2-13 Threats to ICT Systems

Threats to ICT Systems

Disgruntled Employees: Employees who might be having a bad day might feel inclined to mess with their company's files, this is a serious threat. Same for employees resigned, fired or retired, they will need their access removed.

This can be prevented with controlled procedures prevent access to these employees or ex-employees.

Example: In some establishments, an employee who has been sacked would be escorted by security to avoid them access files.

Untrained Staff: Staff who have not been sufficuently trained might have the pontential to overwrite, change or delete important files.

This can be prevented with sufficient training including additional training with more up-to-date software and programs.

Example: A new employee carries out his work as instructed but when he save, he overwrites exsisting files.

Viruses: Small programs which can be insterted into computer systems designed to carry out destruction tasks such as deleting, changing or freezing files and software. 

These can be avoided by installing an Anti-virus software package. Subscription packages are best as they update alongside new viruses.

Example: An employee brings in a memory stick which contains a virus designed to delete data. This enters the company's system and every computer is infected.

Spyware: Remote software which accesses a computer, monitoring all of the actions carried out by that computer (Spying)

This can be prevented by using an Anti-virus software package. These packages handle both Viruses and spyware.

Example: Software log all key strokes entered into a computer. This then displays and user id s and passwords, with the website or files they were used.

Hackers: People who gain unauthorised access to computers remotely, Altering and deleteing files and viewing privates items.

Preventable with user IDs and passwords, making the hackers task much harder and near impossible without expert tools.

Example: Someone could "hack" into a companys income to see where their business comes from and take advantage of this information for their own company.