IT operations careers and skills
IT operations administrators wear many different hats, which comes with many necessary skills and knowledge. From coding and automation to soft skills and collaboration, IT ops admins are kept on their toes. Get expert tips on enhancing your ITOps career.
Top Stories
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Infographic
21 May 2025
By the numbers: How upskilling fills the IT skills gap
IT leaders should not underplay the impact of the IT skills gap. Over 90% of organizations worldwide will feel the pain of the gap by 2026, amounting to $5.5 trillion in losses. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 May 2025
How digital employee experience strategy drives productivity
Digital employee experience is an often-overlooked driver of productivity and retention. Learn why DEX matters and how to make it a strategic advantage. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Apr 2023
Build, operate, transfer (BOT)
Build, operate, transfer (BOT) is a project management technique where a company hires a third-party firm to create a new subsidiary or product. Continue Reading
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Definition
18 Apr 2023
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is a certification that was offered by Microsoft for IT professionals who demonstrated expertise in designing, implementing, and administering Windows server infrastructure, as well as other Microsoft technologies. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2023
Apache
In computers, the Apache Software Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining many open source software projects. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2023
mutation testing
Mutation testing, also known as code mutation testing, is a form of white box testing in which testers change specific components of an application's source code to ensure a software test suite can detect the changes. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Apr 2023
reactance
Reactance is a form of opposition generated by components in an electric circuit when alternating current (AC) passes through it. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2023
Platform engineering vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
Platform engineering and DevOps both contribute to successful software development, but it's important to understand the nuances between the two functions in an IT organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Apr 2023
How tech leaders can develop an IT sustainability plan
Sustainability is on many tech leaders' minds, but knowing where to start can be daunting. CIO Niklas Sundberg shares his experience building an IT sustainability plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2023
6 ways to overcome data center staffing shortages
Retirements, skills gaps and tight budgets are all factors in recent data center staffing shortages. Focus on recruitment, training and other areas to attract more candidates. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2023
How to avoid remote software engineer burnout
Software developer burnout is real. Here are some strategies programmers can use to avoid it. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2023
Who profits from open source maintainers' work?
Open source is critical to the tech industry, but nearly half of maintainers work unpaid -- and the situation is becoming untenable amid rising corporate use and security concerns. Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Mar 2023
IT performance management
IT performance management is the supervision of an organization's IT infrastructure to ensure key performance indicators, service levels and budgets comply with the organization's goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Mar 2023
How to choose IT operations metrics that deliver real value
The sheer volume of data collected in today's IT environments can be overwhelming. But by focusing on the user experience, IT ops teams can pinpoint the metrics that matter most. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2023
How ChatGPT and generative AI will affect IT operations
As generative AI programs improve, they raise questions for many engineering disciplines about the future of work -- and IT operations is no exception. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Mar 2023
Tech for sustainability: What IT and developers can do
With the tech industry under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, developers and IT ops have an essential role to play in sustainability initiatives. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Mar 2023
early adopter
An early adopter refers to a person who embraces new technology or tries a new product before most others. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Mar 2023
IBM Roadrunner
Roadrunner was a supercomputer developed by IBM at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Mar 2023
proof of concept (POC)
A proof of concept (POC) is a demonstration of a product in which work is focused on determining whether an idea can be turned into a reality. Continue Reading
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Definition
03 Mar 2023
hard skills
Hard skills are specific abilities, capabilities and skill sets that an individual can possess and demonstrate in a measured way. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2023
What to do after a layoff: Everything you need to know
Layoffs often happen suddenly for reasons outside your control. If they happen, focus on what you can control. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Feb 2023
sudo (su 'do')
Sudo is a command-line utility for Unix and Unix-based operating systems such as Linux and macOS. Continue Reading
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Definition
14 Feb 2023
crontab
Crontab is a Unix command that creates a table or list of commands, each of which is to be executed by the operating system (OS) at a specified time and on a regular schedule. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Feb 2023
Gartner
Gartner is an IT research firm and consultancy, formerly known as Gartner Group. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jan 2023
chief operating officer (COO)
A chief operating officer (COO) is the corporate executive who oversees ongoing business operations within the company. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jan 2023
AV (audio/video)
AV, an abbreviation for audio/video, is frequently used as a generic term for the audio and video components and capabilities in home entertainment systems and related product descriptions and reviews. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Jan 2023
Where IT operations management is headed in 2023
Between an economic downturn and increasing technical complexity, IT ops management faces a challenging year. An expert analyst shares his predictions for areas of focus in 2023. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Jan 2023
Try out PowerShell grep equivalents with these examples
Though less well known than grep, PowerShell cmdlets such as Select-String have extensive search capabilities in their own right. Explore use cases for both in this tutorial. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Dec 2022
What's next: Predictions, challenges and IT trends for 2023
As organizations look to address ongoing ops skills shortages and increasing complexity in their IT environments, they'll invest in cybersecurity, AI and automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2022
Review the top IT operations news stories of 2022
2022 was full of industry updates, company shake-ups and emerging technologies. Review the highlights of this year's IT ops news to prepare for what's next in 2023. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2022
Geek gifts 2022: Business travel essentials and music-making
For better or for worse, the world re-opened this year, renewing geeks' need for business travel accessories, while others sought to explore their musical creativity. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2022
What makes a good IT operations manager?
Making the jump to management can be challenging for IT ops professionals; leadership positions often require a different skill set than technical roles. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2022
Fresh crop of IT automation tools targets platform engineers
As enterprise IT shifts from full-stack DevOps to platform engineering, IT automation tools reinvented for the Kubernetes era can reduce toil for operators. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2022
Security AI shifts left into DevSecOps
DevSecOps vendors such as GitLab and Palo Alto's Prisma Cloud embrace security AI throughout the software development lifecycle, as IT trust in AI grows. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Oct 2022
10 tech jobs that don't require a degree
Not all tech jobs require a college degree. Some of these jobs -- such as network engineer, cybersecurity analyst and web developer -- are in high demand and offer online training. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
How to build a Windows Server 2022 home lab and why
It's possible to get to learn about the features in the latest Microsoft server OS in a cloud environment, but there are a few reasons to stay grounded with this approach. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2022
Platform engineers plug abstraction leaks
Platform engineers presented at KubeCon about how new tools have helped them better hide infrastructure complexity from developers. But a paradox of choice remains. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2022
Enterprises learn the downsides of DevSecOps metrics
DevSecOps metrics can be helpful, but they can also steer developer and security collaboration in an unproductive direction if they are over-emphasized, practitioners said. Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2022
HashiCorp cloud security evolves via Boundary, Consul, Vault
With the debut of Boundary on HashiCorp Cloud Platform, along with updates for Vault and Consul, the vendor lays the foundation for a long-term product strategy. Continue Reading
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Definition
04 Oct 2022
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
STEM is an educational approach that prepares primary and secondary students for college, graduate study and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2022
Explore the pros and cons of Go for DevOps
Author and Docker engineer Teiva Harsanyi explains the benefits of Golang -- including why he sees it as the future of back-end development -- and how to avoid common pitfalls. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2022
VMware Tanzu sets up edge computing showdown with OpenShift
Enterprise edge computing is still at a nascent stage, but a battle is brewing between Kubernetes platforms such as VMware Tanzu and OpenShift to support the emerging trend. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2022
Learn to work with Microsoft's New Commerce Experience
With some extra effort in the planning stages, it's possible to control costs in Office 365 and Microsoft 365 with the new seat-based licensing model. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2022
Sigstore co-creator talks GitHub, Kubernetes and next steps
Dan Lorenc reflects on a whirlwind year for his open source project, now officially incorporated into Kubernetes and GitHub's npm registry, and his plans for the year to come. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2022
Blue chips hone continuous compliance as GRC pressures mount
The concept of continuous improvement has found its way into IT governance, as companies such as Fannie Mae, JPMorgan Chase and John Deere embrace continuous compliance. Continue Reading
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Definition
22 Jun 2022
information technology (IT) director
An information technology (IT) director is the person in charge of technology within an organization. IT directors manage technology resources and employees to ensure that IT operations run smoothly. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jun 2022
11 online cryptocurrency and NFT courses for all skill levels
The cryptocurrency market is new and continues to change. There are online cryptocurrency courses for all skills levels to stay on top of trends and improve general knowledge. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2022
Fielding IT management challenges: Supply chain edition
As IT operations teams grapple with global supply chain disruptions and a skills shortage, they must work with IT leadership to make some tough decisions. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2022
DevSecOps demands focus on developer experience, IT pros say
It's not enough to set up an approved path to production to establish DevSecOps, experienced platform engineers say; developer experience and collaboration are equally important. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2022
DevOps architect vs. engineer: What's the difference?
DevOps engineers and architects work in the same environment, but their roles, skills and experience differ. Learn what each entails and how to prepare for one over the other. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2022
What skills will IT ops professionals need going forward?
As the field of IT ops rapidly advances, professionals and organizations need to continuously upskill in these key tech areas. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2022
Cisco, CNCF leader urges corporate open source contributions
Critical problems in open source security require major increases in open source contributions from enterprises -- and not just in code, according to Cisco's head of open source. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2022
Important DevOps engineer programming languages to learn
We've learned that DevOps demands some code knowledge -- but there are a lot of languages to choose from. Think about CI/CD, object-oriented languages and infrastructure as code. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
Guide to Windows Server Hybrid Administrator certification
The new accreditation takes a more focused approach with exams that require knowledge of deploying traditional infrastructure components and their Microsoft Azure equivalent. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Apr 2022
DevOps administrator: The role and responsibilities
To really understand a job, it's best to hear from those who have held it. Learn about what it means to work in a DevOps role from these practitioners. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Prepare for these common SRE interview questions
To ace that job interview, aspiring SREs should prepare to discuss everything from programming languages to network troubleshooting at varying levels of detail. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2022
Observability maturity favors data clarity over quantity
Experienced SREs share lessons learned about making effective use of copious amounts of observability data, from pre-collection priorities to data visualization. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
NPM 'protestware' raises questions on open source security
The deliberate sabotage of an NPM package to protest war in Ukraine worsens the already complex threat of software supply chain attacks, open source and security experts said. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2022
SREs provision their role in DevSecOps
Whether it's creating automated tools for OS certification or exploring eBPF as a way to safeguard supply chain security in production, cybersecurity is a growing part of SRE jobs. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Mar 2022
6 DevOps soft skills and how they drive success
DevOps is built on collaboration and communication -- and soft skills make that foundation strong. Discover six soft skills to help set you apart. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2022
VCP exam prep: Learn what help the VMware course provides
The VMware Certification Professional badge is for admins with network, storage and data center virtualization know-how. Get insight into course specifics and structure. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Feb 2022
Access free courses with the Microsoft ESI program
Do you qualify for the Microsoft ESI program? Here's more about it from someone who has taken advantage of it, and why you should consider it to upgrade your skill set. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Dec 2021
12 DevOps KPIs you should track to gauge improvement
What's missing from your DevOps workflow? Cold, hard, impartial numbers. Track these key metrics to ensure DevOps processes achieve stated goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Dec 2021
Low-cost virtualization courses to build your VMware skills
Online courses are a great option for professional development, but they can be costly. Options from Udemy, LinkedIn and Global Knowledge let you increase skills at minimal cost. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Nov 2021
IT skills shortage opens chances for growth and diversity
A lack of skilled employees can hurt business initiatives. To solve this IT skills gap will take commitments to meeting employee demands and dedication to learning. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
25 Oct 2021
Connect data with PowerShell's Join-Object module
In PowerShell, connect different data sources and sets with the community module Join-Object. Examine different examples and use cases to relate your data. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2021
Disperse documentation in DevOps processes, top to bottom
Your IT organization's pre-DevOps documentation practices aren't cutting it. Improve speed, accuracy and quality -- and don't leave it for last. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2021
11 job interview questions for virtualization engineers
Interviews are your chance to showcase your overall knowledge -- and technical expertise -- of virtualization. Prepare for your next job interview and review typical questions. Continue Reading
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Quiz
22 Jul 2021
Take this quick DevOps quiz to test your expertise
DevOps as a methodology and cultural movement has been around for years -- but how well do you know its concepts and best practices? Find out here. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 May 2021
9 advanced IT certifications for operations experts
To be an IT expert requires dedication to the ever-changing technology and processes. Here's a list of certifications to demonstrate that skill and experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2021
Close the tech skills gap with the right training
Employee skills are a valuable business resource. The scarcity of new or emerging IT skills has led to a skills gap that impedes tech adoption and business competitiveness. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Mar 2021
8 certifications and courses for admins, DevOps and IT ops pros
With a few years of experience now on your resume, it's time to boost or validate those skills you've gained. Explore these courses and certifications for one that fits your goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2021
Compare some of the top online IT training providers
Everyone learns differently. So, to find the right training provider to match your style, weigh the pros and cons of these five options before you subscribe. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jan 2021
5 AIOps skills to add to your DevOps resume
Organizations use AIOps to address complexity, but these tools don't exist in a vacuum. See the top skills needed to successfully implement them. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Dec 2020
11 certifications for entry-level IT operations roles
Looking to start a career in IT operations? Check out these courses and certifications for beginners to gather all the foundational skills you'll need. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2020
Tips for attending virtual IT conferences like a pro
The coronavirus pushed all physical gathering events into the digital realm for public safety. But this completely disrupts our prep patterns. Here are some tips to help. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2020
Tips for a smooth DevSecOps transformation
DevSecOps is a natural progression of DevOps and spreads security responsibilities to other IT teams. Where to begin? Here are core concepts, helpful tools and ways to learn more. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2020
Evolving DevOps roles demand Kubernetes, CI/CD skills
The rapid rate of change in IT coupled with the newness of many DevOps practices and technologies creates barriers for those who seek a career in DevOps. These skills can open the door. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Aug 2020
Incident communication best practices for happier users
Proper communication around an IT outage or incident can prevent chaos. Use these techniques -- at home and abroad -- to keep users well-informed. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jun 2020
Prepare for the rise of the IT automation architect
As IT infrastructures become more complex, and development cycles more rapid, organizations increasingly lean on automation -- and those with the skills to oversee it. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jun 2020
From coding to automation, SRE skills reach far and wide
A site reliability engineer wears many hats. In addition to development and IT troubleshooting responsibilities, this role requires top-notch communication skills. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2020
Your Golden Ticket: The Hidden Power of CMDB in IT Digital Transformation
Learn how a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) can be a powerful tool in your organization’s IT digital transformation journey. Continue Reading
- 29 May 2020
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Feature
29 May 2020
Composing a CMDB requires new rules for navigating today’s modern enterprise
Learn what the four new rules are for composing a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) for navigating today’s modern enterprise. Continue Reading
- 29 May 2020
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Feature
29 May 2020
ServiceNow Configuration Management Database
Learn how to maintain current and accurate data, identify performance and user experience improvement, visualize complex data to drive better decisions, and more with the ServiceNow Configuration Management Database. Continue Reading
- 29 May 2020
- 19 May 2020
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Feature
19 May 2020
A successful CMDB deployment in five essential steps
Join the first of our three-part series on maintaining your CMDB as a trusted source and learning the essential role it plays in your organization’s modernization. Continue Reading
- E-Zine 19 May 2020
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Tip
31 Mar 2020
Lay the groundwork for a SecOps team structure
A good partnership between IT operations and security teams requires trust, mutual commitment and continual work -- but results in significantly reduced security exposures and a healthier work culture for all. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2020
Weave DevOps continuous learning into a CI/CD toolchain
DevOps shops can bake training materials into CI/CD workflows to ensure IT and development staff constantly advance their skills -- but be sure to keep those materials up to date. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2020
Evolve IT help desk skills to meet modern user demands
"Have you tried turning it off and then back on again?" is no longer the first question a help desk technician should ask. Widespread use of tech by just about everyone has changed the role. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
'Limited' number of VMware layoffs confirmed in 'rebalancing'
VMware says the layoffs will allow the company to better focus on helping corporate users figure out their multi-cloud strategies and affected workers may be reassigned. Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2019
Verizon, Walmart embrace DevOps dojo for IT training
Some IT training experts say 'Dojo is a no-go,' but companies such as Verizon and Walmart say the DevOps dojo approach has been well worth it for them. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2019
Put infrastructure automation at the heart of modern IT ops
IT automation, DevOps at scale and hybrid infrastructure management are three critical -- and interconnected -- IT operations initiatives for 2020. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2019
Geek gifts 2019: Think Opex, not Capex with subscriptions
Why manage buying your own gifts for geeks, when there are so many subscription gift box services that will do that kind of undifferentiated heavy lifting for you? Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Dec 2019
IT security best practices for DevOps, cloud and more
Technology is in constant motion, making it difficult for enterprise IT shops to maintain steadfast security. Explore ways to protect DevOps, microservices and cloud environments. Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2019
JASK buy may boost security analytics in Sumo Logic SIEM
Sumo Logic has acquired JASK, an automated SOC that will be most useful for security analytics and alert reduction features within Sumo Logic's SIEM. Continue Reading
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News
27 Aug 2019
IT training programs stall amid search for best practices
Without a standard set of best practices to refer to for IT training programs, or any industry consensus on the best general approach to training, large enterprises have begun to trail smaller, more nimble counterparts in the efficiency of their software releases. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2019
IT training flaws compound DevOps skills shortage
Before investing in an online course to learn new IT skills, heed this warning from brain scientists: there is a big difference between knowing what to do and knowing how to do it. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2019
5 IT video tutorials admins don't want to miss
The best way to ramp up with a new technology or IT practice is to see it in action. Use these five video tutorials to visually walk through GitOps workflows, CI/CD pipelines and more. Continue Reading
