Digital Video Law Enforcement

This paper explores the application and value of digital video solutions in the law enforcement environment. It will focus on incident documentation and evidence management as well as the business case for using video to eliminate frivolous and costly law suits. Read more.

Achieving Effectiveness in Information Protection

Since the effort toward definition of information security practice began in the early 1990s, the issues and approaches have been continuously evolving. The ability to demonstrate effectiveness in information security is no longer an option, but an imperative in the interconnected ecosystem that enables business. The update to BS 7799 recently released by ISO/IEC provides an excellent foundation toward defining an Information Security Management System (ISMS). An understanding of the standard’s recommendations for demonstrating effectiveness of the ISMS is essential to realize the full potential of this definition and standardization of information security practice across businesses. The benefits of implementing measurement-based ISMS will only increase as demands for assurance of sound information management practices intensify.
Companies will be well-served to start now with an ISO/IEC 27001 based ISMS implementation. Read more.

Is Your Network Ready? – Meeting the Challenges of Today's New Communications Environment

The end-user is shaping the future of the communications, and content industries – happily changing the business dynamics associated with everything from the most rudimentary services from incumbent service providers to an exotic mix of interactive, blended, personalized offerings from companies like Google, YouTube, eBay, and MySpace. Demand for new, blended services by consumers and enterprise customers is driving service providers to deploy next generation, IP-based networks that can handle these new applications. Conducting a successful IP transformation must be based on the firm foundation of advanced network design created with the help of sophisticated modeling and simulation techniques. Service providers can best make the complex and difficult transformation journey by enlisting the help of an experienced global communications solution provider. Read more.

The Enterprise Network Partner – Management & Transformation

Enterprises are increasingly outsourcing voice and data network management and transformation to equipment vendors, systems integrators, and managed service providers. A knowledgeable global communications solution provider can offer the managed services needed to efficiently and cost effectively administer the enterprise network from end to end. This same managed services team, given its alignment with the company’s CIO, and its familiarity with the design and everyday operation of the network, can also lead the enterprise into the next generation of data and communications networks. Transforming a data network to accelerate traffic to centralized data centers, or a legacy voice network into a converged and unified communications network, involves new technologies, tight integration, solid security, and far more efficient. This paper addresses the benefits of working with a managed service provider with the right experience to handle the management and transformation of enterprise voice and data networks and bring powerful strategic advantages to today’s businesses. Read more.

Top Threats to Mobile Networks – And What To Do About Them

Mobile network operators are experiencing increased traffic as laptops become more portable and cell phones and other wireless devices add power, features and functions. The downside is that the growing population of mobile users taking advantage of voice, video and data services are drawing the attention of hackers, eavesdroppers, and other malefactors. By understanding the growing number of threats to their networks and what countermeasures to take to minimize security risks, mobile operators can protect their customers and their networks against many of the attacks that inevitably will take place. This white paper describes the most common attacks on mobile networks and what to do about them. Read more.

Solution or platform? Useful advice about choosing an intranet portal

The white paper describes different approaches for creating intranet portals, advantages and weaknesses of each and contains basic advice concerning which concept better meets specific needs.. As a result, customers get reasonable recommendations and best practices for making well-grounded decisions when selecting intranet software and avoiding strategic mistakes. Read more.

Uniform Platform for Test Automation

This paper describes several approaches used for Test Automation and their advantages and disadvantages. It also explains how the qLabs Uniform Platform has changed the entire spectrum of automation testing and has reduced the dependency on automation engineers by a significant measure. This framework supports a wide variety of popular commercial and Open Source tools to meet various technical and budgetary requirements. It encourages applying standard software development processes to test automation. Read more.

IP Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement – Managing Stakeholders During Complex Change Programs

IP Transformation programs introduce significant change into the business, technical, and service delivery environment. While most companies are struggling to address the challenge of complex change within the company, the impact of complicated change programs on their associated external stakeholders cannot be underestimated. This white paper examines the impact large change programs have on working relations with external parties, and discusses what strategies telecom companies can employ to avoid the pitfalls associated with transformation and migration. Read more.

Security Threat Management

This White Paper explores trends that are creating requirements for a proactive and automated approach to managing threats to critical information assets. It introduces the concept of Security Threat Management (STM) as a critical component of an integrated lifecycle management framework for effective security management. It demonstrates how a more strategic approach to managing information about security events can elevate the security posture of organizations while reducing the operational costs associated with security management. Finally, it describes the technological requirements for
implementing STM to achieve organizational security objectives in a rational manner. Read more.

Podcasting for Business

Marketing whitepaper outlining the importance of Podcasting as a marketing and connective tool for business marketing.

Podcast marketing is on the rise and continues to develop and evolve as a powerhouse marketing medium. As corporations shift marketing budget from traditional media top online vehicles podcasting increases in popularity.

Podcasting allows a persona to be established as well as a position of expertise. Rich media such as podcasting increases online visibility and website conversion.

Single Throw a leader in the Internet Marketing space has developed a complete Podcast marketing solution designed to help a business connect with the connected.

Supply Chains and Disaster Preparedness: Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Learn more about the overriding message at a recent supply chain disruption simulation, conducted by the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics (CTL). Supply Chain Strategy, produced by CTL and Larstan Business Reports, was the official publication of the event.

Dubbed “At the Crossroads of Supply Chain and Strategy,” (or “Crossroads 2006” for short), the one-day symposium in Cambridge, Mass. was attended by major corporate leaders looking to learn the most effective methods for protecting their supply chains from unforeseen catastrophe.

This informative white paper will show you why your supply chain management needs an effective disaster relief strategy to ensure to ongoing operation of your business.

Continuity of Operations Strategies in the Federal Government Part 3

Paradoxically, continuity of operations (COOP) becomes most
challenging when it’s most urgent: on the battlefield, in
emergencies, and during disasters. In these situations, federal IT
groups must augment day-to-day COOP requirements —
resilience, security, and privacy-with additional attributes. These
include the ruggedness to continue operating despite adverse
environmental conditions or network events; the portability to send
actionable information to first responders or military personnel on
the move; and rapid deployment in temporary or mobile command
centers. Ensuring COOP in these conditions is required for
Department of Defense (DoD) network-centric operations (NCO)
and network-centric warfare (NCW) strategies as well as for
response to non-combatant emergencies and disasters.

A Larstan Business Reports survey of 533 government IT
professionals revealed federal government agencies’ attitudes and
progress in integrating COOP into challenging military
combatant, military non-combatant, and civilian environments.
Most survey respondents acknowledged that ruggedness,
portability, and rapid deployment are crucial qualities for their
organizations to operate effectively, with 87% of intelligence or
military combatant, 75% of military non-combatant, and 78%
of civilian agencies agreeing or strongly agreeing. It’s unsettling
that 25% of civilian and 23% of military/non-combatant
agencies do not recognize the importance of rapid deployment as
crucial for effective operations. Events such as the explosion of
the Columbia space shuttle, natural disasters, hazardous materials
spills, building contamination, and disease outbreaks demand
rapid establishment of command centers and effective voice,
video, and data communication with mobile personnel called to
respond to the disruption.

Learn more about how Cisco's Solutions help the Fedaral Government sustain inter-agenency cooperation by reading this whitepaper.

Web Application Security - Continuous Testing of Production Web Applications

Web application security is a key top-of-mind concern for general managers, CISO’s, CIO’s and security staff for businesses ranging from Fortune 100 multinationals to educational institutions. Widespread data breaches and intellectual property thefts have left few organizations untouched or unaware. Almost 70% of the vulnerabilities disclosed each month shows information security teams the importance of focusing on Web application security. Read more.

Choosing a Network Access Control Solution that is Right for your Network

Are you confused about Network Access Control? You are not alone. Today's enterprises are facing a growing challenge in securing access to their networks as the number of corporate mobile users and contractors is increasing exponentially. Adding to this challenge is the difficulty of integrating network security solutions into existing complex and diverse enterprise network infrastructures. Download this infomative whitepaper and learn how you can best prepare for choosing and implementing the network access control (NAC) solution that is right for your network. In addition, you'll learn: 1. How to determine your organization's priorities and objectives for a NAC solution. 2. The major differences between NAC solutions on the market today, including inline vs. out of band, client vs. clientless, etc., and the pros and cons of such approaches. 3. How to conduct an onsite evaluation to determine the best solution for your enterprise. 4. The implementation challenges faced by top enterprises. Read more.

Achieving PCI Compliance with Network Access Control (NAC)

Solving the NGN Data Migration Challenge

The costs associated with data inaccuracy have emerged as a fundamental issue for service providers planning to migrate subscribers from the PSTN to an IP network. This white paper outlines a new approach developed by Bell Labs to help operators optimize the total costs for subscriber data validation during IP Transformation. Read more.

Business Case for Rugged PC's

This paper outlines the key demand drivers for reliable computing while describing the elements for different levels of “ruggedness.” It reports on the spectrum of mission-critical mobile users who have different levels of needs for rugged computing. It provides guidelines for “certification” and testing to accurately assess vendor claims and appropriately map the correct rugged form factor to the required functionality. Read more.

Google Search Parameters 3

Google Search Parameters 3 Read more.

IPTV Business Strategies — A Perspective

Pressures to drive revenue growth, emerging content delivery technologies and promising subscriber uptake in various markets has generated interest in IPTV. Service providers with extensive broadband access networks have an opportunity to increase value from these investments and derive competitive strength. This paper provides a perspective on positioning IPTV within an overall market strategy and business model to increase the likelihood of commercial success. Read more.

The Need for IPTV End to End Solution Integration – Learned the Hard Way

End-to-end solution integration is not a luxury. In their eagerness to capture innovators, both the service providers that led the early IPTV service launches and the early adopters learned this the hard way. Now, more than a decade later, the same types of deployment and operational issues still exist. However, given the renewed industry focus on end user quality of experience that covers not only received video quality, but ease of use and provisioning and support, operators now realize they must build quality end-to-end integration into the deployment business case. Read more.

Service Modeling:The Foundation of Service Operations Transformation

Detailed Service Models are the blueprints required to build Service-Oriented Operations This white paper: • Describes how service modeling is a key component of evolving to service-oriented operations. • Discusses the appropriate use of service modeling at various stages of the service and network development life cycle. • Highlights the manifold benefits of the service modeling process. • Discusses a structured approach to modeling based on standards and real-world experience leading to a best practice approach for this maturing technique. • Details the Alcatel-Lucent service modeling methodology as a part of the lessons learned from experience. Read more.

Delivering Anytime, Anywhere, Actionable Communications…

Public safety and emergency response organizations increasingly rely on wireless technology to provide effective command, control, and communication during emergencies and disaster response operations. However, in the event the public mobile network infrastructure is damaged, distressed or destroyed, as occurred during the events of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, first responders need a reliable, backup solution that allows them to continue to use full cell phone capabilities. This paper describes a novel portable Advanced Mobile Communications System (AMCS), the heart of which is a Tactical Base Station Router (TacBSR) that encapsulates all cellular network functions in a single box. It represents the smallest form factor in the industry (i.e., smaller than a laptop). The result of 6 years of development in Bell Labs, the TacBSR does not require any pre-existing wireless infrastructure, providing capacity and coverage on demand. Read more.

PDF Security and Encryption

Guidelines for Selecting the Right Services Partner to Bridge Business & Technology Innovation

Competitive differentiation is critical in the current business climate, and transformation is essential in achieving it. This paper is meant to help executive decision-makers a carrier and enterprise organizations understand the importance of business-, service- and network-level transformation in achieving differentiation, and to help them address the complexities of implementing a transformation strategy. It also explains why only a Network Integrator—with the ability to tap extensive experience in both IT systems in network services—can assist by providing the unique capabilities needed to implement a transformation strategy successfully. It then examines how the right partner can also function as a trusted advisor and/or consultant throughout the entire transformation process—especially when that partner boasts a proven and comprehensive services methodology, along with a transformation framework, that allow it to reduce complexity, manage the inter-relationships among transformation projects and mitigate risk throughout the deployment lifecycle. Read more.

Smart Metering – Enabling Greater Energy Efficiency

The electricity industry is one of the few industries where unconstrained demand is starting to be actively discouraged. The combination of rapidly increasing, more intense seasonal demand peaks with increasing pressure on infrastructure investment are causing the industry to look for ways of more intelligently managing demand. Smart metering is increasingly being seen as a tool through which regulators and network operators will be able to shape electricity demand patterns in the future. Smart metering will allow operators to educate and financially incentconsumers to be more aware of their energy usage. Ultimately it could allow a limited level of control over non-critical load, thereby increasing the reliability of supply and asset utilization efficiency. Read more.

Concept to Manufacture, Collaborative Product Development way

This write-up briefly captures the Concept-to-Manufacturing (C2M) methodology that is a proven model for product OEMs to collaborate with an end-to-end solution provider for developing products and the advantages of this approach. Global demands and limited R&D budgets are pushing the companies to transfer the manufacturing as well as design and development to contract manufacturers and specialized design houses to reduce cost pressures and achieve global reach. The work gets distributed between entities, and the detached activities bring unforeseen challenges causing product delays. Unless companies and their outsourcing partners have the maturity and experience to handle complex development cycles, most of the outsourced product engineering projects fail. Read more.

Opposites attract: how can open source and proprietary software coexist?

Bitrix Inc. (www.bitrixsoft.com) introduces its hybrid model for product licensing, a reasoned compromise between free open source (FOSS) and proprietary software (PS). Incorporating advantages and evening out the disadvantages of the generally adopted licensing models, the hybrid licensing offers a well-rounded choice for small and medium-sized businesses and an industry-leading "value for money" indicator. Read more.

Continuity of Operations Strategies in the Federal Government

Inter-agency collaboration has an Achilles’ heel. The vulnerability is revealed when an employee is depending on another agency’s application and it suddenly disappears, or when a response team scrambles to establish an emergency voice and video conference with leaders, managers, and decision-makers in far-flung national global offices, all using different communications systems.

To realize the promise of collaboration, federal agencies need to approach it in a way that achieves continuity of operations (COOP) programs while avoiding the perils of more potential points of failure.

While collaboration unquestionably supports government transformation by helping agencies deliver services more effectively and efficiently, it simultaneously introduces new technology concerns related to resilience. That is, a disruption to one agency’s network, applications, communications, or workforce must not disrupt the operations of that agency or its partners.

Learn more about how Cisco's Solutions help the Fedaral Government sustain inter-agenency cooperation by reading this whitepaper. Read more.

Web security is within your reach. 10 ways to keep hackers in check and ensure safe web resources

The white paper was authored by Marsel Nizam, Head of Web Security Development at Bitrix and supervisor of the development of the PRO+PRO™ security framework undergirding the company’s flagship products. The white paper is based on his 10+ years’ experience in web security and allows decision-makers to understand modern web-borne threats and ways to secure web assets by selecting proper web content management solution, as well as to get a plethora of useful security-related advice. Read more.

Of Masters and Slaves: Modularity and VBVoice

If you build IVRs for call centers, hosting multiple applications or for mission critical applications — or want to target these markets — the Pronexus’ Modularity feature set can help you succeed. The Modularity feature set enables VBVoice developers to distribute or “break apart” their application into separate yet cooperating processes under what we have termed a master / slave architecture. By distributing your applications, you benefit from the ability to: • Scale applications by building “IVR server-farms” • Deliver mission critical uptime with a redundant application architecture • Host multi-tenant applications • Simplify maintenance of larger / complex applications Read more.

Podcasting for Business

Podcasting for Business Web 2.0 and social media is fast becoming a cornerstone in every businesses marketing arsenal. Podcasting allows a business to impart valuable information in a format (audio or video) that makes a connection with potential customers. Podcasts have the unique power to evoke the personality of the podcaster. Throughout history sales has relied on the ability to develop a relationship with a prospect. In the digital age we have very few options to connect or personality with our customers’ needs. Podcasting provides such an opportunity. Read more.

Web Application Security:The Truth About White Box Testing vs. Black Box Testing

Security teams are dealing with this ominous challenge with a myriad of solutions, some highly ineffective. However, as the market matures, companies are applying somewhat effective, but not complete solutions like white box testing tools. Ultimately the challenges of architecture, API usage, and integration prevent white box testing tools from having a truly direct impact on the overall security of an application. It’s critical to understand that white box analysis tools do not directly find all the risks inherent in applications—period. This paper explores the role of white box vs. black box testing. White box testing technologies have a definite but limited use and value. From a Web application security perspective it must be understood that significant blind spots come with white box testing. Ultimately white box testing is not sufficient to secure your applications: simply put organizations that rely solely on white box technologies will be exposed to vulnerabilities in their applications, thus making it an ineffectual method of testing real-world risks. This paper will demonstrate black box or dynamic testing is ultimately the appropriate solution for “truly” securing Web applications. Read more.

Embedded Broadband Wireless Value

This paper delves into the new developments in wireless laptop technology and the advances in embedded wireless wide-area networking (WWAN) along with how these solutions can assist the mobile workforce in optimizing their access to critical information resources remotely. It also makes the financial justification for choosing integrated, or embedded wireless solutions over card - or USB-based options. Read more.

Continuity of Operations Strategies in the Federal Government Part 2

At the heart of a growing collection of privacy regulations for
public and private sector organizations is the issue of public trust.
Storing mountains of information electronically and transmitting
it online multiplies the risks of inadvertently disclosing that
information. The consequences of loss of privacy for federal
agencies are grave, ranging from loss of citizen trust to
compromised homeland security. In acknowledgement of the
magnitude of the problem, government has implemented a spate
of privacy regulations discussed later in this report.

It’s important to recognize that privacy does not become optional
in the event of disruption. Arguably, it becomes even more
important because decision-makers might need to collaborate
across organizational boundaries not ordinarily crossed during
normal operations. To ensure that information can flow between
organizations freely and expeditiously during emergencies or other
disruptions, federal agencies cannot afford to rely on timeconsuming
manual security processes requiring human oversight.
Rather, they need integrated security technologies that facilitate
rather than hinder inter-organizational collaboration. Therefore,
privacy and security are inextricable from federal government
continuity of operations (COOP) planning.

Learn more about how Cisco's Solutions help the Fedaral Government sustain inter-agenency cooperation by reading this whitepaper.