Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
created at will using simple GUI-based tools to target as many dif-
ferent platforms and vulnerabilities as the author desires. The advan-
tage of desirable diversity within layers of security will be addressed
later in this topic, but diversity alone will not automatically improve
platform and application security—it simply complicates patch
management efforts and slows large-scale disaster recovery efforts.
Enterprise Information Management
It is important to understand the purpose of enterprise information
management and enterprise information architecture so that its value
becomes apparent during budgetary planning. Without executive buy-in
and support, enterprise architects will find themselves in the unenviable
position of being asked to work miracles while being held accountable
for even the most minor glitches, all without a budget to meet an ever-
growing swell of requirements that information technologies present. In
Chapter 4 we will address the value gained from architectural planning
in greater detail. Here, it is enough to know that even the best plan will
fail if it cannot be conveyed to stakeholders and sponsors. The architect
must be not only the designer of a cohesive vision but also the herald of its
virtues, to avoid being simply swept under the rug.
Sell the Value of Information
Without a comprehensive effort to plan and organize available data, an
organization risks far more than simply losing data on a client, patient, or
other person of interest. Poorly constructed information architectures can
create barriers that oppose efforts to identify data already present, while
siloed architectures that segregate resources in an undesirable manner
can prevent data mining, data sharing, and other value-added capabilities
of well-considered plans. Information has value as a strategic resource,
because operations can come to an abrupt halt without this information.
The loss of e-mail for a few hours can shut down a business for the day,
while the loss of Web services can cost many thousands of dollars every
minute for organizations that depend on Web access for product sales.
Companies such as Amazon, eBay, and Google are all good examples
of organizations that depend on network availability simply to conduct
