Information Security The New IT Issue Part II

The Safe Harbor is No Longer Safe
Context is incredibly important in all things.  As I have been preparing for a conversation about information security and privacy at a major international event, I decided that by means of introduction, I should come up with a (totally unscientific) list of people who have changed the contemporary world.  Other than leaving off mass murderers and war criminals, I was open to just about anyone, and that’s what I got.  Although the list is long, some obvious choices were, in no particular order, Bill, Steve, Andy, Gordon and Sergey and Larry (no last names needed). Among the less traditional choices were David Bowie, Billie Jean King, Magic Johnson, Robert Oppenheimer, the Pope and Elvis. If nothing else, it’s been a very interesting exercise.

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Information Security The New IT (or “it”) Issue

There is no question that the amount of information created in the information age is overwhelming.  From banking transactions to Fitbits, we are all generating incredible amounts of information every single day whether we realize it or not.  As should no longer be surprising, this data—this information about us as individuals--is vulnerable. Consequently, issues of data security and privacy have moved to the mainstream in a quick and powerful way. And that’s before we even whisper the name “Snowden.”

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SIP It’s More Than What You Do with a Hot Chocolate

While the number of traditional landlines in the U.S. and North America is decreasing, the fact remains that they’re not totally disappearing.  And as much as an aggressive sales person may tell you that the time for traditional landline service also known as TDM (for “time division multiplexing”) has come and gone and that it’s going the way of the—(hmmm…vinyl record? (no they’re back) cheap gas (no, that’s back too), the empty plane flying to your destination ( I fear that’s NEVER coming back)), the sales person who pushes a newer and very capable technology called “SIP” (for “session initiated protocol”) is overselling if he/she tells the customer that it will be the only way going forward.

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Wi-Fi Blocking In 3 Words, “Don’t Do It”

Can’t get your hotspot to work in a hotel or conference center?  That’s a problem the FCC’s interested in hearing about. Willful or malicious interference with Wi-Fi hot spots is illegal.  Often known as “jamming,” such actions are illegal and perpetrators of these bad acts—regardless of purpose--will pay dearly. Period.

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The Beat Drones On or Drones 201

For the October issue of this column for the Bulletin, I wrote about drones and the issues arising from their increased presence. News coverage on drones has drastically increased since then. The FAA, for example, has tightened existing rules.  In addition, Walmart has applied to the FAA for permission to test drones outdoors for the likely purpose of making deliveries to customers (in both its own parking lots or at customer homes), as well as for internal use at its own buildings, warehouses and distribution centers.

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