Thursday, October 9, 2008
Introduction to extended portfolio
This is an extended version of a portfolio which addressed the issue of privacy within employee surveillance. In order to extend this portfolio I am going to interview the head of IT within an engineering company. I am going to interview this person as they know about technology and is the assistant administrator. The stakeholders concerning this portfolio are the employees, technology personnel and the managers of the companies.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Portfolio to Extend
I'm going to extend the portfolio on privacy issues concerning employee surveillance, refering to the article titled “The Boss Has Wide Power to Spy on Workers”. I am going to interview the IT manager for the middle east at GHD. He can show me the policies the company has, and what they can access and who can access it.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Criteria A&B
Criteria A:
This portfolio addresses the issue of patients receiving health advice online as opposed to going to the doctor's office and having a check-up. Technology is improving and expanding rapidly and the public are trying to find ways to make their lives easier. Having health advice online allows this as people do not even have to leave their own homes in order to "see" a doctor. This does have its benefits, however has some major issues as well. The main issue is that concerning how accurate a doctor can be with the patient just describing their symptoms, when if a doctor is able to see the patient he can examine them as well as just listening to their complaints. Accidents are bound to happen and an online visit cannot compare to actually seeing a doctor. ("Health Insurers Pay for Online Doctor Visits", 2008)
There have already been issues concerning the prescriptions doctors have been prescribing so far. Many privet Doctors are able to provide an online service without having the correct licenses which they would have to have if they were opening an office. ("Sick? Click", 2007)
Criteria B:
There are several different components which are necessary for doctors to be able to consult patients online. The main IT system is of course the internet. The internet connection would have to have a fast modem in order to support the websites doctors would be working from. A high bandwidth would be needed for sending images and using webcams. Components such as camera and webcams would need to have high resolution for accuracy. A faster modem and processer would allow the patients and doctors to send images to each other. An operating system which was able to recognize webcams would also be needed.
There have been many developments in technology which have allowed people to consult doctors online. Such developments include higher bandwidths, faster modems and processors, and cameras with higher resolution. These developments have been made rapidly and it could be predicted that they will continue such trends. This would improve the quality of health care advice and prescriptions that doctors are giving as they would be able to view the patients problems more accurately. Higher resolution on cameras and webcams would mean the doctor would get a clearer picture of the patient. Also having a higher bandwidth would mean that images would be able to be sent quicker and webcams would be equipped with anti-stabilization.
This portfolio addresses the issue of patients receiving health advice online as opposed to going to the doctor's office and having a check-up. Technology is improving and expanding rapidly and the public are trying to find ways to make their lives easier. Having health advice online allows this as people do not even have to leave their own homes in order to "see" a doctor. This does have its benefits, however has some major issues as well. The main issue is that concerning how accurate a doctor can be with the patient just describing their symptoms, when if a doctor is able to see the patient he can examine them as well as just listening to their complaints. Accidents are bound to happen and an online visit cannot compare to actually seeing a doctor. ("Health Insurers Pay for Online Doctor Visits", 2008)
There have already been issues concerning the prescriptions doctors have been prescribing so far. Many privet Doctors are able to provide an online service without having the correct licenses which they would have to have if they were opening an office. ("Sick? Click", 2007)
Criteria B:
There are several different components which are necessary for doctors to be able to consult patients online. The main IT system is of course the internet. The internet connection would have to have a fast modem in order to support the websites doctors would be working from. A high bandwidth would be needed for sending images and using webcams. Components such as camera and webcams would need to have high resolution for accuracy. A faster modem and processer would allow the patients and doctors to send images to each other. An operating system which was able to recognize webcams would also be needed.
There have been many developments in technology which have allowed people to consult doctors online. Such developments include higher bandwidths, faster modems and processors, and cameras with higher resolution. These developments have been made rapidly and it could be predicted that they will continue such trends. This would improve the quality of health care advice and prescriptions that doctors are giving as they would be able to view the patients problems more accurately. Higher resolution on cameras and webcams would mean the doctor would get a clearer picture of the patient. Also having a higher bandwidth would mean that images would be able to be sent quicker and webcams would be equipped with anti-stabilization.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Progress: 23rd April
I have started and almost finished my criterion A, but as you know my laptop crashed so wont be able to do more untill I get my work back.
I also started adding information to my previously blank group Wiki.
I also started adding information to my previously blank group Wiki.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Criterion A, B, C & D
Criterion A:
This portfolio addresses the issue of employee surveillance. Competition in the business world is growing causing companies to want a higher success rate, and due to improvements in technology they are able to observe the employee’s computer behavior. This could help improve progress in such business’ as it could restrict employees from accessing privet emails ect. during working hours. It could also help keep track of business records, and use of software which could cut company costs. There are however negative effects of this; one being the issue of the company invading their employees privacy. Another is the security of the employees’ information and how well it is protected from the public. There is also the issue of the company being able to use some of your privet information against you and this leads to the issue of people vs. machine. (“The Boss Had Wide Power To Spy On Workers”, 2007)
Criterion B:
There are several different components which are necessary for such surveillance to take place. The main IT system which is a necessary component is that of the internet, companies’ usually use privet networks. These privet networks allow companies to maintain wide area network, and also allow the companies to have a faster modems and processors to allow the internet to run quicker. This also allows companies to monitor every computer which is using their network, using more complicated software. Most companies which are using surveillance on their employees use software which allows them to track, monitor, and record what is being viewed on the employees screen.
Development in technology has allowed surveillance to evolve from purely being able to see what software the employee was using and how long for, to being able to view everything that appears on the employees screen, and companies are now being able to access and read personal emails. The internet has improved in speed with the development of privet networks allowing more software to be used at once, allowing surveillance to constantly take place, without it slowing down the network. The amount of software in which companies can now purchase in order to monitor their networks computers has improved sufficiently as well due to supply and demand.
The rate in which such developments have been made suggests that more developments will be made soon allowing companies to track almost anything the employees do on their computers at work.
Criterion C:
The ability to monitor employees has several positive and negative affects on society. One main positive affect is that it is allowing companies to keep track of software use allowing companies to cut costs on what they are not needing. It is also able to increase productivity when employees know they are being monitored. As it was found that the amount of internet abuse from employees at work is increasing dramatically. (Dixon, 2008) Also it helps keep track of business, such as important files, documents and statistics. There is also the problem of employees abusing the internet access to view inappropriate sometimes illegal websites such as pornography sites. This could lead to hostility in the work place and sexual harassment, which could all lead to the companies facing law suits. (Stanton, 2007)
Although employee surveillance does have positive aspects for a company and its employees there are also several negative affects on society. The main negative aspect is that of employee privacy. Employers are now being able to view and access employees’ private emails, and access all their privet information. The majority of employees do not understand or know how much of their internet use at work is being monitored. This is a great breach of security rights as employers are now accessing privet information. This privet information is being used against employees in many circumstances, and although there are said to be many privacy laws which keep this information safe, there is no guarantee that this information does not get out. There are even circumstances where other employees get information and use it for personal use. (Foley, 2008) If employers fail to do something which will increase productivity whilst keeping employees privacy safe, there will be a huge distrust between employees and employers.
Criterion D:
There needs to be a solution to the issues addressed above, and limits to the information which employers can access, save, and share needs to be changed. Firstly employees have the right to know that they are being monitored regardless of the form of monitoring. Whether it is video cameras of computer monitoring the employee should know that they are ‘being watched’. This could easily be done, by the employer sharing information regarding that they will be monitored and how with the employee before they are hired. If there is an issue the employee can make the decision as to whether they are comfortable with it or not.
Additional to this, the software’s used to monitor employees needs to be limited. At the moment employers are able to access employees personal emails ect. which should not be allowed. The software used should be able to show the programs which are being used, at what time, and how long for. This will allow the company to keep track of information about programs, without over stepping the boundaries of employee privacy. The use of websites such as privet email sites, however do not need to be blocked as there are times in which an employee needs to take a short break, there is no need for this to be changed. The only problem would be if the site was inappropriate for a work environment, these are the sites that should be blocked from the companies’ network. The company could also block certain websites, such as gambling or pornography sites. Also there should be a complete ban on employers being allowed to track their employees outside of the office. This solution is feasible as it does not require drastic change to the companies network, it just restricts what employers are able to view. This will not affect the progress of the company as employers will still have enough information to know if employees are being distracted from their work. It will however make the employers feel safer and more comfortable with the company, along with solving issues of employee privacy.
This portfolio addresses the issue of employee surveillance. Competition in the business world is growing causing companies to want a higher success rate, and due to improvements in technology they are able to observe the employee’s computer behavior. This could help improve progress in such business’ as it could restrict employees from accessing privet emails ect. during working hours. It could also help keep track of business records, and use of software which could cut company costs. There are however negative effects of this; one being the issue of the company invading their employees privacy. Another is the security of the employees’ information and how well it is protected from the public. There is also the issue of the company being able to use some of your privet information against you and this leads to the issue of people vs. machine. (“The Boss Had Wide Power To Spy On Workers”, 2007)
Criterion B:
There are several different components which are necessary for such surveillance to take place. The main IT system which is a necessary component is that of the internet, companies’ usually use privet networks. These privet networks allow companies to maintain wide area network, and also allow the companies to have a faster modems and processors to allow the internet to run quicker. This also allows companies to monitor every computer which is using their network, using more complicated software. Most companies which are using surveillance on their employees use software which allows them to track, monitor, and record what is being viewed on the employees screen.
Development in technology has allowed surveillance to evolve from purely being able to see what software the employee was using and how long for, to being able to view everything that appears on the employees screen, and companies are now being able to access and read personal emails. The internet has improved in speed with the development of privet networks allowing more software to be used at once, allowing surveillance to constantly take place, without it slowing down the network. The amount of software in which companies can now purchase in order to monitor their networks computers has improved sufficiently as well due to supply and demand.
The rate in which such developments have been made suggests that more developments will be made soon allowing companies to track almost anything the employees do on their computers at work.
Criterion C:
The ability to monitor employees has several positive and negative affects on society. One main positive affect is that it is allowing companies to keep track of software use allowing companies to cut costs on what they are not needing. It is also able to increase productivity when employees know they are being monitored. As it was found that the amount of internet abuse from employees at work is increasing dramatically. (Dixon, 2008) Also it helps keep track of business, such as important files, documents and statistics. There is also the problem of employees abusing the internet access to view inappropriate sometimes illegal websites such as pornography sites. This could lead to hostility in the work place and sexual harassment, which could all lead to the companies facing law suits. (Stanton, 2007)
Although employee surveillance does have positive aspects for a company and its employees there are also several negative affects on society. The main negative aspect is that of employee privacy. Employers are now being able to view and access employees’ private emails, and access all their privet information. The majority of employees do not understand or know how much of their internet use at work is being monitored. This is a great breach of security rights as employers are now accessing privet information. This privet information is being used against employees in many circumstances, and although there are said to be many privacy laws which keep this information safe, there is no guarantee that this information does not get out. There are even circumstances where other employees get information and use it for personal use. (Foley, 2008) If employers fail to do something which will increase productivity whilst keeping employees privacy safe, there will be a huge distrust between employees and employers.
Criterion D:
There needs to be a solution to the issues addressed above, and limits to the information which employers can access, save, and share needs to be changed. Firstly employees have the right to know that they are being monitored regardless of the form of monitoring. Whether it is video cameras of computer monitoring the employee should know that they are ‘being watched’. This could easily be done, by the employer sharing information regarding that they will be monitored and how with the employee before they are hired. If there is an issue the employee can make the decision as to whether they are comfortable with it or not.
Additional to this, the software’s used to monitor employees needs to be limited. At the moment employers are able to access employees personal emails ect. which should not be allowed. The software used should be able to show the programs which are being used, at what time, and how long for. This will allow the company to keep track of information about programs, without over stepping the boundaries of employee privacy. The use of websites such as privet email sites, however do not need to be blocked as there are times in which an employee needs to take a short break, there is no need for this to be changed. The only problem would be if the site was inappropriate for a work environment, these are the sites that should be blocked from the companies’ network. The company could also block certain websites, such as gambling or pornography sites. Also there should be a complete ban on employers being allowed to track their employees outside of the office. This solution is feasible as it does not require drastic change to the companies network, it just restricts what employers are able to view. This will not affect the progress of the company as employers will still have enough information to know if employees are being distracted from their work. It will however make the employers feel safer and more comfortable with the company, along with solving issues of employee privacy.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Buisness and Employment: Criteria A
Criterion A:
This portfolio addresses the issue of employee surveillance. Competition in the business world is growing causing companies to want a higher success rate, and due to improvements in technology they are able to observe the employee’s computer behavior. This could help improve progress in such business as it could restrict employees from accessing privet emails ect. during working hours. It could also help keep track of business records, and use of software which could cut company costs. There are however has a negative effects one being the issue of the company invading their employees privacy. Another is the security of the employees information and how well it is protected from the public. There is also the issue of the company being able to use some of your privet information against you and this leads to the issue of people vs. machine.
This portfolio addresses the issue of employee surveillance. Competition in the business world is growing causing companies to want a higher success rate, and due to improvements in technology they are able to observe the employee’s computer behavior. This could help improve progress in such business as it could restrict employees from accessing privet emails ect. during working hours. It could also help keep track of business records, and use of software which could cut company costs. There are however has a negative effects one being the issue of the company invading their employees privacy. Another is the security of the employees information and how well it is protected from the public. There is also the issue of the company being able to use some of your privet information against you and this leads to the issue of people vs. machine.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
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