VPN
Businesswire | July 18, 2023
The world’s efforts to secure digital communications from the threat posed by quantum computers took a significant leap forward today as a new standard for quantum-safe Virtual Private Networks (VPN) was ratified by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
The new protocol has already been used by Banque de France and Deutsche Bundesbank to secure payments messages, paving the way for full adoption by the Bank for International Settlements to secure communications between the world’s central banks.
‘Harvest Now Decrypt Later’ (HNDL) attacks currently represent the greatest quantum cybersecurity threat. These attacks see hostile actors steal encrypted data now which can be decrypted once a sufficiently mature quantum computer comes online. The new US Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act states that the HNDL risk presents the highest threat to humankind and stipulates that quantum migration must start now. Deploying a VPN based on new post quantum cryptography is the easiest way to protect data-in-transit from such attacks.
The new IETF standard specifies how VPNs can exchange communications securely in the quantum age. The novel approach prioritises interoperability by making it possible for multiple post-quantum and classical encryption algorithms to be incorporated into VPNs. Combining both old and new encryption is essential to ensure no disruption to the functioning of existing IT systems, and to protect data from attack by both classical and quantum computers.
This is a particularly important milestone for internet connectivity and security as we are transitioning from an era where the world relied upon just one or two algorithms (RSA and Elliptic Curve), to a situation where different nation states are deploying a wide variety of different post-quantum algorithms. This new IETF standard is the glue that allows parties using different public key encryption algorithms to talk with one another.
The new IETF standard was proposed and designed by Post-Quantum, a British cyber security company that’s built a portfolio of market-ready quantum-safe cyber security products. Post-Quantum’s own Hybrid PQ VPN uses the new IETF standard and is already in use by NATO to secure its communications from quantum attack, supporting interoperable communications between NATO members.
CJ Tjhai, CTO, Post-Quantum and original author of the new IETF standard said: “I’d like to thank all the technologists that collaborated with us on this IETF standard. Much of the focus has been on NIST’s new post quantum encryption algorithms themselves, but this is insufficient unless you have a protocol that defines how the connectivity is done. The easiest way to prevent Harvest Now Decrypt Later attacks is to deploy a PQ VPN based on the new IETF standard. NIST’s new algorithms are only useful if we have agreed standards for their use and mature products that can accommodate them.”
Andersen Cheng, Executive Chairman, Post-Quantum added: “CJ and his collaborators have completed important work that makes it possible for tech companies to build quantum-safe VPNs that communicate to one another. We are entering a period where different countries are now recommending different encryption algorithms, so engineering our communications infrastructure to be interoperable and backward compatible is absolutely crucial. That’s the value our own VPN is bringing to organisations like NATO, a diverse member organisation with a variety of post-quantum algorithms in use.
“In the commercial sector, we are pleased that Banque de France and Deutsche Bundesbank have also recently completed their project in transmitting payment messages using our protocol, which will pave the way for the Bank for International Settlements to build a complete chain of trust for central bank applications to counter any HNDL risks they already face today.”
José María Lucía Moreno, Lead Partner, EY Wavespace and a Post-Quantum partner added: “Our agreement with Post-Quantum is an important step in helping EY and its clients to become quantum-safe. We’re increasingly consulting with our clients to identify where they use traditional encryption that will need to be upgraded, and to help them prepare for the quantum era. Post-Quantum’s approach is particularly interesting because they have modular software-based products like the VPN, which can be implemented together, or as standalones within existing environments, to offer protection today.”
The IETF is the non-profit organisation with responsibility for developing the standards that define how the internet is built and used. Now that the IETF has ratified this work, VPN providers will adapt their protocols to match it, making this a defining standard for the future of cybersecurity as the world transitions from classical to new post-quantum encryption. Ratification represents the culmination of work dating back to 2017 when Post-Quantum took the lead in creating the original proposal for this standard.
About Post-Quantum
Post-Quantum is upgrading the world to next-generation encryption. Our quantum-safe platform includes modular software for Identity, Transmission and Encryption that protect organisations across their entire digital footprint. Products are interoperable, backward compatible and crypto-agile - ensuring a smooth transition to the next generation of encryption.
Post-Quantum works with organisations in defence, critical national infrastructure and financial services, including a multi-year relationship with NATO to ensure its communications are secure against quantum attack.
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Virtual Desktop Tools, Server Hypervisors
Business Wire | August 31, 2023
Meter, Inc., a leader in Network as a Service (NaaS) for businesses, today announced DNS Security, built in partnership with Cloudflare, the security, performance, and reliability company. Meter DNS Security is now widely available for all Meter Network customers, expanding Meter’s existing NaaS offering and saving teams both time and money, while also improving overall network performance and security, powered by Cloudflare’s Zero Trust platform.
“With the number of devices on a network expected to triple by 2030, modern businesses and organizations demand enterprise network controls to ensure safety and peak performance for business critical functions,” said Anil Varanasi, CEO and co-founder of Meter. “Meter DNS Security is the latest example of how we’re continuing to offer our customers enterprise level networks end-to-end. Through our partnership with Cloudflare, we’re enhancing our capabilities to meet the needs of IT professionals at industrial warehouses, educational institutions, security firms, and more.”
Meter DNS Security eliminates the hassle of having multiple vendors, by providing content filtering at several layers to all customers within the Meter Dashboard in partnership with one of the best providers in the world.
“We’re proud to have Meter leveraging Cloudflare’s Zero Trust platform in a new way, offering our DNS filtering feature natively built into their Meter Dashboard,” said John Graham-Cumming, CTO, Cloudflare. “By building on Cloudflare's platform, Meter enables customers to manage their team’s operations at scale, as well as effectively enforce global corporate policies across diverse corporate spaces, such as offices, schools, and warehouses.”
In addition to the ease and scalability of Meter DNS Security, users are ensuring security through enhanced compliance by blocking access to known malicious websites and bad actors. The integration and partnership with Cloudflare provides customers with faster DNS response times, while optimizing network performance by limiting access to high-bandwidth websites and services. Real world examples of this process include, but are not limited to:
Ensuring a safe browsing environment at schools by filtering out age inappropriate content
Optimizing network performance for warehouses by filtering high bandwidth activities like video streaming
Maintaining high security and compliance standards by filtering malicious or illegal content
“Tishman Speyer has successfully partnered with Meter to streamline the networking and Wi-Fi experience for our customers,” said Simon Okunev, Managing Director and Chief Information Officer, Tishman Speyer. “The addition of Meter’s DNS Security feature, powered by Cloudflare, will further benefit our customers by providing an additional layer of security.”
About Cloudflare
Cloudflare, Inc. is on a mission to help build a better Internet. Cloudflare’s suite of products protect and accelerate any Internet application online without adding hardware, installing software, or changing a line of code. Internet properties powered by Cloudflare have all web traffic routed through its intelligent global network, which gets smarter with every request. As a result, they see significant improvement in performance and a decrease in spam and other attacks. Cloudflare was awarded by Reuters Events for Global Responsible Business in 2020, named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2021, and ranked among Newsweek's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in 2022.
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Server Virtualization, Security
businesswire | August 11, 2023
Syncro,an all-in-one professional services automation (PSA) and remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform for managed service providers (MSPs), today announces the addition of the newTeam plan for MSPs. Syncro is providing this new premium tier plan to equip growing MSPs with more advanced features and onboarding support that will help them better manage their team’s tasklist and business growth.
The new Team plan is designed for MSPs with multiple technicians and empowers them to organize and automate their workflows how they choose. The plan includes PowerBI reports with in-depth data aggregation and insights, more automation, stronger remote access capabilities, and ticket workflow enhancements offering more management oversight. The Team plan also provides more support convenience, giving MSPs the ability to schedule one on one troubleshooting sessions with Syncro technicians.
The addition of the Team plan allows MSPs to take advantage of features that will help them to solve the challenges that come with managing a growing business efficiently with many technicians and even more clients. This powerful plan offers the following benefits and features:
Enhanced Splashtop: Includes multi-monitor support and multiple techs per session.
Azure AD sync: Seamless integration with Azure AD to enable contact syncing and Microsoft 365 billing automation.
Real-time ticket automations & assignments: Streamlines your service desk operations.
PowerBI integration: Facilitates advanced analytics and business intelligence.
Scheduled database exports: Automatically export your Syncro data to a database of your choosing.
Personalized support and onboarding experience: Enjoy scheduled callbacks for technical issues and implementation experts to help you onboard.
The Team plan is available for $189/user/month. Syncro's current base plan (now renamed as Core) at $139/user/month is still available with all existing features, and at the same price. Both the Core and Team plans offer a no-contract monthly per user price, with unlimited endpoints and access to the entire Syncro platform including PSA/RMM and remote access functionality.
“Syncro’s first priority has been and will always be helping MSPs expand their business – from MSPs who are just starting out to MSPs who are well-established and experiencing rapid growth. The launch of the Team plan and the newest features is a direct result of listening to the needs of our growing partners and just another way we are supporting MSPs and enabling them to be more profitable,” said Emily Glass, CEO of Syncro.
About Syncro
Syncro's all-in-one PSA, RMM, and remote access software helps managed service providers (MSPs) run more efficient and profitable businesses. Pricing is refreshingly simple, with no contracts and flat per user pricing. A technology company with a human heart, Syncro is committed to diversity, inclusion, belonging and fair practices that benefit everyone—from customers and employees to the industry at large.
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Virtual Desktop Strategies, Virtual Server Management
PR Newswire | August 25, 2023
Liquidware,the leader in digital workspace management, today announced their first SaaS solution, Liquidware CommandCTRL™, is now generally available at this week's VMware Explore event. CommandCTRL is the only SaaS real-time remediation solution that includes a DVR-like function that provides expeditious point-in-time problem solving. The many other features provide business benefits such as reduced time to resolution of incidents that increases productivity and improves user experience. CommandCTRL is a cost effective solution as there is no infrastructure required with minimal training to get up to speed. With the majority of troubleshooting being done in the background while the user is uninterrupted provides improved user sentiment.
CommandCTRL has four key differentiators to other solutions on the market today:
DVR-like playback functionality- Playback-mode captures 30-days history so admins can see exactly what occurred in the environment at specific dates and times
AI integration - with ChatGPT for process identification
Protocol mirroring - displays the protocol to the physical machine endpoint
Switch - seamlessly switch and navigate between two distinct environments: the local desktop and the cloud-based desktop.
"CommandCTRL fills a gap in the market for assisting organizations in expediting incident resolution, the solution is purpose-built to support interactive remediation of remote workspaces," commentedJason Mattox, CTO Liquidware. "While CommandCTRL is a standalone product, we envisage many customers buying it to accompany their Stratusphere™ UX investment."
In a recent Gartner® research report* it states, "To address the demands of digital business, IT service desks must reduce the number of simple and repeatable incidents and service requests they process manually." Gartner recommends Infrastructure and Operations leaders focused on IT operations transformation should, "Eliminate the cause of low-value, avoidable issues and requests to focus business productivity teams on high-priority work."
CommandCTRL adds another dimension of enterprise management to Liquidware's industry-leading solutions that include ProfileUnity™ user environment management, FlexApp™ application layering and Stratusphere™ UX digital experience monitoring.
Other key features include:
Real-time metrics data updates every three seconds
Real-time remediation actions speed problem identification and resolution
Threshold violations are highlighted in real-time mode and inDVR, these highlights alert the admin to end users' problems in seconds
Admins have two separate ways to shadow users: Quick Assist and Remote Assist
Multi-tenant membership allows partners to be a member of customers' sites to assist with remediation
Powershell and Cmd options for creating scripts to automate needed functions
Full scripting store organizes custom and external scripts for easy access and implementation.
About Liquidware
Liquidware is a leader in digital workspace management solutions for Windows desktops. The company's products encompass all facets of management to ensure the ultimate user experience across all workspaces – physical, virtual, DaaS or in the cloud. Enterprises across the globe utilize Liquidware solutions to dramatically decrease time spent managing desktops, while delivering increased security, flexibility, and scalability. Supported platforms include Microsoft physical, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Windows 365, Citrix Desktops, VMware Horizon, Amazon WorkSpaces, and Dizzion Frame. Liquidware products are available through a global network of partners.
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