Answer 5_5_4
Question 4
While planning to install a network accounting system, a company has become concerned about the security of its local computer network.
(a) Explain two procedures that the company can adopt to discourage breaches of security.
(b) State two reasons for using accounting software on the network.
(a) Procedures:
Ensure that employees are aware of security issues, for example logging off each time they leave the computer.
Having ways of ensuring that only genuine employees have access to the network, for example having logins that recognise ID cards with chips or barcodes;
Use audit control software to monitor unusual activities that might show breaches of security;
Have different levels of access to software and data from both within and outside the company, for example having general web pages for anyone, but requiring access privileges for more sensitive information.
(b) Accounting software:
Allows the company to charge for access to its resources, such as the time spent, processor time.
Allows monitoring to occur about the behaviour of users, possibly to encourage them to access the network at times when key activities were not occurring.