The Ultimate Energy Savings Solution For Your PC Network

Focus on Energy has a nice campaign going on that will help save you money and fund software to help control the energy on your PC Network.

Not only is the good for the environment, it will help you save some money in these tough economic times. The payback is about 18 months, but you gain a good piece of software that will help you control your network. I think this green computing movement is picking up some steam and is good overall for the Country.

(Info from the website and link to the campaign. http://www.focusonenergy.com/Business/loose_pages/pccontrols.aspx)
They will pay for up to 50% of the project up to 12 dollars for PC to have software that will provide Power Management.

For a limited time, double-up on bonus rewards from Focus on Energy!
Calling all IT Professionals! Looking to curb runaway energy consumption throughout your organization while maintaining high performance? Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy program, has an opportunity for you. February 1 though August 30, 2009, we're offering double the financial incentives when you take advantage of PC network energy management solutions. Focus on Energy will pay $12 per computer controlled, up to 50 percent of project cost. These software-based products allow network administrators to remotely manage Windows-based PCs in sophisticated IT environments which dynamically control many computers from one central location. Examples of PC network energy management software include, but are not limited to*:
Adaptiva Companion
Avocent LANDesk® Power Manager
Desktop Authority® from ScriptLogic
Energy Saver Pro from EDU Business Solutions
Kaseya User State Management
LANrev Power Management
Lightspeed Systems
NightWatchman® from 1E
Power Save from Faronics
SURVEYOR by Verdiem®
SyAM System Area Manager You'll minimize monitor and peripheral run times and maximize energy savings opportunities without interfering with end-user productivity or desktop maintenance. These programs are easy to implement, require minimal maintenance and deliver a payback period of 18 months or less.

Cyber Attacks on the Nation Power Grid

I was watching Fox News tonight and one of the shows mentioned that China and I believe Russia had found a way to hack computers in the National Power Grid.

It sounded like the way they did that was by sending files with malicious code in them.
I have to wonder how secure those networks really are? For starters why would they even allow any access to China or Russia. Blocking traffic to/from those IP addresses could be a good first line of defense.

They also should scan email for malicious code as a step 2 in the process and train end users not to open files from someone they do not know. Also, if this code is exploiting a vulnerability, they should be patches the machines on a regular basis.

The other item I commonly see in Firewalls is allowing all traffic outbound without restrictions. It is wise to configure only the items you need outbound. Also, with proper monitoring, you should be able to catch strange behavior such as items going to China.

The above is why I recommend a UTM firewall, it can scan traffic for viruses, it can block malicious code, when can stop IP addresses from china and the logging is good.

I still can not believe that they are not more secure.