Vawn Himmelsbach

Editor /

Vawn Himmelsbach is the editor of expertIP. She has reported on technology, business and travel for two decades, for media outlets such as the CBC, Toronto Star, Metro News, The Globe & Mail, ITBusiness, PCworld Canada, Computerworld Canada, Technology in Government and Computer Dealer News. She also spent three years covering tech as an Asian correspondent.

Recent Posts

Artificial intelligence and the future of work

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / May 31, 2018 / 0 Comment

One of the biggest concerns around automation and AI is that our jobs will disappear. But one Gartner analyst believes work will continue to revolve around human beings in the years to come, including the idea of a ‘centaur,’ combining human skills with technology.

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Bloggers / Managed Services /

DX, network complexity drive momentum for SD-WAN

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / May 17, 2018 / 0 Comment

Tags: SD-WAN

Network architecture is complex, and is becoming even more so with the explosive growth of IoT and exponential demand for bandwidth. IT pros need greater control over the WAN — and the costs associated with it — driving the market for software-defined WANs.

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Key takeaways from Atlanta’s ransomware attack

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / April 26, 2018 / 0 Comment

IT pros can expect to deal with an increasing number of cyber extortion and IoT attacks over the next three years, according to Ponemon’s latest research. Here’s why cybersecurity must move beyond prevention and embrace a broader approach.

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Three tips for project management success

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / April 12, 2018 / 0 Comment

Tags: PMI, project management

In the era of digital transformation, it’s likely you have at least a few projects on the horizon or already underway. We examine the top reasons for project failure, and how to increase the chances your next project will be a success.

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Building a business case for blockchain

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / March 29, 2018 / 0 Comment

There’s a lot of hype around blockchain technology, which has been touted as a panacea for trusted transactions. But is it the right fit for your organization, or are you better off — at least in the short term — with a traditional database?

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New cyber threats that should be on your radar

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / March 15, 2018 / 0 Comment

Cisco’s latest cybersecurity report is hot off the presses, packed with details on how malware is becoming more sophisticated and attackers more evasive. Here’s a wrap-up of the report’s findings on new (and old) cyber threats, and how to prepare for what’s ahead.

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A powerhouse duo: UC&C and mobility

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / March 1, 2018 / 0 Comment

Tags: mobility

Mobile phones are poised to become the go-to device for unified communications and collaboration in the next few years, according to a new survey. As we enter the era of 5G, there’s no better time to start planning for mobile UC&C.

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Beyond automation: How IoT will disrupt your industry

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / February 15, 2018 / 0 Comment

Tags: Forrester Research, IoT

Most companies using (or planning to use) the Internet of Things are focused on operational efficiencies and cost savings. But IoT has the potential to not only increase customer engagement, but completely change traditional business models — and create new ones.

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Tech Trends 2018

Looking ahead: Top IT predictions for 2018

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / January 4, 2018 / 0 Comment

Tags: 5G, AR, IT trends 2018

The start of a new year is a time of reflection and introspection (and making resolutions). It’s also when we gaze into the crystal ball and predict what will happen in the coming year. Here’s a look at what to expect in 2018 — and how to prepare for it.

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Bloggers / SIP Trunking /

The state of SIP trunking in 2017: Survey

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / December 7, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: SIP, SIP Trunking

As businesses roll out cloud-based services and consider SD-WAN, IoT and IPv6, SIP will play an increasingly important role. Here’s the latest on future-proofing your communications infrastructure from The SIP School’s annual worldwide survey.

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Now is the time for DX action: Gartner

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / November 27, 2017 / 0 Comment

Over the past year, we’ve heard a lot about digital transformation — but most business leaders would argue they’re already digital. So, what’s the deal?

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What’s next for blockchain

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / November 9, 2017 / 0 Comment

It’s an evolution, not a revolution, but it’s going to shake up every industry — and even technologies like IoT and cloud. Here’s what you need to know about the rise of blockchain:

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Be a disruptor — not one of the disrupted

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / August 31, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: UX

There’s a lot of talk about digital transformation, but turning that talk into action is one of the greatest challenges that businesses face today. And it requires a fundamental shift in how we run our businesses, according to Forrester Research. Here’s how to turn talk into action.

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Get ready for the onslaught of DeOS attacks

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / August 3, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: BEC, cisco, cisco, DeOS

Cisco’s 2017 Midyear Cybersecurity Report says destruction of service attacks could leave organizations without a backup to restore systems after an attack. But it also points to a resurgence in traditional attacks, like adware and spyware, as well as a social engineering attack that may be more...

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Bloggers / Unified Communications / Unified Communications /

UC&C gets real with virtual reality

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / July 20, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: UC&C, UC&C, VR

If the thought of meeting with holographic colleagues in a virtual boardroom to collaborate on a project sounds like the stuff of sci-fi movies, that is, in fact, where we’re heading — and the technology isn’t light years away. Get ready for the emerging world of UC&C VR.

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Rethinking risk management in a digital world

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / July 6, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: Gartner, Gartner, Gartner, risk management

Conventional methods of protecting information resources aren’t going to cut it in a world of IoT and AI. A Gartner expert explains why we need to rethink our approach to security and risk management, and how to create a more resilient digital business infrastructure.

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Fun /

An IT pro’s summer reading list

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / June 22, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: AI, AI, AI, fourth platform

From the transformative power of AI to the tech titans of Silicon Valley, collaborating with your enemies and finding green sludge on a giant engineered bear in a ruined city of the future, here’s what to read this summer.

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A robot uprising could be good for your career

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / June 15, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: IT jobs, robots

While some jobs will be replaced by artificial intelligence and automation, robots aren’t going to take over the world (I think). For IT pros, technological advances are opening the door to brand-new career options that embrace innovation and creativity.

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Why you need to embrace DX now

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / April 13, 2017 / 0 Comment

Tags: digital transformation, digital transformation, digital transformation, DX, DX

There’s been a lot of talk about digital transformation, but not a lot of action. Last year more businesses recognized its importance (and necessity). This, perhaps, is the year they’ll embrace it. Here’s what you need to know about the coming digital revolution.

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Financial Services /

Get ready for the third wave of fintech

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / December 12, 2016 / 0 Comment

Tags: fintech, Kabbage, SmartFolio, Thinking Capital

Big banks will partner with fintech startups as they face common competitors, such as the Googles and Apples of the world. These partnerships could be their salvation — and could drive a culture of innovation in the banking industry.

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Spiceworks Review: Prioritizing cybersecurity

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / December 1, 2016 / 0 Comment

Tags: cybersecurity, cybersecurity

Our monthly roundup of the best discussions in the online community, from the threat landscape in 2017 to admissions of guilt over poor password policies.

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Bloggers / Security / Security / Security / Security / Security / Security /

Spiceworks Review: What keeps IT pros up at night

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / November 1, 2016 / 0 Comment

Tags: malware, ransomware, ransomware

Our monthly roundup of the best discussions on the online community, from the rise of ransomware, to new malware variants and the continued use of ‘password’ as a password.

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Spiceworks Review: IT brings its A game

By Vawn Himmelsbach / Editor / August 2, 2016 / 0 Comment

Tags: IT soft skills, shadow IT, Spiceworks, Spiceworks, Spiceworks

Our monthly roundup of the best discussions on the online community, from defining the value of IT to the rise of shadow IT — and why communication is the ultimate solution.

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