Improve Network Monitoring
Processor (02/08/08) Vol. 30 , No. 6 ; Ortiz, Sixto Jr.

Numerous manufacturers are suggesting replacing Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) in order to improve network monitoring. Flow analysis through IP Flow Information Export (IPFIX) is the way in which network traffic analysis is heading. Americas at Network Critical claims administrators should resume utilizing test access points (TAPS) for all views of network traffic, particularly at speeds of 10 gigabytes or higher. In addition, Packeteer director of product marketing Mark Urban states administrators should attempt to be proactive and to study performance at the application and user level. For instance, Urban says, administrators need to obtain an application view for network tracking, look at user response times, and employ monitoring to determine needs when considering new projects. The construction and placement of permanent access points with corporate tapping solutions is one of the most crucial elements of network monitoring, states Network Critical managing director Chris Bihary. There are three factors that are important to viable monitoring deployments: the implementation of an automated monitoring effort; the consideration of every IP-connected device; and the leveraging of industry protocols. To get control of network performance, administrators need to concentrate on three main objectives--the identification of every vital application facilitated by information technology; the infrastructure elements that support such services; and the limits of acceptable performance from the end-user stance.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2
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ue

Far From Remote: The Risks of Mobile Working
AccountingWEB (02/08/08)

Up to 81 percent of hiring managers have rules on the books that permit workers to function remotely, claims a study conducted by talent and outsourcing-services company Yoh. Separately, a study published by Cisco and Insight Express states that teleworkers often hack into other individuals' wireless networks, share computers with non-workers, and open email from people they do not know. Tougher authentication for workplace computers and laptops can be provided by using CRYPTOCard tokens, RSA SecurID, or digital certificates, all of which are dynamically-produced, two-part passwords. In addition, certain developers are investigating using mobile phones and PDAs as OTP tokens, thereby lowering expenses. Data Genetics International chief technical officer Ed Wilding has several recommendations for protecting remotely-used workplace computers, including telling workers that their data will be tracked. In addition, he favors complete disk encryption for laptops. Wilding also thinks that specific firewall rules concerning data transmission must be established, and risk seminars for every mobile employee must be given.
http://www.accountingweb.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=104593

Mail Server Options Abound
Small Business Computing (02/08/08) ; Newman, Amy

The Zimbra Collaboration Suite 5.0 has instant-messaging directly incorporated into it, allowing end users to have several conversations and group chats. Zimbra Documents allows users to make and edit wiki-type documents online with spreadsheets, images, or tables. Another feature, Briefcase, is an email attachment alternative, allowing users to store files in a Briefcase folder and share or email them with other end-users. Separately, Gordano recently launched Gizmos, which is integrated into the primary Webmail interface. Gizmos are JavaScript files equipped with code to formulate an object with a series of predetermined prototypes. Common tasks for Gizmos are dictionary lookups, translations, and playing of sound and video files. Meanwhile, CommuniGate Systems recently added CalDAV support to its Unified Communications platform, allowing users to share calendar events and scheduling resources. The new technology is particularly important for Mac users, since it means they can directly communicate with those employing Microsoft Outlook or additional client products without extra tools.
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/biztools/article.php/372677
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IM Security Threats: How to Protect Your Business
Entrepreneur.com (02/08) ; Magee, John

Instant messaging applications, while convenient, are also very risky and can be manipulated easily by hackers or other users who want to compromise a network. Since IM is not monitored or protected, it only takes one negligent end-user to compromise an entire network by accepting files from or chatting with an ill-intentioned user. These threats usually come in one of three forms: spim, or Internet spam; Trojan horses, or unprotected "backdoors"; and worms. Instant messaging applications are user-heavy, so employees must be educated first and foremost on the security risks involved in using such applications. To further protect a network, a business should also install computer security software, install and update patches, encrypt important IM chats, and store conversations which contain compromising information behind a secure firewall.
http://www.bmighty.com/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=20610
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Yankee Group Says Consumer Technology Increases SMB Productivity by 30% to 40%
Centre Daily Times (PA) (01/31/08)

Yankee Group today announced that consumer technologies can increase small and medium business (SMB) productivity outside the office 30% to 40%, especially for the least empowered employees. The SMB work environment has not changed in the past 30 years. However, the impact of ubiquitous connectivity is changing the work/life balance of both enterprise and SMB workers, empowering Anywhere workers. "SMBs are stuck in a productivity malaise using technology no more helpful than a bikini in a meat locker," said Steve Hilton, vice president of Yankee Group's Enterprise Research group. "Ubiquitous connectivity is becoming a reality, and for SMBs to get ahead in this global connectivity revolution, organizations must adopt consumer- and business-based technologies to improve employees' work/life balance and drive forward productivity." According to the recently published Yankee Group Report, "Unleash the Hidden Power of Your SMB," technology solutions drive productivity for SMBs outside the office, not inside. Of the consumer technology solutions, blogs, wikis, smart phones, wireless-enabled laptops, instant messaging and online travel services have the greatest impact on SMBs, increasing productivity 25% to 50% for SMB mobile employees. On the other hand, voice-only cellular phones, Second Life, Slingbox and YouTube decrease SMB employee productivity. To maximize employee productivity, SMBs must force IT staffs to support the "just-making-its" and "common folk" in their organizations as much as the "movers-and-shakers" and "aspiring executives." Consumer technology solutions also help Anywhere employees better balance their work and home commitments, adding a level of sanity to their hectic lives. This Report shows the impact consumer-based technologies have on SMB employees and provides recommendations for SMB application vendors such as to stop buying fixed-office-based technology and buy technology solutions that drive productivity outside the office.
http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/370924.html

Using Managed Security Suites for Antivirus
Processor (02/01/08) Vol. 30 , No. 5 , P. 23 ; Rudich, Joe

Small to mid-sized enterprises that primarily use laptops and do not have a large amount of financial resources or a large IT staff can benefit by securing their networks with a security management suite or service. Security suites usually include antivirus scanning software, though they sometimes include protective tools such as antispyware software, spam filtering for email, and firewalls as well. One advantage of using security suites is that they allow SMEs to monitor, control, and update security software from a central point. Security management services have all of these features as well, though they also allow SMEs to receive service from a third-party security company via the Internet. Security management services are particularly useful for organizations that such as Touchstone Behavioral Health, which uses laptops that are only accessible through the Internet. Touchstone's IT Director, Steven Porter, said his company's use of a security management suite has benefited it in a number of ways. For instance, the security management suite's single unified management interface has helped to improve efficiency, he said. "In preparing for audits, we have spent up to two man-weeks pulling together log files and the resultant set of group policies," Porter said. "Now, with the ability to literally take a snapshot of a dashboard at any point in time, we can do this in a couple of minutes a day."
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2
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Small Businesses Have Large Needs for Mobility
destinationCRM.com (02/06/08) ; Britt, Phillip

Two reports recently published claim that small-and medium-size companies need upgraded mobile technology to improve productivity and compete efficiently. Analysts from IDC Research and Yankee Group state that while the technology is available, it is not used enough by this demographic. The small-and medium-size firm atmosphere has not changed significantly in the last three decades, even though connectivity is catering the work-life balance of companies of all sizes, notes Yankee Group's Steve Hilton. Consumer technologies, however, can heighten productivity outside of the workplace between 30 percent and 40 percent, particularly for staff who have the least amount of power. Hilton explains that small-and medium-size companies can be as efficient on the go as in offices that are connected by broadband and landlines. Blogs, wikis, smart phones, instant messaging, wireless-equipped laptops, and Internet travel services have the largest impact on such businesses, raising productivity between 25 percent and 50 percent for their workers, Hilton notes. He adds that these businesses will retain outside vendors to assist with data protection and support services, while employing more unified applications to help streamline the technology requirements of their firms.
http://www.destinationcrm.com/articles/default.asp?ArticleID=7634