IT operations careers and skills
IT operations administrators wear many different hats, which comes with many necessary skills and knowledge. From coding and automation to soft skills and collaboration, IT ops admins are kept on their toes. Get expert tips on enhancing your ITOps career.
Top Stories
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Tip
20 Dec 2023
SRE vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
The lines between site reliability engineering and DevOps aren't always clear. Building a harmonious relationship between the teams starts with understanding their distinct roles. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Dec 2023
11 best free DevOps certifications and training courses in 2024
Learn why DevOps is important and how getting certified can help launch a career in the field with these 11 free certifications for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Nov 2023
Geek gift guide 2023: Security first, at home and on the go
The COVID-19 public health emergency officially ended in 2023, but the threat of cyberattacks grew. Geeks had security on their minds, along with home comforts and travel gear. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
17 Nov 2023
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon 2023 news coverage
Trying to keep up with the latest news out of KubeCon + CloudNativeCon? Use this comprehensive guide to stay updated and informed on both the European and North American events. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Sep 2023
10 DevOps engineer skills to add to your resume
DevOps plays a critical role in modern IT. As app development and deployment practices change, orgs will seek pros with hands-on experience -- and the skills to match. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2023
10 common platform engineering interview questions
Platform engineering is gaining popularity across software enterprises. Job candidates can practice answering these 10 common questions to prepare for their interviews. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Sep 2023
Top 10 generative AI courses and training resources
These wide-ranging resources help users of all skill levels learn the ins and outs of generative AI, offer advice and training on tools, and help users keep up with trends. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 Aug 2023
How to build and organize a machine learning team
Explore the process of building an ML team, including reasons to build one and descriptions of the core roles of project manager, data engineer, data scientist and ML engineer. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Aug 2023
How to kickstart a proof-of-concept IT project
Like any IT initiative, operations staff need a clear vision for a proof-of-concept project. From the justification to reporting stages, knowing the steps can bolster PoC success. Continue Reading
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Feature
10 Aug 2023
26 tips to get the most out of a conference
With conference season fast approaching, use these tips to show up prepared to make the most out of your experience -- before, during and after the event. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2023
4 sustainability leaders reveal career path, challenges, goals
There's a demand for companies to create dedicated sustainability roles. Here are key insights and advice from four sustainability leaders on how to succeed in this career path. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
Practice troubleshooting Kubernetes clusters using log data
Knowing how to interpret application logs is essential for successful Kubernetes troubleshooting. Get hands-on practice with this walkthrough from Kubernetes expert Chad Crowell. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
A Kubernetes expert shares CKA exam preparation tips
Kubernetes admin and author Chad M. Crowell discusses how to prep for the Certified Kubernetes Administrator exam, whether getting a Kubernetes certification is worth it and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jun 2023
3 IT and DevOps trends to watch in the second half of 2023
From managing cloud costs in an uncertain economy to embracing AI and other emerging technologies, IT leaders face major challenges as they head into the second half of 2023. Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2023
AI and automation take center stage at AnsibleFest 2023
Amid excitement around the possibilities raised by AI and automation, experts at Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2023 highlighted the importance of trust and responsibility. Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2023
Ansible Lightspeed leads Red Hat generative AI agenda
Red Hat leans on IBM's expertise in training Watson Code Assistant to write Ansible playbooks, as worries linger about AI-generated code risks and rivals hold a strong lead. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 May 2023
World's 10 best cities for tech workers
Explore the key characteristics that make each city stand out, such as high pay, low cost of living, job opportunities and innovation. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 May 2023
5 best practices for building a strong DevOps culture
Under the CALMS framework, establishing an open, collaborative culture from the outset is just as important as tools and technologies when starting out on your DevOps journey. Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2023
Cloud repatriation vs. multi-cloud: IT seeks cost relief
Amid fiscal worries, IT orgs reassess cloud investments. Whether they go back on-premises or expand to multi-cloud, they face similar distributed computing management challenges. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Apr 2023
The promises and risks of AI in software development
Incorporating AI into software development could be transformative, but it raises ethical and practical concerns. What does AI-generated code mean for the tech sector's future? Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2023
KubeCon highlights open source to combat climate change
Addressing climate change takes a community. At KubeCon Europe 2023, experts discussed how open source practices and projects can foster sustainability. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Apr 2023
Platform engineering vs. DevOps: What's the difference?
Platform engineering and DevOps both contribute to successful software development, but it's important to understand the nuances between the two functions in an IT organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Apr 2023
How tech leaders can develop an IT sustainability plan
Sustainability is on many tech leaders' minds, but knowing where to start can be daunting. CIO Niklas Sundberg shares his experience building an IT sustainability plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2023
6 ways to overcome data center staffing shortages
Retirements, skills gaps and tight budgets are all factors in recent data center staffing shortages. Focus on recruitment, training and other areas to attract more candidates. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Apr 2023
How to avoid remote software engineer burnout
Software developer burnout is real. Here are some strategies programmers can use to avoid it. Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2023
Who profits from open source maintainers' work?
Open source is critical to the tech industry, but nearly half of maintainers work unpaid -- and the situation is becoming untenable amid rising corporate use and security concerns. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Mar 2023
How to choose IT operations metrics that deliver real value
The sheer volume of data collected in today's IT environments can be overwhelming. But by focusing on the user experience, IT ops teams can pinpoint the metrics that matter most. Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2023
How ChatGPT and generative AI will affect IT operations
As generative AI programs improve, they raise questions for many engineering disciplines about the future of work -- and IT operations is no exception. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Mar 2023
Tech for sustainability: What IT and developers can do
With the tech industry under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, developers and IT ops have an essential role to play in sustainability initiatives. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Feb 2023
What to do after a layoff: Everything you need to know
Layoffs often happen suddenly for reasons outside your control. If they happen, focus on what you can control. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2023
Top 9 most in-demand tech jobs of 2023
For job seekers in 2023, it's important to find a role that will be in high demand both now and in the coming years. Here are nine of the most promising jobs in technology. Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Jan 2023
Where IT operations management is headed in 2023
Between an economic downturn and increasing technical complexity, IT ops management faces a challenging year. An expert analyst shares his predictions for areas of focus in 2023. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jan 2023
10 best entry-level tech jobs in 2023
There are tech jobs for people with all backgrounds and experience levels. The technology field is changing, and there are several career paths to consider. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
23 Jan 2023
Try out PowerShell grep equivalents with these examples
Though less well known than grep, PowerShell cmdlets such as Select-String have extensive search capabilities in their own right. Explore use cases for both in this tutorial. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Dec 2022
What's next: Predictions, challenges and IT trends for 2023
As organizations look to address ongoing ops skills shortages and increasing complexity in their IT environments, they'll invest in cybersecurity, AI and automation. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2022
Review the top IT operations news stories of 2022
2022 was full of industry updates, company shake-ups and emerging technologies. Review the highlights of this year's IT ops news to prepare for what's next in 2023. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2022
Geek gifts 2022: Business travel essentials and music-making
For better or for worse, the world re-opened this year, renewing geeks' need for business travel accessories, while others sought to explore their musical creativity. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Dec 2022
What makes a good IT operations manager?
Making the jump to management can be challenging for IT ops professionals; leadership positions often require a different skill set than technical roles. Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2022
Fresh crop of IT automation tools targets platform engineers
As enterprise IT shifts from full-stack DevOps to platform engineering, IT automation tools reinvented for the Kubernetes era can reduce toil for operators. Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2022
Security AI shifts left into DevSecOps
DevSecOps vendors such as GitLab and Palo Alto's Prisma Cloud embrace security AI throughout the software development lifecycle, as IT trust in AI grows. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Oct 2022
10 tech jobs that don't require a degree
Not all tech jobs require a college degree. Some of these jobs -- such as network engineer, cybersecurity analyst and web developer -- are in high demand and offer online training. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Oct 2022
How to build a Windows Server 2022 home lab and why
It's possible to get to learn about the features in the latest Microsoft server OS in a cloud environment, but there are a few reasons to stay grounded with this approach. Continue Reading
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News
27 Oct 2022
Platform engineers plug abstraction leaks
Platform engineers presented at KubeCon about how new tools have helped them better hide infrastructure complexity from developers. But a paradox of choice remains. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2022
Enterprises learn the downsides of DevSecOps metrics
DevSecOps metrics can be helpful, but they can also steer developer and security collaboration in an unproductive direction if they are over-emphasized, practitioners said. Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2022
HashiCorp cloud security evolves via Boundary, Consul, Vault
With the debut of Boundary on HashiCorp Cloud Platform, along with updates for Vault and Consul, the vendor lays the foundation for a long-term product strategy. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Sep 2022
Explore the pros and cons of Go for DevOps
Author and Docker engineer Teiva Harsanyi explains the benefits of Golang -- including why he sees it as the future of back-end development -- and how to avoid common pitfalls. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2022
VMware Tanzu sets up edge computing showdown with OpenShift
Enterprise edge computing is still at a nascent stage, but a battle is brewing between Kubernetes platforms such as VMware Tanzu and OpenShift to support the emerging trend. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2022
Learn to work with Microsoft's New Commerce Experience
With some extra effort in the planning stages, it's possible to control costs in Office 365 and Microsoft 365 with the new seat-based licensing model. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2022
Sigstore co-creator talks GitHub, Kubernetes and next steps
Dan Lorenc reflects on a whirlwind year for his open source project, now officially incorporated into Kubernetes and GitHub's npm registry, and his plans for the year to come. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2022
Blue chips hone continuous compliance as GRC pressures mount
The concept of continuous improvement has found its way into IT governance, as companies such as Fannie Mae, JPMorgan Chase and John Deere embrace continuous compliance. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jun 2022
11 online cryptocurrency and NFT courses for all skill levels
The cryptocurrency market is new and continues to change. There are online cryptocurrency courses for all skills levels to stay on top of trends and improve general knowledge. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2022
Fielding IT management challenges: Supply chain edition
As IT operations teams grapple with global supply chain disruptions and a skills shortage, they must work with IT leadership to make some tough decisions. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2022
DevSecOps demands focus on developer experience, IT pros say
It's not enough to set up an approved path to production to establish DevSecOps, experienced platform engineers say; developer experience and collaboration are equally important. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jun 2022
DevOps architect vs. engineer: What's the difference?
DevOps engineers and architects work in the same environment, but their roles, skills and experience differ. Learn what each entails and how to prepare for one over the other. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 May 2022
What skills will IT ops professionals need going forward?
As the field of IT ops rapidly advances, professionals and organizations need to continuously upskill in these key tech areas. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2022
Cisco, CNCF leader urges corporate open source contributions
Critical problems in open source security require major increases in open source contributions from enterprises -- and not just in code, according to Cisco's head of open source. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 May 2022
Important DevOps engineer programming languages to learn
We've learned that DevOps demands some code knowledge -- but there are a lot of languages to choose from. Think about CI/CD, object-oriented languages and infrastructure as code. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Apr 2022
Guide to Windows Server Hybrid Administrator certification
The new accreditation takes a more focused approach with exams that require knowledge of deploying traditional infrastructure components and their Microsoft Azure equivalent. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Apr 2022
DevOps administrator: The role and responsibilities
To really understand a job, it's best to hear from those who have held it. Learn about what it means to work in a DevOps role from these practitioners. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Mar 2022
Prepare for these common SRE interview questions
To ace that job interview, aspiring SREs should prepare to discuss everything from programming languages to network troubleshooting at varying levels of detail. Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2022
Observability maturity favors data clarity over quantity
Experienced SREs share lessons learned about making effective use of copious amounts of observability data, from pre-collection priorities to data visualization. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2022
NPM 'protestware' raises questions on open source security
The deliberate sabotage of an NPM package to protest war in Ukraine worsens the already complex threat of software supply chain attacks, open source and security experts said. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2022
SREs provision their role in DevSecOps
Whether it's creating automated tools for OS certification or exploring eBPF as a way to safeguard supply chain security in production, cybersecurity is a growing part of SRE jobs. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Mar 2022
6 DevOps soft skills and how they drive success
DevOps is built on collaboration and communication -- and soft skills make that foundation strong. Discover six soft skills to help set you apart. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Mar 2022
VCP exam prep: Learn what help the VMware course provides
The VMware Certification Professional badge is for admins with network, storage and data center virtualization know-how. Get insight into course specifics and structure. Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Feb 2022
Access free courses with the Microsoft ESI program
Do you qualify for the Microsoft ESI program? Here's more about it from someone who has taken advantage of it, and why you should consider it to upgrade your skill set. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Dec 2021
12 DevOps KPIs you should track to gauge improvement
What's missing from your DevOps workflow? Cold, hard, impartial numbers. Track these key metrics to ensure DevOps processes achieve stated goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Dec 2021
Low-cost virtualization courses to build your VMware skills
Online courses are a great option for professional development, but they can be costly. Options from Udemy, LinkedIn and Global Knowledge let you increase skills at minimal cost. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Nov 2021
IT skills shortage opens chances for growth and diversity
A lack of skilled employees can hurt business initiatives. To solve this IT skills gap will take commitments to meeting employee demands and dedication to learning. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
25 Oct 2021
Connect data with PowerShell's Join-Object module
In PowerShell, connect different data sources and sets with the community module Join-Object. Examine different examples and use cases to relate your data. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2021
Disperse documentation in DevOps processes, top to bottom
Your IT organization's pre-DevOps documentation practices aren't cutting it. Improve speed, accuracy and quality -- and don't leave it for last. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jul 2021
11 job interview questions for virtualization engineers
Interviews are your chance to showcase your overall knowledge -- and technical expertise -- of virtualization. Prepare for your next job interview and review typical questions. Continue Reading
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Quiz
22 Jul 2021
Take this quick DevOps quiz to test your expertise
DevOps as a methodology and cultural movement has been around for years -- but how well do you know its concepts and best practices? Find out here. Continue Reading
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Feature
27 May 2021
9 advanced IT certifications for operations experts
To be an IT expert requires dedication to the ever-changing technology and processes. Here's a list of certifications to demonstrate that skill and experience. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2021
Close the tech skills gap with the right training
Employee skills are a valuable business resource. The scarcity of new or emerging IT skills has led to a skills gap that impedes tech adoption and business competitiveness. Continue Reading
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Feature
04 Mar 2021
8 certifications and courses for admins, DevOps and IT ops pros
With a few years of experience now on your resume, it's time to boost or validate those skills you've gained. Explore these courses and certifications for one that fits your goals. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2021
Compare some of the top online IT training providers
Everyone learns differently. So, to find the right training provider to match your style, weigh the pros and cons of these five options before you subscribe. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jan 2021
5 AIOps skills to add to your DevOps resume
Organizations use AIOps to address complexity, but these tools don't exist in a vacuum. See the top skills needed to successfully implement them. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Dec 2020
11 certifications for entry-level IT operations roles
Looking to start a career in IT operations? Check out these courses and certifications for beginners to gather all the foundational skills you'll need. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Oct 2020
Tips for attending virtual IT conferences like a pro
The coronavirus pushed all physical gathering events into the digital realm for public safety. But this completely disrupts our prep patterns. Here are some tips to help. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Sep 2020
Tips for a smooth DevSecOps transformation
DevSecOps is a natural progression of DevOps and spreads security responsibilities to other IT teams. Where to begin? Here are core concepts, helpful tools and ways to learn more. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2020
Evolving DevOps roles demand Kubernetes, CI/CD skills
The rapid rate of change in IT coupled with the newness of many DevOps practices and technologies creates barriers for those who seek a career in DevOps. These skills can open the door. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Aug 2020
Compare GitOps vs. DevOps for modern app deployments
Despite some overlap, GitOps and DevOps differ in several important ways, especially as organizations embrace containers and application componentization. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Aug 2020
Incident communication best practices for happier users
Proper communication around an IT outage or incident can prevent chaos. Use these techniques -- at home and abroad -- to keep users well-informed. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jun 2020
Prepare for the rise of the IT automation architect
As IT infrastructures become more complex, and development cycles more rapid, organizations increasingly lean on automation -- and those with the skills to oversee it. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jun 2020
From coding to automation, SRE skills reach far and wide
A site reliability engineer wears many hats. In addition to development and IT troubleshooting responsibilities, this role requires top-notch communication skills. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2020
Your Golden Ticket: The Hidden Power of CMDB in IT Digital Transformation
Learn how a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) can be a powerful tool in your organization’s IT digital transformation journey. Continue Reading
- 29 May 2020
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Feature
29 May 2020
Composing a CMDB requires new rules for navigating today’s modern enterprise
Learn what the four new rules are for composing a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) for navigating today’s modern enterprise. Continue Reading
- 29 May 2020
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Feature
29 May 2020
ServiceNow Configuration Management Database
Learn how to maintain current and accurate data, identify performance and user experience improvement, visualize complex data to drive better decisions, and more with the ServiceNow Configuration Management Database. Continue Reading
- 29 May 2020
- 19 May 2020
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Feature
19 May 2020
A successful CMDB deployment in five essential steps
Join the first of our three-part series on maintaining your CMDB as a trusted source and learning the essential role it plays in your organization’s modernization. Continue Reading
- E-Zine 19 May 2020
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Tip
31 Mar 2020
Lay the groundwork for a SecOps team structure
A good partnership between IT operations and security teams requires trust, mutual commitment and continual work -- but results in significantly reduced security exposures and a healthier work culture for all. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2020
Weave DevOps continuous learning into a CI/CD toolchain
DevOps shops can bake training materials into CI/CD workflows to ensure IT and development staff constantly advance their skills -- but be sure to keep those materials up to date. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Feb 2020
Evolve IT help desk skills to meet modern user demands
"Have you tried turning it off and then back on again?" is no longer the first question a help desk technician should ask. Widespread use of tech by just about everyone has changed the role. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
'Limited' number of VMware layoffs confirmed in 'rebalancing'
VMware says the layoffs will allow the company to better focus on helping corporate users figure out their multi-cloud strategies and affected workers may be reassigned. Continue Reading
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News
17 Dec 2019
Verizon, Walmart embrace DevOps dojo for IT training
Some IT training experts say 'Dojo is a no-go,' but companies such as Verizon and Walmart say the DevOps dojo approach has been well worth it for them. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Dec 2019
Put infrastructure automation at the heart of modern IT ops
IT automation, DevOps at scale and hybrid infrastructure management are three critical -- and interconnected -- IT operations initiatives for 2020. Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2019
Geek gifts 2019: Think Opex, not Capex with subscriptions
Why manage buying your own gifts for geeks, when there are so many subscription gift box services that will do that kind of undifferentiated heavy lifting for you? Continue Reading
