Information security in Small Scale Enterprises

Introduction Scientific innovations and inventions have led to technological advances; the technology has increasingly been adopted in businesses in different areas/processes; however, there are numerous threats brought by the use of technology.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Information security in Small Scale Enterprises specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The affordability of computer and computer software has facilitated the use of technology in small-scale business; some of the most used technological advancements within an organization are information sharing systems, enterprise reporting programs, the Internet, and e-commerce. Employing technology in small-scale businesses opens them to myriad of problems; information security is the greatest threat (Wallace, Lin Cefaratti, 2011). This paper discusses how to secure small-scale business from technology related threats. Best information security syst em To have an elaborate information security within an organization, the management needs to develop a security policy; a security policy defines the use and accessibility of information in a company. When making a security policy, it should not be seen as an end user policy, however it should be ongoing and protection adhered to at every stage. An effective security policy provides five important services to the organizations, the services are: Access It offers the users a chance to receive and transmit data within the system while adhering to proper machine and data handling. Confidentiality The policy should respect privacy of information whether individual privacy or corporate privacy. Authentication The system should be efficient in transmitting of information that messages can be traced back with certainty.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Integrity The system should ensure tha t the message sent has not been changed or modified when in transit. No- repudiation The system should ensure that it keeps proper records of the sender and receiver of message, the time of the transmission and the information kept cannot be altered (Yayla Hu, 2011). The process should have a five working principle that the organization should look into, they are: Physical security and lock down all the technological assets When a small-scale business has embarked on securing its information, the initial stage is to regulate physical access of computer hardware like server, personal computers, and other networking and telecommunications equipment. The prevention is from human resources of the company and external users; access should be limited to those people with permission to access the machines. Some of the most common methods of physical security include lock and key, the use of passwords when opening the security rooms, use of fingerprints to limit the access to the computer systems rooms and the use of alarm systems to alert incase of trespass (Hulitt Vaughn, 2010). Physical security is not adequate in itself since the machines will have to be used at one point, a policy that elaborates on the best ,machine and data handling best practices should be implemented and staffs trained accordingly; such a training will assist the staffs have a clear understanding of why they need to protect information within their organization. Process and procedures security setups With the physical security set-up, the management should now focus on technological aspects of the security plan, this are the process and procedures security maintenance to ensure that the information of a company is secure regardless of who has an access to the system.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Information security in Small Scale Enterprises specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The control of the Internet and i ntranet should be prioritized; creating firewalls that limit incoming and outgoing traffic will assist in monitoring and controlling the use of the tools. Fireworks is one of the most known effective methods of controlling internet and internet system, it is able to keep off unwanted messages within the system; however the system does not protect a system form virus and spywares. Since firewalls allow viruses and spywares to operate in the system, then a company should have an effective antivirus and antispyware software; the software should be up-to date and updated through the system without offering some dangers to the system. People with a certain negative intention develop viruses and thus strong anti-virus software should be maintained; the system adopted should be strong enough that can detect virus programs and block them from accessing the system. Small-scale businesses should not shy off from investing in expensive but effective security systems, since the market has some ant viruses that cannot be fully relied upon. Website management and protection One area that small-scale businesses communicate with the outside world is through their websites. It is through the sites that they offer some information and access right of outsiders to their company information. To ensure that data is secure a company must establish ways to protect information that is contained in its website; the approach is seen as an internal and external approach. Internal in the fact that the information offered should be limited and the one meant for public consumption and external in that it protects external users from accessing some information about the company. The kind of data that it posts over the internet should be vetted; information has many users for various reasons, any information posted should target a certain user and the behavior as a result should be speculated. If information is likely to hurt the organization, then it is better not offered, some users of inf ormation for the loss of a company include competitors and people will ill motives. There should be a specific class of people mandated with the role of uploading information in the website; the power to upload information should not be vested in one person, however a team of web-managers should be developed.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The web master should have the exclusive rights to upload information only after the team has deliberated and seen the move as appropriate. This will require restriction to servers and main computer room (the approach to restriction has been discussed earlier). Another important yet ignored task of web management team is withdraw of information and alteration of information posted in the website. The same staff should be mandated with the task of withdrawing any information that may have gotten to their website either through malice or through mistake before it has tarnished the name of a company (Wibowo Batra, 2010). Using genuine and up-to date software and hardware Technological advancement has made it possible to have some systems that are secure and those that can handle some basic information threats. For example having software that have timeouts when not used can assist a company to secure information that could be accessed when a system is running. In the market, there is the option of buying software/hardware then install security measures and other systems that come with an inbuilt security system. Systems that come with security set-ups are referred to as managed security services or software-as-a-service (SaaS); they come with a warranty that they will secure information for a certain period if used effectively. Small-scale businesses should use such systems since they offer more security and fallback in case they collapse. Alternatively, the developers of the systems are mostly large companies with the resources of developing an effective system; this small-scale business will relatively pay low for quality service (Veiga Eloff, 2007). Upgrading company’s software is another thing that can assist a company keeps away people from accessing some crucial information; for example, an operating system like Windows keeps updating its software to offer better services and protection against some threats. Technology is changing day by day and th us a company should maintain a strong information and technology team that can keep the company with the pace of computer world (CAIN, 2010). Hacking can be prevented by ensuring that software’s adopted by a company are complex in their design but user friendly; hackers have use other software that run parallel to the original software to get information about a company; however using genuine and well developed software can keep them away. This will assist a company to keep away hackers. Many are the times that a system is hacked by information and technology people who have worked with the system and thus know how it operates. To prevent this there should be a responsibility oath enforceable in court taken by information and technology experts leaving and getting into an organization. Secondly, there should be not one center of power; no one should fully understand a system in operation. Checks and balances should be set (Aggeliki, Spyros, Costas Stefanos, 2010). Have data back-up systems To the extremes, information can be lost due to some unavoidable situation; small-scale businesses should have backup systems that will assist them retrieve back information that has been lost. The backup systems are kept in a different station other than the place of operation. Incase data as lost, and then they are used as a fallback. Technology has today reached to a level that lost data can be recovered by use of data recovery tools, though they would require a prior registration; a company should invest in such kind of technologies (Batra, 2007). Employee’s awareness and internal processes control One of the potential areas that information security issues can emerge from is staffs with malice or some who are innocent or ignorant. Managers should ensure that they have programs that train their staffs on the need to have high information security. Other than training, the management should have policies that facilitate the adherence of security of informat ion (Puhakainen Siponen, 2010).. Some of the operations that employees put in the system may be dangerous to the system; there are times that flash disks have been used to transfer information form the company to other places, or employees downloading software’s or installing some software in company computers. This leads to threat of information. To prevent employees from using external gadgets to get information, the management should block the use of USB cable networks, or if they must be used, the crucial information may be formatted to be read-only such that employees will not be able to get the information. Some systems that can be used to manage the access and transfer of information from computer within an organization; they include Windows Registry software which limits the access and transfer of information without authentication (Peltier, 2002). When an employee want to download or install some programs in the system; there should be proper approval and the need f or the proposed software be defined. When the system has been installed, the management should vet and scrutinize it for any threats it is likely to bring to the company. The Information and technology department should be guided by integrity and have the capacity that it can make the system work with optimal security. They have the expertise of creating security policies like the use of passwords and limiting access to computers at individual level. Alternatively, they should register computers under the name of the user thus incase of anything done using the computer, they can trace back. This approach is a psychological or threatening approach where employees will shy off from misusing their computers in the fear that they will be detected and punished if there is a leakage of information via their computers. This increases reliability and employees fee more accountable of the information they have (Asai Hakizabera, 2010). When a small-scale company has decided to implement a se curity policy, some procedure and processes that it must consider are: Know your attackers Before the best strategy has been rolled out, the most important issue to realize is to know the possible sources of information threats; when the attackers are known, as well as they operated, then the company can be in a better position be able to maintain high security system. The approach to security that the company should take is dictated by the tread of the approach and the intent that the information hackers have (Kantardzic, 2002). Determine the pain thresholds With the nature and the tread of the attackers, the system that will be used should be there to frustrate the attackers; determining how long the attackers can go is of importance since the company will develop the strategy that frustrates attackers and probably limits their attempt in the future (Hennie, Lynette Tjaart, 2010). Research of the best method With an understanding of the situation and the attackers to burr from th e system, a company needs to develop alternatives available for the task. The alternatives may be commercial software or sometimes need to restructure the internal controls within the organization. In whichever the situation, a company should aim at implementing the best security approach at its disposal. Some of the potential areas that need to be looked into are Social engineering, internal information control policies, and the vulnerability of the system and the integrity of a company’s employees (Hill, 2009). Rolling out, controlling, monitoring and reinforcing When the best approach has been recognized, then the company should come-up with a rolling out plan, it should be appreciated that developing security systems is like any other change within an organization that need to be strategically planned. The involvement of management in controlling and monitoring is called for (Dhillon, 2007). Conclusion Technology has brought numerous advantages in small-scale businesses; however, it exposes them to information security threats. Data and information held by a company is an intangible asset, thus should be secured and protected; however, some companies have had their private information lost or accessed by unauthorized users. Information management team has the role of establishing an effective information security strategy that looks into internal and external information threats. References Aggeliki T., Spyros, K., Costas, L. Stefanos, G. (2010). A security standards’ framework to facilitate best practices’ awareness and conformity. Information Management Computer Security, 18(5), 350-365. Asai, T. Hakizabera, A. (2010). Human-related problems of information security in East African cross-cultural environments. Information Management Computer Security, 18(5), 328-338. Batra, M. (2007). The dark side of international business. Competition Forum, 5, 306-314. CAIN, A. A. (2010). Information Security a Top Priority. Internal Auditor, 6 7(1), 17. Dhillon, G. (2007). Principles of Information Systems Security: text and cases. NY: John Wiley Sons. Hennie, K., Lynette, D. Tjaart, S. (2010). A vocabulary test to assess information security awareness. Information Management Computer Security, 18(5), 316-327. Hill, C.W. (2009). Global business today. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Hulitt, E., Vaughn, R. (2010). Information system security compliance to FISMA standard: a quantitative measure. Telecommunication Systems, 45(2-3), 139-152. Kantardzic, M. (2002). Data mining: Concepts, models, methods and algorithms. New York: J. Wiley. Peltier, R. (2002). Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Standards: guidelines for effective information security management. Boca Raton, FL: Auerbach publications. Puhakainen, P., Siponen, M. (2010). Improving Employees’ Compliance Through Information Systems Security Training: An Action Research Study. MIS Quarterly, 34(4), 767-A4. Wallace, L., Lin, H., Cefaratti, M. (2011 ). Information Security and Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Information Systems, 25(1), 185-211. Wibowo, K., Batra, M.(2010). Information Insecurity in the Globalization Era: Threats, Governance, and Survivability. Competition Forum, 8(1), 111-120. Veiga, A.D. Eloff, J.H. (2007). An information security governance framework. Information Systems Management, 24, 361 – 372. Yayla, A., Hu, Q. (2011). The impact of information security events on the stock value of firms: the effect of contingency factors. Journal of Information Technology, 26(1), 60-77. This research paper on Information security in Small Scale Enterprises was written and submitted by user Lady Deathstrike 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.

Teens Dealing With Drugs essays

Teens Dealing With Drugs essays Hey let me bum a cigarette. Hey share the wealth, I need more alcohol. Teens today are having many problems dealing with drugs. Teenagers get influence by ads in magazines, ads on TV, people pressuring them, and from everyday life. Drugs and Alcohol does not help anything in the world. When teens are having problems, some of them do drugs or even drink alcohol to get rid of their problems, but that wont do any good it just causes more problems. There are many types of drugs that teens can use. For example, Marijuana, Ecstasy, Cocaine, Heroin, LSD, Speed, Morphine, Nicotine, and Tobacco. These are the most known drugs that Teenagers use. 1,000 teenage girls were surveyed from across the country and 100%; all of them said that they have used Marijuana. Then Ecstasy came in second with 25%. Problem with using drugs is that it just causes more problems to your life. Teens dont know that drugs wont solve any problems they have, it just messes it up more. Some of them dont even have problems; they just do it to be cool. Teenagers say that when you try it once, you just get hooked and cant seem to stop. Teenagers know that its bad for them but they do it anyways, some teens are smart and know that being a Pot-Head is not a good idea. Its bad for your health and for your life; it will only bring more problems. What really influences teens to do drugs? Why exactly do they do it? Well there are so many reasons why, because its cool, it solves a problem theyre having, depression, to get high, everyone is doing it, and to escape reality. These are not brilliant ideas to start smoking. Now what influences them to do it? Well, they see their parents do it, friends, they see ads on T.V and magazines, and also, they see celebrities doing it. Some teens look at their favorite star and say that we want to be like them, and if we see them smoke or drink then we may want...

International business in emerging economics Assignment - 1

International business in emerging economics - Assignment Example In addition, there are other benefits including availability of raw materials, affordable skilled labor and ready market. The continued efforts by governments and environmentalists to promote renewable energy are a major advantage for the company. The entry of EST in the Chinese solar panel manufacturing sector can be done through the adoption of a trade-based strategy. This strategy involves establishment of a factory that manufactures solar panels without using any subsidiaries. The development of a wholly owned factory is highly beneficial to the company since the company is able to streamline its operations according to favourable conditions of the company. China is one of the strongest emerging economies in the world having been catapulted by the economic reforms that were advanced in the 1970s. With a GDP of $ 9.24 trillion in 2013 (which is a 7.7% growth), China has shifted from a centrally planned economy to one that is market based (The World Bank 2014). The availability of raw materials, labor and ready market has made China to industrialize at a very fast pace. Among many technologies that have been advanced in the world, the manufacturing of solar panels is a major hit in the market today. Solar panels are being widely used in many countries of the world where there is adequate solar energy as a source of renewable energy. This is because solar energy is associated with diverse benefits including environmental safety and is a relatively cheaper source of energy. The solar panel manufacturing has demonstrated 15.5% growth rate for the period between 2009 and 2014 (IBISWorld 2014). In addition, there is an increase in the demand for solar panels in Africa and Asia. In an effort to enhance efficiency in the production of solar panels not only for consumption in China but all over the world, Ecofriends Solar Technologies endeavors to establish a manufacturing plant in China. This report puts into perspective an assessment developing such a plant in

Search and Rescue in Residential Fire Structures Research Paper

Search and Rescue in Residential Fire Structures - Research Paper Example It is vital to the safety of our society that researchers continue to enhance the technologies that allow fire fighters to do their jobs in the safest and most effective fashion possible, especially those working in residential structure fires and residential search and rescue. Residential structure fires are responsible for approximately two to three thousand civilian deaths per year since 1997, but these numbers have been dropping due to improved fire prevention education, early fire detection, and fire suppression technologies being used, and also the improved technologies and equipment available for search and rescue efforts (USFA, 2008). These search and rescue technologies fall into two major categories: those devices that make it easier for fire fighters to find and save those victims trapped within a burning building and those technologies that protect the fire fighters' own lives, which indirectly will save even more lives than the direct equipment. Technologies that allow f ire fighters to rescue those victims who have been trapped within a burning building mainly include those which allow the rescue workers to find those individuals more quickly. The primary and most impressive piece of equipment in this category is the thermal imaging camera. A thermal imaging camera helps the fire fighters to see people more easily through dense smoke or haze, by analyzing the image of a trapped figure and â€Å"convert[ing] the 'thermal signature' to a visible image† (Marlow Industries Inc, 2008). These cameras are able to convert the most minute differences in the temperature of objects into a visible light image for the fire fighter using the camera to view, and they work even in complete darkness as they do not require any ambient visible light to resolve the images (FLIR Commercial Vision Systems, n.d.). This combination of processes means that a thermal imaging camera can be used by a fire fighter to look into a dark or smoke-filled room and determine i mmediately if there are any people within the room who need to be evacuated from the building. The image will also show the fire fighter if there are any flames or ignition sources within that room (FLIR Commercial Vision Systems, n.d.) Such cameras work by visualizing an image using infrared radiation instead of visible light sources. They are able to produce images at high resolution through heavy smoke due to the fact that the infrared radiation used has a longer wavelength, reducing scattering off of particulate matter in the air. (FLIR Commercial Visions Systems, n.d.). Some cameras are even able to transmit these images to a commander outside the building, allowing him or her to better control the situation within the building based on the real-time data being received (Santa Clara County Fire Department, â€Å"High-Tech and Specialized Equipment, n.d.). These cameras are also sometimes of adjustable sensitivity, to allow for varying temperature ranges in the space being view ed. They can be more sensitive for narrow temperature ranges, such as looking into a hot room, and less sensitive cameras for situations where temperatures vary more widely, such as trying to locate an individual in a smoky but relatively cool room (Amon, Bryner, & Hamins, 2005).

Explore How Black People Are Differently Treated by the Criminal Justice System Essay Example for Free

Explore How Black People Are Differently Treated by the Criminal Justice System Essay Racial prejudice is not unique to modern day society, it has been with us for a long time, this has been coupled with the belief that certain racial groups are less intelligent, or backward compared to white European stock, nowhere is this more true than in the criminal justice system. In 1869 Francis Galton published a book called Hereditary Genius this contained a chapter called The Comparative Worth of Different Races which considered that black Americans were genetically inferior to white Americans. Galton stated that blacks scored on average 15 IQ points below whites. (Coleman 1987) We can see that within the field of criminal justice, and with Galtons work considered that black people were bound to be treated differently due to a belief born out of misunderstanding of the nature of culture and individual personality differences, the hereditary argument has never been scientifically proved or disproved. The 1991 census showed that 5. 5% of the population were from an ethnic origin, with 1. 6% of these being black from an Afro-Caribbean background. It was reported that a higher amount of the ethnic minorities was of younger people than in the general population, and it can be seen that this alone could be a reason for the proportionately higher level of blacks in the criminal justice system , going on the grounds that in the indigenous population it is the younger generation, those aged 14-25 years that commit the vast majority of crime. Crime by ethnic minorities, and in particular young black males can also be seen to be a social situation, and may be a product of sheer logistics. Many new immigrant families move into what is perceived as a high crime area, particularly inner city areas, where housing may be cheaper and unemployment is higher than at a national level. These areas may receive more police attention than richer areas and therefore the new immigrant families come to the attention of the police more than those in more rural areas. xenophobia may also cause the police to over react when dealing with black families. A study by Goreman Coleman (1982) looking at personality and attitudes within the British police force, showed that the average police constable was indeed racist. They asked in the study for police officers to write a short essay, some of the comments were vigorously racist, comments such as, Certain members of the coloured population that l have met are OK but the majority of youths of the West Indian community are savage ignorant vicious thieving bastards , . most of them are just dirty , over 50% of trouble is caused by niggers , smelly backward people who will never change (Coleman 1987). In the last 10 years most public agencies, including the police force, have formed equal opportunities policies, these apply not only to recruitment but also to the way people are treated, and is especially needed in the criminal justice system where there are disproportionately more blacks than whites in the prison system in comparison to the size of the black population in society as a whole. It was reported in 1982 that black people made up 18% of the prison population, but only accounted for 5% of the general population. The figures are worse for Afro-Caribbean males, 1% of the population, but 11% of the prison population. (Home Office 1982). During the 1980s it became apparent that blacks were more likely to be stopped by the police. The British Crime Survey in 1988 found that 14% of Asians, 15% of whites, but 20% of Afro-Caribbeans reported being stopped by the police in the preceding year (Skogan 1990) The British Crime Survey also reported that there was some evidence that crimes detected by the police and those reported by the public seemed to have a racial bias. Blacks and Asians also complained more than whites about the way they were treated once arrested by the police (Skogan 1990). On the subject of arrest it seems also that blacks are treated differently in this process. A survey by the PSI (Policy Studies Institute) in 1983 found that blacks were disproportionately arrested, they found that 5% of the population of London were black, but 17% of those arrested in London were black. Further studies by Walker (1988) (1989) support these findings. Landau Nathan (1983) reported that there is evidence to suggest that blacks will be cautioned less than whites, a white youngster is four times more likely to receive a caution than a black juvenile. Also black juveniles are more likely to be remanded in custody than whit or Asian teenagers. Walker (1988) also showed that black juveniles are twice as likely to appear at crown court than whites. A Home Office Statistical Bulletin (1986) showed that blacks in prison were more likely to have less previous convictions than white men in similar circumstances, the figure for whites was 62%, Afro-Caribbeans 48% and for Asians 20%. The main finding from these and many other statistics is that black people are dealt with, whether as suspects, offenders or defendants, in a highly disproportionate way, it can also be seen that they are treated more harshly than their white counterparts at virtually every stage of the criminal justice process. It is therefore not surprising that black people have less faith in the police and criminal justice system than white British people. David Smith (1994) argues that the main group in society has a degree of power, seen to be unique and special in relation to religious, social and cultural traditions of the particular society, thus creating an unequal legal system that is biased against ethnic minorities. This can be seen to be the stem from which racial disparities may emerge in the British legal system and criminal process, and may explain why black people are treated differently by the criminal justice system. He (Smith) further argues that the law is a national institution and part of a national identity that is born out of centuries of tradition, and therefore unless changed does not take account of relatively recent immigration of ethnic minorities to this country. It can be argued that there are two main reasons for blacks being disproportionately represented in our criminal justice system, firstly that they commit more crime, and secondly that they are treated in a different and possibly harsher way, so as to be over represented in the criminal justice system. Research in the USA has shown that crime is in fact higher amongst blacks (Wilbanks 1987). This view has been criticised, for example by Reiner (1993) stating that to exclude external variables that effect such findings is almost impossible. Reiner (1989 1993) concluded that it is the way in which black people are treated differently from white people in our criminal justice system that created the disproportionate levels of minorities in the process, although he concedes that this is far from conclusive. Smith (1994) criticises Reiner for this view, believing that Reiner is contradicting himself, with little evidence, suggesting that it is treatment that cause high black representation in the criminal justice system, but stating that this may not be believed by some, and is in fact inconclusive. It is true that blacks are over represented in the criminal justice process, what is not clear is, why. Whether we like to think it or not there is still a great deal of racial prejudice in this country, and this alone feeds societies morals and thus its policing and criminal law, this prejudice and discrimination therefore makes it difficult for minorities to gain employment, especially in times of high unemployment and recession. This can lead to feelings of rejection, lack of self-esteem, poverty, lack of self-respect and insecurity. Blacks, as mentioned above, often live in the poorest areas of the cities and therefore come to the attention of the police far more than white youths, parents may also find it difficult to exercise control over their children in areas where social control is at its lowest. Whatever the reason for higher black crime, whether a statistical wrong, or innate criminality, for which there is little support, it is clear we will never get at the real reason that blacks are treated differently by the criminal justice system, too many people would have too much to lose by finding an answer. 1,407 words. REFERENCES. Coleman, A. (1987) Facts, Fallacies and Frauds in Psychology. London: Unwin Hyman. Galton, F. (1869) Hereditary Genius, an enquiry into its laws and consequences (2 ed. 1978) London: Friedmann. Coleman, A. Goreman, L.. (1982) Conservatism, Dogmatism, and authoritarianism in British police officers. Sociology, 16, 1-11. Landau, s. Nathan, g. (1983) Selecting Delinquents for Cautioning in the London Metropolitan Area. British Journal of Criminology. 23, (2): 128-48. Reiner, R. (1989) Chief Constables. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Reiner, R. (1993) Race, Crime Justice, Models of Interpretation. IN L, Gelsthorpe, W, McWilliam (Eds) Minority Ethnic Groups and the Criminal Justice System. Cambridge: Cambridge Institute of Criminology. Skogan, W. (1990) The Police and Public in England and Wales, A British Crime Survey Report. Home Office Research Study no: 117. London: HMSO. Smith, D. (1994) Race, Crime and Criminal Justice. IN Oxford Handbook of Criminology. Maguire, M. ; Morgan, R. Reiner, R. (Eds) Oxford: Claenden Press. Walker, M. (1988) The Court Disposal of Young Males by Race in London 1983. British Journal of Criminology: 28, (4) 441-59. Walker, M. (1989) The Court Disposal and remands of White, Afro-Caribbean and Asian Men(London 1983). British Journal of Criminology. 29. (4), 353-67. Wilbanks, W. (1987) The Myth of a Racist Criminal Justice System. USA: Brooks/Cole.

The Software Piracy Problem in China :: Technology

The Software Piracy Problem in China 1. The truth: Software piracy at issue in China. Surprisingly, software counterfeiting has such a profitable global market that â€Å"organized criminal groups using the proceeds from software counterfeiting to pay for terrorist operations overseas†, according to Brad Smith, Microsoft general counsel international. [1] Even though most people nowadays are aware of pirated software either from various news medium, or by seeing illegal software copies distributed among friends or students in their personal PCs, it would still be a shocking fact that, in the year 2000, software companies estimated that they lost $12 billion in revenue because of counterfeiting. That's 15% of the industry's $80 billion in worldwide sales.[2] Although software piracy is undoubtedly a global issue, people have been paying special attention to this issue in China. The truth is that, even though the piracy rate is increasing worldwide and the rate rose in 2000 to 37% from 36% in 1999, which means 37% of the software sold is estimated to be fake, the software piracy rates in China are up to 92% in 2002 according to Business Software Alliance (BSA). [3] Compare to China, in U.S. the average piracy rate by states is only 25.1%. Software piracy has different types. BSA identifies five common types as follows.[4] First, end user piracy. It occurs when a company employee reproduces copies of software without authorization, including using one licensed copy to install a program on multiple computers, or copying disks for installation and distribution, etc. Second, client-server overuse. It occurs when too many employees on a network are using a central copy of a program at the same time. Third, Internet piracy. This occurs when software is downloaded from the Internet where the same purchasing rules should apply to online software purchase as for those bought in traditional ways. Fourth, Hard Disk loading. It occurs when a business that sells new computers loads illegal copies of software onto the hard disks to make the purchase of the machines more attractive. Finally, Software Counterfeiting. This type of piracy is the illegal duplication and sale of copyrighted material with the intent of directly imitating the copyrighted product. In China, most of the software piracy is conducted as the type of Software Counterfeiting. Street gangs selling pirated software can be easily seen in grey market anywhere in China. 2. Who is able to protect your software right? The government?

Handle Information in Social Care Essay

The data protection act has been put in place to protect employees against the misuse of personal data, personal information will be stored in a file and may only be disclosed by law outside the company with the employees written consent , or where there is any danger to the employees health. It is important the company has a secure system to record and store information so that they can contact the employee , or in case of an emergency contact the next of kin . It is important to keep information up to date and accurate and correct any data straight away , and review personal data regularly to ensure all data is kept up to date Employees can receive a print on an annually basis to be sure that all their information is correct . All employees have the right to ask the employees to arrange for them to read all the personal data that is held for them because all employees have the right to access their personal data . Employees that have access to personal data must strictly go along with the policy and if these policies and procedures are not complied with it may be result in disciplinary action being taken against themselves. Any concerns that the employee may have over the recordings it must be brought to the attention of their employer straight away and should be dealt with accordingly . It is very important that data protection has been put in place to protect information on you service users and the information held should only be given out to the relevant people etc family and doctor . the information should be kept up to date to keep the information accurate . The care plan diary should be kept in a safe place due to the personal information it holds