In my previous post on IoT, I wrote about how networks of Internet-connected devices aimed at making our lives better are the next monster wave of technology being created. I made it a point to say that the future is here but added that there was a cautionary element to the message. As we have noted time and time again, there is a constant battle between convenience and security. As more products are made and marketed to consumers and businesses with the angle that they will make your life easier, better, simpler, faster or , the value that these devices offer to the consumer…
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Ignoring the people who think that anti-virus software is the end game when it comes to security, when many people think of protecting their border they think of a firewall. They can create rules to permit and/or block certain traffic that enters and leaves their network. Climbing up the ladder of the technologically savvy you may find individuals who understand that a firewall is not enough to protect their network so they implement an intrusion detection system (IDS). While they are getting closer to an effective solution, there is a better technology already broaching the mainstream. Let's start with what's wrong with what we are…
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In five to ten years we'll be reminiscing about what it was like to have to remember to pick up a gallon of milk at the store. Why? Picture this... You get in your car to drive home from work and your car alerts you that you should take a different route than usual. You see, you should go to the supermarket slightly out of your way because they have your preferred brand of almond milk on sale and your refrigerator detected that your current supply wasn't enough to make the dish your spouse looked up on her phone just…
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When most employees think about web content filtering, all they can think about is the frustration of their favorite websites being blocked. They cannot make updates to Facebook, watch videos on YouTube, or access their Dropbox and Google Drive. What's a security team to do? Our recommendation? Tell them to get over it. Does that seem a bit harsh? In all honestly, it IS harsh - but justified. The Internet has united us and impacted our lives in ways that we're only starting to understand. Not the least of these ways is the convergence of our personal and professional lives. These days, many…
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Last week, Jeremy Wheeler blogged about the perils of public charging stations. This got me thinking about some of the other ills of convenient, public life. One glaring convenient evil jumped out at me -- public WiFi. We have all been there. You're on your laptop or tablet, and you have to get some work done. Or you desperately need to set your fantasy football lineup. Or you need to get an e-mail out. Whatever the circumstance, your only choice for connectivity seems to be the coffee shop's free public connection. So you do what's natural - you connect, get the…
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