Session 7 - Management challenges in Information security.ppt
- 1. Management Information Systems MANAGING THE DIGITAL FIRM, 12TH EDITION MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN INFORMATION SECURITY
- 2. Management Information Systems • Facebook – world’s largest social network • Problem – Identity theft and malicious software – Examples: • 2021 – Phishing scams: fake emails – Romance scam: play on your emotions and gain your trust • 2009 18-month hacker scam for passwords, resulted in Trojan horse download that stole financial data • May 2010 Spam campaigned aimed at stealing logins • Illustrates: Types of security attacks facing consumers • Demonstrates: Ubiquity of hacking, malicious software You’re on Facebook? Watch Out! CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 2
- 3. Management Information Systems • Security: – Policies, procedures and technical measures used to prevent unauthorized access, alteration, theft, or physical damage to information systems • Controls: – Methods, policies, and organizational procedures that ensure safety of organization’s assets; accuracy and reliability of its accounting records; and operational adherence to management standards System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 3
- 4. Management Information Systems • Why systems are vulnerable – Accessibility of networks – Hardware problems (breakdowns, configuration errors, damage from improper use or crime) – Software problems (programming errors, installation errors, unauthorized changes) – Disasters – Use of networks/computers outside of firm’s control – Loss and theft of portable devices System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 4
- 5. Management Information Systems System Vulnerability and Abuse CONTEMPORARY SECURITY CHALLENGES AND VULNERABILITIES The architecture of a Web-based application typically includes a Web client, a server, and corporate information systems linked to databases. Each of these components presents security challenges and vulnerabilities. Floods, fires, power failures, and other electrical problems can cause disruptions at any point in the network. FIGURE 8-1 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 5
- 6. Management Information Systems • Internet vulnerabilities – Network open to anyone – Size of Internet means abuses can have wide impact – Use of fixed Internet addresses with cable or DSL modems creates fixed targets hackers – Unencrypted VOIP – E-mail, P2P, IM • Interception • Attachments with malicious software • Transmitting trade secrets System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 6
- 7. Management Information Systems • Wireless security challenges – Radio frequency bands easy to scan – SSIDs (service set identifiers) • Identify access points • Broadcast multiple times • War driving – Eavesdroppers drive by buildings and try to detect SSID and gain access to network and resources – WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) • Security standard for 802.11; use is optional • Uses shared password for both users and access point • Users often fail to implement WEP or stronger systems System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 7
- 8. Management Information Systems System Vulnerability and Abuse WI-FI SECURITY CHALLENGES Many Wi-Fi networks can be penetrated easily by intruders using sniffer programs to obtain an address to access the resources of a network without authorization. FIGURE 8-2 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 8
- 9. Management Information Systems • Malware (malicious software) – Viruses • Rogue software program that attaches itself to other software programs or data files in order to be executed – Worms • Independent computer programs that copy themselves from one computer to other computers over a network. – Trojan horses • Software program that appears to be benign but then does something other than expected. System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 9
- 10. Management Information Systems • Malware (cont.) – SQL injection attacks • Hackers submit data to Web forms that exploits site’s unprotected software and sends rogue SQL query to database – Spyware • Small programs install themselves surreptitiously on computers to monitor user Web surfing activity and serve up advertising – Key loggers • Record every keystroke on computer to steal serial numbers, passwords, launch Internet attacks System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 10
- 11. Management Information Systems • Hackers and computer crime –Hackers vs. crackers –Activities include • System intrusion • System damage • Cybervandalism –Intentional disruption, defacement, destruction of Web site or corporate information system System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 11
- 12. Management Information Systems • Spoofing – Misrepresenting oneself by using fake e-mail addresses or masquerading as someone else – Redirecting Web link to address different from intended one, with site masquerading as intended destination • Sniffer – Eavesdropping program that monitors information traveling over network – Enables hackers to steal proprietary information such as e-mail, company files, etc. System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 12
- 13. Management Information Systems • Denial-of-service attacks (DoS) – Flooding server with thousands of false requests to crash the network. • Distributed denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) – Use of numerous computers to launch a DoS – Botnets • Networks of “zombie” PCs infiltrated by bot malware • Worldwide, 6 - 24 million computers serve as zombie PCs in thousands of botnets System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 13
- 14. Management Information Systems • Computer crime – Defined as “any violations of criminal law that involve a knowledge of computer technology for their perpetration, investigation, or prosecution” – Computer may be target of crime, e.g.: • Breaching confidentiality of protected computerized data • Accessing a computer system without authority – Computer may be instrument of crime, e.g.: • Theft of trade secrets • Using e-mail for threats or harassment System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 14
- 15. Management Information Systems • Identity theft – Theft of personal Information (social security id, driver’s license or credit card numbers) to impersonate someone else • Phishing – Setting up fake Web sites or sending e-mail messages that look like legitimate businesses to ask users for confidential personal data. • Evil twins – Wireless networks that pretend to offer trustworthy Wi-Fi connections to the Internet System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 15
- 16. Management Information Systems • Pharming – Redirects users to a bogus Web page, even when individual types correct Web page address into his or her browser • Click fraud – Occurs when individual or computer program fraudulently clicks on online ad without any intention of learning more about the advertiser or making a purchase • Cyberterrorism and Cyberwarfare System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 16
- 17. Management Information Systems • Internal threats: employees – Security threats often originate inside an organization – Inside knowledge – Sloppy security procedures • User lack of knowledge – Social engineering: • Tricking employees into revealing their passwords by pretending to be legitimate members of the company in need of information System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 17
- 18. Management Information Systems • Software vulnerability – Commercial software contains flaws that create security vulnerabilities • Hidden bugs (program code defects) – Zero defects cannot be achieved because complete testing is not possible with large programs • Flaws can open networks to intruders – Patches • Vendors release small pieces of software to repair flaws • However exploits often created faster than patches be released and implemented System Vulnerability and Abuse CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 18
- 19. Management Information Systems • Failed computer systems can lead to significant or total loss of business function • Firms now more vulnerable than ever – Confidential personal and financial data – Trade secrets, new products, strategies • A security breach may cut into firm’s market value almost immediately • Inadequate security and controls also bring forth issues of liability Business Value of Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 19
- 20. Management Information Systems • Legal and regulatory requirements for electronic records management and privacy protection – Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006 – Digital Security Act, 2018: data and system protection Business Value of Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 20
- 21. Management Information Systems • Electronic evidence – Evidence for white collar crimes often in digital form • Data on computers, e-mail, instant messages, e- commerce transactions – Proper control of data can save time and money when responding to legal discovery request • Computer forensics: – Scientific collection, examination, authentication, preservation, and analysis of data from computer storage media for use as evidence in court of law – Includes recovery of ambient and hidden data Business Value of Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 21
- 22. Management Information Systems • Information systems controls – Manual and automated controls – General and application controls • General controls – Govern design, security, and use of computer programs and security of data files in general throughout organization’s information technology infrastructure. – Apply to all computerized applications – Combination of hardware, software, and manual procedures to create overall control environment Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 22
- 23. Management Information Systems • Types of general controls –Software controls –Hardware controls –Computer operations controls –Data security controls –Implementation controls –Administrative controls Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 23
- 24. Management Information Systems • Application controls – Specific controls unique to each computerized application, such as payroll or order processing – Include both automated and manual procedures – Ensure that only authorized data are completely and accurately processed by that application – Include: • Input controls • Processing controls • Output controls Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 24
- 25. Management Information Systems • Risk assessment: Determines level of risk to firm if specific activity or process is not properly controlled • Types of threat • Probability of occurrence during year • Potential losses, value of threat • Expected annual loss Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 25 EXPOSURE PROBABILITY LOSS RANGE (AVG) EXPECTED ANNUAL LOSS Power failure 30% $5K - $200K ($102,500) $30,750 Embezzlement 5% $1K - $50K ($25,500) $1,275 User error 98% $200 - $40K ($20,100) $19,698
- 26. Management Information Systems • Security policy – Ranks information risks, identifies acceptable security goals, and identifies mechanisms for achieving these goals – Drives other policies • Acceptable use policy (AUP) – Defines acceptable uses of firm’s information resources and computing equipment • Authorization policies – Determine differing levels of user access to information assets Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 26
- 27. Management Information Systems • Identity management – Business processes and tools to identify valid users of system and control access • Identifies and authorizes different categories of users • Specifies which portion of system users can access • Authenticating users and protects identities – Identity management systems • Captures access rules for different levels of users Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 27
- 28. Management Information Systems System Vulnerability and Abuse SECURITY PROFILES FOR A PERSONNEL SYSTEM These two examples represent two security profiles or data security patterns that might be found in a personnel system. Depending on the security profile, a user would have certain restrictions on access to various systems, locations, or data in an organization. FIGURE 8-3 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 28
- 29. Management Information Systems • Disaster recovery planning: Devises plans for restoration of disrupted services • Business continuity planning: Focuses on restoring business operations after disaster – Both types of plans needed to identify firm’s most critical systems – Business impact analysis to determine impact of an outage – Management must determine which systems restored first Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 29
- 30. Management Information Systems • MIS audit – Examines firm’s overall security environment as well as controls governing individual information systems – Reviews technologies, procedures, documentation, training, and personnel. – May even simulate disaster to test response of technology, IS staff, other employees. – Lists and ranks all control weaknesses and estimates probability of their occurrence. – Assesses financial and organizational impact of each threat Establishing a Framework for Security and Control CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 30
- 31. Management Information Systems System Vulnerability and Abuse SAMPLE AUDITOR’S LIST OF CONTROL WEAKNESSES This chart is a sample page from a list of control weaknesses that an auditor might find in a loan system in a local commercial bank. This form helps auditors record and evaluate control weaknesses and shows the results of discussing those weaknesses with management, as well as any corrective actions taken by management. FIGURE 8-4 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 31
- 32. Management Information Systems • Identity management software – Automates keeping track of all users and privileges – Authenticates users, protecting identities, controlling access • Authentication – Password systems – Tokens – Smart cards – Biometric authentication Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 32
- 33. Management Information Systems • Firewall: –Combination of hardware and software that prevents unauthorized users from accessing private networks –Technologies include: • Static packet filtering • Network address translation (NAT) • Application proxy filtering Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 33
- 34. Management Information Systems Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources A CORPORATE FIREWALL The firewall is placed between the firm’s private network and the public Internet or another distrusted network to protect against unauthorized traffic. FIGURE 8-5 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 34
- 35. Management Information Systems • Intrusion detection systems: – Monitor hot spots on corporate networks to detect and deter intruders – Examines events as they are happening to discover attacks in progress • Antivirus and antispyware software: – Checks computers for presence of malware and can often eliminate it as well – Require continual updating • Unified threat management (UTM) systems Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 35
- 36. Management Information Systems • Securing wireless networks – Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security can provide some security by • Assigning unique name to network’s SSID and not broadcasting SSID • Using it with VPN technology – Wi-Fi Alliance finalized WAP2 specification, replacing WEP with stronger standards • Continually changing keys • Encrypted authentication system with central server Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 36
- 37. Management Information Systems • Encryption: –Transforming text or data into cipher text that cannot be read by unintended recipients –Two methods for encryption on networks • Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and successor Transport Layer Security (TLS) • Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (S- HTTP) Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 37
- 38. Management Information Systems • Two methods of encryption – Symmetric key encryption • Sender and receiver use single, shared key – Public key encryption • Uses two, mathematically related keys: Public key and private key • Sender encrypts message with recipient’s public key • Recipient decrypts with private key Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 38
- 39. Management Information Systems Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources PUBLIC KEY ENCRYPTION A public key encryption system can be viewed as a series of public and private keys that lock data when they are transmitted and unlock the data when they are received. The sender locates the recipient’s public key in a directory and uses it to encrypt a message. The message is sent in encrypted form over the Internet or a private network. When the encrypted message arrives, the recipient uses his or her private key to decrypt the data and read the message. FIGURE 8-6 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 39
- 40. Management Information Systems • Digital certificate: – Data file used to establish the identity of users and electronic assets for protection of online transactions – Uses a trusted third party, certification authority (CA), to validate a user’s identity – CA verifies user’s identity, stores information in CA server, which generates encrypted digital certificate containing owner ID information and copy of owner’s public key • Public key infrastructure (PKI) – Use of public key cryptography working with certificate authority – Widely used in e-commerce Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 40
- 41. Management Information Systems Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources DIGITAL CERTIFICATES Digital certificates help establish the identity of people or electronic assets. They protect online transactions by providing secure, encrypted, online communication. FIGURE 8-7 CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 41
- 42. Management Information Systems • Ensuring system availability – Online transaction processing requires 100% availability, no downtime • Fault-tolerant computer systems – For continuous availability, e.g. stock markets – Contain redundant hardware, software, and power supply components that create an environment that provides continuous, uninterrupted service • High-availability computing – Helps recover quickly from crash – Minimizes, does not eliminate downtime Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 42
- 43. Management Information Systems • Recovery-oriented computing – Designing systems that recover quickly with capabilities to help operators pinpoint and correct of faults in multi-component systems • Controlling network traffic – Deep packet inspection (DPI) • Video and music blocking • Security outsourcing – Managed security service providers (MSSPs) Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 43
- 44. Management Information Systems • Security in the cloud – Responsibility for security resides with company owning the data – Firms must ensure providers provides adequate protection – Service level agreements (SLAs) • Securing mobile platforms – Security policies should include and cover any special requirements for mobile devices • E.g. updating smart phones with latest security patches, etc. Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 44
- 45. Management Information Systems • Ensuring software quality – Software metrics: Objective assessments of system in form of quantified measurements • Number of transactions • Online response time • Payroll checks printed per hour • Known bugs per hundred lines of code – Early and regular testing – Walkthrough: Review of specification or design document by small group of qualified people – Debugging: Process by which errors are eliminated Technologies and Tools for Protecting Information Resources CHAPTER 8: SECURING INFORMATION SYSTEMS © Prentice Hall 2011 45
Editor's Notes
- #3: This slide discusses the chapter opening case, which describes the security problems Facebook has had. Note that the size of Facebook is one major factor that makes it an especially tempting target for hackers. Why is the size of the user base such a factor ? (It’s another example of a “network effect”!)
- #4: This slide introduces the need for both security and controls in today’s businesses in order to safeguard information systems. Ask students to give an example of a security technique and an example of a control that might be used in a business.
- #5: This slide discusses the main categories of threats to information systems. Note that when large amounts of data are stored digitally, on computers and servers and in databases, they are vulnerable to many more kinds of threats than when they were stored in manual form, on paper in folders and file cabinets. When data are available over a network, there are even more vulnerabilities. Ask students if they have ever lost data on their computers. What was the reason (hardware, software, “disaster,” other people, etc.). On the other hand, digital records are not vulnerable in ways that manual records in a file cabinet are vulnerable. For instance, you really can’t tell who has accessed manual records when they are in a physical file. In a database, file access is monitored (unless a hacker has found a way to read records without leaving a digital trail).
- #6: This graphic illustrates the types of threats to system security and the points over the network at which these threats are prevalent. Some problems occur at the client computer, others through the network lines, corporate servers, or in corporate hardware and software.
- #7: This slide discusses the types of threats that large public networks, like the Internet, face because they are open to virtually anyone. Note that the Internet is so huge that when abuses do occur, they can have an enormously widespread impact. And when the Internet becomes part of the corporate network, the organization’s information systems are even more vulnerable to actions from outsiders.
- #8: This slide discusses security threats related to wireless networks. Local-area networks (LANs) using the 802.11 standard can be easily penetrated by outsiders armed with laptops, wireless cards, external antennae, and hacking software. Hackers use these tools to detect unprotected networks, monitor network traffic, and, in some cases, gain access to the Internet or to corporate networks. Ask students if they have connected to the Internet through an unknown wireless network that a person or business had established and left unprotected. Note that there are stronger encryption and authentication systems available for wireless networks but users must install them.
- #9: This graphic illustrates why wireless networks are vulnerable - The service set identifiers (SSIDs) identifying the access points in a Wi-Fi network are broadcast multiple times (as illustrated by the orange sphere) and can be picked up fairly easily by intruders’ sniffer programs.
- #10: This slide identifies the various types of malware that threaten information systems and computers. Ask students if they have ever had a problem with a virus. Do they know how they got infected? Note that there are now over 200 viruses and worms targeting mobile phones, and Web 2.0 applications like MySpace and blogs are new conduits for malware and spyware. Malware is a serious problem - over the past decade, worms and viruses have caused billions of dollars of damage to corporate networks, e-mail systems, and data.
- #11: This slide continues the discussion of types of malware on the previous slide. Note that SQL injection attacks are the largest malware threat. Ask students what why this is so. (These attacks enable hackers access to underlying databases that support Web applications, such as sales of products and services, e-commerce financial data, and other classified information.)
- #12: This slide looks at the people who commit computer crime, and at the various types of computer crime. Ask students what the difference is between hackers and crackers and if they agree with the differentiation. Have any students been the victim of computer crime or invasion of privacy?
- #13: This slide continues the discussion of different types of computer crimes. Ask students what the ultimate purpose of spoofing and sniffing are. Note that there are legitimate uses of sniffing – sniffers can help identify network trouble spots or spot criminal activity on a network. Sniffers can also be used to identify copyrighted data being sent over networks, such as pirated music or video files.
- #14: This slide continues the discussion of the types of computer crimes. What is the result of a DoS attack? The text gives the example of the largest botnet attack in 2010, the Mariposa botnet, which started in Spain and spread across the world. Mariposa had infected and controlled about 12.7 million computers in its efforts to steal credit card numbers and online banking passwords. More than half of the Fortune 1000 companies, 40 major banks, and numerous government agencies were infected—and did not know it. Bots and botnets are an extremely serious threat because they can be used to launch very large attacks using many different techniques.
- #15: This slide looks at the legal definition of computer crime and the two main classes of computer crime. The text lists a variety of other examples for computers as targets and as instruments of crime. Ask the students to provide more examples. According to CSI Computer Crime and Security Survey of nearly 500 companies, participant companies’ average annual loss from computer crime and security attacks was approximately $230,000 (Computer Security Institute, 2009). However, many companies are reluctant to report computer crimes. Why? What are the most economically damaging types of computer crime? (DoS, introducing viruses, theft of services, disruption of computer systems.)
- #16: This slide continues the discussion of types of computer crime. Have any students encountered any of these types of crimes personally? Note that The U.S. Congress addressed the threat of computer crime in 1986 with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. This act makes it illegal to access a computer system without authorization. The text lists other legislation to counter computer crime, such as the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act in 1996 to make virus distribution and hacker attacks to disable Web sites federal crimes.
- #17: This slide continues the discussion of types of computer crime. Note that cybercriminal activities are borderless: The global nature of the Internet makes it possible for cybercriminals to operate anywhere in the world. Ask students if there should be legislation outlawing click fraud. One concern is the use of computer attacks by organized governments, and that such attacks might target major infrastructure such as electrical grids. The text says that at least 20 countries, including China, are believed to be developing offensive and defensive cyberwarfare capabilities. One of the leading, if not the leading, countries in cyberwarfare is the United States.
- #18: This slide looks at another source of security problems – people inside the company with access to the system. Ask students if they have ever worked somewhere with a vulnerable password system. Have they ever revealed to anyone what their password is or was? What are some solutions to password security? Some financial institutions assign users a new password every day, or every hour.
- #19: This slide looks at security and other vulnerabilities caused by software errors that open networks to intruders. The text cites the example of a database-related software error that prevented millions of JP Morgan Chase retail and small-business customers from accessing their online bank accounts for two days in September 2010. Ask students why complete testing is not possible with large programs. The text also gives the example of Microsoft’s service pack upgrades to its operating system software. Service Pack 1 for Vista included security enhancements to counter malware and hackers.
- #20: Ask students to give an example of how inadequate security or control can pose a serious legal liability. The text gives the example of BJ’s Wholesale Club which was sued by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for allowing hackers to access its systems and steal credit and debit card data for fraudulent purchase.
- #21: This slide continues the look at the business value of security and control, examining the legal requirements for electronic records management. Note that the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was designed to protect investors after the scandals at Enron, WorldCom, and other public companies. Sarbanes-Oxley is fundamentally about ensuring that internal controls are in place to govern the creation and documentation of information in financial statements. Because managing this data involves information systems, information systems must implement controls to make sure this information is accurate and to enforce integrity, confidentiality, and accuracy.
- #22: This slide continues the discussion of the business value of security and control. Security, control, and electronic records management are essential today for responding to legal actions. Ask students what the most common form of electronic evidence is (e-mail). Note that in a legal action, a firm is obligated to respond to a discovery request for access to information that may be used as evidence, and the company is required by law to produce those data. The cost of responding to a discovery request can be enormous if the company has trouble assembling the required data or the data have been corrupted or destroyed. Courts impose severe financial and even criminal penalties for improper destruction of electronic documents. Ask students what ambient data is and to give an example. Given the legal requirements for electronic records, it is important that an awareness of computer forensics should be incorporated into a firm’s contingency planning process.
- #23: To improve security for a firm’s information systems, it is important to create a framework that supports security. This includes establishing information systems controls, understanding the risks to the firm’s information systems, and establishing security policies that are appropriate for the firm. This slide looks at controls used in information systems. Remember that controls are methods, policies, and organizational procedures that ensure safety of organization’s assets; accuracy and reliability of its accounting records; and operational adherence to management standards. Controls may be manual or automated. Ask students to explain the difference between manual and automated controls (e.g. making sure that computer storage areas are secure vs. automated virus updates.) There are two main types of controls, general controls and application controls. General controls apply to all computerized applications. A list of types of general controls appears on the next slide. Ask students what the functions are of the different types of general controls.
- #24: This slide lists the different categories of general controls. Ask students what the functions are of the different types of general controls.
- #25: This slide examines the second type of information systems controls, application controls. Ask students what each type of application control does. (Input controls check data for accuracy and completeness when they enter the system. There are specific input controls for input authorization, data conversion, data editing, and error handling. Processing controls establish that data are complete and accurate during updating. Output controls ensure that the results of computer processing are accurate, complete, and properly distributed.)
- #26: This slide looks at another important factor in establishing an appropriate framework for security and control, risk assessment. While not all risks can be anticipated and measured, most businesses should be able identify many of the risks they face. The table illustrates sample results of a risk assessment for an online order processing system that processes 30,000 orders per day. The likelihood of each exposure occurring over a one-year period is expressed as a percentage. The expected annual loss is the result of multiplying the probability by the average loss. Ask students to rank the three risks listed here in order of most important to minimize.
- #27: This slide looks at the need for a firm to establish a security policy for protecting a company’s assets, as well as other company policies the security policy drives, and how information systems support this. The text provides the example of the security policy at Unilever, a multinational consumer goods company, which requires every employee with a laptop or mobile handheld to use an approved device and employ a password or other method of identification when logging onto the corporate network. Ask students what types of issues would be covered under an AUP. (Privacy, user responsibility, and personal use of company equipment and networks, unacceptable and acceptable actions for every user and consequences for noncompliance.)
- #28: This slide looks at the area of security policy involved in managing identities of system users. Ask students why businesses consider it important to specify which portion of an information system a user has access to? What kinds of information requires very high levels of security access? What rules might be used to determine access rules? One rule is “need to know.”
- #29: This graphic illustrates the security allowed for two sets of users of a personnel database that contains sensitive information such as employees’ salaries and medical histories. One set of users consists of all employees who perform clerical functions, such as inputting employee data into the system. All individuals with this type of profile can update the system but can neither read nor update sensitive fields, such as salary, medical history, or earnings data. Another profile applies to a divisional manager, who cannot update the system but who can read all employee data fields for his or her division, including medical history and salary. These security profiles are based on access rules supplied by business groups in the firm.
- #30: This slide continues the discussion of essential activities a firm performs to maximize security and control, here looking at planning for activities should a disaster occur, such as a flood, earthquake, or power outage. Note that disaster recovery plans focus primarily on the technical issues involved in keeping systems up and running, such as which files to back up and the maintenance of backup computer systems or disaster recovery services. The text provides the example of MasterCard, which maintains a duplicate computer center in Kansas City, Missouri, to serve as an emergency backup to its primary computer center in St. Louis. Ask students why it is important that both business managers and information systems specialists work together on these plans.
- #31: This slide looks at the role of auditing. An MIS audit enables a firm to determine if existing security measures and controls are effective.
- #32: This graphic illustrates a sample page from an auditor’s listing of control weaknesses for a loan system. It includes a section for notifying management of such weaknesses and for management’s response. Management is expected to devise a plan for countering significant weaknesses in controls.
- #33: This slide looks at the technologies used for identifying and authenticating users. Ask students which of the various authentication methods seem to be the most fool proof. Passwords are traditional methods for authentication and newer methods include tokens, smart cards and biometric authentication. Have any students used authentication methods other than passwords to access a system? Ask students to give examples of things that can be used for biometric authentication (voices, irises, fingerprints, palmprints, face recognition.) Some PCs can be ordered with fingerprint authentication of the user. What are some problems with strict biometric authentication for PCs?
- #34: This slide looks at an essential tool used to prevent intruders from accessing private networks - firewalls. To create a strong firewall, an administrator must maintain detailed internal rules identifying the people, applications, or addresses that are allowed or rejected. Firewalls can deter, but not completely prevent, network penetration by outsiders and should be viewed as one element in an overall security plan. Ask students to differentiate between the screening technologies listed here. Note that these are often used in combination. Ask students if they use firewall software on their own computers.
- #35: This graphic illustrates the use of firewalls on a corporate network. Notice that here, a second, “inner” firewall protects the Web server from access through the internal network.
- #36: This slide looks at additional tools to prevent unwanted intruders and software from accessing the network. Ask students what antivirus and antispyware tools they use. Ask why these tools require continual updating. Ask why UTM packages would include anti spam software.
- #37: This slide looks at the tools and technologies used to secure wireless networks. Ask students with laptops what types of wireless security they have available to them, and which one they use.
- #38: This slide introduces the use of encryption to ensure that data traveling along networks cannot be read by unauthorized users. Ask students what encryption involves: Use of encryption key (a numerical code) that is used to transform a message into undecipherable text. The cipher text requires a key to decrypted and read by the recipient.
- #39: This slide discusses the use of encryption to ensure that data traveling along networks cannot be read by unauthorized users. Ask students to explain the difference between symmetric key encryption and public key encryption. (In symmetric key encryption, the sender and receiver establish a secure Internet session by creating a single encryption key and sending it to the receiver so both the sender and receiver share the same key. Public key encryption uses two keys: one shared (or public) and one totally private. The keys are mathematically related so that data encrypted with one key can be decrypted using only the other key. To send and receive messages, communicators first create separate pairs of private and public keys. The public key is kept in a directory and the private key must be kept secret. The sender encrypts a message with the recipient’s public key. On receiving the message, the recipient uses his or her private key to decrypt it.) Ask students why public key encryption is stronger than symmetric key encryption. Note that the strength of an encryption key is measured by its bit length. Today, a typical key will be 128 bits long (a string of 128 binary digits).
- #40: This graphic illustrates the steps in public key encryption. The sender encrypts data using the public key of the recipient; data encrypted with this public key can only be decrypted with the recipient’s private key.
- #41: This slide looks at the use of digital certificates as a tool to help protect online transactions. Digital certificates are used in conjunction with public key encryption to validate the identities of two parties in a transaction before data is exchanged.
- #42: This graphic illustrates the process for using digital certificates. The institution or individual requests a certificate over the internet from a CA; the certificate received from the CA can then be used to validate a transaction with an online merchant or customer.
- #43: This slide and the next look at technologies and tools for ensuring system availability. Ask students why online transaction processing requires 100% availability. Note that firms with heavy e-commerce processing or for firms that depend on digital networks for their internal operations require at minimum high-availability computing, using tools such as backup servers, distribution of processing across multiple servers, high-capacity storage, and good disaster recovery and business continuity plans.
- #44: This slide continues the discussion of techniques to minimize downtime and improve network performance. Deep packet inspection enables a network to sort low-priority data packets from high-priority ones in order to improve performance for business critical communication. Ask students what types of network traffic would be suitable for assigning lower priority in a business setting.
- #45: This slide looks at security concerns specific to cloud computing and mobile computing. Ask students what the key factors are to consider in ensuring a provider has adequate protection (downtime, privacy and privacy rules in accordance with jurisdiction, external audits, disaster planning). What specific concerns are there with mobile devices? (Encrypting communications, theft and loss, inventory records.)
- #46: This slide looks at ensuring software quality as a way to improve system quality and reliability by employing software metrics and rigorous software testing. Ongoing use of metrics allows the information systems department and end users to jointly measure the performance of the system and identify problems as they occur.