Siniša Staničić (A1 Hrvatska): Data security is crucial for every company

Protecting data from natural disasters, cyber attacks, and other unforeseen circumstances is very important for the operations of any organization, believes Siniša Staničić, director of the ICT sales and solutions department at A1 Hrvatska. However, although it sounds incredible, he stated that among small and medium-sized companies, there is still a mindset of ‘it won’t happen to me’. He emphasized that companies must understand the need for data protection, educate employees about security risks, implement security measures, and regularly monitor security systems to protect themselves from cyber attacks and other security threats.

What IT security solutions have you designed for entrepreneurs?

– A1 Hrvatska offers various security solutions to its business customers. I would highlight the A1 Net Protect service, which protects the user’s mobile phone and other devices from spyware, online fraud, and malicious web addresses while on the A1 network. There is also A1 Offensity, a solution developed within the A1 group for scanning vulnerabilities on publicly exposed IP addresses and company services, as well as A1 Extended Detection and Response, a solution that covers the protection of all key points in the IT organization (endpoints, cloud computing, email, etc.). One of our most interesting services is A1 Automated Penetration Testing. This service investigates all ‘holes’ in the user environment from the position of a ‘white hat’ hacker, attempts to ‘sneak in’, and determine potential damage. At the end of the testing, we create a report that points out the shortcomings and, most importantly, describes how to eliminate those shortcomings. All the mentioned solutions are important for protection against cyber attacks and vulnerabilities and can be of great help in safeguarding customer data and information.

How do data centers ensure uninterrupted business operations?

– What will happen to your data in the event of a flood, earthquake, prolonged power outage, or availability of the communication network? Our data center addresses these questions. Built to the latest standards, confirmed by the TIER III certification, the A1 data center guarantees a high level of security and data availability. To ensure this, we had to ensure that the building is earthquake-resistant, that we have generators to ensure uninterrupted operation in case of power outages, as well as other security parameters that allow us to guarantee such availability. Of course, in addition to the primary data center, we also provide the option of a secondary data center where the user can also keep their data.

What are usually the weakest security points in companies?

– I believe that a large number of small and medium-sized companies are still unaware that their level of security is not adequate. Some of them do not even have basic security settings, and unfortunately, people are always the weakest security point. From setting easily breakable passwords, to opening emails from strange addresses due to a lack of education, to sharing passwords over the phone with ‘someone from IT’. Although often underestimated, data security is crucial for every company, regardless of its size. Insufficient security can lead to serious financial losses, data theft, and damage to the company’s reputation.

In which direction will the development of IT security and data centers go?

– User environments are becoming increasingly complex. There are more and more demands for security, and the number of experts who can ensure uninterrupted operation is insufficient. Outsourcing IT infrastructure and security measures is becoming an increasingly popular option for medium and small companies, while larger companies combine their own resources with the help of specialized companies. It is important to keep up with the latest trends in data protection and implement proactive security measures to ensure maximum protection against potential attacks. Larger companies will keep pace with the times by using their own strengths and the assistance of specialized companies in areas they cannot cover themselves. In the area of protection, two concepts are combined – proactive and reactive. The idea is to set up protection adequately, closely monitor what is happening in the environment, and react promptly. On the other hand, proactive testing of the environment or part of the environment, for example, through automated penetration testing, will indicate any shortcomings that need to be eliminated immediately. The development of technology and increasingly complex user environments create a need for adequate and proactive data protection.

Content created in collaboration with A1 Hrvatska.