Organizations should recognize that personal data is an increasingly valuable and complex asset requiring strategic decisions to effectively meet both the challenges and the opportunities of the emerging global information economy. The need for privacy and security fundamentally comes down to the human need for safety.
There's no doubt that Cloud Computing is a major force on the IT horizon, but security and continuity risks may develop into a dangerous storm for organizations relying on this low-cost alternative.
Before you launch into the nitty-gritty details of your project plan, such as scheduling and resourcing, you had better make sure the project is in alignment with business objectives. Does it fit in with the existing business and technical environments of the enterprise? Is it even feasible? Does the customer approve of the proposed solution? Have you defined the solution clearly so you can plan it efficiently? Check it against this list.
Use this comprehensive checklist to make sure all of your merger and acquisition dealings go smoothly.
Protecting your customers' personal data should be job one. If you don't have a privacy policy in place, you need to do that five minutes ago. This checklist will help ensure that your privacy policy will be successfully put together, rolled out to the troops and followed.
It's easy to get lost in the Cloud if you are unsure who the major players are out there. This overview will examine several Cloud frameworks and identify the who's who of the big-league Cloud riders.
The project may be global, but the details are just as important. Have you considered just how wide-reaching the impact of certain issues could become on your project? There's no way all of those issues and impacts for all of your projects can be flagged on one article, but here we look at just how significant some of these issues are.
Cloud Computing is the newest buzzword in the IT world, but is it really all that new? Here's a quick primer to take away any remaining mystery surrounding this latest technology and to help you decide if it's worth embracing.
Is there any advantage to using Cloud-based project management tools to manage projects? Is it cheaper and more effective? Are the tools more feature-rich? And what about the disadvantages? Here is what some research has revealed…
A new guide addresses unique aspects of project management within the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory context, integrated validation and risk management.
Employers often look only at their own industry when hiring, because not every PM can make the jump--and if they can’t, things can get very bad very quickly. So what should employers look for--and by extension, what should PMs demonstrate that they are capable of doing? Does industry matter in your career? How transferable is the project management skill set?
What are the security issues that keep CIOs and CSOs up at night? They look a lot like outsourcing and securing remote data. Really, it all comes down to three things: compliance, compliance, compliance.
If you thought compliance obstacles, goals and requirements were tough, brace yourself. Compliance issues for 2008 include tougher regulations, new security threats, better technology and much more.
With a world economy in recession, there isn't a whole lot of technology spending on the horizon. For an idea of where those precious IT dollars will (and should) be spent, here are the hot technology investments to look forward to in 2010.
Wireless technologies are moving forward at blinding speed. The trick is to take advantage of all the wonders of wireless while keeping your eyes open to security threats.
Promoting, marketing and branding your internal projects are key elements of successfully implementing change management within the organization--and social media tools are the answer.
When undertaking software and hardware deployment, don't forget the importance of application security. Use this checklist to help identify, clarify and document these security issues.
2010 saw Cloud Computing advance in popularity and in controversy. While the allure of reduced investments in infrastructure grows, so do the issues related to security and control over information. So what does the future of Cloud Computing look like?
Companies are desperate for project managers with security backgrounds, which can help them meet homeland-security requirements, protect against data theft, viruses and cyber-terrorism and comply with government regulations.
Economic challenges have made the idea of Cloud Computing almost irresistable to cash-strapped CIOs, but what is the real cost of doing business in the Cloud, and what does that mean for IT Governance and standards?
Uncertainty, fear and doubt are hard at work in the minds of many CIOs when it comes to making a serious move into the cloud...and this concern is not without merit when you consider how much information is being piped over the internet these days.
Don't get down when employees leave--get offical using this form.
Social networking is becoming a powerful tool for savvy project managers, and leveraging social networking platforms can pay big dividends for your global project teams. Here are some considerations before adopting a social networking tool for your project, as well as an overview of some effective options to explore.
The first step in scaling agile is to move from partial methods to a full-fledged, disciplined delivery process. The second step is to understand eight scaling factors and determine which are applicable to the range of complexities your project teams face. Here, agile thought leader Scott Ambler presents his scaling model.
This extensive project plan will help ensure that your next large-scale software implementation is a timely success.
Sooner or later, your company will have work with consultants and professional services providers. This sample contract can give you guidelines about the kinds of matters you must make legal provision for when outsourcing work to people and companies outside your corporation. To avoid nasty legal misunderstandings, however, we advise you to have your own legal department or lawyer review this or any contract you make between your company and an outside service provider or consultant. (Our lawyers made us say that!)
The next year promises to be an exciting and busy time in healthcare projects. It's is one of the few industries in the United States that has grown during the recession. The trend shows no sign of stopping, and project work is plentiful throughout the industry--especially with new initiatives and new requirements from the government that will have to be implemented.
Danger is lurking behind every computer keyboard and we're all vulnerable to cyberattack. How secure is your business, what are the real threats to your security, and how can you address all of this without resorting to tinfoil headgear?
Are you feeling insecure? Well, talk to Dr. Phil. But there is no reason for your project to be less than secure. Use this form to make sure security is one issue your project won't have to deal with.
Staying on top of technology trends is one of the biggest advantages a CIO can grab. Here's a look at what's hot for this year, so you can keep your sites on the ever-moving technology target.
For quite a long time, firms viewed IT as nothing more than the cost of doing business. It was treated as a cost center, and many still do. As the role of IT increased and as the cost of installation and maintenance of IT systems increased, businesses started to take it more seriously. Now, a subset of IT--IT security--is claiming to be a business enabler and not just a cost center.
Team morale can be a fragile thing, but its absence is guaranteed failure. As project managers, how do we maintain morale in our teams? It’s a vital part of the job, but it is no easy feat at a time when resources are tired, frustrated, concerned for their own future and fed up of hearing the same old stuff about how important they are to the success of the project.
Developing a phased approach that brings continuous and measurable improvements is key to implementing an effective SLM capability. SLM isn’t about service level agreements, layers of complex processes and such. SLM is about aligning the services and capabilities IT provides to the organization with its fundamental operational and competitive sustainability needs.
Our yearly look at the state of IT, collected from various industry surveys. We'll take a look at everything from outsourcing and budgets to IT's move toward something greener.
Use this project plan to keep your network security assessment project on track.
Ensure that your application, network and database is secure from unauthorized user access. Define your security requirements with this specifications form and checklist.
This writer has had enough with so-called "project managers" making a mockery of the profession on so-called "reality" television shows. So in this article he takes you into the near future to the next reality TV sensation--The Next Great Project Manager. It’s going to be epic!
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 focuses primarily on financial controls and disclosure, but in so doing has a major impact on the internal controls surrounding underlying information technologies. The real question at hand is, what is that impact and who does it really affect? This article provides an overview of SOX with specific emphasis on how it relates to IT.
One of the most established standards organizations (and their pronouncements) is often missing from the IT governance conversation: the International Organization for Standardization. Did you know that the ISO has been very active in the governance and compliance space? Here is an update on the standards that you might find useful.
The Planning Compliance Checklist summarizes major planning and IT compliance obligations that directly relate to project regulations and standards.
Welcome to IT Strategist's annual roundup of IT surveys. Here are the trends you need to know about to wind up 2009 and head into 2010.
Is the product owner the most stressful position in Scrum? It can be a thankless task, and here we explore their responsibilities (thankfully, it isn’t all bad news).
With a shaky economy likely in 2009, IT decisions makers will have to choose their spending priorities carefully. Here's what the smart ones will be looking at when making those tough decisions.
Yes, you can still protect the privacy of your customer data and still make money! Intrigued? Read more!
What's the password? Do the right and only the right people know how to get into the system? Document the procedures and access priveleges and restrictions for keeping your application package system secure.
Newer information and communications technology is constantly phasing out existing information and communications technology. Will e-mail and social networking go the way of cold calling and faxing?
What is worse for a CIO than a bad economy? An uncertain economy, and that's exactly where we'll be heading in 2011. CIOs will have to shift strategies--if not priorities--to weather the upcoming turbulence in the business atmosphere. Hold on tight and read on for advice to keep you on steady ground.
In an organization stripped of resources, maintaining compliance is crucial--and difficult. Find existing problems and fix them quickly using these tactics.
More information to more organizations is creating a data overload that could overwhelm businesses in the next few years. What are IT professionals doing to manage the current situation and to prepare for the coming deluge?
It's the most wonderful time of the year for you data-hungry CIOs. Welcome to our annual summary of the most recent and relevant IT surveys to keep you aware of all the trends that affect your job and your success. How does your experience match up with what others are saying?
