Investigate a range of remediation techniques
Where, why, when for 2 different ones
'systematic enquiry'
Have a look at 2 and describe them with an example.
Assessment
Report
Remediation techniques, for example:
• patch
• replace or decommission
• air gap
• upgrade/migrate
• transfer the risk
Think of remediation techniques like fixing issues with a car. If something's wrong, you have several options to make sure it runs smoothly again. Here's a breakdown of these techniques:
Purpose: This is like patching up a tire. If there's a small hole, you don't necessarily need a new tire—you can just patch it up. In terms of software or systems, a patch is a piece of code added to an existing program to fix a vulnerability.
When to Use: Use this method for small problems that don't require you to change the whole system, much like you wouldn't replace an entire tire for a small puncture.
Purpose: Sometimes the issue is so big that a patch won't do. Imagine your car's engine is old and keeps breaking down. At this point, it might be best to replace the engine or get a new car. In tech terms, you'd replace old hardware or decommission systems that are too risky to keep running.
When to Use: Use this method when the system or hardware is so outdated or problematic that it poses a constant risk, much like driving an old, unreliable car.
Purpose: This is like taking your car off the road to ensure it won't get into an accident. An air gap isolates a system from the network, physically disconnecting it from other systems, so it can't be accessed remotely.
When to Use: If you have highly sensitive data or systems that should never be exposed to the outside world, an air gap might be the right solution. It's like locking your car in a garage and never driving it, to make absolutely sure it won't get scratched.
Purpose: Think of this as trading in your old car for a newer model with better safety features. Upgrading or migrating means moving to a more advanced system that's less likely to have vulnerabilities.
When to Use: When the system is starting to show its age but isn't completely out of commission, an upgrade could extend its life and improve security, just like a new car model can offer advanced safety features.
Purpose: Sometimes you can't or don't want to deal with the risk yourself. Imagine if you hired a professional driver because you didn't want to risk driving in heavy traffic. In a business context, you might take out insurance or outsource a particular service to another company that can manage the risk better.
When to Use: If dealing with the risk in-house is too complicated or costly, transferring it to another party may be a good option. It's like hiring that professional driver when you're not comfortable navigating through heavy traffic yourself.
Each of these remediation techniques has its own set of pros and cons, and the best one to use depends on the specific situation. It's all about assessing what's most suitable, much like you'd assess whether to patch a tire, replace an engine, or even get a new car altogether.
When you're managing an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) help desk, there might come a time when you have to decide between replacing or decommissioning certain systems or tools. This is a critical decision, often dictated by a variety of factors. Here's how you can think about it, in terms high school students might easily grasp:
Outdated Technology: If the software or hardware is so old that it can't keep up with current demands, replacing it with a newer version could be beneficial.
High Maintenance Costs: Sometimes, it’s more costly to keep fixing an old system than to just buy a new one.
Lack of Support: If the manufacturer no longer provides support or updates, you could be at risk for security breaches.
Business Needs: Maybe the help desk system no longer serves the needs of the company or the kind of queries it gets. A more modern system might offer better features like chat support, ticket tracking, or automated responses.
Low Usage: If the system is not being used much, maintaining it can be a waste of resources.
Merged Functions: Sometimes two or more systems can do the same thing, so you keep the better one and decommission the other.
Budget Constraints: If there’s not enough money to replace a system, decommissioning it might be the only option, especially if it's not essential.
Security Risks: Older systems that can't be updated might pose security risks that outweigh their utility.
Evaluation: Assess the current state of the ICT help desk system, including its pros and cons.
Consult Stakeholders: Talk to the people who use or manage the system. Their input is crucial for making an informed decision.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Weigh the costs and benefits of both replacing and decommissioning.
Plan: Once a decision is made, plan the transition carefully to minimize disruptions.
Implement: Either integrate the new system or properly shut down the old one, making sure to follow all guidelines for data preservation and security.
Review: After implementation, monitor the results to ensure that the goals of the decision are being met.
So whether you're replacing or decommissioning, the key is to make a decision that best fits the needs, budget, and future plans of your organization.