Security is always high up on the list of issues IT decision makers need to manage. One of the most challenging aspects of security is that the types of threats are changing and the environment we’re protecting is shifting as mobility, the cloud and other trends alter the way we work. Anthony Caruana spoke with four security gurus to get their views on the changing threat matrix. [ + ]

A new report has detailed three possible versions of the NBN should the Coalition take power in September’s federal election. Meanwhile, NBN Co has awarded Visionstream a construction contract worth up to $1 billion for the east coast of Australia. But some have questioned whether the contract will survive the election. [ + ]

We’re all talking about the cloud but is it really ready for the enterprise? [ + ]

A NASA-developed, laser-based space communication system will enable higher rates of satellite communications similar in capability to high-speed fibre-optic networks on Earth. [ + ]

CSIRO recently launched Australia’s largest publicly funded research initiative focused on the digital economy. The Digital Productivity and Services Flagship (DPAS) is a $40 million research initiative focusing on the services sector and optimising the full value of national broadband infrastructure. [ + ]

Almost every function within your data centre has been or can be virtualised. Servers, the PBX, storage, desktop clients - you name it, it’s running on generic hardware. But what about the network? [ + ]

A new analysis of NBN Co’s numbers claims that the organisation has been fudging rollout numbers to cover up delays. Meanwhile, Telstra has revealed it will not renegotiate the sum of the $11 billion contract it signed with the Australian Government if the Coalition gains power in September. [ + ]

Big data is not about the technology. Big data is not about the next big thing in the IT department. Big data is not all about the social media revolution. Big data is all about really smart people forging the tools to enable business and organisations to stop guessing about which decision is the right one to make. [ + ]

In the last week, financial advisory firms have called for HP shareholders to deny the re-election of several HP board members following recent poor acquisitions, and the Australian Minister for Immigration has claimed that 457 temporary work visas have caused a drop in IT salaries. [ + ]

The issues affecting businesses are similar around the world. The key issues and points of vulnerability are around human engagement. [ + ]

EMC’s Xtrem family of flash-optimised server and storage products is a PCIe-based flash card that is designed to accelerate application performance. [ + ]

With the increasing popularity of big data, business intelligence, and data mining and analytics, our ethical footprints are becoming both more expansive and harder to see. [ + ]

Councils in South Australia will soon have access to information to help reduce childhood obesity, thanks to a geographic information system (GIS) project at South Australia’s Department for Health and Ageing. [ + ]

Australian organisations should act now and start preparing for next year’s changes to privacy law, lest they breach the new rules and cop a huge fine. [ + ]

In this last week, Vodafone Australia announced it would relocate 750 jobs from its Mumbai call centre to Australia, while law firm Piper Alderman revealed it would soon launch a class action against the telco. Plus: independent MP Rob Oakeshott claimed that oversight of the NBN is being tainted by major party politics. [ + ]