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The security of commercial software, especially open source and third party software, has been an issue since the beginning of large‐scale computing.  Even with the best intentions it is possible for a developer to introduce vulnerabilities in their code which can be exploited by attackers. This problem has become more prevalent as business processes focus on integrating application components provided by many different suppliers.  The need for finding, managing, controlling and securing these components have become significant challenges in today’s software development life cycle.

 

Importance of Supply Chain Security

As a software developer or a consumer, you have experienced the impact of supply chain security issues.  You may have received an email from one of your contacts containing a link to what appeared to be a website with interesting content.  In fact, it was nothing more than a distraction from the content that was really important – an attempt by an attacker to distribute malware that would have compromised your computer. This is just one example of the impact of an attack on the software supply chain.

The misuse of open source components by attackers is nothing new, but it has increased in sophistication over the past few years.  Attackers have figured out how to target specific vulnerabilities in commercial software and exploit them to distribute malware.  With an attack surface that includes numerous commercial and open source components, there is a significant challenge for developers in understanding the impact of new vulnerabilities on their software supply chain.

The risk of security breaches at any level has been shown to be potentially devastating, with an average of $4.24 million per incident recorded in 2021, according to a report from IBM and the Ponemon Institute.

The typical software supply chain includes an application developer, a software development tool vendor and multiple software component providers.  In this situation, the application developer is responsible for ensuring that all components are secure and trusted before linking them together into an executable file.  If the process of establishing trust is not performed correctly or if any component within the supply chain is compromised, then, as mentioned, the price can be too high to bear.

 

Ways Supply Chain Security Threats Affect Efficiency

The security of your software supply chain affects the performance of your organization’s IT systems.  It is important that you can trust all components within your software supply chain, including open source and third party software, before integrating them into your product. This requires more than just knowing that the right licenses are in place.  You must also have a secure process for establishing trust in your software supply chain.  Your customers, partners and employees depend on the security of your IT systems to protect their data and meet their business needs. In fact, you may even be required by law to perform these activities.

You also need to understand that when a vulnerability is discovered in any one of the components within your software supply chain you will need to remove or replace that component before updating or patching it.  This can also result in downtime which could impact the availability of your services – another financial hit for your organization.

 

Supply Chain Security Best Practices

The best supply chain security solutions to protect your business against threats is to build a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) that includes security considerations from the start.  This strategy reduces the total cost of ownership by helping you integrate effective software protection practices into your organization’s operations and culture, while minimizing your exposure to vulnerabilities in open source and third-party components.

 

A Secure SDLC Plan

A highly secure SDLC is a critical part of establishing trust in your software supply chain.  Your plan should include the following:

– A process for identifying and managing open source and third party components throughout the life cycle, including a process for validating that discounts you apply to those components are legitimate

– Tools that enable visibility into security-related information about your components (e.g., open source uses, vulnerability data, known malicious code)

– A process for reducing the attack surface of an application via software composition analysis and enforcement of least privilege principles through the use of technologies like containers

– Tools that help you assess security vulnerabilities in your components on demand

– Technology to protect the confidentiality of your software supply chain, for example by scanning binary code to locate confidential data

– A plan for maintaining compliance with license agreements throughout the software supply chain

 

The Importance Of Compliance

Many customers are requiring application developers to build secure SDLCs that incorporate security best practices. Gaining deep visibility into your organization’s third party components is important if you want to secure your software supply chain because it enables you to assess the trustworthiness of individual components and build more effective protections into your applications.

While compliance with open source licenses is not currently required in most countries, many organizations are already using this strategy to protect themselves against future changes in open source distribution laws.  Further, as open source usage continues to increase, your organization should expect that compliance will be required.  

Security software types include encryption, malware detection and sandboxing protection.  How an application developer chooses to secure their software supply chain will depend on the threats your organization faces.

By adding security to your SDLC, you can strengthen your ability to protect against threats like supply chain attacks, counterfeiting operations and unauthorized tampering with open source or third party components. This is an important step toward building trust in your software supply chain.  

 

As an IT leader, you need to understand how your organization can secure its software supply chain and build security into every product that is developed.  You also need to ensure compliance with open source distribution laws and best practices.  Using a methodology like the one above will enable you to develop stronger security measures in your products and protect your customers.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

One of today’s worst phobias is getting hacked. That’s because not only are we at risk, but the companies and institutions that have our most vital data as well, from banks to big government—we’re vulnerable no matter what we do. All the protection in the world might not prevent our information from getting stolen out of businesses and corporations whose security systems have been compromised and whose data have been breached.

 

What Is A Data Breach

A data breach is the intentional or unintentional release of secure information to an untrusted environment. Information might be accidentally or deliberately released, or stolen for use by others. Data breaches may involve financial information such as credit card or bank details, personal information such as name and address, identifiers such as Social Security number and Driver’s License Number, content such as emails or letters, and even medical information.

Data breaches are considered to be one of the biggest online security threats in the world due to their potentially devastating effects on customers, businesses, governments, and even entire countries. They can result in anything from lost revenue through unauthorized access to payment card details, to damage to reputation that may lose a business customer.

 

The 5 Most Costly Data Breaches Strategies

A list of the biggest data breaches would be considerably extensive, and let’s not forget all the unreported ones that never make headlines, but still cause plenty of damage. Here are the five most costly data breaches we’ve seen so far:

 

Epsilon

The data of a good 60 million users were stolen during this hack in 2011, and caused about $4 billion in damage. It was thought that the data had been protected using strong encryption, but hackers still managed to break into systems and steal information.

 

Equivax

The leaked personal information of about 160 million people in 2017 proved that financial security companies are also vulnerable to hacking criminals. The breach caused $700 million in damages.

 

Veteran’s Affairs

This 2006 data breach compromised the protected information of about 26 million veterans, and all because one employee left unencrypted data on an external hard drive, which was later stolen. The data seized included Social Security numbers. Resolving the breach cost up to $500 million.

 

Yahoo

Even though they waited until 2016 to reveal the damage, the huge Yahoo data breaches in 2013 and 2014 saw a whopping 3 billion user accounts get hacked, along with an additional 500 million. Together, they represent the largest data breach in history.

Reparations for damages were settled at what amounted to $117.5 million, but if you add the $350 million cut from the original price for which Verizon was acquiring Yahoo, you get a total cost of almost $470 million in losses because of the hack, and because of Yahoo’s failure to disclose what occurred.

 

Target

The data breach in 2013 cost the retail giant the data from 40 million customer credit cards, and after a long list of payments to settle a long list of damages and lawsuits, the final tally of all long-term consequences by 2017 reached around $300 million.

 

How to Prevent Data Breaches

There are several ways to protect yourself against these attacks, starting with your own behavior. Make sure you’re never the one who starts the attack by clicking on phishing links, opening suspicious emails, or downloading files from untrusted sources. You should be cautious in every step of the online process, especially when it comes to banking and shopping websites.

You should also make sure to keep any passwords you use as secure as possible and make sure they’re unique for each account. Those who want to go the extra mile can activate two-factor authentication on their accounts, which makes it impossible for attackers to access them unless they have your phone in their hands (or at least the code that only you should know).

Companies can prevent data breaches by making sure their employees are aware of the need for security in all online activities, and by hiring cybersecurity experts to protect themselves against future threats. They should also improve protection on sensitive data so that it becomes almost impossible to access without authorization.

 

There are plenty of lessons to be learned from what we’ve seen so far, and there’s no telling how long it’ll take for the next data breach of this kind to occur. But one thing is certain – it will happen again at some point. It’s just a matter of time before another company fails to secure its users’ sensitive information.

So, before you give away any private data, make sure it’s going to a trustworthy source. If you’re not completely certain about the website asking for your information, don’t give them anything. Remember that companies should be working harder to protect their users from scams and identity theft because without that effort from both sides, all the money and efforts to resolve consequences after a data breach will just be a waste.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

The technology world is ever-changing with new concepts and advancements being made every day. Businesses that place an emphasis on their tech stack are more likely to succeed in this new age of technology. This is due to the fact that they can adapt more quickly instead of waiting around for someone else to solve problems or make improvements.

 

What is a Tech Stack?

You might find yourself asking, “What is a tech stack?”

It is the combination of hardware and software that makes up a company’s technology system, or it can be used to describe the various layers within their particular system. A tech stack includes components like web servers, databases, programming languages, and so forth.

Having a tech stack allows for your business to run more smoothly and efficiently. For instance, if you are looking to launch a new feature or product within your system but there is not enough capacity within your current stack; then you may need to build out another part of your stack.

 

What Developers Need to Consider When Developing Tech (Instant Apps, AI implementation, Cloud Deployment, and Coding Platform)

Each type of business will likely employ different tech stacks according to their needs. Some tech stacks may even be built around one particular product or service. When you are deciding which way to go, there are many things to consider like scalability, technical debt, engineering talent availability, and much more. That being said, there are some basic tools that can help any company, regardless of what industry they are in. Here are some things to keep in mind when developing your own tech stack.

 

AI Implementation

There are many different pieces that make up a system’s AI implementation, including companion chatbots and natural language processing (NLP). With this in mind, the scope of the project the company decides to take on should be well thought out because it involves a great deal of time and effort to do correctly.

 

Instant Apps

Instant apps might be something that your company is interested in, which would require you to find a development team with the skills necessary to turn this dream into a reality. This may also entail finding an experienced enterprise mobile architect who can develop a strategy for how this will work within your system.

 

Cloud Deployment

To deploy your cloud applications via containers or serverless options, then you might need to hire a DevOps specialist with experience working in these types of environments. For smaller companies, containers might not be something they want to take on—so hiring a developer who has expertise in only serverless technologies might suffice.

 

Coding Platforms

Coding platforms allow developers to build applications for your CRM (customer relationship management) system in order to increase sales productivity and effectiveness. The scope will vary depending on which areas of your business you want to improve upon with this coding platform.

 

How Businesses Can Determine What They Need In their Tech Stack

One of the main things to keep in mind is that you do not need to rely on a single tech stack for everything; instead, use it as leverage and mix and match parts of them according to what works best for your company and industry. Some companies might use their own proprietary technology for client recommendations based on past purchases while using another tech stack to handle the technical aspects of data mining and analysis.

An example of a popular tech stack is Salesforce, which is used for CRM (customer relationship management) systems. This allows developers to build applications for your CRM (customer relationship management) system in order to increase sales productivity and effectiveness. The scope will vary depending on which areas of your business you want to improve upon with this coding platform.

While there are many options when it comes to building out a tech stack, what’s clear is that not all of them are tailored towards each type of company or industry. Amazon Web Services might be well-suited for eCommerce companies, while others might find Google Cloud Platform much more suitable because it caters more towards start-ups.

There are some options that can make finding the right tech stack for your business easier. One of these is Tech Stack Select, which has a custom-built questionnaire where you answer questions about your business in order to get detailed potential tech stack recommendations. The recommended stacks are from companies that have been vetted by Tech Stack Select to make sure they align with your needs.

Another option is using a multi-cloud consultancy like CTOvision. They provide expert advice and consulting services as well as white papers, ebooks, virtual events, webinars, and more—giving you the opportunity to learn about new technologies.

Ultimately, the key to finding the best tech stack for your company or business is learning about what you are getting yourself into. And if you do not have the knowledge to do so, there are many resources available that can help you determine your needs and choose accordingly.

 

As you can see, there are more options than ever when it comes to building out your tech stack in order to build the most effective company. What’s clear is that not all of these tech stacks are tailored towards each type of company or industry—and some might be better than others depending on what you need them to do.

Though any type of tech stack is better than no tech stack, it’s important to learn as much as you can about what your company needs and how certain types of stacks might cater to those needs more easily. Once you know this, then picking the right one will be a lot easier.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications are no longer a part of the future. They’re here now and they’re already revolutionizing businesses all over the world, helping to increase effectiveness and efficiency. The role of AI in business is therefore fundamental to the ongoing success of a large number of enterprises.

 

Why a Business Would Want to Implement AI Solutions

The benefits afforded by using AI in business are numerous and it’s easy to see why so many companies want to embrace such technologies. According to Forbes, such systems can help to make businesses much more efficient in the long term. Additionally, AI solutions can also help organizations become smarter and better at predicting future trends and making predictions. As a result, businesses can make better decisions and increase overall productivity.

 

Ways AI Can Increase Efficiency

With the rise of modern customer service, companies around the world want to make sure their customers never have an issue with customer service. Many times, customers will engage in complex and complicated conversations when speaking to customer service representatives. This is even more true when speaking to multiple representatives regarding different topics or trying to accomplish something other than an order. All of this can be time-intensive and confusing, not only for the customers but also for the company’s employees who are fielding questions.

Enter AI chatbots, smart programs that use complex algorithms and rule-based systems to interact with customers in a human-like way. With these tools, it’s possible for customer service representatives to tell the system what type of questions were asked and have the system handle everything from there without having to wade through repetitive questions or issue complicated responses. In this way, AI helps businesses become more efficient by doubling or even tripling the number of customers that can be serviced at one time.

Quality control is another role filled by AI in business as these technologies help to decrease the time necessary for employees to work through complex, repetitive tasks. Over the last decade, businesses have been trying their best to cut costs and become more efficient. One of the most effective ways to do this has been by moving towards more automation, particularly with software programs. With AI algorithms and machine learning programs, it’s now possible for employees to implement these tools to decrease the amount of time spent on manual tasks such as quality control.

 

Ways AI Can Improve Accuracy

One of the biggest complaints about AI and machine learning tools is that they don’t yet have the accuracy necessary to replace human employees. While this might be true in a few instances, there are many businesses out there that can already see a drastic increase in accuracy thanks to these types of solutions.

An example of AI improving accuracy in business is in the medical industry. Doctors and researchers use AI to better analyze data and make more accurate diagnoses or determine the best possible treatment plan. The end result is that lives are saved because medical professionals are able to provide better, more accurate care to patients.

In this case, AI has been used as a more efficient means of data analysis instead of a replacement for human employees. In many other fields, accuracy is increased by utilizing machine learning programs that use vast amounts of data and complex algorithms to make the best possible prediction about future events. Another example is in the banking and insurance industries, where algorithms can help predict future creditworthiness based on previous spending and saving habits.

This type of predictive data collection is one of the biggest trends in AI at this time. Machine learning tools can be used to collect vast amounts of information about past events and then use it to predict what might occur in the future. One of the most promising advantages this type of technology provides is the ability to use data that was previously impossible to collect.

This means that businesses can make more informed decisions, even in highly complex situations where there are many different possible outcomes. It often takes years for industries to figure out why certain strategies didn’t work and what might be necessary to implement in order to be successful. By using various types of AI applications, it’s possible for businesses to quickly determine the best course of action and make decisions based on evidence rather than hope.

 

Other AI Uses For Businesses

AI isn’t just used for improving accuracy, of course. As mentioned above, AI is also useful in increasing the number of employees that can be reached at one time without sacrificing customer service. Rather than fielding incoming calls or emails from customers when employees are busy with other tasks or have their hands full, they can let the AI do the work while they focus on more important matters.

There are also AI applications for data mining, which is the process of uncovering hidden patterns in large amounts of data. Since much business-related information is now stored digitally, companies can utilize machine learning programs to identify key trends and gain insights that might not have been possible otherwise. For example, retailers use highly advanced algorithms to gather important information such as how often certain products are ordered and which items sell best at specific times of the year.

Businesses that utilize these types of software applications can then use the data they’ve gathered for marketing purposes. They can determine which type of customers prefer which types of products and come up with more effective sales strategies based on the information they’ve collected.

The use of machine learning tools in business is always growing, especially since AI is able to accomplish so much with just one application. As the technology continues to improve and more companies begin using it, there’s no telling what kinds of advancements will be made or how businesses might be able to better utilize their resources. With the help of machine learning algorithms and various other AI applications, it’s possible for employees to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time while still maintaining the same high level of customer service.

 

It’s important to note that AI isn’t being used to replace employees but instead to improve their work. No matter what type of business you have, it’s easy to see the benefits of AI and machine learning solutions. In some cases, even AI for small businesses is growing, as the tools offered can even help employees be more effective at what they do. In other cases, AI can help improve accuracy leading to better decisions and ultimately more success for the business. Given the many ways AI can be beneficial, it’s no wonder that businesses are integrating these technologies into their day-to-day operations.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

The cloud computing vs distributed computing debate has been ongoing, and although there are similarities between the two, there are also important differences, with each one offering vital benefits to businesses and companies.

 

How is Distributed Cloud Different Than Cloud Computing

What is distributed cloud? What is cloud computing? It sounds similar, but it’s different.

Distributed cloud is a “cloud” or a high-capacity virtualized environment, which is spread over multiple geographically dispersed locations. It carries the same benefits of cloud computing to medium and small businesses as offered by large companies. What makes it similar to traditional cloud computing service providers such as Amazon EC2 and Google AppEngine is the fact that the end-users do not need to worry about any technical details related to cloud storage. Distributed cloud providers perform all the necessary tasks on their own, including hosting, optimizing hardware components, and managing software updates. Distributed cloud computing service providers provide online storage for virtual desktop images, large media files like videos and music, backups, archiving, and so on.

On the other hand, cloud computing is a deployment model for IT services, where the shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand. Cloud computing requires users to have access to a network connection in order to get an Internet-based service.

Cloud computing is different from distributed cloud because the former refers to the sharing of IT resources, while the latter is about geographically dispersed resources. Cloud computing has emerged as a new resource planning and delivery model which promises to simplify IT service management by enabling ubiquitous access to shared pools of configurable system resources and applications in real-time. Meanwhile, distributed computing is a type of parallel computing in which complex problems are broken into smaller tasks that can be computed simultaneously.

 

The Advantages and Disadvantages For Both

Distributed cloud is cheaper than traditional cloud because it has lower bandwidth requirements and single point of failure risks. Cloud computing is suitable for companies that need to scale up their website/app easily and frequently due to traffic requirements or unpredictable workloads. Cloud storage providers provide massive data storage at a lower cost than traditional hosting services. Distributed cloud has high availability, resilience, and less network latency than traditional cloud service providers.

Distributed cloud allows businesses to utilize computing resources in small chunks when needed. For example, when the user uploads a file, he/she can use only 100MB initially and pay for what they actually use. Such cloud service providers provide access to all applications based on distributed computing technologies.

What makes cloud computing expensive are its latency, bandwidth requirements, and single point of failure risks, but these drawbacks are eliminated in distributed cloud as users get on-demand access to the same infrastructure without any risk involved.

Distributed cloud offers increased security and reduced latency. It also does not rely on a single physical location and offers high availability of resources, which makes it appropriate for disaster recovery scenarios.

The biggest disadvantage of distributed cloud is that it may limit functionality due to its restricted infrastructure. Moreover, distributed computing requires the selected servers to be compatible with each other in order to distribute workloads.

Cloud computing is advantageous for companies that have a need to scale up easily and frequently due to traffic requirements or unpredictable workloads, as it offers dynamic scalability.

Cloud storage providers provide massive data storage capacity at a lower cost than traditional hosting services, making it more reliable and affordable for businesses. The best thing about cloud-computing service providers is that they allow users to purchase server storage on-demand, making it suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

 

Why Businesses Should Choose Distributed Cloud or Cloud Computing

If you are a small business owner and need to make an important decision whether to use distributed cloud or cloud-computing service, there is no denying that both services offer several benefits. While cloud computing allows users to store and access their documents online, distributed cloud offers data storage capacity at a lower cost than traditional hosting services. If you have a business that needs to scale up quickly or works with new customers every day, cloud computing is your best bet as it offers dynamic scalability.

However, if your business requires more stability and security of data, distributed cloud is the better choice as users can get on-demand access to the same infrastructure and can distribute workloads. Due to the fact that distributed cloud does not rely on a single physical location, it is suitable for disaster recovery scenarios.

 

Both distributed cloud and cloud-computing services are important in today’s world, but it mostly depends on your business needs. If you need to scale up quickly or work with new customers every day, cloud computing is the best option for you. If your business requires more stability and security of data, distributed cloud offers better performance and security. It can be tricky to know which one to choose, only you can answer that question by having an in-depth understanding of your business’ needs.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Computer security has evolved over the last few decades. As computers have become more prevalent, virus and malware creators have created new forms of viruses that plague systems worldwide. Antivirus software was developed to combat these issues, but it is no longer capable of protecting users’ machines, which has led to security professionals developing their own custom security software to combat malware and virus invasions.

 

Difference between Antivirus Software and Custom Security Software

Custom security software refers to the development of independent programs that are not affiliated with antivirus software companies. They are often developed by individual security professionals as a means to combat viruses and malware without any affiliation with the large companies that create antivirus software.

Antivirus software, on the other hand, is created by large corporations for commercial use. They are often used in conjunction with an operating system to scan programs and files that are loaded onto a machine.

 

Why Custom Security Software is Superior to Antivirus Software

When you compare computer security software, you see that not all kinds are created equal. Those that develop custom security software often find that they are better than antivirus programs for several reasons.

First, antivirus applications require a substantial amount of memory and processing power to scan files and programs while they are put into action. This is why users see warnings when downloading large applications onto their machines if an antivirus program is not currently installed.

Custom security software, on the other hand, does not have that same requirement. They are often developed with performance in mind and they don’t require constant scanning to ensure that files are safe for use .

Custom security programs also offer more advanced features than those offered by antivirus companies. For example, AVG offers password management as a free service; however, custom programs such as Keepass can be used as well as KeePassX (a version of KeePass built specifically for Linux operating systems). Also, some versions of antivirus software do not offer password management within their product suites at all.

Furthermore, custom security software allows users to remove viruses and malware from their systems without having to purchase an entirely new program. Generally, people must uninstall their antivirus programs and purchase a new copy of antivirus software if they want to get rid of an infection.

However, since custom security software is developed independently by security professionals, users can often remove the virus using instructions that are readily available online for free. This allows them to save money on expensive antivirus applications.

Then, of course, you have free antivirus software, but what you’re saving to avoid investing in proper customized security will amount to a tiny fraction of what you will end up paying upon getting hacked.

 

The Importance of Businesses Using Custom Security Software

In the business world, security is a vital aspect of any company. This is why employees at businesses should use custom security software to protect their systems from malware and virus invasions.

For example, a system administrator for a business must ensure that machines are secure from outside threats as well as those created by malicious employees on the inside looking to steal sensitive information from the company. In addition, they may be held accountable if an employee contracts a virus or malware due to not having protection installed on his or her machine. If this happens, then it may reflect poorly upon management that allowed such an easy breach into the system.

Custom security software allows administrators to create secure networks with minimal chances of viruses entering through unsecured email attachments or web downloads. This ensures that the business is using safe systems at all times.

 

Why People Still Use Antivirus Software

There are three main reasons why people still use antivirus software even though it is generally ineffective against modern malware and viruses.

The first reason is that most users are not aware of how to recover their computer if they contract a virus or have malware installed on their machines. Many people don’t realize that free tools to remove viruses are available online for download, so they simply purchase antivirus software to deal with the problem instead.

The second reason why some people continue to use antivirus software is because they think it will protect them from everything . Since security professionals create custom programs without any affiliation with large corporations, many people assume that they are just as good.

The last reason why antivirus software is still used even though it has become obsolete is because some people simply do not care. They want their machines to be secure, but they also do not want to take the time to research custom security tools and install them on their systems.

Antivirus software should remain only as an emergency tool for when all other methods of removing viruses or malware have failed. Regular users and businesses should instead use custom security programs that provide them with the coverage they need to keep their computers safe at all times.

 

Final Thoughts

Antivirus software has been essential in protecting people’s machines from computer viruses and other such infections for many years; however, it has become apparent that custom security programs offer greater protection with fewer drawbacks.

Antivirus software must be constantly scanned when in use while custom security software does not have the same requirement . Also, custom security programs offer more features than antivirus companies at a fraction of the price.

Therefore, unless people are running extremely old machines that do not have the processing power to support custom security software programs, they should consider using one instead of antivirus software.

It is important for people to realize that there is no reason to pay high prices to protect their computers when free versions of custom security software exist. With all other things considered, it’s clear that custom security programs offer users superior protection without causing unnecessary strain on computer resources.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Custom security solutions are a must-have for small and mid-sized businesses. Thieves are more sophisticated than ever before, and even a timely security solution won’t be able to stop them every time. With an approach customized for your business’ needs, you can feel more confident that you’re protected against current threats proliferating the internet today.

Customized cybersecurity for small and mid-sized businesses is designed to fit like a glove, fusing seamlessly with your unique demands and goals. As opposed to generic network security solutions that may include bloated software or hardware platforms that end up slowing down the system, custom systems are specifically tailored for your business’ unique identity, strengthening performance while reducing strain on resources like bandwidth. This not only ensures better protection for your company but also reduces the risk of needing to make future updates or purchases because you do not have the necessary, up-to-date hardware or software platforms.

 

How Small and Mid-Size Businesses Are Affected More From Cyber Attacks Than Big Corporations

While small to mid-sized businesses may feel like they are not big enough to warrant their own set of cyber defenses, it’s important to keep in mind that every company is a potential target. Since they do not have the budget of larger corporations to pay for security platforms and solutions, hackers often target smaller companies that are less protected than their bigger competitors. Since this is the case, every company should have some form of protection against advanced threats, which is where custom solutions are so valuable.

 

Ways SMBs Can Protect Their Business/Data

When you are searching for a customized cybersecurity solution, there are several things to consider before making your final decision. Getting the best value for your dollar while still securing your business effectively can be difficult. To help you find the right solution for your small or mid-sized business, consider these four tips:

 

1. Identify the Weak Spots in Your Network

With this information at hand, you will have a better idea of what vulnerabilities require extra protection and which areas are secure enough on their own.

 

2. Look for Tools That Complement Your Existing Security Systems

You don’t want to end up with a solution that may actually work against you, so take the time to find software and hardware platforms that will integrate well with what you already currently use. Remember: It’s better to stick with something you know than try out an unknown entity that could potentially put your company at greater risk.

 

3. Ensure the Company Offering the Solution Is Reliable

Many small business owners are tempted to save money by purchasing online cyber security platforms that seem too good to be true. While it’s understandable that you want to save money, you should also remember that your company’s data is worth more than any amount of savings. One way to ensure the company is reliable, especially if they are offering a free trial, is to find out whether or not they have any history of complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau. Keeping away from companies that have more complaints than compliments will help you stay clear of unreliable players in an industry that demands top-notch solutions.

 

4. Look for Customization Options

Customization is key to ensuring that your small or mid-sized business gets the protection it requires without sacrificing overall performance. If you are able to have the system customized according to your company’s specific needs, this will translate into better security and peace of mind for everyone involved.

 

Luckily, there are several custom cybersecurity solutions to choose from. Investing in a single package can help protect your business against malware, ransomware, DDoS attacks and more while still ensuring that nothing interferes with performance or uses up bandwidth resources unnecessarily. By taking the steps outlined above to find the right solution for your company’s unique needs, you’ll be able to find a company that offers reliability, customization, and affordability at the same time. If you’re ready to take back your security from hackers invading from all sides, finding a good custom cybersecurity solution is the way to do it!

A reliable software development firm can help tailor an affordable package that will keep your business safe without unnecessary expenses. Taking the time to find the right security solution for your business is worth it in the end, as it will keep you from paying more to fix a problem down the line. Investing in a reliable cyber security package doesn’t have to be costly, and can actually save you money by preventing incursion before damage occurs.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

The mobile sector is booming with a large number of apps being created every day. As a result, there has been a race to make the best mobile apps accessible to all users across different devices. Implementing AI for mobile app accessibility has become a huge part of the process. These tools can be used by app developers and website developers alike to make sure that people with physical impairments can still enjoy the benefits of today’s state-of-the-art applications.

 

What Is Mobile App Accessibility?

Mobile app accessibility focuses on a user’s ability to obtain, use and take full advantage of a mobile application or device. There are a number of impairments that prevent mobile apps from being accessible to everyone. Some common ones are: 

• Vision: Users with low vision have difficulty seeing text or images clearly or distinguishing certain colors on a screen. Vision impairments are some of the most common ones.
• Hearing: Users with hearing impairment have difficulty hearing the audio attached to a mobile app. This is another very common one.
• Mobility: These impairments make it difficult for users to swipe, press buttons or interact with the app in any way. This includes people who cannot lift their hands or move their fingers.
• Speech: Users who are speech impaired have difficulty understanding the text on the screen.

While there are many more impairments that make it harder for people to access and handle mobile apps, the goal is to remedy this, placing today’s technology within reach of all users without having to make any changes in the code for its original design.

 

How Can AI Increase App Accessibility

There are many AI tools available today that can assist with mobile app accessibility including:

 

Text-To-Speech (TTS): This tool reads out the text on the screen. It can be used for apps where a user needs to select buttons and other elements by placing an icon or cursor over it. The TTS will then read out that element making it easier for people with vision impairments to use the app effectively.

 

Text-To-Braille (T2B): This is a system where a user can attach text to a display and have it read out in Braille. There are many benefits for blind users including being able to read documents, books, labels and notes without needing to rely on someone else’s assistance.

 

Voice-Activated Controls: These tools allow people with limited mobility or disabilities that affect fine finger movements to use their voice to interact with the phone.

 

Gesture Control: This tool allows users to use hand movements and gestures to control various functions on their mobile phones instead of using touch screens. For example, a user can open a navigation panel by tracing out a certain shape with their finger in the air or move around an image by drawing a circle on the screen.

 

AI Assistants in Action

There are many mobile apps that have already integrated AI with accessibility features for users with disabilities. Here are just a few examples:

Voice Dream Reader is an iOS app that has Voice-Activated Controls which lets readers use their voice to navigate through documents and read them out loud. It supports many different file formats and is designed with students in mind.

MySMS gives users the ability to attach text directly to the screen of their mobile phone with Text-To-Braille which then reads out that information via a Braillenote connected to the MySMS device. The app also includes sticky labels for people who can’t read Braille.

All of these tools can be used by app developers and website developers alike to make sure that people with physical impairments can still enjoy the benefits of today’s state-of-the-art applications.

 

How Can AI Be Implemented Into Mobile Apps?

AI can be implemented into mobile apps by enabling them to understand voice commands and queries. AI is also capable of learning from human interaction which means that it will adapt to changes in circumstances, behavior, or environment over time.

There are many tools available for developing AI-enabled apps, such as:

• Google Cloud Platform, which offers a cloud machine learning platform and includes TensorFlow Lite to help with Android development
• IBM Watson, which is capable of speech-to-text and text-to-speech capabilities and provides a library for Android development called Speech to Text SDK
• Google Accessibility Suite is free for Android devices with text-to-speech capabilities.

 

How Has Machine Learning Implemented AI?

Deep learning is a powerful process supervised by humans. It uses neural networks, pattern recognition and disciplines including computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and speech recognition to build apps that are capable of identifying patterns.

A common application of machine learning is image classification, where the software is given known examples of images with certain features which can include text labels and shapes. The software must be able to learn what differentiates each image, and then apply that knowledge when presented with new images that it has not yet seen before.

Another example is handwriting recognition which uses machine learning. Before computers can read handwritten text they need to be taught how to recognize letters and numbers in cursive form. This process begins by converting handwritten text into digital images and then analyzing the image to find the most likely matching character.

Machine learning is also used in photo apps such as Prisma which can transform a normal picture into an impressionist painting using AI. It does this by breaking down the style of other famous artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Mondrian and replicating it in a new image.

Machine learning is also used to add context to conversations. An app called SwiftKey for example helps people communicate better on messaging platforms by predicting responses to messages, making communication faster and more accurate. It uses machine learning to improve its natural language processing capabilities and provides a more personalized experience each time a user uses the app.

 

AI is a powerful tool for developers to improve the user experience of mobile apps by making them more accessible for all users including those with disabilities. We’ve seen that many tools exist for developing AI-enabled apps, paving the way for a future in which developers have access to powerful technologies to create apps with extraordinary features that ordinary people can use.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Speech Recognition was once regarded as a gimmick and has come a long way since the days of Star Trek’s “computer”. More than ever, AI and new speech recognition technologies allow an app developer to add rich, powerful voice-activation capabilities to apps.

 

What is AI Speech Recognition

Speech recognition or automatic speech recognition (ASR) can be defined as the process of converting spoken words into text for use by devices such as computers and smartphones. It is used in applications such as voice search, call routing, noisy environments like car engines, hands-free phone operation (HFP), and more.

A speech-enabled user interface offers advantages over text-only and graphical user interfaces (GUI), such as hands-free operation, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, and more efficient processing of requests in noisy environments. These benefits make speech recognition one of the most exciting technologies of today—and a must-have feature for app developers looking to increase their capabilities.

Speech recognition is composed of two stages: an automatic speech recognition (ASR) engine and a language model that builds on transcriptions from the ASR engine. The ASR uses neural networks, deep learning, and context-dependent models to recognize and transcribe different voices and dialects.

The second stage, the language model, is based on linguistics data and makes use of statistical machine learning in its evaluations. The language model uses the transcriptions provided by the ASR engine to predict what words are being spoken at any given moment.

 

How Speech Recognition Technology Is Used

Speech recognition can be used with audio and speech files, as well as the past and present conversations of a person or people. It can be used with phone calls, video conferencing, online meetings, interactive dialogue systems such as chatbots and SMS text messages.

Different voice commands can be defined for different tasks to avoid any confusion between them. For example, a developer could program the word “Hello” to prompt the phone to call by default, but program “Computer!” or “Tea, Earl Grey, hot!” to prompt the computer to open your favorite browser and search for online recipes of tea.

 

The Benefits AI Speech Recognition Can Offer

Speech recognition offers key benefits that make it the perfect tool for app developers looking to increase capabilities and streamline processes. From enabling the hands-free operation to improving accessibility for people with disabilities, the possibilities are endless when it comes to developing apps that use speech recognition technology.

What’s more, AI speech recognition enhances brand experience, is more intuitive than text control, and will continue to evolve as it becomes better understood by machines. Google has already begun using deep learning to enable their bots to understand slang and other regional dialects – which will enable people all over the world to use voice control with their devices.

 

Making Apps More Accessible & Easier to Operate

There are over 60 million people in the United States alone who have some sort of disability that makes it difficult to use touchscreens. For these people, speech recognition with voice commands is the perfect way to use smartphones and other mobile devices – no need for vision or fine motor skills!

Since most languages are phonetic, with common pronunciation rules, even non-native speakers would not have a problem using apps with speech control, as they would easily learn the correct pronunciation.

 

Voice-Activated Dialogues & Smart Virtual Assistants

Since speech recognition is such an intuitive method of interaction it is no surprise that it has been used in dialogue systems for quite a while. In the past few years, developers have been creating more ways to use this technology to offer users new kinds of interactions with their devices and apps – from voice-activated bots, such as Siri or Cortana, to self-service customer service systems for call centers.

In the near future, we will see more apps that are powered by voice control utilizing AI technology. Soon, people will be able to simply talk to their smartphones, tablets, and other devices without even touching them – imagine waking up in the morning and asking your phone to read your schedule for the day!

 

Speech Recognition Helping Brands Deliver Personalized Interactive Experiences

With equal-access opportunities, messaging apps will be able to offer their users new ways to connect with customer service reps and brands. Using speech recognition, customers will soon be able to send a quick message using just their voice or type questions that the chatbots would answer back, providing more engaging experiences.

 

What Can App Developers Do?

Developers can now use speech-to-text conversion into apps that can be used for numerous purposes.

For example, an app developer looking to create a game designed for children might want to program their app so that users would not only see the character but also hear the sound effects. Using speech recognition technology, developers would be able to utilize sound-to-text conversion in their apps. This would enable children playing the game to talk to the character and hear what it would say back, creating a more engaging experience.

On the other hand, if an app developer is making a business productivity app, they may want to create voice commands for specific actions users might need to take. This would enable users to quickly and efficiently navigate their app with the help of speech control, making it easier for them to achieve stated goals.

Developers can also take advantage of deep learning and neural networks to teach computers how to understand different languages and aspects of human language such as regional dialects or slang words. This would allow people from different regions and nations to be able to use speech control with their apps in the language they speak best.

That means that by implementing speech recognition technology into their products, developers can offer apps that are more accessible for millions of users worldwide, including people who need extra assistance while using their devices or apps on a daily basis. By doing so, developers can help people feel at ease using their app or device without taking away from the overall experience.

 

From messaging apps like Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp, personal assistants such as Siri or Cortana, to customer service bots for self-service solutions—speech recognition has become one of the most popular types of control people can use for their devices and apps. Accessibility is a growing concern for app developers around the world, which is why speech recognition is the perfect solution for them – it is user-friendly, easy to implement into an app, and provides customers with a more engaging experience while using it.

Speech control has been integrated into numerous user interfaces for controlling apps, smartphones, and other devices. AI for speech recognition is constantly learning and providing better speech recognition capabilities for developers. We’re excited to see how speech recognition and AI software continue to work together within apps offering the most exciting tools.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.

Data security is of key importance in today’s business world due to the growing threats from hackers. Fortunately, there are a number of methods you can employ to protect your data, ranging from easy-to-implement strategies to the more robust and harder-to-implement kind.

 

Common Data Security Strategies

There are three main strategies for data security. These include physical measures, software measures, and administrative measures.

The easiest but most costly method of securing your data is to keep it physically secure. This means keeping your disks, laptop or other storage devices locked in a safe when you are not using them, and keeping the keys to your safe secure. If you have this much money at hand to spend on securing data, then by all means build a bunker for it.

You can also keep your data secure by using software to encrypt your data and employing firewalls to stop people from accessing your systems. This can be accomplished by using secure file transfer protocols such as SFTP, SSH, SCP and HTTPS.

Lastly, administrative measures related to security involve limiting access only to authorized users and keeping a proper inventory of what is in use and why. This is important because you need to know what’s at risk and who has access to it.

 

Easy Data Security Strategies To Implement

When we refer to a strategy being easy with regards to dealing with data security issues, we mean that you don’t really have to put much effort into the implementation. They don’t require any major system overhauls.

The first method is encryption of your data. Data can be encrypted through software or by using physical disks which automatically encrypt the data stored on them at all times. This prevents anyone who doesn’t have proper authorization from accessing the information stored on these disks, even if they manage to steal them.

The second method is to keep data off of your workstations and encrypt them before you store them onto a server where they can be accessed by anyone who logs into that server. You have to set up user accounts for each person who needs access to the server and create a separate account for each application they will be using on the server. This way, it will be impossible for someone with access to the same username and password as another person to gain unauthorized access to that user’s data.

You can also employ a third method by regularly backing up your systems so you have a backup copy of all your data in the event that your system gets hacked and becomes compromised. This way, you can restore all your data from the backup and get back to work.

Of course, these methods go hand in hand with careful management of accounts and software permissions. All users should be assigned an individual password for their account, and only authorized personnel should be able to log into servers and workstations. You should also keep track of who is doing what on which computer, so if there are any discrepancies in the data security system you can act accordingly.

 

Intermediate-Level Data Security Strategies

Intermediate business data security strategies include having a data loss prevention (DLP) system in place. DLP systems provide organizations with the ability to monitor and control how data is used, transferred, shared, or disposed of when an organization no longer needs it. They use encryption and other security methods to keep information safe and secure in unauthorized hands. The main advantage of DLP solutions is that they can provide organizations with the ability to monitor all unstructured data leaving a corporate network. The biggest disadvantage of DLP tools is that they can cause significant performance problems on networks, especially if they are not configured properly.

Above that, companies need to have an incident response team in place. If a breach occurs, the incident response team should be notified immediately. The faster they are notified, the faster they can stop the breach. Companies should also have secure business continuity plans in case of an emergency, such as fire or flood. The business continuity plan should consist of a backup and recovery strategy, as well as formalized processes for employees to follow in the event of an emergency.

 

Hard Data Security Strategies to Implement

At the final stage, companies need to have a breach response plan in place. The plan should include an emergency meeting point and contact list with the appropriate people who need to be informed of the incident, as well as an action plan for responding to and recovering from the incident. All employees and stakeholders should be familiarized with their role in handling security incidents.

Companies should also have a security testing tool that will be used periodically to test changes in the environment and assess ongoing risk levels. These tools also allow companies to monitor all information and alert them of any issues detected, such as unauthorized access attempts and malware infections on systems.

The first step is always to make sure you back up your data, so if your company does fall victim to a data breach you can recover all of your information. Here are some tips:

• Don’t use the cloud storage provided by the software developers because there is no way for them to help in that situation and they may even delete your account and files in order to prevent further problems.
• Ensure that your computers are using the most up-to-date software and antivirus protection so you minimize any chance of having an unpatched vulnerability exploited.
• Use strong passwords to access systems and always update them regularly. If possible, change your password every month or two because this will lower the chances of hackers getting into your system. And make sure no one else has access to your administrator password.
• If you can, use a token or a USB drive for two-factor authentication when making financial transactions online. This will add another layer of protection and make it even harder for hackers to get into your accounts because the information isn’t the same as other logins.
• If you maintain systems, always update them before hackers find the vulnerabilities that they are looking for. You don’t want to stay at the same risk level forever when it’s easy to change and update your security configuration.
• Make sure all devices (laptop, tablet, and phone) are using current anti-malware protection, as well as automatic updates, to ensure they are protected against any new vulnerabilities that may arise.
• Train your employees on how to recognize potential attacks and what information should be reported immediately to management or security personnel so you can take care of the issue before it becomes a problem.

 

If you’re just starting out with data security, it’s best to begin with the easy options and move forward from there once you understand the basics of how everything works together in your business. Implementing hard data security solutions before learning the basics might lead to more mistakes and vulnerabilities, which could be even more disastrous than not protecting your data at all. It’s better to start with some simple steps and ensure you have the right professionals on board if possible so that everything is handled properly from day one. Then as your company grows you can increase the difficulty of the security protocols and solutions implemented in your business.

Sunvera Software develops next-level software applications from start-to-finish. We are a premier software and mobile app development agency specializing in healthcare mobile app development, custom mobile app development, telehealth software, sales dashboards, custom mobile app development services, retail software development, supply-chain software, ecommerce, shopify, web design, iBeacon apps, security solutions and unified access software.

We are proud partners with Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.

Schedule a free 30-minute call with us to discuss your business, or you can give us a call at (949) 284-6300.