Technology - Software Security Lacking in Face of Deadlines :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

Software Security Lacking in Face of Deadlines Abstract: This paper illustrates a moral dilemma regarding security measures of software releases. The presence of malicious hackers throughout the globe today is a practical reality; robust secure code ought to be a strong priority for software companies. However, faced with complications regarding deadline issues, language issues, security continues to pose problems with software today. Software companies must ultimately make a decision between balancing security robustness and commercial viability of their products. A cooperative effort by software companies and users to promote responsible and intelligent usage of products can lead to more security. In today’s rapidly expanding computer world, growing demands for functionality under shorter time frames have become common place. Software growth has also provided newer economic rewards and possibilities for many companies. As software has become more pervasive in function and usage, security problems regarding the products has become a real issue. Viruses, worms, and hackers have become more dangerous as computers have become more connected and require more complex software. Software, unfortunately, will always be subject to flaws and bugs. Software coding is a distinctly human process and hence subject to human error. It is precisely such errors prevalent within crucial software that can be exploited by malicious individuals. The presence of such hackers is an unwelcome and unfortunate reality; it is the responsibility therefore, of software creators to take into account potential security risks in creating their products. However, reducing security risks mean s more resources and time spent in a product. For commercial companies, the dilemma exists between providing a safe product and protecting their bottom line. Nonetheless, practical solutions exist for providing security to the software user, involving responsible usage from the user as well as an informative approach from the software companies. In taking a wide overview of the computer world today, it is very easy to identify possible security risks. Especially in a connected network of worldwide computers, the limitless stream of bytes and data may invite viruses and hackers into any one single computer. According to PC Magazine Online, â€Å"Intel execs say the computer industry is lagging in support of data-security initiatives.†1 The difficulty lies sometimes in predicting areas of security weakness. Sometimes seemingly secure code may be subject to innovative attacks which can compromise security.