11. Security

 

Computer Crime & Fraud

If criminals could break the security systems surrounding the data held on the airports computers they could commit a whole range of crimes including:

• copying the IDs and passwords that allow access to the computer systems in the airport
• copying sensitive data about the running of the airport
• installing viruses
• stealing money from the accounts of the businesses in the airport.

 

 

Data Security

Data security at the airport is vital because:

• the Data Protection Act states that, by law, all data must be guarded by effective security
• the businesses that operate at the airport want to keep their business information on topics such as staffing, costs, profits and computers to themselves
• there are criminals and terrorist organisations that could do lots of damage if they gained access to key information.

 

 

 

Security Systems

There are two areas where security can be placed.

a. Software Security Systems

• a system of IDs and passwords – All authorised users are given unique ID codes and then select their own passwords.
• using smart cards – Smart cards can be used to hold advanced ID information such as eye scans.
• encryption – Data items held on the system can be encoded so that anyone who hacks in will not be able to understand them

 

 

b. Physical Security Measures

• allowing only authorised personnel who are registered with security staff to enter rooms with computer terminals
• limiting the number of terminals that can access removable backing storage such as CD writers or USB flash memory.

 

 

 

 

What you have to do!

Either in a new Word Document or in your Brain. Under a Sub Heading Security - complete the following tasks.

1. Outline the opportunities for crime that could occur if the security systems around the airport’s computers were to be breached.

2. Describe the software security measures that are mentioned in the program as being used to protect the airport’s computer system.
   
   
3. Describe the physical security used to protect the airport’s computer system and data.
   

 

 

What you should now be able to do!

• Outline some of the risks to data security . and the importance of keeping data secure.

• Give the name of the Law which aims to protect data

• Describe some of the software and physical measures that can be used to help protect data

 

Continue to Summary and Revision