Chapter 19 Control and Security of Information Systems Protecting information resources is becoming very difficult because many companies have a large number of systems scattered all over, and there is a need to protect information flowing in internal and external networks. Chapter 19 deals with the issues of computer security and crime. The chapter presents an overview of the hazards faced by information systems and the major actions that can be taken against them. Also, there is a discussion of ways to plan for a disaster and how to recover from it. [ Update | Exercises | IT@Work ]

Update

Footprints on the Web

Sitting in the privacy of one’s home, you feel pretty secure as you hop from site to site, letting serendipity guide your journey through the Web. Well, maybe you’d feel a little less secure if you knew that your every click was being monitored, or that occasionally little files were being deposited on your hard drive by some sites, only to be viewed later by completely unrelated sites. Sound scary? Welcome to the very insecure world of the Internet. Business Week advises that, as you surf, never forget that They're Watching You Online. In another article, they explain about "cookies"—small files stored on your computer to help some sites track your visiting habits—and how to disable them whenever you desire anonymity in Privacy and the 'Cookie' Monster. Two interesting sites on the Web are devoted to demonstrating just how public your traveling habits are:

• The Center for Democracy and Technology – Here you can get a demonstration of the basic information that your browser volunteers to every site it visits.

• The Stalker's Home Page – This site is produced by Glen Roberts and The Net Connection Radio Show. It’s a great demonstration of all of the resources that are available that ensure that you can find anyone, anywhere, anytime!

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Exercises

1. Protecting the Internet is a major undertaking. One aspect is the use of firewalls (see Figure 8 in the Internet Supplement).

a) Identify some vendors and products.

b) Join a newsgroup and find some managerial issues of concern.

c) Can firewalls protect against viruses?

2. Protecting electronic commerce transactions is a key success factor. Encryption is one solution. But is it really safe? Surf the Internet to find all the managerial issues related to the use of encryption on the Internet.

3. Disaster Recovery Planning is an important part in Internet/Intranet development. Surf the Internet to find the state of the art regarding this topic (check with the newsgroups as well).

4. Surf the Internet to find the various methods that are used to identify and verify the identity and authorization of a person to access the Internet/Intranet. (Check Box 19.9 as a starting point.) Join a newsgroup, download a demo, and communicate with a vendor.

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IT@Work

 CDRS Overview - Comdisco

McAfee

Dean Witter

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