Batye’s review of “Securing the Borderless Network: Security for the Web 2.0 World”

Member Batye agreed to review Tom Gillis’ book, Securing the Borderless Network: Security for the Web 2.0 World. Interested in free review copies of books? Keep an eye on the forums, or e-mail me at Michael@ITKnowledgeExchange.com and let us know you’re interested. We might have something up your alley! -Michael Morisy

This is a small book, but it makes a big impact. Mr. Tom Gillis is very knowledgeable on networking security and he’s put together a great book that what should be on the desk of CIOs and IT managers everywhere, using layman language to explain technical concepts and giving the reader an easier time grasping the important ideas that drive modern network security.

Gillis covered a lot of ground in a concise, clear manner, producing a “Bible” for IT Network/Security pros, and it’s a fun read for technology geeks everywhere.

By nature of my work as paranoid network security admin, I never get bored, and the book offers a lot of new threats to watch out for, particularly with all the new ways workers can connect their new toys to my network 24/7, running from iPods and iPhones to the latest malware attacks, but the book offers plenty of tools and ideas to combat these threats.

It’s also worth noting that the book explains where traditional approaches to network boundaries are dead and gone, which often makes it almost impossible to protect data whether it is static or dynamic, and the pace of evolution for cloud computing and related processes and services means security hasn’t always had time to catch up.

This book clearly identify these problems of the IT Security with excellent examples and interview excerpts from real enterprises.

One of the negatives, however, is that Tom Gillis is an employee of Cisco and it natural for him to promote Cisco technology/future development ideas, and it’s important to keep in mind that there are other options out there; as in this life you have a few Bible versions, like translations from Aramaic language (if I was Cisco employee I would do the same way!).

I do like this book and highly recommend it to my friends and co-workers in the field of IT Network Security.

Disclosure: The publisher of the book provided a free copy for this review.

Review: Cloud Computing and SOA Convergence in Your Enterprise: A Step-by-Step Guide by David S. Linthicum

Today’s review of Cloud Computing and SOA Convergence in Your Enterprise is by Alexander S., AKA community member Batye. Interested in receiving free books? Keep an eye on our Community Blog and subscribe to our twice-weekly newsletter: New book review opportunities crop up all the time. -Michael Morisy, Community Editor

This was a really good book: David S. Linthicum has a solid grasp of the subject, and it’s right on target, comprehensive and packed with valuable information.

The book contains many diagrams that are crude but effective for CEOs and IT developers to get a clear comprehension of Cloud Computing/SOA implementation in medium to large enterprise-wide solutions. I like the way he has structured the book: It’s very technology-oriented and many technologies are presented very well with path shown towards the future.

The book encourages IT to make the much-needed shift to cloud computing/SOA, increasing business agility/ability to change/adjust processes accordingly business needs instead having to deal with redeveloping whole systems.

This book is an excellent guide to this minefield of Cloud Computing/SOA implementation. The book covers a wide variety of concepts and techniques, putting them in context.

Mr. Linthicum uses a simple style to deliver his message, which makes the books acceptable to nontechnical people. I would have no problem to suggest this book to a CEO with a non-technical background.

The book guides readers with methodical approach for delivering solutions in the cloud, while also doing a great job explaining everything from the very basics to the more sophisticated topics.

For instance, data level method integration is skillfully explained in both word & picture. In fact, the author demonstrates a terrific abundance of skill & real world experience when explaining an idea via examples & diagrammed models.

The great value of this book is the overview of Cloud Computing/SOA implementation and its use as a mechanism to change/update information, in real-time, within and between businesses.

Mr. Linthicum has done a thorough job of covering the complex issues associated with Cloud Computing – indeed step by step – with clear explanation of SOA convergence and it benefits on the long run.

This book should be on the desk of every business CEO/CIO.

The bottom line is that the strategic information is worth the price of the book.

Richard Siddaway reviews ‘Practical Virtualization Solutions’

“I tend to judge a book on a number of points,” writes Richard Siddaway, our PowerShell blogger. So does the latest tome by Kenneth Hess and Amy Newman stand up? Read Richard’s comprehensive review to see if he thinks it is:

• Technically accurate
• Deliver the material it claims to deliver
• Worth the cost of purchase and the time he spent reading it

PM crash course for IT Professionals review by Xenophon22

Member XENOPHON22 offered to review Cisco’s PM Crash Course for IT Professionals. Interested in free technical books of your own to review, or would like to suggest a book we have our readers review? Send me a note at Michael@ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Looking for a second opinion on this book? Read MShen’s review.

PM Crash Course for IT Professionals was an enjoyable read as far as text books go.  I am in a position where upper management is expecting project details from inception through completion and onto review.  While having learned some project management when I was in college, the book not only touched base on things I had forgotten, but also added some viewpoints I had not considered.

From real scenarios to open-ended exercises for review, the author was able to make most chapters applicable to the atmosphere I am currently working in.  In particular were the chapters discussing project development and salvaging a project which has gone awry.

Regarding the former, I (although taught to do so) had let it escape me to include all management personnel which were affected by the projects I was doing.  This does not mean handing over the reins; but rather, obtaining their input and gaining a clear understanding of what they expected out of the project.  How can one meet expectations when one does not know them?  The book provides some nice approaches to this which worked quite well in practice.

I think that most personnel who have worked in IT know what it is like to be handed a dying project, a project without focus, or an unsavory situation.  The chapter on saving these projects was not only entertaining but gave me insight into things I had not considered.  I decided to break up a dying project with a vague goal into several projects which finite goals and deadlines.  Management was a little confused at first but the progress since then has convinced them otherwise.  In doing so I not only helped revive the project but also made it easier to manage.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  It is a light read and after reading the first chapter you can quickly pick up the tone of the author.  The chapter breakout and format allow the reader to move around without feeling like they needed to read all previous chapters.  I would recommend this book for anyone looking to gain a little more insight into project management, even if it lies outside the IT field.

David Scott’s Project Management guide

David Scott, a recent contributor on the Enterprise IT Watch Blog, offered us a free chapter download from his book I.T. Wars: Managing the Business-Technology Weave in the New Millennium. If you like it, it’s available from Amazon and other fine retailers. You can also check out David’s homepage.

So what does this chapter download include?

• The difference between project management and project janitoring.
• Why project specifications are critical
• The difference in leadership styles between pushing and pulling your team, and what method you should use.