• Guardian Digital Debuts new LinuxSecurity.com
  
• Guardian Digital Provides Internet and Email Services for Colorado Warehouse & Fulfillment Firm

 In Every Issue

• In the News
• At A Glance
• Industry Note
• Mailbag
• Hints & Tips
• Partner Profile

Industry Note

Will Using Linux Lead to Intellectual Property Lawsuits?

In recent weeks Microsoft’s Chief Operating Officer Steve Ballmer made several statements warning the Asian government of the potential intellectual property lawsuits they could be susceptible to if they were to choose a rival open source operating platform to run government computers. Noting that the architecture behind the Linux kernel violated more the 228 patents, Ballmer claimed that expensive lawsuits and additional licensing fees may haunt them in the future.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, Ballmer could not provide any details on those allegations and a few days later, the software giant recanted Ballmer’s initial statement saying that it was taking out of context and was not a “Microsoft warning” but a warning from a report done by the Open Source Risk Management group. As revealed later, it was actually Ballmer who took information from the OSRM report out of context.

The truth is unlike Windows there has never been a single open source application has been found to infringe on intellectual property rights. Microsoft is currently facing nearly 35 court actions with the most recent costing them well over $2 billion in restitution. These suits include a patent infringement in Internet Explorer, digital restriction management violations, and an anti-trust suit brought upon by Sun Microsystems.

So why would Microsoft go through all this trouble to be publicly proved wrong yet again? It is my estimation, and that of many industry experts, that this was a strategically designed public relations maneuver in direct response to the overwhelming adoption of Linux in Asia and brought fourth to strike fear in the hearts (or more importantly the wallets) of those interested in switching from Windows to Linux. In reality, it is Microsoft who just may be running scared. Observing their dominance of the software market dramatically dwindling, Microsoft chooses to scare users with false accusations rather then continuing to compete with Linux on the grounds of quality, security, and price. The idea is to alarm customers with an initial statement in hopes that they will not pursue substantiation of the facts. Microsoft’s unfounded statements and incessant back peddling demonstrates a lack of responsibility to the consumer and is continued proof of the corporation’s wavering ideals.

- Dave Wreski, CEO Guardian Digital, Inc.

At a Glance Secure List Port Guardian Digital Secure List Port offers a comprehensive and unique solution to common business-to-consumer communication barriers. The perfect email solution for fast-paced organizations, Guardian Digital Secure List Port effectively assists in keeping ongoing communications with customers, partners, and suppliers effective. Guardian Digital Secure List Port is an unparalleled communication tool, utilizing the most technologically advanced open source applications with the security expertise of Guardian Digital to provide the ability to securely send thousands of emails to subscribed mailing lists users with a simple click of the mouse. Enhanced security features ensure that mailing list information is protected from prying eyes while flexible end-user controls allows users to manage their own accounts, alleviating tedious administrative duties. Learn more about Guardian Digital Secure List Port

.....

Guardian Digital In the News Software Programmer Sold on Linux Dave Wreski, CEO of Guardian Digital Inc., sits down with Bergen Record writer Martha McKay to explain his love of Linux and how Guardian Digital is quickly changing the face of Internet security. Read Full Story Processor.com: Proactive vs. Reactive: Which Network Management Approach Is Best For Your Company? Dave Wreski, CEO of Guardian Digital, shares his thoughts on why organizations currently are taking a reactive approach to network security instead of an essential proactive approach. "This oversight can mostly be attributed to lack of resources, he says.” Read Full Story

Hints & Tips from Experts The consistent security of a network is directly dependent on effective patch management strategies. With so many Internet threats surfacing, keeping up with released patches for every application can be a quite tedious, time consuming, and costly task. However, with a few quick tips, any organization can employ an efficient and effective patch management strategy regardless of available resources.
• Know your IT inventory - Inventories tend to evolve and change frequently. Be sure to know what is on your network so that you are familiar with what areas need attention. • Prioritize the patching of systems and programs - Make sure business-critical applications are always patched first. Once those are secured, spend time correcting vulnerabilities in other less critical areas. • Define policies & procedures - By proactively defining policies and procedures for patch management, your IT team will be more practiced to know what exactly to do in each situation lessening risk of administrator error and increasing the productivity of the project.	• Execute security patches as they become available - Try to keep up with the release of new security patches and implement them as soon as possible. Not only will this help mitigate risk, but will also assist in idling patching duties. • Make sure each patch is correctly implemented - A timely executed patch will not provide the intended security if it is no implemented correctly. Be sure that all patch management is done by an experienced administrator to ensure patching efforts are performed in the most effective way.
Guardian Digital is pleased to provide Behind the Shield readers with informative expert advice on what network security really means. Each month a new topic of interest will be chosen to supply you with useful tips and information not offered elsewhere. This month, we'll have a brief discussion on steps to take when considering outsourcing IT security services.

Guardian Digital Mailbag

Q. Does Guardian Digital offer a firewall product?

A. All Guardian Digital solutions are equipped with a robust gateway firewall among the myriad of other security applications. We currently do not have a stand-alone firewall product, although there have been talks about developing one in the near future. Please check back with us often to learn about the new product offerings from Guardian Digital.

The Behind the Shield editors encourage their readers to submit questions. The most frequently asked questions will appear in future issues. We look forward to answering all your inquiries! Email us at info@guardiandigital.com

Prudente Solutions
Through national and multi-national partners like Prudenté Solutions in India, Guardian Digital is able to provide their productivity and security solutions to customers worldwide.

For further information on Prudente, please visit their website at: www.prudente.co.in