Security Risk Analysis of time in expansion of network
IT projects can be many times a daunting task to both the contracted IT Company and the clients. With some short deadlines, there is usually a small window of opportunity to present skills and produce positive results. As a network administrator, the pressure to deliver top notch and a robust system is a priority. U.S. industry Inc is just a young company that has both the quality and skills and knowledge to produce excellent work considering previous contracts that have been undertaken by the company. The US government department aims to expand its network infrastructure to enlarge the capacity and enable it provide quality services.

The cost estimation of the contract is approximately three $3 million dollars lasting for a period of six months. A network administrator’s roles include:

Ø setting up of the network

Ø Designing and planning of the network

Ø Expanding the network

Ø Network maintenance

Designing and planning of the network

a network administrator is tasked with identify the US government departments requirement that necessitates the kind of system to set up. The US department may require certain special specification of their particular network depending on its purpose and objectives. It marks the first phase of the contract.

Setting up a network

The second phase is where the physical is setting up, and configuration of the network begins. Hardware installation and files, data, routers and host configuration is done at this level. A systematic method is utilized designed by the administrator of how the network will work.

Maintain the network

it is usually the third phase that involves adding new machines to host the network, network security administration, network service administration and troubleshooting networking problems.

Expanding the network

Network expansion may involve creating an internetwork which is by connecting existing hardware to a route, Network configuration connecting computers to a telephone line, connecting a particular network to the internet and configuring the UUCP connection.

The network administrator, who is also the project leader, is required to lead his/her team to quality timely quality results. The roles of the administrator must follow the well but down guidelines and the federal laws and regulations of FISMA. There is a risk of delivering low quality results and the time of delivery that may have adverse effects of US industry Inc profits and its reputation. The risk assessments of the ramification that may arise are quite enormous. The senior management at US industry Inc will need this information as a guide to assess the risk factors involved in this project. The project may never be completed on time due to:

1. Expansion of the US government network infrastructure is one of those unique projects that require specialized high level attention. Such projects may tend to take more than the required time due to specification and to ensure quality assurance.

2. The project has a six month deadline which involves starting the project afresh. It differs to ongoing projects as it requires the teams to begin and complete the work within that period.

3. The human factor can be a reason to late projects. Humans are not prone to error and other human factors that may arise during the cause of work.

Qualitative risk assessment

it analyses the quality of the design.

On time: completion of the project on time is the expected scenario by both the US industry Inc and the US government department. The quality of the can is above board or below the agreed expectation. The six month period offers enough time to U.S. industry Inc to develop and test the network an ensure quality.

One month early: while this can be the perfect scenario, it can have major quality issues as the US industry Inc team may have rushed the project through to met deadlines but with serious quality issues.

Two months late: time is often elusive, but most IT projects require enough time to materialize. The more time can be a guarantee to quality, but the value of time lost is costly.

Quantitative risk assessment

it assesses the value in terms quantity lost in the contract within different periods of completion.

On time: completion of projects on time is set out in the contract. Time is saved, and value in terms of money is saved. Six months are enough to complete the project at the said cost of $3 million dollars.

One month early: the quantity of time is greatly saved, and the cost is saved considerably. The teams required to make deliveries within the alternating Mondays can maximize the number of hours worked and maybe save.

Two months late: additional time comes with added cost and expenses in the contract. More than $3 million dollars will be used if the project is not done within the estimated period. U.S. industry Inc will make losses of both time and money.

Security requirements

the security requirements of the US government are absolute and must be followed to the letter.

On time with required security: ensure that the project is within the US acceptable standards. The contract is followed to the letter hence achieving quality, fair cost, timely completion and required standards.

One month early with required security ensures that the record time is achieved, and cost is saved, and the security requirements are in line with the FISMA regulations.

Two months without required security are disastrous for U.S. industry Inc as it will calumniate in time, money and cancelation and rejection of the contract. U.S. industry Inc can be sued for such failures and breach of contract. Litigation often comes in charges in damages and blacklisting of the company.

The contractual commitment of service is important as it defines the relationship between U.S. industry Inc and the US government department; the client. The commitment represents the rules and procedures that are to be followed during the period of contract. Timely completion of the contract with the necessary security conditions and within the stated budget can be beneficial to U.S. industry Inc. However, the commitment of services ensures that there is a good working relationship between the contractor and client before, during and after the contract. This may lead to future misunderstanding and unfavorable working relationship. This may cause cancelation of contract and loss of more that $20 million in annual revenues. This kind of analysis helps the network administrator, and project manager show senior management the risk involved in getting in contract with the US government agency.