Due on tomorrow

Recommendations Concerning Security

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Course

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10/7/2017

Recommendations Concerning Security

Introduction

Verbania, Inc., first needs to identify its users and create a community that can be easily identified where its needs will be met and this comes with knowing and understanding their preferences and dislikes (Rampton, 2017). There are psychological factors to be understood in this community as they will be consuming information being provided for them hence the need to define the features and functions based on the community’s quality. Choosing the right technology is key in determining the effectiveness and efficiency of the network that will be used and professionals have to be involved in the evaluation process (Rampton, 2017). Having a structure in place is also important as it requires that customer service, security, and scalability be incorporated to the website or application so that users can be kept longer on the site's activities. Quality activity stream is another aspect of the system that must be developed and it be of great quality so that it can be attractive to the target community. Status update features are critical for a social media network as it increases the chances of users engaging with the site citing that most of them want to express their feelings freely and it makes people to be immediately hooked to them as they are addictive. With these in mind, Verbania, Inc., has to come up with a security plan, security policy and security solution to the social networking Web site and application for quality use by the target community (Rampton, 2017).

Security Plan

Disaster Recovery

Verbania, Inc., should not have any data loss, and thus the importance of having in place a fundamental procedure to define step-by-step measures that should be used so as to make the system or network that was disrupted to recover while the end goal is to initiate normal operations. The recovery plan will be that the IT systems as well as networks be recovered from the disaster by having a set of priorities towards the time factor whereby the normal operations should be reinstated (Kirvan, 2009).

In the risk management plan, there could be a situation that might be caused either within the organization, hackers, brought about by an employee’s device or a user and it should be assessed (Kirvan, 2009). This is because it could affect the most critical infrastructure responsible for the day-to-day operations of the system in place. In terms of viability, competitiveness, and financial solidness, the organization has to make sure that the IT system is fully operational (Kirvan, 2009). It is essential to develop the necessary contingency plan policy where it is a statement in which the organization will work manually without the help of the IT system in place to complete the da-to-day business activities. This will help in giving the system’s specialist to identify the areas that need to be analyzed. This will involve the information security officer meeting with the internal IT, applications, as well as networking administrator teams so as to establish a situation that is to be investigated (Kirvan, 2009).

Password Creation and Protection

Having a strong password protocol will ensure that the system is well-protected from cyber-attacks and this applies to every single component that is used to access and store information (Steinberg, 2011). The information that users provide when signing up could be sensitive to the user hence the need to guard it in the strongest way possible since Verbania, Inc., would want that unique passwords be used as they will identify the users when they want to log in. It implies that when creating the password, it must be strong enough whereby it should “contain numbers, letters and symbols.” (Steinberg, 2011).

Remote Access

Only authorized employees of Verbania, Inc., will be given access to the social Web site and application system citing that the user information and related data will have to be restricted for security purposes (Sherry, 2008).

Routers and Switches Security

Verbania, Inc., needs to create and set strong passwords for their routers and switches because the network to be used will be getting a lot of traffic and thus could be exposed to certain network vulnerabilities (Sherry, 2008).

Wireless Communication

Verbania, Inc., will have to create a system that allows smooth communication with users so that they can be updated with the current information from any location and it must contain network security protocols (Sherry, 2008).

Server Security

Verbania, Inc., has to encrypt its server citing that it will be storing a lot of sensitive data that can only be accessed by authorized personnel hence it should be stored away from the organization’s premises to guarantee its security (Sherry, 2008).

Acceptable Encryption

Encryption has to be authorized by the security officers as well as management and it can only be to a given extend because it has to be accessed at given time when necessary. Additionally, the encryption should be set in such a way that a single master file will be stored with the sensitive information (Sherry, 2008).

E-mail

The e-mail address is the most used information by both users and employees thus the importance of protecting it from access to unauthorized users who might be aiming at steal information about the user or Verbania, Inc., itself (Sherry, 2008).

Security Policy

Verbania, Inc., will provide many benefits to its user-base while it is assess its risk tolerance scale because the representation of businesses has changed creating a lot of opportunities for benefits, however, monitoring and measuring the risks involved is imperative for the organization (Patel & Jasani, 2010). Direct access to customers will be allowed thus creating an opportunity for the company to take advantage of the opportunity as a monetizing its operations, however, there are problems associated with it as well. Therefore, the way to receive instant feedback from the clients and customers of the company will be critical in expanding its business. Verbania, Inc., will also adopt to the norm of using its platform for hiring and recruiting since information concerning prospective employees will be available for employers to get more information prior to hiring personnel (Patel & Jasani, 2010).

Verbania, Inc.’s security policy will follow that:

· Employees using the system will not be exempted from privacy when their resources are being used.

· Social network and general technology policies will be separated.

· Privacy and data security policies will be addressed in length.

· The use of social media to attack, bully, harass, discriminate or violate the law is prohibited.

· Documenting the policies will be critical in monitoring and implanting them.

Security Solution

Verbania, Inc., should ensure that when creating an account and a profile, discussion forums and posting and search capability for people, they should all ensure the user information is secured from vulnerable attacks. The gaming component, calendar component for reminders and instant messaging and Voice Over Internet protocol (VOIP)-type calling between friends have to be controlled by the company’s internal systems that notify the users whenever an issue arises with their account so as to keep it secure. Verbania, Inc., should also buy a server that is encrypted and developed with secure account and email feature to ensure that the system’s operations allow or its availability seven days a week.

The process of a potential user joining the social networking Web site for the first time should follow that there is a protocol set will policies that can collect, store, back up, and mine user data to better understand users. Furthermore, there have to be algorithms in place that can integrate collected data with customer relationship management (CRM) to improve business and customer support processes. And finally, provide essential tools that have the ability to analyze user patterns, behavior, and generated traffic to present to advertisers.

Finally, the social networking application must be built on a system that is strong to allow for account setup and log-in functionality, creating a profile, add or remove friends, and post to discussion area. This should be done autonomously without any hitches.

References