May 6, 2013
Learning IT Security By Consequences
This is a brilliant little video on IT Security.
What I like about it is that it doesn't just tell you what not to do to stay safe, but rather it shows you the consequences of not doing the right things.
Whether you are letting someone into your office, allowing them borrow your badge, leaving your computer unsecured, posting your passwords, and more--this short animated video shows you how these vulnerabilities will be exploited.
It is also effective how they show "Larry" doing these security no-no's with signs everywhere saying don't do this.
Finally, the video does a nice job summing up key points at the end to reinforce what you learned.
I think that while this is simpler than many longer and more detailed security videos that I have seen, in a way it is more successful delivering the message in a practical, down-to-earth approach that anyone can quickly learn core basic practices from.
Moreover, this video could be expanded to teach additional useful IT security tips, such as password strengthening, social engineering, and much more.
I believe that even Larry, the unsuspecting office guy, can learn his lesson here. ;-)
(Note: This is not an endorsement of any product or service.)
April 2, 2013
Decision-Making WIth Perspective, Please.
That is to consider how you will feel about the decision in 10 minutes, in 10 months, and in 10 years--in order to "get some distance on our decisions."
But this doesn't make a lot of sense to me, if you are making a decision, looking at it with 3 future lenses does not provide a lot of additional insight even if they are at various points in the future.
What makes a lot more sense is to examine the decision based on past, present, and future consideration.
Past--At home, I learned from my father that when he makes a big decision, he thinks about what his father would've have done in a similar situation. My dad greatly respected his father, and believes that he is a guiding force in his everyday life. It is important to consider what our parents, grandparents, and other people that we respect from our past would do in similar circumstances--this is a social view. For example, would your parents and grandparents be proud of your decision and what it represents for you as a person or would you feel ashamed and guilty, if they found out. This is not to say that you can't express your individuality, but rather that your past is one important guidepost to consider.
Present--In operational law enforcement and defense environment, I learned that you have to respect the decision-maker at the frontline. The details of what is happening or the ground in the here and now can certainly be a decisive factor in both split second decisions, but also those decisions where we have some luxury of contemplation--this is an operational view. Additionally, in making a big decision, we need to be true to ourselves and base the decision on our values and beliefs (i.e. who we are). In contrast, when we make decisions that violate our core beliefs, we usually regret it pretty quickly.
Future--In Yeshiva, I learned to strongly consider the future in all decision-making. The notion that this world is just a corridor to the future world was a frequent theme. From this religious perspective, what is important in how we live our lives today is not the immediate pleasure we can get, but rather what the future consequences will be on our spirit/soul (i.e. Neshama)--this is a strategic view. One teacher exhorted us to always look at things from the future perspective of our death bed--will you feel you lived your life as a good person and in a fulfilling way or did you just do what felt good or was selfish and fleeting? For example, he said, "No one ever looked back and wish they spent more time working. Instead, they usually regret not spending more time with the family and true friends."
Decision-making is not trivial--you need to consider carefully what you do, with whom, when and how. To do this, looking at 3 points in the future is minimally helpful. Instead, consider your past, present, and future, and you will make better decisions that will enable you to be true to yourself, your family and community, and your very soul.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Decision-Making WIth Perspective, Please.
December 9, 2011
Losing The Edge, No More
Losing The Edge, No More
October 29, 2011
Visiting The Sins of The Fathers
Visiting The Sins of The Fathers
July 9, 2011
How Far Will You Go?
How Far Will You Go?
June 24, 2011
Feedback, Can't Live Without It
Feedback, Can't Live Without It
May 8, 2010
Technology Cannot Save Us From Arrogance
This week we saw firsthand what uncontrolled deficit spending can do to a modern democratic nation, such as Greece.
For all intents and purposes, Greece is bankrupt except for the ~$150 billion bailout they are getting from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union that will keep them afloat.
In return for the funds, Greece has to adopt “austerity measures” that will limit jobs, programs, and social spending.
The result this week was social unrest, rioting in the streets, and civilians killed.
Other European nations with high deficits to GDP spending are at risk, such as Portugal, Spain, and Italy, as well as major Asian countries like Japan.
The uncertainty and fear of this chaotic situation struck the U.S. stock market hard—with the S&P falling almost 800 points this week, during a time of supposed economic recovery.
Last evening, I watched on the news as a professor from Columbia University debated with the newscaster about whether or not the U.S. was susceptible to the same type of debacle that we are witnessing overseas.
The newscaster took the position that our $13 trillion national deficit—much larger than Greece’s—certainly put us at similar risk, even though we have a much larger GDP.
The professor countered that we are not like Greece—we are different and that what is happening there cannot happen here in America.
Why?
The professor said that he thought that we are more innovative, more technologically savvy, and more able to grow our way—economically—out of this. He laughed at the prospect of America running into any sort of grave financial difficulty, because of “who we are.”
As someone who is focused on the importance of technological prowess, innovation, and progressive change to our economic health, competitiveness and national security, I fully appreciate the vital importance of these factors.
Yet at the same time, it seems to me to be stretching credulity to say that technology and innovation alone can save us from the consequences of fiscal unrestraint.
While I believe in our strong political, social, and economic foundation, I question whether we are truly so different from our neighbors overseas.
For IT leaders, the point is that just because we drive investments in new technology—“the art of the possible”—that does not make us invincible.
While technology can help us grow in amazing ways and potentially solve our most complex and challenging problems, it is not a mystical, magical elixir and cannot solve our deficit no matter how large it gets unchallenged.
It seems to me that our greatest challenge is arrogance.
As a nation, we can by proud of our ideology and many achievements, but we cannot rest on our laurels, thinking that we are immune to the consequences of our mistakes. We must accept that our spending will catch up with us, unless we course-correct.
Technology Cannot Save Us From Arrogance