Business: Information Technology Malware - Research Paper Example

Business: Information Technology Malware One of the prominent technological concerns that small businesses must become cognizant of is malware infecting Internet systems. When examining this issue one of the overarching concerns is the intention of the technicians involved in the creation of the malware. In these regards, it’s noted that in large part these individuals are motivated not out financial concern, but out of a desire to embarrass the entities they are targeting (Vance 2011). Indeed, one group, Anonymous, have even implemented malware in an organized and concerted effort to attempt to enact political change (Landers 2008).

There are a variety of concerns related to the future of malware. One of the overarching concerns is the means by which potential businesses and individuals will become infected. With rapid advances in technology, prior means of computer security are becoming antiquated. Organizations need to become increasingly aware not simply of malware within the organizational context, but even in contexts that are adjacent to this environment, such as cell phones and home computers. While no panacea exists that completely secures an organizations technology, implementation of Macintosh over PCs has demonstrated effectiveness because of the lack of malware specifically targeted towards the Apple platform.

In addition, a number of added security measures have been developed as a means of guarding against malicious malware. In these regards, it’s necessary for all computers to be outfitted with a anti-virus software; Norton has been noted to be particularly effective (‘Malware’ 2011). For highly confidential information, it’s necessary that organizations secure specialists and advanced technology to guard against the rapidly shifting malware enterprise. References Landers, C. (2008). Serious Business: Anonymous Takes On Scientology (and Doesnt Afraid of Anything).

Baltimore City Paper. Malware. (2011). Retrieved from http://us.norton.com/security_response/malware.jsp Vance, J. (2011). Future of malware. Retrieved from http://www.cio.com/article/691042/The_Future_of_Malware?page=2 eHealth Our province has recently spent over $1 billion on eHealth measures, attempting to computerize all health information for Ontario citizens. There are a number of concerns related to the ethical, social, and policy issues of the computerization of health records. Some of the most pervasive ethical concerns have emerged in terms of patient privacy rights.

For instance, Mearian (2009) notes that eHealth poses a concern for many individuals with sensitive health records. One of the primary policy concerns within this context of understanding is the Personal Health and Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) regulatory amendment. Passed in 2004 this amendment indicates that Ontario can both undergo computerized documentation of health records, as well as maintain privacy for the patients involved. Other policy concerns involved the significant price of converting to eHealth technology over written records.

In terms of social concerns, some of the major notable elements are the understandings that eHealth technology, while in part privacy invasive, nonetheless poses a strong and substantial contribution to the medical community. In these regards, Gibbons (2005) has noted that efficiency and improved quality of care are direct benefits of eHealth technology. Another benefit that may not be readily apparent to some is that eHealth technology is also empowering to the patient. While medical records had long been the domain of the medical professional, increasing digitization now allows the patient direct access to their records through computer accounts.

Ultimately, it’s clear that while eHealth technology has ethical and cost concerns, its benefits in terms of medical efficiency and patient empowerment make it a needed approach to health care in the 21st century. References ehealth ontario. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.ehealthontario.on.ca/ Gibbons, M.C. (2005). A historical overview of health disparities and the potential of eHealth Solutions. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 7(5). Mearian, L. (2009). Report: Lack of ehealth standards, privacy concerns costing lives.

Retrieved from http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138791/Report_Lack_of_eHealt h_standards_privacy_concerns_costing_lives