COMP1321 Digital Infrastructure Richard Henson University of Worcester December 2012

Week 11: Access to Network Resources n n Explain the fundamental differences between documenting client-server and peer-peer networks n n Explain the two fundamental types of network routing n n Explain the system of network device naming used for Internet routing

History of Digital Data Management n n Historically:   digital data held on massive very expensive mainframe systems in secure “Data Centres”   only accessed by skilled professionals   true until late 1980s n n How that has changed… (!)   driven by the “end user computing” revolution: 1990 recession

Intranets, Extranets, and The Internet n n For Organisational infrastructures…   Intranets essential for a long time   data originally shared via dumb terminals   only authorised personnel had access   everything was “read only”

Precursor of Extranets n n New in late 1980s… laptops   employees could carry digital data outside organisations » »would improve productivity (?)   no real acknowledgement of the danger to data   or of the Data Protection Act (1984)…

The Extranet n n Laptops became networkable n n Networks became “PC compatible”   connect to Intranet to upload data to laptops or download data from laptops n n Organisations became more reliant on Intranet   updates not available to employees working “in the field” n n Remote access to the Intranet via login and telephone line allowed them to keep up-to- date without returning to base   improved productivity!!!

The Internet (circa 1996) n n Why bother to spend on long distance telephone lines   Internet now available to laptops n n Data could be sent directly   no worries about interception if sent encrypted…   further cost cutting…

Digital Phone Lines n n Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) n n Final stage to the digital infrastructure…   no modems needed   data transfer rates greatly improved   Internet protocols could be used throughout   In terms of physical connections, one massive global network….

Why Network anyway? n Advantages of joining computers, and advantages of keeping them “standalone” n Quick exercise in Groups…

Management of Digital Resources n n Traditional model:   resources completely centralised n n Intranet/Extranet/Internet model:   resources can be used anywhere   expected that they will be used responsibly n n How important to the organisation are its digital resources?

A Policy for use of Digital Resources n n Until recently…   overlooked my many organisations n n Problem:   digital resources not physical…   organisations are based on physical assets and their management   networks seen as servers, routers, cables, and staff to maintain them

Who has access to what? n n Not just an organisation problem any more… n n Until fairly recently   personal data kept in locked filing cabinet   person with access had key to cabinet… n n Nowadays on a database…   connected to network… » »connected to the Internet

Availability of Data n n People can’t do their jobs without the right:   Information   Tools to manipulate and store information n n Achieved through “Users” and “Groups of Users”   what about a temp?   or a student on placement?

Restriction of Access Locally n n Only one person (network manager)…   provides access   restricts access n n All information resources need to be assessed in terms of who should have access   e.g. salaries database   accessible to all? HR? managers?

Checking of Users n n Networking software provides many automated functions to watch users   can provide accountability n n Need to be read by someone   Network Manager busy   audit trails have to be scrutinised n n Breaches of security often missed…   sometimes for years!

Restriction of Access on the Internet? n n Cannot be controlled… n n If someone irresponsible gets access to a salaries database…   they could provide global access in seconds! n n If personal data gets onto the Internet who is responsible in law…?   the organisation itself!!!   So far, the Information Commissioner has been lenient. Too lenient?

Attitudes to Privacy of Data n n Seems to be a generational thing n n “Generation Y” (under 40) or digital natives (under 30) often comfortable with information being “out there” n n “My generation” (40-65) a little more suspicious   see advantages & disadvantages n n Most 65+ want to use the Internet as little as possible and would prefer not to have their personal data available at all…

Staffing and Information Management n n Network: network manager n n Data: finance manager n n People’s use of data: HR manager n n Overall responsibility?   who should be responsible?

Salaries and Digital Architecture n n Figures taken from n n Network Manager: £50000 n n Network Security Manager: £55000 n n Network Infrastructure Manager: £57500 n n Information Architecture: £55000 n n Chief Information Officer: £80000

Digital Architecture and Small Organisations n n Most organisations have networks n n Small organisations with <10 staff can’t usually afford a specific network manager   expected to combine function with information security officer, information architecture, etc…   usually report to the finance manager (or the two roles may be combined…

Digital Architecture, Outsourcing, & The Cloud n n Temptation for small organisation to let someone else look after digital information n n Very complex & difficult question   may save money (and even staff…)   but organisation sacrifices control (and may need to change their infrastructure)

Mobile Digital Infrastructure n n As if the job wasn’t already hard enough…   now people save company data on their smartphones   accepted in many companies because it “increases productivity   where did you hear that before? n n Productivity gains need to be seen in a broader perspective…   without proper management of information there can be no organisation…

The World in 2015 n n More networks n n Bigger networks n n More cloud services n n More smart phones n n More personal data “out there” n n Hopefully NOT out of control   those who can help keep it under control will be greatly sought after…