Process automation IT refers to the ability of a technological system to execute a series of tasks which are originally performed by humans. Such automation also controls; corrects and makes visible the status of workflows and tasks; and generates reports throughout the process.
Also, a very important aspect of the process automation is feedback. Through it, the system evaluates; compares and execute corrections in real time and without human intervention and under certain pre-configured restrictions.
Additionally, process automation can be programmed to run at a certain

Benefits of Process Automation

• Companies implementing process automation have a competitive advantage over their competitors, both in operability and reliability.
• Process automation reduces operative costs and increases both, speed and reliability of task implementation, development, and support.
• Enhances work continuity, and satisfies the demand for IT departments and computer systems.
• It improves strategic analysis and streamlines the deployment of applications through automated job execution.
• Eliminates manual execution of command sequences subjected to human error, increasing efficiency and productivity of the organization.
• It enables visibility and control of all workflows and tasks, providing status reports of completed processes, in progress and incoming tasks.
• It supports both, local, virtual and hybrid environments in the Cloud, increasing the possibilities of management and process control.

Disadvantages of Process Automation

• Fear of losing their jobs. Employees may face this fear. However, companies that automate their processes have the capacity to generate more jobs. This is because they become more prosperous and efficient, and more capable to address larger numbers of projects, and properly serve to more customers.
• Costs for investment. Implementing a process automation solution involves a considerable initial investment. However, this factor should be contrasted to the benefits in terms of productivity and compliance. Additionally, implementing Cloud solutions generate significantly lower costs than non-automated solutions.
• Loss of flexibility. Modify workflows; tasks and processes may involve certain rigidity. You can counteract it with a previous process of consulting and planning, and your vendor must offer it.  Similarly, you must make an intelligent choice of automation product: Take a close look on versatility and scalability in relation to the transformation that will take your company in the future.

If your company or organization is in the process of migrating its applications and data to service platforms hosted in the Cloud, congratulations! You have advanced strides towards the optimization and updating of your company. Yet, we can’t help warning you about the importance of knowing the most significant threats that could undermine -and even completely damage- all your efforts.

In this article we will discuss the Top  Security Threats to Cloud Services. We also will explain why you should act immediately, so to detect and minimize them before they may strike you.

Hybrid Environments

Many of the security threats in Cloud Services are pretty much the same we can find when using physical data centers.  However, when we work in hybrid environments (those that combines Cloud Services & physical data centers), new challenges show up, and it is a must to learn how to deal with them.

As responsible of our client’s network security, we must be prepared to identify each one of their work environments, and be ready to use the correct security tools available for each threat scenario (physical, virtual and both types).

Some of the detection tasks we propose are:

1. Search for vulnerabilities, system configuration errors and early detection of malicious programs.
2. Constant scanning of external and internal networks.
3. Sharing scanning resources among different support groups.
4. Installing options based upon agents/agentless analysis.
5. Using dashboards and reports which settles all the information in a clear and accessible way.

Credentials Harvesting

Another major headache related to data vulnerability and Cloud Services, is credentials stealing.  More specifically, the misappropriation of the logon data to Cloud Services, which are usually made through predictable user names and weak passwords.

To help to early detect this vulnerability, it takes to install double-factor authentication processes to access to Cloud Services, and carry out constant network monitoring so to detect unusual activities. Also, it is highly recommended to install and use network access controlling tools which helps to deeply defend computing resources, storage and networks.

Additionally, it is very important to keep a close monitoring of users who are authorized to access to the network, same as their permissions and accessibility privileges which have been granted to them.

Agile DEVOPs of Cloud Applications

 It is paradoxical that the accelerated production of Cloud Applications could be one of the main problems that lead to greater vulnerability of Cloud Services. But yes, it happens that, although there are being developed very secure applications – such as those used by large online stores-,  there also are being produced less secure, improvised and even domestic applications.

It is very likely that your company or organization is daily using applications that allow sending and receiving data, messages, images and videos which have access to confidential databases… which are developed so quickly that do not include information encryption protocols, or have not been extensively tested against external attacks.

Same, the inclusion of any kind of mobile devices to our networks through applications that handle sensitive data related to the commercialization of services and products; may install third-party applications that do not meet security protocols, nor do guarantee the reliability of their encryption systems.

Internal Threats

Yes, if you had not guessed, your own users are often those who commit the most errors that put at risk the security of your information systems and Cloud Services, since they have natural access to data and applications of your company.

Accidents can be caused by mistake or by ignoring certain security protocols, but it can also occur intentionally, from personal dissatisfaction or untrustworthy. Even, there may be employees who no longer work for the company and still have access to logon in your Cloud Services.

To avoid such threats, it is necessary to implement a strict policy of confidentiality in employment contracts by specifying stringent legal provisions, identifying possible problems in the process of notification when a personnel change occurs, and maintain constant supervision and renewal of credentials access to Cloud Services.

It is also necessary to keep strict controls in the process of keys and data encryption, segregation of functions and minimizing the access given to users of the most vulnerable systems.

Too much trust in cloud service providers

Whenever we are exchanging technologies, we are exposed to significant threats, especially in Cloud Services. Providers of Cloud Services share infrastructure, platforms and applications, so if it occurs a single attack to any of these layer, the other would be irreparably affected.

To avoid such threats, it is advisable to implement a strategy of defense in depth, including the installation of double-factor authentication on all hosts, having systems intrusion detection based on networks and hosts, applying good practices to grant the minimum privileges to authenticated users, ensuring network segmentation and implementing patched procedures on shared services. History is full of evidence where companies disappeared from the NASDEQ and filed bankruptcy , be mindful and create multi-cloud strategies.

 Data Loss

It is highly unlikely that a permanent data loss occurs because of the service provider in the Cloud. Rather, these disasters often occur by the action of black-hat hackers attacking companies and data centers in the Cloud, discovering and exposing their vulnerabilities.

There are many ways in which data can be lost, as for example, deleting or modifying data without having backup. One way to avoid such disasters is to distribute data and applications across multiple zones, make a constant backup data, and having tools that allow data recovery.

You also need to take internal measures to preserve your data. For example, if you are going to upload information to a service in the Cloud in encrypted form, you must safeguard and protect the best possible the encryption key. Otherwise, it will be impossible for you to regain access to this information.

The number of interactions that have place in Cloud Services also increases the data risk due to the infrastructure architecture. To prevent these problems, it is important to have encryption keys, counting on reliable software systems, and implementing strong authentication, authorization and audit protocols. Then, it is advisable to install powerful programming interfaces (API) to control access and secure data traffic through efficient encryption.

Knowledge repositories are inherent to organizations. Whether we are talking about how to execute processes in the company, solve incidents or interact with customers, all these activities are supported by a specific set of knowledge to be carried out. It is a fact that the better this resource is managed, the better the company’s performance will be. That is why implementing a good IT knowledge base represents a vital factor when carrying out a good Service Management.

Learn more about the benefits and best practices related to the IT knowledge base and learn how to give members of your organization access to the right information at the right time.

What exactly is a Knowledge Base?

The way a company collects, shares and exploits knowledge internally is proportional to its successful development. Aware of this, many companies have implemented a process aimed at making the best use of the knowledge produced within it; the name of this process is the Knowledge Management.

This process goes far beyond using knowledge in a company exclusively to imagine new products and brilliant services; or to design new and ingenious ways to sell them. It’s much simpler. It is a process aimed at using the information and talent that has the human potential of the company to create a collaborative environment, in which all members of the organization are nurtured by the skills of their peers.

The challenge is to exploit this knowledge consistently and profitably. And to do this, one of the main tools that Knowledge Management needs is The Knowledge Base. A Knowledge Base is nothing more than a repertoire of knowledge related to all areas of the organization and available to each of its members.

Advantages

• Most important advantage is that most of the bots capabilities are derived from the KBs. If you are not harvesting the KB right now, you might not be able to save lot of money using bots. Bots are as good as your KB.
• Greater customer satisfaction thanks to a better understanding of their needs through feedback from communications to them.
• Increase the quality of your suppliers, thanks to a better knowledge of the desires of customers and the needs of your staff.
• Improved staff performance, as employees, can benefit from the knowledge and experience of their colleagues to find the best way to achieve results. They will also feel more valued in a company where their ideas are heard.
• Increasing the company’s performance by making better use of internal expertise.
• Improved recruitment and staffing policies. For example, if you’ve increased your knowledge of what customers are looking for; you’re better able to find the right people to serve them.
• Constant innovation capacity.