IT Strategy

This post highlights the transformational technologies namely, Mobile/Social, Big Data, Cloud Computing and Virtualization that all businesses need to explore and adopt to maintain competitive advantage in 2012 and beyond. Strategies for Getting More Social and Mobile In Aug 2011, around 72 million people accessed social networking sites from mobile, increase of 37% from previous year (study by ComScore) and nearly 50% (of 72 million) access networking sites almost every day. Devising a cohesive strategy for addressing both mobility and social media should be at or near the top of any IT executive's to-do list for 2012. Devising a mobile strategy first: IT leaders are recognizing that in order to have truly useful mobile apps, it can't just be limited versions of existing Windows or Mac OS desktop applications. They need to be developed from scratch not only to work wi... (more)

New iOS Edge Client

If you are running the BIG-IP Edge Client on your iPhone, iPod or iPad, you may have gotten an AppStore alert for an update.  If not, I just wanted to let you know that version 1.0.3 of the iOS Edge Client is available at the AppStore. The main updates in v1.0.3: URI scheme enhancement allows passing configuration data to the client upon access.  For example, you could have a link on the WebTop that invokes the client and forces web logon mode. Other Bug fixes. The BIG-IP Edge Client application from F5 Networks secures and accelerates mobile device access to enterprise network... (more)

To ARMs! To ARMs! Win 8 for ARM to Go to Developers

Microsoft is about to release a limited number of ARM-based widgets running Windows 8 to developers so when the operating system hits GA it can compete against the iPad, according to what Windows president Steven Sinofsky told Bloomberg and others Thursday. The system, which can't run legacy programs, will need brand new apps. The object of the game is to put out the x86 and ARM OS (now styled WOA) at the same time. Microsoft will reportedly hand out test PCs based on ARM chips from Qualcomm, TI and Nvidia, all running the same binaries. Developers have only gotten Windows 8 for... (more)

Planning, Scoping and Recon Techniques

The purpose of this article is to describe some tools and techniques in performing the planning, scoping, and recon portion of a penetration test. In covering these tools and techniques the reader will learn how to use them to find vulnerabilities in their organization and help improve security posture. Some other names for this first phase of penetration testing are; OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), Footprinting, Discovery, and Cyberstalking. Introduction During reconnaissance we'll gather information from public sources to learn about the target and try to find what is importan... (more)

Cloud Computing Making Waves

Every once in a while, I’ll do a news search for ‘cloud computing.’  Yesterday was one of those days and while there are always a few stories about ‘the cloud,’ I was somewhat amazed by the number and range of topics that appeared.  Also, the most recent issue (Oct 2011) of Consumer Reports had an article about ‘what’s the cloud.’  It was fairly elementary but for some reason when something is covered in Consumer Reports, I tend to think it’s finally reaching the masses.  I’m glad they included, ‘Use caution when signing up for any cloud service. Make sure your information is w... (more)