The proliferation of the Internet has created the largest interconnected network of machines the world has ever known. Our connected world is so complex that no one person or group understands everything that is needed to maintain the network and keep it in a healthy state.
The effort to maintain the network as “up” is constant. No matter where you live, someone near you is working right now to prevent something or stop something from losing its connected state. They may work just as tirelessly to get something back online that has lost its connection to everything else.
Of course, most of us never concern ourselves with these issues until we lose our connection to everything else. This scenario recently happened when many woke up to the CrowdStrike outage that caused major business disruptions over the last few weeks, especially for airlines and healthcare agencies.
This is a Big Deal
This issue is a big deal because it demonstrates the real dangers, and highlights the fragility, of a connected world of computers. Almost all these computers have an operating system. If you are unfamiliar, the operating system, or OS, is the intelligence behind every computer.
Even though operating systems are all around us now (PCs, phones, cars, etc.) most of them get updated automatically. The average person does not, and will not, take the time to manage this task manually. Many businesses cannot manage this job any better than individuals. This fact is why businesses like CrowdStrike exist. These datacenters oversee computer systems used by third parties. These third parties rely on their providers to take care of managing and distributing these updates in a planned, secure manner. Good news – this system works most of the time!
The problem is, when it fails, the failure can be wide and catastrophic. The recent CrowdStrike issue is being called the largest outage in IT history.
So if we know that any device connected to a network is exposed to the possibility of being compromised, what steps can organizations take to mitigate the risks associated with a fully connected enterprise? Since making everything less connected is not an option for most businesses, other solutions must be sought.
Category: Security
Thin client terminals are more secure than PCs because they have no hard drives or CD/DVD drives that allow users to place data onto their systems. ThinManager-ready thin clients have their USB ports disabled by default which completely locks down our thin clients from users loading viruses, games or other malicious content.
Microsoft DCOM Hardening Impact
System updates go hand in hand with computers, even server computers. But some updates can change functionally, how machines communicate or interact with third party software.
ep23 The Plant » Gaining the Edge with Stratus Technologies
Longtime Rockwell Automation partner, Stratus Technologies’ own Frank Hill, joins Bryan and Tom to talk edge computing in industrial automation
ep22 The Plant » Training The Future Super Users of ThinManager, with Todd Garmon and Tom Jordan
Bryan Harned and Todd Garmon discuss challenges faced from the System Integrator down to the end-user when using and learning ThinManager.
ep21 The Plant » Application Container Technology Shines Bright in ThinManager 12.1 release, with Nick Neppach
Bryan Harned and Nick Neppach talk ThinManager 12.1, the expansion of integrated application container technology, and why it’s a real game changer.
ep20 The Plant » Talking ThinManager Install Successes, Stories and Top Features with Amy Carter
Bryan Harned and Amy Carter discuss some ThinManager stories and customer successes and why ThinManager’s robust feature set is needed for your automation install.
ep19 The Plant » ThinManager Version 12. The Latest and Greatest with Nick Putman
Bryan Harned and Nick Putman discussing the all new ThinManager Version 12
Danish Navy Sails into the Future with Thin Client Technology
After 15 years of active service, the Danish Navy needed to re-fit and modernize technology aboard the Absalon-class support ship. Logimatic and ThinManager make it happen.
ep16 The Plant » ThinManager 11.2, Version 12 and BEYOND with Nick Putman and Doug Coulter
Nick Putman and Doug Coulter from Rockwell Automation join Bryan to talk ThinManager.
New Bluetooth Proximity Beacon
Effective immediately, we will inventory and endorse a Bluetooth proximity beacon from a company called Radius Networks. Their ‘RadBeacon X4’ is a rugged, weatherproof (NEMA 4X), and temperature resistant beacon powered by four AA batteries (not included). Battery life has been extended to over 5 years. Both the transmit and interval levels are adjustable.
The RadBeacon X4 is a fully stand-alone Bluetooth Smart™ proximity beacon that supports iBeacon™, AltBeacon™, and Eddystone™ technology. The RadBeacon X4 is a rugged, weatherproof, and temperature-resistant proximity beacon powered by four AA batteries. It can be installed in any location, regardless of available power and provides proximity advertisements for mobile applications that are compatible with iBeacon, AltBeacon, and Eddystone standards, including xthe Physical Web™.