Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• Star schema vs snowflake schema: Which is better?

  Yahoo’s data and business intelligence architect, Rohit Chatter, answers the latest debate, Star versus Snowflake schema, by breaking down the differences, one aspect at a time  Continue Reading

• Backup deduplication process: Target vs source deduplication

  If you’re thinking about implementing a backup deduplication process, read about the key factors to consider when deciding between target and source deduplication.  Continue Reading

• Securing big data: Architecture tips for building security in

  Expert Matt Pascucci advises a reader on securing big data with tips for building security into enterprise big data architectures.  Continue Reading

• Techniques for preventing a brute force login attack

  A brute force login attack can enable an attacker to log in to an application and steal data. Rob Shapland explains how to prevent brute force attacks.  Continue Reading

• File upload security best practices: Block a malicious file upload

  Do your Web app users upload files to your servers? Find out the dangers of malicious file uploads and learn six steps to stop file-upload attacks.  Continue Reading

• Can Hadoop tools ease the brain pain?

  Hadoop tools vendors stress that they can help you to make your data and reporting issues vanish. Know how true this claim is.  Continue Reading

• EU cookie regulations: Advice for firms in the US and other countries

  Expert Alan Calder responds to a reader’s question: Must companies outside the EU change their websites to comply with EU cookie regulations?  Continue Reading

• Finding Mobile device security training courses for IT admins

  Expert Davey Winder suggests some good security training courses for the IT administrator who must manage their organisation’s mobile devices.  Continue Reading

• Forced browsing: Understanding and halting simple browser attacks

  Forced browsing is when an attacker discovers the URL of a restricted webpage. Expert Rob Shapland explains how to halt this browser attack method.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent Facebook hacking and Twitter hijacking

  Organisations should guard against Facebook hacking and Twitter hijacking. Expert Davey Winder discusses Twitter and Facebook security tools that can help.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of touch-gesture recognition authentication

  Touch-gesture recognition is an alternative authentication system for Windows 8 mobile devices. Expert Davey Winder examines the pros and cons.  Continue Reading

• Session fixation protection: How to stop session fixation attacks

  Session fixation attacks rely on poorly managed Web application cookies. Rob Shapland answers a reader’s question on session fixation protection.  Continue Reading

• Open source software security issues: How to review OSS for security

  A reader asks how to judge the security of open source software products. Expert Michael Cobb lists three areas to check.  Continue Reading

• The reasons for missing hard drive space on storage arrays

  If you installed disk and didn’t get the capacity you expected, the missing hard drive space can be a result of operating system calculations, formatting, RAID and use of hot spares.  Continue Reading

• What to consider when moving to a flat network topology

  In this guide, learn what to consider when switching from a three-tier network to a flat network topology model, including virtual cluster switching and network fabrics.  Continue Reading