The History of the PIX

     

     The Cisco ASA series is a very popular security device for businesses.  It is a multifunctional device that provides many of the services today's businesses need all in one device.  Today's generation of ASA devices offer a wide range of services including VPN, IDS, IPS, NAT, and application scanning among other things.  The ASA offers an all in one solution for businesses looking to secure their network while also allowing access to trusted individuals over a secure channel.  The ASA has evolved over time as the security needs of businesses has evolved.  The history and progression of the ASA is discussed by David White Jr. and Jay Johnston in Episode 28 of the TAC Security Show Podcasts.  The original podcast from June of 2012 can be found here http://cisco-podcast.streamguys.net/cdc/security/tac/TACSecurityShow_episode_28.mp3.

   
    The ASA has its roots in the Cisco PIX.  The PIX was first introduced in 1994 when engineers created device in order to provide NAT.  The original PIX was a mere shell of the current iterations of security devices but served as the beginning of Cisco's long line of security appliances.  The podcast by David and Jay does a great job of explaining the history of the PIX and how it evolved from simply a device to provide NAT for a network.  They discuss how over time the various features of today's security devices were added to the PIX.  The podcast does a great job of discussing the timeline and changes to the PIX over time.  As the original PIX was a very simple device it required an add on card to do routing initially.  The PIX evolved over time to include many of the features of today's ASA devices and laid the groundwork for the appliances of today.  This evolution and the dependability of the PIX line are two reasons why the ASA is so widely used today.

     The TAC Security Show is one of several podcasts by Cisco.  It is one of my favorite as it is put on by actual support staff members who over time have encountered most every scenario imaginable.  I find the real life situations discussed to be entertaining as well as informational.  Cisco offers a wide variety of podcasts that cover all of their product lines.  The podcasts are a great way for Cisco to engage their customers as they not only provide valuable information but the encourage feedback from their customers so that they are covering information that is of interest to their customer base.  

Innovation

     In July of 2013 Toby Shapshak gave a presentation on innovation at a TED talk event.  This presentation can be viewed here.  Toby discussed the various innovations to come from Africa and how being an area with limited resources spawns genuine innovation.  One of the images Toby used during his presentation was a map of the world as viewed from space.  He used this image to show the electrical output across the globe and the lack there of from Africa.  Toby argued that the technological deficiencies have helped to spawn innovation.  Toby also gave several examples of the many innovations and uses of a standard feature phone to help illustrate his point.

      Toby's presentation was supported by a few visuals ranging from pictures to a standard phone used to illustrate his points.  The visuals used help reinforce the points he was making as he progressed through his presentation.  He kept a steady pace through out his presentation and managed to mix in a few pieces of humor to engage and keep the audience interested.  By combining a select few visuals and bits of humor Toby progressed a clear path through his presentation that was both engaging and thought provoking.  Hearing some examples of innovations and uses of a simple feature phone proved to be motivational for me.

Two companies different uses of social media

     As technology and more specifically social media continue to impact every facet of our lives companies both big and small are using social media in a variety of ways to try to connect with consumers.  Two such companies are Samsung and the San Francisco 49ers, who are in different industries and thus user social media differently but both do so very effectively.

   

     Samsung is a global company that most people are familiar with as they make a wide range of electronic devices.  The Samsung mobile social media accounts specifically feature their mobile phone and computing departments. Samsung uses these social accounts to interact with their customers by not only offering insights into new products but also deals and tips on existing products.  They do a very effective job of soliciting interaction from consumers and actually engaging them.  This keeps consumers interested and entices them to check in regularly for new content.  By giving the consumer an incentive to interact through discounts and tips to using their products Samsung has been able to garner a very large active following on their accounts.

     The San Francisco 49ers are a professional football team in the National Football League.  While they do not offer a traditional tangible product, they still use social media to interact with their fans to garner interest in their team.  The 49ers social media accounts use a different strategy to interact with their customers as they do not directly sell products, but rather entertainment.  While they do sell different memorabilia, they do so by garnering support and interest in their team.  The 49ers offer a variety of information about the team, including exclusive content unique to their social media accounts to offer an incentive to their fans to interact and follow them.  Along with exclusive content, the 49ers garner interaction with their site by enaging their fans in conversations about the team and its history as well as offering giveaways to their fans.

     While the two companies profiled are in very different industries they both use social media to engage and interact with consumers.  Both organizations strive to have meaningful interaction with their followers in order to keep them engaged.  Rather than focusing on advertising in the traditional sense and overwhelming consumers with product information, they offer content that will interest and encourage the consumers to continue to follow them.

Resume's in Today's Job Market

     In today's job market technology has expanded the talent pool from the limited local area of the past to now include individuals from around the globe.  No longer are jobs posted in your local paper, but, instead are posted online for the whole world to see.  As a result of this broadened reach HR departments are being overloaded with applicants.  Much in the same way search engines allow you to search through world wide web to find what you are looking for, many companies now use software to scan through the numerous applications they recieve for candidates that possess the skills and traits they are looking for.

     Most of us have a general idea of how your favorite search engine works, but how does resume scanning software work?  

     "In general, the software will scan information and download it into a database. It looks through for certain keywords or phrases set by the employer—things like years of experience in a field or particular skills. Then, it grades, ranks or screens the resumes, so recruiters only spend time on the best fits. The more advanced the tracking system, the better it can parse what you’ve written."(http://www.wnyc.org/story/241076-resume-scan/)

    Depending on the software being used, your resume will be scanned for the desired skills, traits, education, and relevant work experience the company desires in the ideal candidate.  The software will then give your resume a score and based on that score you will either proceed to the next phase of the application process or eliminated as a candidate.

     Given the gloabl reach of today's job market resume screening has become an essential part of the hiring process for many companies. The advantage to the  screening of resumes is that it allows companies to process far more applications in a very short amount of time.  Unfortunately there are some downsides to the screening process as well.  In the same way you may have to attempt several search engine searches to find the specific site you are looking for, resume screening may screen out the perfect candidate before anyone at the company has any interaction with the individual.  While candidates will try to optimize their resumes in the same way webmasters attempt to optimize sites for search engines, candidates have the disadvantage of not knowing exactly what keywords or phrases being used to screen their resume.  

"Many candidates are unaware of the powerful impact of keywords – some applicants have become key word experts. As a result, their resumes score higher when assessed by the ATS system, even though their skills and experience are identical to other applicants"(http://www.ere.net/2012/07/16/what%E2%80%99s-wrong-with-using-resumes-for-hiring-pretty-much-everything/).

    Given the ever increasing talent pool companies have turned to resume screening which has its advantages and disadvantages, but is this practive fair to the applicants?  I believe that it is.  While some may feel that an ideal candidate may be incorrectly screened from the application process, in the end the company loses in that scenario.  Companies are free to use any method they chose and hire whomever they wish when filling a position.  There is no equity when it comes to this process as it is an entirely subjective decision.  As the company assumes the risk of selecting a candidate, they are free to make that selection using whatever criteria they like.

Why I am at MATC

     The question of why I am at MATC has many answers and is a journey that takes many years. A degree, continued advancement in my field, expanding my knowledge base in IT, and a sense of accomplishment are among the reasons I am at MATC.

     My journey at MATC started with my initial enrollment in the school back in 2006.  While I attended UW-Whitewater right out of high school I was less than successful in my first attempt at college.  I decided to initially enroll at MATC as I had grown increasingly discontent in my job at a local restaurant.  I had worked at the same restaurant my entire life and was beginning to realize it wasn't the job I wanted for the rest of my life.  I had always had an interest in computers and had enjoyed all of the computer related classes I had taken in the past.  I made the decision to try to enter the IT field and selected MATC as my starting point on that journey.  However, shortly after my enrollment, I decided to attend PC Pro School instead.  I achieved a few Microsoft certifications and started my career in IT shortly upon completion of the program at PC Pro School.  While I had begun my career in IT my desire to learn and thirst for knowledge did not wane. Upon my promotion to IT director for the Ewald Automotive Group in 2011 I decided it was time to go back to school.  As my responsibilities expanded so did my need for continued education.  Along with the value continued education adds to my career, another reason I am at MATC is the sense of accomplishment that comes along with a college degree.  I have wanted to go back to college since shortly after my unsuccessful venture at UW-Whitewater.  I also would like to transfer to a 4 year university after I finish my degree at MATC. 

     I am at MATC for many reasons, from the value it adds to prospective employers, the sense of accomplishment that comes with earning a degree, and my appreciation and enjoyment in learning.  All of these things combined to convince me to enroll at MATC.