Isabela State University-Main Campus

San Fabian, Echague, Isabela

COMPUTER SECURITY, AND SAFETY, ETHICS,

AND PRIVACY
~CHAPTER SUMMARY~

Topic 7:
What types of devices are available to protect computers against system failure?

In partial fulfillment of the

Requirements for

GEC ELEC ACCTY-Living in the IT Era

_________________________________________

Students:

Queen Leslie D. Palac

Jacqueline L. Ortega

Harijah Zohaila Gonzales

Precious KC B. Figuracion

Almira S. Ramoran

Instructor:

Darios B. Alado

College of Business Accountancy and Public Administration

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Abstract

A system failure can occur as a result of a hardware failure or a serious software

problem, leading the system to freeze, reboot, or stop working entirely. An error message
may or may not appear on the screen as a result of a system failure. The computer might shut
down without warning or error message. On Windows systems, an error message is
frequently presented as a Blue Screen of Death error. A hard drive with faulty sectors can
cause system failures by preventing the operating system from reading data from the hard
disk. Because the computer is unable to handle requests or operate in general, a failed
motherboard might result in a system failure. Because the computer cannot run if the CPU is
not working properly or at all, a defective processor can and generally causes a system
failure. Because the operating system is unable to access data stored on the RAM chip, a
faulty RAM chip might cause system problems. If a software fault, such as a defective line of
code, is serious enough, system breakdowns can occur. The system failure and consequent
computer shutdown are an attempt to protect other software and the operating system from
harm. But nevertheless, there are these devices that could keep our computers from the threat
of system failures. With the aid of these devices or systems, system failure can be eradicated,
lessen or can be avoid.

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DISCUSSION

 Define system failure

o A system failure can occur because of a hardware failure or a severe software issue,
causing the system to freeze, reboot, or stop functioning altogether. A system failure
may or may not result in an error being displayed on the screen. 
o A system failure is the prolonged malfunction of a computer.

 What are the causes of system failure in computers?

o Poor development practices
 As a cause of system failure, poor development practices are one of the most
significant. This is due to the complex nature of modern software. The
experience of the Pentagon's National Reconnaissance Office provides an
example of bad development techniques leading to system failure (NRO).
Inadequate testing of the Titan IV rocket's delivery mechanism. Two Titan
rockets were lost, implying that the United States will be without important
military weapons. Early warning satellites, which were part of the
government's defense program, were unable to be deployed. This
malfunction, according to the chief of the N.R.O., was caused by "a missed
decimal point" in the software that controlled the rocket.

o Incorrect assumptions with regards to system requirements

 Software engineers, as well as the organization that requires the software
system, may make incorrect assumptions. So, what can happen as a result of
erroneous assumptions? Many issues might arise as a result of the
development team's incorrect assumptions. The experience of the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission is an example of this issue producing serious
problems.

o Poor user interface

 A poor user interface may cause significant problems for users of the system
and thus greatly increase the likelihood of those users introducing to the
system data for example that causes system failure. In accounting software
for example a single mistake due to poor user interface may cause an invoice
to be sent to someone in the wrong currency or may turn what is supposed to
be an invoice into a credit note. While not major problems, usually, data that
is erroneous may make the system fail. The U.S. General Accounting Office
after reviewing for many years the federal computer systems has said, “Data
problems are primarily attributable to the user abuse of computer systems.”
It then categorized the causes of these errors into six areas the first of which
was “Forms designed and used for input preparation are too complex.” This
information obtained from a book by William Perry shows that overly

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complex user interfaces is one of the biggest factors in data errors in the
computer systems of the US government.

o Faulty hardware
 Faulty hardware is a problem that can cause severe system failure. It is also
one that is hard to guard against. This factor is however an important one
that should be given due consideration along with the more common
software errors. An example of a hardware error in a system can be found in
the experience of the Wide Field Infrared Explorer (WIRE) spacecraft
operated by NASA. The failure of the system caused the WIRE to enter an
uncontrolled 60-RPM spin within 48 hours of its launch. This dramatic
failure of the system was due to faulty hardware components. Although not
under the responsibility of the software developers’ faulty hardware should
be taken into consideration when designing the systems so as to try and
minimize the impact of the failure. Hardware failure is not as likely to occur
as software faults but can be as damaging.

o Inadequate user training/user error

 This factor is an important contributor to system failure. If a user is
improperly trained then the likelihood of them making serious errors is
increased due to their lack of knowledge of the system. Failures due to a lack
of training should not be thought of as an error due to the individual operator
as is likely with a poorly designed user interface, but as a mistake by the
management. A person who makes a mistake should not be reprimanded for
it if they have not been trained to deal with it. In the report by the U.S.
General Accounting Office quoted by Perry (1989) the conclusion is that
improved training of the end users will significantly reduce system failures
and improve the integrity of data stored on the computer systems.

o Poor fit between systems and organization

 A poor fit between the system and the organization can lead to various
problems. A poor fit between a system and an organization occurs when
either the software developers or the entity requesting the software solution,
do not grasp the full spectrum of tasks the new system will need to deal with.
An example of this is the asylum system in this country, which is currently
undergoing a major transformation in its system, there is a large shortfall
between what is required by the system and what is actually available. In the
example of the asylum system the purpose of the system, to provide ports
access to home office files is discounted for half of all the ports as reported
by Travis (1999). This Poor fit is thus making the system that is supposed to
be operating on a national scale, be available for only around half of the
ports which it needs to be operating in to be effective. Thus due to this
failure the scope of the project is significantly diminished. This failure and
other flaws revealed in the report by FT management consultants from which
Travis quotes, could cause the British tax payer an additional five hundred
million pounds.

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 Different electrical disturbances

o Noise
 It is any unwanted signal, usually varying quickly, that is mixed with the
normal voltage entering the computer. Noise is caused by external devices
such as fluorescent lightning, radios, and televisions, as well as by
components within the computer itself. Noise is generally is not a risk to
hardware, software or data. Computer power supplies, however, do filter out
noise.

o Under voltage
 It occurs when the electrical supply drops. An under voltage occurs when the
voltage drops, often defined as more than five percent, below the normal
volts. A brownout is a prolonged (more than a minute) under voltage. A
blackout is complete power failure. Under voltages can cause data loss but
generally do not cause equipment damage.

o Overvoltage or power surge

 It occurs when the incoming electrical power increases, often defined as
more than five percent, above the normal volts. A momentary overvoltage,
which is called a spike, occurs when the increase in power lasts for less than
one millisecond. Uncontrollable disturbances such as lightning bolts can
cause spikes. Overvoltage can cause immediate and permanent damage to
hardware.

 Devices that are available to protect computers from system failure

o To protect against electrical power variation you need to use a surge protector. A
surge protector use special electrical components to smooth out the monitor noise,
provides a stable current flow and prevent the overvoltage from reaching the
computer and other electronic equipment. It’s recommended that you replace your
surge protector very two or three years.
o An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is a device that contains surge protection
circuits and one or more batteries that can provide power during a temporary or
permanent loss of power. A UPS connects between a computer and a power supply.
o To prevent against data loss caused by system failure, computer users should back up
files regularly. A backup is a duplicate of a file, program or disk that can be used if
the original disk is lost, damaged or destroyed. To back a file means to make a copy
of it in case of system failure. You restore the files by coping the backed up files to
their original location on the computers.

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REFERENCES

 https://computershields.wordpress.com/2014/09/24/what-type-of-devices-are-available-
to-protect-computers-from-system-failure/
 https://www.benmeadowcroft.com/reports/systemfailure/
 https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/systemfa.htm

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