Live Virtual Roundtable Discussion of Windows Vista

On March 5th, I will be joining recognized Windows guru and Microsoft Technical Fellow Mark Russinovich and others to panel a virtual roundtable discussion regarding Windows Vista deployment. Are you still undecided about Windows Vista? Join us at 9am Pacific time on March 5th for a live, interactive discussion on adopting and deploying Windows Vista. The panel will feature subject-matter experts and IT pros from around the world who have tackled Windows Vista deployment, allowing you to hear about the challenges, workarounds, and tips & tricks we have learned along the way. You can ask your questions live during the event or e-mail your question in advance to vrtable@microsoft.com. The panel will answer as many questions as we can during the 60-minute event so take advantage of this opportunity to find out what you want to know about Windows Vista adoption. Click here to mark your calendar and save the date. You can also visit the Springboard Series for Windows Vista for access to guidance, resources, tools, and straight-talk articles today.

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Tony Bradley
www.tonybradley.com
Essential. Computer. Security.


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New Functionality in Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 is set to hit the streets at an official launch on February 27. Many organizations are very excited about the latest and greatest server operating system from Redmond. There certainly seems to be greater anticipation for Windows Server 2008 than there was, or even still is, for Windows Vista. If you think that Windows Server 2008 is just Windows Server 2003 with a makeover though, think again. Microsoft has published a document titled Windows Server 2008: Changes in Functionality from Windows Server 2003 with SP1 to Windows Server 2008 which is 341 pages long. That is not everything there is to know about Windows Server 2008, but almost 350 pages just describing how Windows Server 2008 is different than Windows Server 2003. Download the document from Microsoft and take a look through it to see what you have to look forward to. If you haven’t already, you should get a hold of a Beta or Evaluation copy of Windows Server 2008 so you can install it on a test machine and check it out for yourself.

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Tony Bradley
www.tonybradley.com
Essential. Computer. Security.


Tags: Blog by Tony Bradley
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New Self Assessment Questionnaires Released for PCI

The PCI Security Standards Council already had an SAQ (Self Assessment Questionnaire), but it was confusing and intimidating for some organizations. In an attempt to simplify and streamline PCI DSS compliance, they have released a set of 4 new SAQ’s designed for specific scenarios:

  • SAQ A: Addresses requirements applicable to merchants who have outsourced all cardholder data storage, processing and transmission.
  • SAQ B: Created to address requirements pertinent to merchants who process cardholder data via imprint machines or standalone dial-up terminals only.
  • SAQ C: Constructed to focus on requirements applicable to merchants whose payment applications systems are connected to the Internet.
  • SAQ D: Designed to address requirements relevant to all service providers defined by a payment brand as eligible to complete an SAQ and those merchants who do not fall under the types addressed by SAQ A, B or C.

    • For more information, and to download the SAQ’s, visit the PCI Security Standards Council site.

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    Tony Bradley
    www.tonybradley.com
    Essential. Computer. Security.


    Tags: Blog by Tony Bradley
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