Information Security
As the world migrates to the digital village, a lot of digital data and information is generated and transmitted. In the same line, there is a growing need for data repositories or data banks. Information security is chiefly concerned about prevention, detection and response to computer threats or risks (CISCO, 2013). Protecting organizational information and systems is a daunting task because of the emerging and advanced threats to information technology resources. Securing information technology infrastructure and informational assets is a continuous cycle as advancements in technology presents a new breed of threats (Hunt, 1998).
In the current business landscape, accounting systems are typically modules of
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Types of firewalls
According to CISCO (2013), firewalls are categorized into software and hardware types.
Hardware Firewalls and their advantages
Hardware firewalls are specialized network systems that contain specialized software and hardware. When they are configured appropriately, these firewalls provide a protective barrier that hide an entity’s internal computers and applications from the outside world. Hardware firewalls can also shield organization department; for instance, the human resources from another department such as the finance department. Hardware firewalls are mostly applicable in scenarios where entities require a unitary information security umbrella with the capability of protecting multiple systems (CISCO, 2013). This reason points out why most FORTUNE 500 company networks have implemented hardware firewalls. However, since hardware firewalls are specialized devices or systems, they tend to be complicated, expensive, tricky to configure and difficult to upgrade. That is to say, they are best reserved for Information Technology experts or consultants trained to assess, install, configure and maintain such systems. In addition, the low-end hardware firewalls currently found in network devices such as routers and switches for homes and small businesses are also limited to locations. In other words, if an accountant or any other user from the accounting department takes their mobile devices or laptops to the road, their
Information Technology (IT) refers only to the information processing software programs of a computer system: True or False
5. In his twenties, Tony Hsieh sold LinkExchange to Amazon for over a quarter of a billion dollars.
This is an open exposure due to the uncertainties of the internet. Controlling access to information systems and associated networks is necessary for the preservation of their confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality assures that the information is not disclosed to unauthorized persons or processes. Any automated attacks or personal attack or attack to exploit the company secrets/statistics/data is the biggest threat to that may occur without the firewall.
Setting up a new computer can be a very intimidating task. There are several steps to ensure that your computer has the necessary setup for the best protection. Some of which include, the operating system settings that are built-into the computer, properly setup of firewall, security settings on the web browser configured correctly, and strong anti-virus software installed to protect the computer. After the computer is setup with a reasonable standard of security, a strong policy for passwords should be implemented to ensure account security along with ensuring the sites you utilize are in fact secure and who they say they are.
The world of cyber security continues to introduce new threats each year against network infrastructures and computer devices. In the recent years, the impact from cyber-attacks has wreaked havoc on many company brands and organizational reputations. As this issue grows so does the technology to prevent and protect against these malicious attacks. It is absolutely crucial for organizations and businesses to shift focus from defense for different types of attacks to improving safeguards to mitigate the loss of sensitive data when an attack occurs. In addition to the traditional security technology used to detect an attack, companies will have to include
In today’s IT world every organization has a responsibility to protect the information and sensitive data they have. Protecting data is not only responsibility of security and IT staff but every individual is involved in protecting the information. The risks to information security are not digital only, but it involves technology, people and process that an organization may have. These threats may represent the problems that are associated to complex and expensive solution, but doing nothing about these risks is not the solution.
For example a clerk will only be able to access a limited amount of information, such as inventory at each store. The limitations will be different for an accountant or the mangers. All information will be protected with several different layers of security. The first layers will be simple hardware protection for access to the network; from there the security will increase with password protection and restrictions to users. (Merkow & Breithaupt 2006)
I am Professor Kirk Mooring and I will be your instructor for this class. In this class, you will learn the fundamental core theories of information and network security. In this course, you will learn and use technology skills that are in demand in today’s job market. With so many threats and vulnerabilities created daily that we have to learn to work as a team in order to protect our data with the appropriate security safeguards. You will study the concepts that will help you evaluate and mitigate risk by selecting the appropriate security controls and technologies.
Firewalls are used to separate networks with differing security requirements, such as the Internet and an internal network that houses servers with sensitive data. Duke Energy should use firewalls wherever their internal networks and systems interface with external networks and systems, and where security requirements vary among their internal networks. Threats have gradually moved from being most prevalent in lower layers of network traffic to the application layer, which has reduced the general effectiveness of firewalls to stop threats carried through network communications (Scarfone, & Hoffman, 2009). However, firewalls are still needed to stop the significant threats that continue to work at lower layers of network traffic.
Hardware firewalls are found in network processors such as routers and switches. These devices usually have firewalls ports usually a minimum of four which are programmed by network administrators according to the security restrictions of an organization. (Beal,
The Oxford American Dictionary of Current English defines admonition as “to reprove. Urge. Give earnest advice to. Warn”. Understanding this how do we employ admonitions systems to information technology to make it more useful in-regards to Network and system security? Using admonition software we are attempting to create an environment that will either prevent data from being in-advertently distributed across networks. Act as a deterrent to those trying to access the network illegally. Or warning users of the potential harm their actions may cause. In developing an IT security strategy,
Data is often the most valuable asset possessed by an organization and it is the main target of intentional attacks. Data stored, processed, and transmitted by a computer system must be protected. Business organizations use the internet as an important aspect of their business model. In addition to using internet applications, such as the web and email, to generate revenue and communicate with customers, they also store important and proprietary information on computers that are accessible
In an e-commerce world, organizations are susceptible to hackers and intruders. Thus creating the information technology protection systems which is used to reduce the possibility of intrusions from occurring. Intrusions occur by uninvited outsiders (sometimes intruders can be internal users like employees) who try to access an organization’s information system using the internet with the intent to gain competitive advantage of some sort. Organizations depend on security technology to avoid loss from security breach, as well as to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. However, firewalls are also vulnerable to errors, and implementing a security technology comes with challenges and critical decisions that can possibly cause a financial burden on the organization if done without seriousness and commitment. “Information security is about managing risk, and managing risk is about discovering and measuring threats to information assets; and taking actions to respond to those threats” (Al-Awadi, & Renaud, 2007, p.3). This paper will discuss a few aspects that are involved with firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
The most important goal of any access control model is to provide a verifiable system that guarantees the protection of any information from being accessed by an unauthorised party; in line with some defined security policies (Ausanka-crues 2006). Many access control models have evolved over time that manage access to resources in the organisation. With each one leveraging on a particular element of security. The Bell- Lapadula model for example focuses on Confidentiality; while the Biba
Almost all kind of large and small organizations might face increasing number of attacks into their network or intellectual property. This may lead to data disclosure, data destruction, and damage of organization’s reputation. There are numerous threats in the cyber space which might be capable of stealing, destroying or making use of out sensitive data for financial and non-financial gains. As the amount of computer, mobile and internet users increases, so does the number of exploiters.