NAVIGATION
CORPORATE OFFICE
Zunesis, Inc.
12303 Airport Way, Suite 100,
Broomfield, CO 80021
(720) 221-5200
Las Vegas
6671 Las Vegas Blvd S
Building D Suite 210, Office 260
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 837-5300
Most companies are gathering trillions of bytes of data, day after day, at no small cost, and then doing very little with it. Worse still, the data often is not serving its primary function very cost effectively. The “culprit,” so to speak, is video surveillance data, the information captured by the video cameras that are used throughout most modern facilities. But the situation is changing rapidly, thanks to the new landscape of Video AI Analytics Applications.
Video Analytics can be described as “the emerging technology where computer vision is used to filter and manage real time CCTV video for security and intelligent traffic monitoring.”
Simply put, Video Analytics is an automated approach to managing and analyzing video, without the cost or man-hours previously required. There are many different brands and technology platforms for Video Analytics, but they all work on the same basic principles, using pattern recognition and other Algorithms technology to provide two critical capabilities: Recognize unusual activities as they happen and notify the security system in real-time.
Today’s Video Analytics software offers growing functionality. For example, it can be programmed to look for specifically defined anomalies. It can even be programmed to give special attention to specific elements in a video frame—such as a computer, door, or filing cabinet. Video Analytics software tracks people and objects, and can send alarms when suspicious activities occur. Furthermore, Video Analytics can be integrated with other security and information systems to create new possibilities for using and managing video data.
The first step for most companies is to use Video Analytics to support and enhance guard performance. In this application, Video Analytics software continuously monitors everything that happens in the field of vision of every surveillance camera, every second of every day. When it sees suspicious or unusual patterns and activities, it sends an alert to the security system so guards can look at the monitors, see first-hand what is happening, and take any needed immediate action. It can also trigger other security events, such as coordinating the motion of several cameras to track the movement of a suspect through a facility. In some programs this is called “guard service.” Guard service should make every guard more effective, so companies find they can improve security and reduce staff at the same time. Recent studies show that it’s common for guard service applications to generate savings of 75% or more in total guard costs.
Adding on to that value, Video Analytics can then be linked to card access systems to improve security. A card being used in an unauthorized or suspicious way can trigger cameras to zero in on the event and record the time and other information in a searchable video log. The real power of Video Analytics may be the fact that it turns analog video into useable data that can be analyzed, searched and managed. This opens endless possibilities for guiding decisions on facility use, energy consumption, personnel safety, and many other issues. Vitally is the improved response time. You can simply find information and act on it more quickly with Video Analytics, whether the problem is a break-in happening right now, or a building use problem that pops up every day.
After collecting and storing petabytes of video data, organizations now want more value out of their investment. Video Analytics provides an answer, helping most companies improve security and lower costs. By starting with applications that deliver rapid ROI, like guard enhancement, companies can implement the technology in a way that pays for itself. The value can then be extended to other security and information systems, leveraging many technology investments to improve security and building management.
Are Windows updates necessary? Applying updates every month is not something system administrators look forward to but they are necessary and extremely important in the times we live in.
Most updates each month include security updates. Security issues are the worst possible type as they may be exploited by malware or hackers. These types of situations are regularly identified in various parts of Windows – ActiveX, IIS, Internet Explorer and .Net Framework are just examples. Other updates address other bugs and issues in Windows. Even though they are not responsible for security vulnerabilities, they might impact the stability of your Operating System. Last, but not least, Windows Updates sometimes come with new features, while patching some known issues – and the best example for this is IIS and Internet Explorer.
The code that makes up the Windows operating system contains security loop holes, errors, incompatibilities, or outdated software elements. In short, Windows isn’t perfect, we all know that. The latest Windows security patches fix the vulnerabilities and errors in Windows and associated software, and they occasionally add new features. This essentially summarizes why you should regularly run a Windows Update.
Security issues are regularly identified in various parts of the Windows operating system, including the main platform. Even if you do not run the respective software, it is a risk not to patch it, simply because it is installed on your system. Note that these updates are required, even if you are running anti-malware or anti-virus software, as that software may not sufficiently protect you from Windows security issues.
Potential consequences of not installing security updates are damaged software, loss of data, or identity theft. Every year, malware causes damage of millions of dollars worldwide. The main reason is that users don’t install critical software or operating system updates, allowing malware to exploit loopholes that exist in every software ever developed. Vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited within hours of them becoming publicly known. So once a security update is available, you should plan to install the fix to protect your system from malware attacks.
Some ways to control and monitor the deployment of Microsoft updates in a corporate environment is with products like WSUS or System Center Configuration Manager(SCCM).
Here is a list taken from Microsoft of some common types of updates available each month.
Critical Updates are a widely released fix for a specific problem that addresses a critical non-security-related bug.
Security updates are a widely released fix for a product-specific, security-related vulnerability. Security vulnerabilities are rated by their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low.
Monthly Rollups are relatively new. They are a tested, cumulative set of updates. They include both security and reliability updates that are packaged together and distributed over Windows Update, WSUS, System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft Update Catalog for easy deployment. The Monthly Rollup is product specific, addresses both new security issues and non-security issues in a single update and will proactively include updates that were released in the past. Security vulnerabilities are rated by their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low. This Monthly Rollup would be displayed under the title Security Monthly Quality Rollup when you download or install. This Monthly Rollup will be classified as an “Important” update on Windows Update and will automatically download and install if your Windows Update settings are configured to automatically download and install Important updates.
A service pack is a tested, cumulative set of all hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and other updates. Additionally, service packs may contain additional fixes for problems that are found internally since the release of the product. Service packs may also contain a limited number of customer-requested design changes or features.
While non critical updates are not responsible for security-relevant vulnerabilities, they may still be very annoying as they potentially impact the performance and stability of Windows. So the main reason for installing general updates is to avoid or resolve Windows issues and hopefully have a smooth running System.
Microsoft will test the latest updates prior to release on the second Tuesday of each month. Unfortunately, there are an infinite number of hardware and software configurations that could exist on a Windows computer. Testing all possible computers systems would be almost impossible.
When a Windows update causes a problem it’s likely due to a software or driver that has issues with the update, not the update itself.
It is very important to create a group of desktops and servers for testing the latest updates. Once the updates are applied to the test, computers monitor and document any irregularities in behavior of the test systems. Although Microsoft updates rarely cause a problem it has been known to happen thus the reason for a test group of computers. If all is well after at least a week with the test group, it is relatively safe to deploy the tested updates to production.
Even after testing, there is no guarantee a problem won’t arise but it’s not worth the risk you may be taking of not applying these security patches.
It is critical to install security updates to protect your systems from malicious attacks. In the long run, it is also important to install software updates, not only to access new features, but also to be on the safe side in terms of security loop holes being discovered in outdated programs. And it is in your own best interest to install all other updates, which may potentially cause your system to become vulnerable to attack.
Questions about your unique environment? End your IT frustration today. Discuss your situation with Zunesis’s team of IT experts.
Are Windows updates necessary? Applying updates every month is not something system administrators look forward to but they are necessary and extremely important in the times we live in.
Most updates each month include security updates. Security issues are the worst possible type as they may be exploited by malware or hackers. These types of situations are regularly identified in various parts of Windows – ActiveX, IIS, Internet Explorer and .Net Framework are just examples. Other updates address other bugs and issues in Windows. Even though they are not responsible for security vulnerabilities, they might impact the stability of your Operating System. Last, but not least, Windows Updates sometimes come with new features, while patching some known issues – and the best example for this is IIS and Internet Explorer.
The code that makes up the Windows operating system contains security loop holes, errors, incompatibilities, or outdated software elements. In short, Windows isn’t perfect, we all know that. The latest Windows security patches fix the vulnerabilities and errors in Windows and associated software, and they occasionally add new features. This essentially summarizes why you should regularly run a Windows Update.
Security issues are regularly identified in various parts of the Windows operating system, including the main platform. Even if you do not run the respective software, it is a risk not to patch it, simply because it is installed on your system. Note that these updates are required, even if you are running anti-malware or anti-virus software, as that software may not sufficiently protect you from Windows security issues.
Potential consequences of not installing security updates are damaged software, loss of data, or identity theft. Every year, malware causes damage of millions of dollars worldwide. The main reason is that users don’t install critical software or operating system updates, allowing malware to exploit loopholes that exist in every software ever developed. Vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited within hours of them becoming publicly known. So once a security update is available, you should plan to install the fix to protect your system from malware attacks.
Some ways to control and monitor the deployment of Microsoft updates in a corporate environment is with products like WSUS or System Center Configuration Manager(SCCM).
Here is a list taken from Microsoft of some common types of updates available each month.
Critical Updates are a widely released fix for a specific problem that addresses a critical non-security-related bug.
Security updates are a widely released fix for a product-specific, security-related vulnerability. Security vulnerabilities are rated by their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low.
Monthly Rollups are relatively new. They are a tested, cumulative set of updates. They include both security and reliability updates that are packaged together and distributed over Windows Update, WSUS, System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft Update Catalog for easy deployment. The Monthly Rollup is product specific, addresses both new security issues and non-security issues in a single update and will proactively include updates that were released in the past. Security vulnerabilities are rated by their severity. The severity rating is indicated in the Microsoft security bulletin as critical, important, moderate, or low. This Monthly Rollup would be displayed under the title Security Monthly Quality Rollup when you download or install. This Monthly Rollup will be classified as an “Important” update on Windows Update and will automatically download and install if your Windows Update settings are configured to automatically download and install Important updates.
A service pack is a tested, cumulative set of all hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and other updates. Additionally, service packs may contain additional fixes for problems that are found internally since the release of the product. Service packs may also contain a limited number of customer-requested design changes or features.
While non critical updates are not responsible for security-relevant vulnerabilities, they may still be very annoying as they potentially impact the performance and stability of Windows. So the main reason for installing general updates is to avoid or resolve Windows issues and hopefully have a smooth running System.
Microsoft will test the latest updates prior to release on the second Tuesday of each month. Unfortunately, there are an infinite number of hardware and software configurations that could exist on a Windows computer. Testing all possible computers systems would be almost impossible.
When a Windows update causes a problem it’s likely due to a software or driver that has issues with the update, not the update itself.
It is very important to create a group of desktops and servers for testing the latest updates. Once the updates are applied to the test, computers monitor and document any irregularities in behavior of the test systems. Although Microsoft updates rarely cause a problem it has been known to happen thus the reason for a test group of computers. If all is well after at least a week with the test group, it is relatively safe to deploy the tested updates to production.
Even after testing, there is no guarantee a problem won’t arise but it’s not worth the risk you may be taking of not applying these security patches.
It is critical to install security updates to protect your systems from malicious attacks. In the long run, it is also important to install software updates, not only to access new features, but also to be on the safe side in terms of security loop holes being discovered in outdated programs. And it is in your own best interest to install all other updates, which may potentially cause your system to become vulnerable to attack.
Questions about your unique environment? End your IT frustration today. Discuss your situation with Zunesis’s team of IT experts.
I personally am a huge fan of football. I love to watch any level of the sport, but there is just something special about the NFL and the unbelievable level of play that it showcases on “any given Sunday” (or Monday, or Thursday…you get the point). I consider myself a “stat head”. I have my favorite team that I watch (GO Broncos!), but I also watch quite a few more games. I am constantly intrigued by special performances and the incredible stat line.
Over the years I have supplemented this love by playing fantasy football. I still find myself pouring over games or stat sheets and looking at what players have done and who is out there chasing greatness or even history.
Let me give you an example of what I mean. Right now, football fans have been treated to one, if not the best, 5 year stretches that any player has put together, much less at wide receiver. Antonio Brown has put up numbers at a truly incredible pace. He has 5 straight 100 catch seasons (NFL record). Brown has the most receiving yards, and the most catches of any wide receiver in a 5 year span, in NFL history. His accomplishments are amazing, but what is even more amazing is the constant hard work he puts in day in and day out. Brown is known for his off season workouts, they are the stuff of a “you tube” legend. He is a competitor that is constantly working on his craft. He wants and strives to be better every time he steps on the football field.
As a die hard Broncos fan, I HATE when Denver has to face him. No matter how good our defense is, he still seems to find a way to make an impact on the game. I, of course, root against him, but I equally respect him. I see someone who is the best of the best, but not resting on that, and instead pushing constantly to improve himself. It fascinates me, what is it that is makes him push so much? For him, it seems, what he has done is irrelevant. He focuses only on what he is going to do. There are several other examples of this in the world of professional sports (Tom Brady, Lebron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, to just name a few). We may love them, or root fanatically against them, but in the end we (grudgingly) respect them.
It is not just in professional sports where this particular phenomenon happens. In technology, you know the legendary players, you might even be naming them off in your head right now. Each of those players are constantly trying to improve themselves and their products to continue to control their share of the market. Sometimes this works, sometime it fails, but a great company never stops working and improving upon itself.
One specific example of this is HPE/Aruba and their introduction of Aruba OS8 and the Mobility Master Upgrade. OS8 is basically a ground-up rewrite of the Aruba Operating System Code (think Tiger Woods rebuilding his swing right after he dominated the 1997 masters). HPE/Aruba changed the game with the capabilities of their Aruba OS 6.7 and now are pushing/expanding this further to truly manage and encompass the digital workplace.
They know we have many workers in our companies today that need and use mobile business critical devices. This new OS and upgrade are giving IT professionals the power to manage this by enabling an “always-on” network delivered with an Intelligent WLAN that is predictive and improves the network efficiency. With a massive amount of traffic hitting our networks from a variety of mobile devices, HPE/Aruba has developed technology through their Mobility Master that uses Controller Clustering, Live Upgrade (no downtime), as well as Multi OS Support to drastically increase the availability of the network.
Hitless failover – Users will not notice any issues in the rare event of a controller failure. Voice calls, video, data transfers would all continue without noticeable impact. User session information is shared across controllers in the cluster to ensure there is no single point of failure for any user.
Automatic user load balancing – Users are distributed evenly across controllers to prevent congestion on a single controller. This ensures a large amount of available throughput for each user even when massive crowds gather.
Automatic AP load balancing – The access points automatically are load balanced across cluster of controller for better resource utilization and high availability when controller goes down. AP load balancing is done in seamless fashion so users are not affected.
Seamless roaming – Users do not experience any delays while moving through a large campus while on mission critical applications such as a Skype for Business call. All of the controllers in a cluster work together to manage the users. A user can roam across 10,000 APs without ever getting a new IP address, re-authenticating, or losing firewall state information.
Live Upgrade is also a fantastic step forward with its capability of letting you upgrade to the latest OS in real time and giving your users minimal downtime for their business critical applications. When you combine these features with the capability of running through Multiple different OS’s, then you can see how this is truly a huge step forward in what you will be able to do.
In the end, HPE/Aruba believes in this technology and the step forward it provides. They are also offering incredible pricing on this so that all of their current customers can take advantage of this technology. Now through the end of this month, they are offering up to 63% off list price on select bundles. If you are not an HPE/Aruba customer, they are offering competitive pricing to get your company into this platform. Even though, they believe that no one can truly compete with all they have to offer. Either way, contact your sales rep for more details today!
HPE announced HPE OneView almost 5 years ago as the next generation management tool. It is hard to believe that this product has been on the market for 5 years now. This management platform was written from the ground up, with the idea that it is an open, software defined approach to managing your infrastructure. HPE OneView was designed to use software-defined intelligence with a template-driven approach to rapidly provision, update, and deploy servers, storage, and networking, reducing the risk of human errors.
HPE OneView is a next generation management software replacing HPE Systems Insight Manager and Insight Control as the management platform for the HPE Proliant family of servers. In fact, Insight Control does not support the latest generation of servers and will be going obsolete on January 31, 2019. OneView provides the path to composability and the underlying management platform for Hybrid IT.
Recently, HPE announced OneView version 4.1. This release of HPE OneView features several enhancements to lifecycle operations, including new cluster profiles and rolling cluster updates for VMware, and online firmware and BIOS updates for HPE ProLiant DL servers. HPE OneView Remote Technician offers secure, live troubleshooting with an HPE service technician for faster problem resolution. The security has been improved with the added support of CNSA mode and is FIPS 140-2 verified for the highest security protocols.
The new Remote Technician capability provides faster problem resolution. Remote Technician allows you to grant temporary, secure access for live assistance from an HPE certified service technician. This is done on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Zunesis to learn more about HPE OneView and how it can help manage your infrastructure.
NAVIGATION
CORPORATE OFFICE
Zunesis, Inc.
12303 Airport Way, Suite 100,
Broomfield, CO 80021
(720) 221-5200
Las Vegas
6671 Las Vegas Blvd S
Building D Suite 210, Office 260
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 837-5300