Best of the blogs: Enterprise Architecture is still a valid discipline, while SOA needs to assimilate. That is one of David Linthicum’s findings from a recent Webinar on the topic. Ultimately, perhaps the two actually need each other. One notion rings true, Linthicum asserts in this Real World SOA post, “learn to leverage what works, and don’t try to solve problems that have already been solved.” Security: It’s not often that Roger Grimes begins a column with suggestions of relaxation, so take it as you will. For me, that’s with sarcastic overtones. A report from the United States Government Accountability office, he notes, suggests that identity theft really isn’t a problem. Identity theft? What identity theft? That’s not to say data breaches aren’t happening, just that resulting identity theft is limited. One problem Grimes sees with the report, though, is that it’s geared more toward protecting banks and other data-losing institutions than consumers. “Banks and merchants are privileged to be entrusted with our important financial data. If they don’t protect our information properly, they, not us, should pay the price.” The news beat: Ask.com introduces Ask Eraser to enable users to cover their tracks and not have search information stored. Facebook buys Parakey, a startup founded by the masterminds of open source browser Firefox. Dell, in a pact with a U.K. mobile phone operator, says it will give away free laptops to customers who purchase a broadband Internet subscription. And IBM details the Resiliency Maturity Index framework for assessing disaster recovery capabilities. Storage: SMBs are facing a backup dilemma. Whereas having products to choose from is healthy, enough data protection options are emerging to make just about anyone dizzy. Worse, writes Mario Apicella in this week’s installment of Storage Insider, “vendors often propose solutions that contrast sharply with what they were selling just yesterday.” Think Quantum GoVault, for instance. Imation and Symantec are in the mix as well. “Unfortunately, there is no single bullet to kill the backup beast.” Technology Industry