July 2017 - DNA IT Solutions

Monthly Archives: July 2017

News

Data security in the cloud

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Data Security cloud DNA IT
31
Jul

Many businesses are moving to the cloud and their primary motivation for this move is the cost savings and flexibility it offers.  However, there is another significant benefit to be gained and that is increased security for data.

Protecting Data

When you hold sensitive customer data you have an obligation to keep that information safe.  If this data is compromised it will leave an organisation in a negative situation which may cost more than just a loss of a client.  And with the new GDPR coming into force next year this makes the protection of data a regulatory issue.

While breaches do happen in the cloud, attacks on traditional data centres are more frequent.   The main advantage is that the cloud actively helps increase security so threats are mostly eliminated before they can reach the users account.

New ways to attack the cloud

Hackers have always been around and are not likely to disappear anytime soon.  They have just moved location using their existing tactics to try attack the cloud.  Their methods are becoming much more sophisticated so it is vital that your information is protected to the highest level.  Much can be prevented if the data is encrypted throughout its cloud journey from sending to receiving.

Lost Data

Lost Data can be a disaster for any company in any industry and can impact greatly on the day to day running of the business well into the future.  Certain regulations mean that documents must be kept for a number of years and should these be stored somewhere that is not secure the loss of them can be a legal nightmare.

Even losing records of past work, proposal documents or customer records might seem less important but they can have long reaching negative repercussions.

Increased security

The cloud helps increase security as the appropriate level can be built in from the start.  The right provider will ensure your data is securely managed to a level you are comfortable with.  You will be able to choose from public or private cloud to suit your needs.  There will also be the option of a hybrid cloud where you can mix cloud with your on-premises storage.

Whichever you choose, the safety and security of your data is of paramount importance. Protect it in the cloud.  You can speak to one of our cloud service experts to get advice on any aspect of cloud or security.

News

Time to move to the cloud?

Posted on by Sean Lucas
moving to cloud DNA IT Solutions
25
Jul

Servers. From room-filled machines with massive spools of tape, through large clunky boxes demanding an air-conditioned room of their own, to discrete boxes in a small cabinet at the back of the office – servers have been the dedicated core of business data infrastructure for over half a century.

Is it time to move on?

Technology advances, we all know it, and with every advance comes a little moment of insecurity, where making a move from what we know to the new best thing takes a little leap of faith – a jump into the unknown.

The transition we are talking about is, of course, from in-house servers to that of the cloud.  An evocative name which conjures images of bright sunlit skies and fluffy balls of cotton wool – maybe it’s the word itself which makes it feel so insubstantial, but what is the truth?

Cloud storage is reliable.

It is nothing more nor less than off-site servers run by providers who have the dedicated infrastructure in place to look after the data for thousands of companies. It is maintained by the finest back-up solutions and redundancy systems and staffed by the finest professionals. Essentially it is outsourcing your data storage.

Cloud storage is secure.

With their reputation central to their business, data stored in the cloud is given the highest priority to its security, with top class encryption options available for sensitive data. You can also choose from private clouds, public clouds or a hybrid system to fit your security needs.

Cloud storage is scalable.

Need more storage space? Simply increase your allowance. No need to buy more expensive hardware or reconfigure hard drives.

Cloud storage is flexible.

If you want to use it for file data, emails, shared documentation, a mixture of those or more, a solution can be configured to meet your specific needs.

Cloud storage is everywhere.

Work from home? Need documents while on the road? Access your data as if you were in the office from anywhere.

Cloud storage is cost effective.

No more upgrades. No more server maintenance. No more fears over building security.

Is it time for you to move to the cloud? Very probably, yes!

For professional advice, give DNA IT Solutions a call today and we will help you find the perfect cloud solution for your business.

News

Avoiding Catastrophe

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Disaster Recovery DNA IT
11
Jul

Disaster. The very word invokes a feeling of serious solemnity. The thesaurus offers alternative such as ‘tragedy’, ‘ruin’ and ‘catastrophe’ – all something any right-minded person would like to avoid.

Disaster Recovery

In business, serious IT infrastructure or data issues can become exactly that – a disaster, and depending on the scale of the issue, that disaster can bring total ruin to your business. Imagine if you lost all your customer data, or the company finance records. Even the relatively low-end disasters such as a loss of company email systems, or last week’s research, can be debilitating enough to wreak havoc to a business both in terms of finances and morale.

Thankfully, there are solutions.

At DNA IT, we are experts in disaster recovery and often things you believed were gone forever can be painstakingly recovered with the right amount of time and skill.

Wouldn’t it be better to have a plan in place, however? A disaster recovery and business continuity plan, complete with back-up solutions, data encryption and off-site cloud storage of important data can make the difference between a company crumbling and nothing more than an afternoon’s disruption.

It may not be possible to anticipate every eventuality, but with a solid solution in place, we can do away with words like ‘ruin’ and ‘tragedy’ and replace them with ‘excuse for an impromptu coffee break’ or, if your back up solution needs to ensure zero loss of service, a seamless switch over to a redundant system.

Business Needs

Tailoring your defences to meet the needs of your business is important. Downtime is lost money for any business, but if you are central to providing a service to others, it can be a lot more serious than a company that runs independently. Scaling your solution to provide the right options at the right level for your business is key.

Dealing with the unexpected is part of life, and as humans, we excel in adapting to new situations, but why gamble with your business? Forget crossing your fingers in hope, and call us today for some expert advice and a new IT disaster recovery solution to meet your needs.

News

Accelerate Hybrid Cloud Adoption with IBM Cloud & VMware

Posted on by Sean Lucas
Hybrid Cloud DNA IT
04
Jul

At enterprise level, hybrid cloud is becoming the new normal.

With so many platforms and tools the transformation can seem confusing, complex and expensive.   Hybrid integrates the economy and efficiency of cloud with your existing on premises infrastructure.  While going hybrid will bring new challenges these can be easily solved by choosing the right products and partner to guide you through.

Streamline Hybrid Cloud  

In order to try to accelerate and automate the process two global leading forces have joined together.   IBM and VMware are working together to offer joint virtualisation solutions and hybrid cloud infrastructure.  Their aim is to streamline hybrid cloud adoption that will enable you to extend existing workloads to the cloud through full access to native VMware software.

Easy to manage

You will manage workloads in the cloud in the same way you would access them on premises while also benefiting from the flexibility and cost effectiveness of the cloud.  By creating a seamless Hybrid Cloud Environment there will be no need to modify security, storage or networking.  Your IT staff can use their existing skillset and tools and the new automation technologies from IBM and VMware equate to hours rather than weeks.

Consolidate

It is possible to move non-production sites like dev test and demo to the IBM cloud which is flexible, scalable and secure and will support activities such as these.  Using the cloud allows expansion quickly and is less costly because new on premise servers and equipment are not necessary.  Consolidating what you already have in a VMware centrally managed cloud foundation means you can produce the best possible option for your business.

Reducing cost and risk

By streamlining lengthy backup and restore processes you will save both time and money.  The added security of cloud based backup and recovery will reduce risk.  With IBM and VMware you can instantly scale virtual and bare metal resources on demand across a global network of secure datacentres.

This exciting offering is opening up opportunities for organisations all over the globe.  DNA IT Solutions are partners of both IBM and VMware so we can offer our clients this option.  You can use our experience and get access to this solution for your business.  To explore this option in more depth contact us.