Google announced earlier this week that it had stopped censoring the company’s search services—Google Search, Google News, and Google Images—in China. Users visiting Google.cn are now being redirected to Hong Kong (Google.com.hk), where Google is offering uncensored search in simplified Chinese, specifically designed for users in mainland China.
With its decision to discontinue its search services in China, Google made a policy decision NOT to play by host country rules, which demanded self censorship from Google. As I explained when China’s cyberattacks first came to light early this year, companies must understand the risk management aspects of conducting business in countries where rights to free speech (and other human rights) differ materially from the primary country of business. In the case of Google’s ongoing relationship with China, the risks of playing along outweighed the reward of sustaining business. Google, not surprisingly, revised its policy.
Even though managed file transfer (MFT) technology has been around for years, many in the industry are continually surprised at the number of organizations, both public and private, still using legacy FTP solutions for large or sensitive data transfers. Such technology has many shortfalls, including from the end user and IT perspectives. More importantly, it fails to help businesses meet today’s growing cyber security and compliance requirements.
In a recent article on ITBusinessEdge.com, Sam Morris of Attachmate did a good job of laying out the case for investing in MFT solutions. The primary reasons that he cited for adopting an advanced file transfer solution include support for increasing B2B interactions with employees, partners and customers worldwide; reliable, accurate, complete and timely transfer of information; support for internal and external security and compliance mandates; and ease of use. While these are all important and valid, there is one compelling characteristic of today’s leading MFT technology not mentioned in the article: risk reduction through automation.
Last week’s RSA 2010 Conference highlighted a host of exciting and innovative technologies within the infosec community. While cutting-edge technology and thought leadership (like much of what was unveiled at RSA) plays a significant role in ensuring the security of your organization’s data, applications, and systems, it’s by no means the most important element. Rather, it’s how your existing IT projects, process, policy, and products are implemented that can make the difference between an effective IT department and one that’s vulnerable to data loss, breaches, and other threats.
To help you avoid common pitfalls within your organization, we’ve outlined our thoughts on today’s most common IT project mistakes and risks:
As the excitement around RSA 2010 has calmed down a bit, I thought I’d take a minute to share a few pictures and highlights from the Exhibitor Hall to capture GlobalSCAPE’s team in action over the past week.
We were extremely impressed by the products and insight shared during the event. In his discussion with BankInfoSecurity.com’s Nick Burke, Jim Morris, perhaps, captured best the ongoing discussion at RSA about the delicate balance that government, as the policy makers, and vendors, as the solution providers, must strike if we’re truly going to improve our national security posture.
We were also happy to see GlobalSCAPE’s U.S. Army deployment get some play in Government Computer News’ coverage of the RSA event. Our secure information exchange solutions have been baked into the Army logistics technology for many years now. It’s just one example of how we’re working with Government to help reinforce policy with solutions.
Now for the fun stuff… our staff in the booth!
GlobalSCAPE’ salesman Chris Thacker and Nick Flores pause for a photo opp
CEO Jim Morris and COO Craig Robinson chatting with an attendee
Chris Thacker, Lisa Kelaita and Todd Doerr smiling in the GlobalSCAPE booth
CEO Jim Morris explains how total path security solutions, in particular MFT and application whitelisting technology, can help you more effectively mitigate the risk of data loss or breaches.
CEO Jim Morris discusses the vital role of managed file transfer (MFT) technology in supporting ad hoc exchange of data, and in meeting security and compliance mandates.
Thousands of security professionals and representatives from government and industry are attending this week’s RSA Conference in San Francisco. Without question, the RSA Conference presents a tremendous opportunity for exchanging ideas and learning about some of the latest cyber security challenges and technologies.
The RSA Conference organizers appear to have made a conscious effort to include more ‘real world’ tracks and panels this year. This is a major step forward in increasing the value of these conferences and providing a more substantive basis for improving cyber security practices within industry and throughout the government.
CEO Jim Morris offers thoughts on how the government, private industry and information security vendors must work together to improve national cyber security.
