Tag: perspectives

“Why blame Google? Anyone can collect WiFi data these days!”

An opinion piece regarding Google collecting WiFi data by Astaro's Gert Hansen was published in SC Magazine : Google data collection scandal reveals careless approach to security at WiFi access points  The news that Google saves unencrypted content from WiFi networks as it collects data for its Street View mapping service is creating an uproar among the public. More and more data protection specialists are leveling harsh criticism at the company. Wrongly so, what is so alarming about the Google WiFi scandal is not the fact that data was collected

Challenges of PCI and remote offices

While complying with PCI standards does not necessarily mean an organization's network it adequately secured, compliance is still a challenge all companies that accept credit card information must meet. Understanding and then creating policies that ensure compliance can be difficult enough for an organization, but when you add the challenge of complying to these standards at all remote locations a new level of complexity arises. The very nature of PCI regulations means it will affect organizations with multiple locations, like franchises, retail and wholesale stores, banks, credit unions, as well as restaurants and other consumer facing businesses, because they are the organizations most likely to touch credit card data

Astaro RED is a Best of Interop Finalist

Astaro RED was selected as a Best of Interop finalist for the security award category, recognizing Astaro's significant technological advancements in this specific category area. The Best of Interop winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 28 during Interop Las Vegas, happening April 25-29 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. For more information visit: http://www.bestofinterop.com .

When you aren’t all in one place – Securing your distributed workforce

The workplace is changing. It was once the norm for a small or medium sized organization, or even a larger enterprise, to operate out of only one building. Even global organizations tended to have a single headquarters with perhaps one or two other buildings in the continents in which the organization operated

Massachusetts’ MA 201 CMR 17.00

Massachusetts' MA 201 CMR 17.00 data protection regulations go into effect on Monday, March 1, and that is a huge step forward for the protection of personal information. Breach disclosure laws are old news, but 201 CMR 17.00 is different, it prescribes data protection specifics, and it is not limited to those in Massachusetts: “201 CMR 17.01 (2) Scope The provisions of this regulation apply to all persons that own or license personal information about a resident of the Commonwealth.” Yes, all persons (which includes companies and organizations), regardless of where they are located, are covered if they: “Owns or licenses, receives stores, maintains, processes, or otherwise has access to personal information in connection with the provision of goods or services or in connection with employment.” This is a big deal, for two key reasons. First, it is leading the way in state regulation of the protection of data

Bank Sues Customer Over Intrusion That Led to Theft

Brian Krebs is reporting that Texas bank PlainsCapital is suing Hillary Machinery, a customer of PlainsCapital. This is significant because to this point it is common for customers to bring suit against a bank over lax security, but this is a rare case of a bank bringing suit against a customer. Details can be found at Krebs' blog.