Editor’s note: There is a lot going on in the world of IT, from emerging technologies to digital transformation and new cybersecurity threats. However, we can’t possibly cover it all, so we’ll bring you This Week in IT, a curated summary of IT and enterprise technology news stories each week.
Microsoft releases SQL Server 2022
Microsoft has announced the general availability of SQL Server 2022, which it calls the most Azure-enabled release of SQL server yet with improvements to performance, security and availability.
The connections to Azure, including Azure Synapse Link and Microsoft Purview, allow customers to drive deeper insights, predictions and governance from their data at scale. Azure integration includes managed disaster recovery to Azure SQL Managed Instance, enabling database administrators to manage their data estates with more flexibility and minimal impact to end users.
Built-in query intelligence enhances performance and scalability, and the company says the solution is fortified with Ledger for SQL Server, which uses blockchain to create a tamper-proof track record of tie of all changes to the database.
Read this Microsoft blog to learn more.
Microsoft announces Teams Shared Device License
Microsoft says it is evolving its software offerings to accommodate new workplace use cases and is rebranding its Common Area Phone license to the Teams Shared Device license to enable broader functionalities involving shared devices.
The Teams Shared Device license will continue to support the existing user experience for phones in common areas, but the license will now also support use cases for Microsoft Teams Displays and Microsoft Teams Panels to address the evolving use cases for shared and common spaces that don’t need a full Teams Rooms license.
The rebranded license will be available at the end of 2022. Read this blog to learn more.
CompTIA launches Tech Job Posting Optimizer
IT Industry association CompTIA has launched the Tech Job Posting Optimizer, a new free web-based platform that provides a library of tech job templates and smart data tools to help employers optimize job postings for skills, qualifications and inclusivity oriented to the U.S. labor market. The tool also provides a check of bias language, salary curves and a job posting best practices guide.
The tool is free and available to any employer in any industry looking to recruit technology professionals.
Learn more about the Tech Job Posting Optimizer.
U.S. agencies warn of Hive ransomware attacks
The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services have issued a joint advisory on the Hive ransomware group that has victimized over 1,300 organizations globally, securing about $100 million in ransom payments. The group targets critical infrastructure, including healthcare, government facilities, communications, critical manufacturing and IT.
Read the joint advisory to learn more about the Hive ransomware group’s operations.
DDoS attacks up in October as ransomware declines
A new report from the NCC Group finds DDoS attacks are continuing to increase, with October seeing the highest number of incidents so far this year with 2,090, a 14% rise from September. This comes as ransomware attacks decreased by 7% in October from the previous month.
“We are seeing a vast growth in DDoS attacks, with the numbers in October hitting an all-time high,” says Matt Hull, global head of threat intelligence at NCC Group. “This shift is even more notable this month as overall ransomware attacks decrease.”
Read the report to learn more about cyberattack trends.
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