The implications

of I.T system failure

Caylee de Klerk

BankingOne case study that best suits the purpose of explaining the VITAL importance of Information

and technology in the banking industry is the following :

IBM takes blame for massive bank system failure IBM took responsibility for a major IT system failure suffered by one of Singapore's largest

banks on July 5, saying an employee's error caused the outage. In a statement released Tuesday, IBM said problems started when software monitoring tools

detected "instability" within DBS Bank's storage system. While the storage system remained "fully functional," IBM employees initiated a recovery process to fix the issue.

"Unfortunately, a failure to apply the correct procedure inadvertently caused the service outage," IBM said, adding that no data was lost.

The outage knocked DBS' IT systems offline for seven hours, leaving customers unable to withdraw money from automatic teller machines. All of the bank's commercial and consumer banking systems were affected, although no data was lost, the bank said at the time.

Much of DBS' IT systems are managed by IBM under a S$1.2 billion [B] (US$868 million IBM and DBS are taking steps to prevent a repeat of the July 5 system failure. IBM has "taken steps to enhance training of our personnel related to current procedures and

brought in experts from our global team to provide further assistance," the statement said. In addition, IBM and DBS are taking "additional actions to increase the resiliency and redundancy of this part of DBS' infrastructure," it said.

…..Continuation This is just one example of the use of It in banking. It is essential to banks to have accurate and reliable banking systems for tasks such as recording data,transactions,proccessing accounts and ensuring the safety of all data exchanged. Problems such as misunderstandings and glitches in the system are detrimental not only to the bank itself, but mostly to the people who are entrusting their fortunes in the care of the problems such as these leave customers stranded and unable to make any transactions or draw money. In a world like the one we live in today, EVERYTHING is technological. People rely on banks to be available and fully functional at all times. The most obvious suggestion would be to have a back up plan such as manual transactions.BUT.with thousands of customers is that really possible? It is totally unrealistic to expect bank tellers to personally deal with and hand all customers money in their hands. This would be a tedious task, and extremely time consuming for all involved. Technology really is faster and more reliable. And by leaving customers stranded in terms of money, many business activities would have been seriously effected and put on hold. In today's world, hardly anybody carries money around with them, It is all in the trusted care of the bank.

Transportation When we associate IT with transportation ,most people would immediately think of airline bookings and train tickets. But there are many more aspects of transportation that IT has greatly aided in such as traffic robots, automatic number plate recognition, autopilot and automatic speed enforcement cameras.

….Continuation We are all aware that modern day transportation is run majorly

through technology: i.e: you can book airline tickets and train tickets online and at paystations.Parking tickets are also paid at large malls through paystations.But what happens when these systems are encountering problems?FRUSTRATION.Besides frustration, customers have to wait until the systems are sorted and most times, will receive some kind of compensation like discounts or free tickets.Also,it is through large corporations that these technical glitches get sorted out. Jobs such as system analysts have been created for this purpose. When technical errors like this occur, many customers wishing to purchase airline tickets and train/bus tickets will simply turn to another airline or alternative transport company that DOES have a working electronic booking system.Therefore,the company loses money.

….Continuation

A technical problem that MANY people who live in Botswana will relate with is the constant problem with the traffic lights. All this does is cause accidents and massive traffic delays and jams.Also,although not common in Botswana, some train companies experience problems with their traffic lights and IT systems. Sometimes the systems are down, and without prior experience from a driver, some trains may take the wrong path and not halt when they are supposed to, causing accidents and once again, delays.

Electronic paypoints (parking)

E – booking (airlines)

Traffic jams

Implications of network failure; Hospitals and Schools

Hospitals: 5 Essential Medical Machines Used in Hospitals -Which are all vital instruments dependent on the network system, technology and electricity.

DefibrillatorsDefibrillators remain the best tools for reviving patients

during cardiac arrests. Defibrillators can be found in almost every hospital room today along with the first aid kit.

Patient MonitorsOne of the most essential tools in the operating room, the

patient monitor is a large device that records and interprets the vital signs of a patient during medical care or treatment.

Thanks to patient monitors, doctors and nurses are sometimes alerted of incoming changes or dangers to the patients state before symptoms of the changes become

physically apparent.

X-ray MachineX-ray machines help doctors diagnose

illnesses, detect fractured bones, cavities and foreign objects inside the body.

EKG MachineAn EKG machine detects any abnormalities in

heart functions by detecting the electrical signals created by

Ultrasound MachinesIn a similar fashion as sonar, ultrasound

machines map the body’s interior tissue and organs by emitting high-pitched sound waves

that bounce off internal body structures to produce a visual image of them. the movement of the heart’s muscles.

The Implications of a network failure;

If a network failure occurred it would;

Leave hospital staff unable to access patient record systems for numerous amounts of days.

Patients that are connected to, or utilizing critical health machines such as; defibrillators, heart machines, dialysis machines, etc will be in jeopardy of dying or falling into a deeper health condition.

If a surgery was interrupted because of a system failure such as; Open heart surgery or any form of neurosurgery the consequences could once again be death.

Patients with internal ailments such as internal bleeding, broken bones or inflamed/ burst organs will need immediate help with the use of technology.

What do they do when a network failure occurs; A back-up paper system emergency plan is used to keep patient disturbance to the smallest amount.

backup generators are only used in cases of emergency. ( When without electricity and network failure)

A system annalist is called immediately to repair the system.

Schools; Why they need a secure network system;

Schools need systems in order to record student information and data. Such as; Personal information, students records, absenteeism and term reports. Most importantly school fees as well as online banking.

In the main office/s, Staff and teachers as well as administrative staff, will need a secure technology stem in order to manage finances, book keeping, promoting the school and remaining in contact with stakeholders of the school/ parents of the school/ PTA members who have any inquires, complaints or suggestions.

Subjects that utilize technology systems in order to promote student learning such as IT, The sciences and Art are reliant on a permanently accessible system.

Leah Sampson