MIS 4477 - Introduction

MIS 4477
Network and Security Infrastructure
JAKE MESSINGER (jake@uh.edu)

INTRODUCTION TO COURSE (class 1)

HELPFUL LINKS:

The Book's webpage: Business Data Communications and Networking 11^th Edition
The authors' webpage(s): Dr Alan R. Dennis: http://www.bus.indiana.edu/ardennis/
Bauer College of Business website: http://www.bauer.uh.edu
My Facebook page: http://facebook.com/profjake
My websites: http://portmasters.com http://adjecta.com http://jakes.org

Suggestions on how to use the notes:

Each class will have a link to my notes referencing external sources, as well as links to figures in the book and the textbook's PowerPoint presentations pertaining to each chapter. We will follow the notes in class. If I announce that class is optional on a specific day, or if you miss a particular class, read and study the notes for that day's class.

Read the notes before class. The notes may also contain announcements and changes. Check the syllabus (from my class page, not the UH Course Search page) before each class. Make sure you hit the "RELOAD" button in your browser to bring up the latest information. Some students find it helpful to print my notes out and bring them to class in order to ask questions. You should also bring your laptop and/or book to class. If the classroom has individual workstations, you may log in and follow along.

Why Study Computer Networks?

During the past 30 years computer networks have moved from being a specialized technical area to being commonplace in the corporation and the home.

Information systems professionals have to know the principles and possibilities of global computer networks (IS professional level)
Managers have to know how to use computer networks to be competitive (Management level)
Corporations need an information communications strategy (Corporate level, CIO, CEO)

Why are Networks so important?

Information systems have evolved from:

stand-alone (using one computer locally) through
integrated (using many computers locally) to
inter-organizational (using many computers in several locations) to
global (using numerous computers in numerous locations).

==> The network IS the system. Individual workstations or servers are nothing.

Why are we focusing so much on the Internet?

The Internet Explosion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Internet user profile has shifted from a highly educated, young male to mainstream.
Original estimate of Internet users by 1998 was 57 million with the overwhelming percentage from USA. Today, that number is in the billions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_Internet_users (note the penetration of Norway, Finland, Sweden, compared to USA.)
USA ranks lower than China and Europe in # of users. http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm

Why should business use the internet?

Bank's cost to process a transaction in person much higher than cost to process an Internet transaction. This holds true for just about any brick and mortar store.
Local company can reach global market: Stores can be open 24/7 in several languages at the customers' convenience
Because the Internet is so prevalent, a retailer must have a web store to stay competitive.
Companies with multiple locations can be connected and operate as one entity.

How will business get users to exclusively use their websites?

Wells Fargo attempted to force users to use website by charging a premium for counter transactions.
Delta Airlines and several others charge fees for tickets not purchased on the Internet.
Many companies offer online only specials. Alamo Rentals, AMC Theatres.
From an employee standpoint, companies encourage or require their employees to use web meetings and remote assistance.

What issues do these incentives have?

Consumers want to be rewarded for using the Internet, not penalized for traditional commerce
Many companies have bad or insecure eCommerce websites (Target Stores) - must regain publics' trust.
Some industries lend themselves better to online services: standardized products like banking or utilities.
Customers expect some industries to always offer in-person services and "brick and mortar" stores.
The complexity and learning curve of the online sharing and productivity tools discourage some employees.

What problems do corporations face with respect to IT Infrastructure?

Too many potential information systems professional hires have the wrong set of highly specialized skills
The old information systems employees are not able to update their skills fast enough
Too often the "Legacy Systems" are people.

What can we do about it?

One scarce resource in the market is at the corporate computer network strategy level.
At this level, the ability to use various types of computer networks for building working business solutions is a primary requirement.
To arrive at this end point, both basic technical and business knowledge is necessary.
Effective Management is required.

The road from an entry level network administrator to the CIO goes through ever-broadening knowledge in the ability to implement the business AND the technical solution.

Why Study Security?

That should be pretty obvious. With the greater penetration and use of the Internet, especially into and out of global markets, security becomes a much greater issue:

Inability to successfully prosecute Cybercriminals in other countries
Difficulty in understanding the rules and laws for appropriate Internet use across borders.
The more global you become, the bigger target you become.
Since Internet is now mainstream, users of all socio-economic backgrounds have potential access as well as a greater level of knowledge and at a younger age.

MIS managers MUST take into consideration Network Security at every level of design, testing, implementation and update of a system.

End of Lecture 1