Computer Center Security and Controls

COMPUTER CENTER
SECURITY AND CONTROLS

Definition of terms
 Computer security -controls that are put in place to provide confidentiality, integrity, and availability for all
components of computer systems.
 Hardware - the physical part of the computer, like the system memory and disk drive.
 Firmware is the permanent software that runs the processes of the computer and is mostly invisible to the
user, like the start-up functions that make elements of the hardware work together.
 Software - programming that offers services to the user and administrator.
Computer center controls
PHYSICAL LOCATION – it should be located away from human-made and natural hazards, such as processing
plants, gas and water mains, airports, high-crime areas, flood plains, and geological faults
CONSTRUCTION - should be located in a single-story building of solid construction with controlled access
(discussed in the following section). Utility (power and telephone) and communications Lines should be
underground
ACCESS - should be limited to the operators and other employees who work there. It should maintain accurate
records of all such events to verify the function of access control.
AIR CONDITIONING - Computers function best in an air-conditioned environment. Logic errors can occur in
computer hardware when temperatures depart significantly from this range. Also, the risk of circuit damage from
static electricity is increased when humidity drops.
FIRE SUPPRESSION
Major feature of Effective Fire-suppression System
1. Automatic and manual alarms should be placed in strategic
locations around the installation. These alarms should be connected to a permanently staffed firefighting station.
2. There must be an automatic fire-extinguishing system that dispenses the appropriate type of suppressant
(carbon dioxide or halon) for the location. For example, spraying water and certain chemicals on a computer can
do as much damage as the fire.
FIRE SUPPRESSION
Major feature of Effective Fire-suppression System
3. There should be manual fire extinguishers placed at strategic locations.
4. The building should be of sound construction to withstand water damage that fire-suppression equipment
causes.
5. Fire exits should be clearly marked and illuminated during a fire
FAULT TOLERANCE CONTROLS - is the ability of the system to continue operation when part of the system
fails because of hardware failure, application program error, or operator error.
1. Redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID) involves using parallel disks that contain redundant
elements of data and applications. If one disk fails, the lost data are automatically reconstructed from the
redundant components stored on the other disks
2. Uninterruptible power supplies help prevent data loss and system corruption. In the event of a power supply
failure, short-term backup power is provided to allow the system to shut down in a controlled manner
Audit procedures – assessing physical security
controls
1. Test of Physical Construction - The auditor should obtain architectural plans to determine that the computer
center is solidly built of fireproof material
2. Test of the Fire Detection System - The auditor should establish that fire detection and suppression
equipment, both manual and automatic, are in place and are tested regularly.
3. Tests of Access Control - The auditor must establish that routine access to the computer center is restricted
to authorized employees.
4. Test of Fault Tolerance Control - The auditor should review with the system administrator alternative
procedures for recovering from a disk failure.
Audit procedure – verifying insurance coverage
 The auditor should annually review the organization’s insurance coverage on its computer hardware,
software, and physical facility
 The auditor should verify that all new acquisitions are listed on the policy and that obsolete equipment and
software have been deleted
Audit procedures – adequacy of operator
documentation
 Computer operators use documentation called a run manual to run certain aspects of the system. The typical
contents of a run manual include:
 The name of the system, such as ‘‘Purchases System’’
 The run schedule (daily, weekly, time of day)
 Required hardware devices (tapes, disks, printers, or special hardware)
 File requirements specifying all the transaction (input) files, master files, and output files
used in the system
 Run-time instructions describing the error messages that may appear, actions to be taken, and
the name and telephone number of the programmer on call, should the system fail
 A list of users who receive the output from the run
Case Study-Background
 The Oregon Justice Resource Center was founded in 2011 by Bobbin Singh and
Erin McKee. Their goal is to promote civil rights and improve legal
representation for communities that have often been underserved in the past:
people living in poverty and people of color among them. They work in
collaboration with like-minded organizations to maximize our reach to serve
underrepresented populations, to train future public interest lawyers, and to
educate our community on issues related to civil rights and civil liberties.
Case Study-Problem
 Man pleads guilty to federal arson charge for fire set inside Justice Center.
Schinzing, the accused, is suspected of having left the office at one point and
returning with a shirt on but wearing the same orange cap, then spreading the fire
by lighting paper and moving it into a separate cubicle, according to the affidavit.
The building’s fire sprinkler system activated, extinguishing the flames.
Case Study-Solution
 Add more security personnel to the premise.

 Put some restriction upon entry to people who are already outside their shift.
 Install additional fire-suppression system
Summary
 Computer security is making sure information and computer components are

usable but still protected from people and software that shouldn't access or
change it. The protection comes from controls, or technical, physical, and
procedural choices that limit access to the computer components.
Sources:
 Hall, J. A. (2011). Accounting Information Systems 7th Edition. Ohio, USA: South-Western Cengage
Learning.
 https://fabrikbrands.com/the-history-of-virgin-media/#:~:text=Virgin%20Media%20began%20in%202006,h
ome%20phone%2C%20and%20broadband%20packages
.
 https://ojrc.info/about-us
 https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/09/man-pleads-guilty-to-federal-arson-charge-stemming-from-fire-
set-inside-justice-center-in-late-may.html

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COMPUTER CENTER

SECURITY AND CONTROLS

 Add more security personnel to the premise.

 Computer security is making sure information and computer components are

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