22 March 2022 - Security Buyer Magazine

Enterprises should strengthen cybersecurity defenses

The prevailing geopolitical tensions are threatening to disrupt and undermine technology industries and spread well beyond national borders. There are concerns about cyberattacks, particularly on critical infrastructure, and as a result, companies need to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses, says GlobalData, a data and analytics company. Manish Dixit, Principal Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, said “Malicious state-sponsored cyber-activities have historically escalated when geopolitical tensions are high. Concerns about increased cyber activity amidst the Russia-Ukraine crisis serve as a stark reminder of the importance of identifying the threat model and altering risk management objectives accordingly.” Pranjali Mujumdar, Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, said “Destructive malware can be a direct threat to a company’s daily operations, posing risk to key assets and data. Every company, regardless of size, must act quickly to secure its information technology infrastructure. A robust cybersecurity infrastructure will help companies to identify and thwart cyberattacks, as well as remain secure throughout the security lifecycle.” An analysis of GlobalData’s Disruptor Intelligence Center reveals organisations are collaborating with cybersecurity providers to boost the security of their infrastructure and deliver better security services to their customers. Google agreed to acquire cybersecurity company Mandiant Google has recently agreed to acquire cybersecurity company Mandiant for approximately US$5.4bn. Mandiant, best known for identifying the infamous SolarWinds hack, will be merged into Google Cloud as the company aims to bolster its cybersecurity solutions in the face of rising cyber threats. Fortinet collaborating with NGO, industry and public sector companies Fortinet, a provider of enterprise-level next-generation firewalls and network security solutions, is actively collaborating across a global network of NGO, industry, and public sector organisations to secure people, devices, and data everywhere through partnerships with the Cyber Threat Alliance and the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) convened by the US Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Finland looks to bolster cyber defense Finland’s Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Defense have initiated a project to assess the authorities’ capabilities to maintain national cybersecurity, prevent cybercrime, implement cyber defense, and respond to highly dynamic conditions that risk society’s cybersecurity. The project will examine the authorities’ current operational circumstances in serious crises, like the Russia-Ukraine conflict that jeopardises national cybersecurity, as well as identify key development needs. Mujumdar concluded “Companies must also invest more in information security, with risk management teams aiming for a fine balance of technology, people, and processes to manage risk. Both Russia and Ukraine have a high level of expertise in information technology and computer hacking, thus, cyberwarfare can not only target big companies or government organisations; any small business involved in the public sector’s supply chain will also be vulnerable.” To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our Q1 issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Microsoft experts at GISEC 2022

News Desk / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Microsoft has reiterated its commitment to securing the hybrid workplace of the future through its participation at GISEC 2022, the Middle East and North Africa’s cybersecurity event. The company’s participation is aligned with the objectives of the UAE Government as it bids to design laws and processes that can strengthen its cybersecurity posture and fend off an increasingly sophisticated array of cyber-attacks. “Security has never been more critical for our customers given the evolving threat landscape and the move to hybrid work that so many companies are now forced to navigate,” said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “At Microsoft, we have been hard at work to empower our customers to defend themselves against cyber threats, and we have earned their trust: we generated $15 billion in security revenue in 2021, up nearly 45% from the prior year. This makes Microsoft the biggest security company in terms of revenue and allows us to further strategically invest in our security offering: in 2020, we committed to invest $20 billion over five years, a four-fold increase from previous rates, to speed up its cyber security work. “ The company continues to safeguard the hybrid workplace by providing organisations of all sizes with a host of solutions, such as Microsoft’s Defender for Cloud, which is the only cloud provider with native multi-cloud protection for the industry’s top three platforms, and Microsoft Defender for Business, which helps companies with up to 300 employees defend against cybersecurity threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware in environments with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. “Digital transformation cannot happen without security transformation. Our GISEC participation is aligned with the objectives of the country’s public and private enterprises as they look to secure their digital estates. The growing sophistication of threats is driving widespread change for cybersecurity professionals, enterprises, and governments. Cybersecurity experts must work together as a community and share expertise, research, and insights, “concluded Hashish. During the next three days, the company is demonstrating the inherent security strengths of the trusted Microsoft Cloud, as well as how regional stakeholders can use Microsoft’s Zero Trust approach to create safer environments for themselves, their employees, and their customers. Microsoft, as a strategic partner, is exhibiting the use of tools to enable collaborative work in various scenarios, showcasing how innovative devices and platforms can create secure, hybrid workplaces. Microsoft Security Partners Help AG, Cloud 4C, Palo Alto, Fortinet, and Paramount will also showcase their solutions at The Microsoft Hub. Microsoft’s Security Trusted Advisor Paula Januszkiewicz will discuss the ‘hacker’s perspective’ at the GISEC Mainstage, exploring how new risks necessitate a revised set of cybersecurity priorities for 2022. Meanwhile, at the Inspire Stage, Microsoft UAE’s Marketing Director Inass Farouk will discuss factors inhibiting female empowerment in cybersecurity as well as the importance of mentorship programs and the need for an action-oriented roadmap. Additionally, Microsoft’s Senior Global Cybersecurity Technical Specialist, Hesham Saad, will be on the X-Lab Stage addressing the issue of rethinking OT and IoT security to mitigate cyber threats. Moreover, at the Dark Stage, he will be informing delegates about the state of modern-day ransomware attacks and how to fight extortion. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our March issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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IDIS boosts UK sales with key appointment

People News, UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

IDIS is expanding its UK sales operation with the appointment of Lynne Allen as Regional Sales Manager for the North of England. Lynne, who is Manchester-based, will be further developing the company’s close partnerships with distributors, systems integrators, and end-users across the north, and helping to further boost IDIS’s growing UK operation. She brings more than 20 years’ security industry and sales experience to her new role, including time with Honeywell, TDSi and Aiphone. “With significant demand for single-source, end-to-end video solutions from trustworthy manufacturers, this is a great time to be joining the IDIS UK team,” said Lynne. “I’m focused on developing major project opportunities with our partners across the region.” With IDIS video tech having been proven in a variety of market sectors and major projects in recent years – with users ranging from the NHS and education institutes to retail – demand continues to rise across large deployments as well as smaller, value-driven projects, Lynne points out. “The promise low total cost of ownership and fairer pricing is being increasingly understood by customers and we are seeing more of them switching to IDIS.” Continuing sales growth for IDIS over the last decade, also reflects heightened market concerns around technology-sourcing ethics, cybersecurity and, most recently, NDAA-compliance which is influencing buying decisions not just in the US but globally. “With all the major opportunities we are now seeing, I’m delighted to be welcoming Lynne into the IDIS UK team,” said James Min, Managing Director, IDIS Europe. “She will be helping to deliver the best-value, most advanced and trustworthy video solutions for our systems integration partners and their customers.” To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our Q1 issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Hikvision helps steel maker to improve safety

Industry Sectors, News Desk, Technology / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Some enterprises in the steel industry are striving to overcome the challenges and boost a new mode of production. For example, Angang Steel adopted Hikvision’s automatic temperature measurement solution to help the workers get further away from accidents and dangers, but closer to efficient and safe working conditions. “Dedicated doctor” for blast furnaces Located in the heavy industry base in Northeast China, Angang Steel has a long history and a key role in the industry. In recent years, Angang Steel has actively tried innovative solutions for intelligent manufacturing and to solve problems of health and safety. Take the inspection and maintenance of blast furnaces as an example. Since 2019, Hikvision and the local partner, Yutai Security, have helped Angang Steel to apply thermal imaging to ironmaking blast furnaces. By evaluating the intensity of infrared radiation emitted from objects, thermal cameras have been used in detecting temperature anomalies before a fire starts. They find hot spots and invisible defects on machinery or electrical systems that could indicate a potential problem. They also perform non-contact measurements at the areas that are hard to reach manually. Through the real-time connection between front-end thermal imaging instruments and a back-end system, inspectors could use video streams from different positions in a furnace and monitor the temperature changes in specific areas of the furnace shell, generate reports, and receive timely warnings of temperature irregularities. Apart from the improved working environment, productivity has been raised too. The system is like a “dedicated doctor” for blast furnaces, which automatically measures temperature, generates reports, and also allows workers to search and compare historical data and monitor changes in the furnaces by receiving real-time alerts. Intelligent steelmaking through remote operation Besides the automatic temperature measurement of ironmaking blast furnaces, digital and intelligent solutions in the whole process of steelmaking help workers to remotely perceive complex production sites and schedule the production in real time. Hikvision uses thermal imaging technology to conduct real-time online monitoring of hot blast stoves. In addition, other types of sensors can be used to inspect the operating status of the equipment more accurately. Based on that, early alarms of potential security risks will be raised in the shortest time. In Angang Steel’s steelmaking workshop, the production process can be viewed remotely through Hikvision intelligent video devices and large screens. Through outstanding image brightness processing, high frame rate imaging, and other technologies, the image of molten steel dumping and desulfurisation process in high-temperature and high-brightness environments can be generated, and then transmitted to the back end, allowing the workers to view and evaluate the production status in time and ensure the product quality. “Manual detection is definitely incomparable with intelligent monitoring, as it is difficult to reflect the real-time situation and not possible to give an effective early warning. With the Hikvision system installed, we can now obtain key data from the blast furnaces, which can be accurately recorded and easily searched on the computer. For example, we can clearly see and check whether the insulation material is thinning or even falling off. This ensures the seamless progress of production and the safety of the workers,” said Yin Fengwei. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our March issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Hikvision introduces all-in-one indoor station

Middle East News Desk / Editor

Hikvision India has introduced its All-in-one Indoor Station product, a tablet device for converged security solutions in homes and offices. With the intelligent indoor station as the management centre, users now can enjoy simple control and flexible linkage among various Hikvision devices, including video intercom, access control, intrusion alarm, IP cameras, NVRs, and more. Through the built-in Hik-Connect application, various Hikvision devices or sub-systems can be managed and monitored by the All-in-one Indoor Station. Video intercom, access control, intrusion alarm, IP cameras, NVRs and other Hikvision devices can be managed with a tap on the touchscreen, including unlocking doors, using the video intercom, video monitoring, arming or disarming an alarm system, and more. Users can also easily check the status of their devices, network, battery levels and environmental temperature to better protect their home and office. Further, with the indoor station, events from various products and sub-systems can be linked together by setting linkage rules through Hik-ProConnect, a cloud-based device management application for installers; they can be triggered by each other to implement event linkages. Installers can easily help users to create scenarios for various event types, time schedules, and triggered actions, according to their specific scenarios. For example, an alarm system can be linked to a CCTV system to create the video verification function. The indoor station is usually fixed in place at an entrance gate or other convenient location, putting the system within easy reach. Users can complete daily operations conveniently with just a tap when entering or exiting. This video intercom indoor station works with smart Phones and brings a lot of synergy. With the innovative Android based indoor station product, one can do many things while ensuring safety and security. Hikvision Video Intercom Network Indoor Station is currently available in two models – DS-KH9310-WTE1 (7-inch colorful touch screen) and DS-KH9510-WTE1 (10.1-inch colorful touch screen). The resolution is 1024 × 600. Both of these models have UI V2.0. They have a user friendly design. These devices are available in plug and play mode with a standard Poe switch. They can receive video call and unlocks via the client software or the mobile client remotely. It also supports connecting to Hikvision devices to build a management centre. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our Q1 issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Microsoft experts at GISEC 2022

Middle East News Desk / Editor

Microsoft has reiterated its commitment to securing the hybrid workplace of the future through its participation at GISEC 2022, the Middle East and North Africa’s cybersecurity event. The company’s participation is aligned with the objectives of the UAE Government as it bids to design laws and processes that can strengthen its cybersecurity posture and fend off an increasingly sophisticated array of cyber-attacks. “Security has never been more critical for our customers given the evolving threat landscape and the move to hybrid work that so many companies are now forced to navigate,” said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “At Microsoft, we have been hard at work to empower our customers to defend themselves against cyber threats, and we have earned their trust: we generated $15 billion in security revenue in 2021, up nearly 45% from the prior year. This makes Microsoft the biggest security company in terms of revenue and allows us to further strategically invest in our security offering: in 2020, we committed to invest $20 billion over five years, a four-fold increase from previous rates, to speed up its cyber security work. “ The company continues to safeguard the hybrid workplace by providing organisations of all sizes with a host of solutions, such as Microsoft’s Defender for Cloud, which is the only cloud provider with native multi-cloud protection for the industry’s top three platforms, and Microsoft Defender for Business, which helps companies with up to 300 employees defend against cybersecurity threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware in environments with Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices. “Digital transformation cannot happen without security transformation. Our GISEC participation is aligned with the objectives of the country’s public and private enterprises as they look to secure their digital estates. The growing sophistication of threats is driving widespread change for cybersecurity professionals, enterprises, and governments. Cybersecurity experts must work together as a community and share expertise, research, and insights, “concluded Hashish. During the next three days, the company is demonstrating the inherent security strengths of the trusted Microsoft Cloud, as well as how regional stakeholders can use Microsoft’s Zero Trust approach to create safer environments for themselves, their employees, and their customers. Microsoft, as a strategic partner, is exhibiting the use of tools to enable collaborative work in various scenarios, showcasing how innovative devices and platforms can create secure, hybrid workplaces. Microsoft Security Partners Help AG, Cloud 4C, Palo Alto, Fortinet, and Paramount will also showcase their solutions at The Microsoft Hub. Microsoft’s Security Trusted Advisor Paula Januszkiewicz will discuss the ‘hacker’s perspective’ at the GISEC Mainstage, exploring how new risks necessitate a revised set of cybersecurity priorities for 2022. Meanwhile, at the Inspire Stage, Microsoft UAE’s Marketing Director Inass Farouk will discuss factors inhibiting female empowerment in cybersecurity as well as the importance of mentorship programs and the need for an action-oriented roadmap. Additionally, Microsoft’s Senior Global Cybersecurity Technical Specialist, Hesham Saad, will be on the X-Lab Stage addressing the issue of rethinking OT and IoT security to mitigate cyber threats. Moreover, at the Dark Stage, he will be informing delegates about the state of modern-day ransomware attacks and how to fight extortion. To read more exclusive features and latest news please see our Q1 issue here. Media contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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