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by Karunamon 3468 days ago
>I'd start with a base image of an enterprise Linux on certified configurations of hardware.

And right there you lose, because I all but guarantee there is Microsoft-specific code running at all levels of this organization. Everyone has to be retrained, a lot of infrastructure has to be rebuilt. All of that will chew up your 1bn quickly.

This isn't some SV startup, it's the government. Typical "move fast and break things" mindset doesn't fly here. You don't get any "tear it down and start over" moments, you get to make those hairy migrations to ensure everything stays up with smooth, staged cutovers. And that's not even mentioning the red tape...
1 comments
nickpsecurity 3468 days ago
I don't do Silicon Valley philosophy. I'm talking the efficient stuff that midsized organizations overstretched IT teams have been pulling off for years plus some tooling that comes with DISA's extra money. However, the lock-in effect...

"because I all but guarantee there is Microsoft-specific code running at all levels of this organization. Everyone has to be retrained, a lot of infrastructure has to be rebuilt. All of that will chew up your 1bn quickly."

...is a valid reason to default on using Microsoft. The difference is that moving what I can to alternatives means I can gradually move from lock-in to more flexible IT with open standards & multiple vendors to choose from. Organizations on Microsoft are often stuck, though. This much is undeniable. IBM, Oracle, and SAP the other huge offenders here.

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holydude 3467 days ago
What makes you think that Linux or OSS route will be cheaper or better ? It's often the opposite.
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nickpsecurity 3467 days ago
It was every time I did it. Plus many of the individual tools are free and mature. No licensing fees. There's also the benefit of not having BSA looking into your firm.

The best benefits, though, are in flexibility and security rather than cost. I just have so much more available over long term to me with open formats, protocols, API's, and code. Plus, Microsoft has been saying "screw you" to its own customers in product development over past few years leveraging its lockin to keep them. Whereas, open stuff gives opportunity of switching vendors.

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