As security researchers look for patterns to all the various types of attacks that were launched in 2011, there is one glimmer of optimism that should warm the hearts of IT security administrators everywhere.

While the concept of layered security has been around for years, the ability of most IT organizations to actually implement a layered security defense strategy has been spotty at best.

Given the popularity of the Apple iPad and the Apple iPhone a lot of organizations are now trying to figure out how to let users of these devices access company resources. To address an issue that will become even more acute after the holidays, SonicWALL has made available via the Apple iTunes Store an application that allows users of these devices to connect to a server using a standard Secure Socket Layer (SSL) connection. 

Now that one of the favorite tactics being used by cybercriminals to cripple antivirus software to diverting traffic away from local DNS servers has been disclosed thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Trend Micro, the next logical question is, What do IT organizations need to do to protect themselves?