personal data | GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga http://gige.ca/tag/personal-data IT Services & IT Solutions Mississauga & Toronto Mon, 27 Jan 2020 21:45:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://gige.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-tab-icon-g-final-32x32.png personal data | GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga http://gige.ca/tag/personal-data 32 32 Why you should avoid SMBv1 in 2019 https://gige.ca/why-you-should-avoid-smbv1-in-2019 Tue, 12 Feb 2019 16:24:36 +0000 https://gige.ca/?p=6251 The post Why you should avoid SMBv1 in 2019 appeared first on GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga.

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A server computer acts as a central hub to any organization’s IT infrastructure. It is the core that all other computers are connected to, and stores and shares information among them. Much like personal computers, servers rely on operating systems and programs to carry out their functions. One of such software, called SMBv1, has been identified as a security vulnerability in today’s cyberworld.

SMBv1 is short for Server Message Block Version 1. It is a file sharing protocol developed in the 1980s, and was adopted by Microsoft in the 1990s as a method of sharing files across devices such as printers.

In 2008, the second version of the message block, SMBv2, was released alongside Windows Server 2008. Following this, version 3 was released in 2012 along with Windows Server 2012. Due to its age, SMBv1 was deemed obsolete by Microsoft in 2014.

While SMBv1 is no longer offered as preinstalled software in current Microsoft system offerings, it can still be installed onto current systems, as some old servers are still running on the software. However, Microsoft highly discourages this, as its age has caused it to become a security vulnerability. In fact, a critical vulnerability in SMBv1 had to be repaired with an emergency update on May 12th, 2017 by Microsoft.

This was not the only SMBv1 incident in recent years. On September 13th 2016, Microsoft had to release an emergency patch repairing a security vulnerability in its software which allowed cyberattackers to remotely execute code on computers running SMBv1. Three days later, Principle Program Manager Ned Pyle of Microsoft advised all users to upgrade away from SMBv1, after discovering that sensitive data could be stolen through it.

How do you protect yourself?

As has been demonstrated by numerous security incidents in the past few years, SMBv1 simply is not a secure protocol to be using in 2019. This is unsurprising as well, given that the software was written over 30 years ago. However, this highlights the importance of using computer software that is up-to-date, as lack of support will often result in security vulnerabilities that will leave your data unprotected. Do not fall victim to cyberattack. Call us at +1 888 366 4443 for more information on how to keep yourself safe!

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The post Why you should avoid SMBv1 in 2019 appeared first on GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga.

]]> 6251 The countdown for EU’s GDPR is on! Is your business ready? https://gige.ca/eu-gdpr-compliance Tue, 20 Mar 2018 17:48:43 +0000 http://gige.ca/?p=5431 The post The countdown for EU’s GDPR is on! Is your business ready? appeared first on GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga.

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privacy GDPR

The countdown for EU’s GDPR is on! Is your business ready?

[1]“The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. EU adopted GDPR on 27 April 2016. It becomes enforceable from 25 May 2018, after a two-year transition period. Primarily GDPR aims to give control back to citizens and residents over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU.”[1]

Wondering why it is important to your business which is outside EU? Well, it does affect if a business has a presence in EU but also those businesses based outside the EU that are processing personal data of EU residents. Under GDPR, businesses cannot hide data breaches any more. This law makes it mandatory to notify that data breach happened within 72 hours after it’s discovery. Failure to do so may result in a fine worth €20M or 4% of annual global revenue, whichever is higher.

Article 25, #2 of EU GDPR: “Data protection by design and by default” states

[2]“The controller shall implement appropriate technical and organisational measures for ensuring that, by default, only personal data which are necessary for each specific purpose of the processing are processed. That obligation applies to the amount of personal data collected, the extent of their processing, the period of their storage and their accessibility. In particular, such measures shall ensure that by default personal data are not made accessible without the individual’s intervention to an indefinite number of natural persons.”[2]

GigE has been helping its client to be compliant with Canada’s Digital Privacy Act. With the GDPR implementation date nearing, we ready to make your business compliant with European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation too. GigE can help, your business to implement the EU GDPR. If you just want to know if you are compliant with GDPR, we can perform audits for the same.

Call +1-888-366-4443 to get in touch with us to see how we can help you be prepared!

 

Resources:

[1] Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Data_Protection_Regulation

[2] PrivazyPlan®: http://www.privacy-regulation.eu/en/25.htm

The post The countdown for EU’s GDPR is on! Is your business ready? first appeared on GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga.

The post The countdown for EU’s GDPR is on! Is your business ready? appeared first on GIGE IT Solutions: IT Services Mississauga.

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