Today Cyber Security plays a paramount role in global security. On this blog, the CEO of Paramount Defenses shares rare insights on issues related to Cyber Security, including Privileged Access, Organizational Cyber Security, Foundational Security, Windows Security, Active Directory Security, Insider Threats and other topics.


July 13, 2012

The Perfect Security Storm May Be Brewing for Organizations Worldwide

Folks,

Over the last few years, we’ve had the opportunity to work with thousands of prominent business and government organizations worldwide. In our experience, we've found that most of these organizations seem largely unprepared to deal with some of the most serious threats to their security today.

To make matters worse, we suspect that malicious perpetrators may have gotten the drift of some of these serious threats, and could very well be working on exploits.


We fear that the perfect security storm may very well be brewing for these organizations.

We hope that it does not ever come, because if it does, we fear that it could end up indiscriminately rattling many an organizational ship, unless organizations are prepared for it, because its attack surface, like the open oceans, is vast, because it could arrive with little or no warning, and because it has the potential to swiftly punch gaping holes in the very hulls of these ships.

(The vagueness is intentional, because in the public domain, everyone has equal access to this note. The wise however, will get the hint, and to the intelligent, a hint is enough.)


Best wishes,
Sanjay

July 2, 2012

Dell Acquires Quest Software - Thanks, Mr. Dell

Folks,

Its official – Dell and Quest Software today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Dell to acquire Quest.


Michael Dell

Michael Dell

Such desperation on Dell’s part to recently establish a Software Group to diversify its business, and now pay 50x earnings for Quest Software, and make it the "core" of its software business clearly indicates that it doesn’t see its hardware business improving anytime soon.

I suppose Quest’s customers can expect the following in months to come –
  1. Discontinuation of Certain Products
  2. Deterioration of Product Capabilities  
  3. Transition to Customer Service from India
  4. Departure of Sales/Dev Employees

Anyway, I just wanted to thank Mr. Dell for setting a precedent - 50x is the new multiple for acquisitions in the Windows Management / Active Directory Solutions space, and that’s just for commodity solutions.

Mr. Dell, by the way, here's Security 101 for you - I doubt your own IT folks can tell you exactly how many people can reset your password and login as you today. Unfortunately for you, neither can Quest Software.

No worries, we can help you answer that question, in about 2 minutes - here you go (; it's child's play for us, powered by our innovative, patent-pending, Microsoft-endorsed, resultant-access assessment technology). 

Alright back to work now.

Best wishes,
Sanjay

PS – Evercore's Rob Cihra, echoes/validates my thoughts - "Dell is “rolling up a rollup...    ...We see Dell taking on the challenge of trying to build out its new software identity by acquiring a company that seemed unable to fully figure out its own identity.