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Managed IT Security Services - What Are They and What Do They Offer?

In the age of computers, computer security can be the equivalent of keeping valuable possessions under lock and key, especially for businesses. While hard drive crashes or the infiltration of personal computers by spammers and hackers can cause confusion, frustration and unexpected repair fees, data loss or the infiltration of a company's computers can cause it to go out of business. Most company's report that their data is their most valuable asset, and 50 percent of companies close their doors within a year of experiencing a significant data loss. To prevent data loss and the intrusion of hackers and spyware, companies have one of two choices: they can implement and manage their own computer security services or trust their computer security to a managed it services provider concerning firewall management, virus protection, spam filtering and data backup solutions.Opting for managed IT services over internal security solutions has several advantages, beginning with price. Unlike internal solutions, solutions offered on a SaaS model don't require customers pay for the following elements: hardware and software, system implementation, system maintenance and system updates. Instead, customers pay a monthly fee that is commonly offered on a pay as you basis. A second advantage of managed IT solutions is that remote data storage offers the assurance that data will be preserved in the event of fires and floods. A third advantage of managed IT solutions it that ensures that a company's security systems will remain up to date with the latest technologies.When companies implement internal security solutions, they often assume that the firewall and spam protection that they begin with will be sufficient for the future, which is rarely the case. Because hackers and spammers are constantly at work on new ways to penetrate existing firewall and spam filtering technologies, having a professional IT service that works just as hard on your side is essential to preserving your bandwidth, which can be severely diminished when spammers find a way around your spamming filtration, and sensitive information, which could damage your company's reputations or business interest of it were made public.When it comes to computer security, one of the greatest mistakes that companies can make is assuming that a malfunctioning spam filter, hacking attempt or data storage failure will never happen to them. Statistically, this is true. But when these setbacks do occur, the consequences can range from a day poor email communication in the case of downed spam filter to a theft or loss of information that eventually forces a company out of business. IT providers offer a variety of IT solutions. But developing the best IT system begins with taking care of the basics: your network security. Taking risks may be an aspect of your company's business, but the security of your network shouldn't be one of them. If it's been a while since you since you thought about the safety of your company's data, contact an IT provider today to learn about the latest options.

Managed IT Security Services - What Are They and What Do They Offer?

In the age of computers, computer security can be the equivalent of keeping valuable possessions under lock and key, especially for busin...

Intel's Sandy Bridge chip to offer built-in DRM

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/processors/images/intel-ces-2007-218-85-200-200.jpg"> The soon-to-be-revealed Sandy Bridge chip from Intel will offer customers a little something extra: new-release movies that will be streamed to computers using the super-chip. Warner Bros is among the Hollywood studios planning to offer high-definition films via Sandy Bridge, with Intel working to strike deals with other content distributors. Films will be available at the same time as they are released on DVD and the chip comes with built-in DRM to prevent pirating of the streamed content. Jack of all trades? By wooing Hollywood with its protected premium content option, Intel hopes to differentiate itself further from competitors and make chip choice more important to the PC consumer and movie studios alike. Intel's Sandy Bridge CPU promises improved multimedia processing and, because the central processing and graphics processing are done on the same piece of silicon, it is said to be faster and more efficient than previous iterations. The long-rumoured CPU was recently shipped to manufacturers and <a href="">is set to be officially revealed at CES</A> this week.

Intel's Sandy Bridge chip to offer built-in DRM

The soon-to-be-revealed Sandy Bridge chip from Intel will offer customers a little something extra: new-release movies that will be streamed...

CES 2011: Asus and Kinect designers offer PC motion controller

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/wavixtion600-200-200.jpg"> Taiwanese computer manufacturer Asus has announced plans to release a motion-controller for PC, designed by PrimeSense – the company that developed the Kinect control tech for Microsoft's Xbox 360. PrimeSense has partnered with Eee PC makers Asus, with the PC specialist also promising an online store to sell games and apps that will be compatible with the controller. Focus on multimedia over gaming Asus is calling the controller the "WAVI Xtion," with the focus more on multimedia control via movement, as opposed to a heavy focus on gaming as is the case with Kinect. "PrimeSense, the leader in sensing and recognition technologies, and Asus, a leading enterprise in the new digital era, announced today that PrimeSense Immersive Natural Interaction solutions will be embedded in WAVI Xtion, a next generation user interface device developed by ASUS to extend PC usage to the living room," reads the launch press release. "The WAVI Xtion media center for the PC leverages ultra-wide band wireless link and PrimeSense 3D sensing solution to provide controller-free interaction experiences in the living room. Users can browse multimedia content, access the Internet and social networks, and enjoy full body interaction in a more user-friendly and natural living room experience." Asus hopes that third party developers will create apps to sell online at the "Xtion Online Store." The news of Asus' new PC motion controller follows a slew of stories about Kinect hacks, with enterprising bedroom hackers making use of Kinect's motion tech in some interesting 'unofficial' ways. Asus hopes to release the Wavi Xtion in February of this year. Expect more when we get a hands on with the tech at the PrimeSense and Asus booths at CES this week.

CES 2011: Asus and Kinect designers offer PC motion controller

Taiwanese computer manufacturer Asus has announced plans to release a motion-controller for PC, designed by PrimeSense – the company that de...

Gary Marshall: Will other operators follow Three to offer unlimited data?

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/images/3-three-logo-200-200.jpg"> You can't accuse Three of following the herd: while pretty much ever other mobile network operator is capping your monthly data allowance or trying to convince you that "unlimited" actually means "severely restricted", <a href="">Three has promised unlimited data</A> to anyone on its The One Plan. Let's be cynical for a moment. It's quite an easy promise for Three to make: few smartphone users hit the data caps anyway, and the cost of delivering data to the few who do will be swamped by the income from the new sign-ups this announcement will no doubt deliver. It's not likely to put too much strain on Three's network, either: with around 10% of the UK mobile market it doesn't have the sheer weight of numbers that often swamps rivals' data services. It doesn't apply abroad, so like every other network you'll get stiffed if you use your smartphone on holiday. It's for personal use, not business users. And while tethering is supported, Three is careful to stress that the plan is for smartphone use - so you might still encounter a cap. You might also argue that unlimited data makes up for the lack of bundled Wi-Fi that you get with similar plans from O2, Vodafone and Orange. Then again, as <a href="http://cobweb.businesscollaborator.com/hmhb/">Half Man Half Biscuit</A> once sang, it's clichéd to be cynical at Christmas. It's a refreshing bit of clarity in an industry that often seems hell-bent on confusing people, and if I were thinking of buying an iPhone, Android or other smartphone Three would be looking very attractive today. What about the other operators? Will other operators follow suit? Probably not. Three's going in the opposite direction from the rest of the mobile industry. Smartphone usage has exploded, and demand for data has gone through the roof. The networks should have seen that coming - we're onto the fourth iPhone, and the third major release of Android is imminent; data-guzzling mobiles are hardly a new phenomenon now - but if you've ever struggled to get workable 3G in a city centre you'll know that things are already creaking. And our demand for data shows no sign of slowing down. There are two ways for the mobile networks to address that. They could invest heavily in new capacity, ensuring that smartphone users can get fast access to as much data as they could ever want. Or they could keep things more or less as they are and either cut you off or charge you extortionate sums for exceeding your monthly allowance. Here's a clue: if it weren't for new EU rules on "bill shock", mobile operators would still <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/feb/21/broadband-dongle-roaming-bill-shock">be charging £31,500</A> for downloading a TV programme when you're on holiday. This is not, it's safe to say, an industry famed for putting customers first. If the other operators decide to follow Three's lead and get rid of their monthly data caps without small print or weasel words, I'll eat my iPhone.

Gary Marshall: Will other operators follow Three to offer unlimited data?

You can't accuse Three of following the herd: while pretty much ever other mobile network operator is capping your monthly data allowan...

Consider Yourself "Converged" - New Netbooks Offer a Pocketful of Power

They're called netbooks, mini-PCs, subnotebooks and a few other names that are too cute by half, like the Asus "EeePc." Although the "name brands" have jumped into the fray, at present the category is dominated by the second tier of computer and component makers. And despite Hewlett-Packard pricing one of its models just under $1000, the sweet spot in pricing is still the $300-500 area. Netbooks are made for portability and are generally around two pounds or so, with screens less than 10 inches in diameter. Despite its cutesy name, the Asus EeePc line is most representative of the new category of PCs. The keyboards are, naturally, reduced in size, there are no optical drives (external units are available), WiFI is built in and most have SD (SecureDigital) card slots, webcams, three or four USB ports and VGA out (for a second monitor). Installed RAM is usually 512MB at minimum, with 1GB the apparent standard at present. Brains, not brawn The current netbooks feature less-than-state-of-the-art CPUs (Central Processing Units), usually the Intel Atom line. This is Intel's smallest chip, and is used in a range of power-efficient devices where it can increase energy efficiency, extend battery life and still maintain what the manufacturer calls "full Intel Core microarchitecture instruction set compatibility." The Atom processors also offer multiple threads to improve performance and increase overall system responsiveness. The line currently tops out at a 1.86GHz clock speed, with 1.6GHz units the most prevalent in today's models. The screens are primarily TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology, although some manufacturers may be experimenting with the amazing new OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) variety. As costs come down in various areas - screen, RAM, flash memory, etc. - the performance benchmarks will doubtless rise. However, these "small laptops" are never going to be a power user's first choice, as they have a different niche. These are the first of the pocket PCs that our world is going to be full of in no time, according to some observers. Solid memory choices One of the more interesting developments in computing technology finds a home in many new netbooks. Instead of an 80 to 160GB hard drive, some netbooks feature SSDs (Solid State Drives), flash memory arrays of up to 32GB, for storage. These SSDs are shock-resistant, draw little power, have superfast access times and make for a much "greener" computing device. Perhaps it makes sense to see the next generation of laptop components debut in a reduced form factor (at a reduced cost, too). The lowest entries on the price chart usually have some flavor of Linux as the Operating System (OS), but a price premium of only $25-50 gets you into Windows XP territory. Some few models may offer Vista, but with Microsoft's apparent decision to dump Vista as soon as possible this is probably not the best choice. There are currently no Apple netbooks, and not even any good rumors of one, although the current Mac OS can be hacked various ways to run on PCs with a variety of processors. Still, it's a "PC-and-Windows" phenomenon for now. First "communicator"? Just about every netbook has a webcam built in, usually a 1.3MP at best, but that is more than sufficient for basic "cam" functionality. With videochat applications, Skype and other "connectivity" programs, the days of mobile A/V chatting have apparently arrived, although it will doubtless be an "early adopter" kind of activity. However, as the first waves of netbooks give way to a second and third, and a year or two of use (and abuse) wring out some of the problems, we may see this technology really take hold. And there is one word you should know that will help focus this kind of technological fortunetelling. That word is "convergence." With the phenomenal smart phones being released, and the parallel progress being made in A/V, telephony, WiFi, computing and communications, some hybrid of netbook, PDA, phone and media player will no doubt appear on the horizon. With the power of a desktop computer in your hands, you will carry your work on the same device that gives you instant, worldwide, two-way video chat and connects you to the Internet, too. But there are some practical applications that go far beyond mobile Facebook and watching TV. Specialized uses Once the "vertical integrators" get hold of these units, every kind of industry and every kind of special application will have a platform in people's pockets. With simple technology that exists today, security professionals could log in to surveillance cameras worldwide to check on property, processes and people. You could have full control of pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras in Chicago as you go about your business in L.A. Take the netbook from your pocket or briefcase, sign in to your network and "do your thing." Other specialized uses will be forthcoming. You may even develop one yourself, since the pieces of this puzzle can be combined in lots of ways to support any number of personal or business endeavors. That "digital convergence" that we've been hearing about these past few years has already arrived, as witness these amazing new netbooks. It's all in the process of being tweaked for this, that and the other thing, as well. With these new tools, it's not that we will do amazing new things we've never done. We will do the amazing things we know about, but from farther and farther away, with greater and greater control, at low cost and even less hassle. Get a netbook and consider yourself "digitally converged." - - - - - - - - - - After founding his first security firm in 1990, Scott McQuarrie built several security-related companies into regional and national powerhouses over the ensuing years. Since 2000 he has focused his sales and marketing efforts on the Internet, which opened up a virtually unlimited, international market for his flagship product line, <a href="">EZWatch Pro</A>. The EZWatch Pro brand has come to stand for world-class expertise in electronic security, video surveillance and the myriad technologies involved in both fields. From small houses to gigantic international airports, there is an EZWatch Pro solution to meet any and every residential, business, commercial and government security challenge.

Consider Yourself "Converged" - New Netbooks Offer a Pocketful of Power

They're called netbooks, mini-PCs, subnotebooks and a few other names that are too cute by half, like the Asus "EeePc." Althou...

Computer IT Consulting: What Services Does It Offer?

If you don't specialize in information technology (IT), assessing the value of IT services can be difficult, especially at a time when computer technology improves monthly. To learn how your company could benefit from IT solutions, the best option is to contact a firm that specializes in computer IT consulting to analyze your business's IT needs, and then suggest solutions that meet them. In some cases, businesses require a single solution to a single problem, while in other cases the solution involves more than one approach. Below, we list some common IT solutions and how they could benefit your business, depending on its needs. Four Computer IT Consulting Services that Could Benefit Your Company Email and Spam Control Email is an indispensable business tool, and nothing threatens its usability like spam. On the average day, spam is conveniently filtered away by your spam filter. But what happens if your filter malfunctions? For the next few hours, your inbox could flood with spam mailings until you couldn't address business emails in a timely manner, costing you time and missed business opportunities. One of the best methods for preventing a spam attack is to have a computer consulting firm manage your spam filtration remotely, a strategy that routinely keeps companies on track in the event of filter failures. Network Security Every business has at least two network security concerns: preventing network attacks from the outside, and preventing them from the inside. Some companies address network security by conducting it on site, while others have it managed offsite, a decision that typically results in the highest level of security, as most computer consulting firms specialize in implementing the latest security strategies to combat the latest hacking and interior corruption strategies. IT Budgeting and Planning If your company doesn't have its own information technology department, or it doesn't have an informed, updated budget for its department's needs, hiring an computer consulting service to analyze your company's IT needs and develop a budget that would meet them on an ongoing basis is key to eliminating short-sighted spending and over economizing. Without an informed budget in place, companies often resort to spending as little as possible on information technology, jeopardizing the safety of their data and the smoothness of their computer based business processes. Data Back Up and Disaster Recovery Because a company's data is usually its most valuable asset, data back up and disaster recovery should receive first attention when implementing new information technology solutions. Many companies make the mistake of backing up their data onsite, a scenario that could lead to data loss due to fire, flooding, theft, or other happenings. Imagine your proprietary data and sales and marketing information going down the drain. For most companies, such a data loss would result in their going out of business shortly thereafter. One of the easiest ways to avoid data loss is to back up your data offsite through a computer consulting service.

Computer IT Consulting: What Services Does It Offer?

If you don't specialize in information technology (IT), assessing the value of IT services can be difficult, especially at a time when c...

AirSync and doubleTwist offer wireless iTunes syncing for Android

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/images/cureforiphoneenvy-200-200.jpg"> If you're an Android user and are fed up with the wires when synchronising media - we've got good news for you. AirSync has been added to the free <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/25-really-useful-google-nexus-one-tips-673074">doubleTwist media player</A>, allowing you to copy media across without the need for a wire whenever the phone and PC or Mac are within range of each other. Users will have to pay for the privilege, with the AirSync costing 64p to install for the first 10,000 buyers, but that's a small price to pay for having the coolness of wireless syncing. Early bugs You'll need to set up a passcode to pair the two, but after that it should be pretty straightforward. Engadget is reporting a few early bugs in the system: you'll need a fresh copy of all your media, and the synchronisation can be slow. You'll also need to refrain from listening to music at the same time, as this can ruin things wirelessly. But it's still ridiculously cool, and we love a world without wires - so let's just hope this is the first step on a quick journey to proper wireless Android synchronisation.

AirSync and doubleTwist offer wireless iTunes syncing for Android

If you're an Android user and are fed up with the wires when synchronising media - we've got good news for you. AirSync has been add...

Managed IT Security Services - What Are They and What Do They Offer?

Managed IT Security Services - What Are They and What Do They Offer?

In the age of computers, computer security can be the equivalent of keeping valuable possessions under lock and key, especially for busin...

Google to offer Samaritans number to suicidal searchers

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/images/google-logo-2-200-200.jpg"> Google will serve up the number for the Samaritans hotline for people who are searching for suicide information – following a successful test in the US. The search giant believes that it can provide people with a better option by giving them the number for the Samaritans help line, where people who are considering suicide can receive help and advice. Targeted search results have received plenty of criticism for being a little invasive, but in this case it appears a perfect use of modern search technology. Emotional support The Samaritans provide confidential emotional support 24 hours a day for people who are suicidal or experiencing feelings of distress or despair – on the number 08457 90 90 90. Google's UK Managing Director Matt Brittin said: "People turn to the Internet for information and advice all the time. "We hope that by adding a highly visible link on searches relating to suicide, Google can help guide those who are vulnerable, distressed or suicidal to the renowned expertise and support service offered by Samaritans." Samaritans' Chief Executive Catherine Johnstone added: "We welcome this positive step by Google and we hope this new search tool that promotes Samaritans' helpline details will encourage distressed or suicidal people to seek help from a safe source. "The Internet is a rapidly expanding phenomenon that allows people to access huge amounts of information, much of which is helpful but some of which can occasionally be dangerous. "It is therefore important that vulnerable and distressed people are steered towards safe places such as Samaritans."

Google to offer Samaritans number to suicidal searchers

Google will serve up the number for the Samaritans hotline for people who are searching for suicide information – following a successful tes...

BT Vision to offer BBC iPlayer catch-up service

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/btvision_iplayer_listing1EE-200-200.jpg"> BT Vision will soon have the BBC iPlayer, with two of the biggest British brands announcing a deal to bring the catch up TV service to the IPTV platform. BT and the BBC are already working closely on the forthcoming YouView, and the two will now collaborate on iPlayer for the former's BT Vision television over internet platform. The iPlayer will be introduced 'over the next five months' with roll-out beginning in December and all customers granted access by April 2011. Record breaker The BBC-branded application will be accessed through the programme menu and is the full iPlayer package – offering 'almost all' of the television and radio programmes available on the online iPlayer. Daniel Danker, BBC General Manager for Programmes and On Demand, said:"October was a record month for BBC iPlayer witha total of 139 million programme requests on computers, TVs and mobiles. "Over 20 million of those requests were delivered to TVs. Licence-fee payers love the option of enjoying BBC iPlayer's high-quality experience and vast choice of programmes on the living-room TV, and we're delighted to be able to bring the service to BT Vision." Significant move The move is a significant one given the history between the two – with BT the biggest critic of the strain that video applications like the iPlayer put on its network and, at one stage, traffic managing connections to the online player. Marc Watson, chief executive of television and online services, BT Retail, said:"We are really excited to be partnering with the BBC to bring the BBC iPlayer service to BT Vision customers. "The launch of BBC iPlayer on BT Vision adds to the vast range of quality entertainment already available to our customers."

BT Vision to offer BBC iPlayer catch-up service

BT Vision will soon have the BBC iPlayer, with two of the biggest British brands announcing a deal to bring the catch up TV service to the I...

Sainsbury's to offer digital download store by Xmas

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/chair%20close%20up-200-200.jpg"> Sainsbury's has indicated that it will offer a digital download service for music and movies from Christmas, with ebooks also on the horizon. The supermarket giant is keen to move into the digital realm – and will unveil its new download service soon claiming that prices will be 'competitive'. According to Sainsbury's the move is one part of a key new strategy – which also saw the arrival of a <a href="http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/home.html">new website</A> last week. <img alt="Sainsbury's new site" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/internet-and-broadband/sainsburys-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Music, movies and eBooks soon The service will offer music 'from every major artist and record label' with tracks compatible with all major players including iPods, and movies will also be on offer 'for purchase or download'. "Online enables us to offer much more than we can in store," said Richard Crampton, Sainsbury's head of entertainment: "The new site will join seamlessly with our existing non-food online offer so customers can browse and discover their favourite music, films, books and games easily." Interestingly – Sainsbury's has also indicated that 'a range of ebooks will also be introduced early next year' – although it remains to be seen if the prices are comparable with its current prices for real books, something which would undercut the likes of Amazon.

Sainsbury's to offer digital download store by Xmas

Sainsbury's has indicated that it will offer a digital download service for music and movies from Christmas, with ebooks also on the hor...