More Gov't Legislation/Regulation In Depth

Cloud computing: You can't outsource your compliance obligations

Even if your cloud provider is at fault should your company fall out of compliance, the law will come after you.

Court Has Compromised Software Rights

This ruling is disastrous for any company that has developed software for internal use.

Why Google should be allowed to 'harvest' your Wi-Fi data

The FCC cleared Google of wrongdoing in the so-called 'WiSpy' case. It was the right call, says columnist Mike Elgan, because Google did nothing wrong.

Grading the Tech Policy Makers: A First Quarter Recap

It's been a busy 2012 on the Hill. As legislators and policymakers grapple with an array of issues central to the policy agendas of companies in the technology industry, CIO.com takes stock of how Washington has moved on intellectual property, cybersecurity, privacy and spectrum in the first quarter of 2012.

Are Google and Apple really 'monopolies'?

Recent charges claiming that Google or Apple are monopolies, are monopolistic or wield monopoly power are simply false. And those who use the M word about these companies are misleading you, writes columnist Mike Elgan.

SOPA Controversy

Internet censorship or protecting creative work from theft? The controversy over SOPA and PIPA legislation.

15 top quotes of 2011

As another year draws to a close, we look back on the IT-related comments that stuck with us.

Has the spam problem been solved?

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said in 2004 that the problem of spam would be solved within two years. His timing was off, but I was shocked to realize this week that I really don't get much spam anymore.

Why net neutrality is better for business

President Obama threatened to veto a bill this week that overturns new FCC rules stating that Internet providers cannot limit lawful network traffic. On Thursday, the Senate voted the same bill down. Under the new FCC rules put into force last December, mobile broadband providers can't block applications that compete with their services. The administration's position on the rules and the bill introduced to overturn them is clearly stated here.

Continuing coverage: Patent wars

Tech companies are hitting the courts in droves. We track the patent madness.

5 reasons why SIEM is more important than ever

IT environments are growing ever more distributed, complex and difficult to manage, making the role of security information and event management (SIEM) technology more important than ever. Here's why.

QuickPoll: Is there a conspiracy to take down Android with patent lawsuits?

Patents cases are mounting against Android and makers of products that run on Android. The latest: Samsung's Tab has been barred from sale in Europe. Google charges that rivals, among them Apple, are waging a 'hostile, organized campaign against Android' using 'bogus patents.' Is it a conspiracy?

Apple gets injunction barring Samsung Tab sales in Europe

Apple on Tuesday confirmed that a German court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets across all European Union nations, except for the Netherlands.

10 hard truths IT must learn to accept

Unsanctioned devices, compromised networks, downtime -- today's IT is all about embracing imperfections.

Monkey business with a camera

Never mind the infinite monkey theorem reproducing Shakespeare, what we were asked to ponder last week is a lone black macaque commandeering a photographer's unattended camera to shoot a few amusing pictures ... and touch off a copyright debate in the process.

India wants to intercept Skype, Google communications

The controversy over India's demand that it be allowed to monitor online and mobile communications resurfaced again on Wednesday, with an Indian minister telling reporters that the government had asked Skype, Google, and several other companies to give it access.

Big Media: Peeing in the lake and pleasing no one

Gibbs discusses how Big Media's agenda is, once again, framing laws that are bad in every way.

Apple, Microsoft consortium beats Google for Nortel patents

Nortel Networks has auctioned off its remaining patents and patent applications to a consortium of key technology companies for a cash purchase price of US$4.5 billion.

Vulnerability analysis tools add compliance features

Compliance is a natural extension of a vulnerability analysis tool. Normal vulnerability scanning includes searching for unpatched systems, unprotected directories, and other errors in configuration.

Making screen savers and finding leaks

Making screen savers and finding date leakage, oh my.