| Managing Data Centers | | | | seems to be 'Defense in Depth.' Perimeter defense |
| A typical data center or room full of servers should be | | | | systems which use Web Gateways and Unified |
| built correctly and build to last for at least 7 to 10 years | | | | Threat Management are available from a variety of |
| in order to be truly effective. These servers should | | | | companies and were discussed by several speakers. |
| have the capability of accommodating a minimum of | | | | These systems monitored and blocked Web usage |
| ten GB (gigabits) of data. Still, with the growing demand | | | | while defending against complex attacks using |
| on bandwidth, planning technology should prepare for a | | | | methods of prevention and detection. Network |
| need of 100 GB to run efficiently. Another common | | | | Access Control, or NAC, was a big hit at the |
| concern is the need for cooling and power in the | | | | conference. NAC disallows unauthorized access, either |
| server room. For example, the IT staff at Google | | | | through wireless access points or the Ethernet. No |
| spends more on electricity for cooling their rooms | | | | security plan is complete without encryption. If a |
| every year than the cost of the servers within the | | | | system is ever hacked and the info isn't encrypted, the |
| data centers. Think about it. | | | | industry will show no tolerance for having practiced this |
| Virtualization is another popular discussion topic. This | | | | unsafe strategy. |
| term refers to hiding the characteristics of computing | | | | Collaboration and VoIP |
| resources through encapsulation. This includes the | | | | While most everyone will agree that Voice over |
| process of making an individual physical resources | | | | Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Collaboration technology |
| appear to work like multiple logical resources. It can | | | | are significant advantages to end users, the vendors |
| also include making many physical resources like | | | | and speakers both agree that there's no real 'one |
| storage devices or severs appear as a single | | | | solution.' The client's needs need to match the features |
| resource. It's important to understand how virualization | | | | of the solution, no matter if it's an IP PBX system, |
| can help: although it can reduce the physical amount of | | | | hosted solution, or a combination of the two. Voice |
| servers, it doesn't mean that admin time to support | | | | over Wi-Fi (VoWF) was also demonstrated. Even |
| them is also reduced. The costs of administration can | | | | though many office locations are wi-fi connected, there |
| truly hinder the entire process and the overall attempt | | | | are some complexities and solution to make VoIP |
| to find a cost-saving strategy. | | | | work on the these networks as well. |
| Services & Infrastructure | | | | Mobility and Wireless |
| As with Data Center management, Infrastructure and | | | | Many speakers and vendors discussed the access |
| Services' virtualization has benefits which deserve a | | | | methods to gain corporate data from a mobile phone. |
| look. However, the experts will highlight the reality that it | | | | Security methods including encryption, SSL, and others |
| can also generate far more work, especially in large | | | | ensure that the data which flows between the |
| environments. | | | | wireless system and the headquarters is secure while |
| The solutions from appliances are returning as they | | | | in transit. In fact, nearly all companies are headed |
| create reliable, simple services which require little | | | | toward a more mobile workforce. This is not just the |
| overhead, making them suited for an environment in | | | | executive staff any longer, as there are more people |
| which administrative support fetches a premium. A key | | | | telecommuters, field personnel and sales |
| point on this topic is that Asset Management Network | | | | representatives who need to access information while |
| Administrators must be aware while maintaining good | | | | away from the headquarters building in order to do |
| records of each piece of equipment - not just the | | | | their jobs well. The final point on Mobility and Wireless |
| servers and workstations. It's important to control this | | | | revolved around wireless access point placement |
| information for security and administrative purposes as | | | | architecture, particularly for campus locations. With the |
| well as lifecycle management and optimization. | | | | need for bandwidth and technological advances, there |
| Security | | | | will be radical changes in the ways these networks |
| Many companies showed an interest in data security | | | | are set up. |
| and compliance issues. The recommended advice | | | | |