Step into the world of cybersecurity with Antoine Harb of Kingston Technology, as he sits down for an interview with Rabab Zehra, Executive Editor at TECHx. Delve into data protection, emerging digital challenges, and the game-changing “Forged to be Secure” campaign by Kingston. Uncover the value of collaboration, innovation, and gain expert insights on safeguarding your data in an interconnected era.
TECHx: The threat landscapes in the cybersecurity realm are constantly evolving. How does Kingston Technology perceive these changes, and how does the company plan to address them through the “Forged to be Secure” campaign?
Antoine : Every 11 seconds, a business falls victim to a cyberattack. In the US, the cost of an average data breach is $9.44 million.
Many cybersecurity specialists concur that the responsibility of upholding data security standards does not fall only on the shoulders of those in their field, but everyone in an organisation. While the IT department will naturally handle most of the work, all stakeholders of a company influence security policy and implementation.
While encryption is not the entire solution to data loss, it is integral to any solution. When properly implemented, strong encryption is extremely robust.
In contrast to software-encrypted drives, hardware-encrypted USB drives are the ideal data protection security solution for government and corporate data. They are designed to protect everything from classified to personal data; helping organisations meet a variety of worldwide security regulations. Thanks to their own processors integrated directly on the drive, the products offer maximum data security and protection against the most common types of attacks, including cold boot attacks and brute force attacks, pretty much directly out of the box, because they were forged to be secure.
TECHx: As we move into the future, what are the anticipated challenges in the field of cybersecurity that both individuals and businesses should be prepared for?
Antoine: In the present day, digitization impacts every facet of our lives. In the upcoming years leading up to 2025, the global volume of data creation is anticipated to surge beyond 180 zettabytes. To provide context, a single zettabyte equates to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes, or one trillion bytes.
This sweeping transformation spans every facet of our daily existence. Whether it’s the photo you share on your social feed, the phone bill you settle, your visit to the doctor, or the emails you fire off at work – every fragment of data we generate becomes a thread in our digital tapestry. Yet, this intricate web of information, if laid bare, can unravel our personal lives, leaving us vulnerable to harm. The very same principle holds true for business data, where exposure could mean dire consequences.
As technology forges ahead and cybercrime becomes increasingly sophisticated, the imperative for regulatory compliance to safeguard both personal and corporate data, whether at rest or in transit, is set to surge. To address these challenges, individuals and businesses should focus on keeping employees informed about the latest security threats and best practices through regular trainings. A multilayered defense should be implemented in organizations to create a robust security strategy. It is also crucial that sensitive data, both in transit and at rest, is protected from unauthorized access. Lastly, implementing robust backup and recovery solutions to mitigate the impact of data breaches or ransomware attacks is necessary.
TECHx: Kingston Technology has been investing in cutting-edge research and development to develop innovative security features and technologies. Can you highlight some of these advancements that prioritize data security and protect against both known and unknown threats?
Antoine: In essence, Kingston Technology is at the forefront of crafting security solutions that proactively counter both known and unknown threats. Our ongoing investment in research and development underscores our dedication to prioritising data security and fortifying our products with state-of-the-art technologies that stand resolute against the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
In May 2022, Kingston launched new IronKey drives that have incorporated additional security options to make USB drives and external SSDs even more user-friendly and secure, such as:
Multi-Passwords: Kingston’s new Vault Privacy 50 (VP50) and Vault-Privacy80ES (VP80ES) now incorporate a multi-password option. Customers can now enable multi-password mode. The VP50 allows for up to three passwords and VP80ES allows up to two. In the case of VP50, the Admin password can be used to unlock a drive if Brute Force attack protection was triggered on the other passwords and locked them, allowing small and medium businesses to locally manage their drives. Multi-passwords address Kingston’s customers’ #1 request for data recovery options should a password be forgotten.
New Passphrase mode: Complex passwords are still around, but people are getting fatigued with remembering them. Passphrase allows for new passwords from 10-64 characters long; this means customers can use passwords that are lists of words, a sentence, a line from a poem, song lyrics, etc. These are easier to remember and harder to crack.
New Virtual Keyboard: VP50 adds a virtual keyboard to enter the password for Windows and macOS. This new feature can block keyloggers that try to capture the keys being entered.
TECHx: Collaboration within the industry is crucial to strengthen overall cybersecurity. Could you elaborate on Kingston’s approach to industry collaborations and partnerships in the context of enhancing data security?
Antoine: At Kingston, we recognize the significance of collective efforts and have adopted a proactive and multifaceted approach to industry collaborations and partnerships aimed at bolstering data security.
First and foremost, we actively engage with leading industry organisations, cybersecurity forums, and research institutions. By participating in collaborative initiatives, we contribute to the exchange of knowledge, insights, and best practices that shape the future of data security. These collaborations not only enhance our own expertise but also facilitate the dissemination of critical information throughout the cybersecurity ecosystem.
In a pivotal juncture in 2016, Kingston Technology, a well-established manufacturer and provider of hardware-encrypted products since 2007, took the helm by acquiring IronKey, a keyplayer in realm of internet security and data privacy recognised by the US government in 2004 for developing a secure and tamper-resistant USB Flash drive, primarily tailored for the US government and military. “Kingston IronKey” was forged solidifying its position as the preeminent and globally acclaimed producer of hardware-encrypted USB drives.
TECHx: The “Forged to be Secure” campaign signifies a strong commitment to data security. How does Kingston Technology plan to raise awareness about this critical issue among individuals, businesses, and governments?
Antoine: When data is taken outside of the office, your existing cybersecurity and data loss prevention policies can no longer keep your data safe, making your data a soft target. Luckily, Kingston IronKey drives provide on-the-go file storage with the ultimate portable security strategy.
After pinpointing the most sensitive and unique data categories, enterprises ought to securely back up this information following established protocols. This practice acts as a safeguard against potential file corruption and unintentional deletions. Moreover, backing up vital information fortifies the company’s defenses against potential extortion attempts by malicious actors seeking to hold data hostage. There are several options for storing and transferring data securely but, for many, it starts with Kingston IronKey’s hardware-encrypted storage.
Kingston IronKey products are designed with Data Loss Prevention (DLP) strategies in mind so that when the eventual breaches happen, companies that use our technology are already in the best position possible to mitigate the attack.
TECHx: Lastly, what advice or best practices would you share with our readers to protect their data from cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected world?
Antoine: A combination of Kingston’s hardware-encrypted USB drives and a cloud back up is the most effective solution in data loss prevention. Combining the benefit of both technologies will stop you and your boss from becoming a source of data leakage or breaches, irrespective of your chosen work location.
So, having decided on an encrypted USB drive, the features to look out for are:
Any combination of the above features will ensure peace of mind that you and your company’s data is safe when unable to access the cloud or if you are working from an unsecure location.
