Tips

Tips

• Windows Azure tutorial Part 1: Set up and manage subscriptions

  Wondering how to set up a Windows Azure subscription? This Windows Azure tutorial has all the information to help you create and manage the subscription.  Continue Reading

• Inmon or Kimball: Which approach is suitable for your data warehouse?

  Inmon versus Kimball is one of the biggest data modelling debates among data warehouse architects. Here is some help to select your own approach  Continue Reading

• Building a secure website and maintaining good website design

  As a new website is developed, security goals often lose out to design aspirations. Learn how to keep security at the top of the priority list.  Continue Reading

• How To Tweak Data Backups In OneFS-based HPC Systems

  High-performance computing systems have special requirements for optimizing backup. Here are some tips to speed up backups on OneFSbased HPC systems.  Continue Reading

• HDFC Bank’s enterprise security framework up close

  Indian BFSI major HDFC Bank’s enterprise security framework is based on its ‘4 pillars of information security’. Join us as we gain insights from HDFC Bank.  Continue Reading

• Evaporative cooling cuts costs in the data centre

  Evaporative cooling can be an effective means to cool a data centre. But amid severe drought predictions in the UK, is it a viable option?  Continue Reading

• Five business intelligence system best practices for manufacturing cos

  No manufacturer can ignore business intelligence systems today. Follow these best business practices; let your manufacturing intelligence deliver results.  Continue Reading

• A compliance strategy for the controversial cookie opt-in regulation

  Businesses face many concerns with the PECR cookie law. Compliance expert Alan Calder offers a compliance strategy for the cookie opt-in regulation.  Continue Reading

• Information security intelligence demands network traffic visibility

  Use the network and host data at your disposal to create business-focused information security intelligence policies and strategies.  Continue Reading

• VM backup infrastructure guidelines for your organization

  In this tip you will gain insights on how to create the perfect virtual machine (VM) backup infrastructure for your environment  Continue Reading

• Four steps to comply with PECR, ICO cookies regulations

  To comply with ICO regulations, you’ll need to clean up website cookies and prepare pop-up permission requests. Alan Calder explains how.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting bogus vCenter icons in VMware vSphere 5

  The new vCenter icons that VMware introduced in vSphere 5 are buggy and issue false alarms. Here are some workarounds until the vendor issues a fix.  Continue Reading

• Why real time analytics deserves a fighting chance

  Get the low down on real time analytics that is emerging as a forerunner in the big data technologies race today.  Continue Reading

• Take storage pressure off hypervisors by using dedicated disk arrays

  Making hypervisors and virtual servers work overtime to cope with data explosions affects their performance. Some IT pros are using dedicated disk arrays for storage management.  Continue Reading

• Your 10-step cloud database migration checklist

  Thinking cloud database migration? Use this checklist to migrate your database to the cloud to avoid any issues such as security, latency, or integration.  Continue Reading

• Four mobile device security threats and three tools to manage them

  Mobile devices pose very real risks to organisations. Rob Shapland outlines four mobile device security threats and three tools to manage them.  Continue Reading

• Migration to cloud with a four step P2V2C process

  Direct infrastructure migration to cloud platforms may not be as seamless as vendors portray. Our experts share P2V2C migration tips to make life easier.  Continue Reading

• Seven SOA testing steps to adhere to

  Testing SOA prior to deploying it is as necessary as checking gas before hitting the road. Take a look at these useful SOA testing steps.  Continue Reading

• A data centre infrastructure strategy fit to support business growth

  An organisation’s data centre infrastructure strategy must be able to provide a flexible IT platform that can attune itself to changing business needs.  Continue Reading

• Best practices to boost read/write performance in MPFS file systems

  Multi-Path File System, known as MPFS, helps ease storage bottlenecks in high-performance computing. Here are some best practices for optimally implementing MPFS.  Continue Reading

• Data centre consolidation: Developing an on-going strategy

  Data centre consolidation is an on-going process as businesses and technology constantly evolve. A strategy focused on considered and phased approach will be crucial for success.  Continue Reading

• How to audit cookies for compliance with PECR regulations

  Concerned about the PECR regulations for website tracking cookies? Learn how to audit cookies on your site to find out if you are in compliance.  Continue Reading

• Using Burp Suite proxy tool to examine client-side requests

  The free Burp Suite proxy tool can be used for good or for bad. Expert Rob Shapland provides usage scenarios for both.  Continue Reading

• Demystifying VMware Site Recovery Manager and its role in DR

  VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) simplifies disaster recovery, but managing it is tricky if users don’t know how it handles VMware snapshots and how it affects backup software.  Continue Reading

• Cost, data quality issues still hobble CIOs' BI strategies

  Data quality remains a top challenge for business intelligence. For CIOs, this should be the question: What's good enough for the task at hand?  Continue Reading

• How to apply PCI DSS guidance to virtualisation technology

  Learn how to apply best practices from the recently released PCI DSS virtualisation guidance to your virtual environment.  Continue Reading

• Incident response template for effective incident response planning

  A well-conceived incident response plan helps deal with incidents effectively. Use our incident response template to create a robust incident response plan.  Continue Reading

• How IT can convince stakeholders of the value of technology projects

  IT professionals must take data centre measures to convince stakeholders of the business value of technology projects. This will help IT emerge as a valuable business resource.  Continue Reading

• WAN acceleration device sizing guidelines

  Multi-location organizations can benefit significantly from WAN acceleration. Here are some useful tips to help you rightsize your WAN acceleration devices.  Continue Reading

• Incident reporting and employee surveillance laws in other countries

  When an organisation has employees abroad, the security team must understand employee surveillance laws and incident reporting requirements.  Continue Reading

• UTM sizing tips for your network security needs

  UTM appliances greatly ease the management of network security. But correct UTM sizing is of prime importance. Follow these UTM sizing tips to get it right.  Continue Reading

• Addressing security across the systems architecture

  It is important to secure every element of systems architecture for overall security. But as system complexity increases, a traditional approach to security may not do the job.  Continue Reading

• Security policy and international employment laws for hiring overseas

  Before opening an office abroad and hiring employees in other countries, learn how to adapt your security policy to international employment laws.  Continue Reading

• Information systems audits must evolve to become information audits

  We have some way to go before information systems audits evolve to borderless information audits, covering the entire lifecycle of all types of information.  Continue Reading

• Three ETL process essentials

  An ETL process plays a key role in harmonizing data for operational needs. Ensure that your ETL process has these capabilities to avoid hiccups.  Continue Reading

• Seven NAS backup best practices

  Rapid data growth necessitates optimization of NAS backup procedures. Here’s how you can reduce the NAS backup window and increase NAS backup throughput.  Continue Reading

• 10 Linux security tools for system administrators

  Linux-based tools for security are a boon to system admins for monitoring network security. Here are 10 popular and useful Linux-based security tools.  Continue Reading

• VCP 5 FAQs: Mastering the VMware Certified Professional test

  VMware Certified Professional test examines a professional’s knowledge of VMware products. This Q&A will help professionals maximise their success when taking the new VCP 5.  Continue Reading

• Consumerisation of IT: How to strategise enterprise device management

  Amid the rising consumerisation of IT, the traditional “one-size-fits-all” strategy can fail. IT must develop an open approach to consumerisation of devices and use VDI.  Continue Reading

• Business case for PCI compliance using a risk-driven approach

  PCI compliance that exceeds the minimum requirement helps establish a robust, optimized security posture, which can be achieved via a risk-driven approach.  Continue Reading

• Assessing home offices for compliance with security teleworking policy

  Get advice on how to assess employee's home offices for security and policy compliance.  Continue Reading

• Data center checklist for IT power infrastructure design and setup

  Set up a robust IT power infrastructure with this data center checklist. Besides, achieve a flawless IT power infrastructure design following these tips.  Continue Reading

• More meticulous testing validates SSL certificates

  VMware has introduced rigorous checks, changing how users manage SSL certificates in VMware View 5. Learn the steps to request fully-trusted certificates using Thawte.  Continue Reading

• Stop phone tracking and GPS data leakage

  GPS-enabled smartphones and other GPS devices may leak confidential or sensitive data, making it easy for attackers to target your employees.  Continue Reading

• Desktop virtualization implementation toolkit for data center pros

  Through this desktop virtualization guide, you will not only learn the benefits of desktop virtualization but also the missteps to avoid and the best practices to adopt.  Continue Reading

• Ten steps to achieve better data centre energy efficiency

  Improving data centre energy efficiency doesn’t involve overhauling the facility and the equipment hosted within. Taking small steps in energy management can lower costs.  Continue Reading

• BI systems: The three biggest mistakes

  A BI system is an essential element of a successful company. Here's how to steer clear of the three biggest mistakes when using a BI system.  Continue Reading

• A pen tester’s perspective on creating a secure password

  A pen tester explains the importance of creating a secure password  Continue Reading

• Getting control of IT security documentation

  Does your IT department feel buried under mountains of paperwork? Expert Michael Cobb shows an easy way to organise your IT security documentation.  Continue Reading

• Map COBIT framework to your DR plan for better management control

  By mapping the COBIT framework to your DR plan, you can facilitate governance and improve control. Here’s how you can go about doing that.  Continue Reading

• Outsourcing security issues: Managing outsourced software development

  Learn the most important outsourcing security issues to cover in partner contracts and SLAs when outsourcing software development.  Continue Reading

• Segregation of duties: Small business best practices

  Segregating duties can be tough in organisations that have few staff members and resources. Get duty segregation best practices for SMBs.  Continue Reading

• Sslstrip tutorial for penetration testers

  Sslstrip is a powerful tool to extract sensitive credentials using HTTPS stripping. This sslstrip tutorial explains the working of sslstrip in-depth.  Continue Reading

• Information system security certification: Detailed list of certs

  There are many information system security certification choices for security pros, IT staff and managers. This list helps you sort out the certs.  Continue Reading

• Social organization, social media tools and some common misconceptions

  Creating a social organization requires more than interacting on social media. Learn how to turn interaction into results on the social organization journey  Continue Reading

• Enterprise data warehouse management amidst change

  The enterprise data warehouse has changed drastically. Here are tips to help you cope and remain firmly grounded in effective data warehouse management.  Continue Reading

• CSRF attack: How hackers use trusted users for their exploits

  A CSRF attack is a serious Web security threat that, combined with XSS, can be lethal. Learn about the CSRF attack’s anatomy, along with mitigation methods.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent unauthorised personnel from hacking voicemail

  Keeping attackers out of sensitive corporate voicemails can be as easy as updating PIN policies.  Continue Reading

• ERP software migration in four easy steps

  An ERP software migration project is not simple to execute. This four-step guide will help you with seamless migration of your ERP software.  Continue Reading

• Create a private cloud successfully with these key storage tips

  It is rarely possible to abruptly create a private cloud from current infrastructure. Factor in these storage elements for successful private cloud creation.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting VM performance, capacity management woes

  Problems stemming from performance and capacity management are big worries for virtualisation administrators. But there are tool sets and metrics they can use for troubleshooting.  Continue Reading

• Planning virtual infrastructure growth and a move to the cloud

  Expanding your virtual infrastructure and a move to the cloud brings issues regarding servers, storage and networks. Manage the growth with strategic planning.  Continue Reading

• IT ROI calculation guide for assured success

  IT ROI calculation need not be a complicated, confusing affair. This guide helps you decode the gobbledegook and easily accomplish calculating ROI for IT.  Continue Reading

• Examining use of IRM solutions for access control in data extraction

  IRM solutions can be integrated with transactional systems to ensure protection of extracted data by setting predefined access policies in the IRM solution.  Continue Reading

• 3 SAP landscape design considerations for virtual platforms

  SAP landscape design for virtual environments poses special challenges. Use these design parameters for optimal SAP landscape design with virtualization.  Continue Reading

• Solved: Tricky application virtualisation issues

  Once IT team members understand the nuances of applications and virtualisation technology, desktop application virtualisation will be far less frustrating and time-consuming.  Continue Reading

• Your 5-step CRM tool implementation planning checklist

  A CRM tool implementation can go horribly wrong if preliminary but key factors are disregarded. Here are steps to ensure your CRM tool initiative succeeds.  Continue Reading

• The case for ongoing end-user security awareness training

  Expert Michael Cobb makes the case for year-round end-user security awareness training.  Continue Reading

• vCenter Operations usage for vSphere 5 intelligent policy management

  VCenter Operations implements the Auto Deploy feature of vSphere 5 for intelligent policy management. Here’s how you can use vCenter Operations optimally.  Continue Reading

• BackTrack 5 guide 4: How to perform stealth actions

  With BackTrack 5, how to include stealth into attacks is a necessary skill for penetration testers. Our BackTrack 5 how to tutorial shows you the way  Continue Reading

• Cyber security threats: Will your enterprise be the next victim?

  The old cyber security model is crumbling in the face of new, advanced cyber security threats. A paradigm shift in the approach to cyber security is crucial.  Continue Reading

• 13 data deduplication optimization guidelines

  Effective data deduplication is important for saving storage costs. Follow these 13 tips for data duplication optimization in your organization.  Continue Reading

• Managing security during acquisition: A merger integration checklist

  Security must be carefully managed before and during an acquisition. Mike Cobb proposes a merger integration checklist for security.  Continue Reading

• Web application security guidelines for developers

  The best way to mitigate Web app flaws is to prevent them in the first place. Learn how with these Web application security guidelines for developers.  Continue Reading

• Becoming a Carbon Reduction Commitment 'good performer'

  Complying with Carbon Reduction Commitment regulation helps avoid hefty fines and brings reputational benefits. Learn how to become a CRC 'good performer' and reap the benefits.  Continue Reading

• Complying with CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme: Best practices

  Comply with Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme by measuring and improving data centre energy efficiency, buying allowances and redesigning power setups.  Continue Reading

• 3 essential data center network cabling considerations

  Data center network cabling requires meticulous planning and design. Use these tips to determine the best data center network cabling setup.  Continue Reading

• Make business intelligence services oriented architecture (SOA) work

  Business intelligence services can be tricky. Follow these commandments to make your way through SOA heaven.  Continue Reading

• 5 security metrics tips for optimum effectiveness

  Developing effective security metrics is a challenge. But significant savings in time and effort are possible with the right approach to security metrics.  Continue Reading

• Can VXLAN and NVGRE solve your cloud network VLAN shortage?

  Both VXLAN and NVGRE offer encapsulation methods that create thousands more VLANs in heavily virtualised environments and extend subnets over Layers 2 and 3. Do either work?  Continue Reading

• Add threat modelling to your Web application security best practices

  Among any list of enterprise Web application security best practices, threat modelling is essential. Michael Cobb explains why in this expert article.  Continue Reading

• BackTrack 5 tutorial: Part 3 – More on exploitation frameworks

  Installment three of our BackTrack 5 tutorial covers credential theft and privilege escalation. Also learn SQL injection from this BackTrack 5 tutorial.  Continue Reading

• How to manage transient data and replication

  Transient data can be tricky to manage, and best practice tips outlined by vendors may have limitations. But there is an easier way out.  Continue Reading

• Organizing a data center with unified network management tools

  As data centers grow in complexity, so do management chores. Unified network management tools can help ease the burden of those responsibilities.  Continue Reading

• Data centre strategy: Using renewable and sustainable energy sources

  Using renewable energy sources in data centres can be tricky, but IT pros can strategically use these sources to fulfil their energy efficient data centre strategy.  Continue Reading

• Free SAN sizing template and useful guidelines

  With the explosion in data volumes, optimal SAN design and SAN sizing is key. Use these practical SAN sizing tips and SAN sizing template to get there.  Continue Reading

• Application security best practices for the cable industry

  Application security and data privacy is a grave concern in the cable sector. Here’s a look at major application security threats and mitigation measures.  Continue Reading

• A Web exploit toolkit reference guide for BackTrack 5

  Web exploit toolkits help in vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. This article covers usage of popular Web exploit toolkits with BackTrack 5.  Continue Reading

• SAN boot considerations in NetApp for Microsoft environments

  During SAN boot with NetApp in a Microsoft environment, keep tabs on resiliency, redundancy, zoning and performance with these tips for successful SAN boot.  Continue Reading

• How to choose a NAS

  Choosing a NAS might be complex but there are a few things you can do to simplify the choice  Continue Reading

• Maintaining a third-party security policy for DPA compliance

  Prevent data breaches and possible brand damage by vetting and checking up on third parties' security processes.  Continue Reading

• Ways to align ITIL processes with your disaster recovery plan

  Aligning ITIL processes to your DR plan leads to more efficient and effective use of IT infrastructure. Learn more about ITIL processes and DR in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Employee monitoring policy to avoid breaking employee monitoring laws

  Both the DPA and Human Rights Act include employee monitoring. Learn how to preserve employee privacy, while still keeping an eye out.  Continue Reading

• RSA Europe 2011: IT security conference coverage

  All the news from RSA Europe 2011. Read news, features, tips and blogs from the London based IT security conference.  Continue Reading

• How UK security laws and European privacy laws impact businesses

  Given the multitude of security and privacy laws within the EU, knowing which ones have bearing on your business can be confusing.  Continue Reading

• PHP MVC framework tutorial: Learn Web application development security

  Get tips on writing secure PHP Web apps from the start with these pointers from expert Michael Cobb.  Continue Reading

• BackTrack 5 Guide II: Exploitation tools and frameworks

  Our BackTrack 5 guide looks at exploitation and privilege escalation techniques. This part of our guide will improve penetration testing skills.  Continue Reading

• Integrate your CRM application with BI for maximum benefit

  Your CRM application need not stop after its growth after rollout. Integration with BI can helps organizations get the most from any CRM application.  Continue Reading

• CRAC unit sizing: Dos and don’ts

  A CRAC unit can consume a lot of power, but using it correctly can save costs and avoid fatalities. Read more about correctly sizing CRAC units in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Improve data centre energy efficiency by improving energy generation

  IT pros must not just look at how energy is used in their data centres but also how it’s generated and delivered in the first place and refine the process.  Continue Reading