IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance » Capacity Management http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance Mon, 20 May 2013 00:56:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part V http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-v/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-v/#comments Sat, 08 Sep 2012 00:14:43 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1463 Reducing data communication error risk for teleprocessing systems

Teleprocessing is the handling of data through a communications channel, such as telephone lines, microwave towers, or artificial satellites. It permits datum to be posted to files in a second location, with the processing results being printed in a third location.

A major problem created by teleprocessing capabilities is the potential devaluation of information assets based on data communication errors affecting information reliability. Consequently, technology owners must evaluate the ability of teleprocessing systems to resist such data corruption to ensure information asset devaluation is minimized and information reliability is maximized.

Sources:

Davis, Robert E. IT Auditing: IT Service Delivery and Support. Mission Viejo, CA: Pleier Corporation, 2008. CD-ROM.

Watne, Donald A. and Peter B. B. Turney. Auditing EDP Systems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. 6, 236-7, 467

Davis, Robert E. “IT Hardware Risks.” Suite101.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

Strangio, Christopher E. “Data Communications Basics: A Brief Introduction to Digital Transfer.” Camiresearch.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

“View Part I of the Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing series here”

 

Post Note: “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part V” was originally published through Suite101.com under the title “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing”

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]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-v/feed/ 0 Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part IV http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-iv/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-iv/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:56:04 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1453 Signal fading is a decline in transmission strength. Fading can occur when a signal is transmitted by microwaves. Under certain conditions, the signal picked up by the receiving unit can be quite weak. A weak signal is more susceptible to transmission noise and error.

Signal distortion can result from lack of synchronization between the time datum is sent and the time they are received. Lack of synchronization typically occurs when a signal travels several paths with different delays in each path. This will result in distortion when there is overlapping in the receipt of data from the different signal paths.

Sources:

Davis, Robert E. IT Auditing: IT Service Delivery and Support. Mission Viejo, CA: Pleier Corporation, 2008. CD-ROM.

Watne, Donald A. and Peter B. B. Turney. Auditing EDP Systems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. 6, 236-7, 467

Davis, Robert E. “IT Hardware Risks.” Suite101.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

Strangio, Christopher E. “Data Communications Basics: A Brief Introduction to Digital Transfer.” Camiresearch.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

“View Part I of the Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing series here”

 

Post Note: “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part IV” was originally published through Suite101.com under the title “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing”

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-iv/feed/ 0 Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part III http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-iii/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-iii/#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2012 23:31:36 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1443 The electrical signal may be changed by mechanical component failure of the communications network, or by a problem related to the characteristics of data communications. Of these two error sources, the characteristics of data communications are by far more important.

Root causes of most data communication errors

Errors associated with the communication of data, rather than a mechanical failure, are generally due to noise, fading, or distortion.

Communication noise is electrical interference with the signal. It may be background noise or impulse noise, and it may be random or cyclical. Background noise usually has little effect on the transmission of a signal. Impulse noise, such as a sudden voltage surge, is more likely to mask or distort a signal. As long as the noise occurs randomly, it is usually easy to detect an error. Conversely, cyclical noise, such as voltage oscillation, can create compensating errors that are difficult to detect.

Sources:

Davis, Robert E. IT Auditing: IT Service Delivery and Support. Mission Viejo, CA: Pleier Corporation, 2008. CD-ROM.

Watne, Donald A. and Peter B. B. Turney. Auditing EDP Systems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. 6, 236-7, 467

Davis, Robert E. “IT Hardware Risks.” Suite101.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

Strangio, Christopher E. “Data Communications Basics: A Brief Introduction to Digital Transfer.” Camiresearch.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

“View Part I of the Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing series here”

 

Post Note: “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part III” was originally published through Suite101.com under the title “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing”

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-iii/feed/ 0 Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part II http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-ii/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-ii/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:00:46 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1437 A common type of data communications risk

According to Christopher E. Strangio, the distance over which data moves within IT can vary from a few thousandths of an inch, as is the case within a single integrated circuit (IC) chip, to several feet along the main circuit board’s backplane connections. However, datum frequently must be sent beyond the local circuitry constituting an IT configuration.

In data communications, electronically encoded content is transmitted in the form of electrical signals. An inadvertent change in a signal will result in the datum received being in some way different from the datum sent. Typically, this increased information reliability risk is based on the probability of change in an electrical pulse due to the data communications facilities utilized for moving datum from one location to another.

Sources:

Davis, Robert E. IT Auditing: IT Service Delivery and Support. Mission Viejo, CA: Pleier Corporation, 2008. CD-ROM.

Watne, Donald A. and Peter B. B. Turney. Auditing EDP Systems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. 6, 236-7, 467

Davis, Robert E. “IT Hardware Risks.” Suite101.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

Strangio, Christopher E. “Data Communications Basics: A Brief Introduction to Digital Transfer.” Camiresearch.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

“View Part I of the Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing series here”

 

Post Note: “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part II” was originally published through Suite101.com under the title “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing”

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-ii/feed/ 0 Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part I http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-i/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-i/#comments Sat, 25 Aug 2012 00:09:33 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1430 As the distance between the message source and designated destination increases, accurate transmission becomes increasingly more risky.

Data communication systems are designed with transmission speed and capacity to meet the timeliness and volume needs of defined users. Nonetheless, data delivery speed and capacity are determined by the choice of equipment and channels, modulation technique, transmission mode, as well as transmission direction.

As discussed in Computer Hardware Risks – Part II, a failure in an electronic element of an information technology (IT) configuration can cause an error by affecting the frequency, timing, strength, or shape of an electrical pulse utilized to convey datum.

 

Sources:

Davis, Robert E. IT Auditing: IT Service Delivery and Support. Mission Viejo, CA: Pleier Corporation, 2008. CD-ROM.

Watne, Donald A. and Peter B. B. Turney. Auditing EDP Systems. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1984. 6, 236-7, 467

Davis, Robert E. “IT Hardware Risks.” Suite101.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

Strangio, Christopher E. “Data Communications Basics: A Brief Introduction to Digital Transfer.” Camiresearch.com. Retrieved on 10/03/2010

 

Post Note: “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing – Part I” was originally published through Suite101.com under the title “Data Communications Risk in Distributed Computing”

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/data-communications-risk-in-distributed-computing-part-i/feed/ 0 An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support – Part VIII http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-viii/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-viii/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:30:07 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1009 Aligned with the generally accepted IT value definition; IT service basic principles should deliver appropriate quality, on-time and within-budget, while achieving promised benefits. Where these basic principles are earnestly harmonized, IT service delivery and support benefits usually translate into attainment of: competitive advantage, reduced elapsed time for service request fulfillment, customer satisfaction, reduced customer wait time, as well as increased employee productivity and profitability.

To enable beneficial IT service delivery and support (as with all processes) appropriate objectives, goals, policies, procedures, standards and rules are required. Specifically, utilizing standards for ITSM usually generates benefits the moment an entity decides to outsource a business process.

“View Part I of the An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support series here“

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-viii/feed/ 0 An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support – Part VII http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-vii/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-vii/#comments Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:15:10 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1006 Once the ITG stage is reached, IT processes are fully integrated with business processes; thus potentially improving service quality and business agility for achieving entity objectives. Governance focusing on IT service delivery and support should address strategy, design, transition, operation, and continual improvement. Towards this end, entity oversight committee members, particularly non-executive directors, should ensure they are satisfied that adequate processes are deployed for each previously mentioned IT service delivery and support governance issue. In particular, if an effective ITSM framework is deployed internally and externally, IT units manage accepted service-level agreements (SLAs) to meet agreed-upon quality and cost targets.

“View Part I of the An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support series here“

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-vii/feed/ 0 An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support – Part VI http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-vi/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-vi/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:55:44 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1004 As discussed in IT Service Management and IT Governance: Review, Comparative Analysis and their Impact on Utility Computing, when evolving from technology providers into strategic partners, IT organizational units generally fellow a three stage systematic approach: IT infrastructure management (ITIM), IT service management (ITSM), then IT Governance (ITG). Starting with ITIM, each subsequent evolutionary stage builds upon previously established constructs.

During the first deployment stage, an entity’s IT units primarily focus on improving ITIM with effectiveness measurements — usually based on maximizing return on computing assets as well as infrastructure control. Thereafter, the second deployment stage, ITSM, promotes entity IT units actively identifying services customers need; then focusing on planning and delivering defined services to meet availability, performance, as well as security requirements. When IT units evolve to the third deployment stage, ITG, there is a transformation into true business partners enabling new business opportunities for the entity.

“View Part I of the An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support series here“

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-vi/feed/ 0 An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support – Part V http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-v/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-v/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:31:35 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1002 With IT applications attempting to support every possible organizational structure and business process, operational simplicity can proportionally diminish or vanish for users. Despite transparency provisions through graphical user interfaces, color diversity and help messages; IT complexity can introduce malfunctions or imperfections that may stymie objective achievement. Consequently, incident or problem conditions must be addressed by competent employees if IT is to sustain perceptions as an effective tool for accomplishing entity-centric functionality and reliability objectives. Therefore, management should consider IT service delivery a foundational component for effective IT governance as well as entity governance that requires periodic IT audit or review assurance.

“View Part I of the An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support series here“

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-v/feed/ 0 An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support – Part IV http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-iv/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/an-overview-of-it-service-delivery-and-support-%e2%80%93-part-iv/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:54:15 +0000 Robert Davis http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/it-governance/?p=1000 Considering information systems are generally critical to enhancing productivity, it is imperative deployed IT provide availability with service responsiveness meeting user utilization demands. Entity intricacies and IT operational complexities can result in issues that may necessitate speedy and systematic redress to fulfill availability requirements. Furthermore, neither business nor IT resides within static environments. Thus, environmental dynamics can generate changes altering system interfaces that require timely response and resolution to ensure continuous service delivery. When concluded, IT service delivery normally is assessed based on satisfying user configuration item (CI) functionality expectations.

“View Part I of the An Overview of IT Service Delivery and Support series here“

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