Category: Tech

Review -#diskAshur2 – The James Bond of portable USB 3.1 hard drives. #Security #iStorage

Ok it’s a hard disc with a difference – Bond style!

Use a pin to access the drive, lose the pin / or loose the hard disc and no one else can get in either. This is overly simplified but add in speed and array of features. What if Computer / network won’t start, lost your laptop, do you have a backup!

 

 

 

This PIN authenticated Hardware Encrypted drive is available in 500Gb, 1TB, 2TB, in a choice of 4 colours. This review is on the Racing Green model. The size is smaller than expected but sturdy with the usb cable attached to the device. This is great in not having to find a cable each time. (the Diskahur2 usb cable is short so the Diskahur2 must be placed close to the laptop etc.) The unit comes with a strong protective case.

 

The diskAshur2 is an ultra-secure, PIN authenticated, portable USB 3.1 hard drive with real-time AES 256-bit XTS hardware encryption. This used USB 3.1 giving very fast speeds. The diskAshur2 has a keyboard attached allowing you to enter a unique 7-15-digit PIN. The operating systems including all versions of MS Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Chrome, Thin Clients, Zero Clients and embedded systems.

Compatible with:
PC, Mac, Laptop, Printer, CCTV, Medical, Citrix Ready, Smart Phone, Chromebook, Tablet
Features
➢ USB 3.1 Portable Encrypted Hard Drive
➢ Capacities up to 2TB*
➢ FIPS PUB 197 validated
➢ AES 256-bit XTS hardware encryption – no software required
➢ OS & Platform independent
➢ Employs EDGE* Technology
➢ Available in 4 colours-Phantom Black, Ocean Blue, Fiery Red & Racing Green

 

 

This is quite clever, Wear Resistant Epoxy Coated Keypad which is designed so that (as always happens in the movies) the bad guy sees the most worn digits and guesses the combination, this keypad is design not to fade giving an idea of the common digit used in your password.

Super-fast USB 3.1
This has super-fast USB 3.1 data transfer speeds of 148 MBps (Read) and 140 MBps (Write). If your system is an older device the iStorage diskAshur2 is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports.

Unattended Auto-Lock Feature
If you set the unattended diskAshur2 to automatically lock after a pre-determined amount of time this will lock requiring the pin to be re-entered preventing any one access to your drive if you pop out for a coffee.

Self-Destruct Feature
Another cool Bond style feature, you can pre-program the diskAshur2 with your own unique Self Destruct PIN which, once implemented, instantly deletes the encryption key, all PINs, data and then creates a new encryption key.

One of the unique and underlying security features of the GDPR compliant diskAshur2 is the dedicated hardware based secure microprocessor (Common Criteria EAL4+ ready), which employs built-in physical protection mechanisms designed to defend against external tamper, bypass attacks and more. Unlike other solutions, the diskAshur2reacts to an automated attack by entering the deadlock frozen state, which renders all such attacks as useless. In plain and simple terms, without the PIN there’s no way in!

 

 

Unlike other solutions, the diskAshur2 reacts to an automated attack by entering the deadlock frozen state, which renders all such attacks as useless. In plain and simple terms, without the PIN there’s no way in! General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a regulation by which theEuropean Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission intend to strengthen and unify data protection for all individuals within the European Union Those of you in the IT industry / compliance will probably know this already, but if not how does this sound!

Read this – https://istorage-uk.com/general-data-protection/

 

 

I am unsure with Brexit if this is still the case but currently, In the UK, under the existing data protection act (DPA), the fines are around £500,000 which may become like GDPR. Any company that works with information relating to EU citizens will have to comply, making it the first global data protection law. Did I mention One of the unique and underlying security features of the diskAshur2 is that it is GDPR compliant diskAshur2

Warranty:
iStorage operates a 36-month return to base warranty on all Flash based products (i.e. datAshur), and a 24-month return to base warranty on all HDD/SSD based products (i.e. diskG, diskAshur, diskAshur DT).

 

 

 

Undecided what model size to use.. See here – https://istorage-uk.com/product-comparison/

I don’t think this is a product that will purchased due to the colours, but rather for business to insure they comply with some legal requirements, the choice is not whether to get an Encrypted Portable Drives rather which one to get in terms of size and features. It may be worth considering current budgets to decide does every sales person on the road need one, every HR person that takes home staff details and the list continues. This may be like the phrase “Nobody ever got fired for choosing IBM” to the diskAshur2. On the colours note if you are like me I do like options than the default that is typical and everyone having the same thing, This for me is an added bonus to have something different even be it colour than everyone else..This is evident for those that know me for my bright flashy mobile phone collection where the standard colour is simply not good enough..

BUY HERE
https://istorage-uk.com/product/diskashur2/ 1 TB £219.00 each

Nokia 3 Hits Ireland in August at €149.99 Whilst it can be bought in the UK now. #Nokia3

There is still a bit of hype about the Nokia 3310 however there is several other models which are soon to land on our shores, Thankfully there is no fake versions of the 3,5 and 6 to be seen yet we still need to be careful. Also to note the Nokia 6 can be purchased from some online sites right now outside the UK  but you need to be careful on what you get and it has the Play Store installed but with Android there is many ways around this.

Nokia are to come back into the game this year with multiple models but their launch plans have followed suit of old and dates being pushed back this is not boding well for users waiting to get a new phone with the NOKIA logo atop. Also with other devices launching next month it will become a very picky market for people to decide on what their next smartphone will be regardless the cost but for entry level and mid tier which the 3,5 and 6 will cover there is already ample choice and with more devices coming soon it will leave people who are fed up just spending their hard earned cash on other models..

 

 

Vodafone will be selling the Nokia 3 and are the first to shed light on the device whilst the other operators remain silent but we expect that to change pretty soon, The price comfirmed by their latest mazagine which I picked up today in the city has the Nokia 3 pencilled in at €149 which is a fair price. The device can be bought though sim free but you will pay way over the odds and of course you have the early adopter rush which wont stop some folk paying more now rather than waiting.

Vodafone have said to keep an eye out early August for the Nokia 3 so if this is for you stay tuned for more when we get it from the Irish end of things. Pricing will most likely vary per network but this is what you can expect to pay or therabouts when it launches in stores soon, Sim Free prices of course are much higher but Sim Free phones are best overall and does not leave you tied to lenghty contract unless you buy it outright if it suits. At this price though we would expect to see it free on all billpay plans..

 

 

If you cant wait you can pick it up from John Lewis or Clove whom are reputable sellers and we have used them both in the past..

Featured image – NokMob

Note, Prices and dates are subject to change. We have heard August 2nd is launch date and all networks will be selling the device

Black Duck partners with #GoogleCloud Platform to support secure development and deployment of cloud applications and containers

Black Duck, the global leader in automated solutions for securing and managing open source software, today announced it is a Google Cloud Technology Partner. Through the collaboration, Google customers can use Black Duck solutions to accelerate production use of the cloud and containers as well as increase security and productivity with automated intelligence, visibility and control as they move workloads to the Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Organisations are increasingly deploying applications in the cloud and moving into containerised delivery models, powered by open source architectures. These new models enable software innovation with speed and agility. At the same time, DevOps and Security teams are looking for increased visibility and control over what is inside of their organisations’ applications and container images. It is important for open source security to be integrated with new cloud and container architectures and DevOps processes

 

 

Black Duck is releasing its flagship Black Duck Hub solution as a cloud service on Google Cloud Launcher Marketplace, enabling organisations to deploy Hub on GCP.  Hub allows Google Cloud customers to scan applications and container images, identify all the open source components, detect and analyse known security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and code-quality risks, and enable policy management to control risks and their remediation. Additionally, Hub dynamically monitors the scanned code and provides alerts on newly discovered open source vulnerabilities or policy violations. Google customers can also use Hub to access the Black Duck KnowledgeBase, the world’s most comprehensive data store of open source components and risk intelligence.

With Black Duck Hub on GCP, users can automate security and compliance as a part of their development lifecycle and continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipeline, allowing DevOps and Security teams to enhance speed and agility while controlling risks.

  • Black Duck Hub integration with Google Container Engine (GKE) allows users to scan and monitor container images in the Google Container Registry (GCR).
  • Black Duck Hub can be used with third-party CI/CD tools on GCP, including Jenkins on Google Container Engine in a multi-node Kubernetes cluster, or with Bamboo, Team City, Maven, and Gradle.
  • Black Duck’s IDE integrations allow software developers to select safe and secure open source using plug-ins to Eclipse and Visual Studio.

“For very clear economic and productivity reasons organisations are highly motivated to migrate their applications to the cloud. Because open source comprises most of the code in their applications and containers, they need to be sure the open source is secure and compliant. Black Duck Hub and Google Cloud provide that assurance,” said Black Duck CEO Lou Shipley.

“In order to deliver high-quality software, we’re constantly scanning our products for vulnerabilities and security threats,” said Aram Price, Senior Software Engineer, Pivotal. “We collaborated with Black Duck to automate security scanning during development, and with the most recent release of Black Duck Hub we can also automate deployment to Google Cloud.”

Availability

Google Cloud customers can install Black Duck Hub through the Google Cloud Launcher Marketplace, allowing them to run scans directly in the Google Cloud environment. Hub is available with a 14-day free trial for Google customers.

First look and Unboxing – The Nokia Activity & Sleep Watch #Nokia #NokiaSteel

I own some 200 Nokia handsets and continue to collect them,All that alongside accessories and clothing and so on but one thing I have been wanting for so many years is a watch with the Nokia name on it.. That 17 year wait has come to an end today and I am happy to finally own the one thing I have longed for and a huge thanks to the guys involved at Nokia who made this happen..

Package contents.

Instructions – Watch – Reset key.

Now we all know that this is formerly Withings and Nokia have bought that company but things have changed I always did like the Withings watch but never bought one but when I heard the news Nokia would be soon there I said I would wait,the wait is over, Check out the retail packaging and the unboxing and if you have any questions fire away until we finish reviewing it…

I have been asked this question several times via social media about the actual Nokia logo… Shoud they have used their own as seen on the box,ie the typeface we are all use to or is the current one ok. Tell us what you think and will you be picking one up..

You can of course just pick it up directly HERE 

Features..

Activity tracking: steps, distance, swim (water resistant to 5 ATM), running and calories burned.

– Sleep monitoring: sleep cycle analysis (light and deep sleep) and silent alarm.

– Automatic synchronization: Follow your data on your smartphone.

– Stainless steel case with silicone strap.

– No charging: battery lasts up to 8 months.

 

First thoughts are it is small for my wrist but thats just me,its light,thin the strap feels good and robust, again for me on the thin side compared to my usual watch wear and it looks very modern and sleek.Set up is simple which requires and app (Nokia Health) There is no buttons which is a big change though if you are not use to smartwatches they are touch, With this you do not touch the watch at all and nor do you have to charge it which for me is a bonus, It works on a battery similar to whats found in your car alarm fob.. So far so good so lets put it to the test…

 

5 Benefits Of Bluetooth Watch That May Change Your Perspective. #Bluetooth #SmartWatch

Guest Post. Author Bio: Shanker Ravi  works for LatestOne.com as content writer. It is the e-tailer company popular for bringing bluetooth mobile watch for various brands, covers, cases and accessories for mobiles.

Having a smart watch has its own perks. Most importantly, it gives you the advantage of hands free calling and there are so many exciting things that can be done with smart watches. The list of benefits extends with the integration of bluetooth in a smart watch.

When you have bluetooth watch, then you will get many privileges that will allow you to completely forget any other device that you used to utilize on a daily basis. Simple integration of Bluetooth in your watch will give you functionality boost.

In short, you can consider that you have a mobile watch which is capable of doing everything that is required or expected from mobile and watch. This is a two in one gadget that will save your money, time and effort as well.

Having android wear with you can be highly advantageous for you and we have enlisted five most highlighted points that will definitely change your perspective regarding smart watch and you will pay attention to the bluetooth features in every single gadget purchase.

 

1. Wireless: It is the advantage of bluetooth watch mobile feature that allows you to share your voice and share necessary data from mobile to smart phone quite easily. Whenever you want to share any file or whenever you want to receive any file, it is done with the help of bluetooth.

Bluetooth is the key feature that makes your smart watch wireless and that is the feature which is capable of increasing usability of this gadget. You can receive calls and make calls from your smart watch with the help of Bluetooth pairing and you don’t have to pick up or manage calls from smart phones.

 

  1. Automatic: With the help of bluetooth, it is possible to get automatic features in several gadgets like smart phones and smartwatch etc. You can get several automated features that will enhance the user friendliness of the device that you are using.

Bluetooth has low interference which is one of the biggest advantages that you can get from bluetooth gadget. Moreover, you will get freedom of creating personal area network as per your requirement so that you can do the sharing and connection establishment quite easily.

 

 

  1. Low energy: Use of bluetooth is quite easy and the reason of its high popularity is the energy saving capability that can be found in bluetooth. If you compare it with other functionality enhancement options, you will find out that bluetooth have the lowest energy requirement.

That is also the reason why most of the devices come with bluetooth integrated in it because this is a feature booster and it does not enhance the energy consumption ratio of a device very much. It requires low energy and it can offer you features that are incomparable.

 

  1. Upgradeable: You can get upgrades of bluetooth in your device along with time because it is upgradable. Companies release time to time upgrades so that user can avail the advantage of upgraded features without changing the device they have.

If you have external bluetooth device then you can also consider purchasing new upgraded bluetooth device because bluetooth devices are usually inexpensive which makes it suitable for everyone. No matter what kind of budget you have, bluetooth can always be suitable purchase choice for you.

 

 

  1. Standardized: Bluetooth is a universal wireless standard feature that comes with the capability of fulfilling all your basic sharing and pairing requirements. There are so much that you can do with bluetooth and it is used worldwide due to its higher usability.

Using bluetooth is one of the easiest things to do and that is what makes it best as well. Interface of bluetooth is really very simple to understand and that is why it is integrated in all devices worldwide. Basically, it is like having operating system in a device because it is as important as OS of the device.

 

Bluetooth Integration In Device

There is no end of describing advantages that you can get from bluetooth integration in your device. You can say that this is one of the most important things to have in your gadget or device. For many people, this alone could be a reason for choosing or disliking any specific watch or device.

If you are a user who knows how to use and appreciate the feature then you will definitely understand the importance of having bluetooth in your watch. All you need to do is to have a bluetooth integrated in your device and that alone will give you so many feature advantages that you cannot even imagine.

If you have a bluetooth device, then it means that you have wireless capability in your hand. You just need to make sure that the device you are going to purchase will offer you bluetooth support and then you can rest assured about the networking and connection sharing features.

Basically, all your basic requirements can be fulfilled simply with the bluetooth integration in your device and that is why it is said that bluetooth is a necessary feature to have in any device that you buy. If your device doesn’t have bluetooth, then this is not exactly good news for you.

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#HBAN wins Best Business Angel Week Award at EBAN Awards 2017 #EnterpriseIreland

HBAN, the all-island group responsible for the promotion of business angel investment in Ireland, today announces that it won the Best Business Angel Week Award at the EBAN (European Business Angel Network) Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony held in Málaga, Spain on Thursday, 8th June.

HBAN, a joint initiative of InterTradeIreland and Enterprise Ireland, won the prestigious European accolade based on the success of its Business Angel Roadshow that it ran in November last year. The roadshow took place over the course of 48 hours in four locations: Waterford, Dublin, Cork and Galway. The programme raised a total of €6 million in new angel funding, recruited 35 new angels and raised the profile and awareness of HBAN. In addition, two companies – Rubicoin and Glofox – both closed investment rounds following pitches at the roadshow.

 

HBAN’s Business Angel Roadshow raised a total of €6 million in new angel funding and recruited 35 new angels in just 48 hours last November. The initiative was awarded the Best Business Angel Week Award at the EBAN (European Business Angel Network) Gala Dinner Awards Ceremony held in Málaga, Spain on Thursday, 8th June. Pictured at the Awards are (L to R) Francisco de la Torre, the Mayor of Malaga; Julian Seymour, HBAN Consultant; Paula Finnan, HBAN Team Member; Candance Johnson, President of EBAN.

HBAN saw off robust competition from other national European bodies to win this major international award.

HBAN set a very strong objective for itself in terms of delivering an extra €6 million of angel investment and running roadshows in four locations right around the country in just 48 hours. Moreover, the initial objective of attracting 27 new business angels was significantly surpassed, with 35 new angels coming on board, and some of these have invested already.

John Phelan, National Director of HBAN said, “We are delighted to have won this European award that recognises the success of our Business Angel Roadshow campaign.

“Our business angel week – with the roadshow as its centrepiece – was a huge success for us in terms of building awareness of angel investing in Ireland. The campaign was successful in helping us to recruit new business angels throughout the island of Ireland and we also raised incredible value in new funding for high potential Irish start-ups. There was a particular focus on PR and a major media campaign was executed around the Roadshow that included radio ads, radio interviews and news articles in national, business and regional media.”

Since 2007, HBAN angels have invested €73 million in 362 separate deals. When the €113 million invested by other funds in those deals is added, this is an overall total of €186 million invested in Irish start-ups in the last 10 years.

DataSolutions’ 5th Annual Secure Computing Forum hits the Aviva Stadium Sept 21st.

DataSolutions’ 5th annual Secure Computing Forum will take place on Thursday, 21st September at the Avia Stadium. The Forum is one of Ireland’s largest dedicated IT security events. This year’s event is especially relevant, coming as it does after months of prolonged cyber-attacks that have affected companies all over the world.

Attendees will receive advice from key security players on how to secure their businesses. Speakers at this year’s event include David Blunkett, former UK Government Home Secretary and chair of the International Cyber Security Projection Alliance and current honorary chair of the Cyber Essentials Direct Ltd; Jenny Radcliffe, a social-engineering expert known as ‘the people hacker’; and Misha Glenny, award-winning writer and broadcaster, and author of the book McMafia, The Globalisation Of Organised Crime

 

David Keating, sales manager, Data Solutions

 

Keynote speakers at this year’s event include:

  • David Blunkett, former UK Government Home Secretary and chair of the International Cyber Security Projection Alliance and current honorary chair of the Cyber Essentials Direct Ltd
  • Jenny Radcliffe, an expert in social engineering known as ‘The People Hacker’; and Misha Glenny, award-winning writer and broadcaster, and author of the bookMcMafia, The Globalisation Of Organised Crime

 

The past year has seen rapid growth in cyber-attacks, as well as an increase in the scale and sophistication of threats being levelled against individuals and companies. Irish organisations must evolve to remain one step ahead of these developing threats. In addition, the impending General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) legislation will make it necessary for businesses to review their data-processing policies and work towards compliance to avoid fines of up to €20 million or 4% of global turnover, depending on which is greater.

 

DataSolutions’ Secure Computing Forum will aim to foster dialogue amongst key security players in Ireland and provide best-practice advice to companies seeking to defend their interests from cybercrime. Leading IT vendor Check Point will return as the host sponsor of the event for the fifth year running.

 

This year’s event will focus on a number of topical issues, including securing the Internet of Things (IoT) and fighting ransomware and cyber extortion. IoT is a significant development that presents significant cybersecurity issues which need to be addressed, while ransomware is now a term that is familiar to almost every Irish business. Having been on the rise since its inception, ransomware cost companies over $1 billion worldwide in 2016[1]. Organisations now need to take proactive measures to protect their interests from this growing threat.

 

 

As well as these topics, this year’s seminar will ask whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the future of cybersecurity and take a closer look at the clearly defined measures that businesses should implement to take responsibility for cloud security. Experts will also explain how to protect and defend against cyber threats in uncertain times and examine how to leverage white and black hat cyber intelligence to gain the advantage over cybercriminals.

 

Other speakers include Nick Lowe, regional director for UK & Ireland, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd; Barry O’Sullivan, professor at UCC and founding director of the Insight Centre for Data Analytics; and Aoife Sexton, co-founder and director, Frontier Privacy.

This year’s forum will once again be hosted by David Keating, DataSolutions’ own head of security. Event attendees will be able to avail of the opportunity to network with senior IT decision-makers and other professionals, and gain valuable insights into key information security trends.

For more information and to register for the event, visit https://www.securecomputingforum.ie/. Early-bird tickets are available for a limited time at a cost of €60. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. The 2017 Secure Computing Forum is supported by leading IT vendors Check Point and RSA.

Happy Birthday to Google Plus  It is 6. #Google #GooglePlus #Infographic 

Happy Birthday, Google Plus!

The second most popular and largest social network in the world is turning 6 years old today and hence we thought we would share this important news  by sharing an infographic all about how far it’s come and what it has achieved in the last 6 years:

All we know is we can Invite our friends to a hangout for cake and presents and a game of “Pin the +1 on the Donkey.” Google+ turns 6 years old on June 28th

Since its launch in 2011,Google’s social network has received mixed reviews, and has a long way to go to reach the ubiquity of its chief rival, Facebook. But Google+ has been hugely successful for Google in driving the unification of the full suite of Google products.

It’s fitting to mark the occasion with this infographic from Fullestop all about Google’s social network and Google’s history with social media in general. Google has been in the news of late perhaps for all the wrong reasons but check this infographic out.. 

 

#Brainwavz – Dual balanced armature B200 High Performance, audiophile grade earphones now in the UK.

Global audio specialist Brainwavz, which was established in 2008 giving focus on offering high quality products at a competitive price, today announces the availability of its B200 Dual Balanced Armature Earphones in the UK. The B200 are the latest in the Brainwavz range of over 25 earphones and headphones and are the third of the audiophile-grade B series, following on from the B100 and B150. The B200 are available fromwww.brainwavzaudio.com for £156.

The Brainwavz B200 earphones are designed and tuned in-house with high performance and comfort in mind. The dual balanced tweeter and woofer armature configuration produces a balanced and accurate sound signature, with little to no colouring in the mids and a slight focus on the upper mids sound. The bass is tight and the neutral bass has a clear, fast delivery with a natural punch to it, delivering an overall sound the artist would have intended when producing the song being listened to.

 

 

 

The B200 have an extremely light over the ear design and small form factor allowing for a comfortable and ergonomic fit. Inside the box, there are six silicon ear tips of various sizes and one set of Comply foam tips ( We have tried comply foam tips before and they really do make a difference to the listening experince)  which allows for great noise isolation, thus protecting the ear as volume levels no longer need to be turned up to harmful levels to fully enjoy the music. The friction free cable is made from OFC copper and has a Y-splitter and sizing slider for the ideal listening position.

Brainwavz continues to add to its following of loyal fans with its reputation for affordable audio products of great quality, value for money and superb after sales service. The B200 Balanced armature earphones hope to increase this fan base further in the UK.

 

 

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

 

  • Drivers : Dual Balanced Armature
  • Rated Impedance : 30 Ω
  • Frequency Range : 12 Hz ~ 22 kHz
  • Sensitivity : 110 dB at 1 mW
  • Cable : 1.3 m Y-Cord, Over the ear, OFC Copper
  • Plug : 3.5 mm, Gold plated

 

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES:

 

  • Earphone Hard case
  • 6 sets of Silicone Ear Tips (S M L)
  • 1 set of Comply™ Foam Tips T-100
  • 1 Shirt Clip
  • Velcro Cable Tie
  • Instruction Manual & Warranty Card (24 month warranty)

 

COMPATIBILITY FOR 3.5 MM JACK:

 

iPods, iPhones, iPads, MP3 Players, Android, Tablets and Phones & Other Audio Devices

The Brainwavz B200 in-ear dual balanced armature earphones are available for £156 here