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2 min read

IT vs OT... What does it mean?

By Phil Zito on Nov 10, 2017 6:11:42 AM

There's been a phrase floating around lately, and if I'm honest, it's driving me nuts. I'm not quite sure why but it just feels irritating. And that phrase is IT vs OT.

Topics: OT Information Technology
19 min read

My most common IT questions

By Phil Zito on Jul 16, 2017 7:00:31 AM

In this article I am going to explore a lot of the different IT questions I've been asked by my IT for BAS Students. As you may or may not know, I run an online training program called Information Technology for Building Automation System Professionals.

I've had a lot of good questions from folks in this program. And while I've been going through this program I've had tons of conversations about all sorts of things.

Topics: bas it Information Technology
8 min read

6 things you might not know about IP Addresses

By Phil Zito on Jul 9, 2017 6:00:13 AM

So what is an IP Address?

And why should you care?

In this post I discuss one of the most fundamental concepts of information technology, IP Addresses! And you know what, we're gonna have some fun doing it!

Topics: Information Technology Information Technology
5 min read

The non-techie guide to API's

By Phil Zito on Jun 16, 2017 6:00:52 AM

I get asked a lot lately, "What is an API?"

You'd think this would be something you could Google and be done with, but the problem is, apparently no one has told the folks writing all the API articles that the folks reading the articles don't know what API's actually are!

Well, if that's you, you're in luck! This article assumes zero IT knowledge. I will take you through what an API is in such a way that almost anyone can understand it. 

Topics: building automation smartbuildings Information Technology
5 min read

Cutting through the BS- The Truth about the Target Hack and IoT DDoS

By Phil Zito on Feb 17, 2017 7:00:47 AM

It seems every week lately I get a question about the security of Building Automation Systems.

But, the problem is the folks are asking the wrong questions.

Yes, it is scary that the average BAS technician doesn't have an IT background.

It does keep me up at night that most implementations of BACnet are insecure and that with YABE you can pretend you're a BBMD and connect to exposed BAS's to change setpoints.

Topics: smartbuilding Information Technology
11 min read

4 things you didn't know about IT networks

By Phil Zito on Jun 20, 2016 6:00:35 AM

What's a Network?

Hey BAM Nation,

This is the second article in the Building Automation IT Guide series.

In my last article, All About IP Addresses, we discussed core fundamentals about IP Addressing, Subnets, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, and Domain Name Servers. In this article, we are going to begin to unpack the mysterious network!

Topics: building automation Information Technology Information Technology
5 min read

Information Technology for BAS Professionals

By Phil Zito on Apr 22, 2016 8:40:33 PM

Information Technology, IT, Technology!

Those words strike fear in the eyes of many BAS professionals. Now, before you get defensive, this has nothing to do with capabilities but rather it has to do with training. Up to this point no dedicated training program existed to provide those in the building automation space with the core IT skills they need in today's world.

Topics: Technology Skills Information Technology it Information Technology
5 min read

Will Interoperability Destroy A Hospital's Network?

By Phil Zito on Jan 28, 2015 7:38:14 PM

Today, I had the privilege of attending a one-day seminar put on by IHE USA. IHE, which stands for Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise is one of a few select groups like HL7 that is working towards creating a standardized data exchange framework. I believe, based on my experience as a solution architect designing technology for healthcare environments, there is a chance that interoperability will destroy a hospital's network. There are a multitude of factors as to why I believe this...

Topics: healthcare Information Technology
7 min read

The Basics of Web Servers

By Phil Zito on Oct 31, 2014 3:34:14 PM

Web Servers make the world go round. If you are connecting to your bank online, you're connecting to a web server. Do you like Amazon? Guess what also a web server. Just about everything you connect to out their on the internet is by definition a web server.

Topics: how to web servers Information Technology
7 min read

The Basics of Sub-netting

By Phil Zito on Sep 14, 2014 2:57:55 PM

Topics: it subnetting Information Technology