CIO weekly wrap-up: NAC, SaaS benefits and IT outsourcing contracts

I hope everybody had a good weekend! For those who might not have visited late last week, check out Mark Schlack’s post on Windows 7 vs. Vista features, and feel free to add your views. And, while you’re at it, don’t miss the most recent stories from SearchCIO.com:

• Appliance-based network access control keeps university network secure - In this case study, find out how an NAC system enforces security policy for 25,000-plus students, faculty and staff, replacing a sneakernet form of worm control.

• As SaaS model matures, complexity grows, but SaaS benefits hang tough - Partners offer the customization and business process improvements that enterprise apps require, but new complexity doesn’t override traditional SaaS benefits.

• IT outsourcing contracts merit review given scandal at Indian firm - You may have heard about the accounting scandal at Satyam; now learn some of the solutions. Satyam customers should weigh their options.

• Also, we included some action steps for non-Satyam customers, since this scandal will have ramifications across the industry if Satyam customers flee and take their business to other IT outsourcers.