The week began with security experts sounding off the alarm on an unpatched bug by Microsoft. On the other end, VMware bowed down to Kubernetes, and Big Tech under coronavirus means a distributed workforce.
Here Are This Weeks Top Stories:
- Security: Microsoft Patch Tuesday Report Reveals Unpatched SMB Bug
- Infrastructure: VMware Integrates Kubernetes in vSphere 7 Platform
- Outbreak: Big Tech Boosts Remote Work Amid Virus Fears
Security
Microsoft Patch Tuesday Report Reveals Unpatched SMB Bug
Microsoft released the largest ever Windows security update ever this week as part of its March 2020 Patch fixing as many as 115 security vulnerabilities, 26 of which were critical ones. However, the software giant also mentioned a security flaw, assigned CVE-2020-0796, that did not appear in the list of patched vulnerabilities.
Big Picture: The unpatched security flaw, according to security firm Fortinet, is a Buffer Overflow Vulnerability in Microsoft SMB Servers that can be exploited by an attacker to execute malicious code within the context of an application. A report by ZDNetOpens a new window also quoted Cisco Talos stating that the SMB vulnerability could lead to a wormable attack that involves malware strains moving from one device to another fairly quickly. As of now, the security flaw impacts Windows 10 v1903, Windows10 v1909, Windows Server v1903, and Windows Server v1909 versions that contain SMB v3 protocol.
Our Take: Now that Microsoft has mentioned that the security vulnerability exists but has not introduced a patch for it yet, it is possible that cybercriminals will attempt to exploit the flaw to install malicious code such as spyware or ransomware into affected devices. Installing security updates as soon as they are available, upgrading to the latest version of Windows, and running Windows Defender scans regularly could prevent such attack until Microsoft introduces a patch to fix the vulnerability.
Learn More: Microsoft Is Ending Security Support for Windows 7, Server 2008Opens a new window
Infrastructure
VMware Accepts Kubernetes Dominance, Integrates It in vSphere 7 Platform
After initially downplaying Kubernetes dominance in containerized applications, first by pushing its virtual machines for data centers and then creating its own container solution that didnt work, VMware has finally accepted the reality and incorporated Kubernetes in vSphere 7, its first virtualized applications and services platform that will run all classes of virtualized workloads in an environment.
Big Picture: Kubernetes has now become the industry standard for containerized orchestration and is enjoying unrivaled adoption worldwide. In order to survive the game, VMware pivoted to Kubernetes by providing native support in vSphere 7 – the virtualization platform. The support for Kubernetes is a big win for the developer community.. VMware CEO Pat Gelsigner admitted that there is no business value in developing new applications to run in containers when there is already an industry consensus interface for applications which has proven ecosystem support.
Our Take: The biggest advantage of Kubernetes is that it is open-source, allowing organizations to automatically deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications while benefiting from advice on best practices from the open source community. It offers the flexibility to deploy applications on-premises or in hybrid, or public cloud infrastructure and scale as per an organizations needs. The launch of vShere 7 on a Kubernetes layer is, therefore, a no-brainer that could have been done much earlier.
Learn More: IBM CTO on How Red Hat Buy Strengthens the Kubernetes GameOpens a new window
Outbreak
Big Tech Boosts Remote Work Amid Virus Fears
With the outbreak going out of control, Big Tech is riding out the virus by assuming the role of a responsible corporate citizen. In North America, Google has implemented work from home until at least April 10 for knowledge employees. Meanwhile, Amazon has asked employees in New York and New Jersey to work from home if they can for the rest of the month. Social networking giants Facebook and Twitter have also asked employees to work from home to prevent the spread of contagion.
Big Picture: Googles decision to implement remote work comes not long after the company cancelled its popular I/O ConferenceOpens a new window earlier in March. The search giant has also restricted employee travel to a large extent and is taking the spread of virus in the U.S. very seriously. Recently, an employee in Googles Zurich office tested positive. Redmond giant Microsoft has asked employees in Seattle and San Francisco to work from home until March 25 after two employees in Seattle tested positive last week.
Our Take: While China has largely contained the initial outbreak and some factories are being reopened in the export hub, fresh infections popping up in strong economies such as North America and Europe in March indicates that more effort is required to limit the spread of contagion. In such a scenario, large enterprises have no option but to keep their workspaces safe with distributed workforce until the pandemic is contained. These steps have major financial consequences and the global stock market already lost $6 trillion in February endOpens a new window reportedly. The outbreak has also put the spotlight on corporate readiness, crisis leadership, and how to build workforce resilience in times of global crisis.
Learn More: Supply Chains Suffering from CoronavirusOpens a new window
Tech Trivia
Basecamp CEO & Co-founder, author of Remote: Office Not Required tweets on remote work phenomenon!
For the foreseeable future, well be refunding the purchase price of our book REMOTE: Office Not Required. Buy a copy, tweet me a picture of you holding the book w/ a sales receipt dated 3/10/20 or later, and well PayPal you a complete refund (DM your email, please).
Jason Fried (@jasonfried) March 11, 2020Opens a new window
What did you think of this weeks tech news roundup? Let us know on TwitterOpens a new window , FacebookOpens a new window , and LinkedInOpens a new window . Wed love to hear from you!