Common threats against contemporary information systems

Assignment 5 : BUS/349 Mgt Infor System Section

Remember to use the format below:

5-1 What are the components of IT infrastructure?

Define information technology (IT) infrastructure and describe each of its components.

A firm’s IT infrastructure provides the foundation, or platform, for supporting all the information systems in the business.

The five major components of an information technology (IT) infrastructure are:

• Computer hardware: technology for computer processing, data storage, input, and output.

• Computer software: includes both system software and application software.

• Data management technology: organizes, manages, and processes business data concerned with inventory, customers, and vendors.

• Networking and telecommunications technologies: provides data, voice, and video connectivity to employees, customers, and suppliers.

• Technology services: external consultants who run and manage infrastructure components.

5-3 What are the major types of computer software used in business and major software trends?

Distinguish between application software and system software and explain the role played by the operating system of a computer.

System software surrounds and controls access to the hardware. It manages and controls a computer’s activities. Some types of system software consist of computer language translation programs that convert programming languages into machine language that can be understood by the computer and utility programs that perform common processing tasks, such as copying, sorting, or computing a square root. The operating system allocates and assigns system resources, schedules the use of computer resources and computer jobs, and monitors computer system activities.

Application software works through the system software in order to develop specific business applications. This type of software includes traditional programming languages, fourth-generation languages, application software packages and desktop productivity tools, software for developing Internet applications, and software for enterprise integration.

8-1 Why are information systems vulnerable to destruction, error, and abuse?

-List and describe the most common threats against contemporary information systems.

· Accessibility of networks

· Hardware problems (breakdowns, configuration errors, damage from improper use/crime)

· Software problems (programming errors, installation errors, unauthorized changes)

· Use of networks outside of firm’s control

· Loss and theft of portable devices.

-Define malware and distinguish among a virus, a worm, and a Trojan horse.

-Define a hacker and explain how hackers create security problems and damage systems.

-Define computer crime. Provide two example of crime in which computers are targets and two examples in which computers are used as instruments of crime.

-Define identity theft and phishing and explain why identity theft is such as big problem today.

-Describe the security and systems reliability problems employees create.

-Explain how software defects affect system reliability and security.

8-4 what are the most important tools and technologies for safeguarding information resources?

-Names and describe three authentication methods.

-Describe the roles of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software in promoting security.

-Explain how encryption protects information.

-Describe the role of encryption and digital certificates in a public key infrastructure.

-Distinguish between disaster recovery planning and business continuity planning.

-Identify and describe the security problems cloud computing poses.

-Describe measures for improving software quality and reliability.