Overwatch Managed Security, High Wire’s security service, attended CompTIA’s annual convention, ChannelCon, August 5-7, 2019, in Las Vegas.
Josue Vargas, the Director of Security Operations, was featured on a podcast hosted by Don Witt from the Channel Daily News. Here’s an excerpt of the interview.
How is High Wire Network’s relationship with CompTIA and what are some of the reasons why you attended Channelcon recently?
It’s all about learning at CompTIA and finding new ways to solve cybersecurity problems as a company. We communicate to our customers and partners the real danger of having unsecured networks. The threat landscape all over the Internet is always evolving, so becoming more educated always helps.
What is High Wire’s goal for Overwatch, both for the clients and Company?
Our focus is to bring efficient machine learning (ML) enabled technology that detects and helps us respond to any threats that occur in our clients’ networks’ environments. We give our clients, whether it be VARs, MSPs, integrators or distributors, reliable and fast customer service.
What are some of the ways IoT threats can infiltrate a network and how does Overwatch combat them?
Most networks today consist of the traditional firewall and border. When any intruder breaks in, they get easy access to the company’s important files and data. Also, a good amount of networks support hybrid cloud, which really leverages on Azure environments like Google cloud for example. With so much traffic from many different devices, hackers can use a simple phone or tablet as a launch point for a series of hacks. The bottom line is devices need an intermediary place to send their net flows to, so companies have switches and firewalls that are meant for that. The issue is, with heavy traffic coming through, you are indirectly monitoring a less sophisticated device that you cannot trust with a typical solution.
How does Overwatch simplify cybersecurity in the installation process?
Instead of rewiring companies’ entire networks, which takes days and even months, we use one of two things: a small appliance or a virtual machine. The sensors communicate with our policy engine, which is a big server in our cloud that hosts the data algorithms. From a customer’s standpoint, it’s just a matter of including a virtual machine (VM) in their networks and making sure logs and flows point it on their devices. It’s a very low touch thing for customers, which makes it a seamless transition. They don’t have to deal with a complex setup that we have already prebuilt for them. CAPex is pretty much inexistent because we are aiming it at our partners to offer to their clients, it’s primarily OPex. There is no bank breaking expense that typically comes with many cybersecurity services on the market. Also, finding analysts is a non-issue because there’s a 20,000 plus gap of skilled workers in cybersecurity.
How can small business benefit from Overwatch’s services?
Benefitting companies by staying ahead of the bad guys has been a goal of ours since this idea started. We were tired of seeing how most SOC solutions were targeted towards larger budget companies. Threats occur in companies of every size, no matter how big the budget. What we’re doing is trying to commoditize the service so it is more accessible to smaller and medium companies while it is still technology that can be used by larger businesses.
What is one point of emphasis that listeners can take away from this talk?
Never underestimate the value of your business. Hacking value is apparent in any network landscape, and hackers can make money anywhere. No matter how small your business is, it’s valuable and worth protecting. I have been involved in defending a dental office from a huge cyberattack. The office had a lot of contacts and data, making it a prime target for the bad guy. The hacker infiltrated using an external device and went on to spread malware to all their contacts via email. They could’ve prevented that from even happening. Instead it affected their business. No matter what presence you have online, you are a target for the bad guys. Ultimately, you need to start looking for ways to protect yourself. It’s not worth risking your hard work and future aspirations.
If you are looking for a managed security service provider, email Josue and the team at: overwatchsales@highwirenetworks.com
To listen to the full podcast, click here.
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