Posts by Katita

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  • OnPoint: MSD's Leaky Servers, in reply to Russell Clarke,

    I cringe when I hear of people blaming the business for the requirements. As a technology consultant who does a lot of requirements work, I'm working with the business to add value, not just to scribe ill-thought out blue sky wish lists

    Please let me clarify - I wasn't blaming the business. I go on to state that undoubtedly security requirements were understood and addressed. However (given my 13+years of consulting expereince) I find it plausible to believe that these items were de-scoped or given lower priority. In some cases you can scream and shout all you like, but if the governance stakeholders have a different set of priorities, then ... you can lead a horse to water.
    The real point being that a security breach of this nature is

    systemic, cultural and pervasive

    Ergo my point that even if MSD had received good advice, they may not have seen the need to follow it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • OnPoint: MSD's Leaky Servers, in reply to Katita,

    have accessed and

    ... 'assessed'

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • OnPoint: MSD's Leaky Servers, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    I work in IT, and yes this situation is FUBAR wide and deep. But when working on systems implementations you generally write requirements ... and where do those requirements come from? The business whose problem you are solving. Someone would have accessed and 'solved' the security considerations; maybe these items were given lower priority or put out of scope due to time or money ... again this would have been a business call.
    Of course the breach is massive and sickening ... but to re-iterate what others have said, this isn't an IT issue. It's systemic, cultural and pervasive in MSD.
    About 100 years ago I worked in the front office of an alcohol and drug counselling service. This was back in the day (almost) pre-computer. We double-locked all client files, never gave out client information on the phone, used first names only, shredded any document containing client data. The storage mechanism is secondary, either you understand what confidential information is and how to treat it or you don't. Apparently MSD don't.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Hard News: Christchurch: Is "quite good"…, in reply to Tim Croft,

    A planned city ... Canberra. Enough said (for anyone who has ever tried living there).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: On the possibilities of a…,

    Graeme - what about laying (new) charges against him for failing to provide the necessities of life?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Hard News: Bishop Brian: It's worse than…,

    Funnily enough it's the images of the Sallies on the front line after the Quake in Christchurch that spring to mind (don't recall seeing too many DC black shirts there). And if you're lookng for a religion that's queer, black and female friendly, without the kiddy-fiddling ... then keep looking. I certainly haven't found one that fits me, but I do have a lot of time for the work the Sallies are involved with and they are one of the few charities I give to with any regularity.

    The Maori boys at the Destiny Church conference were a bunch of fat piggies suckling at the teat of a creep with some votes for sale. What the Campbell Live segment brought home to me was that they are all political whores - should we be surprised?

    BTW - where do you think Bishop Brian finds those suits from? There was a whiff of John Rowles about the whole presentation.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Hard News: Asking for a Contribution,

    Love your work. Happy to make a donation (sorry it can't be a bit more) and like the idea of an annual whip-round.
    I consider Public Address the antedote to the TV "curent affairs" shows I end up screaming at (yeah I know there's an off button).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Hard News: And we may never meet again ...,

    I was lucky eough to see the Hoodoos in Melbourne 2009 (I was heavily pregnant at the time, which made bopping a bit precarious). They all looked SO old. Whereas I'm sure I looked as fresh-faced as I did when I first saw them an age ago at the Powerstation. Anyway - they still rocked - sung myself hoarse (even sober).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Hard News: Time to get a grip,

    Oh puhleese ... Judith was next on the List, would she accept the seat? Yes or No? Let's face it, she's a drama queen with very little to offer. She could have easily baby-sat the seat until the next election (or not). Instead she chose the high-viz approach complete with *gasp* I'll tell you my decision 'live' on Q&A.
    So she's had vitriol poured on her over the last week, yup politics is a nasty business, toughen up. It's Darren Hughes I feel sorry for. Regardless of his innocence (or not), that really has been trial by media and he's paid the ultimate cost. At least he's had the sense to shut up about it.
    As for Goff ... I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Labour girl but I truly despair of his abysmal track record as leader - the man has twatcock stamped all over him. Labour's chances in the next election leave me feeling bleak.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

  • Hard News: The First Draft,

    I wonder if (like me) the photo of Baxtor Gowland actually put people off buying the paper and/or viewing the story online? I want information not voyeurism. And although my heart goes out to his family, seeing that front page just made me feel queasy.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 67 posts Report

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