Survey: CIOs see security as job one

Technology executives now see enhancing network security as job one, a new survey shows.

Thirty-five percent of chief information officers (CIOs) polled by Menlo Park, Calif.-based Robert Half Technology said improvements to network security are their highest priority. Operating-system upgrades were the second-most frequent response, cited by 16 percent of executives.

The national poll includes responses from more than 1,400 CIOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 100 or more employees.

Among New York area executives, network security was cited as the highest priority by 31 percent, followed by CRM, data storage and backup (both 19 percent), and database upgrades (16 percent).

Matrix Games signs SSG's 'Reach for the Stars'

Staten Island-based Matrix Games will be working with Strategic Studies Group to release an updated version of the "Reach for the Stars" sci-fi strategy game.

The original game was released in 1983, but the new release is an updated version of the second "Reach for the Stars" release in 2000.

Matrix, along with and 2 by 3 Games, also released the final update for "Uncommon Valor," which adds new elements found in the sequel game "War in the Pacific."

Tech companies anticipate ownership changes

As competition continues to increase and companies battle to win new customers, executives of technology companies are not ruling out a possible change of ownership in the next decade, reports a survey conducted by Chicago-based Grant Thornton LLP, the accounting, tax and business advisory firm.

According to the Grant Thornton Survey of U.S. Business Leaders, 42 percent of technology respondents expect a change in company ownership in the next 10 years, while only 30 percent of all companies nationally feel the same. Among those who expect this change, 39 percent believe a merger is most likely, while 30 percent anticipate a trade sale.

Additional findings from the survey include:

-- Three-quarters (73 percent) report they are optimistic about the economy's growth in the next six months.

-- Almost all (95 percent) say they are optimistic about the growth of their own business.

-- Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of respondents also plan to increase their headcount over the next six months; and

-- Eighty-nine percent are on pace to meet or exceed their sales targets (22 percent exceed and 67 percent on target).

IBM noted by Training magazine

Armonk-based IBM said that for the second consecutive year its learning programs have earned the top spot in Training magazine's 2005 "Training Top 100," an annual ranking of companies that "understand, embrace and use training to achieve real business results, support corporate values and enhance the work lives of employees," according to the magazine.

IBM has ranked among the top five in the Training Top 100 listing since the magazine began issuing the awards in 2001.

Imaginova, Main-Sequence update astronomy program

New York-based Imaginova Corp. and Main-Sequence Software Inc. released Starry Night Pro Plus version 5.0, an update to its Starry Night astronomy software line.

The new version includes all the features, data and images of Starry Night Pro version 5.0 plus the AllSky CCD mosaic, a full-color photograph of the entire night sky visible from Earth.

Mahe to run CA Asian operations

Islandia-based Computer Associates International Inc. named Eric-yves Mahe to oversee its operations in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

He was named vice president, CA Asia North Operations, effective immediately. He will report to John Ruthven, senior vice president and general manager, CA Asia Pacific operations, based in Beijing.

Mahe previously served as sales director for Asia Pacific Global Services and Sales for Sun Microsystems, Inc.

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