In Depth

In Depth

• The CERN laboratory and the Big Bang theory – Essential Guide

  We answer 10 frequently asked questions about the CERN laboratory and Big Bang theory  Continue Reading

• NAS virtualization explained

  NAS virtualization can refer to the ability to virtualise multiple NAS heads into a single virtualised file system or the ability to spawn multiple virtual file servers within a physical file server. Either way, performing NAS virtualisation via a ...  Continue Reading

• Facing up to security perils of outbound traffic

  What about the threat from within and, more specifically, the security issues that arise from outbound traffic risks?  Continue Reading

• Chinook helicopter disaster - computer software failure or pilot error?

  Chinook helicopter crash: was it computer software failure or a cause we'll never know? This article gives the background to the Chinook helicopter disaster with links to all the relevant articles published by ComputerWeekly and other useful web ...  Continue Reading

• Learn all about LUNs

  A LUN is the unique address for a SCSI device or a virtual hard disk partition in a RAID configuration. This handbook tells how to manage and partition LUNs.  Continue Reading

• Wi-Fi linked to childhood autism

  A study published this week in the Australasian Journal of Clinical Environmental Medicine warns that wireless communication technology may be responsible for accelerating the rise in autism among children.  Continue Reading

• Managed VoIP keeps regatta's communications afloat

  The world's largest rowing regatta utilises managed VoIP to ease its year-round communications needs -- and for a temporary system during its celebrated two-day event.  Continue Reading

• How to select a storage capacity planning tool

  To select a storage management and capacity planning tool, first calculate how much storage is available and how much of your total storage capacity is actually being used.  Continue Reading

• How data deduplication works

  Chapter one of our data deduplication handbook takes you under the hood to show how data deduplication works so you can maximise the efficiency of this data reduction technology.  Continue Reading

• Integrating San and Nas

  Sas and Nas systems are very different types of storage, with different features that serve different business needs. Here are eight best practices for integrating San and Nas.  Continue Reading

• Vanderbilt hospital fights archive growth with grid

  Vanderbilt University Medical Centre simplifies document management using Bycast's archiving grid system.  Continue Reading

• Data storage hardware quiz

  Storage hardware, also known as primary storage, is a critical aspect in running your storage shop. How does your knowledge of storage hardware stack up? Take our quick quiz and find out today!  Continue Reading

• Checklist for purchasing hardware-based encryption

  Encryption appliances sit inline on a network and use specially designed electronics to encrypt data at line speeds, essentially eliminating the performance penalty imposed by encryption software running on a general server. While software-based ...  Continue Reading

• CRM strategies for SMBs

  Keeping your customers happy is job number one. With CRM software, luckily, that job becomes a lot easier. Here we present our top five CRM tips for SMBs.  Continue Reading

• Open source strategies for SMBs

  One way to make the most of a tight budget is to invest in open source technologies. Not only are they generally more secure than most off-the-shelf proprietary products, they're usually free too. Here we present our top five open source tips for ...  Continue Reading

• IP PBX eases VoIP transition for gas company

  An IP PBX with Sip helped one gas company upgrade to a new phone system while also jumping into VoIP.  Continue Reading

• San availability and reliability

  This chapter outlines some of the techniques and tactics used to achieve high availability and redundancy in a San (FC or iSCSI). These can include port aggregation, trunking, and failover.  Continue Reading

• How to select the right IP PBX

  Selecting the right IP PBX system for your company can be complicated. Here are some important things to consider when purchasing an IP PBX.  Continue Reading

• Storage session downloads: infrastructure track

  This track looks at San and Nas issues, virtualization, distance demands, remote offices and how to build out systems.  Continue Reading

• Open communications vs. closed communications

  Open communications are key to making the inevitable multimodal, multi-supplier communication environment work, so why aren't more suppliers providing open-source systems?  Continue Reading

• Surviving e-discovery

  It's been eight months since the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure were amended, and e-discovery rulings are all over the map, creating chaos for companies that must comply.  Continue Reading

• Understanding VoWLAN

  Like VoIP, VoWLAN contributes to cost efficiency. Because calls can be routed over the data network internally or over the Internet externally, mobile telephony costs can be eliminated or decreased significantly. In the long term, VoWLAN deployment ...  Continue Reading

• User performs data storage U-turn

  U-Store-It, a national self-storage company, decentralized its data centers, migrated data from SAN to DAS and de-clustered Exchange to simplify storage management.  Continue Reading

• SaaS apps being deployed by business units, not IT

  When it comes to deploying applications via SaaS, IT is still behind the curve. What's preventing IT from getting control over the programs business units want?  Continue Reading

• Experts: IDS is here to stay

  IDS technology has survived predictions that it would be replaced by IPS. One expert says it will remain a separate product while IPS is folded into firewalls.  Continue Reading

• VoIP performance management abounds at VoiceCon

  VoIP performance management tools were announced at VoiceCon, signaling a shift in focus from infrastructure to end-user experience.  Continue Reading

• Hosted and managed VoIP fundamentals

  Adoption rates of hosted VoIP and managed VoIP are increasing as more companies look to reduce the costs and complexities of deploying VoIP in house. Enterprises are factoring revenue growth, enhanced productivity and communication services into ROI...  Continue Reading

• Backup reporting expands to add capacity planning

  Aptare adds capacity planning for primary data storage to its product line, joining Symantec in recent attempts to broaden the appeal of reporting software.  Continue Reading

• Voice over WLAN improves a hospital's communications

  A Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) system was the solution to improving communications and response times for staff at one hospital, while boosting employee satisfaction.  Continue Reading

• Firewall deployment options increase for enterprises

  With a growing number firewall configuration options, companies need to spend more time and put more effort into determining how to design and deploy firewalls.  Continue Reading

• Asterisk PBX solves enterprise's growing communication problem

  An Asterisk-based PBX proved to be the solution to one enterprise's communications growing pains.  Continue Reading

• VoIP models and services: Complete guide

  With clear, concise explanations of existing VoIP business models and deployment methodologies, this guide will enable you to weigh the pros and cons of each based on your needs.  Continue Reading

• How to cheat at VoIP Security

  Securing a VoIP infrastructure requires planning, analysis, and detailed knowledge about the specifics of the implementation you choose to use.  Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery and business continuity fundamentals

  The importance of disaster recovery and business continuity planning has been underscored in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Avian flu and 9/11. As important as maintaining continuous communications in a disaster is staying connected when random,...  Continue Reading

• Does compliance make encryption always necessary?

  Many organisations look to encryption to protect sensitive data. Yet hundreds of millions of people who use the Internet also use encryption, yet most of them don't even know it.  Continue Reading

• Justifying VoIP deployment without cost-analysis

  VoIP and UC deployment ROI can be measured using non-financial metrics. Learn more about VoIP ROI in this article from Yankee Group's Zeus Kerravala.  Continue Reading

• ISO 27001 could bridge the regulatory divide, expert says

  Karen Worstell, former CISO at Microsoft and AT&T Wireless, now on the advisory board of Neupart A/S, explains how ISO 27001 can be used to help companies comply with a variety of regulations and standards  Continue Reading

• Videoconferencing tool gives Uno an edge

  Videoconferencing has given Pizzeria Uno the ability to bring together more than 200 people and has enabled more efficient and cost-effective communication.  Continue Reading

• Inside MSRC: Microsoft Server flaw should be given high priority

  An Active Directory flaw in Windows 2000 server and Windows Server 2003 should be given high priority, according to Christopher Budd of the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC).  Continue Reading

• Data migration product specifications

  Part of the Tiered Storage Buying guide focusing on product specifications for data migration tools.  Continue Reading

• State agency tiers records storage with Compellent

  The South Carolina attorney general's office estimates it will save thousands by storing millions of paper records in digital format using Compellent's automated tiered storage.  Continue Reading

• Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Security Learning Guide

  A panel of experts breaks down M&A security priorities and explains the best ways to manage disparate security staffs, technologies and policies.  Continue Reading

• Hacking for Dummies: Test your firewall rules

  Before someone else hacks your firewall, test your firewall rules during the self-hacking process to test your network's security.  Continue Reading

• IBM chief engineer talks green storage

  IBM engineer Clod Barrera discusses the growing energy crisis in storage, the need for better power efficiency metrics and the future for "green" products.  Continue Reading

• Storage Decisions Downloads: Executives' storage guide

  Ideas of where firms' storage should be and where it's headed. Also key ways to integrate new technologies, processes and ideas without going over budget.  Continue Reading

• Prevent network hacks with secure Web browsing

  Hackers can penetrate your network in almost unlimited ways these days, and that includes through your Web browser. Learn how to improve Web browser security and keep these hackers out of your network.  Continue Reading

• Big Microsoft Vista concerns for Big Pharma

  The second installment of an ongoing series examining the challenges of deploying Windows Vista and the considerations that go into the decision to roll out the new OS.  Continue Reading

• Is a merger or acquisition in Sourcefire's future?

  Sourcefire founder and Chief Technology Officer Martin Roesch, talks about how Sourcefire fits into Security 3.0 theme and how the firm may be involved in a future merger or acquisition.  Continue Reading

• Why hacking contests, 'month-of' projects don't help

  Ivan Arce, chief technology officer of Core Security Technologies explains why he thinks hacking contests and public vulnerability disclosure projects do little to improve IT security.  Continue Reading

• Web applications tangle security researchers, attract attackers

  Web application security researchers are finding that some of their work could land them on the wrong side of the law. As a result, Web applications are more vulnerable to attack.  Continue Reading

• Tiered Storage School: Table of Contents

  Get a better understanding of what tiering can do for your storage, how it works and why a tiered plan can aid in backup, DR, overall management and long-term archive  Continue Reading

• The Art of Software Security Testing

  Identifying software security flaws including the proper methods for examining file formats.  Continue Reading

• Data retrieval strategies: Document management software overview

  The role of document management software in data storage and how it can mitigate risk for the enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Deploying VoIP: Five things every CIO should know

  Navigating the complexity of a VoIP deployment can be overwhelming and it may seem like you need a technical degree to understand it. Here are five tips to help steer through the fog of a VoIP migration.  Continue Reading

• Unified communication case studies: What you need to know

  Learn how others overcame the expected and the unexpected challenges of a UC deployment in our case studies.  Continue Reading

• WAN storage guide -- Chapter 1: WAN basics

  The implications of WAN connectivity have had a profound influence on networking. We look at some of the practical WAN issues, such as bandwidth, cost, latency and reliability.  Continue Reading

• The man behind the Month of Search Engine Bugs speaks

  Ukrainian security researcher Eugene Dokukin, more widely known by his online name MustLive, is about to launch a new "Month-of" flaw disclosure project focusing on search engine bugs, at a time when many security professionals are dismissing such ...  Continue Reading

• When Microsoft Vista and VPNs don't mix

  Papa Gino's is ahead of many companies in deploying Windows Vista, thanks to its involvement in the Microsoft TAP program. But VPN compatibility has been a sticking point.  Continue Reading

• Admins run into trouble with Microsoft updates

  A DNS service failure and an ongoing WSUS glitch are among this month's frustrations as IT administrators try to deploy the latest security patches from Microsoft.  Continue Reading

• Network access control learning guide

  From PDAs to insecure wireless modems, users have myriad options for connecting to -- and infecting -- the network. Created in partnership with our sister site SearchSecurity.com, this guide offers tips and expert advice on network access control. ...  Continue Reading

• Microsoft should scrap Patch Tuesday

  Instead of leaving flaws unpatched for weeks between cycles, Microsoft should use its resources to produce high-quality patches shortly after vulnerabilities are discovered.  Continue Reading

• PayPal security measures help stamp out fraud

  PayPal's 133 million online customers are the biggest ocean phishers have to plunder. CISO Michael Barrett wants to make it safe to be in the water; and he's not going at it alone.  Continue Reading

• ISCSI TCP/IP TOE card purchase considerations

  A look at the specific considerations in purchasing iSCSI  Continue Reading

• ISCSI TCP/IP TOE card specifications

  Key specifications for a cross-section of popular iSCSI TOE cards.  Continue Reading

• 4 Gbit Fibre Channel switch purchase considerations

  As SANs scale up, data centres often upgrade and expand the SAN switch infrastructure. Here's what to look for when scaling  Continue Reading

• 4 Gbit Fibre Channel switch product specifications

  Product snapshots highlighting key specifications for a cross section of popular director-class 4 Gbit and faster FC switch products.  Continue Reading

• The trouble with Google hacking techniques

  Some IT security professionals say the threat posed by Google hacking techniques is overblown and that companies can easily avoid it with a layered security program. One skeptical expert is Ira Winkler, founder of the Internet Security Advisors ...  Continue Reading

• IP storage switch and router specifications

  Key specifications for a cross section of popular IP storage switch and router products.  Continue Reading

• Storage consolidation: WAN acceleration and WAFS technology overview

  One important avenue of storage consolidation is the consolidation of remote office storage; this is where WAN acceleration and WAFS technology comes into play.  Continue Reading

• Storage consolidation: SRM tools overview

  SRM tools are an important part of storage consolidation. They allow admins to monitor the storage environment, allocate and organise available storage, and offer insights into future trends.  Continue Reading

• IP storage switch and router purchase considerations

  The choice of an IP switch or router demands careful consideration of issues including port speed, segmentation, interoperability and security  Continue Reading

• Skype to the desk phone saves company a bundle

  Skype on the desk phone has helped a Chicago-based furniture maker save a considerable amount of money on long-distance voice charges.  Continue Reading

• Inside MSRC: Windows Vista security update explained

  Microsoft's Christopher Budd details the first Windows Vista security updates.  Continue Reading

• When disaster recovery and data classification collide

  Attendees at a disaster recovery seminar discussed the complex application dependencies when disaster recovery and data classification combine.  Continue Reading

• Will data breach be the end of TJX?

  This week in Security Blog Log: Industry experts say companies can learn from a data breach and even prosper from it. But is TJX following the right example?  Continue Reading

• IT pros eye Windows Server 2003 SP2 with caution

  Despite its security and stability enhancements, IT pros say they are in no rush to deploy Windows Server 2003 SP2  Continue Reading

• VoiceCon Spring: A transition show for the VoIP industry

  VoiceCon Spring was all about unified communications. Zeus Kerravala provides highlights of the more interesting points from the show.  Continue Reading

• Symantec threat report under the microscope

  This week in Security Blog Log: Infosec professionals dissect Symantec's latest threat report and express a range of views in the blogosphere.  Continue Reading

• Web 2.0 tools of the trade

  As Web 2.0 technologies become more popular, IT professionals are answering questions from business units on how it can be used.  Continue Reading

• Measuring Vista's true security muscle will take time

  Researchers are digging through the Windows Vista code right now, and when they find flaws we'll hear about it. But it's the ones we don't hear about that should keep us up at night.  Continue Reading

• Mobile data services development trends in 2007

  Darrell Jordan-Smith takes a look at new data services architectures and development tools emerging in 2007 and the ongoing development efforts of the Java Community and others.  Continue Reading

• Defending mobile devices from viruses, spyware and malware

  The nature of threat vectors facing mobile devices, challenges and struggles related to keeping mobile devices secure and strategies  Continue Reading

• LexisNexis fights crime with storage

  The document search company is offering a new data forensics service staffed by former federal agents and powered by commodity NAS.  Continue Reading

• Is RAID outdated?

  I would suggest that perhaps it is time for us to retire RAID in its current form.  Continue Reading

• Black Hat RFID controversy has bloggers up in arms

  This week in Security Blog Log: Infosec pros slam HID Corp., the firm that tried to quash a Black Hat presentation on flaws in its RFID technology, calling HID the latest champion of security through obscurity.  Continue Reading

• RFID dispute: Vendors still hostile toward full disclosure

  Many vendors still believe that security by obscurity is still the best policy and make it a priority to silence vulnerability researchers.  Continue Reading

• PING with Mark Odiorne

  Mark Odiorne, CISO at Scottish Re, provides insights on pen testing procedures, prioritising security for senior management and keeping compliant.  Continue Reading

• RFID privacy, security should start with design

  Companies planning to deploy radio frequency identification technology (RFID) must demand that privacy and security issues are addressed early.  Continue Reading

• Outsourced VoIP helps devastated company recover

  Outsourced VoIP helped a Berkeley company keep up business as usual after a fire destroyed its offices.  Continue Reading

• Top 10 VoIP search terms

  The top ten VoIP search terms and definitions. Keep tabs on the most popular VoIP terms – updated regularly.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft takes a blogosphere beating over Vista UAC

  This week in Security Blog Log: Industry experts take Microsoft to task over a "very severe hole" in the design of Vista's User Account Controls (UAC) feature.  Continue Reading

• Flaws haunt Symantec, IBM, Cisco and IE

  Bug Briefs: Security holes plague Symantec Norton products, IBM DB2; Mozilla Firefox; Trend Micro ServerProtect; Cisco IP phones; Google Desktop; IE and Snort.  Continue Reading

• Data breach: If customers don't act, data will remain at risk

  To make enterprises take data security seriously, customers must take control of their personally identifiable information and stop handing it out to businesses.  Continue Reading

• Questions fly as EMC Retrospect fades

  All signs point to the end of life for EMC's Retrospect backup software for small businesses. Sources say the company cannot support an SMB software channel.  Continue Reading

• Inside MSRC: Microsoft explains security bulletins

  Microsoft issued 12 new security bulletins in February. Christopher Budd of the Microsoft Security Response Center provides information about the most important fixes.  Continue Reading

• Download SAN Guide Chapter 3: Switches (PDF)

  You asked for it, so here it is -- a printable version of our SAN All-In-One Guide. Download Chapter 3: Switches in .pdf format now.  Continue Reading

• New security vendors take on sophisticated attackers

  IT Security vendors are developing technologies that show promise in preventing unknown attacks and protecting machines with zero-day vulnerabilities.  Continue Reading

• Quiz: Using IAM tools to improve compliance

  A five-question multiple-choice quiz to test your understanding of the content presented by expert Tom Bowers in this lesson of SearchSecurity.com's Identity and Access Management Security School.  Continue Reading

• VoIP case studies: What you need to know

  Case studies are the next best thing to being there. Learn how others overcame the expected and the unexpected challenges of a VoIP migration in our case studies series.  Continue Reading

• Storm Trojan was worse than it should have been

  The "Storm" attack made a big splash because people keep falling for social engineering and there was simply little else in the news, experts say.  Continue Reading