Governments and databases... a bad mix? (3 Dec, 2019)

[aardvark_admin]

This column is archived at: https://aardvark.co.nz/daily/2019/1203.shtml

It must be great to be part of the group that makes (and is therefore exempted) from the rules that govern the "great unwashed".

Not for them the censure and penalties associated with doing bad or negligent things.

So where's the incentive for such people to "lift their game" if bad actions have zero consequences?

And why does "the great unwashed" allow this hypocrisy to continue?

We are stupid sods really.

[roygbiv]

There is a very strict security guideline that all government agencies should comply with. It is the NZ Information Security Manual (NZISM) who DIA are meant to enforce, and all contractors, vendors are supposed to adhere to. Nothing to do with the great unwashed and separate rules etc. The bottom line is that they could be doing a lot better. A great example of how this is failing than having the Minister of Police and the chief facing the press egg and all, the head of the DIA should have been up there also.
We are not the real stupid sods here.

[GSVNoFixedAbode]

Bit harsh blaming the Police for this cluster-f. SAP are about as big as you can get regards large systems and have admitted they are at fault here. As a SaaS provider (bureau computing as it used to be known!), they are pretty much the gold standard for products and solutions and to screw up like this somewhat unusual. It's like being blamed for buying a lemon of a new car when you bought a BMW and the dealer left the keyfob on the roof.

The UK system - now that's another story entirely!

[goosemoose]

Bit harsh blaming the Police for this cluster-f. SAP are about as big as you can get regards large systems and have admitted they are at fault here. As a SaaS provider (bureau computing as it used to be known!), they are pretty much the gold standard for products and solutions and to screw up like this somewhat unusual.

Ha, SAP, gold standard. You've got to be joking. There are a few companies business shouldn't have anything to do with, SAP is one of them. Over engineered, convoluted nonsense slapped on top of a 70's mainframe mentality. Why on earth anyone thought a giant like this would be any good at knocking up something so simple is beyond me. I can almost guarantee there'll be 100's of GB's of software and acres of infrastructure for this system. This system has simple LAMP stack solution written all over it. It should have been done by a local company with experience in this sort of thing. Some idiot somewhere has been taken for a ride. No one ever got fired for buying SAP, IBM, Oracle, but maybe they should've been.

[aardvark_admin]

Bit harsh blaming the Police for this cluster-f.

I guess one has to decide where the buck stops.

The chain of responsibility leads upwards. Managers, CEOs, and ministers all get paid large amounts of money, in part because they're supposed to ensure that those working below them are doing their jobs properly and efficiently. If someone stuffs up at any level, that means the people at the top are not doing their jobs properly.

With privilege and power comes responsiblity -- something that has been forgotten in recent times me thinks. It's not often we see one of our politicians or business leaders falling on their sword.

[Muz]

Bit harsh blaming the Police for this cluster-f.

It's not often we see one of our politicians or business leaders falling on their sword.

Even if they fall on their swords their buddies look after them https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ceo-of-australias-westpac-bank-resigns-over-money-laundering-scandal-2019-11-25 Hell, this prick still gets a $2.7m payout

[GSVNoFixedAbode]

Over engineered, convoluted nonsense slapped on top of a 70's mainframe mentality. Why on earth anyone thought a giant like this would be any good at knocking up something so simple is beyond me. I can almost guarantee there'll be 100's of GB's of software and acres of infrastructure for this system. ...

That's the thing - it's a HUGE (and yes overly complex) system, with a Mega-company behind it, but when configured properly should be rock-solid with professional support. Choosing them over a local idependent who could whip up a LAMP solution should have been the correct call.

[jafaboarder]

IT services are out of reach of the average persons grasp of knowledge and command a high price as there is a lot of demand for the work. This makes is easy for a cowboy to throw something together and charge 8 million for it and get the cheque signed by whoever is the minister at the time.