General data protection regulation - European union

General data protection regulation - European union from Rohana K Amarakoon

What is Static Code Analysis & Tools

What is Static Code Analysis & Tools from Rohana K Amarakoon

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

What is SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server (host) and a web browser (client). This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral. SSL is an industry standard and is used by millions of websites in the protection of their online transactions with their customers. If you have ever visited a website using the https:// in the address bar you were creating a secure connection via SSL. If you have an ecommerce solution or sell items via your website, SSL helps in establishing trust with your customers.

What is an SSL Certificate?

To create an SSL connection a web server requires an SSL Certificate. SSL Certificates are small data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to an organization’s details.

An organization needs to install the SSL Certificate onto its web server to initiate a secure session with browsers. Once a secure connection is established, all web traffic between the web server and the web browser will be secure.

How to tell if a site is using SSL

When SSL Certificates successfully installed on your web server, Then application protocol (also known as HTTP) will change to HTTPs, where the ‘S’ stands for ‘secure’. 

Depending on the type of certificate you purchase and what browser you are surfing the internet on, a browser will show a padlock or green bar in the browser when you visit a website that has an SSL Certificate installed. The complexities of the SSL protocol remain invisible to your customers. All SSL Certificates are issued to either companies or legally accountable individuals. 

Typically, SSL is used to secure credit card transactions, data transfer and logins, and more recently is becoming the norm when securing browsing of social media sites. 

SSL Certificate will contain your domain name, your company name, your address, your city, your state and your country. It will also contain the expiration date of the Certificate and details of the Certification Authority responsible for the issuance of the Certificate. 

Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates:

https://www.globalsign.com/en/ssl-information-center/what-is-an-ssl-certificate/

Standard SSL Certificates (such as GlobalSign DomainSSL and OrganizationSSL) display:

 

https://www.globalsign.com/en/ssl-information-center/what-is-an-ssl-certificate/

 How Does an SSL Certificate Work?

When you choose to activate SSL on your web server you will be prompted to complete a number of questions about the identity of your website and your company. Your web server then creates two cryptographic keys - a Private Key and a Public Key. 

The Public Key does not need to be secret and is placed into a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) - a data file also containing your details. You should then submit the CSR. During the SSL Certificate application process, the Certification Authority will validate your details and issue an SSL Certificate containing your details and allowing you to use SSL. Your web server will match your issued SSL Certificate to your Private Key. Your web server will then be able to establish an encrypted link between the website and your customer's web browser.

https://www.entrust.com/ssl/
 

When a browser connects to a secure site it will retrieve the site's SSL Certificate and check that it has not expired, it has been issued by a Certification Authority the browser trusts, and that it is being used by the website for which it has been issued. If it fails on any one of these checks the browser will display a warning to the end user letting them know that the site is not secured by SSL.

Why Do I Need An SSL Certificate?

SSL Certificates protect your sensitive information such as credit card information, usernames, passwords etc. It also:

• Keeps data secure between servers
• Increases your Google Rankings
• Builds/Enhances customer trust
• Improves conversion rates

Where Do I Buy An SSL Certificate?

SSL Certificates need to be issued from a trusted Certificate Authority. Browsers, operating systems, and mobile devices maintain list of trusted CA root certificates.

The Root Certificate must be present on the end user's machine in order for the Certificate to be trusted. If it is not trusted the browser will present untrusted error messages to the end user. In the case of e-commerce, such error messages result in immediate lack of confidence in the website and organizations risk losing confidence and business from the majority of consumers.

Companies like GlobalSign are known as trusted Certificate Authorities. This is because browser and operating system vendors such as Microsoft, Mozilla, Opera, Blackberry, Java, etc., trust that GlobalSign is a legitimate Certificate Authority and that it can be relied on to issue trustworthy SSL Certificates. The more applications, devices and browsers the Certificate Authority embeds its Root into, the better "recognition" the SSL Certificate can provide.

GlobalSign was founded in 1996 in Europe and remains one of the longest running Certificate Authorities in the region.

What does the SSL mean to visitors?

Most SSL Certificates contain the domain name, company name, address, city, state, and country. It also contains an expiration date of the certificate and the details of the Certificate Authority (the company who issued the SSL). When a browser attempts to establish an SSL connection to a website it checks to make sure the certificate is not expired, has been issued by a trusted authority, and is being used for the correct website. If any of these checks fails your web browser will display a warning letting the user know that the site is not secured by SSL.

There are many benefits to using SSL Certificates. Namely, SSL customers:

• Get HTTPs which elicits a stronger Google ranking
• Create safer experiences for your customers
• Build customer trust and improve conversions
• Protect both customer and internal data
• Encrypt browser-to-server and server-to-server communication
• Increase security of your mobile and cloud apps

Application of Green IT

This video presentation is all about "Applications of Green IT", presented by Anushka and Gayan (3rd Year Computer Science Students) from Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Green IT (Student Presentation)

This video presentation is all about "Green IT", presented by Ishara and Piyumi (3rd Year Computer Science Students) from Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Current Trends In Green IT (Student Presentation)

This video presentation is all about "Current Trends In Green IT", presented by Rushana and Masha (3rd Year Computer Science Students) from Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Advantages of GREEN IT (Student Presentation)

This video presentation is all about "Advantages of Green IT", presented by Yohan and Sadani (3rd Year Computer Science Students) from Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Project Management Best Practices

Project Management Best Practices from Rohana K Amarakoon

Social & professional issues in IT

Social & professional issues in IT from Rohana K Amarakoon

Policies & Laws in IT Industry

Policies & Laws in IT industry from Rohana K Amarakoon

Software Quality Assurance

Software Quality Assurance from Rohana K Amarakoon

Professional bodies in IT

Professional bodies in IT from Rohana K Amarakoon

security in it (data and cyber security)

security in it (data and cyber security) from Rohana K Amarakoon

Nature of the IT profession

Nature of the it profession from Rohana K Amarakoon

http://www.slideshare.net/RohanaAmarakoon/nature-of-the-it-profession 

SWOT analysis

SWOT analysis means the analysis and measurements of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the organization face during its daily operations in the market. SWOT analysis conducted by a business trying to decide if they should introduce a new product to their range. 

In SWOT analysis, the analyst first looks into the business unit to identify its strengths and weaknesses. The analyst then reviews the environment in which the business unit operates and identifies opportunities presented by that environment and the threats posed by that environment.

The SWOT analysis does not cover the entire business, just the factors that may influence their ability to introduce a new product. To get the most out of the SWOT, they have made specific statements in each category. For example, rather than simply list 'competitors' as a threat, they have included specific details about how their competitors are a threat.

Once you have read through this example SWOT analysis, you can delete the entries that do not relate to your business, and type your responses to build a SWOT analysis for your business.

Internal environment
Strengths (S)	Weaknesses (W)
Excellent sales staff with strong knowledge of existing products Good relationship with customers Good internal communications High traffic location Successful marketing strategies Reputation for innovation	Currently struggling to meet deadlines - too much work? High rental costs Market research data may be out of date Cash flow problems Holding too much stock Poor record keeping

External environment

Opportunities (O)	Threats (T)
Similar products on the market are not as reliable or are more expensive Loyal customers Product could be on the market for Christmas Customer demand - have asked sales staff for similar product	Competitors have a similar product Competitors have launched a new advertising campaign Competitor opening shop nearby Downturn in economy may mean people are spending less

 Review the SWOT analysis

In the above example, each category of this SWOT analysis could be expanded. The business can then assess the results to decide if they can use their strengths to take advantage of the opportunities and introduce the new product. After assessing the results, they may decide that the weaknesses and threats need to be addressed before they can make any changes to their existing product line.

When you have completed your SWOT analysis you should review the results to help you decide the next step for your business.

Case Study 

In the mid-1990s, Dell Computer used a SWOT analysis to create a strong business strategy that has helped it become a very strong competitor in its industry value chain. Dell identified its strengths in selling directly to customers and in designing its computers and other products to reduce manufacturing costs. It acknowledged the weakness of having no relationships with local computer dealers. Dell faced threats from competitors such as Compaq and IBM, both of which had much stronger brand names and reputations for quality at that time. Dell identified an opportunity by noting that its customers were becoming more knowledgeable about computers and could specify exactly what they wanted without having Dell salespersons answer questions or develop configurations for them. It also saw the internet as potential marketing tool. The results of dell’s SWOT analysis are:

 Strengths

• Sell directly to consumers
• Keep costs below competitors’ costs

Weaknesses

• No strong relationships with computer retailers

Opportunities

• Consumer desire for one-stop shopping
• Consumers know what they want to buy
• Internet could be a powerful marketing tool

Threats

• Competitors have stronger brand names
• Competitors have strong relationships with computer retailers

The strategy that Dell followed after doing the analysis took all for of the SWOT elements into consideration. Dell decided to offer customized computers built to order and sold over the phone, and eventually, over the internet. Dell’s strategy capitalized on its strengths and avoiding relying on a dealer network. The brand and quality threats posed by Compaq and IBM were lessoned by dell’s ability to deliver higher perceived quality because each computer was custom made for each buyer.