A single computer used to fill an entire room. Now, the processors in most smartphones are greater than those of the first mega-computers. But, as technology gets smaller and smaller, it gets more and more difficult to produce "nano-sized" electronics.

So scientists have decided to get nature involved. Scientists at the University of Leeds in the UK and at Japan's Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology are using a special form of bacterium to test their theory. The microorganisms - Magnetospirillum magneticum - naturally create tiny magnetic crystals when they ingest iron. These magnets are similar to those found in PC hard drives.

The growing demand for data center space is no surprise. Immense volumes of data, disaster recovery solutions and effective heating and cooling needs have forced many businesses to expand their data center space. In fact, a recent study showed that "92% of respondents said their companies will definitely or probably expand their data center space in 2012."

The fact that so many businesses recognize the need for additional data center space isn't surprising. What is surprising is the number of companies that are turning to third parties for the expansion project. According to the study, "78% of respondents with expansion plans said they intend to use a partner - such as a wholesale data center provider or a design/build partner - for one or all of their projects."

Imagine having the luxury of multiple job offers. That’s the case for Mitchell Technical Institute’s Telecommunications program graduates. In fact, there are 33 jobs open for just 17 students.

SDN Communications is actively helping recruit future students to MTI’s program because it’s the future of our workforce. Yesterday, KELOLAND TV featured our partnership on the 10pm news. Almost $800,000 of the $20 million federal stimulus grant awarded to SDN is going to pay for lab equipment at MTI so students can get relevant, hands-on experience, which will lead them into good jobs – a goal of the stimulus effort.

Twenty percent of SDN’s workforce graduated from MTI. We anticipate more coming from there. In fact, KELO’s Ben Dunsmoor interviewed student Travis Williamson. He’s coming to work at SDN next month.

Click here to see the story

http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=130518

April is National Safe Digging month. Please help SDN Communications support this effort by calling 8-1-1 before you dig. Learn more about 8-1-1 here.

A recent survey of health care organizations shows that the percentage experiencing a patient data breach is up. What seems to be causing this increase? According to the report: the increased usage of mobile devices.

While laptops and other mobile devices have allowed for improvements in service and provided a new level of efficiency, they have also lead to a new level of security vulnerability. The survey shows that 27% of respondents had at least one security breach in the past year (up from 19% in 2010).

The seventh annual US Cost of a Data Breach report, conducted by Ponemon Institute and Symantec Research, shows that the cost of individual data breaches is actually decreasing. And, not just by a small amount.

The average cost of a breach dropped a whopping 24% from $7.2 million in 2010 to $5.5 million in 2011

This is the first time that researchers have ever seen a decline.