Black Void · October 11, 2023 0

Cybersecurity Awareness Month – October 2023

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

It's October, and that means it's "Cybersecurity Awareness Month"! As always, this is the time to reflect on what we can all do to increase security and overall safety while using various public and self-hosted services.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month – October 2022
October is cybersecurity month and like any other, it is time to be aware of all the dangers. See how Synology can help individuals or businesses protect themself better.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Last year I wrote a bit of a lengthy article covering various Synology products, apps, and services that all focus on increasing cybersecurity for an individual or businesses. Without repeating all of that, be sure to read up on the Awareness 2022 article in the link above.

In this article, the primary focus will be on Synology products and the advancements made in 2023 concerning security. Additionally, we will explore the practical benefits of incorporating these features and products into our daily routines.

: New DSM 7.2

To begin with, let's focus on the main element of Synology products, their NAS operating system, the DSM. During the last several years DSM has evolved quite a bit, and in its latest version 7, learned a few new tricks.

However, it was not until June of 2023, that version 7.2 of the DSM OS brought us some new, and much-wanted/needed, features.

:: W.O.R.M.

The most obvious one is the new W.O.R.M. feature. Protecting shared folders with WriteOnce, which adopts WORM (Write Once, Read Many) technology allows us to avoid unauthorized changes to data. WriteOnce provides Enterprise mode
and Compliance mode to best fit our needs.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
WORM compliance vs. enterprise options
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
Protecting a folder with WriteOnce
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
WriteOnce enterprise options

Not every folder will be a candidate for WORM, but it is nice to have this option be it as a protection against ransomware or simple user mistakes on files that should not be altered once created.

:: Volume encryption

While WORM has its purpose, so does another requested feature, the volume encryption. Encryption up until DSM 7.2 was possible only on a folder-by-folder basis, but now we have the option to encrypt the whole volume during its creation.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
One step of the volume creation wizard will allow us to encrypt it

Applying the encryption will prevent any unauthorized access to the entire volume without a valid decryption key. While on the topic of the volume decryption key, DSM also now offers the option to save this key locally on the NAS or use KMIP settings and configure a remote NAS as the key management server.

This setup will certainly prevent any data risk in case the NAS is physically stolen, as it will not be able to mount the volume without a valid key on a remote NAS.

:: Immutable snapshots

Finally, the Snapshot Replication package has also got a new feature. While already a popular ransomware prevention tool, Snapshot can now implement a new immutable snapshot option to safely store immutable copies of your data. This will help to defend against compromised administrator credentials if there is an attempt to delete or alter the snapshots.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
Snapshot settings include now immutable option to further protect our data

These are just some of the more popular and most visible security features that were introduced with the new DSM version, but there is much more coming with every new cumulative update to this current release.

DSM 7.2-64570
The new Synology DSM 7.2 64570 update is here due to a recall of the previous 64561, bringing several fixes and one new feature.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

DSM 7.2 main feature, updates, and security patches

: Hyper Backup v4

Staying on the software side of things, one package, in particular, has also got a great new feature that will for sure elevate data safety. Hyper Backup in its version 4, can now backup entire DSM system and NAS data.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
The Entire System backup option is now part of Hyper Backup

Full bare metal backup with Hyper Backup and DSM 7.2
How to do a full bare metal backup using Synology Hyper Backup and the new DSM 7.2
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Full review of Hyper Backup full system backup feature

So far this feature was reserved for the Active Backup for Business package, but now we can use it with Hyper Backup as well. The main difference in this case is that HB can push this content into Synology's C2 cloud platform for that extra off-site backup step without the need to be first backed up to another Synology NAS and then pushed to the cloud as is the case with ABB.

: SRM

Stepping now away from the DSM and NAS lineup, Synology has had a big year in 2022 with the release of their new routers and the new version of SRM 1.3. While the development of the SRM platform is not as aggressive as the DSM, it is still worth noting that every few months there are smaller or bigger patches that address primarily security issues as well as new features.

Synology SRM 1.3 – new features and changes
Synology SRM 1.3 has new features and changes with every new upcoming version
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Synology RT6600ax – NEW router for the Wi-Fi 6 era
The NEW Synology RT6600ax WIFI 6 router with SRM 1.3 is here!
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Synology WRX560 router review
The NEW WIFI6 Synology WRX560 router is here. A perfect companion to the recent addition. The RT6600ax.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Currently, a total of five (5) security issues affecting the SRM are active in 2023. One of those was resolved in May and it was the only one critically flagged, while the rest are moderate severity with three in an ongoing status. From this, it is clear that the SRM platform is very stable, secure, and in active development.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
Single SRM critical issue in the past three years

: Synology cameras – new security product

Just as much as the RT6600ax and the WRX560 routers were the new highly anticipated products of 2022, so were the new Synology branded surveillance cameras now in 2023.

Announced late last year and released in May of 2023, the new BC500 and TC500 by Synology are the latest Surveillance Station-compatible and AI-powered PoE cameras.

Synology BC500 & TC500 cameras review
Today #Synology officially released the new BC500 and TC500 POE cameras starting a new line of devices for the company.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Read the full review of the brand-new Synology cameras

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
BC500 Synology camera
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023
TC500 Synology camera

Synology DVA3221 & Surveillance Station 9 review (part 1)
The first article explores the #Synology DVA3221 unit as well as how to configure #Surveillance Station 9 with cameras to get it up and running
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Synology DVA3221 & Surveillance Station 9 Review – Part 2
The second article on the topic of #Synology DVA3221 and #Surveillance Station 9 as it uses some advanced deep-learning features
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

These Surveillance Station license-free models bring a quality and sturdy design with a lot of on-device AI features as well as out-of-the-box compatibility with the latest Surveillance Station 9.1. On top of this, if paired with one of the current DVA Synology devices, such as DVA3221 or the DVA1622, we can unlock even more AI features for improved security as well as streamline our private or business operations.

: Synology BeeDrive

Finally, we have another brand-new product that is new to the whole Synology portfolio. In June of 2023, Synology announced the BeeDrive. A personal backup drive that is not a NAS, but also not a pure USB-C powered DAS (direct attach disk).

Synology BeeDrive review
Review of the new Synology DAS device, the BeeDrive. This compact USB is more than meets the eye. Packed with powerful software it will deliver in more ways than one.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Full review of the BeeDrive

Cybersecurity Awareness Month - October 2023

Advertised as a mobile backup device, the BeeDrive is a perfect on-the-go device that can backup up to 2TB of data from any device, including mobile ones. A real surprise by Synology but for its decent price, fast 10G speed, and great software, it really offers that extra bit of security, and flexibility that we are all looking for nowadays.

Well, there we have it. A quick overview of all the new Synology security-focused updates in 2023 that left a mark. On top of those, we have to remember that cybersecurity is an everlasting process, so be sure to follow the latest security guidelines, especially those focusing on Synology products.

Do not underestimate anyone and any situation as you might end up spending more than you saved by choosing to self-host your pictures and videos as well as any other precious data.

From backups to complex passwords, regular patching, and security best practices, make sure to protect yourself, your family, and your business. With the benefit of owning your own cloud, comes the task of making sure you are protected and secure as best as possible.

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