Importance of Security in Software Systems

Maintaining the security of software systems is an ongoing process.

Protecting software is necessary to provide system security. This is an ongoing task and one that keeps employees busy, since threats are always emerging and technologies are constantly changing.

Importance

Businesses store huge amounts of sensitive and critical information on their computer systems, which makes systems security vital. Also, more transactions have moved online, and businesses are relying more on applications that are part of a network.

Need for Security

Attackers, either insiders or outsiders, can threaten the security of a software system. Another threat is from the altering of e-mail messages. Someone may intercept an en route communication and alter the contents of the message. Finally, a denial-of-service threat arises when an attacker tries to deny system users access to a particular service.

Defenses

One defense against attacks is to control access to business software systems. Systems managers should have security policies in place, as well.

References

• The University of Sydney: Computer Security