COMP1321COMP1321Digital InfrastructureDigital Infrastructure

Richard HensonRichard Henson

University of WorcesterUniversity of Worcester

DecemberDecember 20122012

Week 11: Access to Week 11: Access to Network ResourcesNetwork Resources

Explain the fundamental differences between documenting client-server and peer-peer networks

Explain the two fundamental types of network routing

Explain the system of network device naming used for Internet routing

History of Digital Data Management

Historically:digital data held on massive very

expensive mainframe systems in secure “Data Centres”

only accessed by skilled professionalstrue until late 1980s

How that has changed… (!)driven by the “end user computing”

revolution: 1990 recession

Intranets, Extranets, and The Internet

For Organisational infrastructures…Intranets essential for a long timedata originally shared via dumb terminalsonly authorised personnel had accesseverything was “read only”

Precursor of Extranets

New in late 1980s… laptopsemployees 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 Laptops became networkable Networks became “PC compatible”

connect to Intranet to upload data to laptops or download data from laptops

Organisations became more reliant on Intranetupdates not available to employees working “in the

field” 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)

Why bother to spend on long distance telephone linesInternet now available to laptops

Data could be sent directlyno worries about interception if sent

encrypted…further cost cutting…

Digital Phone Lines Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line

(ADSL) Final stage to the digital infrastructure…

no modems neededdata transfer rates greatly improvedInternet protocols could be used

throughoutIn terms of physical connections, one

massive global network….

Why Network anyway?Why Network anyway?

Advantages of joining computers, and Advantages of joining computers, and advantages of keeping them advantages of keeping them “standalone”“standalone”

Quick exercise in Groups…Quick exercise in Groups…

Management of Management of Digital ResourcesDigital Resources

Traditional model:resources completely centralised

Intranet/Extranet/Internet model:resources can be used anywhereexpected that they will be used responsibly

How important to the organisation are its digital resources?

A Policy for use of Digital Resources

Until recently…overlooked my many organisations

Problem:digital resources not physical…organisations are based on physical assets

and their managementnetworks seen as servers, routers, cables,

and staff to maintain them

Who has access to what?

Not just an organisation problem any more…

Until fairly recentlypersonal data kept in locked filing cabinetperson with access had key to cabinet…

Nowadays on a database…connected to network…

» connected to the Internet

Availability of Data

People can’t do their jobs without the right:InformationTools to manipulate and store information

Achieved through “Users” and “Groups of Users”what about a temp?or a student on placement?

Restriction of Access Locally

Only one person (network manager)…provides accessrestricts access

All information resources need to be assessed in terms of who should have accesse.g. salaries databaseaccessible to all? HR? managers?

Checking of Users Networking software provides many

automated functions to watch userscan provide accountability

Need to be read by someoneNetwork Manager busyaudit trails have to be scrutinised

Breaches of security often missed…sometimes for years!

Restriction of Access on the Internet?

Cannot be controlled… If someone irresponsible gets access to a

salaries database… they could provide global access in seconds!

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 Seems to be a generational thing “Generation Y” (under 40) or digital natives

(under 30) often comfortable with information being “out there”

“My generation” (40-65) a little more suspicioussee advantages & disadvantages

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

Network: network manager Data: finance manager People’s use of data: HR manager Overall responsibility?

who should be responsible?

Salaries and Digital Architecture

Figures taken from http://www.itjobswatch.co.uk

Network Manager: £50000 Network Security Manager: £55000 Network Infrastructure Manager: £57500 Information Architecture: £55000 Chief Information Officer: £80000

Digital Architecture and Small Organisations

Most organisations have networks Small organisations with <10 staff can’t

usually afford a specific network managerexpected 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

Temptation for small organisation to let someone else look after digital information

Very complex & difficult questionmay save money (and even staff…)but organisation sacrifices control (and

may need to change their infrastructure)

Mobile Digital Infrastructure

As if the job wasn’t already hard enough…now people save company data on their

smartphonesaccepted in many companies because it

“increases productivitywhere did you hear that before?

Productivity gains need to be seen in a broader perspective…without proper management of information there

can be no organisation…

The World in 2015 More networks Bigger networks More cloud services More smart phones More personal data “out there” Hopefully NOT out of control

those who can help keep it under control will be greatly sought after…