Security Technology Evaluation of Bank Solutions

Introduction Maintenance of data security in banks is vital. Agency’s Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Plan is needed to proceed with this process. This plan allows some parts of the business to continue operating without interruptions to the customers. CSIA 485 case study presents the failure in ensuring data safety with regard to handling of storage tapes.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Security Technology Evaluation of Bank Solutions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The system in use limits on accountability and credibility of data security. The plan which is used in CSIA 485 involves the development of information security policy, standard backup procedures, network design, information detection systems and various encryption methods. In the case of CSIA 485, there was a failure in system update. Such an incident was caused by some technical issues, which shows that the participants of the crit ical plan did not have adequate training on the means of using DRBCPs (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2009). The IT problem the company faces is rooted in the sever inefficiency that can be mitigated through efficient upgrading of the bank data systems. Capabilities Servers have different designs that function to provide for networking, cooling, management, interconnection and dynamism in data management and control. Servers help in consolidation of data and software for effective management, security and sharing within the bank. This allows for moving of data, files, software and digital assets from laptops, desktops and mobile devices for central management and storage for the reduction of risks and costs. The shift is a vulnerable process since the bank intends to maintain process continuity as it upgrades the systems without disrupting services to customers. Through adequate training on the use of the DRBC systems, users learn the best ways of confidential shari ng of information within the bank. The technology shows security aspects relevant to the needs of Bank Solutions, Inc, which will allow for the development of standards of information security policy, backup procedures, network designs, information detection systems, and various encryption methods among others. The system assures reliability through central monitoring and ensures efficiency in system updating (Kim Solomon, 2011). The disadvantage of this system is that upgrading can make some of the bank employees in the decentralized data centers lose their jobs. Such a situation can lead to resistance from the staff members. Centralization reduces the responsibilities of staffs due to data centers. However, overworking server maintainers can cause delays in acquisition of authorization for access in critical times.Advertising Looking for report on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cost The costs associated with the setup of a secure server infrastructure involve acquisition, setting up and ongoing costs. Acquisition costs involve the acquiring of software and hardware necessary for the setting up of the system. This includes variable costs of EDA and CAM/ CAD tools dependent on the number of engineers employed to work on the process. Setup costs involve professional services for constricting the storage server, application server as well as other applications. These costs involve the training of branch administrators on handling with daily operations for basic level support. Ongoing costs are classified in two divisions, labor costs and maintenance costs. Maintenance costs are fixed and used only on demand, while there is variability of labor costs. Each server in the company requires regular daily administration within the year for about 4 hours, and the labor involved costs about $50 per hour. Decentralization strategy for the servers will cost the bank $1.6 million – 52.5%, as a one-time h ardware, software and setup cost. Ongoing maintenance and support cost take 33% on a spending within 3 years. This can increase to 46% of overall operating costs within five years. To avoid the failure in systems’ updating, Bank Solutions can use a centralized approach to setup its server operations. Such a measure is helpful of reduction of setup and administration costs. Instead of spending on pocket servers for the use of few users, the IT managers can take advantage of economies of scale through the creation of few servers, storage servers and powerful applications. The cost of acquisition in the centralized system is $544,000 with setup being $33, 000 and ongoing expenses of $334,200. However, through the utilization of the power of performance efficiency of decentralized systems and the possibility of elimination of distance through virtual connectivity of users, the centralized solution is the best choice for the data security. It will help in reducing of acquisition c osts, setup and ongoing costs for short and long-term operations. Maintenance The maintenance of this technology is an issue, which requires comprehensive dissection to prevent any instances of abrupt failure (Slezak, 2009). For instance, the section of maintenance calls for periodical upgrading of software, computers, payments of employees responsible for taking care of the technology, replacement of hardware and other security equipment. The maintenance of the servers will facilitate security services to avoid detrimental complications of server issues. Users must be responsible for protection of sensitive data through secure management of passwords.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Security Technology Evaluation of Bank Solutions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The database administrator takes care of administration of databases, assigning local user roles and granting system privileges. It also requires the maintenance of underlying security in data transmission in various operating systems. Trusted application administrators help in creation and administration of accesses and user privileges as well as maintenance of security in the centralized enterprise. Avoidance of server issues requires ongoing checkups and proper management to ensure smooth running of the technical infrastructure. A barrier to success in the centralization of the server system can result from employees who feel that they may lose their jobs. It is also apparent that centralization increases responsibility of fewer IT specialists and calls for advanced trainings to handle the new systems. Requirements The security system must be FDIC compliant for the bank to develop a storage area network in the head office of the bank. The second one can be developed in one of the data centers with a reduction of server requirements to a single rack and elimination of patched storage of data storage tapes. The main server is c apable of rescuing information in the alternate data center within 5 minutes allowing customers and employees to continue accessing their accounts without noticing the failure interruptions. The achievement of this comes with its financial implications; such training requires huge financial commitment (Camara et al., 2011). Lack of required skills can delay effectiveness in convergence that can hamper the daily operations of the bank. Any slight hitch in shifting from decentralized to centralized servers, unless professionally executed, can hinder normal bank operations and lead to customer dissatisfaction. Such vulnerability requires thorough evaluation and timing of the transformation processes. Flexibility The setup has ample proximity advantage since it enhances the performance of Windows’ applications in the bank. Since users and applications are at the same location, high performance may be guaranteed. Centralization of the server system is flexible and not bound to spe cifications. It will allow the bank to make extensions on its systems and alter its layouts without resource wastages. It helps in consolidation and reduction of crowding of server racks in the data centers ultimately reducing the maintenance costs. Centralization allows for integration of operations and monitoring of the systems for the ease of cross sectional analysis necessary for upgrading the Bank Solutions information gained from all the departments regarding the customers, costs and employees’ data to ensure the effectiveness of updating.Advertising Looking for report on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Such an approach ensures the improvement of service quality. The system helps in enhancing performance through coordination of security, customer support and cost control. In CSIA 485 case, the failure happened due to obsolete servers which they were no longer necessary in the centralized system. This challenges the viability of the costing of upgrading resources since they are irrelevant to the new system. Feasibility Centralization of Bank Solutions, Inc seeks to address the issues in the server security system. The management should address such issues as updates of software, perform regular tests of item process facility, provide secure channels, partition employees according to levels of data access, and improve system efficiency as required by the bank. It will reduce the present data tape storage in unsecure means within data centers, external storage facilities backyards and at Bank Solutions Data Center East, which can lead to data being compromised. However, as the case of CSIA 485 shows, the disadvantage rests on IT professionals, who are in charge of the data centers, since their services become unnecessary in the centralized system, and it might lead to firing most of them, which can result in resistance hampering smooth operations in the bank. Conclusion The case of CSIA 485 requires that Bank Solutions, Inc centralize its servers to effect efficient management of the data systems. Through the adoption of efficient standards, the bank data remains secure and available to only those who receive authorization. Centralization will eliminate duplication of IT infrastructure in the offices and reduce on unnecessary IT expenses leading to high efficiency of utilization of resources and elimination of potential data insecurities. The company must be ready to incur the costs involved and take advantage of the flexibility that the system will provide. Through effective maintenance and availability of the necessary requirements, the company will be in a po sition of assuring customer satisfaction always. References Camara, S., Crossler, R., Midha, V. Wallace, L. (2011). Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: A Case Study for CSIA 485. Journal of Information Systems Education. 22 (2), 117-122. Kim, D., Solomon, M. (2011). Fundamentals of information systems security. Sudbury, MA: Jones Bartlett Learning. National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2009). Recommended Security Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organization. NIST Special Publication 800-53 Revision 3. Retrieved from https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-3/archive/2010-05-01 This report on Security Technology Evaluation of Bank Solutions was written and submitted by user Eliseo L. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Good Choices Essay

Good Choices Essay Good Choices Essay We all aim to make good choices in our search for financial stability, but sometimes we get pulled into a false sense of security when we start making money and getting credit. We get greedy and before we know it, we are affected by bad debt, and a lot of bad debt is not good for your financial health. First main problem is we don’t know how to manage our money. The more we earn, the more we spend. Secondly, we borrow just because we know we can. We borrow for things like homes we cant afford, high interest credit cards, or fashionable, high priced clothes. Finally, we live the fast track. We think because we want it now, that we must have it now. Bad financial decisions can ruin your life and hurt those you love. We all aim to make good choices in our search for financial stability, but sometimes we get pulled into a false sense of security when we start making money and getting credit. We get greedy and before we know it, we are affected by bad debt, and a lot of bad debt is not good for your financial health. First main problem is we don’t know how to manage our money. The more we earn, the more we spend. Secondly, we borrow just because we know we can. We borrow for things like homes we cant afford, high interest credit cards, or fashionable, high priced clothes. Finally, we live the fast track. We think because we want it now, that we must have it now. Bad financial decisions can ruin your life and hurt those you love. We all aim to make good choices in our search for financial stability, but sometimes we get pulled into a false sense of security when we start making money and getting credit. We get greedy and before we know it, we are affected by bad debt, and a lot of bad debt is not good for your financial health. First main problem is we don’t know how to manage our money. The more we earn, the more we spend. Secondly, we borrow just

Do EU trade policies help or hurt developing countries Essay

Do EU trade policies help or hurt developing countries - Essay Example By 2002, EC was already in more than 50 out of about 172 such arrangements around the globe thus maintain economic and trade relations with a myriad of economies in the developed, developing and even less developed economies. The EU has been keen as a positive force to generate economic prosperity for its member states. To the developing economies, EC has maintained preferential trade arrangements under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) while to most less developed countries, trade arrangements have largely been guided by the Cotonou Agreement, which succeeded the Lome’ Convention (Bhagwati, Greenaway, & Panagariya, 1998, p.1128-1148). EU’s trade arrangement within the Euro zone encompasses a common currency, common external tariff, common agricultural and competition policies as well as common rules on freedom of goods and services, capital and people. EU has entered into other trade agreements with countries and regions in other continents of the world. Among these is the European Economic Area (EEA) that extends the EU market to three countries, which are members of the EFTA . Another arrangement is the Customs Unions with countries such as Malta, Cyprus and Turkey. EU has also got several Free Trade Area (FTA) arrangements with a number of countries and regions around the world, but these are at different implementation levels. These include countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, and Morocco under the Euro-Mediterranean Association, while Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, Mexico and Chile are under the FTA arrangement among others. There is also the Mediterranean partnership where EU relates with several associates in the southern and Eastern Mediterranean. This particular trade arrangement aims to achieve FTA in line with provisions of the WTO through entering into various bilateral agreements starting with a series of association agreements. It also aimed at the expansion of the EU financial assistance to USD 4.7 billion over a period of 5 years from 1995 within EU-Mediterranean partnership. The ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) preference is another set of trade arrangements by the EU where it provides one way trade preferences for more than seventy countries in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific. These preferences are, however, not available to all developed countries in these regions and do not also apply to only least developed economies, for example. Thus, contravene the provision of the WTO regarding discriminatory practices, equity and fairness (Devisscher, 2011, p. 60). As per the United Nations rankings, 39 of the ACP economies are under the least developed category. Finally, GSP preferences by EU to a number of least developed countries exist as stipulated under the GSP provisions of the WTO. The EU’s GSP arrangement contains the ‘Everything but Arms’ (EBA) initiative for the least developed economies as well as general arrangements that are available to all developing countries and apply to non-sensitive products that come duty free. There are also the special arrangements under the Environmental and Social clauses, which apply to sensitive products only. Special incentives under the environmental clause apply to developing countr

Principles of accounting Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Principles of accounting - Assignment Example Each journal entry must have a credit and debit of equal amount. There are different ledgers accounts used in an accounting system such as the cash, expense, account receivable, equity, accounts payable, sales, and depreciation account among others. Each account has a normal balance. If the normal account is a debit the account increases through debit and decreases by way of a credit. When the normal account is credit the account increases through a credit and decreases by a debit. The income statement is a very important financial statement that provides information regarding the profitability of a company during an accounting period. All financial statements are prepared at the end of the accounting cycle. There a certain journal entries that affect only the income statement. An example of a journal entry that affects the income statement is recording a cash sale. For instance if the business makes a sale and the customer pays by cash the corresponding journal entry is a debit to c ash and a credit to sales. Based on the assumption that the normal balance of cash is debit this transaction increases the cash account of the company because the firm received money. The balance sheet is another major financial statement that is regarded as a statement of position.

Using the Right Storage Device at the Right Time Essay Example for Free

Using the Right Storage Device at the Right Time Essay The advent of technology enabled us to have an easier and more comfortable life. Computers have been assisting us in almost all of our daily tasks, from typing to storing our files. Due to the ever developing computers and programs, files have evolved into different forms and sizes. This eventually led to the different forms of storage devices that are applicable to certain storage requirements. There are different classifications of storage devices depending on their access, memory retention and mode of data storage. The first classification is based mode of access by the central processing unit; and these are the primary and secondary storage. Primary storage, also called main storage or memory, is the part in a computer where data is kept for quick access by the CPU. In personal computers and laptops, it is most commonly called as the random access memory or RAM. Meanwhile, secondary storage, also known as auxiliary storage, is the data storage device not used as the primary storage. It is also known as external storage. Examples of this are hard disks, floppy disk, CD’s, DVS’s, magnetic tapes and flash drives (Search Storage, 2005). Another classification is based on memory retention. Volatile storage devices are those that do not retain data when the computer is shut down and an example of this is the common RAM. On the other hand, non-volatile storage devices are those that retain data even in the absence of a power supply and examples of these are hard disks and CD’s (MSD, 2006). The last type of classification is based on the mode of data storage and these are the magnetic and optical storage. Magnetic storage devices use magnetic disks that contain iron particles which can be polarized into a direction by a magnetic charge. The organization of the particles creates the data that is stored on that disk. Meanwhile, optical devices are high-capacity storage devices that uses reflected light in reading data. To store data, the metallic surface of the disc is covered with small dent (or pits) and flat (or land) spots. When the light is directed into a pit, the light is not reflected back thus there is a bit value of zero (or off) and when the light is directed to a land, the light is reflected, thus having a bit value of one (or on). The arrangement of these lands and pit determines the data stored (CM Lab). Due to the many forms of these storage devices, it is appropriate to know what situations are deemed fit of unfit for a specific type of storage device. In choosing a storage device for a certain job, it is important to take note of some items to ensure the use of the proper storage device. These include knowing how much data is needed to be stored, how fast data should be recovered, what storage devices are available, how automated the data storing process is and how fats the data could be stored (HP). These should be kept in mind in order to optimize your time and your back-up system. Random access memories or RAM’s are the primary memory of the computer. It is the memory used by the operating system of the computer when booting. After the boot, the other areas of the RAM unoccupied by the system become the conventional memory which the computer uses in running programs (MSD, 2006). The advantage of RAM is that if it is increased in a computer, it speeds up the processing of the computer enabling the user to use multiple applications. However, its disadvantage is that it is unusable once the computer is shot down. This means that RAM’s are applicable only in speeding up the processing of the computer and not in data storage. Hard disks are secondary storage devices that are used as the primary data storage of most computers. It is usually consisted of a number of inflexible platters that stores data electronically. The advantages of hard disks over other data storage devices include huge storage capacity and fast access time, cheaper on per megabyte basis and are more reliable since they are better protected and are made to be more durable. However, they still have disadvantages, such as non-portability (for installed drives), less security of data due to vulnerability to virus attacks and head crash due to contaminants and extreme shocks (Wong). This means that hard disks are efficient only on storing of huge data for relatively short periods of time. Floppy disks are flexible plastic disks that are coated with magnetic material use to store data magnetically. It is most commonly known as the diskette. They are very popular in the 1990’s, however, they not anymore considered standard today due to its more efficient alternatives (MSD, 2006). The advantages of diskettes include portability and cheapness, random access of data, write-protection feature and ease in transferring data from one computer to another. However, it also has its disadvantages, and these are its non-durability, slow access time and very limited storage capacity (Wong). This means that diskettes are appropriate only for small and temporary data storage. Compact disks are optical devices that stores data. They use microscopic pits and lands in storing data. Their advantages include portability, relatively large storage capacity, a relatively fast access time, and permanent data storage. Meanwhile, its disadvantages include its non-reusability and relatively slow writing time (Wong). This means that CD’s are more applicable in storing permanent data that requires no editing such as software installers and audio files for longer periods of time. Magnetic tapes are strips of plastic coated with magnetic material and are capable of storing huge amounts data. Their advantages include huge capacity, cheapness, reliability and universality; and its disadvantages include sequential accessing and frequent cleaning (MSD, 2006). This means that tapes are more appropriate for backing-up huge amounts of data for relatively long period of time. Flash drives are storage devices that used flash memories or chips to store electronic data. They are the new form of data storage devices. Its advantages include compactness, portability, fast data writing and access and consists no mobile parts. Its disadvantages include expensiveness and limited data storage (MSD, 2006). This means that flash drives are more appropriate in storing medium size data that needs to be transported or transferred to other computers.

Voluntary Testing for Pregnant Women Essay -- Pregnancy Birth Papers

Voluntary Testing for Pregnant Women During the past decade, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a leading cause of mortality among women. This population is now accounting for the most rapid increase in cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in recent years. As the numbers of cases of HIV infection have increased among women, particularly of childbearing age, increasing numbers of children have become infected as well. "Various studies conducted to date indicate that between 1/4 and 1/3 of infants born worldwide to women infected with HIV have become infected with the virus themselves" (HIV InSite, 1997). This is due to the route of transmission known as vertical transmission, from mother to infant. Thus, HIV infection has now also become a leading cause of mortality among young children, and virtually all of these infections can be attributed to vertical transmission. More than 4 million American women get pregnant each year, an estimated 8,000 of them HIV infected. (USA Today, 1999) HIV can be transmitted from an infected woman to her unborn fetus or newborn during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and even during the postpartum period via breastfeeding. "Reports show vertical transmission rates ranging from 13% to 40%" (HIV InSite, 1995b). This translates into approximately 1,000-2,000 HIV-infected infants being born each year in the United States. Although transmission of HIV to a fetus can occur as early as the second month of development, research suggests that at least one half of vertically transmitted infections from non-breastfeeding women occur shortly after or during the birth process (HIV InSite, 1995a). Due to the seriousness of vertical transmission, there have been ... ...d the Physician-Patient Relationship." AIDS & Ethics. Ed. Reamer, Frederic G. New York: Columbia UP, 1991: 188-214. "PHS Guidelines for HIV Counseling and Voluntary Testing for Pregnant Women." Factsheet Public Health Service. CDC. July 1995. (Article, HIV InSite, HIVInSite.ucsf.edu/topics/women/). "Public Health Service Task Force Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs in Pregnant Women Infected with HIV-1 for Maternal Health and for Reducing Perinatal HIV-1 Transmission in the United States." MMWR Reports, Vol. 47, January 30, 1998: No. RR-2. (Article, HIV InSite, hivinsite.ucsf.edu/medical). "US Public Health Recommendations for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Counseling and Voluntary Testing for Pregnant Women." US Department of Health & Human Services—Public Health Service. July 7, 1995. (Article, HIV InSite, hivinsite.ucsf.edu/medical/).

Greenwich

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is a time system originally referring to mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which later became adopted as a global time standard. It is arguably the same as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and when this is viewed as a time zone the name Greenwich Mean Time is especially used by bodies connected with the United Kingdom, such as the BBC World Service,[1] the Royal Navy, the Met Office and others particularly in Arab countries, such as the Middle East Broadcasting Center and OSN.It is the term in common use in the United Kingdom and countries of the Commonwealth, including Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, India and Malaysia, as well as many other countries in the Old World. Before the introduction of UTC on 1 January 1972 Greenwich Mean Time (also known as Zulu time) was the same as Universal Time (UT) which is a standard astronomical concept used in many technical fields. Astronomers no longer use the term â€Å"Greenwich Mean Ti me†.In the United Kingdom, GMT is the official time only during winter; during summer British Summer Time is used. GMT is the same as Western European Time. [2] Noon Greenwich Mean Time is rarely the exact moment when the sun crosses the Greenwich meridian (and reaches its highest point in the sky at Greenwich) because of Earth's uneven speed in its elliptic orbit and its axial tilt. This event may be up to 16 minutes away from noon GMT (a discrepancy calculated by the equation of time).The fictitious mean sun is the annual average of this nonuniform motion of the true Sun, necessitating the inclusion of mean in Greenwich Mean Time. Historically the term GMT has been used with two different conventions, sometimes numbering hours starting at midnight and sometimes starting at noon. The more specific terms UT and UTC do not share this ambiguity, always referring to midnight as zero hours. Astronomers preferred the latter GMT convention in order to simplify their observational da ta so that each entire night was logged under a single calendar date