Author: CFI.co Blogger

Technology

What You Need to Know to Pass the CCIE Service Provider Written Exam

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

If you’re looking to pass the CCIE Service Provider Written Exam, then you’ll want to read on. In this post, we’ll discuss what you need to know to achieve success. First, we’ll discuss the exam format and topics that are covered. Then, we’ll provide some tips on how to prepare for the exam. Let’s get started!

IP-routing

Exam format and topics covered in CCIE Service Provider Written Exam 

Exam Format: The CCIE Service Provider Written Exam is an 8-hour, closed-book exam with 100 multiple-choice questions. To know more about the exam format and if you would like to read more about CCIE SP, just click here. The exam is designed to test your ability to configure and troubleshoot service provider networks.

Topics Covered: The topics covered in the exam include IP addressing, routing protocols, QoS, security, and network management. In order to pass the exam, you must understand how to configure and troubleshoot these technologies in a service provider environment.

Tips on how to prepare for the CCIE Service Provider Written Exam

First and foremost, it is important to have a strong understanding of networking concepts. You should be comfortable working with Cisco routers and switches and IPv4 and IPv6 addressing schemes. Additionally, it is beneficial to have hands-on experience configuring service provider networks.

If you don’t have a strong understanding of networking concepts, we recommend taking a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) course. This will give you the foundation you need to succeed on the CCIE Service Provider Written Exam.

Once you have a strong understanding of networking fundamentals, it’s time to start studying for the exam. We recommend using Cisco’s official study guide, which covers all of the topics tested on the exam. Additionally, many other great study resources are available online, such as practice exams and video tutorials.

When studying for the exam, it’s important to focus on the topics covered in depth. These include IP multicast, MPLS, VPNs, and quality of service (QoS). By focusing your studies on these topics, you will be better prepared to answer the questions on the exam.

In addition to studying, it’s also important to get some hands-on experience with Cisco routers and switches. This will help you better understand the concepts you’re learning and give you a chance to practice your skills. There are many ways to get hands-on experience, such as taking a Cisco course or working in a lab environment.

Once you’ve studied for the exam and gotten some hands-on experience, it’s time to take the test! We recommend scheduling your exam at least two weeks in advance, and this will give you plenty of time to prepare and make sure you’re ready to take the test.

When taking the exam, be sure to read the questions carefully and answer them to the best of your ability. If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t worry! Just skip it and move on to the next one.

After you’ve taken the exam, it’s important to debrief with your instructors or mentors. They can help you understand the concepts you missed and give you guidance on how to improve for future exams.

Conclusion

Now that you know what it takes to pass the CCIE Service Provider Written Exam, it’s time to put in the work and make it happen. Remember, anything worth doing is worth doing right. So study hard, practice often, and don’t give up until you’ve reached your goal.

Finance

AAY Investments Group named Best International Project Finance Team

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

International investment firm joins Pictet Bank, Deloitte and UBS as winners of the CFI.co award

AAY Investments Group, a Panama-based Venture Capital Funding firm, was named Best International Project Finance Team by CFI.co. AAY joins Pictet Bank, Deloitte and UBS as winners of the prestigious award.

AAY Investments Group

“AAY Investments Group is honored to have been nominated and named the winner of the Best International Project Finance Team in 2022,” Senior Managing Partner of AAY Investments Group Mark Manson said. “This distinguished award is the culmination of hard work and dedication to providing excellent service to our clients globally. It is with great pleasure that I accept this award on behalf of the entire AAY Investments Group team and it is our intention to continue successfully financing projects around the world.”

Each year, CFI.co seeks nominations for individuals and organizations that contribute significantly to the convergence of economies and truly add value for all stakeholders. CFI.co aims to not only reward excellence in the financial field, but also use the award winners to inspire other companies and individuals to further improve their own performance.

In CFI.co’s Judges’ Report, CFI outlined AAY’s long standing reputation. The company’s success stems from the long-term relationships they have established with their clients along with the high quality of employees they have on their 45-person staff. The panel noted that managers not only assess how actions affect the client, but also their employees throughout the decision-making process, resulting in low staff turnover and high customer retention. These practices have allowed AAY to develop business relationships with insurance brokers, governments, public-listed companies, professional service providers and private-project owners.

AAY Investments group started in 1986 and has been able to adapt and change throughout waves of economic trends. The group is made up of Templeton Equity, Swiss Credit & Guaranty, Swiss Credit Underwriters, Swiss Credit Equities and an additional six AAY affiliated partner companies. Throughout their time in business, the company has worked with numerous national and international brokers, attorneys, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and many large and small project owners throughout the world, providing venture capital funding. These investments have given life to projects that create wealth for owners and also provide secure jobs for employees working in many countries.

AAY’s senior management team has over 95 years of combined professional experience in commercial project finance and venture capital funding. The company recently added an insurance team focusing on risk-management. The company continues to grow based on their reputation as a confidential and professional group, believing that confidentiality and non-disclosure is essential for business today.

For more information on AAY Investments Group, visit aayinvestmentsgroup.com

About AAY Investments Group

AAY Investments Group is comprised of Templeton Equity, Swiss Credit & Guaranty, Swiss Credit Underwriters, Swiss Credit Equities and an additional six AAY affiliated partner companies. Their senior management team have over 95 years of combined professional experience in commercial project finance and venture capital funding with backgrounds in legal to investment banking, all with vast knowledge within financial institutions. For more information, visit aayinvestmentsgroup.com.

Technology

How To Buy, Sell, And Manage Bitcoin

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

You don’t have to have millions to start your cryptocurrency investment, but you must be realistic and cautious about what you expect to get in return and all the risks involved.

crypto

Cryptocurrency investment can be challenging, but with research and advice from the right people, you can get the hang of it within no time and start seeing your gains. While Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency, you need to know that there are many other cryptocurrencies to invest in.

Before investing in cryptocurrency, ensure that you have a fast and robust internet connection and have all the necessary documents to verify your identity. The other steps you need to follow to buy, sell and manage cryptocurrency are:

Choose a cryptocurrency wallet

Digital wallets are where you store cryptocurrency, and you need to have one before you start buying any crypto. You can choose between a cold and hot wallet. Cold wallets are physical hardware-based digital wallets to store cryptocurrency that you have not connected to the internet. They have multiple security layers, making them hard to hack.

On the other hand, hot wallets are software-based connected to the internet that comes mainly in the form of apps.

Some of the most popular wallet companies are Trezor and Ledger. You can also get a digital wallet on a crypto exchange package, for example, the one that comes with a Coinbase account.

Set up the crypto wallet

If you have a software wallet, all you need to do is create an account using a username and password, then enable two-factor authentication. If your wallet comes as part of your crypto exchange account package and the exchange operates KYC, you must provide certain documents for identity verification.

Unlike standard hot wallets, non-custodial wallets are not third-party hosted. They provide you with a randomly generated seed phrase or private key around 12 words long, which you have to store offline.

Cold wallets also give you a randomly generated key, 24 words long. However, you still have to create a PIN to access your wallet. You can also choose a paper cold wallet, which gives you a public and private key printed on paper for added security.

Choose an exchange

After setting up your crypto wallet, it’s time to pick an exchange and make your first transaction. Ensure the exchange you choose is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Community like Coinbase, Gemini, Kraken, Crypto.com, and eToro.

Research the exchanges to see what other cryptocurrencies they offer and their security measures. You can also research other exchanges on the internet like https://www.okex.com/buy-crypto, which is suitable for beginners and experts.

Buy and sell crypto

Some exchanges have buy and sell buttons, where you need to enter how much you want to buy or sell. You have to submit an order like in a conventional stock exchange on others. The standard orders are market order, stop order, and limit order.

Market order lets you buy a certain amount of Bitcoin at the market price, stop order sets a price for you to sell or buy Bitcoin, and the limit order instructs the exchange to sell or buy Bitcoin at a specific price or better. If you are looking for a trusted and secure cryptocurrency exchange, visit https://www.okx.com/markets/prices to access a large marketplace.

Managing your assets

One of the most common and successful strategies to manage Bitcoin investment is to buy and hold them, holding them for a long term hoping for a high average return.

You can also use the dollar-cost-average approach, where you buy Bitcoin after a certain period without looking at the price changes. Sometimes you will buy when the prices are low and other times when the prices are high, but in the long run, the prices will cancel out and give you an average high return.

Budgeting

Contemporary Cash Flow Handling Trends and Tips

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

Cash flow management is necessary for startups and small businesses because it is the foundation of a business’s ability to operate. It’s managing cash resources to ensure that cash is always available for business operations.

cashflow

We will explore why cash flow management matters, and how startups can make it easier to manage their cash flows.

What Are the Key Factors that Impact Your Cash Flow?

The key factors that impact your cash flow are the management team, venture capital investors, and revenue projections.

In growing your business, you need to ensure you have a strong management team. Your team should provide a clear vision for the company and be able to execute it. They should also have experience managing and running a business, helping them manage finances more efficiently.

Revenue projections are also important, as they can help you plan what you need for growth. It can also help you decide whether you should take on additional investment from venture capitalists.

Creating a Cash Flow Plan that Works for Your Business

Cash flow is a term that most businesses know but few understand. It’s turning revenue into cash, and then back into assets or investments. To create a successful cash flow plan for your business, you need to fully understand your expenses and how much money is required to succeed.

A cash flow plan helps track your money and identify growth opportunities. The first step is to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your approach so far. What has been successful and what hasn’t? This will help you map out the next steps in your process.

Here are a few steps to creating a cash flow plan:

  • Establish your business objectives. What are you trying to accomplish? Review the company’s goals and identify the milestones.
  • Plan for growth: How will you get more clients or customers and increase revenue?
  • Evaluate your momentum: How can you keep the momentum going and build on it?
  • Plan for sustainability: How do you plan to continually expand what you’re doing?
  • Create your budget: Break down expenses into categories. Create a budget based on projected cash inflows and outflows.
  • Consider contingencies: What will happen in an emergency or if revenues don’t meet projections? What steps will you take to stay in business and get results?

Finance Tips to Enhance the Growth of Your Business

Having a financial strategy in place is critical, especially when you start with low capital. You need to be aware of your financial goals and how you can get there.

To start, understand the difference between your fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs don’t change, whereas variable costs fluctuate based on revenue. A business should carefully analyze its fixed and variable costs before deciding on which type of financing it needs if any.

There are different financing options available for businesses, such as invoice factoring, loans, venture capital investments, and equity investments. For small businesses with little capital, invoice factoring might be the best option for funding business growth.

  1. Consider crowdfunding. If you have a product in the pipeline and need funding, crowdfunding is a great way to raise capital, especially for startups that don’t yet have strong cash flow.
  2. Negotiate with suppliers. Suppliers may be open to more favorable payment terms. This will give you more time to pay without getting deep in debt.
  3. Don’t try to grow too fast. Additional employees are an important asset, but investment and return must be evaluated. Consider salaries, employee benefits, supplies such as computers, and desk space. Outsourcing might be a better choice.
  4. Explore invoice factoring. You can sell your outstanding accounts receivable to an invoice factoring company in exchange for cash. A factoring company is a quick way to get financing and free up working capital.
  5. Run a lean operation. Find ways to do more with what you already have. This can be challenging due to a lack of time and resources, but small changes can lead to big results.
  6. Use good tasking software. Task management software is a digital tool that helps organize, prioritize, and delegate your work and stay on track. Task management software is a must-have for any company focusing on productivity and saving money.
  7. Plan for and invest in growth. Identify areas for growth, and reinvest in the company to compete at a higher level for greater success down the line.

Conclusion

Cash flow management is vital to all businesses, particularly for start-ups on a tight budget. Approaches vary depending on the company’s needs, but planning is essential. Startups can generate money in several ways, including invoice factoring with a reputable factoring company, equity crowdfunding, and planning for growth. By effectively managing their cash flow, startups can generate more revenue and become more successful.

Budgeting

The Impact of Covid-19 on the World Economy

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

While we have been sitting at home playing casino real money online for the past two years, the global economy has been hit pretty hard by the Corona pandemic. Supply chains were disrupted. Inflation soared. And in less developed countries, many people lost their jobs. There, it was not so easy to shift work and education to the online system. The infrastructure simply was not able to provide the necessary elements for this transition.

The Impact of Covid-19 on the World Economy

The news was full of bad news and how people were suffering from the negative impact of Covid on the economy. Once again, it became clear how interconnected countries are. Globalization was now experienced in a bad way.

Several studies are showing the impact of Covid on countries. The results are yet to be seen as the aftermath of the pandemic is still ongoing.

Most major economies will lose at least 2.9% of their gross domestic product (GDP), as experts have noted as early as 2020. In the meantime, the pandemic situation has worsened since 2020, so this forecast has already been raised to a GDP loss of 3.4%. To put this figure in perspective, global GDP in 2020 has been estimated at around $84.54 trillion – meaning that a 4.5 percent decline in economic growth would result in a loss of nearly $2.96 trillion in economic output.

The Winners and Losers of the Pandemic

Some sectors of the economy have suffered more than others. For example, tourism and the travel industry. Others, however, managed to benefit from the new circumstances. In particular, delivery services and online conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Skype, and Webex. The IT sector faced large investments from governments or international organizations. This is also true for the healthcare sector. Pharmacies were always allowed to stay open, as were supermarkets. One of the biggest winners in the e-commerce sector. As all physical stores were closed, people shopped online. This is one of the trends that will most likely continue. Even after the pandemic.

Cultural and social institutions such as museums and galleries also suffered and could not have survived without government assistance. Again, developed countries such as Europe and North America can afford such aid. For less developed countries, however, it remains to be seen how they can recover from the crisis.

The fact is that we will be living with the new regime and also a greater awareness of the disease for a long time to come. Hygiene approaches have improved all over the world.

Although the number of Covid 19 patients has decreased, the world is still far from returning to normal. The new requirements are expected to be in place for at least the next few months. Even the industry, which has returned to its pre-Covid productivity, is still dealing with heavy losses.

People who have lost their jobs and perhaps even their homes are left relatively alone. Ultimately, there is now a universal blueprint or policy for getting the global economy back on track.

Finance

7 Benefits of Investing in Stocks

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

If you’re new to investing, now is a great time to learn the ropes. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about investing styles, risk tolerance, and much more. Your investments will likely rise and fall. You’ll also gain valuable insight into normal market volatility. You’ll also be better prepared for the unexpected by investing in stocks. Listed below are the top 10 reasons to invest in stocks. 

7 Benefits of Investing in Stocks

Dividends

The dividends that you receive from stocks can be a great way to diversify your portfolio, in this article they have put together Motley fool vs seeking alpha and compared their investing style. However, while high dividend yields can be tempting, you should also choose the right company for long-term investment. The most popular way to invest in stocks that pay dividends is through a mutual fund or ETF. Many ETFs track dividend-paying companies and focus on certain regions and sectors. You can also choose to invest in ETFs that focus on companies with a history of dividend-paying dividends.

Compounding

Many people are hesitant to invest in stocks, but many realize the compounding power of these investments. Investing over a long period will reap the most benefits. If you start early, compounding will take care of the rest. By the time you are sixty, your $10,000 investment will be worth $67,275. This is the same amount as if you invested only one month earlier. Here are some simple ways to maximize your investment’s compounding power.

Long-term growth

The long-term growth benefits of investing in stocks are many. They include greater profits, reduced taxes, and fewer fees. However, long-term investments do require a careful selection of businesses. Investors who buy and sell stocks too often are handicapping their chances of success. Ideally, long-term investments should be made in companies with sound management, long-term growth prospects, and a good balance of risk and reward.

High potential returns

While stocks and bonds have historically produced the highest average annual returns, these calculations do not consider all factors. This may result in an inaccurate picture and unrealistic expectations. In addition, the volatility of stock prices overtime should not be confused with historical returns. Stocks can increase and decrease more than bonds. You should always check with your financial adviser before making a decision. Investing in stocks is an excellent way to protect your money from inflation.

Reduced risk

If you’re worried about investing in stocks, you’re not alone. Many people have similar concerns, making it even harder to know where to begin. However, some simple tips can help you reduce your exposure to stocks. Investing in stocks can be risky, so a few strategies can help reduce it. First, diversify your portfolio. Then, you can invest in various types of stocks, including low-risk and high-risk stocks.

Diversification

When you invest in a range of assets, you limit the risk of anyone asset crashing down and reduce the impact of sudden increases. While diversification does limit your upside potential in short-term markets, it can lead to higher long-term returns. While some investors prefer to invest in single stocks, a diverse portfolio can help balance their risks. The benefits of diversification can be seen in a variety of situations.

Low volatility

One of the main reasons for low volatility is the lottery ticket effect. Many investors participate in the market purely as a gamble and don’t care about the downside risk. As a result, stocks with high volatility have greater upside potential, but the downside risk is generally limited to the money invested. As a result, investors are willing to pay a premium for a lower volatility index. This anomaly hasn’t been arbitraged away, but it remains a key reason to invest in stocks with low volatility.

Digital Banking

Sports sponsorships by crypto apps skyrocket in the past year

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

The sports sector has become the ideal target for some of the best crypto apps seeking growth. Some of the largest players in the cryptocurrency sector have announced strategic deals with sports clubs, leagues and organizations to attract new audiences. 

crypto

Best crypto apps scramble for sports partnerships 

The crypto space has grown significantly over the past year, and sports franchises have been open to securing deals in the world of cryptocurrencies. Some of the most reputable athletes have also pocketed deals, such as being brand ambassadors of some crypto projects or accepting their salaries in crypto assets. 

Last year, some of the largest crypto sports sponsorships were recorded. The sponsorship deals were worth around $1.2 billion in total. One of the greatest sports deals secured last year was by Crypto.com. The exchange acquired naming rights for the Staples Center in Los Angeles for $700 million. They also spent another $210M in a major deal with UFC.  

However, Crypto.com is not the only crypto app tapping into sports deals. FTX has also secured several major deals, including the naming rights to the Miami Heat arena last year. FTX also invested $210M for a sponsorship deal with TSM. 

Other top exchanges like Binance and Coinbase are also investing in the space. Binance, the world’s largest exchange by trading volumes, was the major partner for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Coinbase is also the cryptocurrency exchange for the NBA. 

Regarding the number of sports sponsorship deals secured, eToro stands out, having secured 36 sports deals with football teams based in Europe. 

Football attracts more deals 

The crypto industry is yearning to attract sports enthusiasts by marketing during major competitions. For instance, Super Bowl, the most televised sports event in the US with an over 90 million audience, attracted advertisements from leading crypto exchanges. 

Football has attracted more sports deals than any other sport. At least 56 sports partnerships have been with football clubs, tournaments and players. Football is one of the most-watched sports globally, and it makes sense that crypto apps are focusing most of their attention here.  

However, partnerships with football clubs have also attracted attention from regulators. For instance, Arsenal was banned from promoting its fan tokens last year. Liverpool fans also criticized the club’s decision to release a non-fungible token (NFT) collection. 

Sports players are also venturing into crypto 

Sports players are also entering the crypto space. Odell Beckham Jr, an NFL star, became among the first marquee sports players to receive a salary in Bitcoin. Around 8 NFL players accept part or all of their salaries in digital currencies. 

After signing for the Jacksonville Jaguars last year, Trevor Lawrence agreed to take a huge share of his $24M signing bonus in several digital currencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL). 

Bitcoin has particularly become the top option chosen by players who want to receive their wages in digital currencies. However, fan tokens are also becoming a favourite, with Lionel Messi accepting PSG fan tokens after joining the French club last year. 

Business

What to Expect from the Real Property Market in Dayton in 2022

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

2021 truly turned out to be a great catch for Dayton realtors. The real estate market saw a record-shattering year, quadrupling the 2011 sales. Single-family houses are trending here, the market itself proves to be client-friendly, offering relatively low prices.

Real Estate

This very inexpensiveness draws buyers like bees to a honey pot. But what surprises the most is how, despite all this, Dayton still succeeds to stay in the focus of many hunters on real estate and attract investors. Indeed, everyone in the field (both investors and buyers) has increasingly been aiming at small markets with lower prices over the past few years.

There are not so many smaller markets that have experienced high increases in rent, but Dayton is definitely one of those which enjoy the rise in numbers. Even though we are said to observe the continuation of this trend, and sales prices may face some sort of a decrease, this year still has a great possibility of becoming another bunch of records.

Dayton is a city in Ohio, actually located in the southwest of the state, in the Miami Valley (or Greater Dayton metro area). The city, despite its sizes, which are relevantly small, has a complex economy fueled by such industries as manufacturing, aeromechanics, agriculture, logistics, government, military, automotive, etc.  Many projects in economic development are constantly being implemented here, and a vast number of big companies have their headquarters located in the city.

It is 14% cheaper to live in Dayton as compared to the national average; due to the interstate major roads permeating the fabric of the city, more than half of all the Americans may reach it in only one day; there are a lot of places to visit, views to see and things to do. So if choosing where to establish a realty company in Ohio, the city of Dayton wouldn’t be a mistake.

The city is one of the largest in the state, housing approximately 137,000 people at the moment. Even though the amounts of population haven`t increased a lot, and the pace in Dayton itself has slowed down compared to previous results from 2021, its suburban areas do have experienced the largest rates of growth over the decade, setting a new record mark.

Joblessness is becoming less and less of a problem in Dayton, while the number of people with higher education is growing steadily. Now almost 32% of those living in the area hold at least bachelor’s degrees, many of which are in the fields of exact sciences. This further enhances the region’s reputation as one of the centres of the exact sciences. After all, there are many universities, colleges and other educational institutions to guard this image (at least five universities appear in mind immediately). The GDP here is over 41 billion dollars. This means that over the last decade it has grown by more than 16%.

The Dayton real property market has many advantages and interesting features, but 2021 became a success first of all for the investors in rental property. Now more households belong to tenants than to anyone else in the city.

Over the last few years, house prices in Dayton have been steadily rising. In general, the average values are now: $129,900 for a home (1 family) and $97 per square foot. But in the end, houses are usually sold at a slightly higher price – $140 000. If you want to settle in the region, the best option would be to buy a house in the Westwood area. The average listing price there is more than twice as cheap ($52,000).

In fact, one of the secrets of the market attractiveness for tenants is that housing prices are relatively low, while the proportion of price to rent keeps rising. And, to put it mildly, there are not that many cities where a social security check can easily cover your rent. But Dayton can rightly boast of offering such an opportunity, even though there was a slight leap in rents over the last few years. That makes it special. On average, for living a month in a home with three bedrooms you would pay $983 here. That’s the median rent in the city. The cheapest offers in the neighborhood are even less than $750 per month, while the highest reach $1,650 per month.

The affordability of housing and the dynamics of changes in prices are the main components that investors should take into account when they decide whether to enter the market or not. This analysis over the long run can suggest what to expect in the possible future, as well as present a broader picture of prospects. The housing affordability index (median family income compared to the median price of a house) may also give you a useful hint. But keep in mind that affordability does not always entail the purchase of real estate. We have already said about some special features of the market in Dayton, and one of them is that more people here would rather rent than own, so most households now belong to renters. Therefore, all factors must always be carefully considered. According to the latest data, the average family in Dayton can easily afford to pay for housing without any significant difficulties.

Dayton, the historic land and the birthplace of Orville Wright (world-famous inventor) is increasingly becoming not only an interesting place for tourists to visit but also one of the most comfortable cities in the United States to live in. Prices here are relatively low, the life is inexpensive, and the city is one of the most favorable for business and career growth. There are more than 300 miles of different biking trails in the area, dozens of cozy parks, and thanks to Dayton Art Institute the city became an outstanding art destination.

That’s all about the real property market in the city of Dayton, which certainly still has much to offer in 2022.

Business

What is the connection between tokenization and your PCI compliance?

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

The payment system has been one of those that has been developing steadily and progressively for decades. Each era has brought some changes in its development from cash registers to online shopping, from coupons to credit cards. Currently, the priority issues are the security of data and confidential information of buyers and customers. The following article is chiefly related to this issue.

What is the connection between tokenization and your PCI compliance

PCI DSS is the international attempt to solve this problem and to create a standardised and appropriate system. There are many different ways to make your organization meet PCI DSS requirements such as tokenization, encryption, network segmentation and many others. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but while some remain a well-known method, others are a mystery.

Tokenization is usually the way that raises the most questions and doubts, including what token compliance meaning is, how it affects PCI compliance and one of the most common questions about how it works.  In fact, this method is one of the most effective, as it minimizes risks, allows you to be flexible and, moreover, in some way may even be called a PCI assessment solution.

The best idea is to start with the definition. So, what is tokenization? To cut a long story short, it is a process in which confidential data is replaced with a non-sensitive element called a token. In case when someone wants to get to the confidential data token is preventing him from doing so. In other words, the token is a barrier between your private data and cyber-scammers.

The token is the replacement of data with random symbols and signs, as it is forbidden to store such data as identification numbers or bank accounts in their original form in the network. It is the token that guarantees the inviolability and security of data. This is especially noticeable during online transactions in which the card is not physically used. Due to tokenization, information about the cardholder and other personal data does not appear and is not used in transactions as well. With the use of a token, information is not stored in online databases, because it does not even have contact with it. The token guarantees security both inside the system and during the transition from one system to another.

The token does not store any confidential information that has been replaced by other random characters. Imagine a situation where cyber-scammers managed to seize the token. Even if it happens, he will not be able to seize any confidential data about either card or its holder.

It is very convenient, easy, fast and flexible to use the token. It can be simply created with a credit card. The transaction process is as well quite easy and very fast. In fact, the original information is stored in special repositories, which are under a strong system of protection. Such repositories are called vaults.

There are several types of tokenization in payment systems. Most common are Acquiring Token, Issuer Token, and Payment Token. According to the PCI DSS, only card numbers can be tokenized, passwords and CVV2 are not subject to tokenization. In addition, PCI DSS requires that tokens should be generated at least one in a million. Rainbow Table is one of the most popular and well-known methods of token data capturing.

But safety is not just an unpredictability. At least this whole protection system is much more complicated than it might seem. to be considered safe enough, token-based PAN must be nearly impossible to predict (with the probability of success being incredibly low, more than one in a million actually). And there is no instrument to capture such data (and to hack the cryptographic hash functions) that enjoys more popularity than Rainbow Table.

There is also an official set of recommendations on how to determine the value of the tokenization product. The first thing that is mentioned is, again, the extremely high importance of confidentiality. If an outsider had access to the PANs, it could be considered a disaster because it would seriously threaten the whole affair. There is a clearly defined data environment of the cardholder, and its “borders” must always be adhered to. The entire structure of the system must be in the internal network, protected from suspicious elements and the traffic which has not been verified. Anything unwanted should be discarded to keep the system isolated. This raises the question of trust: only complete confidence in the message can be considered a condition for his omission. Anything that raises doubts should be strictly prohibited from reaching the system. If you have a need or desire to store the information in one place (or if you would need to transmit it), care must be taken to ensure that it is encrypted. The most reliable way to do this is through the AES-256 algorithm. It has already stood the test of time, so to speak. Care must be also taken with means of access and identification. Monitoring safety and compliance with all conditions (clearly defined in PCI DSS Requirements 7 and 8) are extremely important. Everyone who needs to have access should have a unique identifier. This will weed out those who shouldn’t have access and strengthen protection. It is necessary to protect the system from cyber-attacks and harmful influences. Data should be deleted periodically, but this process should be determined by the special preservation of the necessary data policy. It is important to take into account everything that passes through the network. It would be good to have a defined procedure for emergency notification of experts on suspicious actions (traffic) to prevent unpleasant consequences, or just to check what is in doubt.

Finance

3 Best Crypto Exchanges for 2022

Author ByCFI.co Blogger

The cryptocurrency space has grown significantly over the past year, and new traders enter this space every week. As a new trader, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of the over $1 trillion market. However, with a proper guide, you are assured of having an easy time cruising the market and investing in different cryptocurrencies. 

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The first step toward crypto investing is identifying where you will buy and sell cryptocurrencies. The best place to do this is on a cryptocurrency exchange. There are many cryptocurrency exchanges globally, below I have sourced a list of the 3 best crypto exchanges for 2022 from the Best Bitcoin Exchange website. 

1. Coinbase – Best for beginners

If you have been researching where to trade cryptocurrencies, you have come across Coinbase. Coinbase is one of the largest exchanges, and it is ranked as the most suitable for beginner traders.

Coinbase boasts of the best user-friendly crypto apps on the market, and it gives traders access to a wide range of learning materials. As a new crypto trader, it is advisable to use the resources provided on the platform because they will teach you about best practices in the market. The best thing about this is that Coinbase gives you free crypto for every successful course taken. 

Coinbase also makes it easy for new users to enter the space. The interface will give new users a seamless experience navigating the platform and managing their cryptocurrencies. Expert traders also have an easy time on the platform because they can access advanced trading features on Coinbase Pro. 

Most importantly, Coinbase provides a high level of security. The exchange uses two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts. The exchange also claims to store 98% of users’ crypto offline. Further safety is guaranteed by an insurance policy that covers deposits of up to $250,000. 

2. Binance – Best for low fees

When trading cryptocurrencies, you might want assurances that you will not be spending most of your money paying trading fees. Looking for a good exchange platform best for trading with the lowest fees is especially important for day traders.  

Binance is the world’s largest exchange by trading volumes. The exchange has one of the friendliest fee structures in the crypto space. Moreover, the exchange is available in most countries. 

Binance charges a maximum of 0.1% in maker or taker fees. The fee drops even lower as a user increases their trading volume. Binance US is highly recommended to US residents because they can buy cryptocurrencies directly via USD. 

The exchange also offers a wide range of features that are very convenient to traders. These features include a comprehensive market dashboard, margin trading and a wide range of order types, making it easy for traders to buy and sell on the platform. 

3. Gemini – Best for security

The Gemini exchange was created in 2014, during the early years of Bitcoin. The founders of this exchange have been keen on security and regulatory compliance. When signing up on Gemini, a new user must complete a verification process that reduces the possibility of fraud. 

Users on this exchange also fulfil a two-factor authentication process to secure their trading accounts. Another outstanding security feature is the insurance policy imposed on hot wallets holding user funds on the exchange. 

The other unique security feature of this exchange is SOC 2 certification. This certification shows that the exchange’s regulatory and security frameworks have been verified by third-party auditors. 

Gemini is the ideal platform for users keen on security or those trading a large amount of funds that pose an increased risk. However, Gemini charges relatively high fees as a trade-off for these security features. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the best cryptocurrency exchange is just as good as choosing the best trading strategies. With many exchanges in the market, it is important to select one that will best suit your needs as an expert or beginner trader.