Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Tweeting through Windows, eThreatz and a Family Web.

Did you know Enex TestLab is tweeting? You can also stay up-to-date with Enex's operations and testing, including all of its products and services via Facebook. If you've already been following, you might have heard about Enex's work with Microsoft to perform compatibility testing for Windows7.

Enex TestLab Microsoft Windows7 Compatibility Testing and Microsoft Windows Logo Certification Packages are new cost saving services offer by Enex for managing application compatibility with Microsoft's upcoming Operating System - Windows7.

Significant changes made to Windows7 (particularly to the way third-party code is handled) mean there is no guarantee an application will be fully compatible, even if it installs successfully on the Windows7 Beta version.

Enex TestLab Microsoft Windows7 Compatibility Testing is a low-cost service that has attracted a lot of interest from businesses keen to keep costs down as they prepare for the new OS. The rapid turn-around test is proving to be a popular way for organisations to minimise the potential need for patches after release, as well as keeping developer resources focused.

Other customers are seizing the opportunity to use Enex to manage their product successfully through Microsoft Windows Logo certification. See
microsoft.testlab.com.au

Enex publishing has continued to push out a steady flow of reading material this quarter with integrated security devices returning to focus.
tinyurl.com/enexutm and the Cisco ISR891 router tinyurl.com/enexcisco Continue checking zdnet.com.au for regular Enex reviews.

This quarter Enex is also proud to release a new flagship product eThreatz. eThreatz is the world’s first fully automated malware testing service. Developed to be the most accurate, flexible and cost effective service available, eThreatz addresses the complete range of malware, including: spyware, worms, trojans, viruses, rootkits, adware, crimeware, and botnets.

Enex TestLab eThreatz malware testing is designed to be repeatable - automatically. This means that the same batch of malware can be used repeatedly in order to regressively test for a specific requirement. Or, (for example) Enex TestLab can run live, constantly updating tests in real-time to determine how effectively a product can defend against malware in the real world, at any given moment in time.


Using real-time, real-world, malware and testing conditions, eThreatz delivers the most accurate and most useful security testing in the world. It can be fully customised, and because it is automated, it is extremely cost effective. Reporting is also fully customisable, and is delivered – automatically. It’s amazing no-one’s done anything like this before! See
ethreatz.com

Q3 2009 also saw increased activity with a number of tests conducted by Enex for the Internet Industry Association's (IIA) Family Friendly Content Filter Scheme.


Each year, accredited filters are put through rigorous compliance testing by Enex TestLab to provide a benchmarked assessment of each content filter’s capability, including its effectiveness in relation to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) blacklisted sites.
Accreditation through Enex offers formal certification that an Internet content filter complies with the Australian Internet Industry Association (IIA) codes for regulating online content. See
testlab.com.au/web/guest/iia

Lastly for Q3, Enex capitalised on its membership on the Victorian Government eServices Panel. Enex has a long history of work with the Victorian Government. As a member of the panel, Enex can deliver testing, and performance and metrics consultancy services across the complete Government portfolio.

Ultimately, this means Enex will provide a really diverse range of services such as testing Government software development to minimise risk and contain costs; testing products during procurement evaluations; security testing; application performance testing; and even usability testing - ensuring applications or services are accessible to everyone who needs to use it. See
testlab.com.au/web/guest/eservices

Lots more news to come in Q4 - or catch our musings and newsings as they happen with all the tweets, blogs and bleeps you could every wish for.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Introducing eThreatz

eThreatz Automated Malware Testing

eThreatz, by Enex TestLab, is the world's first fully automated, independent, malware testing service.

Developed at Enex TestLab to be the most accurate, flexible and cost effective service available, eThreatz addresses the complete range of malware, including: spyware, worms, trojans, viruses, rootkits, adware, crimeware, and botnets.

Enex TestLab eThreatz automated malware testing services include;

> Stand alone (one-off) product testing
> Contracted monthly testing
> Contracted continuous testing of a product with real-time reporting
> Multiple product testing and comparison. (This can be either a one-off or on a continuous basis.)
> Full product life cycle continuous testing including zero-day.
> Bespoke testing

The benefits of using the Enex TestLab eThreatz automated malware testing services include;

> Highly cost effective, competitively priced
> Fast service
> Uses current malware threats (not material that is months out of date)
> Automated testing means it is reliable, cost effective, and repeatable
> Open methodologies
> Full and detailed reporting
> A unique service: not matched anywhere else in the world!

For more information contact
malcolm.higgins@enextestlab.co.uk or visit http://www.enextestlab.co.uk/web/guest/56

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Gaming, Enex and the Einstein Factor

Quarter 2 2009 - Summary

In 1919, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) launched an expedition to observe a total solar eclipse in order to prove or disprove Einstein's theory of general relativity. Yes, even Einstein's theories needed independent testing.

This quarter, our biggest news is that following four years of dedication and effort, Enex is now an accredited and licensed test facility for gaming jurisdictions across all Australian States and Territories as well as New Zealand and Macau. This is a major coupe for Enex, and will support our growth locally as well as internationally.

Q2 2009 has seen Enex TestLab operating solidly out of its international offices. In Australia, Enex has been as busy as ever. The Federal Government’s controversial trial of ISP based internet content filters continues to run, with Enex providing technical consultation, test methodologies, as well as performing the testing and reporting services. Enex has been independently testing the participating providers chosen filters across a number of criteria including accuracy performance and cost. In a similar vein Enex TestLab also maintains a relationship with the Internet Industry Association (IIA) as its Accredited Test Facility (ATF) for the IIA Family Friendly Filter Scheme, testing all participating vendors products.

Enex media and publishing has also been productive this quarter. We have dusted off blade servers for a comparative review (available shortly at zdnet.com.au) as well as putting a range of workstations, virtualisation products and firewall security devices under the microscope.

China has also been a major mover for Enex globally this past quarter. The Enex TestLab (China) "TESTED" quality certification branding scheme has been established in the southern region (Guangdong province). Q2 2009 also saw the completion of negotiations to establish a facility in Hong Kong and a laboratory in Shenzhen. An MOU is being drafted and should be signed during Q3.

Enex is also performing an informal introductory and advisory role for Victorian businesses seeking to access China. In partnership with the Victorian Department for Innovation Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) Enex helps to support Victorian businesses, providing introductions and assistance. Enex hopes to formalise this partnership during Q3 with the aim of delivering a Victorian Trade Mission to East Asia in October of this year (dubbed V-TEAM).



Lastly, Enex began trading from its UK TestLab on 1 May 2009. Located in the Technium Springboard building in Cwmbran, South Wales, the office began testing for a number of contracts with major corporations and government agencies, including: The National Archives, Messagelabs (Symantec), Becrypt Data and Mimecast. Enex is now a fully accredited test laboratory authorised for the UK Government CCT Mark scheme for claims testing and certification of security products under CESG's administration for Critical National Infrastructure and Government eSecurity. There has been a healthy interest in evaluations under this scheme.

In the coming quarter Enex UK will look towards additional accreditation under the UK CHECK Scheme for Security and Penetration testing. This will enable Enex to leverage its vast experience in IT Security and partner with HMG to perform evaluations.

Enex is still waiting for its chance to test Einstein's theory of general relativity. We have'nt yet been asked to write a methodology for something quite so groundbreaking, but we are often asked to test strange products. In the past we've done one-way encryption devices, crayons, international passports and construction cranes. And just like Einstein's theory, each of these products' credibility has been proven by independent scientific evaluation. Your business can benefit from the same rigor.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Testing Einstein !

Celebrating a landmark experiment

http://tinyurl.com/qxm8bl14

"What was arguably the most important scientific experiment of the 20th Century, happened in a slave plantation on a remote African island."

"In 1919, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) launched an expedition to observe a total solar eclipse from Principe, to prove or disprove Einstein's theory of general relativity."

So even Einstein's theories needed independent testing.

While we have not yet been asked to write a methodology to test a claim as groundbreaking as the theory of general relativity we are often asked to test some strange products and concepts, from one-way encryption devices, to crayons, international passports and cranes.

The best projects we work on start with the query ; "this may sound like a strange request but do you test .... ?"

Matt Tett
Enex TestLab
http://www.enextestlab.com/

Monday, May 18, 2009

Court Ordered - Code Reviews

Buggy breathalyzer code reflects importance of source review

http://tinyurl.com/raaklg

"Court-ordered source code reviews of the software that is used to power a breathalyzer found bugs and significant technical deficiencies. The results raise serious questions about the reliability of such devices and demonstrate the clear need for source code review."

"A court-ordered audit of the source code that powers a breathalyzer machine has uncovered serious bugs and technical deficiencies. The professional code reviewers contend that the software is far below industry standards for quality and that it contains programming errors. The results of this review have raised serious questions about the viability of such devices as a law enforcement tool."

Interesting to note that the plaintiff and defendent both commissioned seperate test labs to perform independent audits/review of the code used in this device and the results were quite varied. Apart from the individual labs being contracted by seperate sides in the case it appears that the brief/scope each was presented with differed. This demonstrates the importance of getting the product brief/scope correct via thorough requirements discovery. This is something Enex TestLab regularly runs across in many of our clients testing projects. Clients simply have not spent enough time or effort seeking the knowledge and capturing their requirements before proceeding to development. This causes confusion for their developers or integrators and ultimately angst for the client when it appears the project is going in the wrong direction.

At the end of the day the owner of the product under development needs to interact with their ultimate end-user of the technology, be it a website or a router!

Then to ensure that they are on track they need to have an independent party testing through each stage of the development lifecycle to ensure that the project is going down the right path and that the product will fit with the end-user when it goes to market.

The moral to this particular story is; If sufficient project planning and expenditure had been budgeted to allow for independent testing and code review prior to the device being released to market, and the advice contained in the test labs report heeded and acted upon, it would have saved to business significant future cost/expense in relation to the legal action which ultimately culminated in the need for the court to order this code review! Not to mention loss of goodwill and damage to the brand that inevitably resulted.

Matt Tett
Enex TestLab
http://www.enextestlab.com/

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Enex TestLab opens base in Wales to target UK & European markets

Enex TestLab opens UK Laboratory

International Business Wales worked closely with Enex in Australia to help facilitate their expansion plans which were supported by the Welsh Assembly Government through the Single Investment Fund.

The investment has been welcomed by Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport. He said;

"Enex is the leading company in its sector in Australia and has gained an international reputation for its expertise, working with national governments and global brand leaders in the private sector."

"The company’s decision to locate its only European facility in Cwmbran is excellent news that will help reinforce Wales’ position as an important centre for this sector. Their investment will create a number of highly skilled knowledge based jobs with the very real potential for further expansion."

For more information see ; http://tinyurl.com/cwu3oo

Monday, April 20, 2009

Microsoft focus' on users

User Focused Testing

Something that Enex TestLab has been passionate about for over 20 years now is considering the products ultimate end user, who should be the beneficiary of the technology. Involving them early in the testing phase and therefore ensuring that all of the products requirements have been captured. In turn enabling the developer/vendor/manufacturer to benefit from the increased returns delivered by creating and producing a truely usable product suitable for a wide range of end-users. Also reducing the risk of that product failing once released to the market. And increasing the goodwill associated with a product brand that is synonymous with desirable end-user characteristics, design, functionality and usability.

Too many times over the years we have seen vendors rush a product to market only to see it flounder due to clumsy interface design or poor testing practices which focus on the technology itself and not the intended users. Enex TestLab is regularly involved in remediation testing for projects that have come off the rails, websites through to hardware, that have been developed and tested by programmers and engineers to suit what they personally see fit for production. Never considering the potential thousands, or even millions of users that they may be alienating through poor testing. Problem is, what started as a great concept to benefit people quickly comes down to a poor product through this narrow minded approach that damages the company through poor sales, higher customer disatisfaction, increased helpdesk/call centre costs, and ultimately brand reputation damage. We have heard too many times; "we already know exactly what our market wants"!

Anyway, enough of this ranting and raving, as they say you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink. Here is a report put out by AP relating to Microsoft's focus on end-users and their design modifications in an attempt to bring usability and increased functionality to mainstream computer users. It is a fine balance to try and be everything to everyone while maintining individual end-users nuances and expectations, Julie Larson-Green at Microsoft definately has a challenging role.

http://tinyurl.com/czwg78

Matt Tett
Managing Director
Enex TestLab

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Enex TestLab - New year, New site

Quarter 1 2009 - Summary

The last six months have been go, go, go for Enex TestLab. 2009, the year of the Ox (representing hard work) begun its charge at Enex. This year also represents a milestone in the Lab’s history; January marked the Lab’s 20th anniversary. And Steve Turvey, the founding Lab Manager, is still a fixture at the facility.

With the impact of the big bad GFC affecting both enterprises and Government, many organisations find tightening budgets and HR constraints are pressuring their projects. Many of these organisations have been using Enex’s testing capability to ensure software development or website project’s QA stays on budget and on track.

In response to the growing financial pressures, Enex has developed a range of attractive pricing discounts to help organisations maintain their development discipline. And our clients agree; “hiring Enex software testing staff is actually cheaper overall compared to the recruitment and HR administrative overheads encountered when seeking testing staff for software development projects.” In this climate, many of our customers are subject to staff-hiring freezes, but nevertheless, still require testing resources. Enex can provide this on-demand and ad-hoc, tailoring our testing resources and plans to suit the needs of our client’s project. This means your in-house resources are not sitting idle while developers are fixing defects.

If you are involved with any software development, implementation project, contact us for an obligation-free consultation. See how Enex TestLab can assist you to reduce your risk and improve your ROI.

Enex TestLab has recently launched new web sites;


www.testlab.com.au, www.enextestlab.co.uk, www.enextestlab.com, www.enextestlab.cn and www.testlab.mobi.

We encourage you to visit one and register for our quarterly electronic newsletter, and please don’t hesitate to refer any colleagues, relatives or acquaintances you may know who may be in need of Enex TestLab services.

Enex TestLab progresses to the next quarter with several high profile public testing projects underway, the most topical being the Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy (DBCDE). Enex has designed and is running the live internet service filtering trial for the Federal Government and providing input into the Government’s policy. Enex TestLab also continues with DBCDE’s Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program, providing technical consultancy and ongoing monthly testing of registered providers under the scheme - using subsets of our eMetric network/broadband performance measurement application. The ABG program ensures broadband technologies are available to the most technology disadvantaged citizens.

All in all it has been another busy quarter for Enex TestLab. We’ve undertaken a diverse array of work, the communities and clients we partner with are seeing the benefit of our quality consultancy services and reliable scientific testing of technologies.


Matt Tett
Managing Director
Enex TestLab