There is No Relief From Data Breaches in Summer

With bright summer days, long weekends and vacations, some may believe that the slower pace of business means relief from computer attacks and data breaches: but think again! The bad actors never relax in efforts to steal valuable private, personal information such as Social Security numbers and credit card information. Recognizable data loss victims in the news these days include Omni Hotels, Wendy's, and the FDIC, and such healthcare providers as 21st Century Oncology, Southeast Eye Institute, Medical Colleagues of Texas, Alliance Health Networks and Stomford Podiatry Group.

NCS Technologies is an important supplier of secure computing solutions to government, healthcare providers and financial services organizations and our virtualization solutions and are a major line of defense against data breaches. As you probably know, virtualization has been first implemented in the data center, where compute, storage and networking infrastructure equipment resides. IT administrators quickly realized the cost benefits of pooled server resources there, plus the pay-off of improved centrally-administered security and improved disaster recovery.

Now the benefits of virtualization are being extending outward to end points through a strategy called Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), where desktop and notebook PCs are thin or zero clients. The terms thin and zero are used interchangeably and refer to PCs that are lightweight and typically purpose-built with no hard drive, memory, etc. and all applications and sensitive data residing back in the data center.

In the real world there is a difference. Many thin clients retain a small capacity hard drive, some local memory and an embedded OS. This requires some administration - increasing IT complexity and security vulnerability.

SecureView Is A Superior Multi-level Virtual Platform

SecureView capabilities are very important for government professionals who work with virtualized computers at different classification levels. SecureView is a multi-level virtual platform which allows a user to run multiple securely isolated environments on a single PC or workstation, provide hardware-enforced security and deliver superior virtualization in the most demanding environments.

This virtual platform is is the result of extensive development work by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the open source community, Assured Information Security and NCS Technologies.

In short, SecureView is based on Type 1 or bare metal client hypervisor and allows a single computer to host multiple guest VMs running at different classification levels.

Financial Managers at HFMA Conference Look for Stronger Security

Virtualization has moved beyond the data center. Financial managers are exploring how virtualization at the end point - with desktop and notebook PCs - can be an important part of evolving security strategies. The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) National Institute is holding the Out of the Box trade show event this week at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. NCS is demonstrating virtualization solutions at Booth #2131.

Association members include CFOs, controllers, accountants and other financial professionals. Organizations associated with HFMA include hospitals, managed care organizations, physician practices, accounting firms, banks and insurance companies. Many financial professionals in these organizations are stopping by Booth 2131 to explore how zero client desktop or laptop computing can be a cost-effective part of a more secure financial organization.

Some of our visitors have heard something about thin client computing but are unfamilar with zero clients. In addition, analyst groups and vendors often mix together thin and zero client solutions under the one category of "thin client solutions". But there are differences, and zero client computing is clearly superior - easier to manage, delivering a lower cost of ownership and definitely more secure.

Superior Security & Virtualization

Our booth staff supporting the ACQUIRE Conference this week in Washington reported a strong interest by government professionals in security and virtualization technologies.

NCS Technologies demonstrated a number of leading virtualization solutions that deliver government-level security, manageability and low cost of ownership.

The NCS zero client virtual end point portfolio is recognized as world-class. Our zero client solutions include the Cirrus LT family of notebook PCs and desktops that include Cirrus DT WiFi, a portable desktop that delivers mobility or freedom from expensive cabling.

At Acquire, many customers explored the NCS end-to-end VDI solution. Government customers learned about our Deployable Virtual Desktop Infrastructure offer, which allows military and other responders to rapidly deploy infrastructure into the field without the weight and footprint of traditional solutions.

Another popular piece of the NCS virtualization portfolio at the show was SecureView. 

SecureView is a multi-level virtual platform which allows a user to run multiple securely isolated environments on a single PC or workstation, provide hardware-enforced security and deliver superior virtualization in the most demanding environments. The virtual platform is made possible by extensive development work by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the open source community, Assured Information Security and NCS.

Test Drive Superior Security & Manageability

Government workers have the opportunity to explore and demo advanced virtualization technologies at the ACQUIRE Conference & Expo today and tomorrow at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C. NCS Technologies can be found at Booth 1420.

NCS Technologies is showcasing a number of leading virtualization solutions that are optimized for IT managers concerned with government-level security, manageability of all network elements and low cost of ownership.

ACQUIRE's two day conference program addresses the most pressing priorities and issues for government, military and contractor professionals looking to deliver on agency missions. The conference provides IT managers insights into how to leverage the government's acquisition vehicles to support their agencies' IT programs.

One solution that is showcased at Booth 1420 is SecureView. 

SecureView is a multi-level virtual platform which allows a user to run multiple securely isolated environments on a single PC or workstation, provide hardware-enforced security and deliver superior virtualization in the most demanding environments. The virtual platform is made possible by extensive development work by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the open source community, Assured Information Security and NCS.

SecureView is based on Type 1 or bare metal client hypervisor and allows a single computer to host multiple guest VMs running at different classification levels. SecureView addresses a wide variety of use cases.

 Full-Service System Integrator - and More

In my last blog I highlighted how NCS was a leading full-service system integrator. Our integration and logistics services, and our deep relationships with Tier 1 OEM partners, makes us a valuable asset for any company needing a strong partner in the IT space. At our manufacturing campus, NCS has a secure and climate-controlled 55,000-square-foot facility, registered to ISO 9001:2008 and 14001, optimized for flexibility and quick response for any need involving engineering, manufacturing, inventory management or logistics.

Our highly trained professionals here offer design services, manufacturing services such as full-system integration and configuration control, logistics and warehousing, user-side services, such as CONUS and OCONUS installation and on-site repairs, and comprehensive warranty services.

Take a Look at NCS-Branded Systems

But NCS has much more to offer our many customers in government, the military, and commercial markets such as healthcare and financial services. For instance, NCS has deep experience in manufacturing and selling NCS Branded computer systems, including x86 desktops and workstations, zero client desktops and notebooks, and server and storage built with the latest Intel technologies.

NCS offers a family of desktop computers that are highly customizable for any requirement or need. Our affordable Stratus 5480 Series, which features Intel's 6th-generation Core processors and integrated Intel HD graphics support, supports up to three displays simultaneously. Our Stratus 7480 Series also features Intel's 6th-generation Core processors and provides improved performance by using serial point-to-point links, allowing increased bandwidth and stability. It supports up to six USB ports, six SATA ports, DDR4 memory and many ways to customize.

In addition, NCS branded workstations and desktops computers are the hardware of choice for SecureView. SecureView is a multi-level virtual platform which allows a user to run multiple securely isolated environments on a single PC or workstation, provide hardware-enforced security and deliver superior virtualization in the most demanding environments. The virtual platform is made possible by extensive development work by the Air Force Research Laborator (AFRL), the open source community, Assured Information Security and NCS.

SecureView, a Multi-level Virtual Platform

SecureView is a multi-level virtual platform which allows a user to run multiple securely isolated environments on a single PC or workstation, provide hardware-enforced security and deliver superior virtualization in the most demanding environments. The virtual platform is made possible by extensive development work by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the open source community, Assured Information Security and NCS.

SecureView is based on Type 1 or bare metal client hypervisor and allows a single computer to host multiple guest VMs running at different classification levels. SecureView addresses a wide variety of use cases.

Virtualizing Beyond the Data Center

In any discussion about Virtualization, the focus is often on the data center rather than the desktop. There is no doubt that big gains in productivity, manageability, cost efficiency and security can be made with data center server and storage modernization.

When the topic moves to the desktop, many IT administrators are content to implement a thin client strategy without a deep dive investigation. When it comes to the possibility of adding "zero clients" to that mix, many in IT may not go the extra mile to investigate this ultra-secure, easy-to-manage alternative. This can be doubly confusing as many vendors mix together under the label "thin client solutions", both thin and zero client technology! So the labels can get muddied up. But it's safe to say many administrators start out thinking about thin clients as the way to go.

What Is SecureView?

SecureView is a multi-level virtual platform which allows a user to run multiple securely isolated environments on a single PC or workstation, provide hardware-enforced security and deliver superior virtualization in the most demanding environments. The virtual platform is made possible by extensive development work by the Air Force Research Laborator (AFRL), the open source community, Assured Information Security and NCS.

SecureView:

• Is a low-cost, multiple-independent levels of security (MILS) workstation-based COTS technology
• Is based on Type 1 or bare metal client hypervisor
• Allows single computer to host multiple guest VMs running at different classification levels
• Addresses a wide variety of use cases

Government analysts looking for superior, hardware-enforced computer security are increasingly turning to SecureView.

Virtualizing a Desktop and How Zero Clients Fit In

The annual HIMSS healthcare IT conference is finished. Tens of thousands of attendees in Las Vegas joined celebrity speakers and medical leaders to evaluate better ways to use IT to improve healthcare delivery. Mike Turicchi, the NCS Chief Product Strategy Officer, will soon follow this blog with his thoughts on the IT trends in healthcare that he identified from the four-day event.

One issue that we continue to see - and this was a frequent topic of discussion at the show - is that IT experts can be familiar with some parts of virtualization and VDI, but not others. For instance, an IT administrator can speak knowledgeably about the benefits of server and storage virtualization, but be relatively inexperienced with desktop or endpoint virutalization strategies.

So we heard at HIMSS16, what is a zero client? How is it different from a thin client?

IT folks know something about the concept of virtualizing an existing PC or installing a new thin client, but can be fuzzy about how a zero client fits in.