IT Executive news

• Lost thumb drives bedevil US banking agency

  28-10-2016 23:39
  
  A U.S. banking regulator says an employee downloaded a large amount of data from its computer system a week before he retired and is now unable to locate the thumb drives he stored it on.The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which is a part of the Department of the Treasury, said the loss represented "a major information security incident" as it reported the case to Congress on Friday.The data was taken in November 2015, but its loss was only discovered in September this year as the age
  
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• Best Deals of the Week, October 24th - October 28th - Deal Alert

  28-10-2016 22:31
  
  Best Deals of the Week, October 24th - October 28th - Deal AlertCheck out this roundup of the best deals on gadgets, gear and other cool stuff we have found this week, the week of October 17th. All items are highly rated, and dramatically discounted.66% off KMASHI 15000mAh External Battery Power BankKMASHI's 15,000mAh power bank can charge any 2 smartphones, tablets or USB devices simultaneously at high speed, and several times over without needing to be recharged. It currently averages 4 out of
  
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• Mingis on Tech: Three new MacBook Pros and one angry man

  28-10-2016 22:20
  
  Well, that was quite the production!
  We're talking about our tech trio's response to Apple's newest MacBook Pro laptops -- not the laptops themselves.AppleThe new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
  In case you hadn't heard, Apple on Thursday introduced the first re-designed MacBook Pro in four years. Offered in 13-in. and 15-in. models, they're thinner, lighter, have new screens, a new keyboard, faster internal hardware, a touch-sensitive Touch Bar, Touch ID and four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports.To read
  
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• Robotics, driverless tech are taking over mining jobs

  28-10-2016 21:40
  
  In the next decade, the mining industry may lose more than half of its jobs to automation, according to a new report.That's not based on future technologies, but on automated equipment being deployed today.
  The mining industry is primed for automation. It's capital intensive, buys expensive equipment and pays relatively well.
  This industry is adopting self-driving trucks, automated loaders and automated drilling and tunnel-boring systems. It is also testing fully autonomous long-distance trains
  
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• Tesla doubles power in commercial Powerpack battery

  28-10-2016 21:30
  
  Ahead of an expected announcement of a new rooftop shingle solar power system today, Tesla unveiled the second iteration of its commercial lithium-ion battery storage system -- the Powerpack 2.
  The Powerpack 2 doubles the power capacity over the original Powerpack from 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) to 200kWh.
  Powerpack 2 is also now matched with a new inverter, designed by Tesla and manufactured at the Gigafactory.
  The original Powerpack contained 16 individual battery pods, each with an isolated DC
  
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• Microsoft cites samples of Touch Bar support slated for Mac Office

  28-10-2016 21:04
  
  Microsoft yesterday provided several examples of how it will support Apple's new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar in its Office suite, but gave no timetable for the changes.
  Kirk Koenigsbauer, who leads the Office 365 client applications team, used a company blog to offer several examples of how Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word in Office for Mac will support the Touch Bar.
  "Through the Touch Bar, Office intelligently puts the most common commands at your fingertips — all based on what you're do
  
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• Mozilla promises a next-gen Firefox engine that will deliver huge improvements

  28-10-2016 20:42
  
  Mozilla’s Firefox chief promised massive leaps in the web browser’s performance via “Project Quantum,” an entirely new web engine that will power Firefox beginning in 2017.
  Quantum, according to David Bryant, the head of platform engineering at Mozilla, will take full advantage of modern PC and mobile hardware, exploiting parallelism to run processes across multiple cores and the GPU. Quantum will be the code at the core of the browser, responsible for its overall perfor
  
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• FBI to probe new emails related to Clinton's private server

  28-10-2016 20:39
  
  The FBI has uncovered new emails related to Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server, prompting federal authorities to investigate them.The FBI discovered the emails as part of an "unrelated case," FBI Director James Comey said in a letter to a congressional committee that was later tweeted on Friday.These emails "appear to be pertinent" to the FBI's original investigation into Clinton's private server use, which the agency wrapped up back in July, Comey said. Clinton, now the Democr
  
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• Go PC! 5 killer MacBook Pro alternatives for disappointed Apple fans

  28-10-2016 20:07
  
  MehBook "Pro"The immediate reaction to Apple’s long-overdue MacBook Pro overhaul seems mixed, to say the least. For every excited reaction to the laptop’s adaptive Touch Bar keys, we see people lamenting the lack of ports that professional users actually need, the lack of a 32GB memory option, the lack of an SD card slot, and the lack of, well, pretty much any “pro” features in the entry-level MacBook Pro model (which still costs $1,500 and up).To read this article in ful
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Authoritative misinformation: blockchain and the humor of bad predictions

  28-10-2016 19:52
  
  One expert is right. One expert is wrong.Swimsuit or raincoat?
  How accurate are predictions? Every day we have plans. Even if that plan is to do nothing. At some point understanding the weather becomes a factor in the decision of what to do, where to go or what to wear. A product manager at Minitab answered a question we have wondered about. How accurate are those weather forecasters?”There are three main forecast periods: 10-day, five-day and next-day. The experiment recorded 10-day,
  
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• After DDOS attack, senator seeks industry-led security standards for IoT devices

  28-10-2016 19:47
  
  Last week’s massive distributed denial-of-serviceattackhas prompted an urgent focus on the need for industry-led cybersecurity standards for internet of things devices.
  U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, (D-Va.) said Thursday that he favors an industry-based approach before seeking some form of government regulation of IoT security.
  “Last week’s attack does reveal a new level of vulnerability, and I’m trying to make it clear ... that this is not a problem that the government ought t
  
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• Companies complacent about data breach preparedness

  28-10-2016 19:39
  
  The likelihood that companies will experience a security incident continue to rise every year. While most organizations have put a data breach preparedness plan in place to combat such incidents, most executives aren't updating or practicing the plan regularly, according to study released earlier this month."When it comes to managing a data breach, having a response plan is simply not the same as being prepared," Michael Bruemmer, vice president at Experian Data Breach Resolution (which sponsore
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: 8 highlights from OpenStack Summit, day 1

  28-10-2016 19:31
  
  The OpenStack Summit kickstarted in Barcelona, Spain on October 25, 2016. As usual it was a fully packed show with over 5,000 attendees. Mark Collier, Chief Operating Officer at OpenStack Foundation took to the stage and discussed where OpenStack is heading. Here are some major highlights from the first day of the show: Swapnil BhartiyaMark Collier shows the new logo of OpenStackTo read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Zijn er nog trends in sourcing?

  28-10-2016 19:26
  Is er wel nieuws onder de zon in de sourcingwereld? De vraag waar (out)sourcing om draait is toch vrij eenvoudig: wíe doet wélk deel van een intregraal bedrijfs-/productieproces – inclusief alle ondersteunende activiteiten – en hoe regel je dat contractueel? Daarbij kan IT zowel het vehikel... lees meer
  
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• New Windows code injection method could let malware bypass detection

  28-10-2016 19:18
  
  Security researchers have discovered a new way that allows malware to inject malicious code into other processes without being detected by antivirus programs and other endpoint security systems.The new method was devised by researchers from security firm Ensilo who dubbed it AtomBombing because it relies on the Windows atom tables mechanism. These special tables are provided by the operating system and can be used to share data between applications."What we found is that a threat actor can write
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: 3 signs your next project could be nonstrategic

  28-10-2016 19:15
  
  Strategic vs. nonstrategic tech projectsThere are strategic projects and then there are nonstrategic projects. What's the difference?
  Strategic projects contribute — often in direct and measurable ways — to organizational strategy. That is, they deliver new levels or new kinds of customer value, which in turn generates business outcomes in terms of revenues, profits, etc. So they’re key to an organization’s ability to grow and prosper. Nonstrategic projects, on the o
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: My indifference-hate relationship with Gherkin

  28-10-2016 19:00
  
  As an automation architect, I get a lot of questions and requests from various clients about how to implement Gherkin. Over the years, my opinion has gone from general ambivalence to outright dread. Few organizations understand the value that Gherkin provides and even fewer understand the costs. That’s not to say I think there is never a reason to leverage Gherkin. When used correctly it can add value to many projects.The good
  I like the idea behind Gherkin. Gherkin is a very effective way
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: How marketers inflate customer results with cognitive technology

  28-10-2016 18:34
  
  Deloitte explains cognitive technology as a product of "the field of artificial intelligence" and says that cognitive technologies "are able to perform tasks that only humans used to be able to do. Examples of cognitive technologies include computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, speech recognition and robotics."Cognitive applications
  Cognitive systems listen, understand, reason and learn as people interact with them. These systems understand context and intent. They lear
  
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• 3 secrets to effective product launch presentation

  28-10-2016 18:15
  
  After recently watching two major product presentations from firms that have been doing them for decades, it struck me that folks seem to have forgotten the three basic rules on how to do these things well. Many books have been written on this subject, one of the best being “The Presentations Secrets of Steve Jobs.” In addition, there are folks who specialize in training people on how to do this.  So this week I’d like to cover three product launch presentation secret
  
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• Uber drivers in the UK are employees, court rules

  28-10-2016 18:10
  
  Uber should treat its drivers in the U.K. as employees, paying them at least minimum wage from the moment they are available to work until they log off and providing them with paid time off, a London employment tribunal has ruled.The drivers and Uber must now make proposals to the judge how they will comply with the ruling, made following a preliminary hearing.What they agree will have consequences for Uber and businesses like it across the U.K. It could push costs up, increasing Uber's incentiv
  
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• 15% off Logitech Harmony Companion Remote for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices - Deal Alert

  28-10-2016 17:02
  
  With the Logitech Harmony Companion remote, you can control home automation devices such as Philips hue lights, Nest Learning Thermostat, August door locks and more—plus advanced home entertainment devices like Apple TV, Roku, or Sonos and game consoles such as Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation3 or Wii. Touch an Activity button like “Watch TV” and all the right devices change to the right settings. Get your lighting, locks, thermostat and more to work together for one-touch
  
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• Top paid CIOs of 2016

  28-10-2016 16:34
  
  As we begin to look forward to 2017, it's also time to look back at how the tech industry fared against last year's IT salary benchmarks. While IT leaders have made some incremental increases, middle managers and IT staff workers haven't been so lucky, according to Janco Associates data.
  "CIOs and IT executives are doing better in compensation than workers. For the most part, IT salaries remain relatively flat due to the economy, outsourcing and H-1B visa programs. In general, IT salaries have
  
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• Coca-Cola headlines a fast-turning CIO carousel

  28-10-2016 15:50
  
  The Coca-Cola Company yesterday said that it has promoted Barry Simpson to CIO. Simpson, who will oversee the company’s global IT strategy, services and operations, had served as interim CIO since July, when he replaced the late Ed Steinike.Coca-Cola CompanyCIO Barry Simpson.“Given the significant amount of change under way as we transform our business for the future, it’s important that we have an IT function positioned to protect our information technology and accelerate our
  
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• The 15 scariest games to play on Mac today

  28-10-2016 15:00
  
  Frightening and funItching for some interactive thrills? We’ve got a nice stack of Halloween-ready options that you can download on your Mac today. If you’re looking for gruesome, violent adventures filled with aggressive enemies, we’ve got those. Prefer something atmospheric and eerie, albeit with the occasional well-timed jump-scare? Well, we definitely have those covered, too.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• What Apple's new Touch Bar means for Mac users

  28-10-2016 14:56
  
  Apple yesterday introduced a touch-enabled and dynamic input strip for its line of MacBook Pro laptops. Called Touch Bar, it's the most noteworthy addition to Apple's premium notebooks in years and could be an early indicator of the company's plans to bring more touch functionality to MacBooks. The new feature is also another example of Apple's decision to mix the core experiences of iOS and macOS. The strategy could be viewed either as a middle-of-the-road approach or a deliberate step toward i
  
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• Tone deaf in Silicon Valley

  28-10-2016 13:45
  
  Why don't women enter STEM fields? Why do they leave? No one in Silicon Valley seems to be able to understand the very basic concept underpinning women's and underrepresented groups' exclusion from these fields, and until they do, they won't be able to overcome their "diversity problem."
  The recent (justified) uproar around Peter Thiel's massive donation to a certain presidential candidate, and Facebook's defense of both Thiel himself and their decision not to fire him makes clear just how very
  
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• EU privacy watchdogs seek answers from WhatsApp and Yahoo about users' data

  28-10-2016 13:19
  
  European Union privacy watchdogs have warned WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum to stop sharing users' data with parent company Facebook until they investigated whether the transfers comply with EU data protection law. They also want Yahoo's Marissa Mayer to come clean about recent leaks and spying allegations.In an open letter to Koum published Friday, an umbrella group representing the EU's national data protection authorities expressed its serious concerns at the way WhatsApp users were informed of change
  
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• The limits of encryption

  28-10-2016 13:00
  
  As we say goodbye to privacy, some people are putting their faith in encryption. But there’s only so much that encryption can do.
  I’m not arguing that encryption is weak and in danger of being busted wide open. I’m not even arguing that companies such as Apple will reverse their stances and give up encryption keys to law enforcement.
  I’m simply observing that not everything can be encrypted, and the things that can’t be encrypted can reveal plenty about us. And eve
  
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• IDG Contributor Network: Playing the startup game: Work hard, play harder and keep learning

  28-10-2016 12:30
  
  The idea of a startup, though enticing and with potential to make stars out of nothingness, is often fraught with uncertainty and countless unimaginable perils. Dreamy-eyed, wannabe entrepreneurs have only got the Mark Zuckerbergs and Elon Musks to look up to and emulate, while there are probably millions of startup ideas that met with tragedy — financial and personal.Most entrepreneurs, and the growth hackers and digital marketing evangelists they hire, believe that a brilliant idea and a
  
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• 12 Touch Bar controls we can't wait to try on the new MacBook Pro

  28-10-2016 12:30
  
  Touch and go, in a good wayApple has finally revealed the next-generation MacBook Pro, giving its notebook line a much-needed refresh. Its biggest change is the Touch Bar, a contextual row at the top of the keyboard that changes depending on which software you’re using, replacing your traditional row of function keys. It’s the first time Apple has built a Mac with touchscreen capabilities, and it’s one of the most elaborate Mac features we’ve ever seen.To read this articl
  
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• Security apps you need on your new Pixel

  28-10-2016 12:01
  
  Google's new Pixel phoneImage by GoogleAll the brand new features of the Pixel will not protect it from increasingly frequent security threats: each user should take necessary precautions in order to protect their data, passwords or any sensitive online transactions. A new smartphone is also an attractive one-stop location for hackers who'd like to access personal bank account data, credit card passwords, name, address, social media accounts and so on.To read this article in full or to leave a c
  
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• Yet another JVM language? Whiley takes a fresh approach

  28-10-2016 12:00
  
  While it might seem like there were already plenty of languages riding atop the JVM, ranging from JRuby to Scala, Groovy to Kotlin, the developers of the open source Whiley language believe they still have something new to offer by tackling the verifying compiler challenge.To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here
  
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• Take a look inside Microsoft’s Quincy, Wash. data center

  28-10-2016 12:00
  
  (Insider Story)
  
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• Here's how the MacBook Pro stacks up against the PC

  28-10-2016 12:00
  
  If you had to put a word to Apple’s first big MacBook reveal in—well, years, it would have to be meh.
  Sure, you think I’m just throwing shade at Apple because I’m the original hater, but frankly I expected more after four years of neglecting the MacBook Pro lineup. I really expected Apple to knock it out of the park and show the PC world the bottom of its sneakers as it raced ahead. But no. Apple has not raised the bar. Worse, in plenty of metrics, the PC remains ah
  
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• Marjolein Bakelaar Sales Manager bij FarShoring

  28-10-2016 10:23
  Marjolein Bakelaar (27) is per 1 juli aangesteld als sales & marketing manager bij FarShoring, dienstverlener op het gebied van inrichten van customer communication software en software testing. Bakelaar heeft ruime commerciële ervaring als accountmanager bij een groothandelsorganisatie, waar ze ook... lees meer
  
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• Pennsylvania man sentenced to 18 months for celeb hacking

  28-10-2016 08:42
  A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on charges of hacking the Google and Apple email accounts of over 100 people including celebrities, and getting access to nude videos and photographs of some people.
  The sentencing against Ryan Collins, 36, of Lancaster is the offshoot of a Department of Justice investigation into the online leaks of photographs of numerous female celebrities in September 2014, widely referred to as "Celebgate."
  But DOJ has not found any evidence l
  
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• Personal data of 550,000 Red Cross blood donors was breached

  28-10-2016 06:13
  
  The Australian Red Cross said its blood donor service has found that registration information of 550,000 donors had been compromised, which the agency blamed on human error by a third-party contractor.The moot issue at this point, which may decide how the breach unfolds, is that nobody knows how many people have the data. The information from 2010 to 2016 was available on the website from Sept. 5 to Oct. 25. this year.The database backup, consisting of 1.74GB with about 1.3 million records, cont
  
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