Network review — Part 2
Chris Sheffield · Network Security · 1995
In summary, the network reviews have highlighted that organizations are dependant on the network for critical business activities but the networks are often poorly configured, have inadequate fault tolerance compared with the costs of downtime and are not subject to formal plans or strategies. These results are fairly dramatic and it is interesting to note that the results of work in other areas such as mainframe and mini computer reviews are normally more encouraging. The rapid development and implementation of network technology must be a major contributing factor to the lack of formal controls and procedures, and particularly in smaller organizations the lack of resources and budget for such activities also are a major factor. Network technologies will continue to develop at a tremendous pace, and once ‘killer’ applications such as electronic mail highlighted within this article replace manual procedures then network availability and performance will become of paramount importance. It is therefore stressed that it is vital for organizations to review the areas highlighted within this article, and ensure that the network infrastructure will support the business well into the future. The problems created by inefficient or inexperienced network support staff and managers also need to be addressed, such staff should be adequately trained and provided with guidance not only for implementation of networking technology but also provided with more general ‘good practise’ eduction that has been learnt through experience in other IT disciplines. The final areas covered by the Touche Ross network review will be discussed in the next issue, this will include software license management, threat from viruses, PC and workstation management and network disaster recovery.