Boss Bitch

Yeah, it sounded like they are at the grasping at straws phase.

Good luck.

hang on sloopy.

ddt

My boss's boss was laid off today which means my boss now reports directly to the next guy up the chain. That's not such a bad thing. However, there are other people on my team who were "re-leveled" which is a euphemism for "demoted."

Tomorrow morning there is a big "all hands" meeting where they're going to spin it however they can.

And I just hired someone today.

Looks like the security team just hired some new kid. He went all gung-ho on a security assessment of a couple machines in our lab and started screaming about the sky falling.

He failed in several key areas.

1) He was supposed to evaluate one device but ended up looking at several devices... this isn't a bad thing by itself but he didn't explain that when he sent his assessment. The things he said were happening were not POSSIBLE on the device he was supposed to be evaluating. Turns out, he looked at four separate systems (at least) and his lack of communication skills mean that he didn't say which device had which potential "vulnerability."
2) He recommended that we lock the systems down to prevent the user from being able to view application configuration files. The thing is, if we revoke read access, that means the application can't read the config files either... and won't run.
3) He suggested what he thought was a great solution to the problem... which was just the sort of thing I'd expect a kid fresh out of school to come up with... because A) it wouldn't work and B) if you took the steps required to make it work, it would defeat the entire purpose by making things even LESS secure.
4) One of the problems he "discovered" isn't a problem. It's by design. It was a requirement put forth by the business and authorized by the security team two years ago.

I'm just pissed right now. I've spent years hardening these systems as much as possible. I certainly know more about securing a Windows machine than he does. I also know more about the environment they're in and the politics behind the decisions to allow softening where necessary.

I have an incredible urge to place my foot somewhere very uncomfortable for him.

Have him sent to India, to secure things there.

As long as the kid is NOT named Asok you can try the stink eye: http://www.techbanyan.com/tag/iit-dilbert-asok/

or stink palm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfVVjpVZP8I

Man, I can't believe how lucky I am re: the california budget. Looks like furloughs are coming to the UC system. I picked a good time to head back into private enterprise.

Looks like that hammock might be getting a work out...

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=funemployed

Those hammocks good for passing gas?

Oh, got my review today. Who would have guessed that coming close to DYING would have affected my ability to meet my goals?

You might ask your company how THEIR coming close to death affected them. If you still work for those guys, that is.

That's just it. Bottom line is this:

1. I am happy just to be alive
2. I am happy to have a job
3. I am aware that both are tenuous for the near future.

Another bunch of layoffs here today; mostly managers, it seems. Early morning meeting tomorrow to try and put a smiley face on Death.

I think I might just have lost my job. I may find out more next week. Taking my second dose of xantax to quell the panic attacks.

I hope you're mistaken, Ghidorah.

Sorry to hear this Robb, what a terrible timing just for the weekend.

I pray you have not. Brush up the resume just in case.

Aww man, hold tight. Sorry you have to go through this.