Christine Wong

Expert Blogger /

Christine Wong is a journalist based in Toronto who has covered a wide range of startups and technology issues. A former staff writer with ITBusiness.ca, she has also worked as a reporter for the Canadian Economic Press and in broadcast roles at SliceTV and the CBC.

Recent Posts

News / IT Management /

3 ways to succeed at retail tech innovation

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / October 4, 2018

An RSR survey of global retailers shows how success is linked to customer experience, business intelligence and fail-fast innovation — not simply a focus on the bottom line.

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News / Security /

Pros and cons of a Zero Trust security framework

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / September 20, 2018

Tags: Zero Trust

Zero Trust isn’t a product or a solution; it’s a philosophy and a strategy around cybersecurity that demands inward reflection. We look at how it works, the pros and cons of this approach, and why it may — or may not — be the right fit for your organization.

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News / IT Management /

How blockchain could boost enterprise collaboration

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / September 6, 2018

What makes blockchain compelling is its potential to make communications truly private and secure — and it might just turbo-charge collaboration tools like VoIP and UC&C.

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News / IT Management /

IT trends shaping the network — and your job

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / August 23, 2018

Tags: IoT, IT network, Network, SDN

The job of a network pro is getting harder, thanks to increased complexity and new responsibilities. Find out what’s keeping your peers awake at night and which technologies are a top priority (hint: SDN), according to IDG’s annual State of the Network Survey.

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News / IT Management /

Are you ready to go ‘all in’ with AI?

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / August 9, 2018

Tags: AI, artificial intelligence

Whether you’re dabbling in artificial intelligence or still in denial, here are a few recommendations from Gartner on what your next move should be.

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Fog computing will take cloud to the next level

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / July 26, 2018

Tags: fog computing

With its ability to prioritize data close to the edge of the network, fog computing could ease the burden on cloud for data-intensive technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

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News / Security /

Will WPA3 nix public Wi-Fi security concerns?

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / July 12, 2018

When the Wi-Fi Alliance — a global consortium of industry players — recently unveiled this new standard, safer public Wi-Fi was just one of the benefits it touted. Here are more details on that and other major features of WPA3.

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News / IT Management /

How 5G will impact your business

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / June 28, 2018

Tags: 5G

The new standard holds greater value to businesses beyond lower latency and faster transmission speeds — such as the need for carriers to leverage network slicing, ultra-latency and on-demand services, according to panelists at the recent Canadian Telecom Summit.

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News / IT Management /

Security, standards hold back network innovation

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / June 14, 2018

Tags: networking

Industry insiders, including Allstream COO Ray Lahoud, gathered at the 2018 Canadian Telecom Summit to discuss the promise of IT networking — from virtualization to microcontainers and intent-based networking — and the greatest challenges to its progress.

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News / IT Management /

DX is a journey, not a destination

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / May 24, 2018

Digital transformation is a constant, ongoing process — not a one-time project. Enterprises must reinvent their entire business model with technology at the core, according to Forrester analysts, who advocate tapping into the DX partner ecosystems to fill in the gaps.

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Vector illustration Abstract futuristic gear wheel on circuit board, high computer business technology concept, digital speed technology blue color background

News / IT Management /

Third Platform enters next chapter: IDC

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / May 3, 2018

In this era of digital transformation, companies will compete on platforms and ecosystems built on cloud, artificial intelligence, blockchain and hyper agile app development, according to the research firm — but the key to success is partnership.

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News / Unified Communications /

The changing face of UC&C

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / April 19, 2018

Tags: UC&C, unified communications

As the technology matures beyond voice, messaging and conferencing, UC&C solutions will incorporate new technologies such as AI, IoT and SDN to offer entirely new capabilities. We talk to Robert Arnold, a principal analyst at Frost & Sullivan, about his latest research.

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Fintech, financial technology background, online business concept, vector illustration

News / IT Management /

Why banks are taking a cautious approach with fintech

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / April 5, 2018

Tags: AI, fintech

Big corporations and startups have learned some lessons from the last acquisition craze. This time around, they’re more aware of the need to balance technical innovation with cultural integration, and many banks are partnering rather than purchasing.

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News / IT Management /

AI: The good, the worrisome and the reality

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / March 22, 2018

Tags: AI, artificial intelligence

While some tout the myriad benefits of AI, others fear it will destroy more jobs than it creates. We take a step back and wade through some of the hype around artificial intelligence.

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News / IT Management /

Is sensing-as-a-service the answer to IoT complexity?

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / March 8, 2018

Tags: IoT, sensing-as-a-service

Most enterprises are still trying to build their own framework for the Internet of Things, despite evidence that DIY IoT may not be the best approach. Blockchain-enhanced sensing-as-a-service could offer a compelling alternative.

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News / IT Management /

Cloud, ‘new’ technologies fueling IT growth: IDC

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / February 22, 2018

Tags: IDC, IT budgets

While the cloud craze continues, global IT budgets will also focus on newer technologies such as robotics, virtual reality and cognitive AI, according to the research firm’s 2018 IT spending predictions. The big question mark, however, is U.S. tax reform legislation.

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Meeting Seminar Conference Business Collaboration Team Concept

News / Security /

Backroom to boardroom: The role of CISO is evolving

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / February 8, 2018

Tags: cisco, CISO, IT security

Although more CISOs now have a seat at the table, what they do once they get there varies dramatically. At a recent ITAC event in Toronto, Cisco’s CISO explained how to work with line-of-business managers, make security a priority and cut internal vulnerabilities.

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5G networks concept. Businessman is using smart phone with 5G wireless communication. The word "5G", smart phone and antenna (telecommunication tower). Industry 4.0, Smart factory, Internet of Things. Eps 10 vector illustration.

News / IT Management /

5G is coming: Are you ready?

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / January 25, 2018

Tags: 5G, wireless networking

While official standards for the latest wireless upgrade won’t be finalized until 2020, handset-makers and businesses alike are preparing for this new network capability — and we’ll get a sneak peek at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

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News / Security /

Protect yourself against online survey scams

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / January 11, 2018

Tags: IT security, survey scams

Fraudulent surveys, which pop up onto your computer screen and appear to come from your ISP, are becoming more commonplace. Not only are these annoying, but they carry other risks such as malware. Here’s what you can do if it happens to you.

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News / IT Management /

Year in review: Top tech trends of 2017

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / December 21, 2017

Tags: 2017 review

From data breaches on the down low to the AI of Everything, it’s been a busy year in the world of tech. Here’s a rundown of the top IT trends that dominated headlines over the past year.

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Infosec Security

News / Security /

Don’t blame hackers for infosec failings: Panel

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / December 1, 2017

Tags: cyber attack, data breach, infosec

Most breach post-mortems focus on the granular reasons a hack took place but don’t explore the systemic cultural issues within an organization that allowed the breach to happen, according to a panel of security experts at last month’s SecTOR conference in Toronto.

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Cyber security concept with lock

News / Security /

Simple hacks save IT security dollars: Zayo

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / November 16, 2017

IT security can feel like a never-ending battle — and enterprises are responding by throwing money at the problem. But Jamie Hari, Zayo’s director of cloud and security, challenges that notion at SecTOR with tips to move your security maturity forward at little cost.

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Hand holding a globe on a background 2018. The concept of a new year.

News / IT Management /

IDC predicts top technology trends for 2018

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / November 2, 2017

Tags: 2018 technology predictions, IDC

Diversified cloud, advanced AI and DIY development among the research firm’s predictions for the next 12 months and beyond. Here’s what you need to know.

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System integration concept with union of puzzle

News / IT Management /

Are intuitive networks the answer to complexity?

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / October 19, 2017

Tags: Cisco Connect, network complexity

Enterprise IT customers are frazzled and frustrated, panicked and perplexed, says Cisco’s Dave Justice. IT professionals and vendors alike are under enormous pressure to ease those pain points — and that means making some big changes in network architecture.

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3d rendering of human on geometric element technology background represent artificial intelligence and cyber space concept

News / IT Management /

AI drives business benefits, but stirs up fear

By Christine Wong / Expert Blogger / October 5, 2017

Tags: AI, CapGemini

Artificial intelligence is creating new jobs, increasing operational efficiencies and boosting sales of new products and services, according to a global survey by Capgemini. So why are workers so afraid of the future?

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