TechGenies

techgenies

This Slogging thread by  Arthur Tkachenko occurred in slogging's official #programming channel, and has been edited for readability. Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:12 AM Glossary for Non Technies Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:14 AM Today I realized that some people dont know much about things like "Server", "Frontend" and others. I used them on call, and ... Person was not on the same page with me. Let's collect cool definitions! And after that we'll be able to share it as one article Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:16 AM – The process of detecting and removing from a piece of software. Both developers and quality assurance teams engage in this practice regularly to ensure that code is working as intended. They employ methods like automated and manual tests, as well as unit tests. My personal favorite type of debugging is widely applied and very efficient, and it's also got a humorous name: . Simply put, many developers keep a rubber duck on their desk—yes, an rubber duck. When they run across a problem in their code that they can't figure out, they start explaining their code out loud to the duck—who is, by the way, an listener. This process is very effective and helps developers iron out any flaws in their logic or identify code that isn't doing what it's supposed to be doing. In the unlikely event that you don't have a proper rubber duck, you can ask your co-worker to serve as a substitute! Debugging bugs rubber duck debugging actual excellent Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:17 AM – An error or flaw in your code that causes unexpected behavior in the associated program. My favorite story is one that most computer scientists are familiar with. In the late 1940s at Harvard University, an error was detected in an early electromechanical computer, Mark II. One of the operators of Grace Hopper's team found a real moth trapped inside the computer that happened to be causing the machine to malfunction. The moth was taped to a log book with a note that read, "First actual case of bug being found." To my knowledge, this is the earliest usage of the term "bug" in the context of computer science. Bug Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:17 AM – A pre-written collection of code that can be added by a software developer to a program to achieve some specific functionality or automate a process. Without libraries and linking, you'd have to repeatedly copy-paste source code into your project directory, or re-write the code yourself. Library Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:18 AM – A data structure where all necessary files for a project or application are stored, as well as the history of all changes made to those files. Repositories make it easy for you to track all changes in your development in case you ever need or want to restore an older version of your code. Repository Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:18 AM – A prior version of a software that typically includes the design of the project on a structural level (structure of content, functionality, and user journeys). – A simple working version of the software that typically is the next step in project design after wireframing. – A ‘client’ software that the users interact with. It’s a presentation layer, the way the software looks. – A ‘server’ software that the users do not interact with directly. It’s a data access layer, the way the software works. Wireframe Prototype Front end Back end Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 11:20 AM The practice of reducing redundancy in a relational database by separating conceptually distinct data (e.g. books, authors) into different relations (tables). There are several different levels of normalization. An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules designed to solve a definite problem. The problem can be simple like adding two numbers or a complex one, such as converting a video file from one format to another. Normalization Algorithm Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 12:28 PM Application Programming Interface (API) is a set of rules, routines, and protocols to build software applications. APIs help in communication with third party programs or services, which can be used to build different software. Companies such as Facebook and Twitter actively use APIs to help developers gain easier access to their services. Hypertext Transport (or Transfer) Protocol, the data transfer protocol used on the World Wide Web. Basically the same as HTTP, but uses encryption methods to secure the data passed to and from webpages. The way the frontend and backend communicate with each other is with requests and responses. A frontend script can request data from the backend, and a script in the backend can then send that data as a response. The cache is where data can be temporarily stored on a browser or computer in order to save time loading the same data over and over again every time it is required. The command-line is an interface for typing commands directly to a computer's operating system. This is the most direct and fastest way to perform operations on a computer's operating system like launching a PHP server, creating directory, executing scripts, changing file permissions and much more... API HTTP HTTPS Request/Response Cache Command-line Arthur Tkachenko Apr 17, 2022, 3:53 PM Usually, this refers to a new version of the application. It very often is, but does not necessarily need to be, customer centric. The moments before the release are always tense because everyone tries to finish as many tasks as possible without causing a catastrophe in the production environment. That's why some companies host " " to make it less stressful for the team and avoid potential trainwrecks just before weekend. Putting the code to the server where it’ll work. The process of converting the source code (written on the programming language, understood by humans) into machine code (understood by machines). A set of solutions for organizing the software structure: choosing structural elements and interfaces, the correlation between elements and their behavior. Source code freely available for making changes and free to download. A project management technique used to split the complex problem into parts that are easier to execute. Backend development refers to the server side of development where the main focus is on how the site works. This usually consists of three parts: a server, an application, and a database. Users can’t see the backend work, but code written by back end developers is what communicates the database information to the browser. Bootstrap is an intuitive and powerful front end framework that is an open-source collection of tools for creating websites and web applications. It was developed by Mark Otto and Jacob Thornton of Twitter to encourage consistency across internal tools, and was originally named “Twitter Blueprint.” Front end development refers to “client-side” development, where the focus is on what users see. Front end developers will be engaged in analyzing code, design, and debugging applications along with ensuring a seamless user experience. Release no-release Fridays Deploy Compiling Architecture Open Source Decomposition BACK END BOOTSTRAP (aka TWITTER BOOTSTRAP) FRONT END Arthur Tkachenko Apr 19, 2022, 12:48 AM React is currently the most popular javascript front-end framework. Developed by Facebook in 2013, React is used to build interactive user interfaces. MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Oracle that is based on structured query language (SQL). A database is a structured collection of data. It may be anything from a simple shopping list to a picture gallery or a place to hold the vast amounts of information in a corporate network. NoSQL is famous for its high functionality and ease of development with a performance at scale. NoSQL is called a non-relational database. It does not follow the rules of relational database management systems (RDBMS), and hence does not use traditional SQL statements to query data. 2 famous examples of NoSQL systems are and . Docker is a software platform that allows you to build, test, and deploy applications quickly. Docker packages software into standardized units called containers that have everything the software needs to run including libraries, system tools, code, and runtime. Using Docker, you can quickly deploy and scale applications into any environment and know your code will run. Kubernetes is a portable, extensible, open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services. The name Kubernetes originates from Greek, meaning helmsman or pilot. K8s as an abbreviation results from counting the eight letters between the "K" and the "s". Google open-sourced the Kubernetes project in 2014. Kubernetes combines over 15 years of Google's experience running production workloads at scale with best-of-breed ideas and practices from the community. Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon providing on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments, on a metered pay-as-you-go basis. These cloud computing web services provide a variety of basic abstract technical infrastructure and distributed computing building blocks and tools. One of these services is Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), which allows users to have at their disposal a virtual cluster of computers, available all the time, through the Internet. AWS's virtual computers emulate most of the attributes of a real computer, including hardware central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) for processing; local/RAM memory; hard-disk/SSD storage; a choice of operating systems; networking; and pre-loaded application software such as web servers, databases, and customer relationship management (CRM). ReactJS MySQL NoSQL https://www.mongodb.com/ https://neo4j.com/ Docker Kubernetes AWS Arthur Tkachenko Apr 19, 2022, 12:53 AM An object is a combination of related variables, constants and other data structures which can be selected and manipulated together. An object can include shapes that appear on a screen or the age of students in a school. Objects

Glossary for Non Technies

461 Stories To Learn About Slogging

Introduction: Data engineering has evolved into specialized fields like DataOps and VectorOps to address the challenges of managing data and vector embeddings, respectively. As large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 emerge, managing high-dimensional data structures becomes increasingly important. LangChain, an LLM-powered application development framework, integrates with DataOps and VectorOps processes and utilizes vector databases to create data-aware, interactive applications. DataOps: Streamlining Data Management and Processes: DataOps focuses on enhancing collaboration, integration, and automation of data flows across organizations. Implementing DataOps practices promotes data accuracy, consistency, and accessibility, which are vital for data-aware applications using LLMs. Key DataOps technologies include Apache Kafka for real-time data streaming, Apache Airflow for workflow management, and Apache NiFi for data routing and transformation. References: https://medium.com/codex/5-steps-to-implementing-a-successful-dataops-practice-f553effd7367 https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2022/01/24/how-to-implement-a-successful-dataops-strategy-and-why-it-matters/?sh=56e354d5e87c https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dataops-practical-understanding-implementation-taaha-khan-/ VectorOps: Tackling High-Dimensional Data Challenges: VectorOps specializes in managing vector embeddings, a critical component of LLMs. Traditional databases struggle with high-dimensional data structures, whereas vector databases excel in handling them. Integrating VectorOps with DataOps processes enables efficient large-scale vector embedding management, paving the way for innovative applications using LLMs. Popular vector database technologies used in VectorOps include FAISS, Milvus, and Pinecone. References: https://thenewstack.io/vector-databases-long-term-memory-for-artificial-intelligence https://www.pinecone.io/learn/vector-database/ https://techgenix.com/rise-of-vector-databases/ LangChain: Building Data-Aware LLM Applications: LangChain facilitates the development of applications that connect to data sources, interact with their environment, and utilize the power of LLMs. It offers various modules, such as Models, Prompts, Memory, Indexes, Chains, and Agents. The Indexes module focuses on structuring documents for optimal LLM interaction and retrieval, making it an excellent candidate for VectorOps and vector database integration. LangChain supports integration with LLMs like GPT-4, BERT, and RoBERTa. """
Example of creating a chat bot with GPT-Index & LangChain.
"""

from llama_index import SimpleDirectoryReader, GPTListIndex, readers, GPTSimpleVectorIndex, LLMPredictor, PromptHelper
from langchain import OpenAI
import sys
import os
from IPython.display import Markdown, display


def construct_index(directory_path):
    # set maximum input size
    max_input_size = 4096
    # set number of output tokens
    num_outputs = 2000
    # set maximum chunk overlap
    max_chunk_overlap = 20
    # set chunk size limit
    chunk_size_limit = 600 

    # define LLM
    llm_predictor = LLMPredictor(llm=OpenAI(temperature=0.5, model_name="text-davinci-003", max_tokens=num_outputs))
    prompt_helper = PromptHelper(max_input_size, num_outputs, max_chunk_overlap, chunk_size_limit=chunk_size_limit)
 
    documents = SimpleDirectoryReader(directory_path).load_data()
    
    index = GPTSimpleVectorIndex(
        documents, llm_predictor=llm_predictor, prompt_helper=prompt_helper
    )

    index.save_to_disk('index.json')

    return index

def ask_ai():
    index = GPTSimpleVectorIndex.load_from_disk('index.json')
    while True: 
        query = input("What do you want to ask? ")
        response = index.query(query, response_mode="compact")
        display(Markdown(f"Response: <b>{response.response}</b>")) References: https://python.langchain.com/en/latest/index.html https://github.com/hwchase17/langchain https://github.com/gkamradt/langchain-tutorials/blob/main/LangChain Cookbook Part 2 - Use Cases.ipynb Integrating DataOps, VectorOps, and LangChain: DataOps, VectorOps, and LangChain integration create powerful applications that combine efficient data management, high-dimensional data processing, and LLM capabilities. Some key advantages of this integration include: Enhanced similarity search: LangChain's integration with vector databases and VectorOps enables efficient near-neighbor matching, providing comprehensive results beyond traditional keyword-based searches. Scalability: DataOps and VectorOps processes ensure the efficient handling of large-scale vector embeddings, making the framework ideal for managing data in the era of LLMs and other complex models. """
As described here: https://python.langchain.com/en/latest/modules/indexes/vectorstores/examples/pinecone.html
"""

import pinecone
from langchain.embeddings.openai import OpenAIEmbeddings
from langchain.text_splitter import CharacterTextSplitter
from langchain.vectorstores import Pinecone
from langchain.document_loaders import TextLoader

loader = TextLoader('../../../state_of_the_union.txt')
documents = loader.load()
text_splitter = CharacterTextSplitter(chunk_size=1000, chunk_overlap=0)
docs = text_splitter.split_documents(documents)

embeddings = OpenAIEmbeddings()

# initialize pinecone
pinecone.init(
    api_key=PINECONE_API_KEY,  # find at app.pinecone.io
    environment=PINECONE_ENV  # next to api key in console
)

index_name = "langchain-demo"

docsearch = Pinecone.from_documents(docs, embeddings, index_name=index_name)

# if you already have an index, you can load it like this
# docsearch = Pinecone.from_existing_index(index_name, embeddings)

query = "What did the president say about Ketanji Brown Jackson"
docs = docsearch.similarity_search(query)

print(docs[0].page_content) Flexibility: LangChain allows users to perform searches based on high-level descriptions rather than relying on specific keywords or metadata classifications, enabling more versatile applications. Reference: https://mattboegner.com/knowledge-retrieval-architecture-for-llms/ https://simonwillison.net/2023/Jan/13/semantic-search-answers/ https://www.codingthesmartway.com/unlocking-the-power-of-llms-with-langchain-a-beginners-guide/ https://python.langchain.com/en/latest/modules/models/llms/integrations.html Conclusion: By focusing on DataOps, VectorOps, and LangChain, developers can create advanced, data-driven applications that leverage the power of LLMs and vector embeddings. Efficient data management through DataOps, coupled with VectorOps' expertise in high-dimensional data processing, unlocks the full potential of LLMs like GPT-4, BERT, and RoBERTa. LangChain serves as the bridge between these two fields, enabling developers to build innovative applications that can revolutionize industries and reshape the future of data-driven solutions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO699Szp82M&embedable=true As the need for data-aware applications and large-scale vector embedding management grows, the synergistic integration of DataOps, VectorOps, and LangChain will play a critical role in shaping the next generation of data-driven applications. By keeping up-to-date with the latest developments in these fields and embracing cutting-edge technologies, developers can stay ahead of the curve and lead the way toward a data-centric future.

The New Data Engineering Landscape: DataOps, VectorOps, and LangChain

Astounding Stories of Super-Science August 1931: VOL. VII, NO. 2 - If The Sun Died

In today's complex business networks that comprise many virtual LANs and subnets, a Layer 3 switch plays an important role in many systems. But do you need this on your network? Let's see. What is a Layer 3 switch? Simply put, a Layer 3 switch combines the functionality of a switch and a router. It acts as a switch to connect devices that are on the same subnet or virtual LAN at lightning speed and has built-in IP routing intelligence to function as a router. It can support routing protocols, inspect incoming packets, and may even make routing decisions supporting source and destination addresses. This is often how a Cisco Layer 3 switch acts as both a switch and a router. Often referred to as a multi-layer switch, a Layer 3 switch adds a lot of flexibility to a network. Characteristics of a layer 3 switch The characteristics of a Layer 3 switch are: It comes with 24 Ethernet ports, but no WAN interface. It acts as a switch to connect devices within the same subnet. The switching algorithm is simple and is the same for most routed protocols. It operates on two OSI layers: layer 2 and layer 3. Purpose of a Layer 3 switch There is a lot of confusion about using a Layer 3 switch because, in a traditional configuration, routers operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model while switches operate at Layer 2. So how does this Layer 3 switch fit into this model? Also, the name "layer 3 switch" confuses because switches normally operate from layer 2. Layer 3 switches were originally designed to improve routing performance in large networks, especially corporate intranets. To understand the purpose, let's go back a bit in time to see how these switches evolved. Layer 2 switches work well when there is low to medium traffic on VLANs. But these switches would hang when traffic increased. So, it became necessary to increase the functionality of Layer 2. One option was to use a router instead of a switch, but then routers are slower than switches, so this could lead to slower performance. To overcome this disadvantage, the researchers considered implementing a router within a switch. Although technically feasible, it was not the ideal choice because Layer 2 switches operate only on the Ethernet MAC frame while Layer 3 handles multiple routing protocols. The researchers felt this was too complicated, so they came up with the idea of a Layer 3 switch that would act like routers with fast-forwarding done through the underlying hardware. This is why the most difference between Layer 3 switches and routers lies within the hardware. If you take a look at the hardware of a Layer 3 switch, you will see a mix of traditional switches and routers, except that the router software logic is replaced by integrated circuit hardware to improve performance. Also, a Layer 3 switch router will not have WAN ports or other WAN features that you would normally see on a traditional router. Benefits of a Layer 3 switch From the discussion above, the purpose/benefits of a layer 3 change are: Routing support between virtual LANs. Improve fault isolation. Simplify security management. Reduce broadcast traffic volumes. Make the configuration process for VLANs easy as a separate router is not required between each VLAN. Separate the routing tables and as a result, better segregate traffic. Simplifying troubleshooting like troubleshooting the L2 layer is tedious and time-consuming. Supports flow accounting and high-speed scalability. The lowest network latency since a packet does not have to make extra hops to go through a router. Now that you simply know why your organization needs a Layer 3 switch, let's also check out the potential issues that accompany it. Layer 3 switch disadvantages Like any product, a Layer 3 switch also has its drawbacks. We will briefly discuss each of these disadvantages to help you make the right choice. Cost Cost is one of the main disadvantages of a Layer 3 switch. It costs much more than a traditional switch and configuring and managing these switches also requires more effort. Therefore, an organization must be ready to expend additional resources to configure Layer 3 switches. Limited application Layer 3 switches are most applicable only for large intranet environments with many device and traffic subnets. Homes and small organizations don't need these switches. Lack of WAN functionality The lack of WAN functionality is another major disadvantage of Layer 3 switches. This means that you cannot eliminate routers and you will need both Layer 3 routers and switches to route traffic in and out of your organization. Multiple tenants and virtualization Compared to Layer 2 switching, Layer 3 routing is comparatively slower. This can be a problem when you want to spread VLANs across multiple switches to support multiple tenants and virtualization. Lack of flexibility Since you are routing at the access layer, the VLANs will be local to that specific . In other words, a VLAN will be associated with one switch and cannot be used on other switches. This limitation means that you must plan well to prevent a from using multiple switches. switch LAN Do you need it? Now comes the big question: Do you need a Layer 3 switch for your network? Well, it depends on your network configuration and its size. Generally speaking, you would like a Layer 3 switch if you answer yes to any of the subsequent questions. Do you have VLAN on your network? Do you plan to include them shortly? Do individual departments need separate broadcast domains for security and performance? Do you have subnets connected through a router? Does your network have more than 250 devices connected to the same VLAN? If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, you surely need a Layer 3 switch to improve performance. In all other cases, it is optional. Layer 3 switches act as switches and routers. They are ideal for VLAN only, as they do not have a WAN interface. But within VLANs, gives you multiple options to manage your bandwidth efficiently. This is often why Layer 3 switches are a strong and scalable technology for building high-performance Ethernets. Previously published at http://techgenix.com/layer-3-switch/

An Introduction to Layer 3 Switches

It’s December 2019, ‘Thanks Giving started the holiday festive season as we head towards Christmas. What a year 2019 has been. As a student in the Blockchain World 2019 for me meant opening up and sharing my knowledge. This was the best thing I could ever have done, as it meant other like-minded individuals from around the world started sharing their information with me. Friends where made, networks were built and collaboration opportunities started to develop. In some ways telling these stories will one day be for me, a diary of events, the “How I got to grow and be involved in Blockchain Technologies through writing.” The ‘Open Source ideal that the Blockchain community was driving had a much further reach than just ‘coding. An avenue I stumbled on in my open network approach was “Women in Blockchain”. My initial reasoning was for my wife to maybe read some of my articles so that she would form a better understanding of what I was doing and for my boys to grow up in this new environment, new technology so that I could foster an interest and steer them in a growing industry where work and greater income possibilities where possible. Women in companies that was and is driving Blockchain adoption found themselves on a much more equal footing than ever before or so I would like to believe. Surely by now heading into 2020, we would have a better understanding of “a good mix” a greater foresight on “getting the balance right” between male and female perspectives. Millennial’s & GenZ’s coming up the ranks from what I know, understand this concept better. With the women I got to know over the last year as role models, this new bread of youngsters certainly will find that they have a lot to look up to. Here to me Tech is the winner specifically Blockchain Technology where Tech Savvy, Tech Opportunity, and Tech Entrepreneurship don’t view gender like society use to. This year has seen a tremendous growth in Networking and Collaboration strengths as the Blockchain and Cryptocurrency sectors evolved from there former speculating “glories”. The Blockchain Industry steamrolled ahead advancing the Technological capabilities they set out and promised to build. The “bad apples & empty promises” got sorted out and so will the ones in the future. I actually think much faster as no one can hide or alter their Blockchain Capabilities for too long these days. (Reach out if you are in doubt!) Women and Men, Girls and Boys heading into the next century have a big obligation to hold true to this ‘open-source plan where people are seen as equals, contributing to a common goal. In 2020 it will remain interesting to see how the big corporates adapt or maybe swallow up the “ideal that is open source” or if indeed the democracy that Satoshi set out to establish found its way into a borderless society. From my side at home, I must thank my wife for keeping me level headed, she’s funny like that, if I can’t explain Blockchain to her, I can’t explain it to anyone. Some of those explanations were really testing the boundaries :)) but these days it makes a lot more sense. This year I’ve decided to give my family an Investment in a Digital Assets Index Fund for X-mas as a measure of appreciation for putting up with my ‘new ideas and believing in me. I’m very confident it will make for an interesting portfolio in time to come. Whoooh so on that note before this is all about me here’s our 17 & 18th lady contributing her experiences and knowledge in the Blockchain Industry. Erin Grover Co-Founder at Altai Digital Capital Q&A #1 Give us a summary of your background and how you got into Blockchain & Digital Currency / Cryptocurrency? I fell into crypto back in 2017 as the market was on the rise. I was posting about Bitcoin and blockchain technology on social media before it blew up — much to my surprise, people remembered this and started to chase me down for assistance with crypto wallet installation and altcoin research. Overnight, I found myself supporting crypto clients full-time. When the market tanked in 2018, I went on to start a cryptocurrency trading service called CORÁS 9, based in Dublin, Ireland. It traded cryptocurrency via algorithmic trading technology. ​Prior to my work in blockchain, I worked for the United Nations, USAID and other international NGOs as a content producer and media strategist. #2 Tell us about your current position, responsibilities and some day to day activities that you look forward to? My latest crypto venture is Altai Digital Capital, which is also based in Ireland and connects investors to blockchain-based hedge funds and traders. We provide guidance, transparency and reassurance typically found in traditional investment firms, affording clients easy access to the investment potential of cryptocurrency. #3 If you had to be critical about yourself, which part of your career would you like to improve on? I’ve been quiet for too long, and it’s now my intention to become a stronger voice and advocate for the integration of blockchain technology into society. As a woman, I feel great pressure and responsibility to speak up and open more doors for diversity in our field. I hope to be doing more of this over the next year. #4 What advice do you have for children/youth (10–18 years ) today especially young women about the Blockchain world? How do we nurture interest in this new technology? Blockchain will be growing for years to come, and women are especially needed in its evolution and global integration. I highly encourage young women to learn basic coding skills for a start. Look for free resources online. Go to coding camps if possible, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I say this because of experience… I was slightly dyslexic and had undiagnosed ADD as a child. I had good grades for a while, but was restless in high school and lost interest in being a top student. In a strange and unexpected moment during my senior year, my high school vice principal pulled me into an empty classroom and told me that I would never grow up to achieve anything special in life and that my parents would never be proud of me. It was a dysfunctional and confusing experience, but I refused to listen to this ignorant man who should have never been around children in the first place. Don’t ever let anyone bring you down. In one ear and out the other is what I say. #5 What kind of skill set would you be looking at in job applicants? I’m usually looking for people who have some basic understanding of programming for the blockchain and experts with an understanding of both traditional finance and crypto. Beyond this, I want to work with people who can think outside societal norms, people who have traveled the world and people who have intercultural sensitivity and emotional intelligence. The ability to traverse between cultures and countries is the greatest way to learn and appreciate diversity of thought and to be open to other perspectives. This is where true innovation comes from. #6 Blockchain to me is a forward-thinking force of snowballing Technology, but where I’m from a lot of people still see Bitcoin as a scam. How do we bridge the gap between technology and people that are skeptical about it? My life’s work is now fully in the blockchain. I try not to overwhelm people who don’t understand it. If people ask, I do my best to site examples of how there’s a massive global movement of governments, corporations and educational institutions jumping on board. Companies like Disney, BMW, and IBM are in it. Countries are embracing crypto more and more every day, with regulation and billions of development grants. Major institutions like Fidelity, Barclays, and Bank of America are even onboard — it’s hard to call it a scam when this information is brought to light. Follow the news and site examples when possible. It’s out there. #7 Can you please provide the details of an educational facility that is in your area or country if anyone reading this article decides to find out more about Blockchain. I find the best way for beginners (outside of a good ol’ Google search) is to start by going to meetups. In Ireland where I live, there are meetups for crypto and blockchain topics all the time. Just go to sites like meetup.com and ye shall find. #8 What is your current opinion on the Digital Assets, ( Cryptocurrency ) market and share with us your opinion on where you think this technology will take us? The marketplace is VOLATILE, but I don’t see it fading away. We’re just getting started. We should see it level out one day as more regulation and major institutions come in, but I don’t see that happening for quite some time. HODL’ing doesn’t really work at the moment if you want to experience immediate gains. If executed right, trading algorithms are the way to go for short-term gains. #9 What new exciting projects are you currently working on or planning? I’m honored and inspired to be a part of the AKASHA Innovation Hub, a Blockchain focused Incubator and Accelerator with Hubs in Zug, Barcelona and Dublin. It is part of the AKASHA Foundation founded by Ethereum Co-Founder Mihai Alisie. I’m actively promoting blockchain awareness through this organization. I can’t publicly say too much about the projects at this moment, but stay tuned. There’s much more to come. #10 What is your favorite Blockchain project and why?. My favorite project is Building Blocks, which was created by the United Nations to use the blockchain to deliver food relief to Syrian Refugees (link: ): https://bitsonline.com/united-nations-blockchain-refugees/ “Looking at how the technology works, Building Blocks integrates with a biometric authentication technology called IrisGuard which allows refugees to identify themselves by looking into an iris scanner. This technology is connected to the camp supermarkets where aid is provided to refugees. Using this technology, refugees individually go to this supermarket and get the food they need. When they go to the checkout line, all they need to do is look directly into the IrisGuard iris scanner.” This just makes my heart happy, especially after working for the UN and other NGO’s for nearly a decade. I know too well how waste and misuse use of funds can happen in the nonprofit world. Blockchain will completely revolutionize the delivery of relief funds and donations once-massive integration occurs. Billions of dollars will be saved. I applaud the UN for this effort and look forward to seeing more. Learn more about Erin Grover at www.eringrover.com Thank you Erin, I hope this article adds to your ‘voice for a long time to come. I wonder how many of us have that ‘person in our lives that told us we could not do something, perhaps even now there are emotions/pressure from family or friends keeping us from doing the one thing that will make us happy. It’s hard to overcome, it’s difficult to stay focused in a zone heading to a goal we believe in. That’s why I hope these articles will give people the courage to start, well anything really, as long as they follow their passions. Communication seem’s to be key and finding like-minded people initially helps build a lot of confidence until that point we can head out into the world and become our own ‘voices. Take home: #believeinyourself Awesome, thank you Erin. Now let’s welcome Barbara Bickham Managing Director @ | CTO & Strategic Blockchain Advisor | The 10 Most Influential Women Leaders 2019 WIFAX Q&A #1 Give us a summary of your background and how you got into Blockchain & Digital Currency/Cryptocurrency? - Computer Science, UC Berkeley - Traditional Career path, Architecting, Designing Software Systems, programming, management. - Started a company in 2001, TechGenii — Wireless/Digital Strategy. Helped bring Wireless to the US masses. - 2007 & 2010 — Introduction to Angel Investment and Private Equity - 2011 — I went back to coding root, and in 2014 won a Gartner Cool Vendor Award. - 2015 — Became a CTO - I was introduced to Bitcoin in 2012. When I first learned about thought it was not real. In 2015, I attempted to get back into the space as a developer after hearing Andreas Antonopoulos speak on “The Internet of Money”. In 2017, I got my first Blockchain client 2TransFair (payment and remittance on the Blockchain). #2 Tell us about your current position, responsibilities and some day to day activities that you look forward to? - Managing Director, Women’s Innovation Fund Accelerator — mainly concentrating on 3 things (1) Fundraising, (2) Accelerator Co-Horts and helping them fundraise and/or get clients and (3) Incubating our IP within the Fund - Founder & CTO Trailyn Ventures — working with companies on their Blockchain Strategy. Since I love what I do, some of the things I most enjoy is helping companies solve their problems. #3 If you had to be critical about yourself, which part of your career would you like to improve on? - I would work harder on my mindset earlier in my career. Overall I’ve had a wonderful career, since all experiences that I have had, both positive and negative (which are really just lessons), have led me to what I’m doing now. #4 What advice do you have for children/youth (10–18 years) today especially young women about the Blockchain world? How do we nurture interest in this new technology? - Kids just need to be exposed to technology. - Learning Computer Science concepts (encryption, distributed networks, big data, quantum computing), and economic principles. - Advice: can’t be afraid, study your craft, practice your craft, trust yourself and your intuition, don’t let anyone knock you off your path. #5 What kind of skill set would you be looking at in job applicants? - Can they code (can be checked via Github) - Can they solve complex problems - Can they communicate - Can they work well in a team environment - Do they know how to use the tools #6 Blockchain to me is a forward-thinking force of snowballing Technology, but where I’m from a lot of people still see Bitcoin as a scam. How do we bridge the gap between technology and people that are skeptical about it? - We need a practical use case that everyday people can use that has a simple interface (like the Starbucks App). - A good example is CashApp. #7 Can you please provide the details of an educational facility that is in your area or country if anyone reading this article desires to find out more about Blockchain. - is the best place to find out more about Blockchain. They run cryptocurrency classes, blockchain classes, have a co-working space. They run CryptoKidsCamp, a 1 week camp for kids ages 5–18, whose theme is BEAST MODE. Beast Mode stands for: B-Blockchain, E-Evolution of Money, A-Artificial Intelligence, S-Security(Cyber), T-Technology CryptoBlockchainPlug M-Mining, O-Online Gaming D-DApps E-Engineering The next camp is DEC 30, 2019 — Jan 4 2020 #8 What is your current opinion on the Digital Assets, ( Cryptocurrency ) market and share with us your opinion on where you think this technology will take us? - The cryptocurrency market needs to evolve some of the traditional banking and centralized thinking so that people who are not interested in trading it can use it. - The technology will get us an efficiency, sovereignty (ownership over our digital self) and eventually new business models which we have not yet seen or created yet. #9 What new exciting projects are you currently working on or planning? - The Women’s Innovation Fund Accelerator ( ), is the most exciting and important project that I’m working on. It’s an impact fund that uses co-working and acceleration techniques for emerging tech companies, the companies must have a gender-balanced C-level and use sustainability techniques to monetize our fund. For any investors who are interested in learning more, they can contact us at: fund@wifaxvc.com www.wifaxvc.com #10 What is your favorite Blockchain project and why? The Aclyd Project. It is a P2P payment processing, security management, and identity verification platform designed for the alcohol industry. It is really logistics in reverse since supply chains are transparent and we know where the product comes from. What we want to know is what happens after we deliver it. We use blockchain tech to increase transparency and the speed of processing of payments, while also keeping alcohol out of the minors’ hands by verifying consumers’ identity. What adds to the appeal of Aclyd is its CEO Jessica Contreras’ fascinating story: she transformed her grandmother’s Mexican tequila operations into a US importer/wholesaler of alcohol, succeeding in a traditionally male-dominated business. Thank you Barbara, your achievements speak book loads to those that have the will to be in charge of their own destiny. Great share on Crypto Blockchain Plug and the Crypto Kids Camp — BEAST Mode and a nice new angle on the supply chain from the reverse side, I think it’s brilliant to see where the product end’s up, very similar to Erin’s mention on Building Blocks ensuring food resources reaches the right person. Fantastic contribution again by Erin and Barbara thank you very much! “Women in Blockchain” articles from Morne Olivier LinkedIn Writer | Marketer | Blockchain Consultant Morne Olivier #Disclaimer LinkedIn Medium Hackernoon Twitter Telegram Telegram for Passive Income Uptrennd Steemit FaceBook Designs in Canva Blockchain Education Here’ some Career Path Architecture to outline your approach https://www.linkedin.com/posts/morne-olivier-20406989_datasciencewithdrangshu-dsda-datascience-activity-6607527034925137921-naJN https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nabihbawazir_datascience-dswithsiva-datascientist-activity-6608227722768551936-rvSx

Women in Blockchain | Celebrate 2019

Ransomware is on the rise. In 2014, ransomware was the form of malware. By 2016, it was the 5th. Due to the increased success of ransomware attacks, and the relative ease of distributing it, it has become a favorite of hackers and data thieves. But like all pernicious malware, ransomware is changing. Here, we’ll examine some of the ways ransomware is changing its nature. 22nd most common Originally published at by Techeries.com Lance Waterly Ransomware is Becoming More Profitable Malware attacks are typically carried out to extract profit, mine information, embarrass the victim, or to cause chaos. A successful ransomware attack encrypts and locks user data. This means that computers that run business operations are inaccessible and can cause daily actions to grind to a halt. Many small and medium-sized businesses are unaware of how to remove Ransomware. Without a thorough plan in place, data restoration can be a complex if not impossible process. Because of this, many businesses choose to pay the ransom for restored access. The cost of paying a ransom has only risen. According to the , the average profit for ransomware attacks has risen from $294 in 2015 to $1,077 in 2017. 2017 Internet Security Threat Report For many small and medium-sized businesses, a one-time payment of around $1,000 can seem like a quick, easy way to end the situation. However, according to , paying the ransom may not restore your access and may not be your best option. In fact, one in five businesses that paid a ransom . managed service security experts didn’t receive restored data or access The newly mainstream nature of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin is beginning to empower ransomware attacks. These transactions methods naturally protect identity; payments made this way are not traceable in the same ways credit card transactions are. If the potential of safe profit remains for propagators of ransomware, the frequency of attacks of this nature will only increase. Public Shaming Ransomware attacks will begin to use public shaming more often as an element of extortion. Attacks like the one against San Francisco’s will become more common in the foreseeable future. This attack displayed a ransom on all Muni station screens, locking out user access and denying riders from purchasing and redeeming tickets. This kind of public shaming attempts to manipulate public opinion in order to secure the demanded ransom. Municipal Transportation Agency Eroding consumer trust is one of the most malicious aspects of a public ransomware attack. Organizations that utilize public facing digital screens can expect to face increased attempts to compromise their systems. That includes ATMs, digital advertisements and billboards, self-checkout kiosks, and other outward facing displays that are connected to the main computer system. If these public shaming styled ransomware attacks prove to be successful, they will only increase in the future. Public shaming demonstrates that ransomware attacks are not always carried out for profit. These attacks are also carried out to damage reputations, decrease public trust, and cause general chaos. Ransomware As Chaos Because ransomware attacks enable the author to lock access to data and computer systems, future ransomware attacks may be employed to cause chaos with little regard to extracting ransom payments. As more and more hackers utilize ransomware they will begin to use it for other purposes. State-sponsored attacks may utilize this malware to disable daily functions of other states. What’s more, ransomware campaigns may focus on voting computers in an attempt to erode confidence in elections. Or worse, to hinder the voting ability of a nation. Ransomware Evolves to Evade Detection Ransomware viruses typically attack vulnerabilities in older operating systems and systems without security software in place. However, modern ransomware viruses are being written without an executable file. This allows the malware to bypass some security measures by appearing legitimate. These new ransomware families can avoid detection by traditional security software. Because they take advantage of scripting language to hijack and encrypt files they may appear legitimate to older, out of date security protocols. The changing nature of ransomware attacks means security measures must evolve as well. Email Attacks Most ransomware spam attacks are filtered by email providers — Google, Apple, Microsoft, and so on. However, ransomware authors are looking to write viruses that slip through large-scale spam filters. As more ransomware spam makes it to email inboxes, employee actions become more important. Ensure your organization utilizes employee practices to avoid downloading or opening malicious emails. Safeguard Your Organization If your business is hit with a ransomware attack, your options are somewhat limited. You can pay the ransom and hope you receive restored access, you can contact IT security firms in the hopes that a decryption algorithm exists, or you can count your losses, wipe your system, and start over. Of course, the best defense against ransomware is a good offense. you can follow to safeguard your organization from attacks. There are a number of steps Ensure you regularly update your security and operating systems, consider weekly or even daily backups on unconnected servers, institute employee education to avoid simple mistakes like opening spam email or visiting suspicious websites, and work with cyber security experts to ensure your system is secure and up to date. Ransomware is quickly becoming one of the most malicious cyber threats facing small and medium-sized businesses. Strong prevention measures will help your organization stay ahead of ransomware attacks.

The Changing Nature of Ransomware

Originally published at by Techeries.com Ania Zielinska Robots have already taken over human “tasks”, but we have a long way to go before AI and robots outperform humans — and even this doesn’t necessarily spell our obsolesce or extinction from the workplace. If the history of the Industrial Revolution or the dawn of computerization is anything to go by, the moment at which AI and robots outperform humans is the moment where we get to excel at singularly human tasks. In other words, humans get to be uniquely human, leaving AI and robots to specialize in and drive within their own lane, performing tasks uniquely suited to their own makeup. Techno-Logic There’s something close at hand that you can look to in order to understand how this works: automation in businesses. Automation is what we usually mean when we riff on ideas like, “efficient workplaces”, “tech industries creating more jobs than it destroys”, “the rapid rise of AI”, “the speed of incoming tech changes” and even “early adoption”. When we’re talking automation, we simply can’t resist taking these points to a gloomy, doomsday scenario in which all humans are rendered completely redundant. Time to retreat to the fringes of society, guys. Or else, we envision a strange Fukuyama-like utopia, blended with , where self-involved humans are leisurely and happily sipping sodas on flying chairs, “Wall-E” style, while robots clean up after them. Richard Florida’s “Creative Class” AI in Reality The reality, however, is not as much of a caricature. Yes, the “automation” of certain tasks in manufacturing or even entire sections of service being re-routed to robots. From learning and to project invoicing — repetitive tasks eliminate the need for humans to perform. data science But, according to a report by , “economists have shown that automation helps overall standards of living rise, literacy rates improve, average lifespan rates increase and crime rates drop”. Newsweek Automation offers a chance to upgrade one’s skills and shift focus and attention to matters that machines can’t necessarily solve. Machines require data or inputs to be fed into them. So, they require humans to run. In the most abstract sense, even AI needs an object to collect data about — a user, a behavior, a process, etc. — before it can offer insights, learn about them and make autonomous decisions. Automation in the “micro” sense Automation in the most “micro” sense allows businesses to offload the repetitive tasks like and proposal writing, so that they can free up humans to do things like being better account executives by cultivating business relationships, check-in with project milestones, or even act on a report created by a robot and implement the decision recommended in a human way. invoicing, billing, task management Automation in the “macro” sense But what about the macro-level? We all like to panic and point to the “loss of jobs” and impending unemployment as a sure-thing when we see things like drones delivering mail and self-driving trucks. It’s as though the speed of A.I.’s “encroachment” only has one end and that is large periods of time where people are destitute. Yes, the means that even knowledge-based jobs are being automated to a certain extent. Areas of low-level accounting, medical diagnoses, the basic writing of reports and even stock trading are spaces in which better decisions are being made and faster data is being entered. “ robotization” of work But, as Surya Ganguli, a leading AI scientist at Stanford University says, this just means that intelligent machines can occupy the tasks and spaces, such as the computing of large, complex mathematical data and proofs, designed specifically for their capacities, freeing up humans to do the naturally “human” tasks and jobs. Win-win. Future Forward: 5 Areas of Robot-Influenced Change Tech changes are undoubtedly creating large-scale, rapid and noticeable disruptions in the economy, it’s actually in education and employment where these “disruptions” can offer the most benign and even profitable opportunities. In other words, we’re going to have to re-frame learning and professional development throughout our professional adult lives alongside how, specifically, we find and land jobs that are actually suited for us and make a full range of our suite of skills. What researchers have known for years about the positives of cultivating a growth mindset, now becomes integral to the way we understand humans in the digital context, the “age of robots”. Jonathan Grudin, a principal design researcher at Microsoft believes that, in the end, “People will create the jobs of the future, not simply train for them, and technology is already central. It will undoubtedly play a greater role in the years ahead.” If we’re going to witness “changes” in the way we work and function in society, robots are going to contribute to a macro- as well as micro-scale for progress. Here are the areas where we’re going to witness some significant shifts — all leading to an acceleration of human progress: Changes in educational and learning environments Changes in workplace expectations The development of new credentials and markers of reputability, recognizability, and reliability A change in the very definition of jobs Integration in two major areas: of robotics and cloud services as well as of AI with human “work” From “SaaS” or “RaaS” Okay — 10 years might not be a “rational” estimate. Perhaps it’s closer to 40 or even 75 years, according to this article by . MIT’s Technology Review The report quotes the work of researchers like Katja Grace at the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford who find that while “AI will outperform humans in the next 10 years in tasks such as translating languages (by 2024)”, it’s not until 2031 when they’ll be able to match humans in retail or 2053, the point at which they may be able to perform as surgeons. Until then, however, there’s a more significant and amiable change that is coming through — one that we not only control but, once again, benefit from. And that’s the integration of robotics into the ways we work. The future of work lies in a shift from “SaaS” offerings to “Raas” offerings — “Robotics-as-a-service”. How would this work? According to a press release by Frost & Sullivan, the convergence of and cloud computing means a new opportunity to integrate robots into cloud functions. big data SaaS or “software-as-a-service” already relies on cloud computing solutions to store data and manage projects. Now, the powered by the cloud will be what responds promptly in critical situations. emergence of robots Right now, cloud robotics is still a largely B2B undertaking. Companies are already harnessing cloud robotics in order to effectively identify issues in other, production-line robots and address their upgrades and maintenance automatically before it ever becomes an issue. And, as cloud robotics grows alongside mobile technology, there’s no doubt it will trickle down to B2C. We’ve been creating an increasingly large and interconnected digital ecosystem for humans via social networks. Now, it’s time to create a network for robots to manage, interface with and speak to other robots and AI.

Will Robots Take Over Human Tasks In The Next 10 Years?

Article has been originally published at by Techeries.com Shantanu Chaturvedi The world is growing at an enormous speed every moment, and at the same speed is growing the overall data size across the globe, which technically constitutes the term known as . Apart from big data, a yet another technological revolution that is taking the world by storm these days is ‘Artificial Intelligence’ or AI and ‘Machine Learning’. ‘Big Data’ In simple terms, is a set of technologies that empower connected machines and computers to learn, evolve and improve upon their own learning by reiterating and consistently updating the data bank through recursive experiments and human intervention. AI and machine learning As a matter of fact, the technological giants, corporations, and data scientists worldwide are already foreseeing big data to make a huge difference in the overall AI and machine learning landscape. In the annual Big Data Executive Survey conducted by NewVantage Partners this year, 88.5% of top executives surveyed were that AI is going to be the most dominant factor that will have a disruptive impact on their companies. Let’s have a look how is it going to realize in practical terms. found saying Image Courtesy: Whatsthebigdata Big Data to Enhance Artificial Intelligence Inherently, machine learning is defined as an advanced application of AI in interconnected machines and peripherals by granting them access to databases and making them learn new things from it on their own in a programmed manner. As the size of big data is continuously growing and new grounds are being broken in analyzing its implications as well, it is becoming more meaningful and contextually relevant for the machines to have a better idea of their functions with the help of . big data analysis For example, the automation infrastructure of a leather garments plant based in Bangladesh that exports its products to the entire European market will be able to judge market requirements for the coming winter season in much accurate and insightful manner if it is able to access and analyze big data reports about the market, financial and weather conditions of that area throughout the year. Big Data to Help Expand AI & Machine Learning Workforce One of the major concerns people are having about AI today is that it will minimize human requirement in all the job sectors as most of the work will be done by robots and AI-based computers in future, while the truth is far from it when observed with the role to be played by big data in the picture. The sentimental and emotional big data analysis will always require human intelligence as the machines lack emotional intelligence and decision-making abilities based on sentiments. For example, a data scientist analyzing the big data pertaining to a pharmaceutical giant that caters to the needs of South-East Asian market may be able to sense the pharmaceutical prescriptions to be launched in those areas keeping the local inhibitions and reservations in mind, while computer-based big data analysis can never yield such contextually sensitive search results. Hence, the increasing will only make way for talented and capable human data scientists to consistently evolve and rise in the market, and by all means, they will be required in a much huge number as the applications of these technologies gain movement. collaboration between AI, machine learning, and big data AI & Machine Intelligence Solution Providers to Benefit from Big Data Right now, the overall size of global markets for machine learning and artificial intelligence based solutions is highly limited. With increasing proliferation of big data analysis into the artificial intelligence and machine learning procedures, devices and machines will get smarter and able to perform in a better manner. This will lead to consistent improvement, enhancement and advancement in AI solutions which will boost the market adoption of these solutions, giving rise to a high increase in their market demand. , James Canton, a well-known Big Data, and AI expert suggests that as in near future even the network nodes, chips, sensors and the software programs that will run IoT networks will be AI enabled via the cloud or at the chip or infrastructure level, it will be impossible for the massive global IoT network of tomorrow that will process, distribute, collect big data to enable us, humans, to run this network without a digital brain or AI based solution that is smart enough to do this. In his analytical piece For example, big data analysis of AI best learning in the schools of rural and smaller towns of Latin American regions ten years hence will help inconsistent modification and revision of AI-based academic solutions, so that more schools and educational institutions will be encouraged to adopt artificial intelligence into their training and teaching methods and the market sector will witness a considerable growth accordingly. Big Data to help in Global Diversification of AI &Machine Learning Offerings With the advent of newer technologies and increasing scales of production, the prices of AI and machine learning based solutions will fall considerably. This will result in a massive adoption of these devices in third world nations which have diverse cultural, religious, ethnic, linguistic and political affiliations and inclinations. Therefore, the artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to be provided in these markets will have to be trained and skilled differently from each other. Banking upon big data analysis of these factors from region to region, the artificial intelligence and will be able to be relevantly molded and trained so that the sentiment of different demographics don’t get hurt, and these solutions also prove to be useful to the customers. For example, a women-centric artificial intelligence solution catering to the needs of Iranian women will have to be designed, developed and trained in an entirely different manner than the same being targeted upon the female customers in the Sri Lankan market. machine learning solutions Big Data backed Market Analysis to Boost AI & Machine Learning Adoption Right now, the market sector of artificial intelligence and machine learning based products is in its nascent stage. As the market will grow, players will come to realize what sorts of product offerings, features and functionality are preferred by customers to have or not have on their devices and solutions. Here again, big data will come as a formidable rescue to the enterprises developing and selling AI and machine learning based solutions. A market-wide and deep big data analysis focusing upon the sales patterns, feedback, and suggestions gathered from a large section of customers will allow the companies to develop solutions and services that are found to be more suitable according to the requirements of their customers. For instance, an AI-based solution predicting forecasts in the commodity exchange in India will be required to undergo enormous modifications and improvements to fulfil the requirements of a large section of sellers and buyers, owing to the huge number of commodities varying from each other in terms of demands in local markets, seasons of availability and the control prices Article has been originally published at by Techeries.com Shantanu Chaturvedi _Artificial Intelligence (AI) is intelligence exhibited by machines. Hacker Noon publishes AI trends & stories by tech…_hackernoon.com Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Hacker Noon _Read writing about Machine Learning in Hacker Noon. how hackers start their afternoons._hackernoon.com Machine Learning - Hacker Noon

How Big Data Is Empowering AI and Machine Learning?

Cloud computing networks are revolutionizing the business world and, with their limited resources, SMBs are often first in line to take advantage of virtualization. Unfortunately, due to their absent or budget in-house IT services, they are also high on the priority list of hackers looking to cause damage or to steal sensitive data. Even businesses with limited sensitive data on their systems are seen as a way to gain access to their bigger clients’ networks (for example, the HVAC company whose network access credentials opened up a channel to discount store giant Target in the 2013 data breach, costing them millions of dollars in settlements). The dilemma between increased operational efficiency and higher exposure to security breaches is one being anxiously chewed over by CTOs and business owners everywhere. If you decide to bite the bullet and embrace the cloud, here are some tips for minimizing risks. Automate Security Checks Security-conscious homeowners make sure they check the locks on all of their doors and windows when they leave the house. businesses do the same with any data coming into or exiting their networks. There are various types of automated threat detection software on the market and some are able to flag changes to firewall and server configurations and even trigger password change reminders. IT-security Just be aware that threat detection automation is not infallible. It still requires a human being to act on any threats it picks up on and, in the case of malware detection, install security patches. Even then, it may be breached as part of a zero-day exploit. Minimize Downloads Cloud services, especially the bigger ones, are often less vulnerable to security breaches than the systems used by their clients. Where sensitive data is concerned, the fewer versions stored on your in-house systems the better. One simple hack to reduce the risk of data theft is to strictly limit the downloading of data. For example, if you are accessing a sensitive document — such as a scanned bank statement — on the cloud, use a viewer or your browser’s preview function rather than automatically hitting the download button. There is no point in your cloud provider implementing end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication only for a dodgy visitor to plug in a flash drive and swipe documents you’ve left lying about on your own PCs. Use Your Virtual Shredder As well as reducing the number of downloads, make it a clear policy to delete documents, emails and other data that you no longer need. Leaving emails and documents lying about in system folders — even spam folders or trash cans — not only increases the chance of them being stolen. It also leaves you vulnerable to hidden scripts or infected files. Adjust the settings of your email server to ensure the spam and trash folders are regularly purged. You can also use the inbuilt Task Scheduler (Windows) or Automator (Mac Os X) to delete, for example, unmodified files of a certain age. Consider Tokenization Tokenization is used by many security-conscious firms to protect sensitive data (e.g. card details in retail environments). However, tokenization systems can work with other types of sensitive data too. In a nutshell, tokenization associates real data with a temporary random alternative (the token). The token then replaces the real data during transfer. If the network has been exploited, the hackers can steal only the meaningless token. Unlike some forms of encryption, there is no formula used to create the token from the original data. Therefore, the hacker will be unable to recreate the real data. Strictly Control Third Party Apps — and Users! Businesses regularly underestimate the number of third party apps that are integrated into their virtual networks. Third party apps using APIs are now ubiquitous across the internet but not all follow good security practice. Carry out regular audits to draw up a list of all of the third-party apps your business uses. Make sure you are running the latest versions, have installed any security patches and that each app meets your company’s security and compliance standards. If necessary, replace those that do not. If your organization is complex or you are unsure about whether a third-party app is safe, consider outsourcing this function to a professional IT consulting firm. It is also wise to run a regular third-party user audit. You wouldn’t allow a lodger to retain the key to your home after they leave so be quick to withdraw any permissions you have granted to your systems when access is no longer appropriate. If you operate a Bring Your Own Device policy, ensure that former employees’ devices are recovered and/or wiped immediately. On the same theme, make sure that you give third-party users and remote workers only the minimum access they need to perform their role. Your virtual call center agents should not be able to access your company accounts! Moving Beyond Hacks Taken together, the tips and software hacks above will afford some protection from security breaches but they will never eliminate all danger. Security in the cloud is a process and there is no one-time hack or ‘silver bullet’ product that will render any business immune to the cyber criminals’ persistent efforts. The best course of action is to invest in proper staff training, lay sound security foundations (strong passwords, robust data protection policies, regular updates, compliance awareness, etc.) and keep up to date with the most recent developments in technology and IT security. Originally posted on Techeries.com by Brent Whitfield

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