outlines

Google faces security hurdles in the enterprise

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Google seems to be everywhere these days, but as the search giant moves into the enterprise, they're facing much of the same security scrutiny as those who have gone before them. Researchers at Ponemon Institute are expected to release a report today that outlines the concerns among IT professionals regarding the overall security of Google Desktop, the company's PC search utility, specifically within the confines of business operations. Their research revolves around a cross-site scripting vulnerability reported and subsequently patched by Google in February; the authors of the report say that their work underscores a growing level of concern over the company's rapidly expanding footprint in the enterprise. In a survey of more than 600 IT security specialists who indicated that they were familiar with the Google Desktop vulnerability, an overwhelming 71 percent said that they believe that the product likely harbors other security flaws. The company is trying to address security through its acquisitions of software vendors and has sponsored malware research projects such as Stopbadware.org.

For more on Google's security challenge in the enterprise:
- read all the details in this Infoworld. Article

ALSO NOTED: IT staff like flexible work arrangements; Workers steal data when leaving jobs;

Thu, 10 May 2007 20:01:32 -0400

> Flexible scheduling is growing attraction for IT staff. Article

> Study: 45 percent of workers steal data when leaving jobs. Article

> Study: IT organizations must measure return on training. Article

> Cost and efficiency: tape vs. disk-based backup. Article

> Microsoft previews Katmai, the next version of SQL Server. Article

> Microsoft outlines business intelligence strategy. Article

> Survey: Consolidation and virtualization technologies are key to growth. Article

And Finally… Why do CIOs get fired? Book excerpt

ALSO NOTED: Companies are too lax about data security; Taking a unified approach to IT;

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

> Survey: Nine out of ten consumers think companies are too lax about data security. Article

> Take a unified approach to IT, experts say. Article

> Oracle issues 36 patches. Article

> Symantec tests Software-as-a-Service for backups. Article

> Intel outlines mobile roadmap. Article

And Finally … The ROI of BPM. Chart

How to painlessly reduce costs

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:01:36 -0500

Despite recent reports that IT spend is expected to increase, companies are still going to expect some serious cost reductions and improvements in efficiency. As one IT research analyst explains, it doesn't necessarily have to be a painful process and taking certain actions will not only save money but can boost productivity and results. Creating a project management office is one example of how it can be done, says Tina Nunno, a Gartner research director. And she outlines several more techniques that could prove worthwhile.

For more on good cost-reduction strategies:
- read the Q&A at Optimize

Related Article: Making IT leaner and stronger. Article

ALSO NOTED: Feds finally hire on a cyber security leader; Discrimination in engineering hurting U.S. talent pool; and much more

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:01:33 -0400

> Feds finally hire on a cyber security leader. Article

> Discrimination in engineering hurting U.S. talent pool. Article

> Dell chooses Poland as home for new PC production plant. Article

> The art behind data deduplication. Article

> HP's tech leader outlines his goals for the next few years. Article

> Battery recall expands to include Toshiba laptops. Article

And Finally... A look back at the worst Web sites ever. Article

Feds announce new data retrieval rules

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 20:01:35 -0400

If you're feeling good about your current data document storage and retrieval processes and infrastructure, you might just want to take a step back and make sure it's all aligned with the new e-discovery rules from the federal government. The new mandate, an amended Federal Rules for Civil Procedures (FRCP), outlines how enterprises must respond in producing requested documents in the event of legal action. While the mandate takes effect in federal courts as of December 1st, some states are already rolling out the rules through their own court systems.

For more on the new data mandate:
- check out this article at InfoWorld

Database protection takes a few steps forward

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 20:01:37 -0400

With the ongoing news about database breaches, it's little wonder that companies are piling on security tools to protect the data vault. There's encryption for access, vulnerability scanning and network monitoring, and audit reviewing for unauthorized or inadvertent configuration changes. All these tools are being put to work protecting data "at rest," and much of this is being driven by an industry data security standard that outlines a dozen specifications that companies using credit card payment processes have to abide by.

For more on today's database protection methods:
- read Computerworld's article on how companies are securing valuable data

ALSO NOTED: NY's wireless net should be up by mid summer; RSS technology grabs enterprise traction; and much more...

Tue, 16 May 2006 20:00:36 -0400

> New York's wireless net should be up by mid summer. Article

> RSS technology grabs enterprise traction. Article

> WiFi arrives in Norway. Article

> Lack of services halting 3G advancement. Article

> U.K. IT leaders not aware of full impact of IT failure. Article

> Latest financials prove Hewlett-Packard CEO Hurd is making headway. Article

> Gartner outlines the eight trends driving IT today. Article

And Finally... How "computer slump" can morph into a syndrome. Article

Making IT-business alignment work

Thu, 04 May 2006 20:01:36 -0400

Making headway on the business front requires both strong and consistent customer service as well as a constant quest to lower costs while not degrading services. As one expert outlines, both require IT's help. For CIOs and other top tech leaders the goal is IT-business alignment, and that requires identifying the company's core functions, assessing the various competing corporate strategies and determining the top priorities on which to focus. A good approach is to ask yourself some key questions, such as what competitors boast the greatest business threat, why they're successful and whether competing with them is a primary need.

For more on making IT a competitive advantage:
- read this article at CIO

ALSO NOTED: How XML is helping ExxonMobile get to the oil; Why longer work hours don't mean greater productivity; and much more

Wed, 03 May 2006 20:00:50 -0400

> How XML is helping ExxonMobile get to the oil. Article

> Why longer work hours don't mean greater productivity. Article

> Handhelds that can withstand pretty much everything. Article

> Standards group pushes Open Document Format ahead. Article

> How to make the move into consulting work. Article

> Colorado builds a disaster recovery center for agency data. Article

> Microsoft exec outlines the vendor's management tool strategy. Article

And Finally... Gates doesn't want to be the richest man. Article