Is it time for a ratings system of businesses' cybersecurity records? If so, how effective can – or should – it be? Also, what technology vendors have the potential to become dominant, like an Apple or a Microsoft? Share your views in these three discussions on our LinkedIn group page.

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Can A Cybersecurity 'Ratings System' Be Effective?

Here's an intriguing opinion from a senior VP at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about the potential impact of a "simplified and reliable" view of businesses' security defenses, kind of like a Consumer Reports or Glassdoor review. The writer, Ann Beauchesne, wonders how it would work and whether it can act as a risk-mitigation tool for a business when it wants to partner with or acquire another company, then check out its security ratings. Read the opinion and tells us what you think.

Which Vendors Can Crack Gartner's Top 5?

Gartner this week released its first-ever list of the top 100 IT vendors, ranked by revenue from IT spending and component market segments. (The research firm publicly released only the top five: IBM, Samsung, Google, Microsoft and Apple.). But we talked with a Gartner analyst who foresees a few vendors making big moves upward. Do you think anyone can crack the top five? If so, who?

Ripple Effect From Private Equity Investment?

With private equity firms finding good bets in the technology channel, how much of an effect does this have on the channel as a whole? Does this "rising tide" of investments lift all the boats? Share your thoughts with us.