The ITAM Roundup: 8/4/24
📰 News
Announcing the winners of the 2024 Technology Intelligence Awards
The 2024 Technology Intelligence Awards celebrated organizations excelling in leveraging Technology Intelligence for growth, innovation, and positive impact. Winners included Westpac Banking Corporation, Vodafone Ltd, and 3M in various categories such as ITAM Excellence and SaaS Management Excellence. These awards highlight the significant achievements and measurable outcomes organizations have achieved using Flexera and Snow Software solutions.
Preview Posts
Microsoft Licensing Update - August 2024
LicenseQ's Microsoft August 2024 licensing updates clarify that Gen AI services cannot be used to train similar products unless specified in Azure OpenAI terms. Microsoft 365 Copilot Services now support additional plans, and Microsoft Defender Experts has been added to the core Online Services. Intune Frontline worker products are available under both EA and MCA, and Azure Open AI Service terms now allow synthetic data creation for specific model fine-tuning while emphasizing content safety.
Floris Klaver
Still no signs of a Microsoft 365 E7 bundle, but the subscription landscape is shifting
Microsoft has not yet introduced a high-end Microsoft 365 E7 bundle, focusing instead on growing its E5 subscription business. Recently, Microsoft has been rolling out key new services as add-ons, rather than incorporating them into existing E3 or E5 plans, potentially hinting at a future E7 tier. These add-ons, such as the Entra Suite and Teams Premium, could be included in a possible E7 bundle, though Microsoft's strategy may prioritize the higher revenue potential of individual add-ons over a new subscription tier.
Mary Jo Foley
W30 SAM & ITAM Jobs 💼
Alex Cojocaru at Licenseware has cultivated a list of jobs in the ITAM industry that you'll want to check out if you're looking for a role, or trying to get visibility on a role of your own.
Licenseware
Analysts foresee changes ahead as database vendors navigate shifting landscape in compute engines for AI
As AI drives changes in database platforms, companies like Databricks and Snowflake are adapting to a new landscape where the focus shifts from database management systems to governance layers and open table formats. This shift allows for more flexible use of compute engines for various needs, such as AI, data cleansing, and business intelligence. With data now residing in diverse locations and its value changing over time, security and governance have become critical in selecting and managing these evolving data ecosystems.
Mark Albertson
📖 Tips
3 Ways to Help Secure the Course of a New Transformation Program
To secure a new transformation program, focus on three critical steps in the first 30 days: ask your vendor for a detailed 30-day plan, map out vendor expectations for the first 90 days, and initiate the PMO with a governance plan. Ensure the vendor's 30-day plan is refined during the RFP process and included in the SOW, and maintain a personnel staffing plan for seamless resource allocation. Establish governance processes and start essential project management activities, such as implementing a RAID register and integrated project plan, to ensure a strong start and successful program execution.
Ted Rogers
What Are Access Control Lists? Definition, Working, Types, Best Practices, and Importance
Access control lists (ACLs) are sets of rules used by network administrators to define permissions associated with network traffic, acting as gatekeepers to control access and enhance security. ACLs filter traffic based on various criteria, such as IP addresses, protocols, and port numbers, helping enforce security policies, manage traffic, and prevent unauthorized access. Implementing ACLs involves best practices such as defining clear objectives, applying the principle of least privilege, documenting rules, and regularly reviewing and updating the ACLs to maintain network security, efficiency, and compliance with regulations.
chiradeep-basumallick
Enhance Your Business Efficiency with Remote Asset Management
Remote asset management is essential for businesses to maintain control over their IT infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and security. This approach allows system administrators to manage assets remotely, offering real-time monitoring, centralized control, and automated maintenance, thus improving productivity and reducing downtime.
Laura Libeer
Can APIs make NaaS as easy as cloud for enterprise?
Network-as-a-service (NaaS) can become as user-friendly as the cloud for enterprises through API integration, according to MEF's "NaaS vision." MEF CTO Pascal Menezes highlights the importance of APIs for connecting network services quickly and efficiently, ensuring application assurance, and enhancing cybersecurity via SD-WAN and SASE. With APIs, operators can offer seamless multicloud connectivity, addressing enterprises' needs for standardized APIs, operational updates, and real-time incident notifications.
🐛Bugs & Exploits
Twilio kills off Authy for desktop, forcibly logs out all users
Twilio has officially discontinued its Authy for Desktop application, logging out all users and preventing re-login with their phone numbers as of mid-July 2024. While the desktop app continued to function past its end-of-life date in March, users were warned to switch to mobile versions, which caused issues for those who hadn't synced their accounts. In June, a security breach involving an unsecured Authy API exposed 33 million phone numbers, leading Twilio to secure the API and update the mobile app, but the desktop app was not updated and will no longer receive updates.
