IS Failure
Information systems are defined as a set of parts used for collecting, storing, processing, and communicating information. This information is used by businesses to manage operations and supply service that people can use in their personal lives. While many companies rely on IS in order to successfully operate, if steps aren’t taken to maintain the system, it can lead to failure. This is can be seen in the recent failure of Sony’s IS to protect customer credit card information; which lead to the shutdown of the Playstation network, Sony online and Qriocity websites. These websites were used to allow customers the ability to purchase content such as streaming media and additional gaming add-ons. In the article “Massive hack blows crater in Sony brand,” by Julianne Pepitone, the author states that if consumer credit card information were stolen, this would be the biggest hack in history. The taking of over 77 million customers credit card information would make the lack of security in Sony’ s IS, a massive technological failure. The failure to properly update the site’s security has also caused economic woes. In the article “Sony shares fall 5 pct as Playstation woes threaten outlook,” by Nathan Layne, Mr. Layne explains that because of the security breach Sony’s stock has dropped 5 percent. At the present time, Sony has no plans to re-launch its networks until the system security can be improved.
Web Search Keywords and Evaluating Sources
The sources used for my report on the Sony IS failure are:
· CNN (http:// money.cnn/2011/05/10/technology/sony hack fallout/?section=money latest) author Julianne Pepitone
· Cnet ( http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852 3-20060335-71.htm?tag=mncol;txt) author Chris Matyszcyk
· Reuters the UK ed ( http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/28/sony-idUKL3E7FS04E20110428) author Nathan Layne
· Julianne Pepitone (http://www.juliannepepitone.com/bio.htm)
· Chris Matyszczyk (http://www.chrismatyszczyk.com)
In order to search the web I used the key words “Playstation hack,” “Playstation network down” and “Stocks in Sony.” Each one of the articles I used was by authors that are contributors to several different websites and blogs. Each author, Julianne Pepitone and Chris Matyszczyk has listed several other contributions made to different publishers such as www.esquire.com, and www.cnnmoney.com. Both Ms. Pepitone and Mr. Matyszczyk are associated with reputable companies such as CNN and Cnet. Ms. Pepitone and Mr. Matyszczyk, report on the issues that Sony faces unbiasly and all the information is clearly assembled in the articles. The information contained in each article is recent due to the nature of the event having occurred within the last 90 days.
Recent IT success
A recent innovative IT success in the last year would be the creation of the Square credit card reader. This is an application that allows a business owner the ability to take secure credit card payment for products and services using a mobile card reader that connects to your mobile phone and software that processes the payment. Once the transaction is complete, the merchant can send the customer a receipt by inputting the customer’s email address. The creation of the device and software has been a huge economical and technological success for the creator Jack Dorsey. Economically, the square company has processed $66 million in payments in during the 1st quarter, with plans of tripling in the 2nd. Technologically, the success of the card reader creates opportunity for many merchants to have the ability to process payments anywhere, without the hassle of carrying machines that need to be plugged in. This creates a new avenue for the company to explore in terms of mobile banking and payment processing.
Sources for Square
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/technologylive/post/2011/04/visa-invests-in-square-credit-card-reader/1
https://squareup.com/
Does the IT world learn from mistakes?
I think that the IT world does try to learn from its mistakes. Each time that a company’s invention or product fails, other companies take note and try to improve upon those mistakes. In some cases, the actual originator of the technology will look at its failures and try to figure out how to solve the problem that created the failure. Because the IT world tries to learn from mistakes, the results are the numerous innovations that take place in our society today.