Pros and Cons of Using Open Source Software to Secure Your Network - Essay Example

Open Source Software Number Open source software is also commonly referred to as free and open sourcesoftware, abbreviated as FOSS. Open source software can basically be described as form of computer software with a source code that is license available in which the holders of the copyright gives anyone with any intention the rights to change/ modify, study or distribute the software (it is a general kind of software license that avails the source code to the general public with relaxed or inexistent restrictions of copyright as nothing is specified regarding patent use or trademark, with zero co-operation necessary for common audit or release regime for any derived work. This is so to guarantee unlimited access to derived works by original contributors. Examples of open source software in the contemporary world include the operating system Linux, Firefox, GIMP, Sugar CRM, Vtiger, Zurmo, and Suite CRM. People generally develop open source software to gain recognition and plaudits, enhance the product and to increase its longevity (Feller, 2005). With the huge number of organizations, governments and businesses using open source software such as the ones listed above, it has become evident that the free/ fair/ lower prices of the software is not the only advantage the use of these software bring. Along with reduced cost of spending and management of such software, there are a plethora of other benefits concerning the use of open source software. The first of these benefits is the superior security that is associated with open source software. An instance that proves this higher security status is a recent happening where coverity of numerous defects of the Android kernel was discovered. The only reason this discovery was possible is because the kernel code is open to the view of the general public. Basically therefore, the implications of open source software is that the more people who can see and test a set of codes, the higher the chances that flaws will be discovered and quickly corrected. This is what is termed the Linux law which asserts that, given sufficient eye balls, all bugs are shallow. Open source software kinds are continuously evolving and upgrading the system. The markets appreciate product robustness and open source software facilitates a larger market of early adopters (compared to those of closed source software/ proprietary kind) who actively aid in debugging the software. In essence, therefore, open source software grows much faster in the early stages of development/ introduction into the market (Feller, 2005). Closed source software on the other hand mean that these software are closed from the view of the public and that persons who are unauthorized have no idea what bugs such software may contain. It is also impossible that the limited number of developers and testers in closed source software can better test and scrutinize the software better than the global community that constantly scrutinize open source software can. In addition, the bugs in open source software get fixed much faster (due to public scrutiny, for one) than the proprietary world’s closed source software which may typically take weeks if not months to fix flaws (such as the Internet Explorer zero-day flaw). Another important benefit of open source software is its better quality. The principle behind this superiority compared to closed source software is that software (open source) created by thousands of developers would be much better than that developed by a handful (closed source). In open source software, there exist several innovating new features and enhancements to products from the public domain than in closed source software. Open source software cater for consumer preferences since the users play a role in developing and improving it and it is not a guess work situation where developers give consumers what they assume consumers want but consumers help make the software, therefore also making marketing endeavors of the products quite easy and cheap. Recent surveys indicate that most organizations opt for open source software because of this technical superiority that it comes with (Kavanagh, 2004). In addition, unlike in closed source software, business users can modify and customize open source software to suit their specific needs. These changes are made easier since codes are open and businesses can simply add functionalities that they so desire. Another important advantage of the open source software is the freedom accorded to users from such things as vendor lock-in that is common in proprietary closed source software where the consumer is at the mercy of the vision, dictation, timetable, priority, prices and requirements of the vendor thus badly limiting the things they can do with the products they purchase. In open source software, on the other hand, users enjoy more freedom to do what they want and make their own decisions concerning the software. They also have at their disposal a global community of users/ developers who can help in this line (Feller, 2005). A fifth and equally important benefit of using open source software instead of closed source software is open source software’s flexibility because they are much less resource intensive and can be efficiently used even on older software. It is up to the user when it is time to upgrade the software unlike in closed source software such as Microsoft Windows where the users are on an infinite treadmill that requires them to continuously upgrade both the hardware and software. Open source software has no limitations and can work with several kinds of systems. The user is therefore able to transact and collaborate with other businesses more so if they have the same systems as your business. The interoperability of open source software is also laudable as they are much better at adhering to open standards than closed source software. A business that values interoperability with other computers, users and businesses and do not wish to be limited by closed source software has to opt for open source software (Kavanagh, 2004). There is also improved audit ability that comes with using open source software unlike in closed source software where businesses take a leap of faith and take the vendor for its word that they are keeping the software safe and maintaining standards. In open source software, however, businesses can see these aspects for themselves and rest in confidence. Open source software users also, as previously highlighted, enjoy a world of support through useful and vibrant communities with good forums, live support chats, newsgroups, wikis, mailing lists, documentation, forges, and so on. In addition, where there is need for extra assurance and confidence, there are available paid support options for most open source software at much lighter costs compared to what is offered by the closed source software vendors. And since focus of revenue is placed on support, commercial support for open source software is more responsive than closed source software (Kavanagh, 2004). Moreover, apart from the cheap cost of purchase of open source software, open source software reduce costs of things such as virus protection, on-going upgrade expenses, costs related with being locked in and support changes while ensuring better quality – at a lower price! In addition, open source software come in handy for businesses as no commitment is needed until one is certain of the value and functioning of the product. There is the option of trying it out before actually purchasing it due to free prices and presence of live USBs and live CDs. Open source software additionally employ standards accessible to all and does not encounter the challenges of incompatible formats that are common in closed source software. Open source software offer businesses relative stability which translates in better profits (coupled with the financial benefits of low purchase, use and maintenance). Problems of incompatible formats are rare and in cases of such, it is common for the open source software to come with converter programs which upgrade information to new compatible formats. Open source software therefore enhances the visibility of businesses. Yet still, the businesses that use these kinds of software are not plagued with worries about licensing models and do not require measures against piracy such as serial numbers or product activations (Feller, 2005). However, skeptics have highlighted some credible disadvantages that come with the use of open source software. For one, the use of open source software demands that a business have extra staff that concerns itself with maintaining and improving the system. This can be difficult and costly to the business. In addition, open source software are prone to security vulnerabilities due to hackers who have complete knowledge on how the software work and use such knowledge to intentionally harm a rival/ competitive business. In addition, most users of open software have often complained about the system being user unfriendly with most users said to experience hardships engaging with other users in supporting the application of the system, for example (Kavanagh, 2004). Another notable limitation of using open source software is that quite often it means that no qualified support is available for consumers/ businesses in as much as there are internet communities and self-driven forums that offer considerable help. Many businesses/ people have also lost years of data attempting to upgrade/ modify systems on their own. Also, there are chances of legal disputes related to the use of open source software in terms of intellectual property rights where for instance, there could be disputes of ownership regarding newly modified versions/ codes for the open source software (Feller, 2005). The main aim of any business, whether multi-global or small scale, is to continually grow, make profits and stay in business. As has been discussed, open source software offers a business the opportunity to maximize profits while significantly reducing on expenditure. As the CTO of our business, I would advise the management (after carefully considering my team’s ability to effectively and efficiently counter the problems of open source software such as security/ hacking concerns (that are also found in closed source software, by the way) and risks of data loss) to gradually shift to open source software as its benefits to a business are quite frankly miraculous. With a good IT department (headed by myself) we would competently ensure such threats of hacks and software updates are swiftly dealt with by a robust and skilled internal team while freely collaborating with the global community. References Feller, J. (2005). Perspectives on free and open source software. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press. Kavanagh, P. (2004). Open source software implementation and management. Amsterdam: Elsevier Digital Press. Read More