Operations | Monitoring | ITSM | DevOps | Cloud

802.1X Authentication for BYOD and Guest Networks

In the modern world of networking, security remains a primary concern for businesses of all sizes. With the proliferation of mobile devices and the increasing trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs, as well as the need to support guest networks, companies are facing growing challenges to protect their digital assets and ensure seamless access control. One effective solution to these challenges is 802.1X authentication. This article explores the role of 802.1X authentication for BYOD and guest networks, highlighting its importance, benefits, and how tools like Portnox are enhancing security within these environments.

Top Realistic AI Image Generators for Practical Business Use

The gap between AI image generation demos and actual business deployment remains wider than most vendors acknowledge. Marketing materials showcase stunning outputs. Operational reality involves inconsistent results, workflow friction and outputs that require significant human correction before they reach production. For operations leaders evaluating these tools, the question is not which generator produces the most impressive single image. The question is which tool delivers reliable, realistic outputs at scale without disrupting existing workflows or requiring specialized technical expertise.

The Technical Architecture Behind Automated Video Generation Systems

I spent several weeks last year reverse-engineering how automated content pipelines actually work. Not because I wanted to build one necessarily. But because the proliferation of AI-generated video content raised questions I could not answer without understanding the underlying systems. How do these pipelines function? What are their actual capabilities and limitations? Where does technology stand today?

Top cloud cost management trends in 2026

Cloud spending has shifted from an IT afterthought to a strategic performance lever. As organizations head into 2026, many IT teams are rethinking how they use, govern, and optimize cloud resources, not just how much they consume. Enterprises, startups, and MSPs are entering an efficiency-first era, fueled by multi-cloud adoption, distributed architectures, and a growing need to balance performance with predictable budgets. The question is no longer: How much are we spending?

Agentic AI Essentials: Examining the Hype Around Agentic AI

In the first article of our Agentic AI Essentials series, we’ll establish what makes agentic AI distinct. We’ll look at the process of tool calling and examine how agentic systems convert intelligence into action. We’ll also explore the human fears, pressures, and ambitions that fuel the hype around agentic systems. By sorting the signal from the noise, IT decision-makers can take the first step toward making sound decisions around agentic AI adoption.

How to Monitor Network Performance for Multi-Site Businesses

When you’re a business managing network performance across 15 branch offices in different cities, you’re going to see some blind spots. Your headquarters may experience consistent connectivity, while remote location experience unpredictable slowdowns that can affect your daily operations.

Should you still pay for SSL certificates?

There’s a particular flavor of skepticism that shows up whenever someone suggests using Let’s Encrypt. The security team crosses their arms. “Free certificates? For production? We’re a serious organization. We use Sectigo.” I get it. You’ve been buying certificates from the same vendors for twenty years. They send you invoices, you pay them, certificates appear. It feels responsible, and free feels like a trap. But is it?

Six FinOps Certifications And Courses To Set You Up For Success in 2026

FinOps is evolving fast, and 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for specialization. While these certifications are ranked from beginner to advanced to help you build skills in the right order, one course stands out as the hottest recommendation right now: FinOps for AI. AI spend is accelerating, ownership is getting murky, and teams are scrambling to keep up. That urgency is exactly why FinOps for AI is generating so much interest heading into 2026.

How To Calculate Your OpenAI Cost Per API Call (And Why It Matters Now)

OpenAI doesn’t bill per feature, per customer, or per transaction. It bills per token, across multiple models, with usage patterns that can change by the hour. As a result, two API calls that support the same feature can have very different costs. Without a clear way to translate token-level pricing into something product, engineering, and finance teams can reason about, AI spend becomes difficult to forecast and harder to control.

Why Aging Networks Put Critical Infrastructure at Risk-and What It Means for Us

Everywhere around us, technology is evolving at lightning speed, yet the networks which underpin these capabilities often lag behind. This gap creates vulnerabilities that can impact everything from energy grids to emergency services. Forbes recently explored this urgent issue in an article featuring insights from our CEO Bruce McClelland, who shared an informed perspective on why modernization is essential, not optional. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the full article.