How the company(luton) can go online, steps in which they should take before going online, security threat and have a disaster recovery plan.

Case Study (Dubai Version)

Background

You are asked to study a small company making props for performance artists, based in Luton. The company is only using e-bay to sell its goods. However, lately it is beginning to get telephone sales (only on weekdays) and also supply some shops. Occasionally, it runs a stall at a festival or a large event.

Customers usually pay by PayPal and the goods are shipped all over the world by courier. Custom orders can also be placed.

The company consists of 10 employees: 2 admin staff members to keep track of sales and B staff member to work in the workshop.

The company's network of pcs consists of 4 computes on a simple Wi-Fi network:

• Computer 1 (managers computer): Management machine with all transaction details, and Human Resource information.

• Computers 2 & 3 - Machine used for keeping track of e-bay sales and for uploading information to e-bay.

• Computer 4 (used by two of the workshop staff) - Machine used for ordering parts.

For security, the company uses AVG free and the default Windows firewall. It also uses a memory stick (kept in the desk in the office) to back up its files (due to previous hard drive failure). The company manager usually tracks e-bay activity using his/her iPhone device.

The company wishes to expand and go online.

For this coursework, you are asked to investigate how this can be done, in the most cost effective way. You will also be investigating what damage can be done by losing the company files and also produce a solution to mitigate this damage.

In more detail, the company will need:
• A website.
• New equipment.
• A telephone management system (customers sometimes complain that they are unable to get through because the phones are busy).
• A lot of orders come from customers seeing the products used by people on YouTube. The company wishes to increase its sales using this more effectively.

Part One

• Essay explaining the nature of the business and which steps have to be taken in order for the company to go online, analysing the potential threats this might entail. The essay should also focus on the harm that can be caused if the company files cannot be retrieved.

• Hint: Mention Porters model and apply it to this company. Also focus on company ethos.

• The feedback for this work will be provided in week 12. It will consist of a lecture session used to provide general feedback showing common issues, in addition individual written formative feedback (if required) will be provided in the lab classes.

Part Two

• Essay explaining your suggestions for overcoming the security threats that may exist in this scenario. Solutions may involve staff training, work computer use policies or technical solutions (or something else?). Solutions offered must be both technically and legally possible and acceptable.
• The feedback for this work will be provided in week 14 and/or 15. It will consist of a lecture session used to provide general feedback showing common issues, in addition individual written formative feedback (if required) will be provided in the lab classes.

Part Three

This submission will consist of an expanded and edited version of your two previous versions plus a =inclusion and evaluation section. It should be written in a way that would enable an IT Director (or similar role) understand both the issue and be able to implement the plan suggested.

Structure of Part Three:

• Title and Introduction - As appropriate (designed to meet the needs of the potential end user, IT Director (or similar role) (5% mark)
• The Problem
• The Solution
• Conclusion and Evaluation