Computer threats.

Essay by amirah174 June 2003

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Threats

When making a security policy it is important to identify the threats to the organisation. Computer systems are much more vulnerable to risk because of the power and speed of the computer. I will now identify possible threats to Swansea Institute.

Problems of Computer Systems

(a)Data stored on magnetic media is much more liable to undetected corruption or loss.

(b)The computer can be accessed remotely via the public communications network - unauthorised people can access and change the data.

(c)The computer can carry out processes so fast that a great deal of damage can be caused before the error has been detected.

Types Of Threats

(a) Physical Damage to Hardware or Computer Media

Malicious damage, poor operating conditions, natural disasters and simple wear and tear can physically damage machinery and storage media such as disks, tapes and diskettes. This causes the cost of repair of replacement hardware, the danger or damage of data or program files and the cost of computer down time.

(b) Damage To Data

Hackers, viruses, program bugs, hardware and media faults can all damage data files. The problem caused by damage data is made worse if it is not detected and rectified quickly. Even through Swansea Institute is not a major organisation that someone might want to hack into there is still a possible threat as other universities have been hacked into by students wanting to steel exam papers and so on. So it is still a risk to take into account for.

(c) Operational Problems

Program bugs and operational mistakes can cause significant problems such as the need to resuscitate files.

(d) Fire

Fire is a very serious hazard to a computer system. It can damage or completely destroy every part of computer installation - hardware, software, data files and the original transaction...