Enterprise Architecture is Essential to Protect Government Networks from Cyberattacks

This post on GCN discusses how EA plays an integral part on stopping cyberattacks from occurring within government networks and computers. Ron Ross, a National Institute of Standards and Technology senior computer scientist mentions:

“When I got into actual discussions, I turned my view around to the point to where I think we can’t be successful as security professionals unless enterprise architects are successful on their end. Enterprise architecture, I believe, is going to drive the ultimate success of protecting our critical infrastructures.”

Read the full article here.

60 Second Guide To Enterprise Architecture

Every now and then we need to revisit what exactly is enterprise architecture. I came across this basic presentation on slideshare that does a good job of revisiting this question. Take a quick look!

60 Second Guide To Enterprise Architecture

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: enterprise architecture)

No SmallTalk in Enterprise Architecture

James McGovern’s has an interesting post on Enterprise Architecture this morning. He explains how even though Wall Street has failed the consumer, the blame should be placed on the consumer themselves because they didn’t take the time to know better.

He applies this same methodology in Enterprise Architecture. Even though sales people are pitching SmallTalk in the enterprise, James claims that the marketplace knows better. I guess time will only tell.

Money Savings Tips on EA

This post on Agile Enterprise Architecture discusses how organizations can save thousands of dollars by starting with what everybody wants to know, the to-be architecture instead of the as-is architecture. Switching to as-is architecture, might anger the enterprise sales reps though as this model does not benefit enterprise architecture consultants.

SOA Governance

I recently came across an interview with enterprise architecture blogger Todd Biske, who talks about his new book SOA Governance. In part one and part two of his interview with Loraine Lawson at IT Business Edge, he gives some great insight on governance and SOA solutions. Enjoy!

What is the role of a Enterprise Architect in a programme?

This post on CIO Knowledge Base explains how an enterprise architect is not needed if enterprise architecture is present and a manager is simply trying to ensure that a new project will fit with the existing architecture. On the other hand, if the project involves changes a scope of the enterprise architecture, then managers will have to consult with the enterprise architect. Program managers have the ability to monitor implementation of enterprise architecture as long as no changes needed to be made to the infrastructure itself. How does your company define the role of an enterprise architect in a progamme?

Alignment of IT Strategy and Business Strategy Doomed to Fail?

Mark Blowers mentions in his latest post at the Report Buyer blog that the latest report shows that attempts to align IT strategy with am abstract business strategy are doomed for failure. Mark believes that to successfully adopt enterprise architecture across the board, the whole organization, both technology and business areas, must work together to ensure that the architecture stays in line with the strategic business objectives of the organization and reflects the IT services that are available at the current moment and the future.

Do you agree with Mark’s ideals on EA?

Enterprise Architecture as Strategy

Andrew Sparks recently posted over at the Oracle blog how the book Enterprise Architecture as Strategy written by Ross, Weill, and Robertson has helped him come to a better understanding of enterprise architecture maturity and the underlying IT architecture that supports it.

The book as described by Andrew, uses the concept of EA as a framework to bind the existing business operating model to IT architecture. Here are 3 disciplines that are needed in order to execute this foundation.

1. Operating Model The level of business process integration and standardization for delivering goods or services to a customer. a framework of four generic operating models is described, each with differing emphasis on business process integration or standardization.
2. Enterprise Architecture This is the organizing logic for business processes and IT infrastructure reflecting the integration and standardization requirements of the operating model. The book also describes how organizations go through four stages of maturity in applying Enterprise Architecture to design their business processes. It is exactly this maturity model that provided key insights for me (see below)
   
3. IT Engagement Model This is the governance that you put in place to ensure that business and IT projects meet local and corporate objectives.
   

Do you agree with the Enterprise Architecture as Strategy framework?

What impact will Cloud Computing have on your enterprise architecture?

Browsing the blogosphere I came across this podcast from the SOA Infrastructure blog where David Bressler, SOA Evangelist at Progress Software, presents his thoughts on how cloud computing will make it simpler for businesses to get critical information to their consumers, and help them make better decisions. David brings in several examples in this podcast including one from Salesforce.com. The podcast is about 10 minutes long so take a few moments to listen to it and share your thoughts here. Enjoy!

Listen to the podcast

Infosys Report: Findings from the Enterprise Architecture Survey 2008

We recently posted the findings from a recent report from Infosys that details the results of their annual EA survey. As a refresher, here are some trends we learned from those findings:

• EA is enabling business transformation
  
• EA practices continue to mature with increasing use of metrics and processes
  
• Increased outsourcing of EA functions are a strong possibility in the future
  

As an update to this, here’s the pdf of the actual report put out by Infosys. Enjoy!

US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement adopts EA

Dynamics Research Corporation won a contract to develop enterprise architecture for the US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. The deal is for one year, and has four one-year option extensions. This follows DHS working with the US Air Force and an inventory program along with supporting the US Coast Guard with IT Services. Read more here.

Acquisition system of federal government in need of EA

According to Jim Williams, the acting GSA Administrator, the current acquisition system needs structure and a common way of looking at processes. Enterprise architecture would provide these things. It needs to have a standardized process, to be able to join various parts of the process and provide consistency.

With his vision, enterprise architecture would: change how the government looks at a system comprised of people, the complex processes, and how the technology fits in.

Growing interest in enterprise architecture

Recently, Lauren McKay pondered whether this new trend of growing interest in enterprise architecture would continue to build and grow into a sustainable process, or whether it was a trend that would eventually fade away.

Since enterprise architecture focuses on governance structure, business processes and business information, it is a trend that can keep going? The interest highlights a direct link between technology and the business done by the company trying to align the two key facets of their company.

What do you think? Is EA the growing trend, or is it something that companies are going to set aside in a few years?

Are Enterprises Training Developers to Write Secure Code?

James McGovern discusses in his latest post on Enterprise Architecture that companies are missing out on important opportunities of securing the enterprise by simply encouraging staff members to attend local OWASP chapter meetings.

Security will always be a factor in the enterprise. The training of security awareness in employees will only further their understanding about the importance of information security. It also makes architects more receptive to certain vulnerabilities that exists in current code.

Is your enterprise ensuring that developers write secure code?

Saving Money and SOA

Often repeated is the refrain about the ailing economy. This latest post from ZD Net, promises solutions for continuing SOA, with little money instead of simply commenting on the problem. The author mentions that many people so worried about the economy do not believe that it is possible to spend any money on better solutions to current processes, and instead just keep plugging away with what they have available. Ron Schmelzer from ZapThink, has this solution as stated in the blog post:

“focus on iterative, process-driven SOA efforts;” the quick wins. And, as Ron points out, “you won’t need to convince senior management to part with precious funds. Rather, you can simply offer the business to recover the costs by improving the business process and using those recovered funds to reinvest in the enterprise architecture, starting the cycle again.”

Do you think that your organization could benefit from this approach?