 |
- for a FREE Trial |
 WebProWorld Dev Forum |
Motion activated security camera software
It's been a while since I have looked into it, but there was an inexpensive software package that would allow your web cam to take pictures and store them on your computer. Similar to a security camera.
Disk Errors
The network itself is a hybrid of Windows 98 and Windows XP home machines with a windows NT4 machine acting as a file server.
XP Home Networking
This should be easy. Especially for me, I'm a network administrator for a large company. Do MS ever make it easy?
|
| Recent Articles |
Microsoft Executive Circle Webcast
From protecting sensitive data to complying with government regulations, network administrators are tasked with securing and managing a network.
End-to-end Application Level Security
New FirePass product eclipses the competition with extensive new features for enhanced security, reliability, management and FIPS-enabled high performance platform.
Yosemite Technologies to Support Microsoft Data Protection Server
Yosemite Technologies today announced its plans to support Microsoft Data Protection Server (DPS), a continuous, low-cost disk-based backup and recovery solution.
Google Toolbar Contains Input Validation Vulnerability
A security flaw has been discovered within the Google Toolbar that will allow the execution of scripts, malicious or otherwise. According to articles that appeared in SecurityTracker.com and SecurityFocus.com, the exploit allows HTML and script interjection through the Google Toolbar page, About.html.
Breach Security Announces BreachView SSL
BreachView(TM) SSL Decrypts SSL Traffic On-The-Fly, Enhancing Existing IDS Deployments With 100 Percent Visibility Into SSL Network Traffic.
EDI: Electronic Document Interchange for Microsoft Great Plains
Microsoft Great Plains - Microsoft Business Solutions accounting and ERP system, originally targeted to mid-size - now, with advancements and increasing reliability of its database - Microsoft SQL Server, Great Plains is attractive solution for large corporation.
SoftBrands Announces Newly-updated Menu of Customer Services
Services and New Solution Allows Customers to Focus on Core Value Added Capabilities.
Phishing For Gmail Accounts
It appears that there is a possible malicious email appearing in Gmail inboxes disguised as an invitation announcement. The mailing claims to be from the Gmail team and it "informs" the user that they have more invitations that can be given out.
Novell Announces Establishment of Porting and Migration Network to Promote Linux Adoption
Novell announced the establishment of its Porting and Migration Network, an initiative designed to help customers and software and hardware partners make the move to SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server quickly and cost effectively.
|
| |
| 10.14.04
Does Your Provisioning/user Management System Need an Upgrade?
 By Hallett German
Somewhere in the world is a person who wants to see their provisioning/user management systems get a sorely needed upgrade. But they seem to be getting nowhere.
The technical requirements are unarticulated. Key decisionmakers in the company are not aware this is needed. And the "project" is funded and without resources. How can someone who has the responsibility but not the authority get this upgrade to the next level?
This article will provide practical guidelines on how to build awareness and get funding for a provisioning/user management upgrade. Upgrade is meant to include new hardware and software and also the supporting environment of business processes, roles, organizations, business rules, etc. This discussion will include techniques for overcoming the approval and implementation obstacles detailed in the previous article.
1. Know What You Are In For
Congratulations, you just signed up to become a change agent. They are easy to recognize because they have the arrows in their back! Usually they find their own rewards - pride of having improving their company's infrastructure against all odds, making new acquaintances along the way, and satisfaction of a job well done.
 Note it may take longer that you expected. There will be times of great progress and others of utter despair. Just keep at it and you will achieve your goal. And don't forget to have fun while you are doing it.
2. Document the "AS-IS" Environment
This should include not only the environment but also current metrics for id creation, deletion, changes across business units, and special cases. Great care should be taken in identifying gaps and risks in the current environment.
3. Document the "TO-BE" Environment
Create your own network identity roadmap if one does not exist. Base it on a combination of your own and colleague's ideas, existing company policies and procedures, best practices, consulting think tank recommendations, and whatever else makes sense. Revise it as organizational and vendor realities change. By "setting a line in the sand" with your network identity vision, you will force other to either agree with you or identify their own assumptions, risks, and implementation next steps.
Learn more about Right-Channeling:
Making Sure Your Best Customers Get Your Best Service |
|
4. Communicate Often
You can never communicate enough about IT infrastructure needs! Use a variety of mechanisms to tell the story such as electronic/printed newsletters, bulletin boards (physical and electronic), web site, blogs, face to face, speaking at department meetings, in-house seminars etc.
There are many things you can communicate - stories about the unsung heroes and heroines of provisioning and user management, current metrics, appropriate external meetings, webinars, and seminars, the "AS-IS" and "TO-BE" environments, successes at other companies, the unsung heroes and heroines of provisioning and user management, and of course stories illustrating user pain thresholds. Keep the information interesting, educational, and continuous.
5. Leverage Off of Other Company Success Stories
This may some work. Continuously scan the trade magazines and the web for other company success stories. Get the technical and management contact names if possible.
 Try to get hold of them. See if both types of contacts are willing to share their key documents with you and how they measured success. Even better, see if you can get them to speak to the corresponding folks at your company (Especially the management contact talking with your management.)
6. Use Vendors and Outside Consultants
Use them to educate your management and technical decisionmakers through webinars, seminars, and on-site meetings. Webinars are appealing because they are usually free, relatively short (typically one hour), can be done from your desktop, provide an opportunity for asking questions and also saving a copy of the presentation.
Outside consultants may be helpful by coming on-site and reinforcing your efforts. This may include a talk on the state of network identity, evaluating your current provisioning/user management strategy, discussing current and future vendor releases etc.
Read the Rest of the Article.
About the Author:
Hallett German (hallett.german@alessea.com) is president of Alessea Consulting (www.alessea.com) specializing in Identity Management, Project Management, and Business Development. Copyright 2004 Alessea Consulting All Rights Reserved |
