Jon Purizhansky – Page 18 – Jon Purizhansky Archives from Buffalo, New York

Problems within space of employment based international relocation

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY notices that while optically the process of international employment based relocation appears to be straight forward and simple, in actuality the process is extremely inefficient and riddled with fraud, due to the absolute absence of transparency and lack of pre-arrival communications between employers in Host Countries and employees in Origination Countries.

The root of the problem is currently unavoidable presence of multiple middlemen, often unethical and greedy, between the employer in the Host Country and the employee in the Origination Country.

Essence of the problem is best described by the following hypothetical example of how a foreign migrant worker, located in a third works country, is currently relocated for employment with an employer in the EU (could also be North America, Australia, New Zealand, The Middle East, Japan or South Korea).

The process takes place as follows:

1) Employer decides to hire foreign workers.

2) Employer dedicates monthly budget ( Budget) per foreign worker that includes:

a) foreign worker’s net monthly salary;

b) monthly taxes that apply to the net salary;

c) monthly accommodation per worker;

d) monthly expense on food per worker ( typically 500g of rice/500g of vegetables/500g of meat products per day per worker)

For example, let’s assume that a construction company in the EU wishes to hire 100 general laborers and it decides to spend:

a) 700 Euros on net salary; and
b) 300 Euros on taxes; and
c) 500 housing; and
d) 500 food

Then, the employer’s budget per foreign worker per month will be 2,000 Euros.

3) Employer comes in contact with Middleman 1 and agrees that Middleman 1 will find foreign workers to accept employment with the Employer based on the terms of employment offered by the Employer. The employment terms are largely, but not totally, based on the Budget. Typically, the employer documents its intent to offer employment to foreign workers by issuing a Job Order to Middleman 1 that reflects terms of employment.

Here is an example of a Job Order provided by Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY

JOB ORDER

ISSUED BY: EMPLOYER

ISSUED TO: MIDDLEMAN 1

Whereby, the Employer agrees to employ 100 citizens of “Origination Country” as general laborers on the following terms:

a) 700 Euros net salary
b) employment taxes paid by the Employer
c) housing paid by the Employer
d) food ( breakfast, lunch, dinner – 500g rice;500g vegetables; 500g meat products ) covered by the Employer
e) transportation to and from work – covered by the Employer
f) overtime – covered in accordance with Hist Country laws

Term of employment agreement – 2 years

NAME AND POSITION OF EMPLOYER’S REPRESENTATIVE

SIGNATURE

NOTARY STAMP

4) Middleman 1 contacts Middleman 2 and offers to sell to Middleman 2 the opportunity (The Opportunity) to place 100 foreign construction workers with the Employer. NOTHING IS STOPPING MIDDLEMAN 1 FROM ALTERING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE JOB ORDER AND INFORMING MIDDLEMAN 2 THAT THE SALARY WILL BE HIGHER OR THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT TERM WILL BE LONGER, ETC…

For example: Middleman 1, who secured the Job Order from the Employer, is located in the Host Country. Middleman 1 is aware that Middleman 2 has contacts in the Origination Country that may allow Middleman 2 to recruit the 100 foreign workers for employment with the Employer. Middleman 1 and Middleman 2 then enter into an agreement, whereby Middleman 2 promises to pay Middleman 1 a fixed fee (let’s assume it’s $2,000) for every foreign worker that the Employer will hire because of the efforts of Middleman 2 .

5) Middleman 2 contacts Middleman 3, who may or may not be an HR recruitment agency, licensed in the Origination Country able to offer The Opportunity to prospective foreign workers in the Origination Country. Middleman 2 and Middleman 3 then enter into an agreement, whereby Middleman 3 promises to pay Middleman 2 a fixed fee (let’s assume it’s now $4,000) for every foreign worker that the Employer will hire because of the efforts of Middleman 3.

NOTHING IS STOPPING MIDDLEMAN 2 FROM ALTERING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE JOB ORDER RECEIVED FROM MIDDLEMAN 1 AND INFORMING MIDDLEMAN 3 THAT THE SALARY WILL BE HIGHER OR THE EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT TERM WILL BE LONGER, ETC…WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF UPSELLING THE OPPORTUNITY.

6) Middleman 3 will then employ the services of so-called “SUB-AGENT”, which is now Middleman 4. Middleman 4, consequently, promises to pay Middleman 3 a fixed fee (let’s assume it’s now $6,000.00) for every foreign worker that the Employer will hire because of the efforts of Middleman 4.

7) Middleman 4 recruits foreign workers, usually in remote areas of the Origination Country, and sells them The Opportunity for an amount that is higher than the amount that Middleman 4 has to pay to Middleman 3 (here in after referred to as The Fee. Let’s assume it’s now $8,000)

8) Foreign worker typically takes out a loan to pay The Fee to Middleman 4. Typically, the conditions of the original Job Order are grossly misrepresented when The Opportunity is sold by Middleman 4 to the foreign worker.

9) Middleman 4 collects the documents from foreign workers that the Employer needs to file with the authorities in the Host Country for the purpose of securing work permits for the foreign workers.

10) Middleman 4 forwards to Middleman 3 “The Fee less Middleman 4’s percentage of the Fee” and foreign workers’ documents required to support the application for the work permit in the Host Country.

11) Middleman 3 forwards to Middleman 2
“The Fee less Middleman 3’s percentage of the Fee” and foreign workers’ documents required to support the application for the work permit in the Host Country.

12) Middleman 2 forwards to Middleman 1
“The Fee less Middleman 2’s percentage of the Fee” and foreign workers’ documents required to support the application for the work permit in the Host Country.

13) Middleman 1 retains “The Fee less the percentages of the Fee retained by Middlemen 2,3 and 4” and either keeps The Fee in its entirety or shares it with the Employer. Middleman 1 submits to the Employer the foreign workers’ documents required to support the application for the work permit in the Host Country.

14) Employer files for work permits for foreign workers with the relevant government agency of the Host Country.

15) Work permits are issued.

17) Middleman 3, typically in cooperation with Middleman 4, facilitated filing for applications for Work Visas for foreign workers with the appropriate Consular Post of the Host Country that has jurisdiction over the foreign workers (typically Host Country Embassy located in Origination Country).

18) Work Visas are issued.

19)Foreign Workers fly to the Host Country to commence employment with the Employer.

20)PROBLEM STARTS

NATURE OF THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM

THE FACT THAT FOREIGN WORKERS’ EXPECTATIONS AND EMPLOYERS’ EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT ALLIGNED UPON FOREIGN WORKERS’ ARRIVAL

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY says that as long as foreign workers are required to pay fees to middlemen for the opportunity to relocate abroad for employment, various middlemen will continue to take advantage of the foreign workers , resulting in a wide array for problems both, for the worker and for the employer.

Tourist Attractions of Buffalo, NY

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY describes some of the tourist attractions of Buffalo, NY, the second largest city of New York State.

Buffalo is rich with architectural jewels and scenic views. The city is placed on the confluence of the Buffalo River, the Niagara River, and Lake Erie. It is still believed to provide a crucial role in the thriftiness of the state. Buffalo happens to be one of the best tourist destinations in summer majorly due to its enormous waterfront. Often called The Queen City, Buffalo is a city full of accumulation of cultural jewels, ancient skyscrapers and different assortment of modern artwork.

Below are some of the two tourist attractions one can’t miss when visiting Buffalo:

The Niagara Square

One of the most visited places in the City of Buffalo, Niagara Square is a perfect spot in the heart of Queen City. This is a major tourist attraction due to another reason says Jon Purizhansky of Buffalo, NY, which is the history of the place which witnessed the assassination of President McKinley and French and Indian War in 1763. This area of Buffalo also serves as central hub for hanging out by many locals and tourists.

Buffalo City Hall

Buffalo City Hall is another major tourist attraction of the city says Jon Purizhansky. He says that this place is situated near the Niagara Square in Buffalo City. Your tour to Buffalo is incomplete if you don’t go and visit this amazing City hall that has incredible architectural style. It is a 32 floor story building and has amazing Art and Decor. The style is quite complex but it’s incredible.

There is a great deal of other famous tourist attractions in Buffalo, NY. Noticeably, Buffalonians place are warm and friendly and will typically make you feel at home. If you happen to be travelling in New York, Buffalo is surely worth the visit.

Development of the Global Sensor Market

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY notices the global sensor market. The sensor market has been expanding and has been becoming more sophisticated. The global sensor market was valued at $138,965.0 million in 2017, and is projected to reach $287,002.0 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2018 to 2025.

Sensors are devices that detect events or changes in the environment and then provide the corresponding output. They sense physical input such as light, heat, motion, moisture, pressure, or any other entity, and respond by producing an output on a display or transmit the information in electronic form for further processing. Medical sensors collect data from human body and are extremely valuable in telemedicine.

Their use case enables preventive medicine to expand and it allows physicians to analyse data that sensors collect while not being in the presence of their patient. Importantly, advancements in smart sensor technologies offer additional features to the medical devices and equipment.

These smart sensors are used by doctors to monitor routine check-ups, such as blood pressure and body temperature of the patients. Moreover, smart sensors measure the heart beat and blood oxygen content and transfer medical information through cloud to the healthcare professionals. The wearable technology market is an emerging market in the biomedical sector. This market comprises hi-tech wearable devices, consisting of sensors that monitor different physical activities.

These sensors collect the information about respective parameters, convert them into digital form and display them on screen, allowing doctors and healthcare professionals to analyse them. The growth in demand for wearable devices and increase in investment by governments of several countries to improve healthcare conditions are the reasons anticipated to increase the demand in the overall sensor market. Conversely, surge in adoption of wearable devices and innovative application in biomedical sector are expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the market globally.

However, Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY says that sensor usage is most common in consumer electronic products, followed by automotive, and IT & telecom. Smartphones incorporate sensors such as accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, and temperature detector, to keep a track on parameters and provide a centralized system for automatic control. Additionally, the ever increasing adoption of wearable devices, innovative application in the biomedical sector, and rise in advancements in the automotive sector are expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the sensor industry.

The key companies profiled in the sensor market report are STMicro electronics, NXP semiconductors N.V., Infineon Technologies AG, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Atmel Corporation, Texas instruments Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, Johnson Controls International PLC., Sony Corporation, and Honeywell International Inc. Jon Purizhansky says that the sensor market is one of the industries that will be growing and we will see many new companies emerge within this space globally.

History of Buffalo’s city infrastructure and design

Jon Purizhansky discusses the history of Buffalo, NY infrastructure and design. The Buffalo city plan was developed in 2003. This Queen City Hub Plan formulated modern policy and conception for downtown Buffalo. Buffalo is famous for being the regional center for recreation, education, the start-up scene and life science R&D. An award-winning plan controls the town; downtown Buffalo has been experiencing an upswing in redevelopment and involvement of new public and private sector investment over the last few years. This new development is also evidenced by many new projects.

Jon Purizhansky says that the City is Buffalo is experiencing challenges to attaining its full capacity, encompassing specifying creative explanations to motivate and benefit ongoing downtown reinvestment. In 2012 Buffalo’s Building Reuse Project was an acknowledgment to an overabundance of office vacuum in downtown, much of which is in class B and C buildings whose development is hampered by small floor plates, the outdated building systems, environmental interests, and surrounding public infrastructure.

The plan designed for the city sets out a frame for the City of Buffalo to make strategic infrastructure investment in the near term that will incrementally work towards the plan’s long term vision framework, helping to fuel development, bolster tourism, enhance downtown’s image, and attract investment that supports downtown’s renewal.

Jon Purizhansky points to the fact that the BBRP needs improvement of “a downtown master Modification for public infrastructure and conveniences, which is context susceptible and catches the personal characteristics of each downtown area district”.

The whole project is financed by National Grid and National Fuel, and this Master Plan has been formulated under the recommendation of the BBRP project team, encompassing the City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning, the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation.

The Downtown Buffalo Infrastructure and Public Realm Master Plan was established by a receptacle to harmonize and prioritize infrastructure investments in downtown. It is done by evaluating the occurring circumstances and making suggestions for what infrastructure interests should be intending for to accomplish for key roads and public spaces.

To open the path to investment, the plan recognizes four preference areas for new interest and a list of more certain priority undertakings in each area. This is funded by a series of decision-making standards to help in the examination of infrastructure proposals and a series of general design approaches to guarantee that new infrastructure is constructed to meet the desires of the developing downtown.

Rising Regulations of Cryptocurrency

According to Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY illicit use of crypto currencies is on the rise globally and nation states, including Iran and North Korea are taking advantage of that. For example, the US has imposed heavy sanctions on Iran. Iran, in turn, is doing all it can to evade these sanctions by using crypto currencies. But the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is not happy with Iran’s use of cryptocurrencies to bypass the sanctions.

Due to US restrictions on Iran, the country was slapped with a universal prohibition from acquiring US dollar banknotes. However, Iran went ahead and released their plans to launch the country’s own state backed cryptocurrency. According to the US, Iran’s crypto activities pose a significant threat to financial institutions across the world.

Jon Purizhansky says that according to the FinCEN directive, despite Iran’s Central Bank’s ban on domestic financial institutions from trading in cryptocurrencies, a lot of internet avenues are available for potential investors to access crypto platforms and exchanges. Consequently, 15 global jurisdictions, including the G7 countries, will reportedly develop a system for tracking crypto transactions to prevent illicit uses of cryptocurrencies.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is planning to prepare detailed measures by 2020, according to a report by Tokyo-based newspaper Nikkei. The new system intends to collect and distribute personal data on individuals who conduct crypto transactions in order to prevent funds from being used for illegal activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing, the report notes.

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY also says that according to Cointekegraph four major South Korean crypto exchanges, including Bithumb, Upbit, Coinone and Korbit reportedly faced tighter regulation when they renewed their banking accounts. Further, on July 18, G7 finance ministers voiced their concerns that cryptocurrencies such as Facebook’s stablecoin project Libra risk upsetting the global financial system if they are not regulated strictly. For these reasons, we will see more and more regulations and restrictions as they relate to crypto currencies and their movements.

Labor Shortage in the EU

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY points to a new report by the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies that shows that, while most of central and eastern European countries have been growing at their highest rates since the global financial crisis about a decade ago, this boom may be overdue to severe shortage of labor in the EU.

Global relocation of economic migrants stands at an all-time high in modern history. With Central and Eastern Europe being a large part of the EU, both skilled and unskilled labor has migrated to Western European EU member states. Simply put – if you are a carpenter in Western Poland, then why would you work in Poland when you can make double in Germany, which is just an hour drive away. As Western Europe has been feeding on labor, originating from Eastern and Central Europe, a vacuum of labor has emerged and is growing in Central and Eastern European countries.

Central and Eastern European countries, which have been struggling to fill up vacancies as more and more workers migrate to Western Europe in search of better pay. The labor shortage has pushed down unemployment rates in the region to record lows and driven job vacancies to their highest levels. The shortfall can also be attributed to a decline in the overall population. Most countries in the region have experienced shrinking populations over the past 15 years even as the total population in the EU has gone up.

The working-age population in these countries has been shrinking due to migration and other demographic factors such as low fertility rates. This shortage might result in lower GDP growth rates which could have severe implications for the welfare systems. As the aforementioned report stated, migration and low fertility rates are expected to cause the working-age population (aged 20-64) in central and eastern European countries to shrink by about 30 percent by 2050.

So, how does the EU solve its shortage of labor? Primarily by bringing in workers from outside the EEU. The organic economic trend of EU employers searching for workers globally is driving the numbers of EU bound foreign workers into dozens of millions annually.

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, New York notices that in December 2011, the so-called Single Permit Directive was adopted. It creates a set of rights for non-EU workers legally residing in an EU State, notably the right to equal treatment with nationals in the country they reside and work. The Directive applies to most non-EU nationals with authorization to reside and work in the EU, independently of their initial reason for admission, unless they are explicitly excluded from the scope of the Directive. Its scope includes both non-EU nationals seeking to be admitted to an EU State in order to stay and work there and those who are already resident and have access to the labour market or are already working there. It provides for:

A single permit giving the right both to residence and work

A single application procedure for this permit

A set of rights for non-EU workers, notably the right to equal treatment with nationals of the country where they reside and work, in a number of key areas: working conditions, freedom of association and joining organisations representing workers, education and vocational training, recognition of diplomas, social security, tax benefits, access to goods and services including procedures for housing and employment advice services. Some exemptions may be applied by the Member States. The right to social security can, for instance, be limited to those in employment, or who have worked for at least 6 months and who are registered as unemployed.

Jon Purizhansky says that a foreign worker can work in the Schengen Area if she/he holds a National (D) Visa for employment purposes issued by one of the 26 European countries parts of the Schengen Zone. The fact that dozens of millions of D Visa recipients enter the EU annually coupled with the fact that the manpower recruitment industry is full of fraud, inefficiency and non-transparency creates risk not only to the economic health of the EU but also to the domestic security in Europe. European employers largely meet their employees for the first time when employees arrive.

Often times so-called “manpower brokers” or “recruiters” charge prospective employees exorbitant amounts of money by promising them unreal employment terms and when the non-European employees show up in the EU, their expectations are not aligned with the expectations of their European employers. Consequently, employees leave their employees, file complaints with government agencies and NGOs and become illegal aliens in the EU by illegally migrating in violation of their “D Visa” conditions. Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY points out that without a systemic technological solution the situation will continue to get worse.

Important to understand global migration flows

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY defines the concept of global migration as a permanent move to a new location. Global migration is at its most active point in modern history. It’s rapidly changing the demographic, social and economic landscape of the planet. For this reason, it’s important to understand global migration flows. Data on migration flows are essential for understanding global migration patterns and how different factors and policies in countries of origin and destination may be related to flows. Currently, only 45 countries report migration flow data to the United Nations (UN DESA, 2015). Migration flows “refer to the number of migrants entering or leaving a given country during a given period of time, usually one calendar year” (UN SD, 2017). However, countries use different concepts, definitions and data collection methodologies to compile statistics on migration flows. Definitions of who counts as an international migrant vary over time in the same country and across countries. That’s why it’s important to understand how many people actually leave countries of origin and actually enter countries of destination.

Although the number may not be accurate, global estimates based on census data suggest that 0.5 percent – or approximately 37 million people – left their native country to live in another country between 2010 and 2015 (Abel, 2016). Some countries report data on annual flows to the UN Statistics Division (UN SD), who has a mandate to collect migration statistics, including on migration flows, from countries through the Demographic Yearbook data collection system. Some countries report data to OECD or the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) as well. OECD data on permanent migration inflows allow to distinguish between different types of migration flows including work, family and humanitarian migration (OECD, 2017). However, the number of countries reporting flow data is limited and the data are often not harmonized.

According to Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY, absence of systemic flow data has led researchers to develop their own estimates of global migration flows based on 5-year intervals (see Abel and Sander, 2014; Raymer et al., 2013). These estimates are based on UN statistics, some of which are available from the DEMIG Country-to-Country database (C2C) of the University of Oxford, which contains bilateral migration flows data for at least 34 countries. The database also provides gender breakdowns were available and more historical depth.

Another tool worth mentioning is DTM.

The International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), a system to track and monitoring population displacement and mobility, collects migration flows data through flow monitoring component in more than 30 countries. DTM flow monitoring assesses areas of high mobility, often at key entry, exit, and transit locations. Flow monitoring activities aim to derive quantitative estimates of the flow of individuals through specific locations and to collect information about the profiles, intentions, and needs of the people moving. Numbers of people moving within areas of free circulation such as the European Union or the Southern Common Market (Mercosur in Latin America) are also indicated separately in the OECD’s International Migration Database.

The system off tracking data, however, is still very fragmented and inefficient. The tracking system is dependent of collecting data from administrative sources, but such sources usually record events (e.g. issuance/renewal/withdrawal of a residence permit) and may not necessarily reflect actual migration movements (e.g. a residence permit is not renewed but the person stays in the country, or the permit is renewed but the person leaves the country).

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, New York notices that without a systemic global technological solution, tracking and monitoring global relocation will become more and more difficult. Creating a unified blockchain technology system will help government agencies in both, destination and origination countries, employers, and third-party organizations by tracking and storing not only migrants’ identification documents, but also their migration history (renewals, visas, approvals, denials, supporting documents, etc….). It will not only generate transparency and efficiency for all participants of the global relocation ecosystem, but it will also assist researchers to understand and quantify global relocation data.

Blockchain and Electronic Medical Records

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY says that current electronic medical records (EMR) systems are a mess in the United States. If a patient visits a doctor, there is no efficient way for the doctor to obtain transparency into this patient’s medical history. For example, when you go visit your primary care doctor, unless you allow him to obtain your medical records from all the other doctors you have visited, there is no way for your primary to understand what issues you have had before, particularly if you don’t remember. This creates serious inefficiencies and results in lower-quality care for all US patients. Additionally, if the data cannot be integrated into existing systems, doctors are unable to take full advantage of innovations in health data to make the best decisions about a patient’s health.

However, Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY says that applying blockchain technology to EMR could fix the problem. Blockchain is a database that leverages cloud storage infrastructure to maintain a secure list of data records or transactions. Smart contracts within the blockchain platform allow logic to be programmed into the blockchain and executed when a transaction is made.

With respect to the EMR system, blockchain would create the ability to upload, store, and transfer files securely and cost-effectively. Rather than requiring health data to be stored in a centralized database, blockchain utilizes secure cloud technologies enabling data to be seamlessly shared and accessed from multiple sources. For example, during annual check-ups, physicians could review data synced from apps and wearable devices like the Apple Watch or Fitbit, instead of relying on patients to accurately, and honestly, divulge their health and exercise habits. In more urgent situations, a doctor may access blockchain-sourced data to determine whether the patient is allergic to certain medicines, or gather other critical information necessary for treatment.

Despite the efficiencies, blockchain provides, the concerns for maintaining the integrity of healthcare data is legitimate. In the first half of 2017, there were 233 health data breaches, affecting more than 3 million people, reported in the United States. Over 41 percent of the breaches were insider-caused. However, the services provided by blockchain help assuage the anxieties of bringing valuable, personal healthcare data into the digital world. Blockchain offers particularly strong benefits in three areas: integrity, permission, and decentralization. Blockchain ensures the information on the chain is verified by requiring users to provide a signature and time-stamp with a private key to access the data.

Blockchain can trace successful, or attempted, hacks and falsified records to an exact user to mitigate data breaches and insurance fraud. Blockchain maintains a permanent ledger, making it much more difficult for records to be lost or misplaced. Instead of relying on photocopies from their doctor’s office or third-party provider, patients have control over their data. Blockchain uses the logic that powers smart contracts, allowing users to give permissions, and control with whom their data is shared. The logic built into blockchain allows patients to have the best of both worlds, providing access to doctors when they need it, while simultaneously protecting data from unauthorized users. It’s important to note that Blockchain does not require data to be centrally maintained. Healthcare information can be stored in cloud databases and devices around the globe, ultimately providing patients with the power to control and share their data.

By removing the requirement for doctors, hospitals, and other care providers to be stored into a single health data system, patients are empowered to decide when, how, and to what extent their information may be shared with those who provide care. Private, public, and government agencies are all looking towards the potential uses and innovations for blockchain. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the theory on how to integrate blockchain with the EMR is clear, a systemic efficient solution has not yet been created.

If a single blockchain platform is created and is integrated with all EMR systems in a HIPAA compliant way, the quality of patient care will increase substantially due to the newly created ability for physicians to analyze patient data. Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY hopes that the United States will become a leader in safe, private, and secure storage and distribution of health records, thereby increasing the efficiency of patient care in a previously unrealized way.

Cybersecurity and why it’s important

According to Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY, one hears a lot about cyber security these days. So, what exactly is cybersecurity? Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These digital attacks, also known as the cyberattacks, target governments, corporations, non-governmental institutions and private individuals and are aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money; or interrupting business or government processes.

Implementing effective cybersecurity measures is becoming more difficult, because there are more devices than people, and attackers are becoming more innovative. Cyber attackers can be governments, companies, criminal organizations, terrorists and individuals.

Jon Purizhansky from Buffalo, NY mentions that multiple layers of protection must be implemented to create successful cybersecurity approach. In an organization, the human factor, processes, and technology must all complement one another to create an effective defense from cyber attacks. Human factor is important, because people must choose strong passwords, be thoughtful when opening email attachments and remember to back up data. Processes are important, because organizations have to have protocols for dealing with both attempted and successful cyber attacks. It’s important that both, members of organizations and private individuals are able to identify attacks, protect systems, detect and respond to threats, and recover from successful attacks and this ability comes with following protocols.

Lastly, technology is important because it provides organizations and individuals with computer security tools needed to protect themselves from cyber attacks. Three main entities must be protected: endpoint devices like computers, smart devices, and routers; networks; and the cloud. Common technology used to protect these entities include next-generation firewalls, DNS filtering, malware protection, antivirus software, and email security solutions.

Cybersecurity attacks can have truly devastating effects in today’s world. Everyone relies on critical infrastructure like power plants, hospitals, defense infrastructure and financial service companies. Securing these and other organizations is essential to keeping our society functioning. There are four classical types of cyber-attacks. They are:

1) Ransomware, which is a type of malicious software designed to extort money by blocking access to files or the computer system until the ransom is paid. This attack is typically perpetuated by criminals and criminal organizations.

2) Malware is a type of software designed to gain unauthorized access or to cause damage to a computer.

3) Social engineering is used to trick you into revealing sensitive information. They can solicit a monetary payment or gain access to your confidential data. Social engineering can be combined with any of the threats listed above to make you more likely to click on links, download malware, or trust a malicious source.

4) Phishing is the practice of sending fraudulent emails that resemble emails from reputable sources. Once you click on a link or open an attachment , the attackers become able to steal sensitive data like credit card numbers and login information. It’s the most common type of cyber attack.

Jon Purizhansky mentions that cyberwarfare is also becoming part of warfare employed by nation states. North Korea and China are good examples , although with time we will probably see every military in the world establish branches that engage in cyber warfare both offensively and defensively.

Karpeles Manuscript Library of Buffalo, NY

Jon Purizhansky says that Karpeles Manuscript Library is the world’s largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents. The library was founded in 1983 by California real estate magnates, David, and Marsha Karpeles, with the goal of stimulating interest in learning. Buffalo, NY is the only city with two museums. The Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Buffalo was once the former First Church of Christ, Scientist. The congregation commissioned Chicago architect Solon S. Beman to design the building at 220 North St. The structure was built in 1911. The Christian Scientists occupied the building until the early 1980s, followed by a succession of Baptist congregations, until it was purchased by the Museum in December 2003. It formally opened in 2006.

Jon Purizhansky says that there are now 10 museums in 9 cities across the United States. The museums are located in small and midsize cities although the Karpeleses put on an exhibit on Central Park West in New York City in 1991.

As of September 2017, there were eleven museums. Worth noticing is The Queen City Market, which has become a keystone event for the Buffalo holiday season. Each year, over 50 artists and artisans take over the beautiful Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Buffalo to showcase their wares, in a setting that is like no other in the region. The Queen City Market is a wonderful social gathering spot, filled with all sorts of surprises. The market is the perfect setting for anyone who is looking to source locally made wares that are completely unique to Buffalo, NY.

Weddings are often held at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum of Buffalo. Jon Purizhansky says that guests have typically nothing but amazing things to say about the architecture and historical beauty of the buildings, and they required minimal decoration because they’re already so beautiful on their own. The staff is also incredibly helpful and accommodating. There are many great hotels nearby and although there are nine more Karpeles Manuscript Museums throughout the United States, the museum based in Buffalo, NY is definitely worth a visit