Information Security Program Survey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Information Security Program Survey - Essay Example As described in its website, VA is one of the world’s largest consolidated IT organizations and the department’s Office of Information Technology has a $3.1 billion budget for the current fiscal period. The organization operates nearly 800 community based outpatient clinics and 152 medical centers. In addition, it possesses over, 300,000 desktop computers, 30,000 laptop computers, and roughly 450,000 email accounts (CRISP). Recently, the VA has implemented the Continuous Readiness in Information Security Program (CRISP) to enhance the privacy of information about Veterans and their families. This information security program greatly fits the VA’s FY 2010-2014 strategic plan because this program notably contributes to value optimization and stakeholder satisfaction. However, the organization has been performing poorly in major information security control areas for long years. This issue has limited the performance efficiency of the CRISP to a certain extent. The costs and benefits of the CRISP development and execution are yet to be known. VA’s Strategic Plan The VA strives to be people-centric, result-driven, and forward looking (VA strategic plan). All operations of the department are directed towards promoting the wellbeing of Veterans and their families. ... It also aims to meet Veteran client satisfaction by delivering improved ‘health, education, training, counseling, financial, and burial benefits and services’. Another key objective of FY 2010-2014 strategic plan is to improve the willingness to deliver services and to protect people and their properties on a continuous basis, and particularly in times of crises. Finally, this strategic plan also strives to â€Å"improve internal customer satisfaction with management systems and support services to achieve mission performance and make VA an employer of choice by investing in human capital† (VA strategic plan). Information security program The VA has established the Continuous Readiness in Information Security Program (CRISP) by coalescing different information security initiatives. The major purpose of this program is to strengthen the security of information about Veterans, particularly health care records. This information security program is characterized with â€Å"unannounced audits, surveys, and self-assessments† (CRISP). The department claims that this program is very effective to ensure the confidentiality of sensitive information about Veterans. Actually, CRISP began as an initiative to ensure the department’s 334,000 employees 100 percent comply with mandatory security and privacy awareness training. The CRISP is completely in line with the department’s â€Å"long-standing security policies, including the provision of consistent, centralized training on IT security, records security, and privacy awareness†. The most part of the training is based on internet. In addition to following the traditional policies, the

Smoking Cessation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Smoking Cessation - Research Paper Example Some other things that the author did was making observations in the field, which included paying close attention to the conversation between the patients and the nurses, making observation of the signs that were placed within the walls of the wards that were in relation with the tobacco restrictions as well as taking of notes of resources that addressed cessation. Some of the documents that were collected during this study included; patient care forms, admission forms, referral forms, and patient’s referral materials. Areas like designated smoking zones were also observed and further photographed. At some point, unstructured questionnaires were presented to the nurses, which lasted for between 10 to 30 minutes. The ethnographic analysis used a process known as non-linear inductive. This included sorting, coding, theorizing as well as reflection upon analytic process. The data set in this study included documents, hand recorded conversation, field notes as well as the photographs that were captured designated smoking zones. At first, several data sets were reviewed. After that, the data was coded with the help of key concepts that facilitated retrieval as well s comparison between two sites. Other more reviews were conducted, which was then used to conceptualize the whole concept. The use of conversation in observation presents some bias. This is because the individuals involved in the process may assume different roles when they realize that they are being studied. This is one of the challenges that the ethnographer faced while collecting data. Taking of photos presented a good opportunity for the ethnographer to find the information they needed in their natural setting. Use of unstructured questionnaire was a good attribute to ensure that the qualitative analysis was conclusively done. The ethnographer noted that while the nurses were talking about tobacco in hospital environment, struggle was made to make

New Humanism in Architecture Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

New Humanism in Architecture - Research Proposal Example   Working with Nature to create architectural statements is possible as shown by the students at the University of Maryland. The students won the second place at the Solar Decathlon in 2007 with their â€Å"Leaf House,† a home with a roofline resembling a leaf and an indoor waterfall that provides a liquid desiccant. (DCraig, 2007) In New Paltz, Net-zero home (Schoenfeld, 2011) BOLDER Architecture designed the first zero-net energy development using â€Å"photovoltaic-solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling, combined with insulated concrete form walls, triple pane glass, and heat recovery ventilators† (Toder, 2006). Unlike the Leaf House which was designed specifically for a contest, these homes in New Paltz are already occupied. Contrary to the insights of the Manifesto: Towards A New Humanism In Architecture, BOLDER Architecture has â€Å"dared to act† (Toder, 2006) and as a consequence has created homes of the future. At present, there exist visually -pleasing structures which are also eco-friendly. These buildings and homes are recognized by both public and private award-giving organizations for their beauty and their energy-saving features. This only proves that architects can remain true to their calling of creating aesthetically appealing buildings and make these beneficial to the society and environment. Toward a Human Architecture: A Sociologist’s View of the Profession Through time, buildings have been a part of society because architects consult with men to come up with structures that often make—must make—a statement. At times, the resulting structures turn out to be contrary to what was envisioned by the client. As architect Bob Borson has written, he had been fired from a project â€Å"for not listening†. (Borson, 2010) This kind of dilemma is exactly why sociologist Herbert Gans (1993) suggests that architects should start building with their client’s needs in mind. Indeed, society appreciates a building with a unique architectural design. Not only does it make the place visually appealing but it also helps establish the architect in the field. Will Alsop knows that well, struggling to create himself a name which is now synonymous to magnificent structures in Peckham Library (Greer, 2007) the United Kingdom. In his works, Alsop lets his imagination run even if the outcome is not something that the public may want. (Worsley, 2002) This makes for buildings that have a high aesthetic value but may not be functional and comfortable for the people using these structures. Another architect whose works aim to be visually appealing is Odile Decq. Her take on the Shanghai Information Center is indeed a striking mixture of straight lines and triangles. Looking at the structure though makes one wonder if each space inside serves a purpose and can be utilized. Shanghai Info. Center (Decq, 2011) It has been said that an architect, like a painter or a sculptor, creates beau ty.

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist - Essay Example Despite its best-selling nature and general acclaim, then, Coelhos story a young boy and his "Personal Legend" (22) does not make a compelling argument. This is because, when faced with scrutiny in the form of looking at the larger universe outside his novel, Coelhos notion of a purposeful and benevolent universe does not work. The Alchemist starts with its protagonist, a young shepherd named Santiago living a simple life in the hills of Andalusia, in Spain. Santiago enjoys reading, and has had the same dream—one in which he is told of a great treasure—twice in a row. Most of the story is about his travels as he journeys to Egypt to find this treasure, and he eventually does find a chest of gold, although it turns out to have been where he was originally sleeping all along. In the epilogue, we see Santiago, now a rich man, happy not only from his new-found wealth, but from the way he has grown and the things he saw on his journey. This, we are meant to assume, is the real treasure, and it is one that ties in with the conclusion—calling it a moral might be a bit too strong—that Coelho builds up in his story from nearly the start. Throughout the novel, Santiago is met with resistance to his dream. The leader of the bandits who attacks him tells him he needs to "learn that a man shouldnt be so stupid" (Coelho 163). After he leaves Spain he has all his money stolen in Tangiers by a man who ironically tells him that the city "is a port, and every port has its thieves" (Coelho 37). Despite these set-backs, Coelho smoothly sets up as the main premise of the novel the idea that a positive attitude and a desire for success overcomes all obstacles. This is made most explicit in the role of Melchizedek, who tells the boy the book he is reading "describes peoples inability to choose their own Personal Legends" (Coelho 18) and argues that, in fact, â€Å"when you want something, all the universe

Knowledge Economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Knowledge Economy - Essay Example A knowledge economy can exhibit itself in the interconnections between science and technology; the emphasis on creativity as critical to economic growth and competitiveness; the increasing focus on education and life-long learning; and the orientation toward investments in intangible goods and services, such as R&D, rather than fixed capital; and the rapid adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) that is providing nations greater independence as well as greater connectiveness (Archibugi & Pietrobelli, 2003). However, some contend that the expansion of knowledge economies within developing nations can also bring with it negative consequences, such as increasing the divide between developed an developing nations, and crowding in their economic development (Casanueva, 2001; Pietrobelli, 2000). This paper aims to present the argument that a knowledge economy within a developing nation can contribute to numerous negative effects on a countries economic and social development. Firstly, the positive arguments that promote the adoption of a knowledge economy by developing nations shall be presented. Secondly, the contrasting negative impact consequences to the adoption of KE shall be provided. Finally, a conclusion shall synthesise the main points of the paper and make recommendations for future research.It is generally conceded that a knowledge economy can positively contribute to the development of a nation's economic and social institutions by way of facilitating more effective goods and services production and delivery, lowering costs to public citizens (Archibugi & Pietrobelli, 2003). As such, developing nations are encouraged to adopt a knowledge economy as an efficient method for improving their competitiveness on the global marketplace, as well as alleviating their wel fare needs. In order to effectively incorporate a knowledge economy it is necessary for developing nations to capitalize on their economic and social strengths, and also to plan appropriately on how to invest in human capital, social institutions, technology and innovative and competitive businesses (Kuznetzov & Sabel, 2003). Countries such as Chile, Ireland, Malaysia and Korea are portrayed as success stories of countries, which have incorporated a knowledge economy into their social and political value systems (Kuzetzov & Sabel, 2003). Increasingly, science-based products and services are being incorporated into world trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) of multinational corporations to facilitate innovation globally, and cooperation across the boarders of scientific and technological research and development (Narula & Sadowski, 2002). Less developed countries are able to benefit from the increasing flow of knowledge if they are able to implement active policies that focus on enhancing learning opportunities and improving access to new knowledge and technology (Archibugi & Pietrobelli, 2003). Additionally, the opportunity to participate in the 'brain circulation' of open migration of people and their knowledge across boarders provides job prospects and educational experiences that prepare the LDC citizen to participate in a global workforce (Kuznetsov & Sabel, 2003).Additionally, a study investigating indicators that represent knowledge within 92 nations, during the period

Nursing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Nursing - Research Paper Example The stages of change can be accounted for by using the following measures or constructs: decisional balance and self-efficacy or temptations. The former construct mirrors the person’s reflection of the advantages and disadvantages of the behavior (â€Å"Transtheoretical Model,† n.d.). It involves grouping together different categories of pros and cons, and deliberating which among the two groups is deemed more important. Plotting of the results in a line graph will demonstrate that the perceived value of a pro or a con will have changed over time, depending on the stage of change that the person is at. The self-efficacy, or temptation, construct on the other hand, depicts the co-worker’s confidence to cope with the stresses associated with the behavioral change; or the temptation to fall back to old habits (â€Å"Transtheoretical Model,† n.d.). When plotted in a graph, data will show that self-efficacy increases, while temptation decreases, as the person p rogresses through the succeeding stages of change. By using this model, change of habits and behaviors will be more effective since change is voluntary. Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior The Theory of Reasoned Action proposes that â€Å"...the immediate determinant of behavior is intention...† (Kohler, Grimley, & Reynolds, 1999, p. 25). ... Subjective norm, on the other hand, is influenced by the approval or disapproval of the behavior by people important to the person. If washing hands gain a seal of approval from a child’s mother, then the child will have the strong intent to perform the act. A new modification of the aforementioned theory is the Theory of Planned Behavior; it adds an additional factor--perceived behavioral control, to the list that influences behavioral intention (Kohler, Grimley, & Reynolds, 1999, p. 27). Perceived behavioral control refers to the person’s perception of the barriers and resources that can aid or impede the performance of the behavior. Perceived difficulties can have a negative effect on intention, whereas resources can induce a positive effect. By employing these theories in the prevention of infection in the health care setting, the nurse will be able to identify the different beliefs that affect practices in infection control; and educate proper techniques, as well a s correct false notions, so as to focus behavioral intention on proper infection-prevention activities. The most encouraging messages are those that highlight the decline of incidence of infection, as well as the assurance of protection from harm (Kohler, Grimley, & Reynolds, 1999, p. 28). Use of Katharine Kolcaba’s Theory of Comfort The foundation of nursing practice, hence nursing theories, came into being in the late 1950s. Before this time, theories applied in nursing were borrowed from other disciplines. In order to affirm its relevance as a profession and to couple nursing art with evidence-based practice, a set of theories were established to support and prove the practicability, as well as the applicability of different nursing interventions. The

Systems Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Systems Development - Essay Example Different steps get used in order to achieve a successful system conversion and most crucial to give it a reasonable approach in trying to achieve the best out of it (Bernard, 2004). The first step in this is the planning, and this is the understanding of the whole system and its organization. This follows the analysis, and this is the identifying and predicting any potential problems that may rise, in the future in the system. The third phase is the design, and this determine show the system operates and the user interface involved. Also, known as the system environment, and it mostly deals with the internal structures of the system (Gautier, 2005). The last phase and the most crucial are the implementation phase which is time consuming of all. This stage includes activities like the user training and system maintenance. The best example in this is the plunge where it gets applied in the school. In this system, different phases used to combine information from different sources. Data can be sent to different members of the staff all at once by use of the data-centered approach. Programs can be edited before they get sent to the workers (Lorain, 2008). For example in my school, the SDLC used to analyze the fee statement for the students by grouping the data into one sheet. On the other hand, the data can be manipulated and shared by use of different user interfaces. The other example is the parallel method that makes use of the adaptive approach technique. In the initial stages, the data get tabulated after which the information get extracted from the raw data. This is possible by use of the object-oriented approach (OOA) which helps in maintaining accuracy in the data manipulation. The parallel method has extensively been used in my school, in the learning process the students can easily access the notes from the teacher through some codes installed already in the computer systems (Lorain, 2008). In