Abstract
This paper examines computer security as a critical factor for the success of any corporation. The degree of crimes that can occur through computers and through the Internet are examined to prove just how serious the issue at hand is. Installing the appropriate security software on the network is costly, but the paper proves that considering the cost of having a hacker access the corporation's plans, financial records, and/or the credit card numbers of customers, it is well worth the price.

From the Paper
"Cyberterorrism, information warfare, and economic espionage are looked into to prove the disasters that could be awaiting corporations and governments worldwide. Cyberspace is the latest arena for crime; and hacking is one of those crimes. Several examples are given, as well as "a group of hackers testified before Congress stating that better security is needed because a sophisticated hacker could disable the global network in less than 30 minutes and keep it that way for days. A Swedish hacker jammed the 911 emergency phone system in Florida. A Russian hacker transferred $3.7 million from Citibank in New York to numerous accounts around the world. Teenage hackers broke into the Pentagon's computer system and took software that is used to track military satellites. A hacker altered phone switches so that calls placed to a phone-sex line in New York were routed to a Florida county probation department""

Tags:technology, firewalls, hackers, cyberterrorism, security, crime, internet

Abstract
This paper explains that the computer security software, which is a sector within the systems software industry, is relatively robust even in this economic downturn. The author analyzes the computer security industry by reviewing the external environment and the strategic groups, by using a six-segment analysis and a Porter's five forces analysis and by an extensive firm analysis comparing Symantec versus McAfee. The paper concludes that McAfee has been better able to build new products and to operate more efficiently than Symantec and therefore will win in future. The author includes 20 exhibits, which are integrated into the paper. The paper uses endnotes instead of a bibliography.

Table of Contents:
Computer Security Industry
Industry Analysis - The External Environment
Six-segment Analysis
Porter's Five Forces Analysis
Strategic Groups
Firm analysis: Symantec vs. McAfee
Corporate-Level Strategy
Business-Level Strategy
Core Competences Analysis
Competitor Analysis: Symantec vs. McAfee
Strategy and Structure
Conclusion
Appendix
Exhibit 1: "Malware on the Rise"
Exhibit 2: Herfindahl Index for Security Software
Exhibit 3: Herfindahl Index for Security Suites in the U.S. Retail Market
Exhibit 4: Worldwide Security Software Revenue and Market Share Estimates (millions of U.S. Dollars)
Exhibit 5: Symantec's Financial Statements of Last 10 Years
Exhibit 6: McAfee, Inc. Financial Statements of Last 10 Years
Exhibit 7: Six Segment Analysis - Key Threats and Opportunities to Profits for the Computer Security Industry
Exhibit 8: Porter's Five Forces Analysis (Attractiveness of the Computer Security Industry)
Exhibit 9: Strategic Map of the Security Software Industry
Exhibit 10: History of Events at Symantec and McAfee
Exhibit 11: McAfee's and Symantec's Revenue, Net Income, and Net Profit Margins from 1998 - 2007
Exhibit 12: Locations of Symantec's (A - Cupertino, CA) and McAfee's (B - Santa Clara, CA) Headquarters, Eight Miles Apart from Each Other
Exhibit 13: Selection of Symantec's Offerings
Exhibit 14: Selection of McAfee's Product Offerings in the Home and Home Office and Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMB) Customer Segments
Exhibit 15: McAfee Products and Categories
Exhibit 16: Core Competence Analysis Using the VRI Framework for Symantec
Exhibit 17: Core Competence Analysis Using the VRI Framework for McAfee
Exhibit 18: Symantec's Organization (Author's Interpretation of Available Information)
Exhibit 19: McAfee's Organization
Exhibit 20: Relative Stock-Price Performance of SYMC and MFE, Compared with S&P 500 (December 8, 2003 to December 8, 2008)

From the Paper
"In 2003, Microsoft made the tough strategic commitment of announcing the launch of a security suite. It took Microsoft three years when it finally launched its antivirus Live OneCare product in May 2006, a software suite that combined security features with PC utilities for $49.95 per year and designed to go heads on against Symantec and McAfee. This action by Microsoft was a strategic complement, as it caused McAfee to response in kind with the launch of Total Protection and Virus Scan Plus (both offered for $39.99), and Symantec with Norton 360 ($79.99) several months later."

Tags:norton, herfindahl index, extraordinary profits, differentiate, core competence

Abstract
The paper discusses how our society is dependent on information technology as it relates to the economy, our defenses and our government and it is these technologies that also make the country more vulnerable. The paper examines Department of Defense (DOD) Laws and discusses the Computer Security Act, as well as the laws built upon this act. The paper looks at the Patriot Act, which many believe has played a role in making the nation more secure by allowing certain surveillance of electronic communications.

Outline:
Introduction
Securing Computer Systems: Computer Security Act of 1987
Federal Information Security Act of 2002
The Patriot Act
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Computer Security has long been a concern for the society in which we live. Businesses, education systems, and governmental agencies all rely on computers for day-to-day operations (Bielski, 2005). Indeed as a society we are extremely dependent upon information technology as it relates to the economy, our defenses and our government. Although these technologies assist in ensuring that many functions in our nation run smoothly, these technologies also make the country more vulnerable. The technology that is available to us today through networks and the internet has made the economy and the society extremely global."

Tags:terrorism, surveillance, e-mail, Internet, high, power, encryption

Abstract
This paper describes and analyzes a scenario wherein a technician receives an alert from the computer Intrusion Detection System (IDS) informing him or her that someone is attempting to connect repeatedly to one of his company's computer ports. The paper further explains that whilst the technician is sitting at his or her terminal absorbing this information, the mouse pointer begins to move around on its own. The paper notes that a correct response is imperative and the paper further outlines what that response should be.

From the Paper
"The following paper will briefly consider a scenario wherein a technician receives an alert from the computer IDS (Intrusion Detection System) informing him or her that someone is attempting to connect repeatedly to port 3389 of the computer at 192.168.2.124; whilst the technician is sitting at his or her terminal absorbing this information, the mouse pointer begins to move around on its own. Needless to say, a correct response is imperative and the next few pages will outline what that response should be. To start with, the mental approach should be as follows - according to..."

Tags:risk, management, security

Abstract
Computer security is vitally important to the success of any 21st century firm. However the integrity of computer security has been greatly compromised in recent years and hackers have found creative ways to invade computer systems. This paper assesses the threats faced by internet vendors and the solutions available to them which enables them to better meet their overall business goals and strategies. It also discusses the security status of several vendors, including www.requisite.com, www.ariba.com and www.trade-ranger.com.

From the Paper
"In addition, many organizations have adapted business strategies for which a secure wireless LAN is essential. Such organizations may endeavor to allow employees to telecommute (work from home). The possibility of being able to work from home is an attractive prospect for many employees. However, it creates an additional network security problem for most employers. If organizations want to offer this option to employees they must be certain that the network is secure and minimize the capabilities of hackers."

Tags:wireless, LAN, AirDefense

Abstract
This paper discusses computer security and its importance for organizations. The paper presents an information security strategic plan or "defense plan" as an overview of what needs to be done for any organization dependent on information technology as a business driver. The paper presents a case study of Commerce Bank and how they handled a breach in security.

Table of Contents:
The Hacking that was Thwarted
Managing the Risk
Defending the Network and the System
Information Security Policies
Assessment of Publicly Accessible Resources and Network Probing
Iinternal Security Assessment
Tools for Ongoing Defense
Third-party Audit and Assessment
Physical Security Assessment
Security Logs Analysis
Information Security Training and Awareness
IT Governance as Part of Executive Managment Responsibilities
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Commerce Bank is indeed lucky because as a result of good corporate governance and an information security methodology in place, no great harm was done. By immediately informing customers of what went on, the level of awareness was promoted thereby any attempt by the hackers to use the data for other nefarious activities will not be fruitful because those are already flagged by the law enforcement agencies especially the FBI. Information security was proven in this case to be a matter not only for the affected organization but community and society as well. From beginning to the end, clear lines of reporting and controls were defined that mitigated the risk at its onset. The information security strategic plan or simply "defense plan" presented in this paper is an overview of what needs to be done not only for the bank but any organization dependent on information technology as a business driver."

Tags:hacker, IT, database, fraud

Abstract
The first part of the paper looks at the main threats to computer security, both at home and in larger networks. These include hackers and infected files. The next part then discusses the steps computer users need to take to protect themselves from such attacks, from simple steps such as periodically changing passwords to installing elaborate firewalls.

From the Paper
"Breaches in computer security usually take the form of infected files. The most basic of these infected files is the "virus," a string of computer code programmed to replicate itself. Most viruses enter one's computer through e-mail attachments. However, viruses can also be spread through Web pages (Evarts). Similar to the virus, the "trojan" often appears an e-mail attachment with a misleading title. Users unwittingly launch the trojan when they click on the attachment (Evarts). Often, the trojan also launches the computer's e-mail program, sending itself as an attachment to all the e-mail addresses in a user's address book."

Tags:trojan, virus, firewall

From the Paper
"There is a rising trend for organizations to consider computer security more seriously than they have done in the past. As a result, organizations have begun to integrate computer security into their Information Resource Plans. The increased attention to computer security is not without substantial purpose. The United States Department of Justice reports that, over the past decade, the use of computers and advanced communication techniques for business and industrial purposes has radically altered the traditional means by which business is conducted. These changes have led to the creation of an environment in which white-collar abuse of fiscal trust and responsibility can result in unusually large losses to both organizations, their clients, and individual ... "

Abstract
This paper describes and analyzes various methods of computer encryption that are used to protect data as it traverses the Internet. The author describes how data and information packets going through cyberspace are susceptible to interception and compromise. Several programs that protect data are described, including DES, RSA, AES, Blowfish and ECC. The author reviews these packages, and concludes that despite the availability of several cryptosystems in the market, security should still be based on the needs of the situation

From the Paper
"Aside from DES and RSA, other crypto solutions are Blowfish, ECC and AES. Blowfish is a block cipher using 32 to 448 bits long keys. The data blocks go through 16 rounds of cryptographic functions (Staron and Adams, 2001) and the technique was designed by Bruce Schneier "to be immune to linear and differential cryptanalysis (Staron and Adams, 2001)." Ellipse Curve Cryptosystems (ECC) is similar to RSA in terms of providing both digital signature and encryption. By using properties of elliptic curves, ECC "provide ways of constructing groups of elements and specific rules on how the elements within these groups combine. One differing factor of ECC is its efficiency since it could work with limited processing capacity, storage supply, and bandwidth (Harris, 2003)," which makes it a good solution for wireless and mobile technologies."

Tags:computer security encryption Internet DES, RSA, AES, Blowfish ECC

Abstract
The paper explores IKON, a clothing store that has 227 unique locations as of 2002, and that generated $650 million in sales during that period. The paper relates that the store decided to expand its online sales channel and in so doing exposed itself to the online data security risks that all online retailers and online service providers are exposed to. The paper discusses how enterprise network security and related security policies are absolutely crucial to keep corporate data and intelligence safe from unwanted intruders as well as customer data safe from hackers, as in the case of IKON. The paper highlights how when deploying large scale enterprise networks in a big organization like IKON, computer network security has become one of the key areas to be focused upon.

From the Paper
"IKON is a clothing store that has 227 unique locations as of 2002 and that generated $650 million in sales during that period. The store decided to expand its online sales channel and in so doing exposed itself to the online data security risks that all online retailers and online service providers are exposed to. Enterprise network security and related security policies are absolutely crucial to keep corporate data and intelligence safe from unwanted intruders as well as customer data safe from hackers, as in the case of IKON. While deploying large scale enterprise networks in..."

Tags:ikon, network, security