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Integrating Generative AI

January 10, 2024/in ai, Backup, Cloud, connectivity, data, Education, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Microsoft, microsoft 365, Security, Software, team, Technological Innovation Overview, Windows /by James Dell

In the dynamic landscape of technology, integrating Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become imperative for businesses to stay competitive and innovative.

Not since the dot.com era have we seen such a dramatic shift in technology, which has become a part of our everyday lives.

Businesses must adapt and integrate AI, ML and GenAI into their short and long-term IT strategies. To enable employees to access AI tools from their workstations, mobiles and any web-enabled device.

More than ever, IT professionals ought to be committed to developing robust strategies that leverage these technologies to enhance operational efficiency, customer experiences and overall business outcomes. This article will explore key considerations and recommendations for incorporating Generative AI, Machine Learning, and AI into your IT strategies in 2024.

Understanding the Business Objectives:

As IT leaders, you must align the adoption of Generative AI, ML, and AI with the broader business objectives.

Due to a lack of consideration for your business’s strategic objectives, the improper use and implementation of these technologies may have little or no effect on achieving organisational objectives. In other words, these tools should be complementary and continuously aligned with the organisational strategy. For instance, some technologies may not necessarily support the direction of the business. The same principle applies to the implementation of strategic IT decisions.

Conversely, the judicious use of AI can elevate customer service satisfaction and increase operational efficiency, which can lead to gaining a competitive advantage in some shape or form.

Crafting an effective IT strategy based on individual business merits will help choose technologies tailored to individual needs that will support development and growth.

Talent Acquisition and Skill Development:

Investing in talent is crucial for successful implementation. IT leaders should assess the existing skill set within their teams and identify the gaps. This is crucially important as well as your current team’s skill including knowledge of working with IA set vs. AI delivery services.

Hiring or upskilling employees in areas like data science, machine learning, and deep learning ensures that the organisation has the expertise to drive AI initiatives. Not only focusing on the team who will support it, but your IT strategy must also focus on how you train end users to understand, leverage and validate where AI is used.

Establishing a Data-Driven Culture:

Generative AI and ML rely heavily on data. IT leaders must foster a data-driven culture within the organisation, emphasising the importance of high-quality, relevant data. It has always been a challenge for businesses to hold data regardless of its quality, relevance, or ability to be reused, ingested, or understood by a system. With AI, both structured and unstructured data can be used, but the data still needs to be relevant if you implement a system to reduce the amount of time your business spends on answering customer queries based on previous fixes but don’t check the previous fixes for validity you are likely to suggest non-solutions and harbour distrust in the system. This involves implementing data governance practices, ensuring data security, and promoting collaboration between IT and business units to derive meaningful insights. Tools like Microsoft Purview are a great place to start when looking into your data and its governance.

Creating a Robust Infrastructure:

IT leaders need to invest in a robust and scalable infrastructure to support the increased computational demands of AI applications. For most, this will mean looking at a transparent Cloud and edge computing strategy, moving away from private and co-located data centres on dedicated hardware to pooled and shared, scalable solutions like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This becomes critical when you consider that for some AI workloads, you will need specialised hardware such as GPUs, which may be essential IT infrastructure components to ensure optimal performance or gain the results your business requires. For those who want to remain on-premises, then your strategy needs to directly reflect a hybrid cloud approach as you will not be able to run many of these tools in your environment and will instead need to run the toolset where it is best suited be that with the vendor or on a public cloud instance.

Implementing Explainable AI:

As your strategy reflects how your business increasingly relies on AI-driven decisions, you must ensure that your business, customers, and staff can maintain faith in the solution; therefore, transparency becomes critical. As IT leaders, you should prioritise adopting Explainable AI models that provide clear insights into how AI algorithms arrive at specific conclusions. This transparency builds trust both internally and externally. This is easier said than done with some of the current Generative AI toolings, and therefore, your IT Strategy should reflect how you will tackle this when selecting the tools you will work with.

Security and Compliance:

Ensuring the security of AI systems is paramount. As an IT leader, you must integrate AI technologies in compliance with industry regulations and standards. Now, most of these AI tools currently take little consideration for the regulations and standards your business might have to reach, be that HIPPA, PCI-DSS, or ISO. Therefore, it will fall to you and your strategic approach to ensure that safeguards are put in place and that you remain in control of your data, its sovereignty and how it is being used. Additionally, implementing robust cybersecurity measures is essential to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of AI applications; this does not stop with just placing anti-virus on a system; you will need to think beyond this and engage with the right security partners.

Continuous Monitoring and Improvement:

AI models require ongoing monitoring and refinement. IT leaders should establish mechanisms for continuous evaluation of AI systems, identifying areas for improvement and adapting strategies based on real-world performance. Regular updates and adjustments ensure that AI applications remain effective and aligned with evolving business goals. Remember that even though a model is good today, it will still be better in 6 months or a year. Also, the data set will age out on models, therefore, you need to ensure you understand how and when this will be updated to support your business.

Collaboration and Communication:

Successful AI implementation requires effective collaboration between IT and all business units. IT leaders should facilitate communication, break down silos, and encourage cross-functional collaboration to ensure that AI initiatives align with the overall business strategy. No man is an island, and if you make your safe in this landscape, you will quickly fall behind. While implementing your IT strategy, you engage a cross-business group and work with them to support you in understanding how to engage the wider business and provide training, support, and guidance to maximise uptake and effectively communicate the changes coming.

In 2024, the strategic integration of Generative AI, Machine Learning, and AI into IT strategies is critical to business success. IT leaders must align these technologies with business objectives, invest in talent and infrastructure, foster a data-driven culture, prioritise security and compliance, and ensure continuous monitoring and improvement. By adopting a holistic approach, you, as an IT professional, can position your organisations at the forefront of technological innovation, driving sustainable growth and competitive advantage in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

If you want to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you with your IT strategy or implementing AI into your business, then please call 01235 433900, or you can email [email protected], or if you would like to speak to me directly, you can reach out to me via DM or at [email protected].

Technology and Cybersecurity; The Trends and Predications for 2024

January 2, 2024/in ai, Cloud, connectivity, data, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Microsoft, microsoft 365, Software, Technological Innovation Overview /by James Dell

Time waits for no man and the last 12 months have truly shown that neither can technology or cybersecurity. Tech will not be held back. Governments, companies and individuals cannot stop the march of technological progress. Therefore as I sat down to pen this article for the third year in a row it was very clear to me that the last 12 months have seen such a huge advancement in technology that my predictions might need to be a bit bigger for technology in 2024!

You can read the previous year’s articles HERE and HERE.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cybersecurity

Artificial Intelligence is set to play a pivotal role in cybersecurity. In 2024, we can expect AI to be more sophisticated in identifying and mitigating cyber threats. Machine learning algorithms will continuously adapt to new attack vectors, providing a dynamic defence mechanism. The integration of AI in security operations will enhance threat detection, response times, and overall resilience against cyber attacks. Because of this as business we need to be aware of how the providers of your technology are using AI and how the bad actors will also be using this. It is also going to be critical in 2024 to review where and what data is being held and used to train these AI models inside of your cybersecurity products.

Zero Trust Architecture

The concept of Zero Trust Architecture is gaining momentum as organizations recognize the need to move beyond traditional perimeter-based security. In 2024, expect more widespread adoption of Zero Trust principles, where trust is never assumed, and every user, device, and network interaction is thoroughly authenticated and authorized. This approach ensures a more robust defence against insider threats and external attacks. What this will really mean in 2024 is that the traditional edge and VPN systems many businesses have come to rely on since the pandemic will start to be replaced with ZTNA solutions.

Quantum-Safe Cryptography

With the advent of quantum computing, the cryptographic landscape is under threat. To counter this, 2024 will witness a surge in the implementation of quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms. Organizations will prioritize updating their cryptographic protocols to ensure that sensitive data remains secure even in the face of quantum advancements. This is a space to watch and an area of huge growth for security.

5G Security Challenges

As 5G networks become more prevalent, so do the security challenges associated with this technology. In 2024, expect a heightened focus on addressing the unique cybersecurity risks posed by 5G, including increased attack surfaces, potential for IoT vulnerabilities, and the need for robust encryption to protect data transmitted over these high-speed networks. Businesses that rely heavily on remote working and mobile working will need to be very aware of this and keep a close key on the risks in the area.

Ransomware Resilience

Ransomware attacks have been on the rise, and 2024 will be no exception. Organisations will increasingly invest in developing and implementing robust ransomware resilience strategies. This includes regular data backups, employee training programs, and the use of advanced threat intelligence to proactively identify and neutralize ransomware threats. For me there is only one answer to this and that will be that every business will need a full MDR (Manage Detection and Response) product in place looked after by a dedicated security team.

Biometric Authentication Advances

Biometric authentication is evolving beyond fingerprint and facial recognition. In 2024, we can anticipate advancements in behavioural biometrics, voice recognition, and other innovative authentication methods. These technologies offer a more secure and user-friendly approach to identity verification, reducing reliance on traditional password-based systems. This wont change the world in 2024, but will start to see the shift away from the standard passwords systems we are use to.

Regulatory Compliance and Privacy

With the growing emphasis on data privacy and protection, regulatory frameworks are continually evolving. In 2024, organizations will prioritize compliance with stringent data protection regulations. The focus will be on ensuring transparent data practices, implementing robust security measures, and demonstrating accountability in handling sensitive information.

Generative AI fuelled Social Engineering Attacks

When looking at looking at the risk profile of 2024, it is clear that the trajectory started in 2023 will continue with generative AI being used by bad actors to generate more believable , more dynamic and ultimately harder to detect social engineering attacks. It has been well documented that in 2023 around 80% of all attacks started with compromised identities and as we all continue to invest in better MFA technologies and drive brute force attacks from success the more we will see a direct pivot to using social engineering attacks to compromise the security practices we have in place.

Businesses must strive to educate their employees about the common ways to recognise they are being deceived, this cannot just happen once a year as a tick box exercise you need to be driving change with-in your business and adopting a clear training plan into 2024. Because of this it makes identity protection the most critical protection that companies should look to strengthen or invest in for 2024. Otherwise, adversaries will continually target and successfully comprise this weak spot.

Cost of Living and Financial Impacts on IT and Security Budget

We have seen some unpredictable and unprecedented global impacts over the last 4 years, these have all taken an impact on the global finances which in turn are now starting to reflect in the budgets of businesses across the UK and EMEA. Because of this in 2024 a trend we are all going to need to be aware of is the tightening on IT and Security budgets as the ever tightening purse strings will mean that businesses need to make better choices about where and how they spend money. In these scenarios you need to focus on how to make the most of what you have but also there will be a need to be strong on conveying the value to the wider business on investing or maintaining your IT and Security products and services.

Conclusion

As we step into 2024, the intersection of technology and cybersecurity promises both challenges and opportunities. Embracing innovative solutions, staying informed about emerging threats, and fostering a cybersecurity-conscious culture will be essential for individuals and organizations alike. By proactively addressing these trends, we can collectively build a safer and more resilient digital future.

If you want to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you with your planning for 2024 then please call 01235 433900 or you can email [email protected] or if you would like to speak to me directly you can reach out to me via DM or at [email protected].

2023 – Technology Winners & Losers

December 22, 2023/in ai, Cloud, connectivity, data, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Microsoft, microsoft 365, Software, Technological Innovation Overview /by Lewis Kitchen

Amid widespread technological innovation as well as failures

Lewis Kitchen

As usual for this time of year, we always think it’s a bit of fun to look back at the last 12 months and see how technology in 2023 has shaped up – who were the winners and who fell flat of expectations over the year.

Winners

AI

AI has made a huge impact in the year 2023. ChatGPT was released by OpenAI on the 30^th of November 2022 and quickly took over the internet, receiving the most user signups out of all applications.

ChatGPT is a predictive language model. Although these existed before, OpenAI was the first to make it commercially available. Unlike other chatbots that are designed to perform specific tasks, ChatGPT is a conversational model that can respond to any query from its large database.

This caused a chain reaction among the big companies to push out their AI and gain some of the market share. AI will change the way we work next year with Microsoft CoPilot coming out for enterprise companies.

Cloud Adoption

As always, Microsoft and Amazon have been pushing for more control over the Public Cloud space. As a result, more companies have migrated services to the cloud or running Hybrid setups with it. At Planet IT we have seen a huge increase in growth for customers wanting Microsoft Azure to run their infrastructure. This will continue into 2024 and from 2025 we will expect to see more than 90% of businesses being cloud only.

Losers

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

2023 saw the end of life for Windows Server 2012, this forced a lot of companies to upgrade their server or utilise Microsoft’s offering for extended 2012 support in Microsoft Azure. This will become a common occurrence as Microsoft looks to end its support for its aging operating systems such as 2016 and 2019 in favour of moving you to the Azure Cloud.

Twitter / X

Twitter was brought out by Elon Musk on the 27^th of October. And depending on what side of the fence you sit on this, is either bad or good. The acquisition has been a topic of debate in the media. Some examples include Elon’s hostile takeover of Twitter; renaming Twitter to X; promising an open-sourced algorithm; banning bots and hypocrisy about free speech.

X has been under pressure from watchdogs and civic organisations. This is due to its inability to combat propaganda. For instance, spreading misleading information on the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, and the upcoming presidential election.

Jonathan’s Movember Journey – Let’s Talk Guys

December 4, 2023/in General, mental health, Planet Heros, team /by Jonathan Rendon

As Movember draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the magnificent Mustache journey we’ve embarked upon. From the humble beginnings of a few bristles to a splendid ‘stache, it’s been a wild 30-day adventure, with my facial hair potentially rivalling that of some iconic figures. And speaking of partings, let’s not forget the other November challenge—No Nut November. Let’s just say, I’m rather excited about what December brings!

But let’s brush aside the humour for a moment. This hairy endeavour carries a weighty message. It’s perfectly fine to not be okay. The real issue is inaction. This Mustache, more than being a quirky accessory, symbolises the silent battles many of us face.

What A Year!

This year has been a whirlwind of changes for me. I took the leap into a new job, moved homes twice – first to a more modest abode and then finally settling in Sutton Courtney with my partner. It’s been a real change of scenery, from the familiar buzz of London to the charms of the countryside. My journey hasn’t been straightforward. After a decade in the British Army, transitioning to civilian life has been quite the challenge, filled with its own battles.

On the health front, it’s been a tough ride too. Dealing with H Pylori and diverticulitis brought its share of pain and disruptions, affecting not just my physical well-being but also my mental state. These experiences, however trying, have lent an even deeper meaning to this Movember.

I’ve come to understand profoundly that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but a hallmark of true strength. It’s about embracing self-love, prioritising self-care, and always being open to finding someone to talk to. Remember, my door (and ears) are always open for a chat, especially if you feel like you’re not being heard.

Part Of The Planet Tribe

Joining Planet IT in June, I found more than a team; I found a tribe. Your acceptance and warmth have made this place feel like home. It’s astonishing how time has flown, bringing us close to Christmas already. Our journey together has been remarkable, filled with meaningful conversations and shared moments. It’s in understanding our differences and celebrating our similarities that our bonds have strengthened.

A heartfelt thank you to each one of you for your unwavering support, kindness, and the invaluable time you’ve dedicated to listening. Together, we’ve not only grown Mustaches but also fostered an environment of open dialogue and mutual support.

As we bid farewell to our Mustaches (much to the relief of our partners, no doubt), let’s not lose sight of the significance of what we’ve achieved. Our hope is that this endeavour inspires others to speak out, take a step forward, and seek the help they might need.

A toast to all of you, my fellow Mo Bros and Mo Sistas. Let’s continue these conversations, with or without the Mustache, and remember the power of a positive mindset, the strength in vulnerability, and the impact of our collective support.

Securing Tomorrow: Navigating Cybersecurity in 2024 (Amidst the Rise of Generative AI)

November 27, 2023/in ai, Cloud, data, datacentre, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Security /by James Dell

As we plunge deeper into the digital era, the evolution of technology continues to shape the landscape of cybersecurity. 2023 has been a landmark year for the uptake and integration of Artificial Intelligence into our business, lives and technologies. However, now it’s time to look at cybersecurity in 2024

2024 will mark a significant milestone. The widespread adoption of generative AI technologies propelling us into uncharted territories. Not only are we learning about how to use these technologies and leverage them to make our business more effective and our work lives that little bit easier, but at the same time we are trying to understand how this technology should be legislated, managed and secured. While these advancements bring unprecedented opportunities, they also usher in new challenges. Especially with the escalating risks posed by malicious actors utilising AI to launch smarter, more efficient cyber-attacks. In this article, we delve into the future of cybersecurity and explore crucial measures businesses should undertake to fortify their defences against AI-driven threats.

2023 has been a year of seismic change in the IT landscape. Most of this initial change has been driven in part by the wave of generative AI products that have come to the market. Starting with the introduction of ChatGPT from OpenAI and then the race to get GenAI into every business and every consumer as quickly as possible. This is not the only change that has dramatically affected the market but it is the starting point from which most of the other shifts have occurred.

Because of this, when looking at what 2024 looks like, we need to consider these rapid changes. We can’t just look at today’s landscape. We need to consider what is the risks of the following 12 months are going to look like

The Proliferation of Generative AI:

Generative AI technologies, fuelled by machine learning algorithms, have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in various domains, from content creation to problem-solving. However, with great power comes great responsibility (“Ben Parker – Spiderman (just before he dies [SPOLIERS]”), and in the realm of cybersecurity, the advent of generative AI presents a double-edged sword. While businesses and individuals can leverage GenAI to increase their productivity, remove manual tasks or understand complex situations, Cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging these technologies to automate and enhance the sophistication of their attacks.

AI-Driven Threats: A New Frontier:

The integration of generative AI in cyber attacks introduces a new level of complexity and efficiency. AI-driven threats can adapt in real-time, learning from defensive measures and continuously evolving to exploit vulnerabilities. From intelligent phishing schemes to adaptive malware, businesses now face a formidable adversary that can circumvent traditional security protocols with unprecedented agility. This enables bad actors to push RaaS (Ransomware as a Service) and enable less skilled individuals to trigger and deploy increasingly complex attacks on businesses with little to no knowledge of what the attack does or how it is written.

So how do we move forward? As a business what should you be doing to protect yourselves, your staff and your business from the wave of GenAI that isn’t hear to help you out? I have collated Five steps that I called the Business Imperatives for Cybersecurity in 2024:

Investing in AI-Powered Defence Systems:

To counter the rising tide of AI-driven threats, businesses must invest in cutting-edge, AI-powered defence systems. These systems should not only detect known patterns but also employ advanced machine learning algorithms to identify anomalous behaviour indicative of potential attacks. Your £10 a year subscription to a nearly free Antivirus or Antimalware platform is no longer enough, the companies who are not innovating in this space and failing behind and they are doing so quickly. In 2024, EDR/XDR – Endpoint Detection and Response or (X)Extended Detection and Response are now a minimum, for nearly all businesses from SME/SMB to Blue Chip a managed SoC (Security Operations Centre) or Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service is a must. The level of protection on your client devices has never been more important especially as the edge of the network dissolves and users and businesses embrace remote working.

Continuous Training and Skill Development

The human element remains crucial in the fight against cyber threats. Regular training and skill development programs are imperative to equip cybersecurity teams with the knowledge and expertise needed to combat evolving AI-driven attacks effectively.

When looking at what we do moving forward we have to start with the human aspect of protection “The Human Firewall” as I like to call it. Training your end users has and always will be the most critical line of defence a business has. Now I have said this before and I will undoubtedly say it again in one of these articles or at a keynote. If you fail to train your end users to not only use the technology in front of them or understand the risks they pose as users to the data and information security of the business you will undoubtedly risk a catastrophic failure. Users are the most risky part of your business, they move, they are forgetful and they tend to be overly sharing even when you have specifically told them not to be. What we will need to do as we step into 2024 is train end users to understand the risks of AI, what it does/doesn’t/can/cannot do with data.

Once they understand this you will need to wrap true security awareness training around this. The training will need to be broad but also deep to ensure that users do not fall into the trap of not knowing the breadth of the risks but also don’t end up receiving such high-level input they never really understand how deep that rabbit hole can go.

Zero-Trust Security Architecture

Adopting a zero-trust security architecture is paramount in the age of AI-driven threats. Rather than relying solely on perimeter defences, businesses should implement robust identity verification, continuous monitoring, and strict access controls to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. We need to build systems, services and business with Zero Trust at the core. When my team is asked to work on a solution for a customer or migration to the cloud, this is where we begin the days of trusting the perimeter of the network to defend us are gone. We need robust Zero Trust across every system, platform and service. If you don’t have Zero Trust you have too much trust!

Collaboration and Information Sharing

Cybersecurity is a collective effort, and businesses should actively participate in information sharing and collaborative initiatives. At Planet IT, I make this a core of what we do with regular information-sharing sessions, events and webinars (including this blog!). Building a strong network of industry peers and sharing threat intelligence can enhance the collective ability to thwart sophisticated AI-driven attacks. If you don’t know where to start with this reach out to [email protected] and we will get you connected with like-minded individuals across the UK and EMEA and help you build your network of peers.

Regulatory Compliance and Ethical AI Usage

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly recognising the need for stringent cybersecurity measures. Or at least attempting to put something in place. We saw this at the meeting of Governments and AI companies at Bletchley Park this year, but we all know that governments and legislation work by their own schedule. By the time our governments are ready to put the pen to paper on AI, we will be too far down the road and the legislation will be outdated. We need to take the consideration of what is ethical, what we believe is right and what we can justify as businesses and individuals. Then let the Government catch up when we have all already worked this out. Businesses should ensure compliance with relevant regulations and prioritise the ethical use of AI technologies to avoid unintentional misuse that could lead to security vulnerabilities.

Beyond technological solutions, fostering a cybersecurity culture within an organisation is paramount. Employees should be educated about the potential risks associated with AI-driven threats and encouraged to adopt best practices, such as vigilant email scrutiny, regular password updates, and reporting suspicious activities promptly. This starts from the first day they join your business and should be a continued journey throughout their time with you. The days of training once worrying later are gone. We must be keeping our staff as up-to-date as we are, bringing the business with you is the hardest part of the battle with AI and Cyber Security in 2024.

As we stand on the precipice of a future dominated by generative AI, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. Businesses must proactively adapt to the evolving threat landscape by embracing advanced technologies, fostering a cybersecurity-conscious culture, and collaborating with the broader industry. By doing so, they can not only defend against the rising tide of AI-driven threats in 2024 but also pave the way for a more secure digital future. Just remember, AI is Amazing but if you fail to understand it, properly protect it or secure it then it’s a disaster waiting to happen!

If you want to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you with your security and understanding of AI then please call 01235 433900 or you can email [email protected] or if you would like to speak to me directly you can reach out to me via DM or at [email protected].

How to create and implement a cloud strategy

November 3, 2023/in Backup, Cloud, data, datacentre, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Microsoft, Project Management, Security /by James Dell

Cloud-based solutions are helping organisations achieve greater agility, efficiency, and innovation, and even increasing end-user satisfaction. That said, moving to the cloud is not always just as simple as clicking a few boxes and pressing go. It can be a drawn-out or complex process. Any cloud migration strategy requires careful planning and execution to ensure a successful outcome and avoid the typical major pitfalls.

In this article, we will explain what your cloud strategy should include, why you need one, and how to create and implement one for your organisation.

We will also share some tips and best practices from our experience as a Microsoft Solutions Partner specialising in Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and cloud migration specialist.

What is a cloud strategy?

A cloud strategy is a concise viewpoint on the role of cloud computing in your organisation. It defines what you want to achieve with the cloud, how you will get there, and how you will measure your progress and results.

A cloud strategy is different from a cloud implementation plan, which offers the “how” rather than the “what” and “why”. A cloud implementation plan details the specific steps, actions, and resources needed to execute your cloud strategy.

You need a cloud strategy because it helps you:

Align your cloud solutions with your business goals and user needs.
Communicate your vision and direction to your stakeholders and partners.
Identify and mitigate the potential challenges and risks of cloud adoption.
Optimise your costs and benefits of using the cloud.
Monitor and evaluate your performance and outcomes.

What if you don’t prepare for the cloud properly?

Without a clear and coherent cloud strategy, you may end up with:

A complex and expensive technology estate that does not meet your expectations or requirements.
A lack of coordination and collaboration among your teams and departments
A loss of control and visibility over your data and processes
A reduced ability to respond to changing market conditions and customer demands.

So, where do you start?

If you have to ask that question, then you probably need a helping hand.

Feel free to call one of our Cloud Specialist Architects to get the plan rolling. Call 01235 433900 or email [email protected] and ask about a Free Cloud Readiness Assessment.

Can’t wait to integrate ChatGPT into your business processes? …actually, here’s exactly why you should wait!

March 21, 2023/in ai, Cloud, data, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Professional Services, Security, Software /by James Dell

You can’t escape it. It’s all over the news and social media about this sudden wave of improvements in LLM (Large Language Models) or as most people know them at the moment Chat-GPT!

Every large tech firm is rushing to integrate these technologies into their products with Microsoft launching co-pilot and Bing with Chat-GPT integration. Google is launching AI lead improvements to Workspace and Facebook accidentally leaked the source code to their LLM. 🤦‍♂️

With all of this going on you would expect that these products are at least secure and pose no risk to the users, businesses or the general public. And while I am wholly in favour of improvement to AI and ML, we must consider the risks these LLM pose as they begin to become part of everyday life.

What are you talking about?

I should start by covering what an LLM is. Well in the words of Nvidia “A large language model, or LLM, is a deep learning algorithm that can recognise, summarise, translate, predict and generate text and other content based on knowledge gained from massive datasets.” To most of us what this means is that a system can take input in human language, not machine code or programming language and can then complete these instructions. Now, this can be as simple as how do you bake a cake. Or you can ask it to write an application that will convert files to pdf and upload them to an FTP server based on the IP address x.x.x.x and write an output file for me to show completion, in C++. The LLM will then go away, compute the question against the information it has been “taught” and will then come back with an answer.

There are a few things we should all be aware of with LLMs as they stand today, these limitations are present but not always obvious.

LLMs are driven by the dataset they have and may have complete blind spots to events if they occur post the data set provided, i.e Chat GPT (GPT-3) is based on a data set from 2021. So if you ask it about the F1 teams for 2023, it will either throw an error or will simply give you information it “generates” from the information it has been fed.
LLMs can therefore “hallucinate” facts and give you a completely incorrect answer if it doesn’t know the facts or if the algorithm works itself into a situation where it believes it has the right information.
LLMs are power-hungry. They need huge amounts of computing power and data to train and operate the systems.
LLMs can be very biased and can often be tricked into providing answers by using leading questions making them unreliable.
The largest risk is that they can be coxed into creating toxic content and are prone to injections actions.

Therefore the biggest question remains what is the risk of introducing an LLM into your business workflow?

With the way that LLMs work they learn from data sets. Therefore, the potential risk is that your business data inside applications like Outlook, Word, Teams or Google Workspace is being used to help develop the LLM and you don’t have direct control over where the data goes. Now, this is bound to be addressed over time but these companies will 100% need access to your data to move these models forward so limiting its scope will have an impact on how they develop and grow. Microsoft and Google will want to get as much data as possible.

As such you need to be careful to read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy of any LLM you use.

Other Risks

This one is scary, and it increases as more organisations introduce LLMs into the core workflow, is that queries stored online may be hacked, leaked, stolen or more likely accidentally made publicly accessible. Because of this, there is a huge risk of exposing potentially user-identifiable information or business-related information.

We should be aware of the misuses risk that also comes from LLM with the chance they will be used to generate more convincing phishing emails, or even teach attackers better ways to convince users to enter into risky behaviour.

The final risk that we should be aware of is that the operator of the LLM is later acquired by a company that may be a direct rival to yours, or by an organisation with a different approach to privacy than when you signed up for the platform and therefore puts your business at risk.

As such the NCSC recommends

not to include sensitive information in queries to public LLMs
not to submit queries to public LLMs that would lead to issues were they made public

At this point, Planet IT’s recommendation is not to integrate the new features from Microsoft and Google into your business workflow. Certainly not until proper security and data controls have been implemented by these companies and the risk of your business data being used as sample material to teach the LLMs is fully understood. These are emerging technologies, and as we continue to see change at Planet IT we are monitoring everything very carefully to understand how it will affect the security and data compliance of your business.

More information from the NCSC can be found here : https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/blog-post/chatgpt-and-large-language-models-whats-the-risk

If you want to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you with your security and understanding of LLM then please call 01235 433900 or you can email [email protected] or if you would like to speak to me directly you can reach out to me via DM or at [email protected].

IMPORTANT!!

This article was NOT written by ChatGPT. It was written by this ChapJPD (James Peter Dell)

Cloud Security Assessment Checklist: Protecting Your Business in the Cloud

February 9, 2023/in Cloud, data, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Professional Services, Security, Software /by James Dell

Just because your data is in the cloud, that doesn’t mean it’s secure.
What???

I know many people believe that because they use Microsoft Azure, AWS or GCP, and big tech have their own security measures in place, that means you are safe, right? It doesn’t!!

In order to protect your sensitive information and comply with industry regulations, you need to perform a comprehensive security assessment of your cloud infrastructure.

Here is our recommended cloud security assessment checklist to help you ensure that your cloud environment is secure:

Access Management

Access management is one of the most critical components of cloud security. You need to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive information and systems. This can be achieved through the implementation of strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication, the use of secure password policies and even better, biometric authentication.
Additionally, it’s important to regularly review and audit your access logs to detect any unauthorised access attempts.

Directory Service

Directory services play a crucial role in cloud security by providing centralised authentication and authorisation for your cloud environment. A robust directory service will allow you to manage user accounts, passwords, and permissions in a secure and scalable manner. Ensure that your directory service is properly configured and that it integrates seamlessly with your access management solution.

Data Loss Prevention and Backup Policies

Data loss prevention is critical in protecting your sensitive information in the cloud. Implement a comprehensive data loss prevention strategy that includes the use of encryption, data backups, and disaster recovery solutions. Ensure that your data backup policies are regularly tested and updated to ensure that your data can be recovered in the event of an unexpected outage or disaster.

Rely on a Security Team

This is key. A dedicated security team is essential for ensuring the security of your cloud environment. This team should be responsible for the implementation and management of your cloud security solutions, as well as for performing regular security assessments and audits. Whether in-house or outsourced, make sure that your security team has the necessary skills and experience to keep your cloud environment secure.

Encryption

Encryption is an essential component of cloud security. Encryption can protect your sensitive information from unauthorised access, even if it falls into the wrong hands. Ensure that your data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, and that your encryption keys are properly managed and protected.

Security Updates

Often overlooked, updates are critical for keeping your cloud environment secure. Regularly update your cloud infrastructure and security solutions to ensure that you are protected against the latest threats. Stay up-to-date with the latest security news and vulnerabilities to ensure that you are prepared for any potential security incidents.

Monitoring

Regularly monitor your cloud environment to detect any security incidents or threats. Ensure that you have the necessary tools and processes in place to quickly respond to any security incidents, and that your security team is properly trained and equipped to handle them.

In conclusion, the cloud is an essential component of modern business, but it also presents a unique set of security challenges. By following this cloud security assessment checklist, you can ensure that your cloud environment is secure and that your sensitive information is protected. Keep this checklist handy and regularly assess your cloud security to ensure that you are always protected.

Ignorance is not bliss. Why Are Some Businesses So Reluctant To Embrace The Cloud?

February 1, 2023/in Cloud, data, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Professional Services, Security, Software /by James Dell

Why are businesses so reluctant to adopt the cloud?

Cloud computing is the future of business. I argue that it is very much the present too. The cloud benefits organisations to become more agile, efficient, and cost-effective.

But why are some companies still hesitant to join the party?

Is it the cost? Is it a lack of understanding?

Ok, Let’s call out the elephant in the room: security and privacy concerns.

Yes, security breaches make headlines, but the truth is that cloud providers have heavily invested in security measures.

This includes encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication. However, many businesses are still sceptical about the effectiveness of these measures and worry that their data could be vulnerable to cyberattacks.

So, I’m going to call the cloud providers out on this. Just because your data is stored on the cloud, and despite their valiant efforts, the reality is that you still need 3 party security solutions in place to safeguard your business data. But any responsible IT manager or business leader will appreciate this is a modern business need anyway.

Another reason for the reluctance to adopt cloud computing is privacy. Many businesses are concerned about the privacy of their data, particularly in light of recent privacy scandals. They worry that their confidential information could be accessed by unauthorised third parties, either by accident or through malicious intent.

But it’s not just security and privacy holding companies back. Many simply don’t understand the cloud. And that’s understandable. But ignorance is not bliss in the digital age. The businesses that seize the cloud advantage will leave their competition in the dust. Access to cutting-edge tech, scalability, and improved collaboration – the benefits of the cloud are too good to pass up.

So, to the companies still on the fence about cloud computing: don’t be left behind. Embrace the future and take your business to the next level.

Cloud computing is the answer to your digital needs – embrace it and thrive.

The future of Cyber Security for… BUSINESS LEADERS

February 1, 2023/in Cloud, data, General, IT Security, Latest Tech, Professional Services, Security, Software /by Maciej Owsiany

The future of cyber threats impacts both IT managers and business leaders, but with different priorities and approaches. While both groups recognise the importance of securing their organisation’s digital assets, they have different perspectives on the impact of these threats on their respective roles.

I have written 2 articles. Both on the topic of looking at the future of the cybersecurity landscape, but this post is from the BUSINESS LEADERS, OWNERS, MANAGING AND FINANCE DIRECTORS point of view.

If you’d like to see my take on what IT MANAGER or IT DIRECTOR‘s need to be aware of, then CLICK HERE.

The Future of Cybersecurity. What Business Leaders Need to Know!

Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and persistent, posing a significant risk to businesses of all sizes. Business owners, managing directors, CEOs, and financial directors, be Aware! It is crucial to understand the future of cyber threats and take the necessary steps to protect their organisations from devastating cyber attacks.

Cost of a Cyber Attack. A successful cyber attack can have devastating consequences for a business. This includes loss of sensitive information, damage to brand reputation, and financial losses. The cost of a cyber attack can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds. In many cases, even force a business to close its doors permanently.
Targeted Attacks. Businesses are increasingly becoming targets of cyber criminals who are looking to exploit vulnerabilities in their systems for financial gain. These targeted attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and businesses must be proactive in their approach to cybersecurity to stay ahead of the threat. The naive days of “Why would they want to hack us?” are long gone. Any business is a target.
Cloud Computing. The widespread adoption of cloud computing is changing the way businesses operate. It also presents new challenges in terms of cybersecurity. Businesses must ensure that their cloud environments are secure, and that sensitive data is protected from cyber threats.
Human Error. Now this is a big one! Human error is a leading cause of cyber attacks. Your people are and are always likely to be your weakest link. It is crucial for business owners to educate their employees about the importance of cybersecurity and best practices for keeping their systems and data safe.

In conclusion,

The future of cyber threats and cybersecurity is uncertain, and businesses must take proactive steps to protect themselves. From the cost of a cyber attack to the risks posed by cloud computing and human error, it is crucial for business owners to understand the potential consequences and take the necessary steps to secure their organisations. By implementing robust security measures and staying informed about the latest threats and trends, businesses can mitigate their risk and protect themselves from the devastating consequences of a cyber attack.