Author: Christos Kapodistrias

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7 Phishing Attacks You Need To Protect Against In 2022

Phishing attacks are on the rise, and they’re only going to get more sophisticated in the years to come. In this blog post, we’ll look at what phishing is, how it works, and some tips for protecting yourself against these attacks.

What Are Phishing Attacks?

A phishing attack is a form of internet fraud that targets unsuspecting users to steal their personal, financial, or login credentials. Cybercriminals use phishing attacks to gain access to your money, accounts, passwords, and anything else that might have value.

It’s important to note that anyone can be a target of an attack like this, and phishing works because people are not 100% careful all the time online.

Different Types of Phishing Attacks

There are three different kinds of phishing attacks you need to be aware of.

Spear Phishing Attacks

This type of attack is targeted at a specific person. Spear phishers know what they are doing, and their goal is to break into the systems that hold valuable information. They may target your business or financial accounts, social media profiles, or anything else they think can make their money. They’ll try to get you to click on a link or download something that will allow for easy access.

External Phishing Attacks

An external phish is a general email sent to many people at one time, hoping that enough will click the link or open the attachment for them to gain access. These are not highly targeted, but they can be very dangerous because they’re often sent to large numbers of people. External phishing attacks are usually spam-like and done in bulk.

Internal Phishing Attacks

An internal phish targets employees within a company or organization. This is often more successful than external phishing because the criminal who launched the attack has access to information about what people may be susceptible to it. Internal phishing attacks are targeted and usually go after sensitive information like login credentials and financial data.

Whaling Attacks

Whaling attacks are similar to spear phishing, but instead of targeting one person, they go after high-level people like executives and managers. These attacks can be hazardous because whalers know what they want and who is most likely to compromise their security to get it. They’ll often go after CEOs, CFOs, and other people in charge of a business.

Pharming Attacks

Pharming attacks work similarly to phishing, but instead of sending you an email with a link or attachment, farmers send you to fake sites that look like the real thing. The goal is still the same- get them to click on something they shouldn’t. Pharming is also known as domain spoofing because the site looks legitimate, but they’ve changed the domain name to something else. This type of attack is becoming more common because it’s easier to do thanks to technologies like DNS cache poisoning.

Vishing Attacks

Vishing attacks are the same as regular phishing, but they use a voice message instead of an email. These messages can come over the phone, through a text message, or any other method that’s used to contact you by phone. This is a hazardous type of attack because it’s difficult to spot people who aren’t paying close attention.

BEC Phishing Attacks

BEC phishing attacks go after people in business, finance, and other types of organizations. These are often done by people working in the accounting department. They’re similar to whaling attacks, but they target lower-level employees instead of high-ranking executives. They’ll try to trick their targets into sending them sensitive information or making unauthorized money transfers.

How Do They Work?

Phishing attacks can be run through email, phone calls, or text messages. They use a variety of attack vectors to get you to give up your credentials or cooperate with them so they can access accounts and systems. Attackers can get this information from various sources, including social media posts.

They’ll use social engineering tactics like research and pretexting to collect as much data on you as possible before they launch an attack. They may pose as someone else or hack into your accounts to grab the information they need. For example, if they want to hack your email, they’ll use your password reuse habits against you.

They then put together their phish in a way that will get you to click or open it. This could include anything from typos in the email address to social engineering tactics. They might research their target, find out about family members, and use them in the message to make it seem more authentic.

Threats of Phishing Attacks in 2022

Phishing attacks are widespread, so this is one of the risks you should always be aware of. Some of the risks associated with phishing include:

Credential Thefts

Phishing allows criminals to get sensitive information, such as passwords and SSNs. They use this information to compromise accounts and steal your money. If you give them this data through a phishing attack, they can use it against you and potentially access everything from bank accounts to social media profiles.

Fraudulent Transactions

If you’re tricked into sending money through a phishing attack, it can result in severe losses for your company. Phishers will often include instructions to wire the money or send access information for accounts that are not yours. They may also go after executive-level people who have control over sensitive operations in your company.

Identity Theft

Criminals can use your personal information to set up new accounts and make purchases using your credit card. They also might commit crimes under your names, such as traffic violations and even arrest warrants. If they’re excellent, they may be able to take over all of your accounts and cause significant damage to your life.

Ransomware

This is when your computer or device is hijacked by malicious software. It locks you out of the device and usually demands a ransom to get it unlocked. This could be in the form of cash, credit card, bitcoin transfer, or something else entirely. If a phishing attack includes a ransomware payload, it can steal all of your data and completely wreck your life.

Theft of Intellectual Property

Phishers can use their access to get intellectual property data and sell it on the black market. This means that they could be stealing everything from your customer lists to in-development products. They might also try to bribe employees in exchange for information to gain a competitive advantage.

How to Be Protected Against Them

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself against these attacks, such as:

Training Your Employees

Ensure that everyone in your company knows the signs of a phishing attack. This should include learning how to detect when one is coming and what to do when they get one. If you have regular training sessions for this, it can be very effective in preventing these attacks from occurring in your office.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Even if a criminal gets your password, they still cannot access your account without the second authentication factor. This could be a code that you enter in addition to your login credentials, or it could be something like a fingerprint scanner on your device. Make sure that you use this whenever possible and require everyone working in your company.

Using Anti-phishing Software

You can also protect yourself with anti-phishing software. This typically includes a browser extension or plugin that can detect phishing pages and warn you before you visit them. You should install it on your desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone. It’s essential to use this on devices used for work since executives often face the most risk of a phishing attack.

Avoid Phishing Emails

The best thing you can do to protect yourself against phishing is not to click on suspicious emails. Even if they are personalized, it’s often easy to tell when an email is fraudulent. Moreover, any email that requests information or tells you to take action should be ignored entirely. Your company might have a policy about this that you should always follow.

Be Careful About Sharing Information

In addition to not clicking on links or opening attachments, you should never give out any information of this sort over email. Your company might have a policy about w.hat kind of documents can be shared through email and what has to be sent through another system. Ensure that no communication ever includes sensitive data like bank account numbers, passwords, social security numbers, or anything else that could be used for identity theft. It would be best to be careful about sharing information with people you don’t know over the phone or in a face-to-face setting, as it can often lead to data being stolen from your company.

Teamstack is a cloud identity and access management platform that enables teams to work more efficiently by streamlining collaboration. There’s no better way to manage access and security than Team stack with two-factor authentication, SSO, and self-service tools. We offer advanced reporting, auditing, and custom policies so you can set security measures to meet your business needs.

Bottomline

Phishing is one of the most popular ways hackers try to scam people and steal information, and it’s very effective. Anyone on your company’s staff or who has even a tenuous connection with you could be the first step in a successful phishing attack. They can quickly get their hands on some of your employees’ personal information and use this to access your company’s data. They can even accomplish it through an email or phone call.

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Using Passwordless Authentication To Improve Security

It is more important than ever to protect your data in this day and age. One way to do that is by using passwordless authentication. This method improves security by eliminating the need for passwords. This blog post will discuss how passwordless authentication works and its benefits.

What is Passwordless Authentication?

Passwordless authentication is a form of 2-Factor Authentication that does not require any passwords. Instead, this type of authentication utilizes something you have (like your phone) to give users access to data or applications without remembering another password.

The key to understanding passwordless authentication is the idea of something you have and something you know. The “something you know” part is a traditional user name and password combo. The “something you have” component is the mobile device that generates a one-time use code or pushes notification. This way, even if passwords are compromised. Attackers would still need something like your phone to access certain data or applications.

How Does Passwordless Authentication Work?

There are a few different methods that one can use in passwordless authentication. One of the most well-known is receiving a code via text message or push notification. It happens when logging into apps and services from your mobile device. In this scenario, an app or service sends you a unique login code to use each time you log in. The idea is that only someone with physical access to your phone would be able to get this code. It also means that if a hacker were to find out your login credentials, they would not be able to access your data. However, they can do it unless they also had physical access to your mobile device.

Another common way of doing passwordless authentication is using a physical Security Key. A Security Key generates a login code that only works once and never again for as long as you have it activated. Think of these devices like a USB stick that only provides access one time. This, in turn, means that if your Security Key is lost or stolen, only the one-time use code will be compromised. It also means that you do not have to worry about receiving codes via text message or push notification. That leaves your data and accounts more secure because hackers would need something like your phone to access certain data or applications.

Benefits of Passwordless Authentication

There are many benefits to using passwordless authentication over traditional logins. Some of the most notable include:

Higher Security

No additional data like usernames and passwords are necessary when using a Security Key. Because of this, your account can not be hacked unless someone has physical access to both the key and your phone. This means that if a hacker could find out your password, they would still need something like your phone or Security Key to access certain data or applications.

Faster Entry Into Apps and Services

Passwordless authentication reduces the amount of time spent on login while also simplifying the process. This means that it is easier to access apps and services while, at the same time, you are less exposed to attacks. It also means that you are not bogged down with time-consuming processes, which can get frustrating if your password is long and complex.

No Password Management

Passwordless authentication eliminates the need for users to manage their passwords. This includes remembering them, updating them, creating new ones, or resetting old ones. This simplifies the process while at the same time making it easier to access apps and services. You are also less likely to reuse passwords or have your accounts hacked because traditional passwords are not used when logging in.

Lower Support Costs

Passwords are complicated things that are difficult for many people to remember, especially if they are long and complex. Passwordless authentication eliminates this problem since users can log in without remembering a password at all. This reduces the amount of time spent on support tickets for forgotten passwords, which saves everyone money. In turn, this authentication creates a better overall experience for both the user and the company.

More Convenient

Passwordless authentication is a great way to cut down on the number of times a day you log into accounts from your mobile device. If you have a Security Key, this means that you do not have to carry it around with you all of the time while still being able to keep your accounts secure. Also, if you receive a login code via text message or push notification, you do not have to type it in each time manually.

Seamless Experience

Using the authentication makes for a better overall experience because it simply just works. This means that you can log in without worrying about remembering passwords, resetting them, creating new ones, or anything else of the sort. You log in and get on with your day while at the same time keeping your accounts secure. The user has a better experience, resulting in happier users and more referrals.

Threats Associated With Passwordless Authentication

However, passwordless authentication is not without its own set of potential threats. Some of the most notable include:

Sharing Factor

Login with a Security Key eliminates the need for usernames and passwords. It also means that you are sharing something one can use to access an account if lost or stolen. If this device (such as a Security Key ) falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to access your accounts without you knowing about it. The severity of this depends on how much access the device provides.

Phishing Attacks

Similar to traditional phishing attacks that use emails or messages, hackers can send you messages with links to malicious websites designed to steal your data. If you are not paying attention, this information can be collected if caught by a Security Key. This would then compromise your accounts as well as any other data shared.

SMS and Push Notification Spoofing

If you receive an SMS or push notification with a login code, this also means that you are sharing something that one can use to access an account if lost or stolen. If this code is intercepted through spoofing, it could be used to gain access to your account. This is why it is important only to use the login codes you receive rather than sharing them with others or saving them later, like passwords.

Security Misconfigurations

One of the biggest problems with using passwords and usernames is that it involves sharing information, leading to security misconfigurations. This means that you might trust a website more than you should because it looks legitimate or allows access even though you do not recognize it. The authentication is also susceptible to this since hackers could impersonate a legitimate login page to trick you into entering your data.

Lower Security Clearance

Remember that there are still different security clearances that determine the type of access allowed. This means that with such authentication, you have an increased risk of granting lower-level users access to accounts they should not have since they do not have passwords. Administrators of the system would still be able to gain access. However, they may not know which accounts were accidentally compromised.

Mobile Capabilities

Passwordless authentication can usually only be done from a mobile device since it requires texts or pushes notifications. This means that you cannot do it from a desktop computer. You also need to use another device such as a laptop if you need to do so. If you receive a login code on your phone and want to use it on your laptop, this means that you can grant access and then revoke it. This would mean creating another session in the account, which requires authentication. Alternatively, you could use a passwordless authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. This would allow for multi-factor authentication, and the code generator would work on both devices.

Multiple Accounts and Device Requirements

If you have multiple accounts, this means that you will need to use multiple devices to log in without passwords or usernames. For example, if you activate your Security Key on your mobile device and you lost it. You would not be able to log in to your desktop computer unless you also activated it on that device. This also means that you might need to manage multiple accounts since many websites or services limit the number of devices that can be used with them simultaneously.

Teamstack is a cloud identity and access management platform. It allows customers to provide SSO access through the most recent technology. This means that companies can unify their user experience. They can manage all aspects of the identity lifecycle from a single platform, lowering operational costs and improving security. We can help you manage user identities and access across multiple teams, devices, and clouds.

Passwordless authentication can be beneficial in certain circumstances. It reduces the number of passwords you need to remember and ensures that only authorized users have access. However, it is important to consider its drawbacks before implementing this system to know of any potential problems with using passwordless authentication.

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IT Security When Working From Home

Working from home is becoming an increasingly popular option for professionals. With the convenience of working remotely, it seems like a great way to get ahead in our careers while still making time for family and friends. But what about IT security? If we are not careful with how we work, there could be serious consequences. When working from home, it is important to remember that our computers are still vulnerable to attack. Hackers often look for easy targets, and if they can get into our computers, they may be able to steal our personal information or install malware. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves while working from home.

Threats/Risks

There are many threats/risks that we need to be aware of when working from home, as discussed below:

1. Malware

Hackers can install malware on our computers when we are working from home, allowing them to steal our personal information or damage our system. Malware can be very difficult to detect and remove, so it is important to be vigilant about avoiding it. This can be done by using antivirus software and being careful about which websites we visit and what files we download.

2. Identity Theft

Identity theft is a serious problem, and it can be particularly dangerous when working from home. Hackers may steal our personal information if they get into our computers, leading to financial losses and other problems. It is important to take steps to protect ourselves from identity theft, such as using strong passwords and keeping our computers up to date with the latest security patches.

3. Remote Access Attacks

Hackers may attempt to gain access to our computers remotely by sending us a phishing email or installing malware on our system. If they are successful, they may take control of our computers or steal our data. It is important to be aware of these types of attacks and take steps to protect ourselves, such as using strong passwords and installing antivirus software.

4. Social Engineering

Social engineering is a technique hackers use to gain access to our computers or personal information. They may do this by sending us a phishing email or by calling us and pretending to be from a legitimate organization. It is important to be aware of these techniques and never give out our personal information unless we are sure that the person is legitimate.

5. Wi-Fi Security

If we are working from home, it is important to ensure that our Wi-Fi connection is secure. Hackers may break into our network or monitor our Internet activity if unsecured Wi-Fi connection. Using a virtual private network (VPN) can help secure our connections.

6. USB Drive Security

If we plug in a USB drive when working from home, it is important to ensure that it does not install malware on our computer. Even though we may trust the person who gave us the drive, there is always a risk that they could have infected it with malicious software before giving it to us. Therefore, many experts recommend avoiding using USB drives altogether when working from home.

7. Email Attachments

When working remotely, emails are often used for business purposes and contain very sensitive information. It is important to be cautious about opening email attachments, as they may contain malware or other malicious software. If we are not sure whether an attachment is safe, it is best to delete it and not take the risk.

8. Physical Security

This is particularly important if we work from home and have sensitive information on our computers. Hackers may gain access to our computers if they can get into our homes or offices.

9. Spyware

Spyware is software that records our internet activity and sends it to a third party. Hackers may install spyware on our computers if we visit websites that they have infected with malware. It is important to be cautious of what sites we visit and avoid visiting suspicious websites when working from home.

10. Viruses

Hackers may send us a virus if the email attachment or link in the email is already infected with malware. Viruses can harm our computer and allow hackers to take control of it remotely.

11. Cyberbullying

This can be very dangerous when working from home because bullies often use online platforms for this type of abuse, such as social media, text messaging, and online chatrooms. While we may block a bully on one platform, they can easily switch to another. We should be careful about speaking with strangers on the internet and only sharing personal information under certain circumstances.

How To Stay Safe When Working From Home

Staying safe when working from home can be challenging. There are many ways that hackers can access our computers, personal information, and online activity when we are not in an office environment. To help stay safe while working from home, it is important to take the precautions discussed below.

1. Use a Strong Password

It is important to use a strong password to protect our computers and personal information when working from home. A strong password should be at least eight characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Using strong passwords involves making sure that they are difficult for a hacker to guess and changing them regularly.

2. Use Anti-virus Software

There are many types of anti-virus software available, and all offer different levels of security. It is important to choose an anti-virus program that offers protection from the latest threats and has a reputation for being updated regularly. We should also make sure that it scans our computer, downloads new information from time to time, and has the ability to protect us from email attachments.

3. Create Different Passwords For Each Account

To stay safe when working from home, it is important to create different passwords for every one of our online accounts because this will prevent us from accessing all of them if they manage to hack into one of them. Try to make our passwords as complicated as possible and avoid using the same password for every account because this will make it easier for hackers to gain access to all of our accounts.

4. Use Caution With Email Attachments

Emails are often used for business purposes when working remotely, which means they contain very sensitive information about our company, employees, and other things that we would not want someone else to see. It is important to be cautious about opening email attachments because they may contain malware or other malicious software that can damage or steal data from our computer if opened. If we are not sure whether an attachment is safe, it is best to delete it and not take the risk.

5. Have The Ability to Detect Phishing Emails

Phishing is another common tactic used by hackers to get our personal information. Phishing emails are ones that try to trick us into giving out sensitive information by saying they are from trusted sources, such as our friends or coworkers. For example, if an email appears to be from our coworker asking for our passwords, it could actually be a phishing email sent by someone else who wants to hack into the company network. We should always be cautious of any suspicious emails and assume they are not legitimate, even if the sender seems legitimate.

6. Talk With Other Employees About Staying Safe When Working Remotely

When working remotely, both employers and employees need to take precautions to stay safe. One way to do this is by talking with each other about the best practices for staying safe when working from home. This includes setting up a secure network, using strong passwords, and being aware of potential scams. By working together, both employers and employees can help keep their data and information safe when working remotely.

7. Use a Secure Network

It is important to use a secure network to protect our computers and personal information when working from home. A secure network is password protected and not easily accessible by outsiders. It is also important to make sure that we are not connected to unsecured networks when working from home, such as public WiFi networks, as hackers often steal data.

8. Stay up to date on the Latest Security Threats

Remote workers need to stay updated on the latest security threats and protect themselves from them. This includes knowing about the latest viruses, malware, and other types of malicious software being used by hackers. We can do this by reading security blogs and newsletters or subscribing to security alert services. By staying informed, we can help protect ourselves from becoming victims of a hacker attack.

9. Use a Firewall

A firewall is another tool that can protect our computers when working from home. A firewall is a software or hardware that helps protect our computers from unauthorized access and attacks. It is important to ensure that our firewalls are turned on and up to date whenever we are working remotely.

10. Use Anti-virus Software

Anti-virus software is another essential tool for protecting our computers when working from home. Anti-virus software helps protect our computers from viruses, malware, and other types of malicious software. It is important to keep our anti-virus software up to date and running at all times when working remotely.

In conclusion, IT security is important when working from home, as there are many ways for hackers to gain access to our computers and personal information. Contact Teamstack to keep your data safe and secure.

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Audit Trails: All You Need To Know

Audit trails are a vital part of the business world. Auditors, regulators, and managers want to verify that businesses have processed transactions correctly to protect them from fraud. Auditing is crucial in many organizations because it helps maintain accountability for what has happened in the past and provides evidence about what is happening today. This blog post will discuss the importance, benefits, examples, and reasons why audit trails should be a must-have for any business.

What Is an Audit Trail and Who Uses Them?

An audit trail is a record of changes made to data or system files. They are used to track the history of modifications and/or deletions made to the information. The purpose of having them is to be held accountable for their actions and so that people can undo changes if necessary.

Nearly every business or person uses them in some capacity. This is especially true of businesses that handle sensitive customer data or financial information, such as banks, insurance companies, and retailers. In addition, people who work with sensitive personal information like bank accounts, health records, and social security numbers would also need to use audit trails frequently.

Without them, you would have no way to prove the age of certain documents during their presentation- this can be an issue if the company needs to keep accurate record keeping because it could result in legal action against them.

Types of Audit Trails

1. Internal Audits

Internal audits can be a handy tool for businesses of any size. They allow you to check how your employees perform their tasks and make sure that everything they do is in line with company procedures, policies, or guidelines. They also help when it comes time to report back on this information at annual review periods.

2. External Audits

The final audit report includes the outside auditor’s opinion of your business’s financial standing. A company hires CPA firms to help paint an accurate and credible picture of what you can expect from them, including guiding how best to handle certain aspects such as bookkeeping or taxes to ensure profit maximization.

3. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Audits

The IRS audits are a common type of external audit. For example, when there is evidence that an individual or business may not be paying the appropriate amount in taxes, they will perform this on you to make sure financial documents match their records for that particular year.

Purpose of Audit Trails

The purpose of audit trails is to provide a record or path of what has happened in the past. This way, you can track whether you have processed certain transactions properly and ensure that no fraudulent activity is happening within your company. Many auditors, regulators, and managers want to verify that information and know who is accountable for their actions.

Therefore, their purposes are:

1. To ensure data accuracy and completeness.

2. To track changes made to data or documents.

3. To maintain compliance with regulations such as SOX.

4. To investigate potential security breaches.

5. To track employee activity.

6. To monitor system usage.

7. To troubleshoot system issues.

8. For research and forensics purposes.

9. To protect the organization’s reputation.

They provide an essential layer of protection against unauthorized changes to data and documents. They also help organizations comply with various regulations, investigate potential security breaches, and monitor employee activity.

Importance of Audit Trails

Here are some reasons why audit trails are essential. They…

1. Can Help Prevent Fraud.

Organizations can use audit trails to track the sequence of events leading up to a fraudulent transaction, which can help identify the perpetrators and recover stolen funds.

2. Help Ensure Compliance With Regulations.

Many regulatory frameworks require organizations to maintain a trail of certain transactions or data changes.

3. Improve Operational Efficiency.

They can help speed up troubleshooting by recording how people change systems over time. Organizations can use this information to optimize system performance and improve decision-making.

4. Help Protect Against Data Breaches.

Auditing can help organizations quickly identify potentially malicious activity and prevent or mitigate data breaches by tracking data changes.

5. Improve Accountability.

They record who made which changes to data, when those people made them, and why. Organizations can use his information to hold employees accountable for their actions and ensure that decisions are informed.

6. Support Forensics Investigations.

In the event of a security incident or other unforeseen event, forensic investigators can use audit trails to piece together what happened and how it happened.

7. Facilitate Audits.

Organizations undergoing an audit can use audit trails as evidence of compliance with regulatory requirements or internal controls.

8. Increase the Effectiveness of Risk Management.

Trails provide organizations with visibility into their operational risks, which can help them make better decisions to mitigate these risks and reduce exposure to financial loss or reputational damage.

9. Improve Security Monitoring Efforts.

Suppose auditors can view changes made throughout an organization’s information technology environment in real-time. In that case, they will identify potential vulnerabilities more quickly and adjust their strategy accordingly.

10. Helpf Uncover Insider Threats.

They facilitate ongoing monitoring for suspicious activity after employees leave the company (or attempt to destroy evidence). This is known as “after-the-fact review.

There is no way to determine who made modifications or deletions without auditing. Furthermore, if you find unauthorized changes in the data, it will be difficult for IT professionals and managers to track down the cause of these discrepancies. For example, they might have been caused by hackers trying to sabotage a company’s network or internal employees trying to cover up their errors or omissions while inputting new information into a system.

They can also provide valuable insight when dealing with security breaches on business networks. For example, suppose an untraceable activity is noticed during certain day hours on multiple servers within an organization. In that case, this could indicate that cybercriminals are using backdoors left open by bad code updates recently installed onto various machines across the network.

Without an audit trail, businesses would be at a significant disadvantage and could potentially face severe penalties if they were not compliant with government regulations.

Benefits of an Audit Trail

These are the benefits of an audit trail to an organization:

1. Ensuring data accuracy and completeness.

2. Tracking changes made to data or documents.

3. Maintaining compliance with regulations such as SOX, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

4. Investigating potential security breaches.

5. Tracking employee activity.

6. Monitoring system usage.

7. Troubleshooting system issues.

8. Researching and forensics purposes.

9. Protecting the organization’s reputation.

Types of Audit Trails

There are many different examples of audit trails, but some of the more common ones include:

1. Operational audit trails

They track every change made to data or systems. Organizations usually use this for forensics or compliance purposes.

2. Change management trails

Keeps track of who made changes, what was changed, when it was changed, and why it was changed. It can be helpful in troubleshooting issues and determining the source of a problem.

3. Security audit trails

It records events that occur concerning security, such as login attempts, file accesses, and changes made to system settings. This can help identify any potential security breaches or vulnerabilities.

4. Data integration audit trails

Tracks data flows between different systems and applications. It can help determine where errors are occurring during data integrations.

5. Configuration management audit trails

It keeps track of all changes made to system configuration settings and who made the changes.

6. Data lineage

This example tracks where data came from and how it was changed along the way. It can be used to troubleshoot data issues or for forensics investigations.

Each of these types of audit trails has its benefits and can be helpful in different situations. Therefore, it’s important to select the correct type of trail for your specific needs, as not all of them will be applicable in every situation.

Ready to Improve Your Audit Trail Process?

As you can see, there are many types of audit trails with different benefits and levels of importance. Whether that be regarding your organization or an individual product line, you should always consider the best audit trail for what is needed to provide maximal value to your company. If you’re not sure where to start looking, Teamstack offers audit trail services through our platform. And if you need help setting it up? Teamstack got experts ready at any time who’ll take care of everything for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out any time.

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How Does Mobile Security Work?

The protection of smartphones, tablets, and laptops from dangers connected with wireless computing is mobile security. Since personal and business information is now saved on smartphones, mobile computing has become increasingly critical. Individuals and organizations increasingly use smartphones to communicate and plan and organize their professional and personal lives. These technologies are producing significant changes in the organization of information systems within businesses. As a result, they have become a source of new dangers. Indeed, smartphones collect and assemble an increasing amount of sensitive data to which access must be restricted to safeguard the user’s privacy and the company’s intellectual property. These attacks take advantage of flaws in smartphones. Those are caused by communication modes such as Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), WiFi, Bluetooth, and GSM, the de facto global standard for mobile communications. Other exploits target browser or operating system software vulnerabilities and some malicious software depend on the average user’s lack of awareness.

Mobile devices are vulnerable to various threats, including money theft, privacy invasion, propagation, and malicious tools. A device vulnerability is a flaw that allows an attacker to compromise a system. A system weakness and attacker capability to exploit the flaw are intercepted when exposure occurs. They include; Malicious applications: Hackers distribute malicious software or games through third-party smartphone app stores. Personal information is stolen, and backdoor communication channels are opened to install more applications and cause other issues. Malicious links on social media: a popular means for hackers to spread malware by embedding Trojan, spyware, and backdoors. Spyware: This allows hackers to take over phones and listen in on calls, read text messages and emails, and track someone’s location using GPS updates. Unsecured WiFi Networks: Since most of these networks are unprotected, hackers can access our mobile devices and steal our information. Phishing is a technique hackers use to make us believe that an email we receive is from a reputable source, such as a utility company or a bank. They send us emails, SMS messages, or direct chats to access our personal information, such as our hobbies, financial data, and employment history.

How Does Mobile Security Work

Mobile device security necessitates a multi-layered strategy and investment in enterprise solutions. Mobile device security works through several ways to maintain security, and they are as follows:

  • To create, communicate, and enforce clear policies and procedures for the acceptable use of devices in the workplace, to deploy software that can protect devices from infection and theft.
  • To use a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution to manage and secure devices. Which restrict’s certain activities or functions, such as camera use, text messaging, and internet browsing, locking down devices to approved apps and configurations, scanning devices for malware and vulnerabilities, and remotely wiping data from a lost or stolen device.
  • Password is one of the most critical aspects. A hacker can easily crack a weak password, so it’s essential to use a strong password that is difficult to guess. You should also never use the same password for more than one site or service.
  • Use of biometrics to your advantage: Modern smartphones come equipped with biometric sensors such as fingerprint scanners. They enable you to use your fingerprint to unlock your phone and make payments, which is more secure than a password.

Types Of Mobile Security

Endpoint protection is a method that safeguards company networks that are accessed remotely via devices. Endpoint protects businesses by ensuring that devices adhere to guidelines. They also notify relevant teams of detected threats before they can cause harm. IT administrators can also monitor operation functions and data backup strategies with endpoint protection.

Enterprise Mobile Management platform, which in addition to establishing internal device restrictions to prevent unauthorized access, having an Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM) platform that allows IT to gather real-time insights to detect possible threats is critical.

Email security is the most common way for hackers to spread ransomware and other malware through email. To defend against such assaults, businesses must have modern email security. That can identify, block, and respond to threats faster. That can also avoid data loss and secure sensitive information in transit with end-to-end encryption.

VPN or virtual private network is a network that connects a private network to a public network. Users could transmit and receive data over shared or public networks if their computer equipment were directly related to the private network. Thanks to VPN encryption technology, remote users and branch offices can safely access company apps and resources.

Secure web gateway defends against online security threats in real-time by enforcing enterprise security policies and guarding against phishing and malware. This is highly significant in cloud security since this form of protection can detect an attack on one branch and promptly halt it on other branches.

Tips To Keep Phone Safe

You should avoid public WIFI as much as possible and totally if possible. Public WIFI is insecure and unencrypted, meaning that anyone could see the data you’re transmitting or receiving. If you must use public WIFI, be sure to use a VPN to encrypt your traffic. It would be best to be careful about what websites you visit on your phone. Many websites contain malware that can infect your device if you’re not careful.

Be sure to install a good antivirus and malware protection app on your phone and keep it up-to-date. These apps can help protect your device from getting infected with malware or ransomware. It would be best to be careful about what apps you install on your phone. Only install apps from trusted sources. Last but not least, be sure to back up your data regularly. If your phone gets infected with ransomware or malware, you’ll want to have a backup of your data so you can restore it.

As the number of people using smartphones grows, enterprises need to implement measures to protect their data. Businesses can take several measures, including endpoint protection, mobile enterprise management, email security, VPNs, secure web gateways, and cloud access brokers.

The use of email for early detection and blockage of looming threats is important. It is also important to monitor the cloud operation and data backup strategies with endpoint protection. To secure the corporate data, it is important to have a good EMM platform and VPN or virtual private network. That lets remote users securely access company resources.

Benefits

In totality, a strategy brings into focus the key benefits that are typically realized through the adoption of such a strategy:

  • User productivity is increased by allowing them to carry out their work-related activities securely on the move without traveling to office premises for the same.
  • Ensures overall cost savings through more effective and efficient device management.
  • Secure access to company resources, including email, files, and applications, while on the go.
  • Improved visibility into phone activity across the enterprise.
  • Back up your data on the cloud so even if your device is lost or damaged, you can quickly restore the data.
  • The best benefit of device security is it guards against unknown or malicious outsiders gaining access to sensitive company or personal information.

Challenges Facing Mobile Security

Apps that are not safe. Despite the fact that phone vendors try to assure app security by requiring programs to be certified before being downloaded from official app stores, certificate misuse means that even apps downloaded from vendor stores or enterprise sites aren’t guaranteed to be malware-free. Even reputable apps frequently ask for more permission than is required to accomplish their purpose, exposing more data.

Operating systems that are not secure. The operating systems of many devices are not kept up to date. Devices with out-of-date operating systems are vulnerable to security risks that have been patched in newer versions.

Dangerous devices. When people jailbreak or root their smartphones, they circumvent the device’s built-in limitations. While users believe that jailbreaking provides them more flexibility and access to the device’s features, it also removes several security measures.

Unsecure connections. Users frequently rely on public WiFi when working outside the office to stay connected. These open WiFi networks can allow malware to be installed on devices or intercept data by eavesdroppers.

Devices that have gone missing, Portable electronics are easy to misplace or steal. Employees who lose physical possession of their devices also lose control of their data. Any information on the device could be revealed if it isn’t adequately protected with passwords and encryption.

Uncontrollable users. Even if you make your secure mobile computing policies widely known, some employees will find them too cumbersome to comply with. Businesses need tools to enforce procedures instead of depending on employees’ goodwill.

Lack of monitoring. Monitoring and controlling many mobile devices in a business is challenging. It’s challenging to keep track of all devices, users, and applications.

Mobile security is essential and critical in today’s world as all private and public information is stored on tablets and smartphones used globally. Despite the numerous threats that mobile devices face, we may take several steps, as stated above, to safeguard ourselves, our data, and our employees. To keep our employees and company’s data safe, we might need to contact Team stack, a Cloud Identity Management expert.

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Why is IT Security Important For Business?

IT security is essential for all businesses, but it’s especially crucial to business owners. When running your own company with limited resources, you can’t afford to have anything go wrong. And when something does happen, the consequences are even more devastating from lost data and downtime to financial losses or fines from regulatory agencies. That’s why it’s so important to have a comprehensive IT security plan in place. Cybersecurity is important to your business. Security breaches can have serious consequences. This is why you need a plan for both preventing and dealing with them if they occur.
IT security is the process of protecting your business from viruses, hackers, and other online threats. One of the most important things you can do to protect your business is installing a good antivirus program and keeping it up-to-date. It would be best if you also had a firewall in place to block unauthorized access to your systems. Employees need to be aware of the dangers of clicking on links or downloading files from unknown sources. It would be best if you also had a policy prohibiting them from using personal email accounts for business purposes. Another important part of your security plan is to ensure that you back up your data regularly. If your systems are hacked or damaged, you’ll want to be able to restore the data quickly and easily.

Cybersecurity Helps Protect Your Company From Data Loss

One of the biggest threats to businesses is data loss. If you don’t have a backup plan in place, your data can be lost forever. And if that happens, you could lose everything–from customer information to financial records. It takes time and money to recover from a disaster. That means that you’ll be out of business while the restoration work is being done. You should have at least three backups of your data on an external drive or thumb drive stored off-site if there’s damage to your building; on a cloud server that can be accessed anywhere.
Cybersecurity can also help you protect your customers’ personal information. If you have a data breach, you could face fines from the government and lawsuits from customers. And if your company is handling credit card information, you must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

Defending Against Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks you out of your computer or encrypts your data until you pay a ransom. It can be very costly to recover from a ransomware attack, so it’s important to have measures in place to protect your systems. One way to do that is to install an antivirus program that includes ransomware protection.
The most recent threat to businesses is ransomware. Many large companies and even local governments have targeted these attacks, resulting in huge financial losses. We can’t afford to be caught off guard you need a plan of action if you are ever hit with it yourself. Here’s what you should do: Create an incident response plan that includes how employees respond to a ransomware attack, consult experts as soon as possible don’t try to deal with it yourself.
Don’t pay ransoms unless there is no other way out of the situation because this will encourage more attacks in the future.

Keeping Downtime At a Minimum

Downtime can be costly for businesses of all sizes. When your systems are down, you can’t run your business, and you’re losing money. In some cases, you may even have to shut down operations altogether. One way to help minimize downtime is by having a good disaster recovery plan in place. This should include a backup of your data and a plan for quickly restoring your systems to working order.
Another way to limit downtime is by keeping all of your software up-to-date. This can help reduce the risk of viruses, which often cause problems with system functions. You should also make sure that you have reliable hardware in place so that you won’t experience any glitches when you’re using it.

Protection of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing provides many benefits, but it’s important that you don’t let your guard down when working with sensitive data. You should make sure to encrypt the data in transit and at rest so hackers can’t get access to it and steal customer information or any other files. It would help if you also had a strong firewall in place because unauthorized access to your cloud systems can be very costly.
The most significant risk to cloud computing is human error. Therefore you need a system in place for monitoring and managing access. You should also ensure that your employees are well-trained about best practices for data security because they can cause problems if they aren’t careful. Be sure to consult with experts who know the ins and outs of your cloud system so you can create a security plan that will keep your information safe.
Also, you need to have privacy in place. That means data encryption and strong passwords on all accounts where sensitive information is stored or shared. It would help if you also made sure that any updates are installed quickly. Hackers often target these vulnerabilities once they’re known.

Ensuring Business Continuity Through Data Protection of Information Assets.

Cybersecurity is important to your business. Security breaches can have serious consequences. That is why you need a plan for both preventing and dealing with them if they occur.
Data is the lifeblood of any business. It’s important to ensure that it’s protected from theft, loss, or accidental damage. You can do this by implementing a data backup and recovery plan. This should include regular backups of your data so you can restore it if there is ever a problem.
You should also have a disaster recovery plan in place so you can continue operations even if your systems are down. And don’t forget about employee training–make sure they know how to handle data properly, so it doesn’t get lost or damaged.
It’s also important to have a security policy that covers the protection of information assets. This should include rules for password use, data access and encryption, the usage of removable media devices like USB drives, and other factors. By taking these steps, you can help ensure the continuity of your business in the event of a data loss or security breach. It’s important to remember that data protection is an ongoing process. You need to make sure that your policies and procedures are up-to-date and that employees are trained on how to handle sensitive information properly

Preventing Disruption of Services

One of the main goals of any business is to provide services that meet or exceed customer expectations. You’re not meeting those expectations when your systems are down, and customers will go elsewhere. This can lead to a loss of revenue and even bankruptcy in some cases. You can help prevent this by ensuring your systems are reliable and always accessible. This means keeping your software up to date, installing patches as soon as they become available, and establishing a good backup plan for when systems fail.
You should also have a disaster recovery plan in place so you can restore services when they fail. Of course, this requires good backups and access to them when needed quickly. You also need an effective business continuity plan that will allow your company to continue operating even if there’s a significant disruption of services or systems.
IT security is vital for any business, large or small. By implementing the proper measures, you can help protect your data and systems from theft, loss, or damage. This will help ensure that your business continues to run smoothly and that you meet or exceed customer expectations. Contact us today at Teamstack if you need help getting started with IT security for your business.

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8 Best Identity And Access Management Best Practices

Since the dawn of the internet era, username and password combinations have remained the primary means of access control for digital systems of all kinds. That means they’re the biggest target for hackers to exploit, as well. And all that’s standing in their way is the identity and access management (IAM) technology businesses rely on to defend their systems and data.

But the fight’s been one-sided so far. That’s because there are countless ways for organizations to leave inadvertent gaps in their credential management policies. And even well-run organizations can fall victim to credential theft. The result is that almost 90% of data breaches now stem from stolen credentials – making unassailable identity and access management a mission-critical task for every business.

To help them in that task, here is an overview of modern identity and access management. We’ll cover what it is, the technologies involved in it, and why it’s so challenging. Then, we’ll discuss eight identity and access management best practices every business should follow to stay safe. Let’s dive in.

What is Identity and Access Management?

Identity and access management (IAM) refers to a combination of technologies, processes, and business policies designed to control access to digital systems and data. It seeks to identify users to grant or deny access to such systems and control what they can do once inside.

On the technology front, IAM typically includes the use of:

  • Single Sign-On (SSO) Systems – centralized authentication to multiple secured systems via a single login credential
  • Two-Factor and Multifactor Authentication – the use of a multi-level login process that includes two or more distinct credential types, like SMS code verification or biometric markers
  • Privileged Access Management (PAM) – control of accounts with elevated access to critical systems, such as administrative accounts and machine accounts

IAM also includes the ways that organizations deploy the above technologies and design processes to support them. These may include things like employee onboarding and deboarding and policies surrounding access rights for staff.

And the number of factors involved in IAM is what makes it challenging. Businesses have to maintain control over several moving parts, and work hard to avoid mistakes. And there’s endless potential for those mistakes. A single failure to remove an unused credential or an accidental granting of inappropriate privilege could lead to a data breach.

IAM Best Practices that Every Business Should Follow

With the cost of errors being so high, no business can afford to have a misstep with its IAM policies and procedures. And getting things right means creating an IAM strategy from the ground up that leaves nothing to chance. Here are eight IAM best practices that go a long way toward achieving that.

1. Define Your Workforce

Any identity and access management effort must first begin with a complete picture of who will need access to company systems and data. And the best place to get that information is from the business’s human resources department. They should have a complete employee roster and detailed information on any third parties the company does business with who require access to company systems.

In an ideal situation, all of that data should be within whatever digital system the HR department uses to do their work. That should make exporting, manipulating, and validating that data a trivial exercise and allow for the creation of individual user accounts for each worker. The process should also form the basis for ongoing data sharing between the business’s HR staff and its IT staff to track changes to the workforce.

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2. Define Identities

The next thing to do is choose an identity and access management platform to serve as the central point of user management. This critical step reduces the complexity of ongoing user management. With the right system in place, user access and provisioning happen through a single interface. This eliminates duplicative work and increases efficiency.

It also makes user automation possible. Most IAM platforms can automate user creation with pre-defined rights sets. That helps maintain proper access controls and reduces the chance of overprovisioning. It also makes removing users easier when necessary. That means less chance of unused credentials lingering to create trouble.

3. Manage Roles

With users defined and managed, the next step is to assign rights to users. This may be done on an individual basis or at the group level. By defining user roles, business data owners gain visibility into users’ access rights to that data. That serves as a second check against overprovisioning. When stakeholders see and can control access to the data they’re responsible for, there’s less chance of errors.

Defined user roles also make ongoing management easier. Managers can assign new rights by adding users to a role and remove those rights by taking that role away. Otherwise, they’d have to manage rights sets on a per-user basis. And in an environment that includes multiple business systems with separate management interfaces, that’s never an easy task.

4. Implement a Workflow

Because business needs change, user access rights do too. And managing that change is a key to maintaining data security. It means granting new access where needed and removing it when necessary. And the only way to do it well is to create a workflow to manage it.

The best way to do this is via a self-service model through a single interface. That way, users have one place to request access, and data owners respond there as well. It also removes the business’s IT staff from the process. Their only role is to maintain the interface itself rather than playing middleman between users and data owners.

5. Automate Provisioning

One of the most time-consuming parts of the IAM workflow is the provisioning of users. In a manual process, creating a new user may involve setting up multiple accounts on separate services and platforms. And each manual account creation carries the risk of a costly mistake. That should make automation a high priority.

With the right identity and access management system in place, it’s possible to automate the whole user provisioning process. With a single click, managers can create users with all the right access rights. And they can alter or remove them just as easily. This removes the element of chance from the process and makes it more efficient, too.

6. Ensure Compliance

These days, businesses often have legal or regulatory requirements connected to the data they control. And that means they have to report on their data access and use processes and remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Failure to do so may be costly.

But the IAM process is the perfect place to deploy compliance measures. The best way is to define audit responsibilities for each user role and assign them to the appropriate data owner. Then, create a schedule for them to review each role periodically. The idea is to make sure there’s no inappropriate access allowed. That works to ensure compliance as well as oversight into data access.

7. Create Checks and Balances

Even a permission system based on user roles leaves open the possibility of inappropriate access rights. This can happen if the needs of a given role change but the role definition does not. Or, it can result from data owners assigning individual permissions rather than following proper procedures. That’s an all-too-common occurrence that can undermine even the best IAM practices.

The solution is to implement a system of periodic top-to-bottom permission reviews. This means having data owners review the roles that grant access to their data. If the roles have changed, the definition must change too. And, it means creating a process to identify and remedy inappropriately assigned permissions. The idea is to identify data owners who aren’t following proper procedures and take steps to see that they don’t continue to skirt them.

8. Create an Ongoing Role-Definition Process

Maintaining existing role definitions is important. But as needs change, new roles may be necessary. And old roles may need retiring. That’s why it’s critical to set up an ongoing role-definition process. A collaborative process between data owners, IT staff, and HR is the best way to handle this.

Data owners should provide insight into the work each role handles and what access it needs. HR can determine which (and how many) employees fall into each role. And IT staff can handle the definitions, including role creation and role removal, as necessary. And as long as that process repeats at regular intervals, all of the business’s user roles should remain up-to-date.

The Bottom Line

As the preceding IAM best practices should make clear, there’s quite a bit for businesses to manage. And it should also be clear that they should seek any advantage they can find. We here at Teamstack kept that in mind when we built our identity and access management solution.

It integrates with over 1000 of today’s most popular business platforms and services. And it’s built to enable businesses to create a process in keeping with every one of the IAM best practices discussed here. It takes a difficult mission-critical need and makes it manageable.

And it’s a need that businesses shouldn’t ignore. Not while the incidents of data breaches and theft continue to multiply. And certainly not while the consequences of those incidents are so extreme. But with the right approach and the technology to back it up, no business has to take that chance ever again.

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Authentication vs Authorization: What You Should Know

Modern enterprises now rely on sprawling digital infrastructures that span multiple cloud providers and services. And keeping their data safe in the cloud is now a mission-critical task. That places authentication methods and authorization techniques on the front lines of a battle that businesses can’t afford to lose.

But the terms authentication and authorization, while often used interchangeably, refer to two very different concepts.

And while they may both be parts of the broader cloud security picture, business decision-makers must know the difference. To help, here’s a deep dive that will explain the two concepts in detail. We’ll cover their similarities, differences, and some of the techniques involved. Then we’ll discuss the role they play in modern cloud security. Let’s dive in.

What is Authentication?

Authentication is the act of identifying a user and making sure they are who they say they are. It’s how most modern networks and platforms grant access to protected parts of their systems. Anyone who’s encountered a login page on a website or computer system has seen authentication in action.

In that scenario, a username is how we tell a platform who we claim to be. And when we enter a password, it’s how we prove to the platform that we are, in fact, that user. Once the system matches the username with its password, it has reasonable confidence that you are who you claim to be. And that’s where authorization comes into play.

What is Authorization?

Authorization, by contrast, is how modern networks and platforms grant a given user the right to perform specific actions once they’ve authenticated. For example, after logging into an email provider, we don’t see the mail of every user on that system. We see only our own messages. And we’re prevented from sending messages on behalf of other users on the system. That’s authorization at work.

In short, authorization is a system of rights management. And most of the time, authorization takes place right after a user authenticates. The only way a network or platform could have one without the other would be if all its users had the same access rights. Since that would pose a significant security risk, it’s all but impossible to operate a secure system that way.

Two Steps in a Secure Login Process

In practice, all of this means that the concepts are like two sides of the same coin. They represent sequential steps in a secure login process to protect a digital system. Either one without the other would be useless. But together, they work to control who gains access to a system and what they can do once inside.

From a user perspective, the primary difference between the two is that one is visible and partly under their control, and the other is not. For example, it’s typically possible for a user to change their username or password on most platforms. But they would need to seek the permission of the system’s owner or administrator if they wanted to gain additional rights. For that reason, most people are already familiar with the most common authentication methods.

Common Authentication Methods

Since almost every digital system relies on some kind of authentication method, the most common ones are well known. They include:

  • Username and Password Combinations – By far the most common method, which relies on a user entering a username and a secret password to prove their identity at login.
  • Biometrics – Identifies users based on a unique physical trait, such as fingerprint, voice, or facial recognition.
  • Hardware Tokens – Requires that each user have a physical key that identifies them once connected to the device they’re using to request access to a protected system.
  • Authentication Apps – Identifies a user through an app installed on their smartphone or another device, often by generating a single-use login code based on a shared encrypted secret.

In many cases, systems rely on more than one of these methods for added security. This is what’s known as two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Common Authorization Techniques

Because most authorization processes happen in the background, they’re also transparent to users. That also makes them a bit more difficult to visualize and understand. Some of the most common authorization techniques include:

  • Session Tokens – A cryptographic token, issued at login, specifies and controls user access for the duration of their session.
  • Access Control Lists – Assigned at the resource level or globally, these are permission lists that spell out what rights each user has within a given system.
  • Role-Based Access – A system that creates user groups based on needed permissions and assigns permissions at the group level.

Most modern digital systems use a mixture of the above authorization techniques to control access to their various resources. This is because none offer a one-size-fits-all approach that’s appropriate in every situation.

And many systems require users to reauthenticate when they move between permission levels. For example, a user might log into their email account and have immediate access to their mailbox. But if they attempted to change their mailbox settings by adding a forwarding address or an auto-reply, they may be asked to reauthenticate before being granted permission to proceed.

Managing Access in a Multi-Cloud Environment

Even though it may seem complex, all modern digital networks and platforms use a combination of the authentication methods and authorization techniques above to control access. And individually, they’re fairly easy to manage for the businesses that rely on them. But most businesses today rely on more than one network or platform to support the work they do. And that’s when things get more complicated.

For example, granting appropriate access to multiple independent systems for a single new employee may be time-consuming and difficult. And, the complexity of the work increases the chances that an errant setting might grant inappropriate access to a user. And the same thing happens when an employee departs – often leaving dangerous vulnerabilities in a business’s security and access controls.

But that’s where one-click provisioning solutions like Teamstack come in handy. It features native compatibility with over 1,000 common platforms and services. That makes it possible for a business to add new users with appropriate access to all of the cloud-based platforms they depend on from a single easy-to-use interface. It also provides complete visibility into user access rights across all of those platforms at a glance. And when it’s necessary to remove a user or alter their access rights, Teamstack helps make sure that no stray credentials remain to pose a threat to the business’s data security.

The Bottom Line

By now, it should be clear that authentication and authorization form the basis for controlling access to the digital platforms we use every day. And although they are two distinct concepts, they work in concert to make sure nobody gains access to data that they’re not supposed to see.

But in today’s complex multi-platform environments, it’s easy for businesses to lose track of user rights and access levels. There are simply too many ways for errors and omissions to slip through the cracks. Therefore, it is important more than ever to prioritize authorization techniques and authentication methods So, now that the role of these two oft-misunderstood concepts is clear, so too should be the importance of managing them so they can do their job.

In an environment where a single stray user credential can lead to a data breach, that’s not something any business can leave up to chance. That means either designing a comprehensive user onboarding and deboarding process with redundant checks to eliminate mistakes, or finding a more streamlined solution. And with centralized identity and access management solutions like Teamstack available to do the heavy lifting, the right approach is just a click away.

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How Open Authorization Framework Works

The security of a website can make or break a business. Customers and clients expect websites and applications to have security in place. Software engineers need the ability to build applications securely by providing a Single Sign-On (SSO) experience. SSO allows users to conveniently log into an application by using a single set of credentials.

A great feature of this user experience is that the user gets to choose their method of logging in. Users can use biometric identity, phone number, password, digital certificate, two-factor authentication, or multi-factor authentication (MFA). Thanks to OAuth, users can use the same set of credentials across a myriad of sites throughout the day.

What is OAuth?

It is a standard that allows access to hosted resources via applications and websites. It is the existing method of authorization for most sites and applications today. Open Authorization 2.0 allows consented access to a client app.

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The abilities of the client app are restricted. The user’s credentials are never shared to gain access. OAuth 2.0 authorizes access to server-side apps, browser-based apps, and mobile applications.

The 2.0 version utilizes access tokens, often used in the JWT format. The JWT token format is broken down into three parts: header, followed by payload, ending in a signature. JWT claims are encoded as JSON objects containing key/value pairs. A security feature of an access token is the expiration date.

Framework roles

There are four roles in the Open Authorization 2.0 framework; the resource owner, client, authorization server, and resource server. The resource owner owns the resources that you would like access to. The client system wants to access the resources and must have the correct access token to do so.

The authorization server receives the request from the client system to access resources.

Access is granted after authentication is successful and the resource owner provides consent. Two endpoints are exposed by the authorization server.

This includes the token endpoint “/oauth/token”, and the authorization endpoint “/authorize”. Finally, the resource server is responsible for protecting a user’s resources and accepting requests for access from the client. The resource server returns the corresponding resources after accepting and validating the access token.

Down memory lane: A brief history

The story begins in November 2006 in a meeting about access delegation.

There were discussions on how to combine the usage of Twitter OpenID and the Twitter API. They agreed that there was no standard for API access delegation. The following year, a small group from Google wrote an open protocol proposal and released a final draft of Open Authorization 1.0.

Examples of OAuth

You can find an example of this framework on the log-in page of many modern sites and apps. Notice how the user interface asks you to log in using your credentials from another website? That is OAuth.

How OAuth works

Let’s say you want to log in to an online photo printing lab using your social media log in. This framework solves the issue of exposing your username and password to the photo printing lab. It lets you grant access to your private resources on one site to a separate consumer site. For example, you can grant the photo lab website access to your pictures using your social media credentials. Thanks to OAuth, you don’t have to register as a new user, saving you time.

Grant types

Developers decide which one of four flows is best to gain an access token; Authorization Code Flow, Resource Owner Password Flow, Implicit Flow with Form Post, or Client Credentials Flow. Authorization Code Flow uses the Proof Key for Code Exchange (PKCE) and mobile applications employ this. Resource Owner Password Flow is best for use by the most trusted applications, due to the need to provide your password and username on an interactive form.

Implicit Flow is no longer the most secure method. OAuth 2.0 documentation recommends discontinuing Implicit Flow for JavaScript and native applications. It is no longer recommended because of the risk of returning access tokens without confirming it was received by the client. Implicit Flow with Form Post involves the use of just the client ID rather than the client secret.

Implicit Flow returns the access token within the redirect from the authorization flow. Client Credentials Flow is employed for communication between machines. Examples of machine-to-machine communication include services operating in your backend, daemons, and Command-Line Interfaces. Client Credentials Flow authentication involves passing a client secret and client ID for a token.

Why is OAuth safe?

It allows developers to protect sites and applications against exploits. Open Authorization is integral to securely transmit information from user to server and vice versa. The framework is safe enough for use by giant companies such as PayPal, Facebook, Hewlett Packard, Netflix, Instagram, LinkedIn, Microsoft, WordPress, Spotify, and more.

The 2.0 framework provides a degree of safety that previously was not present.

Thanks to this framework, you don’t have to worry about compromised passwords because you want to use the same credentials on multiple sites. Open Authorization tokens only give access to a limited amount of personal data.

The difference between SAML, OpenID, OAuth 2.0

These three technologies are the most important for identity federation. Open Authorization 2.0 deals with the authorization of resources, while SAML deals with SSO and identity management. SAML does not require you to type in your credentials or renew them.

Security Mark-up Language differs from Open Authorization 2.0. SAML grants the user an access token that is good for one session.

OpenID allows you to use an SSO for many sites, while Open Authorization provides access without sharing your identity or secret credentials.

Open Authorization supersedes OpenID by allowing users to gain access to websites without forcing them to expose their credentials. It is comparable to the Flickr API, AWS API, and Google AuthSub protocols.

Keep in mind that Open Authorization 2.0 is a framework, not a protocol like its previous 1.0 version.

In an increasingly technologically-enabled world, high-level security is the standard. Single Sign-On is familiar and expected by most users. Many users feel safer online when they don’t have to sign up for a website to use its services.

The user can simply use credentials provided to the resource owner (website) they already trust.

Secure sign-on for you and your team

Working remotely? Teamstack helps you expand your enterprise. Teamstack is a platform that makes it feasible for your customers, employees, and clients to have a Single Sign-On experience. Users can sign in without a password.

Teamstack seamlessly integrates with at least 600 applications including; Slack, GitHub, Zoom, GoToMeeting, Mailchimp, Jira, among others.

The platform is a centralized location for a business owner’s productivity and organization. Teamstack makes it easy for your team to log into SSO-based platforms. It provides Single Sign-On via SAML, making all web applications completely secure. Teamstack also supports multi-factor authentication.

The platform makes it easier to keep track of your team members. One-click provisioning allows you to quickly add or remove a user from your organization.

Your workforce can access all applications from a single location whether it’s custom-built for your enterprise or in the cloud.

More than 750 teams rely on Teamstack. Companies utilizing Teamstack include; TNW, Capterra, VentureBeat, and Designmodo to name a few.

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All You Need To Know About Cloud-Based Applications

In 2018, Cisco estimated that in 2021, 94% of business workloads and computing processes will be run in the cloud. Cloud-based applications are becoming very popular in a certain area of business because the cloud approach has advantages such as scalability, higher performance, and improved cost-efficiency.

Additionally, the use of a solid infrastructure, access to SaaS and other cloud-based development platforms, and reduced risk exposure to data loss has made it increasingly popular in recent years. 

Why More Businesses Are Using Cloud Computing 

Businesses use cloud-based applications to help them grow at a faster rate than using in-house legacy computer infrastructure. Cloud-based technology systems enable organizations to adopt marketing strategies at a faster pace.  

Enterprise cloud-based technology applications are what businesses need to kick-start enterprise growth and they can be used in various ways. They let you get more done, faster, and on any device, making it easier for you to engage with your customers. 

Since cloud-based technology applications are a perfect option for small businesses, let’s answer some frequently asked questions about cloud-based applications so you’ll get an idea about why every business should use them. 

What Are Cloud-Based Applications? 

Cloud-based applications are those that run directly on a company’s infrastructure. All employees access them using an individual application identifier (AID). Cloud applications can also include backup and recovery services, internet connecting functions, and communications software. Typically, these applications are stored in elastic areas of servers in different locations. 

Cloud-based applications are directed shared resources that are hosted by a third party. The web server hosts the web applications directly.

There is a significant difference in functionality between these two types of applications. But despite it, many people assume cloud-based applications are the same as web applications. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are several important differences to consider before selecting a cloud-based application or a web-based hosted application over another. 

Why Use Cloud-Based Applications? 

The popularity of cloud-based apps has increased dramatically in the past few years. You can use an app to contact your doctor or find out about a new school or place to live. But there are also many other less obvious advantages of cloud-based software. 

Cloud-based applications save you time and money while making your business more efficient.

They make it easy to complete work-related tasks from anywhere in the world.

Nowadays, the main internet in your mobile phone is called the cloud.

All your favorite applications — Gmail, Facebook, Outlook, etc. are stored in the cloud. They are ready for you to use whenever you want without having to install anything on your computer or phone.

It’s all about buying more time. It allows you to work, study, or stay productive when you’re too busy to get up and go somewhere.   

Cloud-based computing allows companies to save huge amounts of money by employing technology instead of paying for expensive servers and hardware that might break down or get damaged during a blowout.

It enables startups to build products quickly without having to worry about the infrastructure because the software works out of the box and is automatically updated as needed. 

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Advantages and Disadvantages

Here are some advantages of cloud-based applications: 

1. You can keep your data protected from external access, which makes it ideal for business use.  

2. Cloud-based applications operate faster and at less cost in the short term, while retaining the flexibility to modify your software in response to changing business requirements and customer demands.  

3. Using a cloud-based application gives you a small, fully staffed staff to deal with problems on your behalf. As a result, you get free time to do things you want to do more easily. It gives you access to inexpensive computing power and storage—whether rented or bought. 

4. All of your data is available from anywhere from any device. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or what computing device you use. That means your old information is safely backed up rather than lost in some physical warehouse.  

5. A cloud-based application allows you to update your software without having to reinstall it on all your computers. That means your systems are less likely to crash as well because they stay updated automatically. 

And here are some disadvantages of cloud-based software: 

1. The application runs in the background, and thus its performance can be slower than traditional servers.

The application might not be a good cloud solution if it takes a long time to launch, or if it has problems opening files or transferring data between computers. 

2. Despite the widespread use of these applications, there are still many people who don’t understand how they work.

A lot are still clueless whether they will be able to use them. 

3. Apps might not be available when you need them because you need to pay to use them. You also lose control over how it will be used and the rights it comes with.  

4. A cloud application does not enforce a central control system, so anyone with access to the Internet can view any data on any computer anywhere in the world.

That means companies can sell information about you without your knowledge or consent. However, this is a potential risk only.

It is unlikely to happen. There are many precautions cloud services take to avoid this possibility from ruining their reputation as trusted service providers.  

Is a Cloud-Based Application Secure? 

Yes, all cloud-based applications are secure. All the data that a customer store in their account is also safe from unauthorized access.

In the cloud, there is no way for hackers to gain access to data that hasn’t been marked as deleted or protected.

If hackers gain access to your computer or the internet directly, they can access your data. You need to make sure you are not using shared computers and the internet at work or other places where hackers can access your data.  

Should Your Business Use Cloud-Based Apps?

Cloud-based applications enable companies to easily keep control of their data and assets while reducing the complexity of processing orders and completing transactions.

This decrease in complexity can translate into a significant increase in performance.

As a result, orders placed using cloud-based applications will typically arrive on time or shortly after, resulting in an increase in sales price.

For this reason, it is important to fully vet any potential cloud-based application before relying on it for your business needs.  

Conclusion

There are several reasons cloud-based applications (CBAs) are a great solution for small business owners.

  • It is easier to manage workers than traditional on-site systems.
  • Workers keep their files in a separate location from the main office computer. This makes data sharing easier and reducing human error in the event of a hack.
  • Data security and privacy are taken seriously throughout all stages of the project life cycle.

Teamstack makes the whole process of accessing cloud-based applications safely and easily.

Teamstack is a cloud-based system that lets you manage groups, users, permissions, and authentication methods more easily. The service offers real-time synchronization of data, letting you always have access to up-to-date information.

Only users with authorization can access the service because security is ensured through multiple-factor authentication. MFA is a type of authentication process wherein users must confirm their identity through two or more authentication factors.