IceCubbe recommends keeping up with the Loaded daily video to keep “up to date with all the latest happenings in the IT world.”

Whether you’re looking for a top of the line security podcast, job listings, or opinions of like-minded tech folks, ErroneousGiant recommends you pay a visit to Risky Biz. With over 170 podcasts published since February 2007, Risky Business has quite the archive, as well as forums and a second podcast, RB2. Looking for some reading material? ErroneousGiant also keeps up with Sophos’s Naked Security blog, where you can find updates on the latest Facebook phishing scam (probably updated hourly) and hacking or security issues from courtrooms all over the world.

Carlosdl suggested a couple Twitter accounts whose shortened URLs it’s probably safe to click: @helpnetsecurity and @FSecure. Help Net Security’s Twitter stream is managed by Mirko Zorz, editor in chief of Help Net Security and (IN)SECURE Magazine. F-Secure’s Twitter stream highlights the latest headlines in security.

There is an impressive array of Twitter accounts and blogs to follow, no matter what area of IT your focus is.

Networking: Twitter & Blogs

Storage Virtualization: Twitter & Books

Desktop Virtualization: Twitter & Blogs

Windows 7: Blogs

Security: Twitter & Blogs

Of course, checking out the Enterprise IT Watch blog and @ITKE on Twitter is always a good place to start.

Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments section or in the forums.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

PacketLife

I was admiring Jeremy Stretch’s blog over at PacketLife on Twitter, and he responded to remind me that there was a whole community of great networking blogs. So I checked them out, and so should you. The full list is here.

Aaron’s Worthless Words: Don’t let the title throw you, Aaron Conaway’s 12 years of experience with “designing, implementing, and supporting aspects of the network from switches to routers to firewalls to load balancers” makes this blog a great go-to for in-depth explanations and insights into networking processes.

Ethereal Mind: Greg Ferro is a freelance Network Architect and Senior Engineer and Designer. He writes this blog as a way of giving back to the IT community, a guy after our own hearts! (He’s also on Twitter.)

Evil Routers: Jeremy has “designed, redesigned, implemented, configured, and managed large networks serving thousands of users” and has taught numerous courses on networking, security, and Windows Server. His expertise translates into mini-lessons and IT adventures in each blog post. He recently quit his job and outlines his reasons why as well as his passion for IT, which I’m sure many of you can relate to.

Fry Guy’s Blog: Jeff is a Cisco CCIE in Routing and Switching #22061. His blog covers all aspects of his adventures in networking, including book reviews and his conference schedules. Get mini-versions of his blog posts at his Twitter.

PackLife Blog: Check out the PacketLife blog for more things networking including tutorials, or chat with him on Twitter.

Other great networking finds…

Packet Maniac: This guy is a network engineer and architect with experience with packets and frames and Cisco equipment. He believes that “no network is too big or too small to conquer.” He’s also on Twitter!

Archimedius: Greg Ness “rants and rambles” about networking, security and virtualization.

Network Janitor: Kurt writes about all of the things he’s learned as a Network Engineer and as a guy studying to be one (CCIE and JNCIE). He specializes in design advice, building multi-provider and multi-technology network solutions, and IPv6 consulting. Check him out on Twitter as well!

The Networking Nerd: Tom Hollingsworth is also a Network Engineer who describes himself as a “voice/routing/switching/security nerd.” He’s currently studying for his CCIE, so wish him luck at his blog or on Twitter.

Where do you keep up with the goings-on in the networking world?

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

Storage Virtualization Blogs

From new products and companies to reviews and step-by-step guides on new storage virtualization products, sign up for these RSS feeds for the latest information on the technology.

• The Virtual Storage Guy: One of NetApp’s blogs, The Virtual Storage Guy offers blog posts on topics such as virtual storage tiering and desktop virtualization.
• VMware Virtualization Management Blog: If you’re using or considering using VMware products for your virtualization project, check out their virtualization management blog for updates or tips.
• Ruptured Monkey: Check out this solutions architect’s blog on “all things storage and virtualization in the data center.”
• Pack Rat: Stephen Foskett knows storage, and his blog covers general storage topics from storage products to common IT habits regarding data storage and management.
• Virtual Lifestyle: For more information from a certified VMware specialist on all things storage, check out Joep Piscaer’s blog.
• The Storage Architect: This blog has coverage and reviews of storage and virtualization products and techniques.
• Around the Storage Block: Calvin Zito of HP Storage blogs about all things storage, which he’s been working in for over 25 years.

Of course, IT Knowledge Exchange has a wealth of blogs on storage and virtualization as well:

• The Virtualization Room: From the editors at SearchServerVirtualization, this blog sometimes covers the storage side of your virtualization needs.
• Storage Soup: For general commentary on the storage industry, including storage virtualization techniques, check out this blog from SearchStorage.com.
• Enterprise IT Watch Blog: Check out the IT Watch Blog’s coverage of storage virtualization.

Storage Virtualization Videos, Guides, and More

Member Slack400 shared some links to his favorite storage virtualization guides and how-tos:

• Hyper-V installation demo
• Hyper-V Guide
• P2V Migration Tips
• VMware keyboard shortcuts

Check back next week for the Storage Virtualization Twitter professionals and books to watch out for! Share some of your favorite places to go for information on the subject, and we’ll share 50 knowledge points with you.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

Saturno suggested GlobalKnowledgeBlog for its section on Windows 7 that is always being updated with new materials. Engineering Windows and the Windows 7 Team Blog are also great stops on your way to a better understanding of the operating system. Johnstockman enjoys the Microsoft Springboard Windows 7 blog for help in Windows 7 deployment.

Slack400 recommends Windows Networking and SearchEnterpriseDesktop for more in-depth information. Some of his favorite guides on SearchEnterpriseDesktop:

• A guide to Windows 7 migration tools
  
• Windows 7′s XP Mode can help with compatibility, as a last resort
• The basics of planning an enterprise desktop migration to Windows 7

The Windows 7 Blog is another compilation of developments in Windows 7 and Windows in general. Check out IT Knowledge Exchange’s options for Windows 7-related blogs as well: Windows Enterprise Desktop by Ed Tittel, Windows 7: Through the Looking Glass by Tony Bradley, and The ranting of an IT professional by Jason Tramer highlights Windows 7 on a pretty regular basis. Of course, there are always the Enterprise IT Watch Blog and the answer forums for those questions or quirks that you can’t find anywhere else.

Add your own picks in the comments section, the forums, or email me directly at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

• Saturno wishes he had more time to read and learn everyday, but he makes do with the time he has. When he’s looking for something security-related, he checks out Security Blanket, which covers “automated, consistent Linux & Solaris lock down.” When it comes to cloud security, Chris Hoff’s Rational Survivability, Bruce Shneier’s security blog, and Craig Balding’s CloudSecurity.org make the cut.
• RamseyB enjoys Tony Bradley’s IT Knowledge Exchange hosted blog The Security Detail and Wired.com’s privacy, crime and security online blog, Threat Level.
• Mortimer1 recommends Trend Micro’s Cloud Security blog and seconds Saturno’s vote for CloudSecurity.org.
• Spadasoe enjoys checking out the Microsoft Security Response Center.

Don’t have time to read these blogs? Why not listen to one! Check out this vimeo video based on Craig Balding’s blog post “Are You Trying to Pin the Tail on the Cloud Donkey?”

Are we missing any of your favorite cloud security or just plain security blogs? We’d love to have them on our list, so leave them in the comments or send me an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com! For more tech blogs, check out the community’s member and editorial blogs.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

• Brian Madden: Independent tech analyst who’s written books and articles on application and desktop virtualization.
• Gabe Knuth: Independent blogger, focusing on Microsoft and Citrix solutions.
• Tim Mangan: Founder of TMurgent Technologies, Tim is a Microsoft MVP for virtualization.
• Ruben Spruijt: As a Solutions Architect for PQR, Ruben focuses on application and desktop delivery of hardware and software virtualization.
• Ron Oglesby: Director of Virtualization and Architectural Services at GlassHouse Technologies, Ron has co-authored several books including VMware ESX Server: Advanced Technical Design Code.
• Jeff Pitsch: His virtualization blog focuses on terminal services and Citrix environments and is syndicated at BrianMadden.com.
• Charles Aunger: Also syndicated, Aunger’s blog topics range from Windows 64-bit to Citrix to VMware and VirtualPC.
• Jason Conger: He specializes in virtualization and Microsoft.Net technologies, and blogs about his experience as a System Architect.

And that’s just from Brian Madden’s Rolodex. Here are some other great places to go when you have a hankering for some desktop virtualization morsels:

• Desktop Virtualization: Of course any website with the words desktop virtualization in the URL should be on the list.
• The Virtualization Practice’s Desktop Virtualization blog: Several contributors make this blog about all areas of desktop virtualization a great resource. Contributors include Joe Jessen and Simon Bramfitt, both industry analysts.
• Simon Bramfitt: While his blog covers several different tech topics, he has a whole section dedicated to the topic of desktop virtualization.

What are your favorite virtualization blogs or Twitterers to follow? Leave your picks in the comments section or send me an email.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

1. …And you will know me by the trail of bits: Dino Dai Zovi has 9+ years of information security experience under his belt. He is a regular at conferences, speaking on what he knows best: “red teaming, penetration testing and software security assessments.” His claim to fame? Dino discovered and wrote the exploit that won him the first PWN2OWN contest at CanSecWest in 2007; not to mention being named one of eWeek’s 15 Most Influential People in Security.

2. Application Security: Perspective from the field: Michael Coates, leader of web security at Mozilla, blogs here about all things security, from application security, security codes, and penetration assessment. I especially enjoyed this piece about a flaw he found in Black Hat’s video stream a few months ago: The Irony – Black Hat Video Stream Hack.

3. /dev/random: Written by a security consultant in Belgium, this blog provides general information and theory on IT security down to minute instructions for integrating blacklisting in your own DNS server.

4. Tao Security: Richard Bejtlich, Director of Incident Response at General Electric, blogs about “digital security and the practices of network security monitoring, incident response, and forensics.” He also reviews products and provides insight into daily industry and popular tech news.

5. Infamous Agenda: Matthew Hackling (great name for a security guy, right?) runs a security consultancy and writes about information security management, with “a keen interest in infrastructure and web application security.” He’s funny and informative, an essential mix when writing about IT. Check out this useful checklist for avoiding shelfware – ISMS implementation tips. [More great security blogs after the jump.]

6. CyberCrime & Doing Time: “A blog about cyber crime and related justice issues,” Gary Warner’s blog covers the latest spam and malware attacks from an analytic and preventive perspective.

7. Catch22 (in)security: Not all of Chris Riley’s 14+ years in IT have been dedicated to security, but since he discovered his affinity and interest in the subject, he’s done his share of studying. His qualifications include Security+, CEH, ECSA, and MCSE 2003: Security. He blogs about learning opportunities in the security field, conferences, and other security-related topics relevant to his personal experience and the blogosphere.

8. Amrit Williams’ Blog: His 18+ years in information technology, security and risk management have made him an entertaining and authoritative voice on the subject. His path to CTO at BigFix included research director on Information Security and Risk Research Practice at Gartner, Inc.

9. Accuvant Insight: The members of the Accuvant LABS team’s primary goal is “to provide interesting, informative and insightful information to the IT security community…from the industry’s best assessors, consultants and researchers.”

10. Securosis: The team at Securosis, “an information security research and advisory firm,” blogs about the business and technical sides of security, providing detailed and informative angles in each of their stories.

For more security-related blogs, check out the Security Bloggers Network. Don’t see your favorite security blog listed here? Let us know in the comments section or via email.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

Major data loss: bad. These blogs: good.

Even if your company was immune to being wiped out by a natural disaster, you’ve only thwarted about one percent of the threats against your data. Don’t get caught in the lurch when freak—or not so freak—accidents strike; back it up. For the ins, outs, pros, cons—and other short, plural words—of storage best practices, check out these blogs:

• StorageRap: Marc Farley is an author and blogger, covering topics such as storage networking, technology, applications and markets.
• Storagezilla: Mark Twomey is zero parts lizard and all parts EMC whiz. This is his personal blog, however, and EMC is in no way involved with what he blogs about.
• The Storage Anarchist: Another chip off the EMC block, Barry Burke shares his personal politics regarding all things storage.
• Storage Soup: The editors at SearchStorage.com bring you a “lighthearted review of the latest industry chatter, trends and products in the storage arena.” Bon appétit!
• Pack Rat: Stephen Foskett is a self-proclaimed pack rat—in his personal life. Professionally, he’s a vendor-independent storage consultant.
• The Storage Alchemist: Storage technology industry leader Steve Kenniston blogs about his experiences in the storage community.

Vendor(ish)

• The Storage Effect: Seagate’s blog dedicated specifically to all things storage.
• Online Storage Optimization: Carter George, co-founder of Ocarina Networks, provides industry commentary and info on Ocarina’s “unique storage optimization technology.”
• Chuck’s Blog: An EMC insider himself, Chuck Hollis blogs on all things technology including, you guessed it, storage.
• StorageMojo: The founder of TechnoQWAN LLC, Robin Harris also blogs at his ZDnet blog, Storage Bits.

Where do you get your data storage and storage virtualization information? Let us know in the IT Knowledge Exchange forums, or e-mail me directly and we can add your suggestions to our list.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

From the Inside: Editorial & User Blogs

• Search Server Virtualization: Search Server Virtualization editors outline how industry changes and announcements affect how your company uses virtualization.
• Virtualization Pro: SearchVMWare editors provide the grittier bits of the business side along with resources you need to check out.
• Irregular Expressions: User Dan O’Connor reveals vulnerabilities and exploits while sharing virtualization tips and tricks.

From the Outside

• VMBlog: David Marshall keeps track of all things virtualization so you don’t have to.
• Virtualization.Info: Virtualization news headlines compiled and explained in one place.
• AMD’s Virtualization Blog: Best practices for products and services offered by AMD.
• Scott Lowe’s Blog: Contributor to SearchVMware and SearchServerVirtualization, here he blogs about his personal and professional IT experiences, focusing on virtualization, storage and servers.
• Virtual Lifestyle: Joep Piscaer has the virtual cred to back him up; he’s received the highest of recognitions from VMware for his work.
• Virtualize: Martijn Lohmeijer takes us through the steps of implementing VMWare Virtual Infrastructure. Learn what to expect and avoid from his firsthand experience.

Tired of reading? Get weekly updates podcast-style from the team at Search Server Virtualization or watch some (Virtualization) TV that won’t rot your brain.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

If the Internet really is a series of tubes, it’s network engineers who keep those tubes running. But how, exactly, do you keep it running today while keeping an eye on what you’ll need tomorrow? Get the experts’ opinions from our picks of the top networking blogs. Know of a great networking blog we’ve missed? Sound off in the IT Knowledge Exchange forums, where other IT professionals are chiming in with their thoughts.

Editorial Blogs

• The Network Hub by the Search Networking editors
• Window on WANs by the Search Enterprise WAN editors

Independent/Analyst Blogs

• LoveMyTool
• Will Hack for Sushi by Joshua Wright

User Blogs

• IT Trenches by Troy Tate
• David’s Cisco Networking Blog by David Davis
• Network Technologies and Trends by Yasir Irfan
• Security Corner by Ken Harthun
• Network Administrator Knowledgebase by Michael Khanin
• Cisco Blog

Vendor(ish) Blogs

• Cautiously Cutting the Cord by Douglas Haider
• Network Security Blog by Martin McKeay
• Security Levity by Amir Lev