Here is the reason your antivirus isn’t working anymore

Irvine, CA - Even the biggest of the antivirus software vendors are beginning to give up the fight against malware. The traditional ways of fighting just don’t work anymore. It is too reactive and labor intensive… not to mention just inherently flawed at this point. If you have been to our lunch and learns the past couple of years you know that at Alvaka Networks we down-play significantly the role and importance of firewalls and AV software. Sure you need them, but oftentimes users rely on those two tactics at the neglect of other often more important and effective solutions. If you want a comprehensive solution based upon tools you likely already own you should read this – What 12 Security Things Should I Focus on to Be Defensible in 2016? These are just as valid for 2017.

What is the breaking news on the demise of antivirus software as we know it? Well, it simply does not work well today and in the future. Here is a link to...

Here is the reason your antivirus isn’t working anymore2017-06-27T15:53:49-07:00

Alvaka Networks is growing – T minus 2 days

Irvine, CA – The movers finished delivering all our personal property from the old building. I got my basic office functions set-up tonight and my most important personal items put away. There are still some boxes to unpack and pictures to hang. Some others have done the same. Some offices are still dumping zones and in complete disarray. Most of that will get organized for tomorrow. There is the most basic semblance of an office system starting to come together. By tomorrow night is should be vastly better. We still plan to be completely operational at 7 AM Tuesday morning, but the unpacking won’t be complete.

T minus 2 days to moving-in.  Click Here for the Pictures

 

The move-ology countdown:

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into new Irvine offices - T minus 6 days

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into new Irvine offices - T minus 5 days

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into new Irvine offices - T minus 4 days

Alvaka Networks is growing - T minus 3 days to moving-in

Alvaka Networks is growing - T minus 2 days

https://www.alvaka.net/blog/t-minus-1

Alvaka Networks is growing – T minus 2 days2016-10-31T06:27:57-07:00

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into larger new Irvine offices

Irvine, CA - We are not going too far. We are only moving about two miles. We are now adjacent to the overflow/long-term parking for the John Wayne/SNA Airport. We are at the corner of Main Street and Redhill at 2 Executive Circle in Irvine.

Everyone at Alvaka is really excited to be moving into our new larger headquarters. Here are a few pictures of the new space after demolition and before the new construction starts. These photos show some of the painting that just started.

T minus 7 days to moving-in.  Click Here for the Pictures

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into new Irvine offices - T minus 6 days

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into new Irvine offices - T minus 5 days

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into new Irvine offices - T minus 4 days

Alvaka Networks is growing - T minus 3 days to moving-in

Alvaka Networks is growing - T minus 2 days

https://www.alvaka.net/blog/t-minus-1

Alvaka Networks is growing and moving into larger new Irvine offices2019-09-05T21:52:15-07:00

What is it like to upgrade to Windows 10?

I finally got around to upgrading my Lenovo notebook from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. I can tell you in short it was a relatively fast and easy upgrade. My Lenovo is fairly quick and I have all solid state drive storage so that probably helped make things go fast.

Here is how my upgrade went:

  • I did the pre-download option of Windows 10 so all the files were already on my system when I started the upgrade.
  • Once launched the Lenovo ran for about five minutes with a green screen of...
What is it like to upgrade to Windows 10?2019-05-14T07:29:29-07:00

10 days to Save Big on Taxes for Equipment Purchases

Orange County, CA - You have Less Than 10 Days to Save Big on Tax Write-offs for Equipment Purchases.  You need to act now.

The Section 179 deduction, named for a provision in the federal tax law, allows a small business to deduct -up front- the entire cost of equipment ranging from computers to furniture to vehicles and machinery. The deduction is normally $25,000, but for the past years our lawmakers in DC have increased that amount substantially.

I have some great news for you.  Here is an excerpt an article on The Hill regarding Section 179 updates.  It says recent legislation was passed to raise the instant depreciation level to $500,000. 

10 days to Save Big on Taxes for Equipment Purchases2017-09-18T00:36:18-07:00

Could Your Computer Breach Have Lasted Three Years?

Irvine, CA - Juniper had a flaw in their networking equipment that may have allowed breaches in government networks for as long as three years.  I would presume the same risk applies to Juniper users in private enterprises as well.The [...]

Could Your Computer Breach Have Lasted Three Years?2015-12-19T03:24:37-08:00

40% of Hospitals Self-Declared as Struggling Financially Due to IT Problems

“94% of the surveyed hospital CFOs self-identified as “struggling”, report that delayed or failed implementations in other IT systems, particularly EHR, have drastically impacted the organization’s financial position.” 

That is what is says in the third sentence of a  fascinating press release I just read  from healthcare market research firm Black Book Market Research.  The press release goes on to cite a number of other statistics from their research including stats that many healthcare CFOs are expecting to lose their jobs by 2016 and that there will be a trend to start hiring CEOs from outside healthcare.

I have witnessed some of the reasons for the IT troubles at healthcare companies: 

·         Healthcare companies on the whole have been laggards in adoption of fresh information technologies.

·         IT personnel at most healthcare organizations themselves are behind the curve on...

40% of Hospitals Self-Declared as Struggling Financially Due to IT Problems2023-08-11T01:44:11-07:00

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas a Happy New Year to All of You

Thank you so much for all your support in 2014.  We are already planning for 2015.  Many of you may have already gotten calls from me as I contact you to get feedback on a set of 10 questions I [...]

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas a Happy New Year to All of You2014-12-23T23:04:11-08:00

Bonus Depreciation Was Just Raised to $500,000 for 2014

We wrote to you three weeks ago to remind you of your $25,000 for tax deduction and bonus depreciation on certain IT and other assets.  We have a news flash, the senate just passed a bill to raise that accelerated [...]

Bonus Depreciation Was Just Raised to $500,000 for 20142023-08-11T01:46:09-07:00

What nineteen audiences in twelve months taught me?

Navigating Fear in the Security and Compliance World

In advancing technology it is fear of having a project go sideways, over budget or fail to accomplish the stated objective that has many frozen. What if that technology we recommend doesn’t work as we hope? What if it is something required by law (such as encryption in healthcare) that we fear an unknown outcome so much that we won’t act? What if we miss a key component of a project or underestimate the effort required and the entire project goes over our budget?

What nineteen audiences in twelve months taught me?2014-12-17T23:02:14-08:00