Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
prove too difficult for individuals with physically disabling conditions to
operate, while public-facing applications may be unusable by some con-
sumers if they do not support assistive screen-reading technologies such
as Jaws and WindowsEyes. Additional meta-tag information for images
and text-alternative versions of public-facing websites are also common
requirements that must be included in enterprise architectural planning,
to ensure that future-state solutions will be in compliance.
Managing Risk
Formal business continuity, disaster recovery, and continuity of operations
planning and management skills are vital when architecting an extended
enterprise network. Risk control and management starts with the low-
est levels of operational readiness, such as power, telecom, and network
availability. This planning includes technical considerations such as data
center management solutions and technology replacement agreements, as
well as physical security and data center planning measures.
Applying Formal Risk Management Practices
Many of the “alphabet soup” legislative articles include regulations that
affect business continuity requirements for certain industries and settings,
while operational guidelines may add to the complexity of risk manage-
ment mandates. Selection of primary vendors with an established track
record and future-state viability will factor into implementation plan-
ning, while emergency contact procedures and backup site testing may
require the introduction of new solutions during an enterprise modern-
ization project. A formal risk management process is necessary for every
technology, service, or datum deemed critical to organizational opera-
tions. Performance of a formal risk review and creation of the risk register
should be implemented early in the project planning process and updated
regularly to address emerging issues identified during further planning
and implementation efforts.
Note:
A trait known as risk homeostasis can act to reduce the effect of
risk management strategies. This is the theory wherein a change made to
reduce risk can cause people to act in a more risky manner and offset the
