Week 5 Project
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Concerns for Users and System Builders
The vulnerability of automated data has contributed to the following concerns of users and system builders:
Cyber-warfare and Cyber-terrorism: Foreign intelligence services, terrorists, or other groups could exploit the vulnerabilities of the Internet or other networks to create widespread harm and disruption. Cyber attacks might target software that executes air-traf�c control systems, electric power grids, or networks of major �nancial institutions or banks. The U.S. government created National Infrastructure Protection Center in February 1998 to act as a liaison between corporations and the U.S. government and provide an early warning system for cyber attacks. The Pentagon has formed a Joint Task Force, named Computer Network Operations, to coordinate offensive and defensive information warfare programs.
Disaster: Many corporations contract with disaster recovery �rms such as SunGard Recovery Services located in Wayne, Pennsylvania, and Comdisco Disaster Services in Rosemont, Illinois. These disaster recovery companies provide hot sites housing spare computers at locations around the country where subscribing �rms can run their critical applications in an emergency. Disaster recovery services offer backup for traditional mainframe applications as well as client/server systems.
Computer errors: Computers can serve as instruments of error by severely disrupting or destroying an organization’s operations and record keeping. Poor software caused the crash of Mars Polar Lander operated by U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December 1999. Errors in automated systems can occur at many points in the processing cycle through:
Computer operations
Data entry
Hardware
Program code
Security: Security refers to the procedures, policies, and technical measures used to prevent unauthorized access, theft, alteration, or physical damage to IS.
Let us learn about some quality problems associated with the software and data used in organizations.