News

Cloud Computing Report Card: Grading Our Predictions

In the spirit of openness and with a willingness to have his cloud prognostication grades displayed in public, CIO.com's Bernard Golden scores–and comments on–his predictions for 2011.

Android Arrives: Consumerization of IT Gets Muddy

Many tech pros secretly abhor the consumerization of IT, says an Apple expert. Now, it will get tougher as holiday Android devices are surging toward the corporate network. But IT's reaction to Android might surprise you.

Americans More Likely to Fall For Online Scams and The Week’s Other IT Security News

More than half would give personal information in exchange for an online prize, anti-virus software or a get-rich quick offer

Anonymous, LulzSec, AntiSec, Etc.: A Brief History of Hacktivism

The hacktivist collective Anonymous began getting media attention in 2008 with its attacks on the Church of Scientology. Three years later, Anonymous and its many offshoots and associations, including LulzSec, AntiSec, TeamPoison and the Peoples Libe

Child’s Play: Why Kids Will Always Be at the Forefront of Shaping Technology

Did Someone Launch a DDoS Attack to Protect Symantec Source Code?

Would it ever make sense for companies to launch a preemptive strike to protect data?

7 Signs You’ve Outsourced Too Much to IT Service Providers

Have you outsourced too many IT services? Once an organization gets a taste of the benefits of IT outsourcing, the hunger for more naturally increases. But the ROI quickly diminishes as internal IT service organization shrink. If these seven traits

Steve Jobs in A Doll’s House

Apple lawyers say no to creepy Steve Jobs doll. Check out other Jobs-like products.

Windows 8 How To: Quick OS Reinstalls

A standout feature in early demos of Windows 8 is the ability to quickly refresh and reset the OS to its original state while keeping your data intact, thus speeding up a process that has long been tedious and unsteady.

Desktops: Back from the Dead?

In the age of tablets, smartphones and Ultrabooks, nothing says old school like a desktop. But HP is giving the old war horse some new paint, and surprise — it's worth checking out. rnrn

5 LinkedIn Tips for Career Success in 2012

From sprucing up your profile to branding yourself as an expert, here's how you can better use the professional social network to set you on the path to success.

5 Hot Technology Policy Agenda Items You Need to Watch

From providing more spectrum space for wireless providers to battling online piracy to creating cybersecurity policy to protecting intellectual property, expect things to heat up in Washington this year. So pour yourself a cup of coffee and read on t

10 Best iPhone Apps for Healthy Living

Make good on your New Year's resolution to live a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise — and let iPhone apps help you. Here are 10 iPhone apps that s will keep you from slacking off in 2012.

BlackBerry PlayBook Apps: 7 Must-Have Downloads

CIO.com's Al Sacco rounds up seven great applications for BlackBerry PlayBook tablets — many of which are free — including software for organizing notes and digital media, reducing stress, finding the latest celebrity news and gossip, and more

Irony Alert: Beijing Trying to Stop Chinese Hackers

Non-government-approved attacks stole personal data from China citizens. Popular in-country sites found to have little if any protection for user data.

New Year’s CRM Resolution: Going on a Leads Diet

I've never met a sales rep who said they had enough leads, let alone too many. But I'm here to tell you that leads are the junk food of business. Time to go on a diet, consuming fewer leads…and only the right kind of leads.

Facebook Timeline Scams Prey on Wishful Thinking

If you're not a fan of the new Facebook Timeline design, beware of bogus Facebook groups and pages promising a return to the old design.

Smart Grid Security Inadequate, Threats Abound

As the Stuxnet attack shows, malicious hackers "clearly have the upper hand" over power grid systems, a new study says. A lack of strict standards and a hodgepodge of products have created today's chaotic state of utility cybersecurity

Apple and the CIO: The Great Love-Hate Relationship

Apple started the consumerization of IT trend, which has led to many sleepless nights for CIOs. But Apple has also made tech cool again –- and worker productivity is up!

Holiday Gifts from Bad Bosses

A holiday gift from a bad boss that aims to motivate staff ends up doing the opposite.

With Ouster of BlackBerry CEOs as Chairmen, Real Change Unlikely

RIM may soon boot its co-CEOs from their dual-chairman roles. But CIO.com's Al Sacco asks: Is this really the change that BlackBerry needs, or just another empty gesture to appease shaky shareholders?

CIOs Are in an Anxious State

CIO magazine Editor in Chief Maryfran Johnson sees this yearu2019s State of the CIO survey data as depicting mismatched priorities between IT and business leaders

CIOs Disconnected From Business Execs

CIOs and their fellow executives have conflicting priorities on cost and competitors, says our 2012 State of the CIO survey

How Waste Management’s CIO Turned Trash Into Treasure

Waste Managementu2019s new e-commerce site creates additional revenue streams for the company and gives its IT team sales quotas to fill

Who’s Above Average?

The most business-savvy CIOs tend to report to the CEO, lead a non-IT area, and make more money than average CIOs

Hang up on Verizon

After suffering 3 outages of its 4G network in December, Verizon now wants to charge $2 to pay bills online. Customer pressure stopped Bank of America from charging outrageous fees; let's do the same to Verizon.rnrn

Peering Into the Crystal Ball: Top IT Trends for 2012

The Curse of the H1-B Visa Program

How it works is limiting for companies and frustrating for the non-immigrant temporary workers themselves. How can it be fixed?

Company IT Spending Forecasts Brighten

Surprisingly strong index numbers are recorded by Maven Wave Partners, which now says that indications 'bode well for 2012.'

New Wave of Hacker Attacks Coming

Smarter hackers, and a new generation of "hacktivists" will launch attacks on mobile banking apps, virtual currency and even your local supermarket in 2012.

Poll: How Can Microsoft Get Better in 2012?

Microsoft is in for a challenging year and needs to deliver the goods in many key markets. But what's the most important product in Microsoft's portfolio for 2012? Cast a vote in our poll to share your opinion.

VW to Staffers: No After-Hours BlackBerry E-Mail for You

Car-maker Volkswagen is disabling BlackBerry e-mail during after hours for a group of its German staffers. Is this "forced" work/life balance really the way to ensure employees know how, and when, to "turn off?"

5 iPhone and iPad Apps That Make Great Gifts

If you're searching for a last-minute gift for the holidays, look no further than Apple's App Store.

Why Is Gannett Giving iPads and iPhones to Reporters?

Reporters will like the freedom of mobile gadgets and Gannett likes the price, but laptop alternatives do not lend themselves well to the stuff of journalism.

Facebook Ads Hit News Feeds in 2012

Soon you will see ads showing up in your News Feed, among posts from your friends. Facebook says these "sponsored stories" ads are necessary, but won't be intrusive.

Why RIM Should Not Sell the BlackBerry Brand–and Why It Should

Recent rumors suggest tech heavies including Microsoft, Nokia and Amazon have all been courting RIM and considering a BlackBerry buyout. CIO.com's Al Sacco offers up two simple reasons why RIM would be wise to resist such a takeover, as well as

12 IT Outsourcing Predictions for 2012

In 2011, the IT outsourcing industry was marked by smaller deals, leery customers, profit-squeezed IT service providers and a lot of cloud computing talk. Much of that could continue next year, but as our 12 predictions for 2012 indicate, you can exp

At Hospitals, iPad Screen Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness

iPhones and iPads are everywhere at hospitals, but their screens carry more bacteria than a toilet handle (seriously). Enter Frog Skin, a clear film covering iPhones and iPads so they can be washed.

Why Did the Chinese Hack into the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?

They spent a lot of money to get access to "trade-policy documents, meeting notes, trip reports and schedules." They probably could have gotten the same info by saying, "Please?"

How to Hire the Best IT Workers: One CIO’s Best Practices

One CIO says that the keys to finding and hiring the best IT workers are: 1) knowing what you need from the position you're trying to fill; identifying the criteria that will be most effective in helping you assess talent; and not letting artifi

Cisco to Microsoft: Your Lync Mobile App Is Lame

Microsoft opens up Office mobile apps Lync and OneNote to Windows Phone and other platforms, but unified communications rival Cisco calls the effort half-hearted.

A Copernican Shift (and a Tip of My Hat to Randy Heffner)

As my first calendar year as an analyst draws to a close, wanted to thank everybody who has read and commented on my blog and say that I look forward to even more next year. In closing out the year, I turn for a moment away from emerging technology

Thriving in a World Where Computers Are Smarter Than We Are

From Apple's voice-activated assistant to Microsoft's gesture-based input device to IBM's computer that beat Jeopardy champs, it's clear that the capabilities of technology are moving beyond our human abilities. How can you flouri

TripIt: Up to Snuff for Holiday Travel Plans?

SOPA is a Major Security Problem and Congress Doesn’t Care

Tech companies and security experts oppose law that seems drafted with no knowledge of how the internet actually operates.

Android App Permissions May Spark False Sense of Security

Think you can protect your Android device, and the personal information stored on it, simply by properly managing app permissions? Think again.

Facebook Year in Review: 2011 Props and Flops

From new features to ongoing privacy concerns, this year was a busy one for Facebook. Here's a look at the best and worst from Facebook in 2011.

Resume Makeover: How an Enterprise Architect Can Become a CIO

In CIO.com's latest IT resume makeover, certified professional resume writer and career coach Nimish Thakkar helps an enterprise architect overhaul his resume to target IT director and CIO positions.

Microsoft in 2012: All Eyes on Windows 8

While Microsoft's Server and Tools and Business Divisions will remain strong in 2012, the pressure is on to improve in mobile and cloud. But Microsoft's biggest challenge is convincing businesses and consumers that Windows 8 matters, especi

5 Facebook Timeline Changes You Can’t Wait to Make

Facebook gives you seven days to make changes to your Timeline before it goes live for all to see. Here are five things you should do in that time, from aesthetics to removing content.