Friday, April 29, 2016

You Met the Tax Filing Deadline, Now What Are The Chances You Will Face An IRS Audit?

Thanks to continuing Congressional cuts in the IRS budget, fewer and fewer Americans will face an audit of their return. The IRS revenue from examinations has dropped by about 10 times the savings from the budget cuts. The cuts have resulted in a net loss of over $5 billion in 2015. Compliant taxpayers meanwhile continue to pay their proper taxes while those who game the system have the security of knowing that the IRS is unlikely to catch on to their game.

Tyco Integrated Security Introduces Cloud Video Surveillance System


Tyco Integrated Security (TycoIS) announced the availability of Cloud Video, a low total cost of ownership cloud-based video solution provided by Eagle Eye. Customers using Cloud Video are able to view live and recorded video from any location using a standard Web browser or mobile device.

Thursday, April 28, 2016

ADT Kicks Off Always Cares Annual Week of Service, Partners With Habitat for Humanity

The ADT Corporation, a provider of security and automation solutions for homes and businesses and No. 1 on the SDM 100, is kicking off its ADT Always Cares Annual Week of Service, which takes place from April 30 through May 7, by launching a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Connecting the World Through Infrastructure

This article was originally published at Stratfor.com. 

UN Court Set To Rule On Philippines-China Sea Dispute; Beijing Set To Protest

A United Nations arbitration court will rule in in May or June on a fractious maritime dispute between China and the Philippines. The five-person Permanent Court of Arbitration, after seven hearings, is studying now whether China's claim to a giant tropical ocean flouts UN conventions. Manila said that when it filed the case in 2013. The Philippines and four other Asian governments also claim much of the same South China Sea, which spans 3.5 million square kilometers from Taiwan to Singapore. A lot of the claims overlap, especially where China is involved. The sea holds reserves of undersea oil and natural gas, likewise ample fisheries and lanes for half the world's commercial shipping. That's why everyone cares.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Preparing For The Inevitable Cyber Attack

Many organizations still misunderstand how to tackle cyber threats. In this podcast, two industry-leading experts talk to CEO Richard Fenning about the best ways to prepare for and respond to the inevitable cyber attack.

Wal-Mart Shoppers Hold An Impromptu Debate...And It's All Caught On Video

It's a Presidential election year, which means that debates about the issues affecting the country is at an all-time high…even in the checkout lines at Wal-Mart.

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Ron Petrarca Elected as Newest Member of IQ Board


The IQ Certification Board recently elected Ron Petrarca, operations director of Huntington, N.Y.-based Electronix Systems Central Station Alarms Inc. as the newest member to join the board. He will serve a two-year term.

Why Most IT Security Suffers From Unbalanced Spending

Like a stock portfolio, retirement plan, or any investment, enterprises must make decisions as to how to allocate funding for maximum return. I touched on this a few months ago in when I said that the goal is to get the most protection and greatest capability to detect intrusion for the money spent. Your security investment portfolio must be rebalanced as new options become available and new threats emerge.

When You're Tapped Before Age 30: 5 Behaviors That Burn Us Out

Common burnout prescriptions-like rest, medication and vacation-can temporarily relieve our symptoms. But until we permanently alter the behaviors exacerbating our exhaustion, we'll remain rutted.

Monday, April 25, 2016

I Hope You Had A Good Tax Season, Because Next Year Is Going To Be A Nightmare

Busy season is over. Last Tuesday, tens of thousands of tax preparers simultaneously emerged from their months-long social cocoon in desperate need of nap, a tan, and a treadmill.

BeautifulPeople.com Leaks Very Private Data of 1.1 Million 'Elite' Daters -- And It's All For Sale

Sexual preference and location data leaked by BeautifulPeople.com, as 1.1 million users' information is passed between traders in the murky corners of the online world.

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Apple's Absolute Advantage Over Android

A large part of the ongoing battle to keep a mobile device secure is to ensure that users' devices are kept up to date with patches for exploits, bug fixes, and keeping the software secure; then the latest numbers from the two main platforms show a huge chasm in the protection offered.

India Revokes Passport Of 'Panama Papers' Man Vijay Mallya

Vijay also reportedly buying up penthouses in midtown Manhattan.

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Yik Yak Settles With Ousted Cofounder

Yik Yak, the anonymous social app popular with the high-school and college set and said to be valued at $400 million, has settled a lawsuit filed about two years ago by its third cofounder Douglas Warstler, who claimed he had been robbed of one-third of the company.

Security News You Might Have Missed: $1.3M iPhone Hack, Feds Want More Apple Data, More

This week, the government revealed it paid at least $1.3m for tool to unlock San Bernardino phone, a transparency report revealed that US government orders for Apple user data quadrupled, the secret FISA court ignored a public advocate's concerns over FBI access to NSA data for domestic crimes, NSAs were deemed legal (for now).

'Taste of Technology' Event a Success for Va. Integrator


On Thursday, April 21, Sight & Sound Systems, featured on the August 2015 SDM cover story about working with builders, held its fourth annual event called “A Taste of Technology.” Sight & Sound President Kris Kaymanesh started the event as a way to educate builders and other customers about security, home entertainment and other home automation solutions.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Dell's SecureWorks To IPO Tomorrow

SecureWorks will begin trading on NASDAQ tomorrow under the symbol SCWX

In Palestine, One Answer To The Question Of How To Create Jobs In The Middle East

Loan guarantees to small businesses aren't sexy -- but they are creating thousands of jobs in the Middle East.

Volutone Celebrates Irvine Location Expansion


Volutone is celebrating the expansion of its Irvine, Calif., location, additional stock availability and increased training capabilities, with a party on April 29, 2016.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Take the 2016 Security 500 Survey


The 2016 Security 500 survey is now open! 

Convergint Technologies Acquires Enion AG Integrated Security Solutions


Convergint Technologies, a global provider of service-based systems integration, announced the acquisition of Enion AG Integrated Security Solutions.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Who Is A Better Leader? Tough Woman Or Sensitive Man?

In China, women leaders who do not fit into age-old gender stereotypes are called 女汉子 (tough woman) or 暖男 (sensitive man). Which one gets better results at work? Who has more success when it comes to managing teams and interacting with subordinates: the strong and aggressive type or the one who's sensitive and calm?

Apple Abruptly Pulls Plug On QuickTime for Windows

Do you have Apple QuickTime installed on your Windows PC? It's time to remove it. There are known flaws that can be exploited relatively easily, and Apple has confirmed that it is no longer supporting the software.

LAST Chance to Apply for SDM 2016 Systems Integrator of the Year

The deadline to apply for SDM's Systems Integrator of the Year is fast approaching!All nominations must be in no later than Friday, April 29 to be considered.

Monday, April 18, 2016

State Department Prohibits U.S. Diplomats From Traveling To Acapulco Due To Increased Violence

In a new travel warning for Mexico, the U.S. State Department forbids American diplomats from visiting Acapulco, Mexico's most violent city.

Crime-Wary China Prepares To Widen Global Campaign Against Taiwanese

Taiwan had just gotten over the first sting when a new one came. First time around, its old political enemy China persuaded Kenya to deport 45 Taiwanese citizens but not home. The group went instead to China in two planeloads April 8 and 12. Taiwan officials called it abduction while China says the 45 were suspected of defrauding mainland Chinese people by phone. China cajoled Kenya into deporting them to its turf and they eventually wound up in Beijing, masked and escorted by Chinese police as they walked off the plane.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Kano's Got The Computer Any Kid Can Build, Anywhere

They set out with a mission to enable any kid to build their own computer from a lego-like kit, now for Kano the next step is to make sure children across Asia have that access – an interesting endeavor considering the impact the concept could have – especially on an enormous Indian youth demographic.

John McAfee: 'Professional Hackers Did Not Unlock The Shooter's iPhone, Cellebrite Helped The FBI'

Who helped the FBI crack into the San Bernardino iPhone -- Israeli mobile forensics firm Cellebrite or paid professional hackers?

Saturday, April 16, 2016

The Real Reasons Saudi Arabia Won't Support Oil Prices Above $40

Saudi Arabia had a clear and loud message to oil markets ahead of the upcoming Doha meeting: "the Kingdom rules out any production cuts." This means that Saudi Arabia won't support the recent run up of oil prices above $40 at this point. Why? Because "markets are volatile" -- that's the

Friday, April 15, 2016

How Did L.A. Rams Calculate What to Offer in Blockbuster NFL Draft Trade?

The Los Angeles Rams shocked the football world yesterday with a dramatic trade with the Tennessee Titans allowing them to secure the first pick in the April 28th NFL Draft. They are positioned to enhance their team by selecting a potential franchise quarterback. The Rams have also sent a signal to Southern California and their newfound fans that they are serious about winning and fielding an interesting team. Pairing a newly drafted quarterback with Pro Bowl Running Back Todd Gurley is the type of star combination that Los Angeles gets excited about. How did the team calculate what was the right combination of draft picks to offer to move from the 15th position to number one? And what criteria do other teams use to calculate draft trades and their value?

Security News You Might Have Missed: Microsoft Sues the Government Over Secret Cloud Data Searches

Microsoft sues the Justice Department, Apple patches a Messages vulnerability but no longer updates QuickTime for Windows, Australian federal police admit to seeking a journalist's metadata, a study shows that location data from two apps can identify you, and more.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

China, A Powerful Victim, Winning Abduction Spat With Taiwan And Watch For More

Taiwan isn't just mad this week at its China, an old political rival that had been spared a lot of wrath over the past eight years in the interest of building trust. It's using diplomatic and legal tools to push Beijing for the release of 45 Taiwanese citizens who were deported from Kenya this month – to China rather than home, hence the outrage. It rang up a hotline Tuesday to accuse China of an international crime, abduction, and has prepared to send a delegation. It also intends to sue three government agencies in Kenya, which worked with China to get the Taiwanese out after they were suspected of telephone fraud. China, Taiwan says, should have consulted it according to a 2011 agreement to team up on crime-busting issues.

ISC West Breaks Attendance Records


The 2016 edition of ISC West attracted the largest attendance and hosted the largest number and square feet of exhibits in the history of ISC West.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

TheDirty.com Editor Nik Richie Loses In Tax Court

Nik Richie growing tired of being a "cubicle warrior" doing credit card processing had an inspiration. Noting the success of "reality TV", he thought that "reality internet" might be a thing.  So he started a gossip blog called "thedirtyscottsdale.com" which focused among other things on "the cool kids in Scottsdale who thought they were celebrities". "The dirty", being something of a universal phenomenon, the blog has evolved (probably not quite the right word) into thedirty.com, which before you click you should know does not appear to have much in the way of edification associated with it.

No Exit in China

This article was originally published at Stratfor.com. 

Improving Security and Operational Workflow with Advanced Iris Reader Technology

Confirming and managing identities has a vital role in mitigating risk and addressing such wide-ranging challenges as physical and logical access control, insurance fraud, time and attendance records, and even ensuring a patient gets the right medication in a hospital.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Navigating Your Career Journey After The MBA

To understand how to think about a career journey, I talked with Debra Bass, the President of Johnson and Johnson's Global Baby Franchise Organization, who has crafted an interesting journey from Procter and Gamble to JNJ, after obtaining her MBA from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Management. Below, Debra shares her thoughts on how to think about a career.

The #BigData Revolution: Who Owns Our Information?

Today, humans cram more data into our brains in a single day than our ancestors did during an entire lifetime.

Bosch, Genetec and SecureXperts Launch Cybersecure IP Video Solution


Bosch Security Systems Inc., Genetec Inc., and SecureXperts have collaborated in the design and development of an IP video solution that is resilient against unauthorized access, malware, brute force cracking and other exploit techniques. It uses Credentialed High Assurance Video Encryption (CHAVE) technology to provide highly secure identification and authentication through multi-factor smart card credentials. This makes it ideal for mission critical applications and infrastructure protection.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Coming To A City Near You? Bike Sharing With Bikes You Actually Want To Ride

In a lot of the more than 100 world cities with bike-sharing programs, chains fall off and tires are nearly flat. You call for service and no one's around, especially after hours. While commuters still use the pedal-powered vehicles to save money, the quality of experience motivates few to take up cycling for fun.

FBI Cyber Warning: Ignore Your CEO's E-Mail And Phone Her Back -- Or Your Company May Pay For It

Cybercriminals are masquerading as CEOs and instructing employees to perform wire transfers.

Friday, April 8, 2016

15 Reasons Why You Should Own A Forbesfone Pebble

The Forbesfone Pebble is a WiFi device, able to provide global WiFi access too all devices to which it is connected.

How One Entrepreneur's Coming Film 'RiseUP' Is Uniting Global Leaders Across Industries

Will you be a part of the new model for success? Learn what it takes to thrive, how to align yourself with key influencers, and how you can create your own version of success.

SpotterRF, Black Sage Collaborate on Drone Detection Solution

In conjunction with Black Sage Technologies, SpotterRF, a low-cost compact surveillance radar (CSR) provider is now shipping an exclusive UAVX system to detect and track unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) movement outside the perimeter.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Alarm Controls Launches Compact AES-300 Electric Strike at ISC West 2016

Alarm Controls, an ASSA ABLOY Group brand, is showcasing its AES-300 electric strike, offering real value and flexibility in one compact product.

Adobe Issues Emergency Patch For Flash In Response To Zero-Day Exploit

Cybersecurity firm Proofpoint discovered a vulnerability affecting all versions of the software delivering ransomware.

Self-Lacing Sneakers Are Just The Beginning Of Going 'Back To The Future'

When Nike introduced the HyperAdapt 1.0 at its innovation event last month, sneakerheads and Back to the Future fans alike lost it. The self-lacing shoes use a technology called EARL (electro-adaptive reactive laces) that Jayce Wagner at Inquisitr says “uses digital sensors throughout the shoe to…adapt to each wearer for an unprecedented level of comfort as well as eliminating the need for tying one's shoelaces.” Additional buttons on the side of the shoes allow wearers to manually tighten or loosen them for a comfortable fit. This invention is just the beginning of tech-enabled footwear. As we continue to grow the Internet of Things and connect more and more objects to our smartphones, it is only natural that footwear will be one of them and that it will offer more individual customization options.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

DMP's New Services Enable Dealers to Offer DIY Security

DMP announced its newest service, The Company Store. The launch of the integrated Web applications and product delivery engine was a highlight at DMP's annual Owners Forum meeting at the Wynn Resort, the day before the ISC West trade show opened.

A Social Entrepreneur's Tips For Taking On The Impossible

Social entrepreneur Lisa Curtis, frequently recognized for her achievements, has partnered with Whole Foods and the Clinton Foundation to create impact in Africa and Haiti. She offers tips for social entrepreneurs taking on the impossible.

The Powerful Force Behind Android Marshmallow's Rapid Rise

Another month, and another look at the market share of Google's latest version of Android. As measured by visitors to the Google Play Store over a seven-day period that ended on April 4th, Marshmallow has managed to double its share of the Android market.

How Airports And Politicians Can Avoid Another Brussels

The best way to prevent copycat attacks may not be what you think says one security expert.

What To Sweat About If Your Name Is In The Panama Papers

So I was both disappointed and relieved when I started looking into the Panama Papers.  The disappointment is that The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has not made the documents from the law firm Mossack Fonesca generally available on-line.  The relief is that the documents are not generally available on-line, since I would feel obligated to go dipping into them.  There are 11.5 million pages.  I'm sure I would be able to resist looking at all of them, but when Judicial Watch did a major dump on the interminable IRS scandal, a mere 5,000 pages, it tied me up for almost a week.

Honeywell Helps Security Pros Adapt to Increasingly Connected Customers at ISC West

This year at ISC West, Honeywell will highlight expanded connectivity for homes and businesses, as well as technology advancements in false-alarm reduction and wireless fire detection.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Tesla Is A Great Company, But Is It A Good Investment?

Pioneer electric carmaker Tesla Motors is a great company, as evidenced by consumer enthusiasm for its products. Its Model S has received rave reviews, while its Model 3 has close to 280,000 pre-orders.

ISONAS Joins Forces With Open Options & Announces Access Control Partnership

ISONAS Inc., a pure IP access control system manufacturer, has partnered with Open Options, an access control software manufacturer, to offer customers choice in access control software solutions.

Android And iPhone Do-It-Yourself Hacking Kits For Security Experts And Wannabes

A look at all-in-one smart phone hacking kits.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Panama Law Firm Mossack Fonseca Faces Leak Of 11 Million Documents Exposing Thousands Of Clients

The offshore planning world was set on fire this weekend with the news that 11 million documents were leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca. According to a BBC article found here:
They show how Mossack Fonseca has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Top Cyber News: FBI's Cellebrite Contract, iPhone Hack Team, John McAfee Q&A

The top 10 stories from this past week covering the FBI vs. Apple, and the successful iPhone hack.

5 Ways You Can Use Mindfulness To Fix Your Brain, Reduce Stress And Boost Performance

Mindfulness is a simple, research-proven technique that physically alters your brain. Learn how to use it to become more effective and less stressed.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Per Mar Security Services Acquires Northern Wisconsin Security & Sound


Per Mar Security Services, ranked 29 on the SDM 100 and 76 on the SDM Top Systems Integrators Repot, and based in Davenport, Iowa, has merged with Northern Wisconsin Security & Sound Inc. of Arbor Vitae, Wis.

10 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Fail

Entrepreneurs fail for lots of reasons. Most entrepreneurs fail, by the way, so lists that describe why they fail should be helpful if only as mirrors entrepreneurs can hold up to their faces.

Apple Loop: iPhone SE Reviewed, Apple Rushes iOS 9.3.1, iPad Pro Disappoints

This week?s Apple Loop includes reviews of the iPhones SE and iPad Pro 9.7 inch, some thoughts on what SE might stand for, the various bugs discovered in iOS 9.3, the option of replacing a laptop with the iPad, the lack of potential design changes for the iPhone 7, the Crypto Wars getting paused, and some Dick Tracy style wristbands for the Apple Watch.

Per Mar Security Services Acquires Northern Wisconsin Security & Sound


Per Mar Security Services, ranked 29 on the SDM 100 and 76 on the SDM Top Systems Integrators Repot, and based in Davenport, Iowa, has merged with Northern Wisconsin Security & Sound Inc. of Arbor Vitae, Wis.

10 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Fail

Entrepreneurs fail for lots of reasons. Most entrepreneurs fail, by the way, so lists that describe why they fail should be helpful if only as mirrors entrepreneurs can hold up to their faces.

Apple Loop: iPhone SE Reviewed, Apple Rushes iOS 9.3.1, iPad Pro Disappoints

This week?s Apple Loop includes reviews of the iPhones SE and iPad Pro 9.7 inch, some thoughts on what SE might stand for, the various bugs discovered in iOS 9.3, the option of replacing a laptop with the iPad, the lack of potential design changes for the iPhone 7, the Crypto Wars getting paused, and some Dick Tracy style wristbands for the Apple Watch.