Beinex Achieves Platinum Status Among Top Business Intelligence Consulting Firms in the Middle East 2024

Snowflake summit 'The World of Data Collaboration' was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13-16, 2022. It featured the first look at innovations coming to the Data Cloud. Over 200 lectures, practical labs, certification possibilities, and more than 200 Basecamp partners were included in the four-day data Snowflake Summit. Thousands of Snowflake's partners, clients, and industry colleagues were there to network, cooperate, and learn crucial information about Snowflake and new Data Cloud trends.

Here are the four most exciting of Snowflake's latest offerings:

1.Innovative data capabilities that save time and resources

The release of Snowpark for Python, which is currently in public preview, was one of the statements that received the most attention at the summit. Both streaming ingestions using the new Snowpipe Streaming and streaming pipelines with the launch of Materialised Tables generated a lot of interest. These new features demonstrate Snowflake's product philosophy, which strongly emphasises simplicity for partners and customers while delivering value. The declarative model is excellent since it only requires describing the change; Snowflake will handle the rest. They anticipate less data lag, more real-time features, and quicker decision-making.

A new workload, Unistore, that enables users to work seamlessly with transactional and analytical data together in a single platform stirred curiosity in the audience. Unistore can save time and effort in moving data from operational systems and help with low-latency machine learning (ML) inference scenarios. It provides snappy user interfaces, allowing teams to create real-time analytical queries on their transactional data and build transactional business applications directly on Snowflake and offers a unified approach to security and governance.

2.Creating, monetising, and using apps on the Data Cloud

The most intriguing news is the potential of the Snowflake Native Application Framework, which is now in private preview. Anyone may now create applications using the well-known Snowflake core functionality, share and earn money from them through Snowflake Marketplace, and deploy them directly inside a customer's Snowflake account. Customers may keep their data centralised and greatly simplify application acquisition and maintenance. In contrast, application suppliers will have quick visibility to thousands of Snowflake customers globally across the three major clouds. It was a piece of ground-breaking information for all parties.

Bidirectional and multi-source native apps developed by Informatica allow users to combine data from various cloud and enterprise platforms, including IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce, and SAP. So, Snowflake partners and customers can concentrate more on what to build and less on how to build it; Snowflake wants to make the building process more straightforward. Snowflake may not be able to foresee the entire extent of value creation and innovation that would result from this.

3.More options and cloud compatibility

As a customer-focused business, Snowflake constantly strive to strike a balance between giving our consumers options, streamlining processes, and lowering complexity. Providing a consistent user experience and simple governance for data housed in any of the three significant clouds is a crucial objective (AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud). With the help of the Snowflake platform, businesses may create their applications once and deploy them across several major cloud vendors' regions. Companies can migrate data—and now applications—easily between regions or clouds thanks to Snowflake's cross-cloud capabilities. You can use transactional consistency for failover and failback. For both customers and partners, Snowflake is offering a way to make the construction of cross-regional and cross-cloud experiences simpler.

Snowflake's ability to develop an app once and have it function flawlessly across various clouds and locations is a game changer. By enabling the Data Cloud to process data from S3-compatible storage systems, such as on-premises storage providers, Snowflake has also improved choice (currently in development). It also supports interoperability and open file formats as agents of choice. To that aim, Snowflake unveiled the presently under story Apache Iceberg Tables, which will let users select Iceberg as the persistence table type and Parquet as the file format, table by table.

4.Rich data experiences without sacrificing readability for data governance or security

Clients of Snowflake value the data governance and security provided by Snowflake as well as the release of numerous new features and enhancements are appreciated. For instance, with the assistance of Snowflake's new workload Cybersecurity, cybersecurity teams can easily break down data silos, resulting in improved visibility into security incidents, risks, and threats. In short, clients want to create reliable data products and openly share data without relinquishing control of or re-siloing their data. Snowflake accelerates the economic value cycle for partners, clients, and, quite honestly, by doing away with the trade-off.

Snowflake has planned to offer more services connected with data sharing, collaboration with clean data rooms, and Native Applications Framework.

Beinex's partnership with Snowflake

Beinex's partnership with Snowflake enables it to offer clients advanced features like automated tuning and elastic compute with unlimited decoupled computing capability, along with the analytics modernisation services, to help organisations realise exponential Return on Investment. We keep innovating for all our clients and to support businesses around the world to create more possibilities and quality services.

ZTA in Simple Terms

It is a cybersecurity paradigm focused on enterprise resource protection. This includes data; no matter where it resides, cloud or on-premises, and resources like printers, compute resources and Internet of Things (IoT) actuators. The objective of the paradigm is to prevent unauthorised access to data and resources but at the same time enable authorised and approved subject to have access to the same. The word subject can mean user, device or an application/ service. The paradigm also envisions making the access control enforcement as granular as possible. Thus, “Zero trust architecture (ZTA) is an enterprise’s cybersecurity plan that utilizes zero trust concepts and encompasses component relationships, workflow planning, and access policies. Therefore, a zero-trust enterprise is the network infrastructure (physical and virtual) and operational policies that are in place for an enterprise as a product of a zero trust architecture plan.” Zero trust (ZT) provides a collection of concepts and ideas designed to minimize uncertainty in enforcing accurate, least privilege per-request access decisions in information systems and services in the face of a network viewed as compromised. The crux of the concept is that trust must be continually evaluated. If a subject needs access to data or resources, it is granted after authentication and authorisation, but it will not go beyond the minimum privileges needed to perform the mission.

Benefits of Implementing ZTA

The ZTA paradigm comes packed with a slew of benefits:

1. Supporting employees/ workers with secure and reliable access to a multitude of resources from anywhere using any device, any time
2. Resource protection irrespective of whether it is on-prem or cloud
3. Improving visibility and governance: who, what, and how users are accessing enterprise data and apps.
4. Limiting of insider threat borne of the need-to-know approach to resource access
5. Limiting of lateral movements of attackers in the system which perimeter security-oriented networks are otherwise prone to.
6. Limiting the cost for recovery and mitigation
7. Ensuring confidentiality and security of sensitive enterprise data
8. Enhanced risk mitigation courtesy of continuous assessment and review of resource access

ZTA: How it Works

The Zero Trust Architecture evaluates the level of confidence about the subject’s identity for a unique request and if the device used to place the request have proper security posture. The system also evaluates if there are other factors that should be considered and that change the confidence level. Also the access rules are made as granular as possible to enforce those least privileges needed to perform the action in the request. Image courtesy: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-207.pdf Three terms assume significance in the context of Zero Trust. They are Implicit Trust Zone, Policy Decision Point (PDP) and Policy Enforcement Point (PEP). Implicit Trust Zone represents an area where all the entities are trusted to at least the level of the last PDP/PEP gateway. In other words, the PDP/ PEP engine decides as to whether a request for resource should be allowed access to the Implicit Trust Zone from where it can access the resource. The PDP/ PEP gate is more like an airport security checkpoint. The passengers, once they have been through the security check are granted access to boarding gates where they can wait for the entry to the airplane. They are considered worthy of trust once they are through. The boarding area is thus the Implicit Trust Zone in the analogy. In our case, the idea is to explicitly authenticate and authorize all subjects, assets and workflows that make up the enterprise.

Challenges of Implementing the ZTA

For where there are opportunities, there are challenges. The road to ZTA implementation has its fair share of challenges.

1. There is no single solution encompassing all the tenets of Zero Trust. A one-size-fits-all approach is off the table for obvious reasons. Many different technologies need to be integrated and often, they are of varying maturity.
2. Investment in terms of time, resources and technical capabilities. Migration of extant and legacy systems to a Zero Trust environment is not as easy as it sounds.
3. And finally, there is no such thing as 100% fool-proof security. The ZTA control plane is still susceptible to compromise.

Overcoming ZTA Implementation Challenges

The challenges need a holistic approach to overcoming them.

1. Getting hold of visibility: The resources within the enterprise and who needs access to the same and when; these queries should be ascertained at a granular level. This exercise must be inclusive of:
   1. Identities
   2. Permissions
   3. Configurations
   4. Activities crisscrossing the cloud infrastructure which are about access to networks and resources that are publicly exposed.
2. Managing risk: Continuous risk assessment exercise across the cloud IT stack including but not limited to:
   1. Identity
   2. Networks
   3. Compute & storage segments
   4. Publicly exposed resources if any
   5. Third-party risks originating from vendors, clients etc.

Taking care of governance: Agencies concerned must implement least-privilege policies by taking care of workflows, continuous integration and delivery pipelines and stave off misconfigurations. Just-in-time access policies are also a must-have rather than awarding engineers with all-access pass for specific, limited-time projects. Tracking behaviour: Anomalies that may be borne out of compromised identities must be detected and mitigated.

Beinex and the Zero Trust Architecture

Beinex has solid experience in fostering Zero Trust Architecture capabilities amongst clients. Considering the fact that 90+ entities of Beinex are government clients, our Digital Transformation Team is well positioned to implement the paradigm in multiple domains. Contact us to know more about our offerings.

5 Top Ways Blockchain Improves Cloud Computing

Blockchain technology can enhance cloud computing in several ways:

1. Improved Security: Security and privacy are major concerns in cloud computing. Blockchain technology offers enhanced security by enabling data encryption and advanced database protection. The decentralised nature of blockchain ensures that data is not stored in a single location, reducing the risk of unauthorised access or data breaches.
2. Increased Visibility: Transparency and visibility are crucial in cloud computing. Blockchain enables the creation of a decentralised and shared trust model, allowing for increased transparency. Public blockchains provide visibility into every action taken, reducing opacity and enhancing trust in the cloud environment.
3. Data Integrity and Immutability: Once information is recorded on a blockchain, it becomes immutable and cannot be altered by any individual or entity without consensus from the network. This feature ensures the integrity of data stored in the cloud, reducing the risk of unauthorised modifications or tampering.
4. Traceability: Blockchain ensures that data stored on its network remains intact and authentic. The information stored on one device within the blockchain network does not affect the data on other devices, guaranteeing data integrity. Additionally, blockchain enables easy data traceability, allowing users to track where, when, and how it is used.
5. Exclusion of Third Parties: In cloud computing, relying on third-party providers can result in significant data loss if these providers experience failures. In contrast, blockchain is managed by code and does not involve third parties. This makes blockchain integration with cloud computing an attractive option, as it reduces the risk of data loss and dependency on external service providers.

4 Top Benefits of Blockchain in Cloud Computing

Integrating blockchain technology into cloud computing offers many benefits, including enhanced data security, seamless traceability, improved system interoperability, and more. Let's explore how organisations can leverage the power of blockchain in their cloud computing strategies.

Enhanced Data Security

By implementing point-to-point encryption, blockchain ensures data security during transfer and storage. Using blockchain for transaction recording establishes a reliable method for maintaining the integrity and sequence of transactions. Furthermore, the decentralised nature of blockchain, combined with peer-to-peer distribution across cloud computing systems, adds an extra layer of security beyond traditional centralised storage approaches.

Permanent Audit Trail

An additional benefit of integrating blockchain technology into cloud computing is creating a permanent audit trail. Blockchains ensure the establishment of a lasting record of transactions. Notably, blockchain technology incorporates a feature known as proof of history (POH), which supports a verifiable delay function. This function timestamps the transactions within the cloud computing network without requiring user validation. By implementing blockchain, organisations can maintain a proper order of transactions and establish a permanent timeframe for transactional data by including the POH function.

Decentralisation

An emerging trend in the technology landscape involves the shift towards edge computing, where data processing occurs at the network's periphery, near the data source. This decentralisation approach offers various advantages. For instance, Internet of Things (IoT) devices no longer need to rely on a centralised server for data processing. Instead, they can handle data independently. Similarly, facial recognition nodes may store encrypted data of authorised users and only require server interaction if a facial match is not detected. These nodes can operate autonomously until an upgrade check is necessary.

Efficient Disaster Recovery

By leveraging blockchain technology, the record of transactions is distributed widely, offering valuable benefits in terms of disaster recovery. The public or shared blockchain among authorised users ensures that a failure within one network node does not impact the remaining blockchain copies. Other nodes within the network continue to operate and update the blockchain even if one node experiences a crash.

With the transactional records embedded within the blockchain, especially those with specific timeframes, any failed network node can easily synchronise with the current state of the blockchain database once it is back online. This capability allows for a swift recovery and ensures that the node can quickly regain access to the most up-to-date version of the blockchain. Consequently, faster disaster recovery is facilitated through the inherent resilience and redundancy of blockchain technology.

Blockchain Technology: An Ultimate Solution to Business Problems

Blockchain technology offers solutions to various business problems across different industries. Let's explore how blockchain can address challenges in specific sectors, starting with healthcare:

Healthcare

In the healthcare industry, sensitive information such as credit card data, patient records, and test results are often stored in centralised systems, which can be prone to data breaches and security risks. By adopting blockchain technology, healthcare establishments can mitigate the risk of data loss. Blockchain enables the creation of a decentralised and tamper-proof log for storing private data. This decentralised approach and unique secure codes enhance data security and privacy, reducing the likelihood of unauthorised access or data leakage.

Supply Chain

Supply chains rely on vast data to ensure smooth operations at each transportation stage. By implementing blockchain technology in logistics management, you can enhance revenue and mitigate security concerns through real-time visibility and control. Furthermore, blockchain solutions improve interoperability, transparent data sharing, and more accurate product tracking within the supply chain ecosystem.

Banking

The current process of international payments often involves numerous verification steps, resulting in a cumbersome procedure. However, blockchain can potentially expedite money transfers while ensuring robust transaction security. This is achieved using distributed ledgers, where payments are processed once the transaction is registered. By leveraging the blockchain in banking, transactions can be streamlined, reducing delays and providing higher security.

Real Estate

Buying and selling real estate properties can be cumbersome and time-consuming, involving extensive paperwork, multiple intermediaries, susceptibility to fraud, and challenges in property search. However, intelligent solutions leveraging blockchain technology can effectively address these significant problems in the real estate industry.

Blockchain in real estate can enhance the due diligence process for property purchases and sales, reducing the reliance on intermediaries and streamlining the transaction process. Using blockchain can reduce the need for traditional agents, offering more direct interactions between buyers and sellers. Additionally, blockchain-powered smart contracts enable secure and seamless transactions, eliminating the need for manual contract handling and reducing the potential for errors or disputes.

How can Beinex Assist You

By leveraging blockchain technology, cloud computing solutions can benefit from enhanced security measures, increased transparency, and the assurance of data integrity. These advantages contribute to a more trustworthy and reliable cloud environment, addressing decentralisation, data privacy, and network security challenges.

Beinex, a pioneer in the Middle East in modern cloud functions and analytics, can change how you see, perceive and analyse cloud data, and take it to a superior, advantageous position.

This is a remarkable achievement. Yes, something which we have been living is now officially recognised, and it adds to our commitment to keeping Beinex a Great Place to Work, always!

Snapshots from the Survey

1. Our Trust Index is 84! The Trust Index© score is the percentage of employees that shared a positive response (rated 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale) to the 59 statements of the survey.
2. Trust Index© Feedback Credibility of Management stands at 87.
3. Respect for people – 80
4. Fairness at the Workplace - 84
5. Pride – 86
6. Camaraderie between People - 86

What our accomplishment means

The Great Place to Work® Certification Program is the initial step for an organisation on its journey of building a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture™ and our organisation has successfully reached this milestone.

Yes, the word that should be borne in mind is ‘milestone’. We still have a long way to go! And we will, with confidence, sustain our victories on all fronts.

We will not rest on our laurels

As the next step to our Certification, we have various opportunities to learn, develop & grow our talent with the help of Great Place to Work® Events. They are characterised by an exciting range of engagement measures and large-scale events from where we would be able to learn and contribute to the richness of our culture.

About Great Place to Work Institute

Great Place to Work® Institute is a global management research and consulting firm dedicated towards enabling organizations to achieve business objectives by building better workplaces. They work with over 10,000 organizations globally every year to help them create and sustain High-Trust, High-PerformanceTM cultures.

As part of the assessment, they measured the perceptions of Beinex’s employees using Great Place to Work® Trust Index© Employee Survey and understood our organization’s differentiating culture through the Culture Brief© and Culture Audit©.