Business applications
At the heart of enterprise software strategy are the key business applications upon which every organisation relies. From enterprise resource planning (ERP) to customer relationship management (CRM), financial and accounts software to business intelligence (BI), such applications demand high investments and can deliver high returns. We analyse the latest product developments and the news from major suppliers such as Oracle, Microsoft and SAP.
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News
01 May 2025
Progress made on government’s Post Office Capture redress, but concerns remain
Latest meeting between campaigners and business department seen as positive, but frustration and concerns remain Continue Reading
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Feature
01 May 2025
The year of the ESL in UK retail
Multiple forces combining to make the electronic shelf label one of the more sought-after items to add to retailers’ tech stacks Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2006
Microsoft to fix Visual Studio, Windows flaws
Microsoft plans to release five security updates to address vulnerabilities in Windows and a flaw in Visual Studio as part of its monthly security bulletin release cycle. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2006
Zero-day flaw found in Windows Media Player
Attackers could exploit a new zero-day flaw in Windows Media Player to cause a denial of service or launch malicious code. The threat is Microsoft's second zero-day flaw in a week. Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2006
MP3 search site pushes spyware, watchdogs say
A Web site that gives users the ability to search for MP3s contains programs that behave like spyware, according to the Center for Democracy and Technology and StopBadware.org. Continue Reading
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News
04 Dec 2006
IBM to acquire compliance software firm
IBM plans to acquire Consul Risk Management Inc., a Delft, Netherlands-based firm whose software tracks non-compliant behavior of employees. Continue Reading
- News 03 Dec 2006
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News
30 Nov 2006
Terrorists may target financial sites
The U.S. government is warning of an al-Qaida call for a cyberattack against online stock trading and banking Web sites Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2006
Symantec blames piracy for Veritas licensing snafu
Weekly compilation of storage news: Symantec says that software counterfeiting is throwing a wrench in tech support ; FRCP rules take effect. Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2006
Oracle responds to security critics
Security Blog Log: Oracle takes on researchers who have criticised its security procedures in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Symantec warns of new zombie malware. Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2006
Video conferencing brings desktop VoIP, app sharing
Voice, video and Web conferencing vendor Genesys adds desktop VoIP and enhanced application sharing to its collaboration lineup. Continue Reading
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News
29 Nov 2006
Multiple flaws in Adobe Reader, Acrobat
Multiple flaws in Adobe Reader and Acrobat could allow attackers to execute malicious commands on victims' computers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2006
Symantec fixes NetBackup Puredisk flaw
An unauthorised user could launch malicious code by exploiting a flaw in Symantec's Veritas NetBackup PureDisk product. But a fix is available. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Nov 2006
Active Directory security school: Set up and configuration
An Active Directory security lesson. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Nov 2006
Recordless email: magical or menacing?
A new startup promises recordless email. Is this a stroke of genius that will reward the company with billions of Internet bucks, or is it the end of the world as we know it? Continue Reading
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News
22 Nov 2006
Zango defying FTC agreement, researchers say
This week in Security Blog Log: Two researchers accuse Zango of unsavory adware tactics, despite the company's pledge to clean up its act. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2006
New Mac OS X flaw exposed
A Mac OS X flaw was exposed as part of the Month of Kernel Bugs. Also, a new Web site vows to follow the lead of researchers LMH and H.D. Moore with a week of Oracle zero-days. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2006
BakBone brushes up replication software
BakBone's NetVault Replicator version 5.0 includes automatic configuration of replication for remote sites, a capacity planning tool and a higher performance data movement engine. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2006
Telecom overspending -- thwart it!
Research has found that telecom overspending is out of control, but a new batch of software is out there to help enterprises get a handle on their telecom billing. Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2006
Trojan poses as Adobe software update
The Trojan keylogger comes in an email that asks users to download the latest version of Adobe Reader. It then tries to steal the user's confidential information. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Nov 2006
Security Blog Log: Sailing a sea of spam
This week, bloggers struggle to purge their bloated inboxes. Their experiences lend weight to recent studies showing a breathtaking spike in spam. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2006
Storage virtualization acquisitions need careful consideration
Storage virtualization alleviates traditional storage growth problems by implementing a layer of abstraction between applications and physical storage, allowing storage to be combined and treated as a ubiquitous resource, regardless of location. This buying guide helps you understand the most important considerations involved in storage virtualization product selection, identifies specific points of interest for software, hardware and VSAN product categories, and presents a series of basic product specifications that will start you pick the best product for your organization. Continue Reading
- News 07 Nov 2006
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News
07 Nov 2006
Mozilla fixes Firefox flaws
Attackers could exploit multiple flaws in Firefox, SeaMonkey and Thunderbird to crash machines, bypass security restrictions and launch malicious code. Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2006
How to manage encryption keys
Encryption is an effective way to secure data, but the encryption keys used must be carefully managed to ensure data remains protected and accessible when needed. Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2006
Softek rides IBM mainframe wave, plans acquisition
Data migration software provider Softek is planning to acquire Enigma to boost its mainframe storage software business. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2006
Microsoft eyes second zero-day threat in a week
This time, attackers are going after a zero-day flaw in Windows, and Microsoft has released some workarounds until a patch is available. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Nov 2006
Security Blog Log: Dissecting Firefox 2.0
This week, bloggers examine the security features of Firefox 2.0 and come away with mixed reviews. Does it fare better than Internet Explorer 7? Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Nov 2006
Review: Arbor Networks' Peakflow X 3.6
Hot Pick: Peakflow isn't cheap and requires an intimate understanding of data flows, applications and network infrastructure. But the investment will pay dividends. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Nov 2006
Review: Network Intelligence's enVision
enVision offers excellent value and is highly configurable, though typically that means you have to put a lot into it to get the most out of it. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2006
Tor network privacy could be cracked
The Tor network is used by those who want to keep their IP addresses private. But new research shows that it's possible to compromise the system and unmask the user. Continue Reading
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News
31 Oct 2006
Flaw found in Firefox 2.0
Attackers could exploit the security flaw to crash versions 1.5.0.7 and 2.0 of the browser, according to various security advisories. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Oct 2006
Production databases find a home on IP SANs
Dow Chemical will be cutting costs with a NetApp system; AirClic goes with EqualLogic's newest SAS array after evaluating both NetApp and EMC. Continue Reading
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Podcast
31 Oct 2006
Podcast: The state of Oracle security
In this edition of Security Wire Weekly, Oracle DBA Jon Emmons gives his observations about Oracle's new critical patch update format. Continue Reading
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News
30 Oct 2006
Instant messaging attacks rise in October
In October alone, security firm Akonix Systems tracked 88 attacks that used instant messaging programs to spread. Attackers are also exploiting P2P programs. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2006
Achieving compliance: a real-world roadmap
A security manager's responsibilities extend beyond the technical aspects of the job. These days, effective governance and compliance are just as essential. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2006
Security Blog Log: The never-ending PatchGuard debate
This week, security vendor fright over the Windows Vista PatchGuard feature permeates the blogosphere. Is Microsoft the boogeyman, or just misunderstood? Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2006
What storage managers are buying and why
The second installment of the 2006 edition of Storage magazine's exclusive Purchasing Intentions Survey reveals key storage technology purchasing decisions by storage managers across all industries. Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2006
IT greats: Top 10 greatest IT people
For every world-famous name with a world famous fortune – think Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Michael Dell – there are hundreds of other individuals who have moved the IT industry and its technology inexorably forward Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2006
Sourcefire looking to go public
The company behind the popular Snort open source IDS tool is making a bid to go public, months after its deal to be acquired by Check Point collapsed. Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2006
Symantec patches AntiVirus Corporate Edition flaw
Attackers could exploit a flaw in Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Client Security to overwrite kernel addresses, crash machines and run malicious code. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Oct 2006
What storage managers are buying and why, page 4
What storage managers are buying and why Continue Reading
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News
23 Oct 2006
Comparing VoIP vendors
For many companies, the tough decision isn't whether to use IP telephony or not -- it's which vendor to choose. We've collected some of Carrie Higbie's tips and tricks for vendor selection, garnered from her "Ask-the-Expert" section. Carrie regularly answers your questions on the topic of "Preparing your network for VoIP." We've included links to her answers about comparing VoIP vendors for further information. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2006
Enhanced Identity and Access Management
From consolidating directories to automating provisioning and rolling out single sign-on, these sessions identify how leading organizations are strengthening authorization and enforcing access controls. Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2006
Snyder On Security: An insider's guide to the essentials
Joel Snyder, senior partner with consultancy Opus One, provides an in-depth look at information security trends and technologies. Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2006
Am I out of luck if I have a "mixed" email system (e.g., Exchange and Notes)?
That's a "real-life" situation that we run into many times when we've gone out and worked with companies. We might be called in by a company that has both a Microsoft Exchange and a Notes/Domino email system and they want to tie an archive together, so that the content is searchable across the whole enterprise... Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2006
Oracle fixes 101 flaws
Attackers could exploit 45 of the 101 flaws remotely without a username or password. Meanwhile, the new CPU offers more detail on the number of flaws patched and their severity. Continue Reading
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News
15 Oct 2006
Sun goes back to its roots with Honeycomb user
Stanford University is the first official Honeycomb customer; it will be using the programmable storage archive for its massive Google library project. Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2006
Microsoft to fold security into Windows division
The software giant said the move would make future Windows development efforts more efficient. The changes take effect after Microsoft releases Vista. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Oct 2006
Security Blog Log: Taking Google Code Search for a spin
This week, the blogosphere is buzzing about Google Code Search. Despite concerns that the tool will aid attackers, some see it as a boost for security. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2006
Brief: Malicious Web site poses as Google
A malicious Web site poses as Google's Italian site, but attempts to install malicious ActiveX controls on victim's machines and ultimately redirect them to adult content. Continue Reading
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News
11 Oct 2006
Sun clarifies disk storage strategy
Sun execs at StorageTek Forum say they plan to keep (but streamline) most of the disk storage portfolio -- but did not deny rumors about plans to sell off the 6920 array. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Oct 2006
Inside MSRC: Public vulnerability disclosures on the rise
Even though irresponsible publicly disclosed vulnerabilities seem to be on the rise, Microsoft's Christopher Budd discusses how the software giant was able to quickly release a fix for the recent VML flaw, plus offers best practices on how to make sure all of this month's software updates are installed correctly. Continue Reading
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News
09 Oct 2006
Banking on the future
As the banking landscape changes and global competition takes hold, IT offers banks a way of differentiating themselves from the competition, so how do they balance innovation and imitation in this tough market sector? Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2006
Tiered storage becoming tried and true
Tiered storage matches the value of data with the performance (and expense) of storage. Ideally, tiered storage can save money, while easing the access demands to any single storage tier. While tiered storage has clearly brought storage costs and performance into focus, it has yet to reach its full potential in the enterprise. Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Oct 2006
ZERT rekindles third-party patching debate
This week in Security Blog Log: IT security pros express more reservations about third-party patching, including the CEO of a company that released one a few months ago. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Sep 2006
On privacy laws, every state is one of confusion
It's getting increasingly difficult for US firms to comply with regulations . David A. Meunier feels that it's time to develop safeguards and processes for this ever-changing regulatory environment. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Sep 2006
Top 5 free Windows security downloads
The place where you can find free tools that help you crack passwords, remove troublesome spyware and enhance network security. Check out our five most popular tools and find out what you've been missing. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2006
Voice over IP Fundamentals: Chapter 9, 'Billing and Mediation Services'
Voice over IP Fundamentals: Chapter 9, 'Billing and Mediation Services' Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2006
Stration worm targets Windows machines
The worm uses several fake email messages, including one claiming to be a security update. Users are advised to avoid unsolicited email attachments. Continue Reading
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News
24 Sep 2006
Hijacked consumer machines target the enterprise
Attackers continue to strike gold by targeting consumers who lack the security savvy to address desktop application flaws, according to Symantec Corp. Enterprises ultimately pay the price. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Sep 2006
NetApp operations chief talks growth
Tom Georgens, executive vice president and general manager at NetApp -- also rumoured to be in the running as next CEO -- discusses what's driving its growth. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2006
Secure network perimeter to result from Symantec-Juniper deal
Juniper and Symantec announced a deal to integrate Symantec's client security software with Juniper's security hardware. The result will allow endpoint compliance and access control platforms to secure the enterprise perimeter. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2006
Three ways to create clustered storage, page 3
Clustered storage systems run on storage servers, NAS gateways and hosts. Here's how to determine which clustered file-system architecture is best for your needs and storage environment. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2006
Three ways to create clustered storage
Clustered storage systems run on storage servers, NAS gateways and hosts. Here's how to determine which clustered file-system architecture is best for your needs and storage environment. Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2006
Mozilla fixes several Firefox flaws
Several flaws could be used for man-in-the-middle, spoofing and cross-site scripting attacks. Mozilla has released Firefox 1.5.0.7 to address the problems. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2006
Dell and EMC: Five more years
Dell leans on EMC for support in the face of an SEC investigation and possible delisting from NASDAQ. Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2006
Big security fixes for QuickTime, Flash Player
Apple and Adobe warned that attackers could exploit multiple flaws in QuickTime and Flash Player to run malicious code on targeted machines. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2006
Data storage compliance's impact on storage product choices
Data storage compliance is having a tremendous impact on the storage organization, as well as the management practices employed to retain, search, certify and destroy data. It's not just regulations like SOX or HIPAA that influence storage -- there are well over 10,000 regulations that affect data storage, backup and protection across a range of industries. But companies are often left alone in their quest to identify the regulations that relate to them, identify what data should be saved and implement storage to meet those regulations. This article covers the essential goals of data storage compliance, examines implementation considerations and obstacles and reviews the impact of compliance on storage. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2006
Security Bytes: Hackers target the Terminator
In other news, Symantec upgrades its Norton product line and the Anti-Phishing Working Group says phishing activity soared this summer. Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2006
Storage IPOs bode well for competition
Analysts say new public players could breathe competitive life into the market, but it all hinges on how well execs can balance the needs of users and shareholders. Continue Reading
- News 06 Sep 2006
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News
06 Sep 2006
VoIP startup untethers would-be mobile workers from wireline office phones
VoIP startup DiVitas Networks has voice-over-WiFi-to-cellular technology in the works that gives endusers access to enterprise apps and puts dual-mode handset management in the hands of network administrators. Continue Reading
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News
06 Sep 2006
Security Bytes: New flaw in Cisco IOS
Security news including Cisco, Mozilla hires a former Microsoft strategist to bolster security, a new "pump-and-dump" stock spam campaign is discovered and TippingPoint lists info on new flaws. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Sep 2006
Security Blog Log: Word doc scam evades spam filters
Also this week: A researcher gets a harsh reward after flagging a University of Southern California Web site flaw, and more blogs are keeping an eye on the latest security breaches. Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2006
Proofpoint delivers strong messaging security
Proofpoint Messaging Security Gateway is a highly recommended, affordable solution for big enterprises that need protection from email-based attacks. Continue Reading
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News
04 Sep 2006
Revamped Cisco WAFS worth the wait, users say
Months late, Cisco has finally released a combined Wan optimisation and WAFS product, while startups like Riverbed have been snapping up the customers. But some Cisco beta testers say it has been worth the wait. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Sep 2006
Protecting wireless networks: Step 3
Security testing expert Kevin Beaver covers the tools and techniques needed to find and exploit insecure wireless networks. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Sep 2006
Protecting wireless networks: Step 2
Security testing expert Kevin Beaver covers the tools and techniques you'll need to find and exploit insecure wireless networks. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Sep 2006
Wireless network security testing
Attack your own wireless networks to find vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2006
Attacks against MS06-040 on the rise
Six pieces of malware are now going after the Windows Server Service flaw outlined in MS06-040, and a spike in attacks has led Symantec to raise its ThreatCon to Level 2. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Aug 2006
Identity and Access Management Security School
This Security School explores critical topics related to helping security practitioners establish and maintain an effective identity and access management plan. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2006
Survey: Data breaches difficult to spot, prevent
IT pros worry that false positives and a lack of resources are preventing them from blocking data breaches Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2006
Symantec CIO vies with virtualization, device policy
Symantec CIO David Thompson says virtualization is a big part of the security giant's future and it has developed a policy to mitigate virtualization security risks. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2006
Malware database access sparks debate
Should an emerging database of more than 300,000 malware samples remain a walled community for trusted users, or is open access the best way to fight off digital desperados? Continue Reading
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News
29 Aug 2006
AT&T breach affects 19,000 customers
Online outlaws hacked into an AT&T computer system and stole credit card data on thousands of customers. AT&T has offered to pay for credit monitoring services for those affected. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2006
Microsoft probes alleged Internet Explorer flaw
A research group claims attackers could launch malicious code using a flaw in the way Internet Explorer instantiates certain COM objects' ActiveX controls. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2006
Virtualisation eases patch management pain
IT managers are learning that using desktop virtualisation software to patch their enterprise desktops has the potential to save time, money and energy. Continue Reading
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News
28 Aug 2006
Riverbed update offers users more bandwidth, better reporting
Riverbed announced a package of hardware and software updates, which some customers say they've been waiting for. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2006
Third-party patching: Prudent or perilous?
Security patches issued by third parties have become more prevalent in recent months, and while some security pros endorse them, others say they're more trouble than they're worth. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2006
3PAR adds midrange array for secondary sites
3PAR has introduced a smaller version of its InServ Storage Server, which it describes as a product-line extension into its existing customer base. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
Are tape backups a thing of the past when it comes to disaster recovery?
I guess we have to look at disaster recovery, when it comes to tapes, in order of priorities. So, if we're talking about your most critical applications nowadays -- your most critical data -- tape backup is actually losing favor to disk backup or data replication. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
Should I back up the operating system files?
We hear a lot about single-instance storage; single-instance backup. When you start backing up operating system files, you will have the same .DLL, for example, on each of your Windows servers -- you may have 100 servers. I would say, if you have a small environment, I wouldn't worry too much about it. But, once you start growing into a larger environment, you probably should not backup operating system files. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
Security Blog Log: Opinions abound on IBM/ISS deal
Bloggers ponder what IBM's acquisition of ISS says about the industry as a whole. Is the end in sight for independent security vendors? Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
How do I identify what data to replicate and what data to simply backup?
It goes back again to the value of the data to your organization -- or the impact of losing access to this data. Typically, from a business continuity perspective, the best way to establish this is through what we call a "business impact analysis," which really measures the impact of an outage on your revenue stream or your organization from a public perception point of view. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
What is the most important aspect of data protection when it comes to DR?
You could answer that with one word really, and I would have to say "testing." Just "testing." Whatever you do when you're protecting data, whether it's a backup, whether it's replication, whatever it is, make sure that you test what you put in place. Just because the vendor's glossy ad said that theproduct allows you to restore "virtually in seconds," I wouldn't necessarily take their word for it. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
Weekly compilation of storage news
Symantec peddles enterprise vault toolT and the new features developed because of a recent update to the US Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
Aren't backups and archives essentially the same thing?
The answer to that can be a "yes" and "no." If we look at a very high level, a copy of data is a copy of data, and that's where a lot of people confuse both as being somewhat the same -- one copy is just kept longer. When we start digging into what a backup is for and what an archive is for, that's when we really start seeing the distinction between the two. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2006
What do tiered storage and ILM have to do with disaster recovery?
That idea ties back into the topics of data growth, data control, data management and recoverability. Once you start categorizing your data based on criticality and recovery priority, it gives you an indication of your data segments. We have our high-priority data, we have our medium criticality data and we have our low restore priority data. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2006
Briefs: VoiceCon in the news
This week at VoiceCon we saw everything from managed VoIP services to IP phones made to make mobile workers right at home, wherever they are. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2006
IBM spruces up storage line
IBM floated a raft of announcements across its storage line, but analysts say they are still waiting for the updates stuck in the research phase. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2006
Update: Microsoft fixes faulty Internet Explorer patch
Update: Microsoft has fixed a faulty browser fix that enabled an exploitable condition. Souces say a compatibility problem with Systems Management Server delayed the fix. Continue Reading