http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-10360849-235.html?tag=mncol;txt
According to a survey done by he Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics and the Health Care Compliance Association employee social networking is becoming more prevalent than ever before. Employees using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to post just about everything that occurs during their day, on and off the job. This type of activity may pose a threat to companies if employees were to post private information or other material that could threaten business. Although most organizations are hesitant to enact any policy on employee activity outside of work, some organizations like the United States Marine Corps have banned the use of social networking sites altogether. While some companies have noted this trend the survey found that most have not. Out of the businesses surveyed most had no policy at all concerning social networking outside of the office. The survey also discovered that of the companies that do have a policy the procedure does not specifically address social networking.
In addition the survey found that most companies have no system for monitoring employee posts even in the office. Most businesses wait for something negative to happen before acting. This survey points out that companies have not kept up with modern technology trends and are not equipped to keep their businesses in check. While this arrangement persists companies will remain exposed and if they do not act quickly employees may reject policies that prevent them from doing what they have done for years without consequence.
As of now social networking sites have the potential to make giant holes in company security if employee posting is not put under control. Companies need to realize that social networking is here to stay and update their system to make sure they are not left exposed. If companies can see what social networking is capable not only will they be protected from it but they can also take advantage of it. Social networking is an excellent way to communicate not only with those within the industry but also potential customers. Companies need to use all the resources that are available to succeed meaning keeping up with the latest technology to make sure thy are not left behind the curve.
Reference:
http://cityflight.com/?p=532
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Journal 4, September 20th
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10353479-52.html?tag=mncol
Recently the Obama administration announced a long term plan to implement cloud computing into government policy in an attempt to cut costs and reduce the government's environmental impact. The plan aims to influence current infrastructure while reducing information technology costs including expensive data centers. Of the $76 billion information technology budget $19 billion is spent on infrastructure alone and with the current policy energy consumption has doubled from 200 to 2006. Now the government plans to use existing infrastructure as efficiently as possible while keeping security considerations in mind. For example for the update of USA.gov site took only one day implementing cloud computing instead of six months and saved nearly $2 million. Although the specifics of the new programs are still vague projects like the new Apps.gov show potential for the value of these policies. With these new services government agencies can access what they need without any additional resources spent in information technology. In addition to providing services easily accessible services to government agencies the cloud computing initiative will be implemented in budgeting. This effort will start slow but is planned to be fully implemented within the next two years. Later cloud computing is planned to become a part of policy planning and system architecture. The government is obviously taking the private market's lead and finally starting to reap the benefits of modern technology. An example of this is the federal financial aid form, FAFSA. After being streamlined with the use of technology the form can now be completed online with many fields already filled in based on previously provided information.
This new initiative is an excellent way to save money while using modern technology to make the government operate more efficiently. With programs of this nature the government will be better equipped to tend to the wants and needs of its citizens. These new policies are a step in the right direction that everyone can agree on and almost everyone can take advantage of to make their dealings with government all the more smoother. Hopefully this trend of using the latest technology to enhance government services will continue so that citizens can be assured that their taxes are being put to good use.
Recently the Obama administration announced a long term plan to implement cloud computing into government policy in an attempt to cut costs and reduce the government's environmental impact. The plan aims to influence current infrastructure while reducing information technology costs including expensive data centers. Of the $76 billion information technology budget $19 billion is spent on infrastructure alone and with the current policy energy consumption has doubled from 200 to 2006. Now the government plans to use existing infrastructure as efficiently as possible while keeping security considerations in mind. For example for the update of USA.gov site took only one day implementing cloud computing instead of six months and saved nearly $2 million. Although the specifics of the new programs are still vague projects like the new Apps.gov show potential for the value of these policies. With these new services government agencies can access what they need without any additional resources spent in information technology. In addition to providing services easily accessible services to government agencies the cloud computing initiative will be implemented in budgeting. This effort will start slow but is planned to be fully implemented within the next two years. Later cloud computing is planned to become a part of policy planning and system architecture. The government is obviously taking the private market's lead and finally starting to reap the benefits of modern technology. An example of this is the federal financial aid form, FAFSA. After being streamlined with the use of technology the form can now be completed online with many fields already filled in based on previously provided information.
This new initiative is an excellent way to save money while using modern technology to make the government operate more efficiently. With programs of this nature the government will be better equipped to tend to the wants and needs of its citizens. These new policies are a step in the right direction that everyone can agree on and almost everyone can take advantage of to make their dealings with government all the more smoother. Hopefully this trend of using the latest technology to enhance government services will continue so that citizens can be assured that their taxes are being put to good use.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Journal 3, September 13th
http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/08/trapped-girls-update-facebook-instead-of-calling-cops/
Recently in Australia two girls were trapped in a storm drain and instead of calling emergency services or their parents the girls chose to post their predicament on Facebook using a phone. Luckily one of their friends spotted the post and called the authorities who were able to bring the girls to safety. Even though the girls could of called for the authorities the girls opted to to try and go around the professionals by only notifying their friends. Unfortunately, according to the rescuers this causes a delay that uses up precious time when responding to an emergency. Coincidentally in the United States the Atlanta based nonprofit, The Safe America Foundation is now working with the federal government to implement other forms of communication in case of an emergency. This would include everything from social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to just a simple text message. According to the article this type of situation has occurred many times already. People are using these new types of communication for everything all over the world whether the authorities are up to date or not.
Modern technology has given people copious ways to connect which is invaluable to have when you just want someone to talk to or you really need help. If emergency services can implement these technologies people can be safer than ever. Today, just about everybody has a cell phone or some other way to communicate which could be used anywhere to contact anybody. At this point in time is the technology is readily available but has yet to be used as a means of contacting the authorities in case of trouble. If local authorities were to update their systems to use these technologies it would be an excellent asset to communities and allow the professionals to work more efficiently than ever. Until they update their system though the use of these new ways to communicate will only cause delays and possibly increase the risk of injury if the proper help in not notified in time.
Recently in Australia two girls were trapped in a storm drain and instead of calling emergency services or their parents the girls chose to post their predicament on Facebook using a phone. Luckily one of their friends spotted the post and called the authorities who were able to bring the girls to safety. Even though the girls could of called for the authorities the girls opted to to try and go around the professionals by only notifying their friends. Unfortunately, according to the rescuers this causes a delay that uses up precious time when responding to an emergency. Coincidentally in the United States the Atlanta based nonprofit, The Safe America Foundation is now working with the federal government to implement other forms of communication in case of an emergency. This would include everything from social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to just a simple text message. According to the article this type of situation has occurred many times already. People are using these new types of communication for everything all over the world whether the authorities are up to date or not.
Modern technology has given people copious ways to connect which is invaluable to have when you just want someone to talk to or you really need help. If emergency services can implement these technologies people can be safer than ever. Today, just about everybody has a cell phone or some other way to communicate which could be used anywhere to contact anybody. At this point in time is the technology is readily available but has yet to be used as a means of contacting the authorities in case of trouble. If local authorities were to update their systems to use these technologies it would be an excellent asset to communities and allow the professionals to work more efficiently than ever. Until they update their system though the use of these new ways to communicate will only cause delays and possibly increase the risk of injury if the proper help in not notified in time.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Journal 2, September 5th
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/02/technology/02survey.html
The article describes how new technology has infiltrated American homes faster than ever. Instead of being coveted by only the tech savvy "gadget geeks" cutting edge technology has made its way into the homes of mainstream America.According to a study done by Forrester Research a majority of homes in the United States have access to broadband internet, cell phones, PCs, and HDTVs. HDTV ownership in particular is on the rise in relation to previous years and within the next five years it is projected that as much as seventy percent of homes will own one. In addition the study discovered that even with the recession online shopping has not suffered. With new family friendly technology such as digital cameras, cell phones, and the Nintendo Wii families are able to bring people together and capture precious memories with ease like never before. Also with the rise of the internet people are becoming more reliant on e-commerce to conduct business. Using technology people are able to get out of the office and work from home with little trouble. The article also points out that even as most new technologies are being put to use some still have not been noticed, such as home networks.
Although the amount of new technology available to the public is increasing does not mean that Americans are more willing to buy it compared to the past. Americans have always been eager to try out new gadgets whether it be a Blue-ray player or a VCR. Today there is just much more technology that can easily be fit into mainstream America's life. Recently technology has made the jump from a luxury to a necessity which sparked this transition. People use technology for more than just entertainment as they did in the past. Technology is relied upon for everything from work to keeping up with family. Technology is now an integrated part of everybody's life and to keep up people need to stay on the cutting edge.
The article describes how new technology has infiltrated American homes faster than ever. Instead of being coveted by only the tech savvy "gadget geeks" cutting edge technology has made its way into the homes of mainstream America.According to a study done by Forrester Research a majority of homes in the United States have access to broadband internet, cell phones, PCs, and HDTVs. HDTV ownership in particular is on the rise in relation to previous years and within the next five years it is projected that as much as seventy percent of homes will own one. In addition the study discovered that even with the recession online shopping has not suffered. With new family friendly technology such as digital cameras, cell phones, and the Nintendo Wii families are able to bring people together and capture precious memories with ease like never before. Also with the rise of the internet people are becoming more reliant on e-commerce to conduct business. Using technology people are able to get out of the office and work from home with little trouble. The article also points out that even as most new technologies are being put to use some still have not been noticed, such as home networks.
Although the amount of new technology available to the public is increasing does not mean that Americans are more willing to buy it compared to the past. Americans have always been eager to try out new gadgets whether it be a Blue-ray player or a VCR. Today there is just much more technology that can easily be fit into mainstream America's life. Recently technology has made the jump from a luxury to a necessity which sparked this transition. People use technology for more than just entertainment as they did in the past. Technology is relied upon for everything from work to keeping up with family. Technology is now an integrated part of everybody's life and to keep up people need to stay on the cutting edge.
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