Cautioning Against Technological Pitfalls – 12

Encouraging Investment in Information Security

The systems, devices, and controls of information security, or "technical security," are among the most expensive systems, and that is because what they protect in reality is among the most precious of things, which is information. It is a commodity over which nations wage war against one another to obtain this information and gain control of it, and there is no doubt that our region is among the regions most lain in wait for by those who spread corruption on earth. Electronic security has become as essential as water is to a human being, and there should be no technical project without allocating a portion of investment in the security of that project and attempting to penetrate it periodically to uncover errors and vulnerabilities, and preparing and equipping all of the institution's employees and enhancing their capabilities in electronic security, each according to his specialty, until everyone reaches an acceptable, indeed good, level in security information. Under no circumstances can security needs ever be ignored, and their priorities take precedence over everything, and annual and periodic security tests are very important, and more important than these is the complete simulated penetration test and testing the readiness of all teams in solving the challenge.

Encouraging the Creation of an Isolated Backup Network and Systems

The idea is important and its importance has increased after the ransomware virus attacks, as it is useful to set up a copy of the most important systems in a completely isolated network that is updated once every two weeks or once a month at most, manually, so that we preserve the most up-to-date amount of data, and we move to it in the event that the main network and the active backup network are struck. It is true that this means additional work, but with automation it can be carried out without human intervention, and there are systems that perform work similar to this method.

Encouraging the Segmentation of the Wireless Network

Segmenting the wireless network, whether at the workplace or at home, is an important thing, as there is no need for visitors to access your main network, indeed it is preferable to use different devices as well in institutions and a completely isolated network, even the internet port should be isolated to prevent any error from opening a door for any infiltration by the unwanted. Among the important matters is providing network access control systems (NAC) and a firewall for the secondary guest network with complete isolation, as we mentioned earlier.

Cautioning Against Not Updating Programs and Systems

Updating systems, applications, and programs is often of great importance in closing vulnerabilities and solving problems and errors, and then obtaining new features and other beneficial improvements, but many information technology departments neglect updating software and focus on updating Windows and Office, and some of them neglect even this high, dangerous importance. It is the duty of the technology manager to verify weekly the log of updates, vulnerabilities, and other related security reports, and among the important updating systems is the use of programs that update everything and add patterns for updating and detecting vulnerabilities first and foremost, such as "Desktop Central + Vulnerability Management add-on" and "SolarWinds" and others.

Encouraging the Trial and Support of National Projects

Many small companies have transformed, by the grace of God and then by the direct and indirect support of the community, into enormous companies that contribute to the country's economy in one way or another, and we have in Souq.com, Talabat, and even the giants Microsoft, Facebook, and Google examples, for had it not been for people's adoption of them, their goods would have languished. What is required of the community is to adopt and support national projects, even if they do not rise to your aspirations, otherwise their harm to you will be greater than their benefit, and here you have your excuse. Let us strive diligently toward self-sufficiency with our local technical projects, as is the case in many countries whose services are from them and to them, and you can contribute to supporting it by using it and always sending your observations and suggestions to it, except for the one who refuses, and his burden is upon himself.

Encouraging the Use of the Chrome Operating System from Google

The Chrome operating system is among the best, fastest, and highest in security and stability of systems, and it proved to everyone during the period of the coronavirus quarantine that it is a flexible, powerful system that does not need very powerful hardware to run completely smoothly, indeed it is possible for you to accomplish all of your work using it.

And with the availability of millions of Google Android apps on it in the modern devices of it, it opens up various, countless options. The system is very smooth and extremely light, and it has the features of complete control for institutions, and its devices are much cheaper and faster than others.

Encouraging Phones with Screens That Support 120 Hz

Screen refresh rate is one of the most important points that gives an impression of how smooth the movement of the system and apps is and the speed of browsing and games, and high speeds have long been associated with very high-priced devices, so it was necessary for companies to disregard these high speeds, until computer screens came to commonly adopt a speed of 144 Hz in the mid-range categories. The shift then began in phones, from the prevalent 60 Hz to 90 Hz in numerous phones at varying prices, until recently 120 Hz phones became common in the high-end categories and reached 144 Hz in gaming phones, and trying them truly reflects the high speed and smoothness of moving between content, bearing in mind that the screen refresh rate affects the battery life, so you would then need to charge it more times.

Encouraging the Use of Google Maps in Cars

Google Maps has proven its superiority by many stages over its closest competitors, and the difference between it and its closest competitors is vast given its high capabilities, speed of updating, accuracy of performance, and the system of everyone partnering in adding content, until its app has become more akin to a social network specialized in maps from which institution owners and their patrons, drivers, and commuters benefit. Providing this wonderful system in cars is tantamount to moving the car from darkness into light, for most of the systems available in cars lack a great, great deal, the most important of which is continuous updating, indeed most cars are drowning in old maps that time has worn out. The best way is for the car to support the availability of "Android Auto" or "CarPlay" support, as these systems allow connecting to your phone and using Google Maps services with complete ease. But in the event that this service is not available in your car, you will need to install a small piece inside the car's screen and use Android services, and it comes in many shapes and patterns that change your feeling and contribute to making the vehicle more effective and beneficial and worth acquiring, certainly. The prices of these pieces vary, and they also vary in quality and country of production, but they are worth trying. It also enables you to download Google Maps in a mode that does not need the internet, and the maps work for a period of a year and then need to be updated by connecting the system to the Wi-Fi network through your phone, and the navigation systems work with complete accuracy even without an internet connection, with the ability to search as well.