Programmers Quotes

With the approaching launch of Windows7, programmers should become familiar with the basic expected functionality to be launched. This information can foster creativity regarding new applications or enhancements that could be developed in partnership with Windows7.
1. Application Compatibility- As the movement toward applications continues, Microsoft has attempted to address issues that exist with Vista in Windows7. XP Mode will be available in the enhanced versions of the platform, but the computer’s CPU and BIOS must be able to support the new hardware virtual extensions.
2. Encryption- The Ultimate and Enterprise versions will be able to encrypt hard drives. Users will not have to plan for a full disk encryption initially as Windows7 automatically prepares a boot drive during initial installation.
3. Integration with Server- Microsoft has been able to develop a server and client OS in parallel for the first time on this new platform. This will open up the doors for a variety of new applications to be developed.
4. Enterprise Search Scope- Federated search is being utilized by Windows7 which will allow the location of data from file servers and other web applications. Administrators will be able to set up shortcuts for searches that are commonly used using the Start menu or the Windows Explorer function.
5. MDOP- This adds APP-V application virtualization, new virtual desktop technology, recovery and diagnostic tool sets and additional functionality which users can have access to if they select the add on pack through the program.
While the official launch date is not yet known, it is expected that Windows7 will be available toward the end of 2009. Programmers should focus on new applications that will facilitate the user experience on this new platform as well as enhancements to the platform once it is officially launched.

The Ponemon Institute has published a study on Monday which shows that the costs of data breaches rose in 2008 to $6.6 million per incident. The study is available after a registration at www.encryptionreports.com.

The study was funded by the PGP Corp., a data security organization. The study analyzed the data breaches experienced by 43 U.S. businesses in 17 industry sectors. The breaches covered loss of anywhere from 4,000 records to more than 113,000 records. The average costs of a data breach were $202 per record in 2008 (up 2.5% from $197 per record in 2007). The cost of an average data breach was $4.7 million in 2006, $6.3 million in 2007, and it rose to $6.6 million in 2008.

The costs included the costs of detection and response to the loss of data. It also included the administrative and legal expenses of a data breach. Cost of opportunity loss and possible customer defections were also included in arriving at the figures.

Larry Ponemon, Chairman of the Ponemon Institute, said that companies need to remain on guard or face losing valuable customers if a data breach were to occur.

This study has come a couple of weeks after Heartland Payment Systems (a processor of credit/debit/check transactions) disclosed the details of a network intrusion that resulted in loss of millions of transaction details to online criminals. Just last week, Monster.com disclosed a data breach. In 2007, TJX, the retailer revealed the loss of 46 million credit and debit card transaction details.

The study says that the Heartland data breach is likely to cost more than the TJX data theft.

Healthcare providers and financial service providers seem to be more likely to lose their customers as a result of a data breach. For them the cost of a data breach is $282 per record, compared to $131 for a retail record. About 90% of all data breaches are caused by negligence.

Third-party providers are now being more cost-effective in their response toward incidents of data breaches, as stated in the Ponemon report.