Page 543 - Using MIS

Q4 What Are the Security Challenges of International IS? 511

Sales
Database
Purchasing
Application Purchasing
Application Purchasing
Application

Raw Processing
Supply Materials Center Store
Inventory Inventory Inventory Inventory
Supplies & Finished Goods Goods for Sale
Raw Materials

Orders Orders Walmart Orders Walmart
Figure ID-8 Suppliers Manufacturers Processing Stores
Eliminate Bullwhip Effect with Centers
True Demand Information

Q4 What Are the Security Challenges

of International IS?

Managing international systems creates unique security challenges that derive from differences
in legal systems, physical environments, and cultural norms. These security challenges repre-
sent very real threats to an organization’s ability to operate in another country.

Legal Environment

First, differences in legal environments between countries have a direct impact on the daily op-
eration of information systems. The legal differences related to the use of encryption, distribu-
tion of content, and personal privacy protections can substantially affect international IS.
Most people are unaware that encryption is illegal or highly restricted in many countries.
Yes, you read that correctly, illegal. In Russia and China, a license is required to import or export
7
encryption products. The use of any encryption product requires a license. China requires
all wireless networks to use its own standard (WAPI). Other countries like England, India, and
Australia have laws that can force decryption. Companies that use encryption need to be aware
that encryption laws differ between countries and may affect their ability to operate effectively.
Laws regarding the legality of the nature of the content stored in an organization’s systems
are also different between countries. For example, in 2010 Google moved its search engine ser-
vice from China to Hong Kong over censorship problems. The People’s Republic of China (PRC)
regularly forced Google to remove content that the PRC found unacceptable.
In fact, dozens of countries regularly block access to certain Internet companies. Iraq
blocked Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube during a 2014 insurgency. Turkey’s government
blocked Twitter and YouTube in an effort to suppress an embarrassing video showing officials
talking about starting a war. 8

7 Bert-Jaap Koops, “Crypto Law Survey,” Cryptolaw.org, February 2013, www.cryptolaw.org.August 12, 2014.
8 Gul Tuysuz and Ivan Watson, “Turkey Blocks YouTube Days After Twitter Crackdown,” CNN, March 28, 2014,
www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/world/europe/turkey-youtube-blocked/.August 12, 2014.