by Linda Rawson | May 15, 2017 | Business, Cybersecurity, General, Information Technology
Cyber Security
Cyber Security is currently a real need. Businesses of all kinds involve sensitive information especially those of customers. As information is usually gained from cyberspace, businesses are not really safe. If the information gets into the wrong hands, the cyber breach could cause catastrophic damage. Also, one small cyber breach on an Industrial Automation facility and production grinds to a halt.
Businesses lose thousands, if not millions of dollars when production stops.
In the last two years the rate of cyber crime has exceeded, and in 2015 alone, there were about 781 publicized security breaches that resulted in the exposure of over 169 million personal records.
Sadly, this number is increasing one year after another.
Such kind of attacks take place when there is a loophole in the techniques and measures adopted for cyber security. Big names like Target, Harvard, and BlueCross have also been a victim of cyber attacks which is proof that none of the big businesses are safe from this threat of getting attacked through cyber.
Over the last 2-3 years, the rate of cyber attack and cyber criminals are getting faster and better at figuring out the wormholes, and sadly this has made it difficult for the businesses to keep up. The conventional protective software has trouble keeping sensitive data secure.
So what to do? IT executives have come up with some innovative strategies that involve automation as a defense tool against such kind of cyber attack and breach of cyber security. Nowadays, the threats have increased, and the IT people are up against constant and persistent attacks and these threats are led by automated bots.
These are intensive attacks and humans cannot keep pace with some such threats, and it becomes difficult to take decisions that trigger the immediate effect. This is the leading cause of automation being incorporated in cyber security. Automation is not powerful but efficient as well.
At the same time, some concerns also surround the aspect of automation in cyber security like:
Lack of Trust: A highly skilled employee would feel capable of giving a response to cyber attack compared to a machine. Not being able to trust technology tends to be a significant obstacle that is difficult to handle with an increase in frequency and complexity.
Change: Another misconception is automation shall replace human workforce. Automation does play a major role in changing how people worked before, but it is creating opportunities for them as well.
To address these perceived shortcomings, there are some significant advantages:
Enhanced Efficiency: With the help of automation, the workflows become more uniformed and streamlined. And the organization becomes stronger regarding cyber security.
Fewer Errors: Majority of the renowned cyber breaches were caused by highly overworked individuals with no harmful intention. Even the experts of IT can make mistakes, but these could be massively damaging with automation, this problem can be eliminated by eradicating some or all of the human involvement.
Better Decisions: Automation allows industries to gather, analyze and prioritize sensitive information that boosts the threat detection and cyber attack management process.
Cyber Security should be the top-most priority of every business/industry leader as the average cost of a cyber attack ranges from $38,000 to staggering $400 billion!
The strategies need to be revised and audited properly to check their efficiency if the business is to keep from becoming the next target.
Automation is rising as an excellent tool for strengthening, boosting and streamlining the response processes to a better defense can be created.
#cybersecurity #security #privacy #tech #hacking #infosec #iot #DDoS #cyber
by Linda Rawson | May 8, 2017 | General, System Integration
Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Executive Conference
Linda Rawson, President, and CEO of DynaGrace Enterprises – an 8(a), WOSB, Information Technology and System Integration Company, attended the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) Conference. CSIA’s Annual Executive Conference is an annual conference where over 500 hundred members and industry partners gather to network, hear outstanding speakers, share best practices, and learn about new products and services.
CSIA – Control System Integrators Association
2017 is the first year that DynaGrace Enterprises has attended the prestigious annual conference which changes locations every year. The location of this year’s conference was the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. DynaGrace Enterprises’s President and CEO, Linda Rawson completed the two-day Best Practices Training and then attended the three-day conference as part of her commitment to strengthening DynaGrace Enterprise’s operations and growth opportunity.
Control system integrators design, build and implement efficient manufacturing, process, and industrial systems for manufacturing, process, and other industrial facilities to automate tasks and increase efficiency. The Control System Integrators Association (CSIA), founded in 1994, is a not-for-profit, global trade association. The mission of CSIA, according to the website, controlsys.org, is: “The mission of the Control System Integrators Association is to advance the industry of control system integration.” By following sound business practices identified by CSIA, members improve their business processes and profit while enjoying an opportunity to share industry expertise and lessons learned with their peers. CSIA has over 500 member companies in 27 countries.
“It is a great privilege to attend the conference and experience firsthand the information shared by top influences in the System Integrator market,” stated Linda Rawson, President, and CEO of DynaGrace Enterprises. “DynaGrace Enterprises has been heavily involved in Department of Defense work and is moving full forward in a growth opportunity in System Integration. The CSIA executive conference has provided additional insight and connections needed to enhance this growth opportunity while staying true to our core of providing exceptional personalized service to each of our valued clients.”
One of the highlights of CSIA is the certification program. Certified companies experience growth by establishing known business practices that are audited and verified. The certification lasts three years and provides a method for manufacturers to work with only certified businesses.
Many participants also report launching new products or services, discontinuing ineffective ones and expanding into new markets. They also report changes in the way they attract, manage and retain employees. Many alliances and partnerships are established at the annual conference as well as establishing a great business model.
The attendance at the conference follows shortly after another significant milestone from DynaGrace Enterprises — the development of strategic partnerships in the area of Human Machine Interface (HMI). DynaGrace Enterprises hopes to lead the field in integrating Virtual Reality into System Integration of Automation Solutions. This integration further supports DynaGrace Enterprises’s path of continued growth, maintaining itself as a provider of Information Technology services.
Customers can learn more about DynaGrace Enterprises by visiting the company’s website at DynaGrace.com or by calling the company directly at 800-676-0058.
by Linda Rawson | Apr 20, 2017 | General
DynaGrace Enterprises Completes Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program
April 20th, 2017
Linda Rawson, President, and CEO of DynaGrace Enterprises – a 8(a), WOSB, Information Technology and System Integration Company, has completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. The program is a $500 million commitment by Goldman Sachs and The Goldman Sachs Foundation to unlock the job creation potential of small businesses across the United States.
SLC UT
Goldman Sachs 10,000 small businesses
DynaGrace Enterprises is one of the most recent beneficiaries of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. DynaGrace Enterprises’s President and CEO, Linda Rawson completed the 100-hour, four-month curriculum as part of her commitment to strengthening DynaGrace Enterprises’s operations.
The Goldman Sachs, 10,000 Small Businesses program, is a $500 million initiative developed to help small businesses in the United States by providing entrepreneurs with an integrated program of practical business and management education, access to capital, and business support services.
“It is a great privilege to be one of the latest beneficiaries of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program,” stated Linda Rawson, President, and CEO of DynaGrace Enterprises. “DynaGrace Enterprises has been heavily involved in Department of Defense work and is moving full forward in a growth opportunity identified during the Goldman Sachs program. The Goldman Sachs program has provided the additional insight and resources needed to enhance this growth opportunity while staying true to our core of providing exceptional personalized service to each of our valued clients.”
In a report published by Babson College, six months after completing the program, 47.9% of participants reported adding new jobs. This number increased to 55.7% at 18 months and to 60.9% at 30 months after the program Revenues of the participating businesses also grew steadily after program completion, with 68.7%, 73.9% and 81.9% of participants reporting increased revenues six months, 18 months and 30 months, respectively, after program completion. Many participants also report launching new products or services, discontinuing ineffective ones and expanding into new markets. They also report changes in the way they attract, manage and retain employees.
The completion of the Goldman Sachs program follows shortly after another significant milestone from DynaGrace Enterprises — the development of strategic partnerships in the area of Human Machine Interface (HMI). DynaGrace Enterprises hopes to lead the field in integrating Virtual Reality into System Integration of Automation Solutions. This integration further supports DynaGrace Enterprises’s path of continued growth, maintaining itself as a provider of Information Technology services.
Customers can learn more about DynaGrace Enterprises by visiting the company’s website at DynaGrace.com or by calling the company directly at 888-676-0058.
The official press release is located here -> http://www.pr.com/press-release/713467
by Linda Rawson | Apr 7, 2017 | System Integration
As a company, we have established a growth opportunity in the System Integration of software into both Building and Industrial Automation. The software should be simple and easy to use. The software interface is commonly called Human Machine Interface (HMI).
In the simplest terms and as is illustrated in the following figure, a Human Machine Interface (HMI) is a User Interface (UI) that allows a human to interact with hardware in a simple, intuitive manner. Usually, the UI is designed with a pleasant color scheme and much time is spent on ease of use. Anymore, if a child cannot operate the UI, then the UI needs to be thrown away and redone.
Human Machine Interface (HMI)
HMI Simple Architecture
Between the hardware and the UI is an interface that directs traffic and the UI interprets the signals provided by the hardware to present the human with alerts, status, and other information from the hardware. The interface can also store information for historical trend information to be presented in the HMI as well.
Typically, a simple Industrial Automation site has several Programmable Logic Controller’s also known as PLC’s. A PLC monitors the state of input devices and makes decisions based upon a custom program to control the state of output devices.
Programmable Logic Controller
Programmable Logic Controller
The PLC is the traffic cop and can change an operation or process quickly while collecting and communicating vital data to the HMI. PLC’s are modular and can be intertwined and have many data points flowing in real-time. The customer can determine what information they want to see.
We apply the KISS principal to Interactive Human Machine Interfaces (HMI). With all kinds of information available from automation systems, sometimes all the customer wants to see is something simple like Red, Green, and Yellow. The idea is “simple” interfaces that are customized to what you want to see on their dashboard.
We work with the customer to determine exactly what they want to see. The final product has THEIR logo, THEIR colors, and the menu options THEY want. We do not use complex animations, and we try to keep text to a minimum so that they get a streamlined user experience that is very functional.
Visualization of Data
Although we will offer products on our website for purchase and have installers, we believe our growth opportunity is in the visualization of the data obtained from these products.
- Being able to preserve existing investments in control and monitoring devices and integrating them with new standards-based technologies.
- Ability to access and control ALL diverse systems through a standard web browser, smartphone or desktop application.
- Combining information from different systems to support better overall facility management and control.
- Being able to specify interoperable systems and applications from multiple vendors, thereby reducing the potential for vendor lock-in.
- Multiple paybacks in the form of performance efficiencies, reduced capital, and operational expenses, and greater returns.
By comparison, the technological concept that makes it possible to integrate different systems is simple. Each building system is given a software agent or a hardware device that figuratively reads all of the transactions being carried by its particular system.
Energy and Load Management
The first step to an effective energy management program for a commercial building is to learn how and when each piece of equipment uses energy. The rate at which energy is used will vary throughout the day depending on usage and demand. The demand is calculated, and monthly energy consumption is calculated. The results may be surprising and a great selling point for a commercial building to invest in a BAS.
The electrical loads are calculated and off-peak times are determined. Available electrical rate schedules are acquired to determine which can provide the lowest cost in conjunction with appropriate operational times.
Electricity is typically billed in two ways: by the quantity of energy used over a period, measured in kilowatt-hours; and by demand, the rate of flow of energy, measured in kilowatts. By choosing when and where to use electricity, commercial buildings can often save as much (or more) money as they could by reducing energy consumption.
by Linda Rawson | Mar 31, 2017 | Federal Government Contracting
Size Matters
First, what in the world does “Ostensible” mean?
According to dictionary.com, is an adjective and has two meanings:
- Outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended: an ostensible cheerfulness concealing sadness.
- Apparent, evident, or conspicuous: the ostensible truth of their theories.
Does anyone else find this humorous? Really? Cheerfulness concealing sadness? The Ostensible Subcontractor Rule is anything but cheerful.
An “Ostensible Subcontractor” is one that “performs primary and vital requirements of a contract,” or is a subcontractor that the prime contractor is “unusually reliant” upon. The Small Business Administration (SBA) regulations affiliate a prime contractor with all of its ostensible subcontractors for size determination purposes.
Affiliation is not a word anyone wants to hear in the government contracting arena. Especially after an award has been made.
Affiliation can disqualify companies for set-asides due to a partners combined size. The location and industries are not relevant. It is about power and control of the large subcontractor over the prime contractor. The “Ostensible Subcontractor” rule is often the most common type of affiliation found between a prime contractor and the subcontractors with which it teams.
The purpose of the rule is to prevent other than small firms from forming relationships with small businesses to evade the SBA’s size requirements.
The key for a Small Business to avoid falling victim to the ostensible subcontractor trap is to ensure that its proposal, proposal-related documentation, and teaming agreements do not indicate, on their face, that an ostensible subcontractor relationship exists.
Specifically, small businesses must be careful not to “oversell” the technical expertise, past experience, or work to be performed by their subcontractors in the proposal or proposal-related documentation.
While it may be necessary for a small business to emphasize the positive qualities of a large subcontractor to compete effectively for a contract award, the small business does not want to make it evident that they are solely relying on the large subcontractor to perform.
A small business must ensure that it proposes to perform a significant portion of the contract work or management with its own resources or to spread this work and management out amongst multiple subcontractors to ensure it is not “unusually reliant” on one subcontractor.
According to the article, Ostensible Subcontractor Affiliation: Beware These “Four Key Factors,” Says SBA OHA, the proposal in question had a small business prime contractor that perform 51.1% of the contract services, and the large business would perform the remaining 48.9%. Of a total workforce of 20 personnel, 10 employees would go to the prime contractor and 10 employees would work for the subcontractor.
A very typical scenario is to split the employees between two contractors to meet the subcontracting percentages.
The four factors from this article that can contribute to this affiliation are:
- The proposed subcontractor was the incumbent contractor, and not eligible to compete for the procurement.
- The prime contractor planned to hire the vast majority of its workforce from the subcontractor.
- The prime contractor’s proposed management previously served with the subcontractor on the incumbent
- The prime contractor lacked relevant experience and was obliged to rely on its more experienced subcontractor to manage the contract.
As a small business, you must be very careful to follow all the rules completely. The small business mentioned in this article tried to fight the size standard ruling and lost.
