Upgrading and implementing a secured network infrastructure for United CADDTech Philippines, Incorporated

• Main Author: Evangelista, Eliezer John Dionisio
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/4139
• Institution: De La Salle University

United CADDTech Philippines, Inc. (UniCADD) is a consortium of seven of the leading engineering consulting firms in the Philippines which was established in 2005 primarily to compete in the international market for Business Process Outsourcing specifically in the hi-end field of engineering, architecture and other technical services. The seven companies behind UniCADD have an average experience of 25 years providing comprehensive detailed engineering design, project and construction management, steel and rebar detailing, computer-aided design and drafting, and quantity surveying and estimating services to government and private organizations. A thorough study and evaluation of UniCADD’s existing computer network revealed that, like most of local consulting firms in the country, there are no existing data, network and printer policies; no proper protection against viruses, malwares and spywares; no existing e-mail, FTP and web servers; no proper management of internet and network traffics; and there are limited network connections and intermittent internet connections. It was also established that there is an urgent need to develop network and computer policies and procedures to address the issues mentioned in order to achieve the ultimate goal of providing high quality customer service, especially to international markets, in a proactive and cost-effective manner by achieving consistent on-time delivery of quality products and services to the customer’s complete satisfaction. The first procedure done was document the Internet Security Policies that will limit Internet usage and configuration of the computer policies of the company computers. It will also describe the anti-virus management software, the WSUS, together in a domain server that will be set-up to distribute it to several computers in the network and the use of the network printer, email server, FTP server and web server. Procedures were also developed for the back-up of files to servers then to an external hard drive in cases of computer crash or data corruption; and finally, procedures for troubleshooting the network and computer components. In setting up the network system, it is apparent that there is also a need for malware protection and data security for the computers to prevent data corruption, protect data integrity and keeping company information safe. This was done by setting up a central server and configuring the computer policies of each of the computer used by the company. By having computer policies set up, the users of the computer can be restricted to only their required programs and file directories, and they are unable to run any other program or access operating system directories. This keeps the integrity of the computer system and prevents data corruption. The use of USB ports was also restricted to prevent copying of company information and spreading of malware. In line with these developments, the company set a goal of obtaining an ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management System Certification which is becoming a standard requirement in the practice of consulting engineering services in the Philippines and anywhere in the world. In order to achieve this objective, departmental procedures for the Information Technology Section were developed, implemented and incorporated in the company’s Quality Management System composed of Information Security Policy, Ergonomics Guideline, and Backup Procedure and Troubleshooting Procedure. These include the development of IT Standard Forms and Templates in documenting IT related information and for use by the company employees.