Nth Generation Computing

Identity governance (IG) plays a critical role in organizations by guaranteeing that the right individuals have access to the necessary resources at the appropriate times and for valid reasons. It is vital for upholding security, ensuring compliance, enhancing operational efficiency, and mitigating risks related to unauthorized or inappropriate access. As such, identity governance forms an essential pillar of any modern organization's cybersecurity and risk management strategy. Feel free to message me if you would like to learn more. Here are several key reasons why identity governance is so important: - IG plays a crucial role in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems, thereby reducing the risk of insider threats, whether intentional or accidental. It also helps in preventing data breaches by securing critical information, which in turn protects organizations from costly financial loss, legal penalties, and reputational damage. - Industries subject to strict regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX) must control and monitor access to sensitive information. Identity governance ensures compliance by implementing access rights policies, helping organizations avoid penalties for non-compliance. - Organizations can now automate the process of giving, changing, or taking away access. This makes sure that employees get the access they need quickly without manual work. They also regularly check to make sure that access rights match job roles and organizational rules. - Identity governance plays a crucial role in ensuring that users do not have more permissions than necessary, particularly after transitioning to new roles within the organization. It effectively prevents "privilege creep," which occurs when users gradually amass more permissions than required for their job responsibilities. - Automated workflows in identity governance help to reduce the administrative burden of managing user access, saving time and resources. This also lowers the risk of errors in provisioning or de-provisioning access, eliminating delays in providing access. As a result, user productivity and operational workflows are improved. - It's important to keep clear records of who accessed what and when, as identity governance promotes accountability. In the event of a security incident, organizations can trace activities back to specific individuals. It also enforces segregation of duties (SoD): Proper identity governance ensures that no single individual can perform sensitive actions without oversight, which is crucial for financial, legal, or healthcare systems. - As organizations adopt cloud services, managing user identities across on-premises and cloud environments becomes more complex. Identity governance provides a unified framework for managing identities across diverse environments, ensuring consistency in security policies.

We are excited to announce that Jessica Contreras, the City’s Director of Information and Technology, has been recognized as a 2024 Top Tech Honoree in the Government category! Each year, the Top Tech Awards, sponsored by Cox Business, celebrate the region’s leading information technology (IT) innovators across various sectors, including business, education, government, and nonprofit organizations. This year, 13 honorees were recognized, with over 500 attendees celebrating their achievements. Jessica’s recognition underscores her commitment to using technology to enhance public service, improve the quality of life, and ensure public safety for the residents of Encinitas. Over the past year, the City has made significant strides in implementing cutting-edge technologies, such as geographic information system (GIS) analysis to identify defensible space for fire safety, and the use of drones to enhance fire situational awareness. Marine safety has also advanced through innovations like Safe Beach Day, helping residents and visitors stay informed about beach conditions. Jessica says, “Technology has the power to help improve the quality of life and public safety for the community. The City of Encinitas staff looks for opportunities to use technology in these ways to do our best every day.” Her leadership continues to inspire the City’s efforts to stay connected, productive, and prepared for the future. Congratulations on this amazing achievement, Jessica Contreras , CGCIO! 📸: Brant Bender Photography

Meet Our Cybersecurity Expert: Jeromie Jackson- CISSP, CISM, Director of Security & Analytics at Nth Generation Computing 🔒 With over 30 years of experience, Jeromie Jackson is a powerhouse in the world of cybersecurity. As a leader in security consultancies, Jeromie has provided top-tier information security services to Fortune 500 companies, large enterprises, and mid-sized organizations. He’s not only the Founder of the San Diego OWASP Chapter but also a SANS Mentor and former Vice President of the San Diego ISACA Chapter. Recognized in Forbes Magazine, Jeromie is a seasoned speaker, author, and industry expert who’s frequently called upon by media outlets for his cutting-edge insights into cybersecurity. What you’ll learn: - Proven strategies for securing your organization - Insights from a speaker with decades of hands-on experience - Key trends shaping the future of cybersecurity Don't miss your chance to hear from one of the industry’s most connected and experienced thought leaders! 🎟️ LIMITED TIME OFFER! 🎟️  Use code "LABJcyber20" for an exclusive discount! Offer expires TOMORROW, October 18th —register now! 🔗 REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/gN65j_Dw Sponsored by: Aon, Comcast Business, IMA Financial Group, Inc., Maryman & Associates Inc., Nth Generation Computing, Western Governors University

Team #NthGeneration connecting for a SPOOKtacular celebration🦇! Murder on the Orient Express at #theOldGlobe was to DIE for🧛♀️! Dinner at #thePrado was KILLER ☠ ! Plenty of tricks & ghoulish frights at #BalboaPark 🧙♀️🧟♂️💀 . But time with my faBOOlous colleagues is always a TREAT 🍭🍬! Thanks Jan Baldwin, Richard B., Nth Generation Computing for encouraging team SPIRIT👻. Wishing everyone a safe & fun Halloween🎃!

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The importance of a Compromise Assessment (CA) is crucial for understanding your organization's security posture and ensuring that cyber threats are identified, mitigated, and responded to before they escalate. It is a vital process for organizations, especially in the realm of cybersecurity, because it helps determine if there has been a security breach or compromise within their network or systems. Nth is an expert in CA; message me if you want to learn more. Why the need for a CA: Some advanced threats, like Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), can go undetected for a long time. A cybersecurity analyst helps identify if malicious actors have gained access, even if they haven’t launched an active attack yet. Early detection can significantly minimize the damage caused by a breach. Detecting a compromise promptly allows for quicker response measures to contain it, reducing the spread of malware, ransomware, or unauthorized data access. Security incidents can be very costly, leading to fines from regulatory bodies, loss of business, or ransom demands. A CA can help minimize financial exposure by identifying vulnerabilities or breaches before they cause greater damage. A security breach can erode trust. Regular Compromise Assessments help find and fix vulnerabilities, safeguarding the organization’s reputation. Many industries, such as finance and healthcare, have strict data security compliance requirements. A Compromise Assessment can help organizations stay compliant with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, which often mandate regular security checks and assessments. It helps organizations uncover weaknesses in systems, networks, or security processes, enabling them to take corrective actions and improve their ability to withstand future attacks. It can help organizations confirm if their systems have been compromised, assuring leadership, auditors, and clients that the network is secure. Not all threats come from outside an organization. Insider threats, whether malicious or unintentional, can be challenging to detect. A CA helps identify suspicious activities within the organization that may point to insider threats. In case of a breach, the CA provides detailed forensic data to help organizations understand the nature of the attack, how it occurred, and which data or systems were impacted. This information is crucial for an effective response. Regular Compromise Assessments demonstrate an organization's commitment to cybersecurity by proactively managing risks and protecting sensitive data for stakeholders, investors, and customers.

Let Nth Generation help turn your AI initiatives into reality! Nth is at the forefront of AI and training LLM models in our lab today managed by our Director of Advanced Technologies, Lee Solomonson! We offer fundamental AI courses via Nth University (additional dates will be announced soon) to help your organization better understand what specific AI use cases might move the needle and the safest way to deploy them. Skip the noise, trust the experts! #AItotheNth° Hewlett Packard Enterprise NVIDIA Cyber Infrastructure (CIS)