it through and we look forward to seeing you all at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 23rd May in London.
To reserve your tables/places at this years Technology Reseller Awards please contact your account manager or call TR directly on 01732 759725
See the full shortlist below:
Vendor Awards

Cyber Security Vendor of the Year
Cato Networks
Heimdal
Hornetsecurity
Sendmarc
Spitfire Network Services
WatchGuard Technologies

Cyber Risk Mitigation Vendor of the Year
Conceal
Heimdal

Cloud Services Vendor of the Year
Crystal ASP
Giacom
NTA
Spitfire Network Services
TelXL
Tollring

UC & Collaboration Vendor of the Year
8×8
Boom Collaboration
Monday.com
NTA
VOIP Unlimited
Xelion

Networking & Connectivity Vendor of the Year
Gigabit Networks
Jola
Kaseya
Pangea Connected
Park Place Technologies
Spitfire Networks Services

Software Vendor of the Year
Inform Billing
Layer Systems
Oak Innovation
PRD Technologies
Tekton Billing
TelXL
Tollring

Print & MPS Vendor of the Year
Brother UK
Canon UK
Data Direct Thames Valley
Epson UK
Lexmark

Document Workflow Vendor of the Year
Brother UK
Canon UK – Therefore
Canon UK – uniFLOW Online
Kyocera Document Solutions UK

MSP Platform Provider Vendor of the Year
Conceal
Heimdal
Sophos
TelcoSwitch

Distributor Awards

Cyber Security Distributor of the Year
Brigantia
Climb Channel Solutions
Exertis
Giacom
TD SYNNEX

SAAS/Software Distributor of the Year
Arrow ECS
Climb Channel Solutions
Exertis
Giacom
QBS Software Solutions
TD SYNNEX

UC & Connecttivity Network Distributor of the Year
Exertis
Giacom
Nimans
Pragma
Sol Distrubution

Cloud Solution Distributor of the Year
Climb Channel Solutions
Exertis
Giacom
Infinigate Cloud
TD SYNNEX

Hardware Distributor of the Year
Exertis
Giacom
Nimans
Provu
Sol Distribution
TD SYNNEX

Document Print & Workflow Distributor
Data Direct
Exertis
Midwich
TD SYNNEX
Westcoast

Product & Solutions Awards

Software Product or Solution of the Year
Giacom
Heliocor
Inform Billing
Layer Systems
PRD Technologies
SYNAXON UK
TelXL

Remote Monitoring & Management Solution of the Year
GoTo
Heimdal
Lexmark
Park Place Technologies
Utelogy Corporation

Reseller Awards

SMB Reseller/MSP of the Year (Turnover up to 2.5m)
CRE Communications
DocTechUK
Dunedin IT
Future Voice & Data
True MSP
Xexos Technology Reseller

Mid-Enterprise Reseller/MSP of the Year (Turnover £2.5M -£10M)
Apex Computing Services
F One Technologies
Logixal Document Solutions Ltd
Principle Networks
Redsquid

Enterprise Reseller/MSP of the Year (Turnover £10m- £20m)
Britannic Technologies
razorblue
Tailor Made Technologies
Windsor Telecom

Corporate Reseller/MSP of the Year (Turnover £20m+)
Convergent Technology
Espria Limited
Ricoh
SCC

Reseller/MSP Project of the Year
F One Technologies
Future Voice & Data
Principle Networks – Framework Housing
Principle Networks – Hargreaves Services
Redsquid
Windsor Telecom

TR Special Awards

TR Award for Sustainability
Canon UK
Epson
Espria
Exertis
SCC
Sumillion

TR Award for Innovation
Conceal
Cosoft
Logixal Document Solutions
PRD Technologies

TR Award for Technical Services & Implementation Provider
Agilitas
IPNetix
Logixal Document Solutions
ProVu Communications
Tekton Billing
Technology Powered Services
Uptime Solutions

TR Award for DEI
Canon UK
Exertis
Logixal Document Solutions
Redsquid
Ricoh

TR Award for Use of AI
Cosoft
Conceal
Logixal Document Solutions
Redsquid
The ComplianceAid

TR Judges’ Special Award
Giacom
NTA
Redsquid
Spitfire Network Services
TelXL
Tollring

Account Manager of the Year
Carrie Kavanagh of Lexmark UK
Chloe Schofield of Brigantia
Emma Clarke of Inform Billing
Gemma Stinton of Brother UK
Inesh Patel of Sennheiser
Meelad Mujadidi of Kaseya

Industry Leader of the Year
Angus Shaw of Brigantia
Kevin Boyer of IPNetix
Paul Balkwell of OpenText Cybersecurity
Sohin Raithatha of Redsquid
Steven Wood of OpenText Cybersecurity

Quick Links below:
Ethan White Tel: 07885 957962 Email: ethan@binfo.co.uk
Jeff Root Tel: 07976 950285 Email: Jeff@binfo.co.uk
Paul Johnson Tel: 07887 944433 Email: paul@binfo.co.uk
Neil Trim Tel: 0780 3087229 Email: neil@binfo.co.uk
Here is the link to attend via site: https://technologyresellerawards.co.uk/attend
Here is the link for booking hotel rooms: https://events.edgevenues.com/events/TRA24

Espria will exhibit its cloud communications solutions at the NAHT Annual Conference in 2024

As part of its commitment to supporting education organisations, Espria has announced they will be attending the National Association of Headteachers Annual Conference on May 2-3, 2024, in Newport, Wales.
The conference is a gathering of school leaders from all over the UK, who will come together to network, share their experiences and discuss the most pressing issues affecting school leaders and their institutions today. Attendees will help to shape and focus NAHT policy and campaign priorities for the upcoming year.
With their expertise in Cloud, IT, Communications and Document Solutions, Espria brings over 25 years of experience to the conversation. Their consultative approach to working with not only the NAHT, who are clients, but also attendees of the conference means they gain a clear understanding of the challenges each school faces to enable them to provide effective technical and commercial solutions.
“We are excited to participate in the upcoming NAHT conference and share our extensive knowledge and best practices in the industry,” stated Andy Fung, Solutions Architect. “At Espria, we are committed to delivering top-notch solutions for our education partners, and we are fully equipped to provide support for the most pressing challenges.”
“Espria has a track record of delivering reliable print, communications and IT solutions to support schools and academies. Our range of solutions includes system SIM cards, WiFi extenders, legacy cabling integration, and 5G routers. These solutions have been used to overcome connectivity issues in schools and academies of all sizes.
“Our purchasing matrix is designed specifically for schools, helping them to procure solutions within their budget. We offer both CAPEX and OPEX options, with fixed costs and free inclusive minutes tailored to each school or academic trust’s unique budgeting needs. This allows us to provide curated solutions to help schools manage their finances better.
“In emergencies, our built-in speaker phone/pager can be used to broadcast school-wide safety messages, such as lockdown procedures should an incident occur – an option often welcome as part of Ofsted’s safeguarding focus. Keeping teachers and support staff in the loop is part of our communications offering, which is why we also provide mobile (SIM card) services for caretakers, site managers, trip phones and more. These secure communications protect data and team devices, meaning a school’s safeguarding policy is supported wherever team members are.”
Fung continued, “Our system dashboard is designed to be simple and intuitive, enabling operators to easily modify their phone systems to accommodate school holidays, closures and INSET day reminders with just a few clicks. By integrating an information line, parents and caregivers can directly access school trip and event information through call routing, allowing reception staff to focus on more time critical calls.
“At the busiest times, school staff must juggle phones, pupils, parents and more. However, integrating your school CRM with your phone system improves communications and prepares staff ahead of answering a call. Through integration with many of today’s more commonly used school CRMs, this enables the identification of parents and carers quickly and simply, thus managing situations where student information is sensitive with absolute confidentiality.
“At Espria, we strive to offer schools a breadth of solutions to support the challenges they face. The NAHT conference provides us with the chance to listen directly to their needs and tailor those solutions to both their infrastructure and their budget.”
www.espria.co.uk

Geopolitical Unrest Generates An Onslaught Of Ddos Attacks, According To The Latest Netscout Threat Intelligence Report

Hacktivist groups increase activity globally while a rise in DNS water torture contributed to more than 7 million DDoS attacks in the second half of 2023

NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC.today released findings from its 2H2023 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report that dissects trends and attack methodologies adversaries use against service providers, enterprises, and end-users. The information cited in the report is gathered from NETSCOUT’s unparalleled internet visibility at a global scale, collecting, analysing, prioritising, and disseminating data on DDoS attacks from 214 countries and territories, 456 vertical industries, and more than 13,000 Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). Driven by tech-savvy and politically motivated hacktivist groups and an increase in DNS water torture attacks, NETSCOUT observed more than 7 million DDoS attacks in the second half of 2023, representing a 15% increase from the first half of the year.

Hacktivism Increases Ten-Fold

Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) hacktivism transcended geographic borders during the past year, exemplifying a shift in the global security landscape. Groups like NoName057(016) and Anonymous Sudan, as well as lone hackers and small collectives, are increasingly using DDoS to target those ideologically opposed to them, for example:

Peru experienced a 30% increase in attacks tied to protests of former Peruvian President Fujimori’s release from prison on 6th December
Poland experienced a surge in attacks at the end of 2023 associated with a regime change and statements reaffirming Poland’s support of Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Anonymous Sudan attacked X (formerly Twitter) to influence Elon Musk regarding Starlink service in Sudan, and it attacked Telegram for suspending its main channel

NoName057(016), Anonymous Sudan, and Killnet have taken credit for DDoS attacks in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Palestine targeting communications infrastructure, hospitals, and banks. Daily attacks from hacktivists increased more than ten-fold between the first and second halves of 2023. NoName057(016) topped the list of DDoS adversaries in 2023, targeting 780 websites across 35 countries.

Water Torture Attacks Rise

Targeting critical systems at the heart of the Internet’s control plane, DNS (Domain Name System) water torture attacks have been on the rise since the end of 2019. DNS query floods designed to overwhelm authoritative DNS servers experienced a massive 553% increase from 1H2020 to 2H2023. Rather than targeting one website or server, adversaries go after entire systems, resulting in even more damage.

Gaming and Gambling Targeted

NETSCOUT findings point to gaming – and the gambling associated with gaming – as a primary target for DDoS attacks. Threat actors are drawn to the sector’s substantial financial value and the goal of disrupting competitors, especially during online esports tournaments. Historically, 80-90% of all DDoS attacks are related to gaming and gambling. NETSCOUT assessed attacks on enterprises in these sectors, determining that more than 100,000 DDoS attacks were deployed against those in gaming, and over 20,500 were made against those tied to gambling in 2023.

In addition, based on NETSCOUT’s observations of the DDoS threat landscape, approximately 1% of DDoS attacks are suppressed from originating networks.

“Global adversaries have become more sophisticated in the past year attacking websites and overloading servers to lockout customers and inflict digital chaos to influence geopolitical issues,” stated Richard Hummel, senior threat intelligence lead, NETSCOUT. “The relentless barrage of DDoS threats drives up costs and creates security fatigue for network operators. They cannot safeguard their digital assets without the proper advanced DDoS protection leveraging predictive, real-time threat intelligence.”

Multiple decades of experience working with the world’s largest service providers and enterprises give NETSCOUT far-reaching visibility into the global internet to discern the pulse of the digital world. Our capacity to monitor and respond to DDoS attacks is powered by our ATLAS platform, which enables us to analyse an impressive 500 terabits per second (Tbps) of network traffic.

Visit our interactive website for more information on NETSCOUT’s DDoS Threat Intelligence Report: https://www.netscout.com/threatreport/. For real-time DDoS attack stats, map, and insights, visit NETSCOUT Cyber Threat Horizon.

ALSO Cloud UK: Channel Partners Key to Business Growth

ALSO Cloud UK, one of Europe’s largest technology and cyber security experts, exhibited at the Cloud and Cybersecurity Expo in March in collaboration with Microsoft and AvePoint which saw thousands of visitors gather to learn about the latest cutting-edge tech and engage with industry experts on upcoming technology trends.
Featured as one of the keynote speakers, ALSO Cloud UK were among industry experts leading the way for AI and Copilot insights, identifying key challenges encountered by IT leaders and best solutions and practises to explore the limitless possibilities of the new digital landscape.
“The importance of this event in highlighting key challenges faced in the current digital ecosystem cannot be overstated,” commented Mark Appleton, Chief Customer Officer of ALSO Cloud UK. “In an era dominated by technology, ensuring businesses have cutting-edge technology strategies and tailored solutions is crucial to the industry’s vitality, with cloud and AI playing an important part of this process.”
Presenting on a revolving stage, ALSO Cloud UK delved into the benefits of introducing Microsoft Copilot in their keynote speech, offering the audience a diverse range of perspectives to enhance their understanding of strategically using AI as a powerful productivity tool.
“In the realm of creative productivity, Copilot can free up human capital by automating administrative tasks, such as manual communication and file creation processes while simultaneously enhancing users’ creativity and skills,” said Mark.
“Many attendees were keen to delve deeper into leveraging this technology to transform their business landscape and a report by Deloitte captured similar sentiments with nearly two-thirds of technology excited to embrace AI however only 29% are targeting innovation and growth when implementing AI in their organisations.”
This emerging trend underscores the critical need to select and enforce the correct solutions and manage the rollout carefully to deploy Copilot to the fullest extent. Ensuring organisational readiness and taking the preparatory steps will be key and channel partners were recognised as a necessary collaborator within this process.
“What’s clear is the need for IT leaders to select the AI solution that can positively impact the wider business. AI is just another tool in an existing toolbox that needs to be used correctly or it will become a redundant piece of the business.
Optimising workspaces and establishing policy frameworks are part of the measures that need to be taken to ensure the proficiency of deploying such advanced technologies at a large scale. Collaboration between businesses, and MSP and Channel experts will be vital in this process to ensure a frictionless use of Copilot.”
Unfortunately, cybercriminals have also capitalised on this trend, targeting the vulnerabilities associated with AI and cloud platforms like Copilot and Azure. With such platforms offering a diverse range of services, cybersecurity measures must also be top priority for businesses to protect against financial and data loss.
“Businesses are migrating to cloud and AI for enhanced scalability and efficiency, however against the backdrop of burgeoning cloud innovation follows the increasing risk of breaches and fraud. When it comes to supporting business longevity, asset and spending protection goes hand in hand with implementing new technology.
Mark adds, “there is a growing concern surrounding the hyperscale nature of Azure and Copilot that can attract malicious cybercriminals. MSP’s and channel partners must be able to propose solutions to the myriad problems that breaches, and fraud can cause. Combining robust security features with protection services that channel partners offer, can minimise the effects of fraudulent activity and position organisations for success in the market.”
Largely due to enterprises investing in such proprietary technology, spending for IT service will increase in 2024. According to Mark, the demand for reliable support services will also become crucial for business strategy.
“While many SMEs understood that providing quick solutions to their customers lie at the heart of business success, many have foregone their own system efficiency. A theme that resonated strongly throughout the event was finding the right partners that can also provide unique and innovative solutions to their system problems.
“It’s a natural step for businesses to work with specialist third-party service providers to ensure a smooth transition of new systems but ensuring your chosen provider delivers effortless care across all possible problem areas beyond the onboarding phase is crucial for business continuity. Channel providers and MSP’s must work as true partners with SMEs to equip them with the most intelligent and speedy solutions to help facilitate their business growth.”
Mark concluded, “the event underscored a crucial reality: as the world becomes more digitised, businesses need to be proactive to the changing landscape. Fuelled by the urgency to adapt, businesses need the right support which MSP and Channel experts can provide. By bridging this gap, businesses can be prepared for this new era and protect their digital assets.”
Image courtesy of https://www.also.com

Telecommunications specialist unveils next-generation Smart Recode Device

Salumanus, a specialist in telecommunications networks, has launched SRD 5, an upgraded iteration of its pioneering Smart Recode Device. The device is designed to reconfigure optical modules to work with most network devices on the market. This latest version substantially enhances the functionalities of its predecessors, offering users the potential to save up to $300,000 annually, alongside the convenience of smartphone-based configuration.
The SRD 5 introduces the ability to program advanced interfaces such as OSFP (400G/800G/1.6T), QSFP-DD (400G/800G) and SFP-DD (100G) to create universal optical transceivers. It also allows the configuration of DWDM channels for tunable plugs. The device is supported by a private cloud with a continuously updated compatibility database. There are currently more than 23,000 records and the number continues to grow.
The SRD 5 also supports the ability to encode modules supported in earlier versions of the SRD: QSFP28(100G), QSFP+(40G), SFP28(25G), SFP+(10G), SFP(1G).
“Spending on optical modules and their replacement is a significant part of the network construction and maintenance budget,” explained Marcin Bala, CEO of Salumanus. “Most operators, ISPs and data centre owners use equipment from different vendors. This creates the need to maintain a large inventory of spare parts.
“Universal optical transceiver reduce the need to stock modules. They can be recoded multiple times, adapting configurations to the current needs of the network. With SRD 5, an engineer can programme a universal module from a smartphone directly before installation.”
The new device works with a variety of platforms, from desktop PCs to smartphones, providing flexibility and accessibility in any environment. With a variety of engineering environments in mind, the SRD 5 offers a wide range of power options, from traditional power supplies to power banks to USB-C power.
This approach ensures uninterrupted operation even in locations with limited access to power sources. By dispensing with sockets for legacy interfaces, it has also been possible to significantly reduce the size of the device.
Its compact form factor makes it an ideal tool for field work, allowing engineers to intervene and respond quickly to network issues. The SRD 5 also offers built-in Bluetooth, which enables operation on iOS and Android smartphones, via the SRD Go app.
“We want the SRD 5 to help the network engineer with compatibility selection and configuration,” said Michał Owca, product manager at Salumanus. “Thanks to this device, it will be possible to check the status of modules, their performance and detect possible errors.”
Salumanus engineers have calculated that, when operating network equipment from three different vendors, in six network areas, the use of the SRD 5 can save more than 300,000 US dollars per year. Customers will also be able to calculate their saving capacity with the SRD 5 due to a new tool which will be featured on Salumanus’ website.
The SRD 5, together with Salumanus’ universal optical transceivers, reduces costs and the amount of inventory required. In the event of failure, one module can be quickly adapted to different brands of network devices. In this way, the number of spare parts can be significantly reduced, thereby influencing production and raw material consumption, while keeping fault safety at a very high level.
To find out more about SRD 5 or to discover the extensive range of optical devices offered by Salumanus, visit www.salumanus.com/en.