Security Audit Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Security Audit - Essay Example Also, some team members violated integrity and confidentiality assertions by disclosing information to external parties. This paper entails the details and implications of security audit procedures carried out and observations noted. Conducting audit Lafleur has a complicated network of information systems in place, with various remote offices and centralized IT function. Therefore, to evaluate this complex system, detailed audit procedures were planned including manual as well as automated assessments. Manual assessments mainly comprised interviewing procedures, performing physical checks and security scans and reviewing effectiveness of application and logical controls at different levels of organization. We prepared system notes after developing comprehensive understanding of company’s business activities. Thereafter, we conducted meetings with IT personnel to identify weaker areas requiring more attention and discuss IT policies and procedures. An exhaustive review of orga nogram was conducted to ensure proper segregation of duties were in place between employees holding influential or connected positions such as COO and CIO or programmer and end-user. Automated assessments were computer-aided techniques whereby software was used to assess reporting and change management capabilities of system. All operating systems, physical equipment and applications were appraised for their technical specifications and development capabilities. Contingency and disaster recovery planning for each office was reviewed for effectiveness, physically inspecting for any alternate site and analyzing backup procedures for critical data. Physical security controls, including key cards and biometric devices to different offices were checked for any loopholes allowing unauthorized access. Moreover, environmental controls were also verified to be in place, regulating appropriate temperature and providing adequate fire-fighting equipment and uninterrupted power supply. Additiona l physical security checks were checked and recommendations were made accordingly, such as bodyguards, locks, single entry points and surveillance systems. Due to remote offices and presence of wireless networking, interception during transmission of data was a crucial issue and was tested through procedures. It was ensured that networks are accessible and available at all times to all offices since there is a centralized IT function. (http://www.aurco.com/images/security_audit.png) Recommendations Based on findings and observations noted during fieldwork, we made some voluntary and mandatory recommendations to improve information system controls. We recommended that encryption be adopted to avoid intrusion of sensitive data during transmission on wireless networks. Often malwares limit the passage of traffic allowed on network. To combat this, we recommended that firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus applications must be installed promptly. We highlighted more focus on protecting information flowing on enterprise systems, mail servers, intranet networks and host applications that are accessed by customers. Since this company relies heavily on wireless networks, we suggested that dual-control access keys must be designed, maintaining them on system that is exclusively accessible to authorized personnel only (Saint-Germain, 2005). We laid great emphasis on monitoring closely all activities being carried out on the network,

Infant and toddler safety at home Research Paper - 1

Infant and toddler safety at home - Research Paper Example Toddlers and infants do not seem to understand the risks that they are involved in on a daily basis (Sonna, 23). This warrants that those taking care of them need to be extra careful with them and the surroundings. Vigilant care is needed in order to ensure the overall safety of infants and toddlers. In this essay, attention will be focused on safety of toddlers and infants at home. It may be assumed by many that a toddler or an infant is at the safest place when at home (Carolyn et al, 317 – 332). The truth of this matter is that there are as many risks at home as there are anywhere else. At home, there are numerous risks that include serious injuries like falling or being hit against something causing injury, poisoning, burns and maltreatment, just to name but a few. There are various places that a toddler or an infant is unsafe (Sonna, 23). Places such as the bedroom, kitchen, living room and other common areas that a toddler can have access to can result to harm to the child. Another hazard that poses a threat to a toddler is choking. Toys that children are bought in order to keep them occupied and even obtainable and reachable items to the child are a risky. Parents and those taking care of children should ensure that they work on preventing the leading causes of harm to children like drowning, fires, falls and poisoning (Ahmann, 56). A toddler does not know that water can drown someone, nor do they know that a fire can bring burns and kill someone. It is the duty of parents and those concerned with taking care of toddlers and infants to ensure that such harm does not come to affect them. Poisoning can be in the form of medicine, like the prescriptions that are given to them. Taking care of a toddler requires one to be aware of what a toddler should take and what they should not take. Powerful medications may lead to unintended poisoning and such an accident should be prevented. Toddlers and infants should