Sustainable business in a sustainable society

Introduction Sustainability in a business can be regarded as the success of the company in both short term and the long run. In the business milieu, there are many forces that affect the operations of business and these plays an imperative role as the managers must define ways of overcoming these challenges.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sustainable business in a sustainable society specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Before the promotion of business sustainability and corporate social responsibility, financial responsibility was the main agenda in most companies but this has changed as the need for businesses to consider the society and the environment before making any decisions increases. Sustainability principles encompass a raft of voluntary measures adopted by a business and which include the social and environmental concerns in the operations of business and call for stakeholder involvement (Kleef Roome, 2 007). These factors encompass social, financial, environmental opportunities and threats that are within the business facet. When business incorporate healthy social and economic strategies, there are likely to overcome any present and future resiliency and this put the business in a strategic position which in turns increases it future growth (Lawrence Weber, 2010). In this paper, the statement â€Å"The only viable future for business is to become a sustainable business in a sustainable society† will be discussed. A sustainable business can be regarded as a business that: Uses sustainable raw materials Delivers services and products to consumers that are deemed to be sustainable Sells economic products Uses renewable sources of energy Is socially involved and assist the society around the company All the above aspects are used to ensure that a business is sustainable. Most of the aspects highlighted enable the business to produce products that will have high utility valu e to consumers and which don’t harm the environment. Sustainability also involves social participations where the company is actively involved in helping the society achieve its objective (Johnson, Scholes, Whittingham, 2011). Another key issue is the need for strategies adapted by the business, to be environmentally friendly. For sustainable business future, it is also imperative that the business produces economically and is able to satisfy both the consumers and the employees.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strategies to Achieve Business Sustainability As aforementioned, the modern business environment requires a business to adapt sustainable business methods for it to be effective and sustainable in the future. Various strategies can be adapted by the business so as to achieve short and long term sustainability. The main methods used to achieve business sustainab ility can be grouped into three major areas, these are: Economic strategies Social involvement Environmental protection The social, economical and environmental actions can be defined as the triple bottom line in the models used by managers to enhance the business sustainability. Economic factors encompass strategies that increase profits, minimize on costs, promote the effective use of resources and strategies that promote the successful operations of the business. The social factors encompass good staff treatment, the involvement of a company in social activities, reducing prices for products be sold in low income countries and regions, corporate social responsibility, working with the society on community projects among others (Kotler Lee, 2005). Lastly, it is imperative that a business considers the need to adapt environmental protection strategies such as use of clean energy, promoting the use of lean business process and, conducting a lifecycle analysis to ensure that the p roducts manufactured don’t cause environmental pollution at any stage (Hitchcock Willard, 2009). Business Sustainability Methods and Their Importance Corporate Social Responsibility There are a number of way through which companies engage the people living around the community. One of the widely used strategies is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR can be defined as achieving commercial success in methods that are ethical, abhor the peoples believes and protect the environment. The term is synonymous to corporate citizenship, cooperate accountability and business sustainability. In the modern world, it is impractical to achieve success without factoring in sustainability. Corporate social responsibility calls for the implementation of business strategies taking into account the needs and views of the community and other stakeholders in the organization (Bendell, 2005). The main reason for business being involved in CRS is the great influence that stakeholders of the business have on its operations. The stakeholders of a business greatly influence its performance directly and indirectly. These stakeholders include the customers, the employees, shareholders, governments, activists, competitors among others. The customers of a given business have a great impact on the operation of the business.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sustainable business in a sustainable society specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These customers are usually drawn from the local, national and international area where the business operates. Actions by the company affect the environment where these customers live and hence they have direct impact on them. Secondly, when companies engage in activities that are beneficial to the people living around there area, they create awareness about the company and this builds the confidence that consumers have (Berkhout, 2005). This results to more people buying the p roducts distributed by the company. When a company addresses the social concerns of the people, they tend to gain good relations with the customers and this brings about consumer loyalty and increases the profitability of the business. When a business organization builds trust with the community, the customers and the employees become loyal to the business and this enables it to have a competitive edge as compared to the rival companies. By participating in social activities as well as addressing the concerns of communities, businesses are able to build and sustain a brand image for their products (Peter, 2009). This is particularly important as globalization has brought intense competition and there is great need for a company to attract and retain its customers. For business to be successfully, managers must ensure that they build good relations between the company and individuals, groups and institutions. There is no way a business can thrive in a society that is rapidly deterior ating. This calls for the business to participate in activities that will uplift the society (Blowfield Murray, 2011). Secondly, the employees of a company are also important and CRS activities must address them. It is important for managers to understand that without the employees, the company cannot succeed. In this regard, business decisions must inculcate the views of the employees. As the company grows, there is need for employees to be given attractive remunerations and training. For sustainable business development, the company must use part of its profits in increasing the salaries and also educating its workforce (Geoffrey, 2008). Thirdly, the government keeps a close surveillance on the company’s operation strategies. When business produce products that are harmful to the consumers or t below the consumer quality expectations, the reputation of that business may reduce and it can lose loyal consumers. Governments have in the past forced different companies to recal l their products and this damages the image of the company. Sustainable business strategy formulations call for business to evaluate the legal and regularly framework and ensure that they operate within this framework.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition to the three benefits of CSR, there are other numerous advantages that business gain due to their involvement in CRS activities. These include: Better risk management: when managers take into account the views of stakeholders during the implementations of new strategies, the risks are easily indentified and methods of managing them are formulated. Sustainability calls for managers to consider the governance, legal, social and environmental factors during the decision making process which result to better risk management. Improved reputations: when a company participates in CRS, it gains good reputations among the customers, shareholders, policy makers and investors. This results to an improvement of the brand value and equity of the company. This enables the company to attract investors, customers and employees. Ability to recruit and retain employees: CSR enables a company to develop good human resource management policies. Most employees are willing to work in organiza tions that have friendly policies. Improved innovations: Companies that participate in CSR are able to identify more business opportunities and adopt other innovative strategies as suggested by the stakeholders. When employees are satisfied, they are capable of developing new products and giving out new business ideas that may be beneficial to the organization. When a business takes into account the views of the stakeholders, there are likely to tap rich and innovative strategies from them (Daniel Winston, 2009). Development of effective supply chain The organizational supply chain is one of the areas where an organization is most vulnerable. When firms develop long term business relationship and also join with suppliers who have advocate for CSR and standard improvement, the supply chain becomes manageable and this results to improvement (Bendixen Abratt, 2007). Increased access to capital: in the modern world, financial institutions consider the firms involvement in CSR before a pproving grants and loans. Companies must prove their worth by indicating some of the CSR activities they perform as well as their ability to manufacture products that don’t harm the environment. Some financial institutions have polices addressing environmental concerns and give loans to activities that don’t harm the environment. Favourable relations with regulators: when a company participates in CSR, they gain approvals from governments, activists and environmental agencies and this build their reputations. If a company was to perform operations that damage the environment, the regulators might ban the company or impose very heavy fines and these would destroy the company in the long run.CSR indicators play an important role in deciding whether a particularly company can be given approvals. Economic Strategies The second pillar for sustainability is the economic pillar. For a business to be successful, it must continually engage in activities that reduce costs, incr ease efficiency, improve the products value and minimise wastage. All these factors enable the company to increase their profit margin and this translates into greater sustainability in the long run. The main economic strategy that the company can use is Lean manufacturing and services. This involves the adoption of strategies that will reduce wastes generated by the business. In lean, all the wastes are identified and strategies of minimizing these wastes are formulated. The major wastes that need to be eliminated in most businesses include; material wastes, extra personnel, less machine utilisations among others. Lean manufacturing methods entails the progressive removal of all the wastes generated by the firm and this increases the profitability of the company in the following ways Efficient utilisations of raw materials: using lean nearly all the raw materials are converted to the finished product. Efficient labour use: lean ensures that all workers are engaged in the productio n process. Efficient use of production factors: all factors of production are effectively used. Eliminations of wastes: lean eliminates wastes and these is beneficial to the environment. Environmental Strategies The third pillar of business sustainability is the consideration of the environment during the decision making process and production. The environment plays a significant indirect role and must be preserved for the current and future generations. The company must ensure that their products and services meet the health and environmental standards. This is vital because the destruction of the environment will affect the consumer base and the environment where the company operates. The company must ensure that a number of strategies are developed to ensure that the products and services are environmentally friendly. The company must adopt eco-efficient strategies such as: Ensure that less energy is used during the manufacture of products Carry out a life cycle analysis so as to determine the impacts that product will have on the environment. This is done by considering the impacts from raw materials, finished product, its consumption and disposal (Michael William, 2002). Recycling materials when possible Reduction in toxic materials released to the environment Maximising on the use of renewable resources Ensure that products are durable Implementation Methods and Steps From the above discussion, it can be seen that companies must adopt strategies that will propel their business towards sustainability. The change process must be gradual and continuous. This means that the company must continually evaluate their operations and ensure that there are improved every time (Kies, 2002). The implementations can be done through the following steps: Company vision, missions and objective changes: The company vision, mission, core values and objectives must address sustainability issues such as environmental protection, customer and employee satisfaction and pr ofitability Improving the corporate culture: The Company must ensure that it adopts a good corporate culture that takes into account the needs of employees. Strategic planning: For sustainable business, a strategic plan must be designed and implemented. All aspects that propel a business towards sustainability must be incorporated in the strategic plan (Werbach, 2009). This plan should essentially details methods through which these sustainability goals will be achieved. The time for achieving these goals and the evaluation methods should also be detailed. If the strategic plan is followed, then the implementation process will be successful. Involving the management: the management staff must be trained on the need to incorporate CSR and other business sustainability methods in the company. Managers are the key implementers of the decisions made by the company and they must be enlightened through training. It is imperative to ensure the management commitment to the change process. A ccountability: The business must ensure that they are accountable of all their actions. Proper management system will ensure that all the functions are well distributed and the employees and managers are accountable for their actions. Communications: The communication between the management and employees should be enhanced. During the decision making process, all the stakeholders must be informed. Adequate communications is very important during the change process. References Bendell, J 2005, ‘In whose name? The accountability of corporate social responsibility’, Development in Practice, vol.15 no.3, pp. 362–374. Bendixen, M Abratt, R 2007, ‘Corporate identity, ethics and reputation in supplier-buyer relationships’, Journal of Business Ethics, vol.76 no.2, pp. 69–82. Berkhout, T 2005, ‘Corporate gains: Corporate social responsibility can be the strategic engine for long-term corporate profits and responsible social development’, Alternatives Journal, Vol. 31 no.1, pp.15–18. Blowfield, M Murray, A 2011, Corporate Responsibility, Wiley, New York. Daniel , C Winston, A 2009, Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage 1st edition, Willey, New York. Geoffrey, H 2008, When Principles Pay: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Bottom Line, Columbia University Press, Columbia. Hitchcock, D Willard, M 2009, The Business Guide to Sustainability: Practical Strategies and Tools for Organizations, Routledge, Florence, Kentucky. Johnson, G , Scholes, K, Whittingham, R 2011, Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text and Cases 9th Edition, Financial Times Prentice Hall, London. Kies, H 2002, The Sixth Sense: Accelerating Organisational Learning with Scenarios, Wiley, New York. Kleef,J Roome, N 2007, ‘Developing capabilities and com ­petence for sustainable business management as innovation, A research agenda’, Journal of Cle aner Production, vol.15 no. 1, pp.38–51. Kotler, P Lee, N 2005, Corporate social responsibility: Doing the most good for your company and your cause, John Wiley Sons, Hoboken, NJ. Lawrence , A Weber, J 2010, Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public Policy, 13th Edition, McGraw-Hill/Irwin, New York. Michael, B William, M 2002, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things 1st edition , North Point Press, New York. Peter, B 2009, Community: The Structure of Belonging, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, California. Werbach, A 2009, Strategy for Sustainability: A Business Manifesto, Harvard Business Press, Harvard. This essay on Sustainable business in a sustainable society was written and submitted by user East0n to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Filters through which one perceives the world Essays

Filters through which one perceives the world Essays Filters through which one perceives the world Essay Filters through which one perceives the world Essay The Oxford Advanced Learning Dictionary defines a filter, as an apparatus for holding back substances. Filters allow somethings to pass through them and not others. This word can have many different forms of usage. Yet, when talking about life or how one perceives the world, a filter has a more discrete, hidden meaning. Everyday we filter ideas via the medium of sight, touch, smells, taste and sounds through our head. These senses can be significantly applied to the topic at hand. Although forming the body of this essay with the senses, it can be made easier, by breaking the question down into two manageable questions. How are things really? And what determines the filters through which we perceive the world, and life? An idea has all four senses some how woven into it. An idea is a questioned statement that one could be asking themselves and curious about the outcome of it all. The idea may have positive or negative feedback linked to it. For example, suppose a human being, fed up with life, decided that he/she wants to rob a bank and live off other peoples riches. : When he/she actually comes down to the whole plan, it has to be filtered through his/her brain. The brain understands the consequences behind the actions and does not filter the idea through, thus does not perform the task at hand. This idea may now be edging towards the background of the human conscience, but the conscience only kicks in just before one is about to make a comment, or perform an action. The filter is the first stage of pulling back the negative feedback. Keep account of the fact that filters dont always fully hold back things. Before a human being touches a flame or puts his/her hand in a freezing bucket of water, he/she attempts to recount a moment in his/her lifetime where he/she actually performed this task. The idea of putting ones hand through a flame is brought to the gates of the brain. In order for the brain to carry out the mission, the idea first, has to pass through the filters. In this case the filter realises that this experience may cause some bodily harm. Now that the filter has decided this, it brings the idea to the conscience, which then allows a second chance for he/she to think about what may happen. It is very common for young children aged between one and three years old to actually put its hand in a flame. This is because the filter has no recollection of past experiences with a flame, and therefore is a virgin to this feeling. This idea is allowed to pass into the brain (the conscience doesnt kick in, because babies dont have one at that age, and if it does, scientists have still to prove it) and then on to the action. Thus, the result is that the baby burns his/her hand and starts crying. But because of this experience, it has grown smarter (brain wise) and speeds up the advancement of its filter through which it may perceive the world. One of the most used, unless one is sleeping, is the sense of sight. This is definitely a filter that is able to affect the understanding of the world, and what things really are. The everyday life is controlled by sight. Sight gives humans a clear sense of direction and an image of what things really are. If there is a green apple on a table and a group of 20 people were asked what they see, they would say exactly what they are viewing, which in this case is a green apple. From this, it has been made evident that all humans with a clear vision (excluding blind people) all view the same images as each other. Now comes a contradiction to all that has just been said. Suppose a friend has told a human being, that a plane crashed killing all the dominant world leaders. This person with out viewing any images on a screen or on paper only knows the damage it has caused to the world, but has no idea how it has affected the people and the country, that are governed by these leaders. This person has no visual recollection of the devastation and can be by no means persuaded to believe it, since he/she hasnt viewed any proof. This proves that sight is the only filter that clearly allows a human to comprehend how things in life really are. Carrying on from this topic, sight is also a filter because it is able to block out things that someone may not want to see. The filter of sight narrowly differentiates itself from a human conscience. One has the option to filter through images that he/she would request to view, which in a sense voluntarily changes the perception of the world. Through sight this person can decide how he/she perceives the world. If the human being requests to have a positive perception of the world, he/she does not look on to the devastating results of the worst killers, human beings. The only person to decide what things really are, are humans themselves. Every human being has a different mind of its own; each one is able to interpret items completely differently according to his/her beliefs. Till this day some people find it difficult to express the ways in which, they think things really are. The majority of these people fall back on a certain religion to illustrate the path to the certainty of how things are, including life. The determining factors, when discussing the realness of certain objects, can only be finally evaluated by any certain individual. Everyday, a human being conscience sly filters ideas through their head. What they view surrounding them, is determined as being reality and that everyone would view the same images. Our guardians in life, our parents, provide lifes filters to their children, as well as a conscience and morals. Through these traits the human being is able to uncover the reality of objects, which may affect ones outlook and or perception of life and the world we live in today. The media, in a broader sense provides us, with an open perception of the world. Through the television, radio and papers, it encourages an identical view on things, among the total population. So maybe, the media has a more influencing power on us, than our parents or beliefs do. After all this information about filters is taken into account, the end result is what is real. After viewings, tasting etc. an object, only after that, can one actually decide if it is real or not. So the filters are our senses and everyday ideology. Answering the first question that decides whats real? Is simply answered by the second questions answer, which is the human being him/her self. All these questions and answers, are all connected together. This includes TOK, life, perception and filters. The result being a never ending circle, and that is what I am sure is how it really is.

Biological weapons Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Biological weapons - Research Paper Example Because of the level of destruction that these weapons are capable of causing, the use of these can be a motivation for many adversaries. Also, these weapons are indiscriminately used to kill people. So they might not just affect the military, but may also cause numerous deaths in the civilian populations. Further, a wound due to other weapons can be treated. A biological weapon might be hard to detect and once detected, might not have a cure. Biological weapons also tend to have long term effects on the human and living populations as compared to nuclear missiles and arms. (Satpathy 10) History Although biological weapons have now come into notice, they have been used for centuries. The use of these weapons dates back to 1500 BC when the people suffering from a plague were often driven into the territories of the enemy. The plague would not just kill or sicken the enemy civil populations but would also render the military unsuitable for war. Apart from that, the spears and arrows we re often poisoned so that the enemy could not just be wounded, but would also have poison spread in his body. In the famous First Sacred War, the Athenians poisoned the water supply of the city of Kirrha in order to kill the military combatants. In other wars, clay pots containing snakes were often thrown on the enemy. (Chauhan 158) Slowly over the centuries, biological weapons took new forms. Before the 17th century, the most common way of inflicting disease on the enemy was to throw the infected corpses into the water supply of the cities. Since water is a basic necessity, this ensured that all the people were infected. Later, however, new ways of introducing the diseases were established. For instance in the 18th century, in Native America, two blankets and a handkerchief exposed to small pox were given to the Natives by the British in order to disease them. Diseases like influenza spread often due to the exchange of goods at ports from ships that came from different regions. Bio logical warfare went to a new extreme when in the Second Sino Japanese war, the Japanese tested all kinds of biological weapons on the prisoners held in custody so that the weapons could then be used to combat the enemy in the future. In the First World War, the most famous and extensive Biowarfare program was started by the empire of Germany. This program included the supply of teams of saboteurs to areas like Finland where they placed anthrax (a disease causing agent) in the stables of Russia in the year 1916. (Chauhan 159) German intelligence officers also created glanders that could be used to affect livestock and crops, particularly at ports. The Imperial Japanese army also was responsible for many pathogen outbreaks in the same period. From the year 1937 to 1945, the Japanese army contaminated the Horustein river in Soviet Russia with typhoid. The army also used made use of bombs having fleas that could carry the bubonic plague. Air dropping of plagued fleas was also a common thing against the Chinese. After the use of the biological weapons in the first and second world wars, nations like the US, Soviet Union and Britain started the experimentation of agents that could be used as biological weapons. The US started its US Biological Weapon testing program through which it started research on the topic. Operation whitecoat was one of the leading operations of the US that aimed to study the effects of

Elements of Competency for Engineers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Elements of Competency for Engineers - Essay Example Another element of competency for engineers that I want to achieve perfection in is professional and personal attributes. I realize that engineering as a professional plays a very instrumental role in the economic development of society. As such as an engineer I will be a play a role that touches on the lives of many as well as aspects of society, economy and environmental issues. As such high standards of ethics and professional conduct will be expected of me by the large society. I will, therefore, use information and engineering technologies in a manner that is beneficial to all stakeholders. I am currently working to achieve this competency by thinking creatively, innovatively and maintaining a proactive personality as an engineer. I try to carry myself in an orderly manner and effectively practice teamwork. These competencies are set in order to stimulate engineers to rise to the occasion and serve the community in a manner that is diligently ethical, professional and beneficial . As a future engineer being competent in these important skill areas will be of extremely crucial important. By appropriately and proactively applying my skills, I will be able to serve the society by addressing defined engineering problems. I will consider the consequences of my actions to clients, society and the environment and make the most appropriate decisions when executing my duties as an engineer. By upholding high standards of ethics and professionalism I will be able to place first the interest of the public.

Intersectionality Assignment Essay Example for Free

Intersectionality Assignment Essay The definition of intersectionality states that it is the social theory suggesting various socially and culturally constructed categories of discrimination interact on multiple and often simultaneous levels, contributing to systematic social inequality. Intersectionality holds that the classical models of oppression within society, such as those based on race/ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, class, or disability do not act independently of one another; instead, these forms of oppression interrelate creating a system of oppression that reflects the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination. (http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Intersectionality) I think the author intended to include intersectionality in the story to show that people have the tendency to categorize others immediately without even getting to know them. As humans we judge others way too much for our own good and we don’t even realize we are doing it majority of the time. I think Morrisons main purpose in Recitatif is to make the reader a lot more aware of their stereotypical judgements about different races based on the use of different signs that Twyla and Roberta display as characters throughout the story. By writing with this technique of using hidden signs in the text it makes the reader begin to try to naturally figure out the races of Twyla and Roberta. She also includes things in this story such as their views on intelligence, physical appearance, racial tensions, wealth and social class. I think Morrison hopes to make her readers aware that we are all guilty of using stereotypes that this s ociety has created for us. It’s just what we have known all our lives. Maybe a learned behavior from our parents, grandparents, or anyone we are around a lot. Everyone, even if they are racist or the most non-racist human being on earth, makes judgments on a â€Å"different† person that doesn’t fit into their â€Å"norm†. If I had to take a guess I would say Twyla is black and Roberta is white. One part in the story Roberta says that they never washed their hair and they smelled funny†, referring to Twyla. Roberta also said this about Twyla’s mother â€Å"She was big. Bigger than any man and on her chest was the biggest cross Id ever seen. I swear it was six inches long each way. And in the crook of her arm was the biggest bible ever made.† This description sounds like a big African American mother because that’s what you could picture her as. Being Christian, not interested in being friends with Roberta’s mother, and storming away from her gets my mind visualizing that she is the attitude black big momma type of woman. Another thing I decided to look at to help me decide was their names. As the story goes on it gets harder to keep the same the same thought process on who’s apart of what race because of the different stereotypes and statements that are made by the characters when they continue to cross paths later in life. Also because as an individual you start to realize that you are judging and trying not to. For me that begun a whole new way of thinking and continuously changed my opinion about the reading several times At times Roberta could possibly be the black girl and Twyla could be white. In conclusion, its basically left up to you to decide who’s what race and its really going to open your eyes to how judgmental you can be and how big of a role these everyday stereotypes really have on your mind, even when it seems that you have no racism or judging in you.

Warren Buffet :: Berkshire Hathaway

Warren Buffet Warren Buffet was born August 30, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska. He lived much of his life in Nebraska and later moved to Washington D.C. At 11 he purchased his first stock which he ended up making a five-dollar profit on this investment. He got his bachelors degree from The University of Nebraska. For some time he attended Wharton’s School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. This institution is rated as one of the top five business schools in the nation. His Masters of Science in Economics was completed at Columbia University. Shortly after completing college Warren founded the Buffet partnership. This was all accomplished by the age of 25. Had someone invested $10000 with Warren back in 1956 it would worth an astounding $95 million today. Warren Buffet is worth over 27 billion dollars at the age of 69. Investing in other well-known companies made much of his money. He has major holdings of American Express, Coke, and Walt Disney just to name a few. He is also rumored to own as much as 20% of the world’s supply of silver. Today Warren Buffet is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Some of the other companies included under the Berkshire name are Geico Insurance, Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska, Borsheim’s, and Dairy Queen. Berkshire is based out of his hometown of Omaha Nebraska. There have been many books written about Warren’s investment strategies and his life in general. He has never written a book himself. I found a few books he helped co-author including one that was nothing but quotes and sayings he has come up with over the years.

Intrusion and Prevention Essay

1.0Abstract The wide spread proliferation of Internet Technology has led to the incorporation of Computer in each and every field of life. From education to Business, Information Technology has now become an indispensable element in our life. Computers have reached homes, offices, schools and even churches . The wide spread use of computers is accompanied by an exponential growth in e-crimes ,in which unscrupulous elements try to gain access to other’s computers to steal valuable information like credit card   numbers , personal identification codes etc. Owing to this the development and deployment of sophisticated Intrusion detection systems that can detect and thwart such malicious attempts becomes highly important.   2.0 Intrusion Detection Systems(IDS) In order to safeguard a computer from being intruded by malicious code, System/Network Administrators deploy Intrusion Detection Systems .These systems are nothing but software applications that monitor the inbound Internet packets for malicious or susceptible activity and alert the Administrator whenever such an activity is detected. They often respond to such intrusions by either blocking the source computer from accessing the hosted computer or by restricting the actions of source computer on destination. There are many types of IDS software available in the market and they differ in the way they detect the suspicious activity. Examples of IDS include Shadows, Snort, Dragon, RealSecure and NetProwler. 3.0 Snort IDS There are many products available in the market for intrusion detection, out of these Snort gains a unique market proposition because of its free download availability and it’s at par performance in its field with any other commercial product. Snort is an Open source IDS Software which was originally designed for UNIX platform, but now is available for Windows based systems also. It provides basic network monitoring purpose and also can also be configured for rule based IDS functionality. 4.0 Functionalities of Snort   Snort can be installed very easily on any Windows or UNIX based system with the help of its friendly graphical user friendly interface. It is a Network bases Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) that can be used in two modes, â€Å"sniffer† and logger mode. In basic sniffer mode it just reports what is happening on the system console, while in the logger mode, it can log the network traffic details in the log file directory. Both sniffer and logger modes are passive and just give system administrator an information about the network traffic without actually taking any action to prevent the intrusion. However it can be used in IDS mode to be able to act upon certain rules, pre-defined by system administrator to prevent intrusion. Snort is open sourced and comes with a well-developed API that can be used to add new functionalities to the IDS. The only pit-fall of Snort IDS is that, it does not have Customer support and a user has to rely on self-help books and internet forums for any troubleshooting and problems. However its download comes with a very elaborate documentation. Also some of the functionalities that are their in its UNIX version might be missing in its Windows version. 5.0 Evaluation: Snort is the most widely used IDS software with more than 225,000 registered users. It provides user with features like signature detection, protocol inspection and anomaly based detection. Its open source nature makes it the most favored IDS system by developers .They are constantly in pursuit to add new and sophisticated functionality to existing systems. There is lot of literature available about Snort due to its wide reach and influence on user community. It can be used to detect all kind of intrusions ranging from buffer overflows, CGI attacks, SMB probes, OS fingerprinting attempts to stealth port scans. From its initially light weight edition that was used only to log the intrusion attempts to the current sophisticated and fully developed IDS edition, Snort has truly come a long way to provide user with an inexpensive, sophisticated and cutting edge technology that could secure their systems from malicious attacks from unscrupulous elements.