Igaware Linux Small Business Server + UTM Firewall

The software market has long been dominated by ‘Corporateware’ – software that has been developed for large enterprises. Such software has a ‘million and one’ ways to be configured so that it can be flexible enough to meet the complex needs of large enterprise customers. That’s fine if you are a large enterprise with a dedicated IT department, but for an SME business such complexity is expensive to manage and a serious threat to data security – increased complexity increases introduces too many opportunities for error.

Igaware software, on the other hand, has been engineered specifically for the needs of SMEs customers, with a focus on simplicity, ease of use and keeping data private and secure.

The Igaware Small Business Server and UTM Firewall were launched in 1999, developed specifically for SME businesses to provide enterprise class security and services but without the burden of complexity.

Complexity introduces too many opportunities for error, so keep it simple!

Software companies can take one of two approaches to keep their software secure. They can keep their software code hidden, which is known as Security Through Obscurity or they can take an Open Software approach and release their software code for anyone to see.

Software companies such as Microsoft use Security Through Obscurity, whereas Igaware and others use Open Software.

Security Through Obscurity is the idea that by hiding your software code no one can find holes in it. It’s akin to burying your money under a tree. The only thing that makes it safe is no one knows it’s there.

The problem with this approach is that someone may find your tree. Microsoft’s tree was discovered by the US Government who documented vulnerabilities in Microsoft software through which they could access systems for the purposes of surveillance.  Unfortunately the vulnerabilities were leaked to the hacking community; 8000 documents via Wikileaks (https://wikileaks.org/ciav7p1/). The result was the global Wannacry Ransomware attack.

Now imagine putting your data behind a lock or combination, say in a safe. You should be able to put the safe on a street corner because what makes it secure is that no one can get inside it but you. Open software uses the principle that the code is visible to all, making it easier to identify and plug security vulnerabilities faster. It’s like having a team of world-wide experts constantly trying to crack the safe, and reinforcing it immediately a weaknesses is found. It ensures a safe that’s incredibly hard to crack.

So if you want to ensure your email and data is secure then have your data on a Linux software platform such as that used by the Igaware Linux Small Business Server. Your data is your crown jewels. Keep it safe!

Related articles

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_through_obscurity

Companies are so reliant on computer systems for communication and operations that any downtime is very costly and frustrating. IT systems are inherently complex so having access to timely support from technology vendors is critical, mission critical!

Igaware has differentiated itself from big US vendors, not only in the robustness of it’s underlying Linux Small Business Server software, but in it’s approach to support.

Igaware doesn’t do support tickets, on-line self help or self-serving SLAs, we just take calls and solve issues there and then. This is one reason why Igaware don’t tie customers into contracts; customers loyalty comes from the fact that Igaware is incredibly reliable and help is always at hand if there’s an issue. What more could customers want?

Next time you are looking to upgrade your server, or recommend a server to others, just remember the last time you pressed ‘2 for support’ and then tore your hair out being put on hold for 30 minutes, and check out how the Igaware Linux Small Business Server can make life a lot less stressful. But hey, that can be stressful and those stress management classes at Legacy inpatient rehab Orlando are always waiting for you.

Not only is immediate access to support essential for customers, but it is also a revelation to IT resellers and consultants who recommend Igaware to their clients. Partnering with Igaware means any customer issues can be resolved with a call to Igaware in minutes. There’s no need to trawl Google for a solution, get put on hold with a large US vendor or shrug your shoulders and tell your customers ‘it’s out of my hands’. The end result is IT companies reselling Igaware can build a large loyal customer base without getting bogged down in stressful fire fighting.

Your email and data are your crown jewels. If they are lost, stolen or corrupted there will likely be severe consequences for your operations and a hefty fine for breaching the General Data Protection Regulation (*GDPR).

The safest place for your email and data is under your control, on a dedicated security hardened server, protected by a PCI compliant firewall, managed by people you know and trust. This is the level of security Igaware offers.

The alternative is to outsource your IT and hand over your email and data to third party suppliers who, if they are US corporations, may not be GDPR compliant and therefore unable to legally supply you with IT services now and in the future.

Outsourcing has been a growing trend under the marketing banner of ‘Cloud Computing’ and has been heavily advertised by US corporations including Microsoft, Google, Rackspace and Amazon. These companies have used their marketing muscle to push cloud computing because it suits their business model, not because it is in customer interests. Microsoft has even gone as far as removing on-premise server options to force customers into the cloud.

The good news is that Igaware offers a wholly secure, robust and cost effective on-premise Linux Small Business Server. It includes a UTM firewall that ensures your data and email secured. And because Igaware is an on-premise server you know exactly where your data is and who has access to it. This means GDPR compliance is simplified and you can completely forget about the significant practical and legal issues faced by cloud users.

*GDPR comes into law in May 2018