What is Data Poisoning, and Why Does it Matter?

a hooded person using a laptop in the dark

While artificial intelligence and machine learning both offer many benefits to business owners and individuals, there are always risks when adding new technology to your workplace. Although technology can help to automate your business and save you money in the long run, data poisoning is something you need to be aware of when implementing new technology. Keep reading as we discover what data poisoning is and why you need to be aware of this risk.

Data Poisoning – What Is It?

When hackers tamper with any machine learning training data, this is what we are referring to when we use the term data poisoning. It’s very similar to other issues such as malware, where someone is hoping to attack your business. The aim of data poisoning is to gain access to the machine learning database, so that incorrect and misleading information is left for the system to learn from. This results in artificial intelligence conclusions which could be detrimental to your future business operations.

You’ll find that there are two different types of data poisoning attacks. The first works to attack the availability of the data that can be read, which is a simpler process for hackers. They just aim to add as much bad data into your database as they possibly can. On the other hand, other attacks will target the works of your database, allowing the system to be manipulated. Both of these types of attacks mean even the most complex machine learning system is useless for your business.

Why Should You Be Concerned About Data Poisoning?

More and more businesses are using artificial intelligence and machine learning in their daily processes. This means that your business is left in the hands of your systems, so when the data is corrupted, there will be more issues in your workplace. 

Many of these systems are still in their very early days, but as data continues to progress and they become more complex, even the smallest of changes could make your system completely useless. With the help of technology, we can work to simplify our business processes, but cybercriminals are doing all that they can to stop this technology from being beneficial to companies around the world.

Protecting Yourself From Data Poisoning

The good news is that there are ways you can protect any database from future issues. Good cybersecurity will help to protect AI and ML databases, stopping them from being corrupted. Make sure you also update your software on a regular basis and keep training your employees so that they are confident in protecting your workplace.

Our team is here to support you with your data security and ensure that you aren’t a victim of data poisoning in the future. Contact us today to discuss any concerns you have about protecting your databases or to learn how we can help you to have your most successful year yet by implementing new technology in your workplace.

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Blockchain Technology and it’s Function

blockchain

Since it was first developed in 1991, the main purpose of the blockchain is to store data in a secure way. With its unique methods, this can be utilized in a variety of work industries as it enables sharing of information in a quick, accurate, and secure manner. To fully appreciate the idea of this technology, it is important to understand how it works.

The Blockchain Operation

The primary benefit of the blockchain is that saved information cannot be amended without documentation of the change being made. The blockchain is an open ledger that was developed to allow several users to have access to it. Each transaction in this system is recorded resulting in a “block” which includes all the details of the transaction. Most importantly, each member of the blockchain is required to authorize the transaction.

The process begins with a user requesting a transaction. The request is then sent to all the peer-to-peer network of computers and requires authentication of the transaction from all users using known algorithms. Following this, the transaction is merged with other transactions to form a block of data that is unalterable and permanently added once the transaction is completed. 

As a result, the blockchain is extremely secure. One wouldn’t have to hack only one computer to retrieve information; but instead, one must hack dozens of computers, all at the same time. 

Other Types of Blockchain Technology

Today, many people know about the blockchain as it relates to cryptocurrencies and NFTs. There are many more practical utilizations of the blockchain. Blockchain technology can be used in healthcare settings where health information should be kept private and without risk of security breaches. The blockchain would allow information to be shared more securely between healthcare providers with documentation of any changes or updates that may have been made on a patient’s medical record. Financial institutions can also benefit from this technology. It would result in quick and cheaper settlements while also providing privacy for customers, transparency, and reducing transaction costs. Voting locally, state-wide, and nationwide will benefit from the security of the blockchain as voting can be more accessible and fair, all while producing immediate, verifiable results. Any attempts to alter the the data will be recorded, ultimately regaining voters’ trust. Safety within the food industry can use the blockchain in order to track their food from its origin to its destination allowing the identification of any possible contaminants or other health issues that may have crossed its paths.

Prospective Features

As mentioned earlier, the technology cannot be altered without a record of it being changed; therefore, it can be applied across all work industries. From healthcare industries to automotive industries, blockchain technology allows for accurate tracking, cost reduction, and increased transparency. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about what today’s technology can potentially do for your company, speak to one of our IT professionals at AE Technology Group! Call us at (516) 536-5006 today.

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Astute CEOs Understand the Significance of Disaster Recovery

astute ceos understand the significance of disaster recovery

The pandemic has forced many companies to make significant changes in the way they conduct their business — especially the way in which their employees use corporate technology systems. While many companies adroitly managed a multitude of drastic changes within a short span of time, others organizations may have unknowingly left some gaps that could leave them vulnerable to significant issues — especially if they should experience a catastrophic event. This article will review four key areas that highlight the significance of disaster recovery should one occur in the middle of the pandemic.

Offsite Data Backup 

Even if a company had a solid plan in place regarding their offsite data backup before the pandemic, it’s still a good idea to determine if that plan will still be just as effective under current working conditions. Staff members responsible for data restoration after a disaster should verify that their plan to obtain and restore offsite data is still a smooth, functioning operation.

The Threat of Network Downtime

Since the pandemic, many companies shifted the bulk of their workforce to remote locations, and this has not gone unnoticed by data hackers and thieves. This shift noticeably increased the risk that criminals may gain access to critical apps and data on networks. While in the best of circumstances, it’s difficult to maintain continuity if a single app and its data has been compromised, in the worst case scenario, if hackers manage to bring down an entire network, or if a network is down from some type of natural disaster, companies can take a significant hit in lost revenue for every hour of downtime

Fortunately, there are BCDR products now available that will allow organizations to continue to run operations by way of backup instances of virtual servers — and in some instances they can extend this service to the cloud.

Increased Risk of Disaster  

While many companies and their employees are grateful they are still in business due to the fact they can operate remotely, having a dispersed workforce located in many different physical settings, does open up the increased possibility of a security attack. Hackers have long since taken note of the huge influx of remote workers and have increasingly focused their efforts on looking for any vulnerabilities that will allow them to gain access to systems that were formerly heavily secured.

Companies must make sure they have thoroughly trained their employees on the do’s and don’t of good computing practices, including using strong passwords, not sharing computer equipment with family members, keeping any paper trails of confidential information under physical lock and key within the home, and not using their own smart phones or personal email to conduct work-related tasks. 

Other potential disasters which can disrupt business continuity include the use of unsecured Wi-Fi either within the home, or out in public. In addition, some employees may feel somewhat disconnected from their employment in general, and may dismiss a suspicious email or the look of a questionable website, when under normal circumstances they would have called the tech team working down the hall to come and investigate. Companies must train their employees to remain vigilant against attacks even though their physical surroundings and access to others within the company may be very different.  

Do you Have a Plan? 

Not only is it critical to have a plan for disaster recovery efforts during the pandemic, it’s also critical to know how effectively it works. In the rush to ensure that a company’s workforce was up and running as quickly as possible, the effect of all the changes this required upon an organization’s disaster recovery plan, may have been overlooked. 

Unfortunately, the threat of a natural disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or fire do not necessarily subside just because the world is experiencing a pandemic. Just as companies were required to make significant changes in the way they operate, they must also secure their ability to maintain business continuity even in the event of a natural disaster.

If you want to know how to determine if you’re ready for a disaster even during a pandemic, please contact us.

Will the U.S. Consider Data Privacy Regulation in the Future?

will the us consider data privacy regulation in the future
Consider Data Privacy

It certainly is understandable that consumers are very concerned about data privacy, whether they provide personal information online, or whether they use other mechanisms to provide personal information to companies and organizations with which they interact. One need only to read a few horror stories about the difficulties that arise out of identity theft or a data breach scenario, to understand why consumers want protection.

Privacy Challenges

Most companies want to protect the private information their customers provide to them because they understand it’s simply a part of maintaining a good reputation with the public. If a company neglects protecting customer privacy, they won’t remain in business for long. The problem that seems to be occurring more and more, is that all the protections businesses routinely use, don’t seem to fully resolve privacy issues.

Government to the Rescue?

In May of 2018, the European Union enacted the General Data Protection Regulation which states that all companies who collect data on Union residents are responsible for protecting such data. Of course, large companies will likely have an easier time following such a regulation due to their extensive resources. For small businesses however, these types of regulations and their associated price tags, may very well represent a real challenge to their ability to remain profitable. 

In the U.S. there has been some effort to enact laws to ensure data privacy, although none so comprehensive as the European Union’s, GDPR legislation.

Small Business Challenges 

If more comprehensive legislation is passed here in the U.S., some of the challenges small to medium-sized businesses may face include: impeded growth or the inability to even start a business due to excessive regulation, the absorption of higher technology costs passed down from large companies, multiple ramifications stemming from a potential mandatory business overhaul, along with the simple inability to incorporate additional privacy costs into an already lean budget.

If you would like to know more about the potential for data privacy regulations here in the U.S., please contact us.

5 Reasons Your Organization Needs a Data Replication Solution

5 reasons your organization needs a data replication solution
Your Organization

In the past, companies had only data backups to rely upon in the case of a natural disaster, a data breach, or a system failure. Whether they wanted to or not, they had no other choice but to wait hours — days in some cases, for their system to be up and running again. They likely lost at least some of the data entered in after their last full backup, with no other choice but to manually re-enter the data back into their system.

Today, even smaller companies have another option available to them — a data replication solution, which is turning out to be a game changer for many businesses after a data loss. In this article, we will outline 5 reasons why a business should carefully consider whether a data replication solution is right for them. 

1. Downtime – A Thing of the Past

If your organization would become seriously crippled by a downtime period of several days, or perhaps even just one day, taking advantage of a data replication solution may be the right thing for your organization. If having your system available is absolutely necessary to your bottom line, then you simply cannot afford even short periods of downtime.

2. Recover Almost Instantaneously  

With a data replication solution, a real-time image of current (and past) data can be recovered almost instantaneously. When configured correctly, data replication can occur within seconds, with hardly any noticeable downtime for users.

3. Streamlined Backups

A data replication solution means an instant backup is continually performed, and available at a moment’s notice. In the event of a disaster, knowing you have a readily available, complete backup without all the restoration hassles typically associated with more traditional backups, is very reassuring.

4. Reduce Costs 

Consider the costs incurred if your business goes down for a few days, or in some cases, even one day or a few hours. With data replication solutions becoming very affordable for even small businesses, it is becoming more and more cost effective for companies to incorporate data replication into their IT plan.

5. Greater Accuracy

Anyone who has ever had to reconstruct and re-enter data after a system failure is likely to tell you that the process is painstaking, time-consuming, and difficult. With a replication solution, there is no data to reconstruct or re-enter. A complete and accurate data set is ready for immediate access.

If you would like to know more about what data replication can do for your organization, please contact us.