Input Validation Errors: The Core of Website Security Evils

In the past few years with the rise of technological innovations, there has been an increase in the number and sophistication of security breaches. Poor input validation has turned out to be the root cause of these embarrassing data breaches reported in the last few years. While compiling the code, the developers create input fields for the users to enter whatever they wish. The website is secure until the unchecked input fields are not used for hacking.

Let’s see why input validation is crucial for website security

What Is Input Validation?

Websites processing input data from users or a wide range of systems should ensure that it is valid. Validation is carried on a variety of levels ranging from simply verifying the input types and lengths i.e. syntactic validation to ensuring the inserted values are valid in the application context i.e. semantic validation.

For websites, input validation is nothing but verifying the values inserted in the input field ensuring date, email address and other details inserted in the field are valid. This is the initial step for client-side validation performed directly in the browser and submitted values are verified on the server-side.

Input Validation is a commonly used method to check potentially dangerous inputs ensuring they are safe to be processed within the code.

Consequences of Improper Input Validation

Input validation reduces the attack surface minimizing the impact that tends to succeed. Improper input validation leads to incorrect results on the website or even crash. Insufficient input validation degrades the user experience on the website. If the registration form fails to detect the incorrect details entered on the form, the user won’t be able to confirm the account.

Also, there might be a circumstance where the invalid data clears the validation process on the browser side and is trapped during server validation. This process might take a longer duration to drive a response to the user.

How can we ensure Proper Input Validation?

Earlier, input fields were validated using the JavaScript either manually or with the help of a dedicated library. It’s better to look for the existing validation features rather than implementing validation since it is a tedious process. Languages and frameworks are consisting of built-in validators ensuring reliable and easier input validation.

• Blacklist and Whitelist Based Validation

Typically input validation for website security is carried out by blocking elements that can be used for an injection attack. Apostrophes and semicolons can be disabled to prevent SQL injection, parenthesis can be banned to stop a malicious user from inserting a JavaScript function. This is nothing but blacklisting elements and it is not advisable to use the technique. Blacklist-based validation is not feasible to implement since the developer can’t predict all the attack vectors which might help the hacker to bypass the validation.

Whitelist based validation can be used for well-defined input variables like numbers, dates, postcodes, etc. Whitelist based validation will help you to state the permitted values and reject the other input values. HTML5 format delivers a predefined whitelisting logic with built-in data type definitions where the inputs fields have predefined validations. 

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CDN Solutions: Business Benefits, Use Cases & Future Scope

 

Benefits of Content Delivery Networks & Future Scope

In today’s digital and Internet age, websites serve as the first point of contact between an outsider and enterprises. Without having a dedicated website, it becomes quite difficult for organizations to establish trust among the potential end-customers. To drive in customer trust, all businesses, irrespective of their sizes, now have their website. Today, various organizations exist across industries like e-Commerce, video sharing, or OTT who run their businesses through websites only. For such organizations, a Content Delivery Network or CDN solution is necessary.

Defining PoP

A PoP or point of presence defines a physical location where multiple CDN Edge Servers are present. Multiple PoP present at different geographical locations forms the entire CDN network. Also, the number of PoPs of a CDN provider has a direct and huge impact on expanding the global reach. PoPs play an important for storing and caching the static content. The static content can be easily cached as compared to the dynamic content.

Rather than the user placing his request to a distant data center (PoP), he can easily do it with localized PoPs, having a much shorter distance. By feeding requests to the localized PoPs, there is a significant decrease in the RTTs (Round Trip Times), resulting in better performance of applications.

ESDS’ Enlight CDN PoPs in India

CDN providers like ESDS have deployed their multiple PoPs across India for delivering the fastest & cost-effective CDN Solution to their localized users.

Defining CDN Solutions

A CDN depicts a network of data centers along with proxy servers that are geographically distributed. A CDN solution’s core aim is to offer end-customers with localized servers, known as PoPs (points of presence), to reduce latency and enhance load balancing. Low latency in content delivery in real-time results in an improved and faster user experience. CDN providers like ESDS are playing an important role in the Internet domain by offering enhanced user experience. The advanced technologies adopted and applied by these CDN providers are focused on enhancing customer experience using numerous techniques.

How Do CDNs Benefit Websites and Other Online Platforms?

For any CDN Solution, the ultimate benefit they offer is enhanced user experience by reducing latency in fetching real-time data. Other added benefits of a CDN solution includes

Benefits of CDN

1. Reduced Loading Time and Latency

Geographical locations play an essential role in download speed and latency since the CDN will receive and distribute traffic to the nearest available PoP. Hence, a strong CDN network helps reduce webpage loading time and increases the data transmission rate. Nowadays, CDN providers are also using other methods for faster data transmission. They are using advanced technologies for managing the caching servers. The cached content gets distributed as per demand, making it readily available to the user. CDN providers can also increase the user’s incoming requests’ response speed with the caching content placed closer to the customer.

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India’s own Banking Community Cloud

 

Indian Banks are experiencing a colossal change in their banking processes due to rapid evolution of technology in their vertical. Banks of all sizes in India have understood the importance of cloud based banking services and how these services can aid their issues. Earlier banks had to contact an IT personnel to provide additional applications and compute power which was very time consuming and would delay the decision making process. Hence, now-a-days IT is no longer seen as a complex scenario and the banks have started recognizing the opportunity and scope in cloud computing services.

ESDS introduced the world with the concept of Community Cloud which includes common concerns of a particular industry like security, compliance and service norms. The World’s First Banking Community Cloud is presented exclusively to the financial sector by ESDS which comprises of all the cloud based services for the industry. Indian banks have taken it up a notch to enter the IT field and adopt Cloud Computing and benefit from its matched services. SaaS is supported as a part of Banking Community Cloud which provides ready to use Core Banking Solutions, Payment Solutions, Mobile Banking and many more services. With a mix of PaaS, we have various Independent Software Vendors who cater to their own banking customers where they deploy the same software and continuously update through the management portal offered by us. ESDS along with its widespread network of partners has formed India’s first Application Service Providers (ASP) model to offer solutions to banks for their each and every kind of need.

ESDS has expertise in working with over 280+ banks which includes private, PSUs, district co-operatives, apex banks, scheduled and other financial institutions and organizations. The Banking Community Cloud has been developed by keeping in mind the smallest of concerns raised by banks. The three main issues which are generally faced by banks are; security of their data, complying with industry standards and finally having control of their data and applications. When banks choose to adopt the community cloud, they receive benefits like: secured services, efficient utilization of resources, flexibility in business and a reduction in total cost of ownership because they are relieved of purchasing any physical hardware or software licenses. We provide everything from basic IT infrastructure to hosted payment platform and digital banking services to optimum security for your bank’s website through VTMScan. Banks who wish to migrate to our Community Cloud receive end-to-end support for infrastructure management and colocations services.

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SD-WAN Securing Dynamic Networks

Internet Native applications and services are demanding more performance, bandwidth, and flexibility forcing Networks to evolve. Enterprises rely heavily on WAN networks for connecting their branch offices and ensure uninterrupted connectivity to remote locations. They are investing heavily in WAN infrastructure and the resulting maintenance costs. Software-defined wide area networks (SD-WAN), hybrid WAN, network function virtualization (NFV), and application performance management (APM) are some new technologies able to meet these needs.

The unstoppable growth in data volumes due to the Digital transformation is prompting organizations to deploy these new networking technologies to push ever more business traffic over cellular networks and public Internet links pushing it outside the boundaries of an organization. Resulting in the disappearance of the traditional security perimeter and increased number of internet breakouts, thus multiplying the number of potential points of entry for hackers to exploit. It’s a complex, vulnerable environment, that’s both difficult and vital to protect.

MPLS and Ethernet services are still playing an important part in the network landscape, the rise in the importance of these new technologies means that they need to be included in wider networking, with an embedded security strategy that incorporates cellular bandwidth provision and local Internet breakout.

A parallel change can be observed in the role of Security Technology in the new virtualized environment driven by the evolution of Network Technology. Earlier it was easier to design a network with the hardware and software applications in the data center being the focus of the security defenses. As software extends to start controlling the network it will also require to control the security.

The process starts with the virtualization of core network security devices and ends with completely connected and streamline defenses, security controls, responses, and processes around events. Dynamic networking availability translates to data destinations increasingly hosted on virtualized technology in a customer’s network, creating a need for visualized network security function to flex with the network. Any move to a virtualized environment requires it to smooth and seamless, fast and most of all, and automated. ESDS SDWAN services simplify complex challenges helping organizations to quickly streamline or orchestrate a range of security services from basic service management through to full incident response and threat intelligence. For the success of full security technology and process life-cycle, dedicated support from skilled professionals. 

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IoT Driving Logistics Industry

 Case Discussed: SmarTrucking by DHL

DHL introduced SmarTrucking, an innovative trucking solution by leveraging IoT Technology. This new solution is currently being rolled out across the road networks in India and trucks are now being equipped with Internet of Things sensors to provide a real-time data analysis regarding route optimization, reduction in transit times by 50% and providing reliability above 95% for real-time tracking.

The IoT sensors will be monitored through the company’s centralized control tower, which will provide real-time temperature and consignment tracking of the perishable goods. The information as well alerts are sent to the customers and DHL SmarTrucking operations teams by the means of a customer portal and a mobile app.

With greater efficiency from this solution, DHL expects to transport 100,000 tonnes of cargo covering a distance of nearly 4 million kilometres Pan-India on a daily basis. This system utilizes an agile which rotates the pre-determined stops of drivers located across the country, enabling the drivers to the return to their origin point with another truckload.

This solution was launched last year, in May 2018 post successful three-month plot that covered a road network of 2.7 million kilometres. The firm wishes to achieve a fleet of 10,000 enabled trucks by 2018.

DHL Using IoT in Logistics

IoT and Logistics Industry Ecosystem

In order to implement IoT in the logistics industry it is going to require a strong collaboration, besides high levels of participation taking place between the different players and competitors present in the supply chain with a common willingness of investing in IoT.  The shared end goal would be creating a thriving IoT ecosystem. To achieve this end goal, the following are some key success factors-

1. A clear and standardized approach for using the unique identifiers for various types of assets within different industries on a global scale

2. Seamless interoperability in order to exchange the sensor information within heterogeneous environments
3. Establishing trust and ownership of data to overcome the privacy issues in an IoT-powered supply chain
4. A clear focus on the reference architecture for IoT
5. Changing the business mind-set for embracing the full calibre of IoT

IoT Ecosystem in Logistics

The logistics companies are working on IoT technology in order to streamline their business processes and reducing visibility. IoT technology is playing an integral part in the growth of the logistics industry. It has provided smarter warehouse management which can by tightening the supply processes by the use of sensors and other intelligent devices.

Global Spending On Connected Logistics

IoT Use Cases in Logistics Industry

1. Location Management System

In the logistics industry, IoT helps in creating a smart location management system which can enable the companies to easily track the driver activities, location of the vehicle, and delivery status. Once the goods are delivered or arrive at a place, the manager can be notified by the means of a push message.  This solution can be an irreplaceable assistant in planning the delivery as well as compilation and viewing schedules. All the changes can be detected instantly and reflected in real time. Thus, IoT technology can be used for improving location management and business process

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Adopting Infrastructure as a Service Can be a Good Deal

 

Infrastructure as a Service

 

Analyzing the Indian companies from 2005, we can notice a big paradigm shift in relation to the culture of proprietary technology equipment. This means that there was breach of the resistance option of renting rather than buying. With credit difficulties, especially with the 2007 crisis, corporations were forced to see new possibilities. Then we noticed that the model called Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) fit in nicely in this new scenario, because in addition to efficiency, it is quite functional from the financial point of view.

Today, many major companies already work under the IaaS model. In fact, we are living the beginning of time to the glory of IaaS and believe that the peak demand will occur in the coming years, given the economic growth of the country and the sporting events to be hosted here.

Regardless of how they are being organized, these events are already forcing Indian companies to fit in physical infrastructure. We will need new airports, stadiums, bridges etc. These works require a strong back office, for companies providing services need to quickly assemble IT environments with flexible services. Our restructuring economic environment is enabling companies to see themselves with the plans in the long run. This brings some comfort and optimism to our area.

Another favorable factor in relation to the IaaS model is that, with the pressure to decrease in IT budgets, companies are seeking new alternatives to maintain their functional and updated assets in accordance with the need of its core business. In addition, the model developed for dilution and reducing compliance costs should house in its concept, especially the estimate of expenditure made in hardware, software and peopleware in a fully managed environment. It is also worth noting that the unification of various services not only reduces the costs of managing multiple contracts, but also reduces the solution time for users. These are all advantages of IaaS model.

The integration of this service is complete and transparent and will purchase the equipment from the manufacturer to configure for each user. That is, the control, maintenance and management throughout the lifecycle occur in a clear way. The customer has the whole operation running on back office and sees strategically. So for that reason, user does not care, for example, with stock parts, spare machine at its headquarters and other scattered subsidiaries – all this is the responsibility of IaaS Cloud Services Provider engaged.

With this structure offered, it becomes easier to understand why it is advantageous to employ this type of specialized service. From the moment you have this logistics composition, storage, style, purchase volume with manufacturers, you can use it in a shared manner. It is essential to point out that when the customer places an IaaS contract, he is not only buying the ability to use the hardware and the management of it, but also support for this hardware. What does it mean? It means that when you need some technical support service, whatever the problem is, the user will only have to trigger the IaaS provider that, in most cases, you can solve the problem remotely. If not, the machine will be replaced by another in the SLA, which is a commitment to deadlines rigidly established in the contract, to service users and which, if not met, the provider will be subject to heavy fines.

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Best application development software company

 With a customer-first focus, we aim to provide customized and top-notch applications to our customers so that they experience best performance with rich features on their platforms.

mobile application development

3 Business Benefits of using DCIM tool

 

Outline

Growing Data center businesses with increase of big data is leading to the adoption of centralized management system that can reduce the efforts of managing huge data center and provide efficiency in all facets. Use of DCIM tool expedites the complete management of Data center; it helps the overall efficacy of enterprise. What else can be the hunt for Business benefit, than solution with cost saving and productivity?

Current Scenario

Gartner’s prediction in 2011 was that by 2015, DCIM tools and processes will grow more from 5% penetration in 2011 to 60%, now seems to be reality. Even if the digits remain unmatched, the headway with which companies are adopting DCIM delivers the future importance of DCIM in Data centers and enterprises. Benefits of using DCIM tools for Data center management, which has not only affected the turnaround of Data centers but also of Companies reveals its eminence.

Feature and Benefits

3 acute features of Data center management tools like eMagic, that has improved the productivity of enterprises with prominent cost savings and resource utilization, these features provides perfect business benefits and noticeable return on investment promising complete investment protection.

Real time textual and graphical details of data center resources:

Dashboards and user interfaces that presents the Monitoring results in graphical form and offers easy to manage and control platform helps in real time information representation and management. Real time data with easy and breezy graphical dashboard enables user-friendly interface for taking quick actions and hence improves response time and timely management providing accuracy. It becomes easy for Non-technical person also, to manage the data center with graphical dashboard, this helps reduce the cost involved in increased human intervention and other resources for handling Data center.

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Top 5 Tips for Disaster Recovery Planning

 In this modern era of “always-on” business, prolonged downtime is not acceptable.  It is the need of the generation to keep small or large businesses running all the time. A steady rise in data security attacks and continuously changing IT landscape have revolutionised the disaster recovery market in recent years. According to stats, 86% of companies experienced system downtime in the last 12 months.  A report says, 90% of businesses losing data due to disaster are forced to shut down within two years. To most of the organisations, reliance on IT simply means not operating when the system went down. Such companies need to have a disaster recovery solution in place to make sure the businesses operate even after a disaster.

Indeed, IT disasters are unpredictable, but recovery needs to be planned, predictable and controlled. A recovery plan describes the scenarios to resume work as soon as possible and reduces interruptions in the aftermath of a disaster. It enables sufficient IT recovery and the prevention of data loss. A recovery plan should be a thoroughly detailed report that includes all the ins and outs of the policy right from emergency contacts to succession planning. Additionally, the dynamic nature of IT requires constant review and updates of the process and plan. It must be a part of everyday operations.

Here are a few essential keys to consider while selecting a disaster recovery plan.

1. Know Your Threats and Prioritize Them

The first stage of developing an effective DR plan is to understand the most severe threats to your IT infrastructure and their impact on everyday operations and long-run business success. Identifying risks like system failure, staff error, fire or power loss can help to put the solution in place and determine the course of action needed for recovery.

Large-scale disasters like storm require careful planning and execution. A significant concern is business continuity when a storm strikes and backup data storage failure. To address these issues, it is mandatory to make a list of potential disasters and prioritizing them depending on their occurrence. Post-disaster ranking determines the Recovery Time Objective (RTO) for every service.

Along with RTOs, Recovery Point Objective (RPO) need to be considered in the recovery plan. In other words, a volume of data a company is prepared to lose is RPO. Data Backup frequently will help you to meet your RPO.

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Multi -Tenant Databases

 Architecture where a single instance of software can server multiple clients can be termed as “Multi-Tenant”, and every single client known as “Tenant”. Today, this can be easily understood with the help of cloud computing, where user can run single instance application on single instance of database and accommodate the request of multiple web users. In such case data and information of each tenant or client is isolate from other. Oracle makes use of multi-tenancy architecture and provide the feature called “Pluggable Database” in its Oracle 12c release. This option multi-tenant database allow single database known as container database or CDB to host multiple databases known as pluggable database or PDB.

Consolidation, we know is the option in IT industry that almost every organization is looking at to reduce the IT cost. This consolidation has been worked upon and implemented at every layer of IT infrastructure. It can be network consolidations, web server consolidations etc. while consolidating care has promptly be taken that it won’t hamper functions of consolidated components. Oracle too, has come with up this option of consolidating multiple database into a single container database. This option of multitenant architecture fully compliments with other Oracle Technologies like Oracle RAC, Streams, and Dataguard. That means one can easily use the features of Oracle high availability in this architecture without any changes and modifications. Following lets have glance at offerings of this new architecture:

1. Oracle has beautifully taken care of basic requirement of database and its architecture. Each pluggable database gets its own memory and set of its background processes, as in case of single traditional database. Unlike old architecture multi-tenant architecture of database allows you run as many pluggable database as you can, which provides the benefit of schema-based consolidation.
   
   
2. Most of the time we come across situation where we need replica of our database. The requirement can testing environment, development environment or any other. DBA’s knows the overheads it has. With this new feature we can easily clone the database within seconds, with simple SQL statements. The next one, the copy or clone can be created within same container database or between the various containers. Also the pluggable databases can be unplugged from one container database to another.
   
   
3. The feature that is really stunning about the Oracle 12c multi-tenant architecture. We are very well aware of the patching and upgrading processes of the software and database. They are not only time consuming, but need to look upon various dependencies and compatibilities at various level like OS, applications, etc. With pluggable databases, you simply need to unplug and plug the database to multi-tenant container database of different Oracle Version. Upgrading/Patching container database will automatically upgrade/patch the pluggable database. Not to revise again that it cost effective and time saving tasks we ever simply had it before.

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