Obama brings 'new website'

President Barack H. Obama brings in a new website called recovery.gov, clearly stated by him that every American will now be able to see how the Government operates and allocates funds accordingly just by accessing this website.

The new President has really adopted IT in reaching his people.

Price WaterHouse Coopers staff linked to IT Supplier Satyam Fraud

Partners within Price WaterHouse in India have recently been arrested to having a connection with the $1bn account fraud by Indian IT Supplier Satyam.

I know this blog relates to IT update bit as this has hit the headlines, its considered to be valid to bring it up.

The PWC associates were also involved in the auditing of the accounts of the firm

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InfoSecurity 2008 in London

A little late on this update, but since Security has been the headlines of the news and many businesses are suffering from the risks. I have found this interesting video with British Telecom on Telecommunication Vs Security.

David Lacey has more..

IT Sector Redundancy Tracker

Computer Weekly has recently launched their IT sector redundacy tracker, its some useful information yet headlines state a growth in IT spend for 2009. Nearly all business are loosing on their staff and tacit knowledge.

Check: Redundancy Tracker

ICO takes action against Data Protection Breaches

The Information Commissioner's Officer (ICO) has just found NHS in breach of the Data Protection Act.

ICO has ordered a number of organizations to sign the undertakings following the breach of the Data Protection Act.

The action was lead from 5,000 records of personal data of patients which had recently been stolen from the University NHS Trust. The Data Protection Act requires organizations to take relevant measures and controls to prevent loss of data or inappropriate access.

This raises the concern of Information Systems Security Management policies within organizations and the tool of Risk Analysis. Although the Data Protection Act specifies these measures, why aren't organizations able to meet the requirements? The main question of concern revolves around adequate IS Security measures.

Recession hits Yahoo Staff

Hired two weeks ago the new chief executive Carol Bartz has decided to freeze staff pay for 2009 with response to the recession.

Yahoo has a total number of 13,700 employees after 1,500 lay offs that took place last month.

Apple Laptop on Wheels

Just announched the Apple Macbook 'Wheel', announced by Apple's Steve Jobs, a product that won't be out in the market until another 16-18 Months. The revolutionary product replaces the traditional keyboard with a wheel.

Say Goodbye to your keyboard Apple says! Its a product that will provide users with a new computer experience and ease of use.

Check it for yourselves:

Google Vs MSN Rap Battle

Working for Internet giants like 'Google' and 'MSN' is not about the techy talent or business know-how anymore. The businesses are moving towards entertainment challenges and capabilities of rapping. So if you thought that extra social work or a masters in IT will pitch you through the recruitment process, think again! the economic crisis just might have changed the recruitment criteria from 'the ability to take the initiative' to 'rhyming like P.Diddy'

Greedy for Personal Information

Initially the Social Networking site gave up the whole process of account verification and getting user information, but with internet giants like Google, Yahoo and now Facebook, having more consumer information is the big thing. Online businesses want detailed information on users and their contact information. For what purpose? Well we've seen positives on the news but I personally think its a way to destroy privacy.

Website of the week

Starting off the collection of websites of varying interests this week I have:

1. www.cuil.com: the fastest search engine on the web, cuil searches 3 times faster than Google, made from previous google employees.

Microsoft feels the slump

Microsoft announces poor financial results leading to an immediate cut of 1500 jobs and expected 5000. With the Windows 7 recently launched and available for free download till the end of January 2009. With the poor performance of the Windows Vista, Apple's OS maybe making its way into enterprise within the coming year, however, with Steve Jobs on medical leave shareholders and questioning the future as the 'IT RockStar Jobs' may not be around.

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Consumer Privacy

Consumer Privacy has raised the agenda over the recent months. Very soon I will be posting updates on an event that has taken place yesterday on privacy policies and online advertising. Google Inc not only an online advertising or search engine but they have a business model of high business intelligence (understanding consumer behaviour).

Hold back 48 Minutes of your time to watch:
The Google Documentary

Web Traffic: Obama Inauguration Vs Google

Tuesday Inauguration of President Barack H. Obama has raised e-eyebrows through the immense traffic online. Silicon Valley Insider tells the the story.

Google's searches declined as Obama's inauguration became the activity of the day.

Information Technology for 2009

A review of articles and an audit of speeches from CIO's, IT Directors, Vice Presidents and Analysts present the 3 basic Tips for Credit Crunch IT:

1. Outsourcing
Moving towards cost reduction and focusing on the primary business

2. Information Management
Building business intelligence tools, gearing towards understanding the current customers and
marketing the products/services effectively. With a cut on jobs and an exit of workforce
knowledge and experience, businesses must invest in BI (Business Intelligence Tools) to
navigate the market of shelved capital investments.

3. Virtualisation
Quick return on investments and efficiency based energy and productivity, 2009 will see a
boom towards Software as a Service (SaaS). Recently the British Library worked towards
virtualisation of 86 of its servers.

Social Networking Vs National Security

The social networking giant Facebook is reaching means of law enforcement agencies where in a recent event the New Zealand Police used Facebook to track a 21 year old Queenstown man in his attempt to rob $20,000 from a pub.

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