March 2014
In this issue:

FFIEC Issues Statement on End of Microsoft Support for Windows XP

Lock Down: Our Top 5 Security Takeaways

Gamification. Buzzword or the next big thing?

3 Hidden Costs of Aging IT Networks

Services/Quick Links

Monthly Trivia

Quote and Cartoon


3 Hidden Costs of Aging IT Networks

Network refresh. . .I�ll give you a moment to stop cringing.

Better? Ok.

It�s something that most business leaders don�t want to think about, but needs to be considered when your network reaches the three year mark. A network refresh is an investment, there�s no doubt about that, but the cost of doing nothing and continuing to work on an aging network most likely has greater costs that you may not even realize.

Consider the fact that network components begin to deteriorate after 3 years. That means they require more maintenance than new equipment. Add in that the demands on today�s networks are much higher than ever (stop and think about how much more work do you do using technology than you did a few years ago!) and will only continue to go up, and that you�re asking equipment designed for a previous age to deliver on these increased demands, and you have a recipe for a network break down.

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FFIEC Issues Statement on End of Microsoft Support for Windows XP

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council agencies have issued the following statement for financial institutions about the end of support for Windows XP and regulatory guidance for addressing the risk from its continued use.

PURPOSE

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) agencies (�agencies�) are jointly issuing this statement to alert financial institutions that the discontinuation of support for the Microsoft Windows XP operating system (XP) could present operational risks to financial institutions, technology service providers (TSPs), and to activities supported by other third parties.

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Lock Down: Our Top 5 Security Takeaways
used with permission from Cisco

If you�re reading this right now, you�re on the internet. You appreciate the ability to work, surf and shop on the world wide web without having your information exploited, and you think you know the basics: use secure sites, don�t store your credit card information, and don�t open sketchy emails. In 2014, that may not be enough.

 The sophistication of the technology and tactics used by online criminals�and their nonstop attempts to breach networks and steal data�have outpaced the ability of IT and security professionals to address these threats. With the rush of new technology, new threats were detected every day in 2013- up 14% from 2012. Here are some of our guidelines for staying safe in 2014.

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Gamification. Buzzword or the next big thing?
used with permission from HP Technology at Work

Remember those little gold stars you used to get in elementary school when you did something well? Most kids strive to achieve those stars, even though they have no real value. So, why do teachers reward students with them? And why do students like to receive them?

Whatever psychological motivations drive students to achieve gold stars is exactly what the gamification trend is trying to exploit. Gamification is the use of game design techniques, game thinking and game mechanics in a non-gaming context. Reward, recognition, a sense of accomplishment, competitiveness, ambition, pure fun�all of these factors come into play with gamification, but touching on them isn't the real goal. Gamification is really about influencing behavior toward specific, measurable outcomes.

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Monthly Trivia

First person to submit the correct answers by email to anorton@osgusa.com will receive a $20 Starbucks gift card!

Entries are judged by date/time received and correctness. Include your name and phone number, the question number and the answer.

1) Leprechauns are often associated with Ireland and St. Patrick's Day. What do you call the stick leprechauns carry?

2) According to legend, what should you never do if you catch a leprechaun?

3) Name one the two mob bosses believed to be involved in the St Valentine's Day massacre.

4) The longest-running St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States takes place in which city?

Cartoon of the Month


Quote of the Month


"Err in the direction of kindness."

 - George Saunders

 

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