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Unveiling the Future of Connectivity: Exploring Network Slicing in 5G

Network Slicing is a cutting-edge technology that is transforming the telecommunications landscape by allowing the isolation and customization of network resources. At its core, Network Slicing allows the formation of distinct virtual networks within a unified physical infrastructure. Each “slice” operates independently with allocated resources, tailored for specific use cases, industries, or applications, akin to custom networks coexisting on a shared infrastructure.

Isolation of Resources:

The primary innovation behind Network Slicing lies in the isolation of network resources. Traditional networks were often one-size-fits-all, struggling to meet the diverse and dynamic demands of different applications. Network Slicing, however, brings a level of granularity that allows for the creation of dedicated slices, each optimized for a specific purpose.

Customization for Varied Use Cases:

One of the key advantages of Network Slicing is its ability to customize network parameters to suit different use cases. Whether it’s ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) for mission-critical applications, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) for high-speed internet, or massive machine-type communication (mMTC) for the Internet of Things (IoT), each slice can be tailored to deliver optimal performance.

How 5G network slicing is accomplished:

1. Identifying Use Cases:

The first step in network slicing is identifying the diverse use cases and requirements that the network needs to support.

2. Network Architecture Planning:

Based on the identified use cases, the network architect plans the overall network architecture, determining how many slices will be needed and the specific requirements of each slice. This planning phase involves defining the performance metrics, latency thresholds, bandwidth, and other parameters for each slice.

3. Resource Allocation:

Once the network architecture is planned, resources are allocated for each slice. This includes radio spectrum, computing power, storage, and network capacity. The goal is to ensure that each slice has dedicated and sufficient resources to meet its specific requirements without impacting the performance of other slices.

4. Isolation and Virtualization:

Network slices are isolated from each other to prevent interference and ensure security. Virtualization technologies, including network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN), are integral in forming these isolated slices. NFV facilitates the virtualization of network functions, whereas SDN empowers dynamic control and administration of network resources.

5. Slice Configuration:

Each network slice is configured based on its unique characteristics and requirements. This includes setting parameters such as Quality of Service (QoS), security protocols, and specific network functions. The configuration ensures that the slice operates optimally for its intended use case.

6. Orchestration and Management:
The orchestration layer plays a pivotal role in managing and coordinating the different network slices. It dynamically allocates resources, monitors performance, and ensures that each slice operates according to its predefined parameters. Orchestration enables the flexibility and agility needed to adapt to changing demands and conditions.

7. Dynamic Adaptation:

Network slicing is not a static process; it requires dynamic adaptation to changing network conditions and user demands. The system continuously monitors the performance of each slice and adjusts resource allocation in real-time to maintain optimal operation.

8. End-to-End Connectivity:

Once the slices are configured and orchestrated, end-to-end connectivity is established. Users or devices connecting to the network are assigned to the appropriate slice based on their specific requirements, ensuring that they receive the desired performance and capabilities.

5G’s Network Slicing goes beyond just meeting the technical requirements of different applications; it aims to enhance the user experience significantly. By offering dedicated resources and optimized performance, Network Slicing ensures that users receive seamless and reliable connectivity, regardless of the specific requirements of their device or application.

For more information on planning network systems for your business, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454

Guide to Cloud Security Controls

As the majority of business operations and data are moving to cloud servers, it becomes imperative to secure cloud servers. The key difference between cloud security and traditional IT security is that the responsibility of securing the server is shared by the cloud service provider and the IT team of the business organization availing the services.

Before discussing cloud security controls, first, it is necessary to understand the importance of cloud security.

98% of business organizations have experienced cloud data breaches since 2020. Source: IDC

Two major factors cause cloud data breaches:

  • Misconfigured cloud security controls
  • Human error

What are Cloud Security Controls?

Cloud Security Controls refer to the set of security processes or measures implemented by an organization in tandem with the cloud service provider to secure the data stored on the cloud server. These security controls help protect the cloud environment against multiple vulnerabilities and mitigate the effects of cyber security attacks if any.

The term Cloud Security Controls includes best practices, procedures, and guidelines laid down for cloud security.

What are the Key Elements of Cloud Security Controls?

Cloud security controls should provide the following key capabilities:

  1. They should allow centralized visibility of the complete cloud infrastructure. Due to different access levels, different services or apps within a cloud server can have different configurations. This makes it difficult to keep track of all the configurations and best practices required for cloud security. Implementing tools such as Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) can help overcome this challenge by providing a centralized view of the cloud server configurations, reviewing configurations, and detecting security loopholes.
  2. Cloud security controls should be capable of using threat intelligence data to identify existing cyber threats from their attack patterns. This enables the cloud security controls to identify attacks at the nascent stage and respond automatically to mitigate the threat.
  3. Cloud security controls should be automated for better efficiency. Cloud servers have highly dynamic environments and cyber criminals also keep updating their attack mechanism regularly. Automated cloud security controls help in keeping track of the changes in the environment in real-time without intervention from the IT team. Automation allows cloud security controls to detect threats, respond autonomously, and update themselves to change security policies when a new service or configuration is added to the cloud server’s environment.
  4. To ensure maximum security, it is important to integrate cloud security controls with security features offered by the cloud service provider. Businesses using SaaS (Software as a Service) should implement cloud security controls to regulate user access. This helps in ensuring data or software is accessed by authenticated users only and identifying the security risks related to the data or application.

Different Types of Cloud Security Controls

Based on the nature of the operation, cloud security controls can be categorized into four types:

  • Deterrent Controls: These security controls do not perform any action to secure the cloud server environment but act by issuing a warning to potential threat actors. For example, conducting a background check on employees to intimidate them from launching an insider attack.
  • Preventive Controls: The purpose of these controls is to manage and protect vulnerabilities within the cloud server. Some examples are disabling inactive ports, authenticating cloud users, etc.
  • Detective Controls: These controls utilize detection and monitoring tools to detect approaching cyber-attacks and intrusions.
  • Corrective Controls: These controls are implemented to limit the damage caused by a cyber-attack.

Centex Technologies provide cybersecurity solutions to business. To know more about cloud security controls and how to protect your cloud applications, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454

Tokenization and Encryption

PDF Version: Tokenization and Encryption

Cybersecurity Strategy & Implementation Plan

With advanced methods of cybersecurity attacks and breaches coming into play, business organizations need to be more vigilant in planning their course of action to ensure their safety. This is where the need for cybersecurity strategy & implementation plan arises.

What Is Cybersecurity Strategy & Implementation Plan (CSIP)?

CSIP is a plan that states the steps to be taken for formulation, implementation, testing, and refining an efficient strategy to secure an organization against cybersecurity attacks. The intent of CSIP is to identify & address critical cybersecurity gaps and emerging priorities.

What Are The Objectives Of Cybersecurity Strategy & Implementation Plan?

There are five main objectives of CSIP, namely:

  • Prioritized Identification & Protection: This involves analysis of organizational resources to form separate categories of data, information, and resources. These categories are then prioritized based on their value. This helps in identification of high value information & assets that need to be secured immediately. After identification, it is important to understand types of risks against the identified assets such as outsider risks (network breach, phishing, hacking, etc.) or insider threats (rogue employees, unaware employees, compromised flash drives, etc.). The detection of risks makes it easier to define the strategic steps to protect the assets. Test your strategy & refine it. Once top priority information is secured, repeat the process for category of assets at next priority level.
  • Timely Detection & Rapid Response: Cyber criminals keep evolving their attacks to disrupt stringent cybersecurity strategies. If not detected timely, these attacks can disrupt the layers of security to reach core network, data center and systems of an organization. So, conduct regular checks and analysis to detect a cybersecurity disruption at its nascent stage and stage a rapid response against it. Also, train the employees to make them capable of spotting a cybersecurity breach.
  • Rapid Recovery: Some security breaches may cause damage; however, a rapid recovery can help in containing the widespread of damage. It is important to formulate rapid recovery plan. The plan should include steps to be taken, role of teams & individual employees in recovery, and security checkups to ensure the threat has been nullified.
  • Skill Building: Recruit qualified cybersecurity workforce to stay protected. An alternative approach is to seek services of a cybersecurity firm and invest in SaaS applications. Conduct regular trainings to enhance cybersecurity knowledge and skills of all employees. This will help them in staying protected against individual targeting attacks such as phishing.
  • Technology: Focus on efficient & effective acquisition and deployment of existing & emerging technology. Make sure all systems and devices are updated with latest software & security patches.

For more information on cybersecurity strategy & implementation plan, contact Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

User & Entity Behavior Analytics: Definition & Benefits

User & entity behavior analytics (UEBA) is a type of cyber security process that understands how a user conducts normally. Further, it detects any anomalous behavior or instances, such as deviations from normal conduct. A simple example being, suppose a user downloads 10 MB of files everyday but suddenly downloads gigabytes of files on an instance, the system will detect this anomaly and update the user.

UEBA relies on machine learning, algorithms and statistical analyses to detect the deviations from established user behavior and determine the anomalies that can translate into potential cyber threats. UEBA also takes into consideration the data in system reports, logs, files, flow of data and packet information.

UEBA does not track security events or monitor devices, instead it tracks all the users and entities in the system. The main focus of UEBA is insider threats.

Benefits Of User & Entity Behavior Analytics:

As the cyber threat landscape has become complex, hackers are now able to bypass peripheral security such as firewalls. Thus, it is important to detect the presence of hackers who have entered the system in a timely and efficient manner.

This makes user & entity behavior analytics an important component of IT security. Here are some benefits of user & entity behavior analytics system:

  • Detect Insider Threats: Insider threats such as an employee gone rogue, employees who have been compromised, people who already have access to organization’s systems, etc. can cause a serious threat to an organization’s security by stealing data and information. UEBA can help in detecting data breaches, sabotage, privilege abuse, and policy violations by analyzing a change in normal behavior of an employee.
  • Detect Compromised Accounts: There is a great probability that a user’s account may be compromised; the user may have unknowingly installed a malware on his system or a legitimate account may be spoofed. As soon as a compromised account performs an unusual action, it is detected by UEBA before it can cause major damage.
  • Detect Brute-Force Attacks: Scammers can target cloud-based entities as well as third-party authentication systems to launch an attack. UEBA helps in detecting brute-force attacks allowing the organization to block access to these entities.
  • Detect Changes In Permissions: Sometimes hackers create super user accounts to grant unauthorized permissions to some accounts. UEBA detects such changes in permissions to nip the attack before it is launched.

For more information on user & entity behavior analytics, contact Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

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