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IT causes stress, and offers a solution?
May 1993
IBM launch PC LAN recovery service IBM Business Recovery Services has announced the launch of its PC LAN server recovery service. The launch of the service follows research, conducted by Loughborough University of T e c h n o l o g y , revealing that companies' increased reliance on PCs has not been reflected in the formation of contingency planning. Only 30% of companies involved in the research included PCs in their contingency plans.
MORI survey shows switch to outsourcing A MORI survey, commissioned by IBM Information Solutions Ltd, has revealed that one in five companies are likely to consider IT outsourcing as a business strategy in the next 12 to 24 months. Internal business functions regarded as most likely to lead to an outsourcing increase in the next few years are security (40%), IT (32%), transport and distribution (24%), building and maintenance (22%) and catering (14%). One in three companies say that managing directors, finance directors or the company board are most likely to be involved in any decision-making about IT outsourcing. Other key executives are IT directors or managers. 40% of companies say they know a great deal or a fair amount about outsourcing. However, another 40% say they know nothing about it or have never heard of outsourcing. Companies considering outsourcing are most likely to seek advice from IT staff (32%), other staff (24%), IT consultants (22%) or management consultants (20%). Other sources are computer manufacturers (10%) and companies which have outsourced (4%).
IT causes stress, and offers a solution? Computer related jobs now top the list of stressful jobs, according to the World Labour
©1993 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd
ComputerAudit Update
report, just issued by the Geneva-based International Labour Organization. It predicts that IT-induced stress will take up a greater proportion of staff complaints. Computer people have traditionally supported their local hostelries, but whether this has increased their stress or relieved it I am not sure. Now, perhaps as a way of saying thank you to the IT industry, a UK brewer has introduced a pre-paid smart card system in one of its pubs for drinkers to purchase their drinks. Each time that the card is used, points are added to the card. When enough points have been saved, they may be exchanged for a pint of a very expensive lager.
Hackers break into Quebec premier's office According to a report in the MontrealGazette, a group of hackers managed to penetrate into the Quebec government's executive council data bank. The hackers claim they entered the system through a telephone line used by a service company. The hackers, the Northern Phun Co., didn't attempt to conceal their action, but made the information available on several bulletin boards across the country. While the hackers didn't advertise private passwords, they offered advice on how to find them with pirate programs. However, Sylvie Godin, an aide to Premier Robert Bourassa said that the hackers were exaggerating their claims to have illicitly entered the system. "They had no access to confidential documents. They found an index. It's the only thing available through that code," Godin stated. She admitted however, that it could have potentially caused serious problems. As a result of the attack, the executive council office has tightened its computer security. Now if someone fails to key in the correct entry code three times, the connection is severed. The Mounties commercial crime squad has said that as no formal complaint has been lodged, there will be no investigation.
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IBM launch PC LAN recovery service IBM Business Recovery Services has announced the launch of its PC LAN server recovery service. The launch of the service follows research, conducted by Loughborough University of T e c h n o l o g y , revealing that companies' increased reliance on PCs has not been reflected in the formation of contingency planning. Only 30% of companies involved in the research included PCs in their contingency plans.
MORI survey shows switch to outsourcing A MORI survey, commissioned by IBM Information Solutions Ltd, has revealed that one in five companies are likely to consider IT outsourcing as a business strategy in the next 12 to 24 months. Internal business functions regarded as most likely to lead to an outsourcing increase in the next few years are security (40%), IT (32%), transport and distribution (24%), building and maintenance (22%) and catering (14%). One in three companies say that managing directors, finance directors or the company board are most likely to be involved in any decision-making about IT outsourcing. Other key executives are IT directors or managers. 40% of companies say they know a great deal or a fair amount about outsourcing. However, another 40% say they know nothing about it or have never heard of outsourcing. Companies considering outsourcing are most likely to seek advice from IT staff (32%), other staff (24%), IT consultants (22%) or management consultants (20%). Other sources are computer manufacturers (10%) and companies which have outsourced (4%).
IT causes stress, and offers a solution? Computer related jobs now top the list of stressful jobs, according to the World Labour
©1993 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd
ComputerAudit Update
report, just issued by the Geneva-based International Labour Organization. It predicts that IT-induced stress will take up a greater proportion of staff complaints. Computer people have traditionally supported their local hostelries, but whether this has increased their stress or relieved it I am not sure. Now, perhaps as a way of saying thank you to the IT industry, a UK brewer has introduced a pre-paid smart card system in one of its pubs for drinkers to purchase their drinks. Each time that the card is used, points are added to the card. When enough points have been saved, they may be exchanged for a pint of a very expensive lager.
Hackers break into Quebec premier's office According to a report in the MontrealGazette, a group of hackers managed to penetrate into the Quebec government's executive council data bank. The hackers claim they entered the system through a telephone line used by a service company. The hackers, the Northern Phun Co., didn't attempt to conceal their action, but made the information available on several bulletin boards across the country. While the hackers didn't advertise private passwords, they offered advice on how to find them with pirate programs. However, Sylvie Godin, an aide to Premier Robert Bourassa said that the hackers were exaggerating their claims to have illicitly entered the system. "They had no access to confidential documents. They found an index. It's the only thing available through that code," Godin stated. She admitted however, that it could have potentially caused serious problems. As a result of the attack, the executive council office has tightened its computer security. Now if someone fails to key in the correct entry code three times, the connection is severed. The Mounties commercial crime squad has said that as no formal complaint has been lodged, there will be no investigation.
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