How many Internet of Things devices do you have under your control? If your answer is 'none', you're probably wrong. Here's how to find out, and three golden rules to follow for an IoT deployment. [ + ]

Organisations are beginning to understand the benefits of data lakes, but careful implementation of an effective metadata layer is needed to prevent those lakes from turning into swamps. [ + ]

Telstra will host VMware's vCloud Air platform on its Australian data centres in a bid to make it easier for companies to adopt dedicated and hybrid cloud services. [ + ]

This week: Heathrow's infamous baggage system fails again, Virgin Galactic was likely brought low by a simple lever, naughty 'CHAPS' to blame for Britain's banking breakdown, the Japanese don't like the idea of self-driving cars, and tiny robots shaped like scallops could soon be invading your body. [ + ]

Software defined storage (SDS) promises many benefits in architectural simplicity, costs, scaling and mobility, but there are significant challenges to overcome as well. [ + ]

Responding to recent price cuts from rivals AWS and Microsoft, Google has announced sweeping price reductions to its own cloud services while also introducing new features and enhancements. [ + ]

The government has been criticised for sending mixed signals on whether its proposed metadata retention bill would be used for purposes that include pursuing online pirates. [ + ]

Hackers have breached unclassified White House networks in an attack that was reportedly discovered in October; Telstra's CIO Patrick Eltridge has resigned after four years in the role; and Australians' personal health information was potentially exposed in two separate data breaches during the 2013-14 financial year. [ + ]

Less than 20% of company boards worldwide have technology-capable members, leaving them at risk of losing out in the digital era, according to QUT doctoral student Elizabeth Valentine. [ + ]

The IT industry has room for a diverse workforce, diverse leadership and the best of talent regardless of gender, age and specialisation. [ + ]

Australian finance managers generally agree that their department's information management and analytics processes can be improved, but have so far been slow to turn to the cloud for a solution. [ + ]

Most medium-to-large organisations in Australia have realised the business benefits of implementing a streamlined approach to the IT and development teams, or DevOps. [ + ]

This week we look at ANZ's embarrassing spreadsheet fail, a $200m rocket that went nowhere, Elon Musk's fear of demons, James Cameron's fear of the SkyNet and how to prevent hackers from switching off your pacemaker. [ + ]

La Trobe University is deploying SAP's Simple Finance and Lifecycle Management suites as part of a five-year strategic transformation plan. [ + ]

The government has introduced legislation that would compel local telcos to retain customer metadata for up to two years. [ + ]