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BSC AND ELECTRIC IRELAND
April/May 2013 www.esb.ie/em
IT INNOVATION PROGRAMME
What is IT Innovation?
IT Innovation involves the evaluation and adoption of new and existing technologies that add value for ESB by enabling new ways of working and facilitating productivity improvement for all staff.
What does this mean for ESB and its staff?
As the pace of change in technology accelerates, ESB needs to keep pace through adopting new technologies that deliver value for the company. The work environment of today is very different from that of even just a few years ago. For office staff, centralised printing, online meetings, instant messaging and the use of smart phones are just some examples of new technologies changing the way we work. The majority of ESB staff have become increasingly reliant on information to do their job. There is an increasing need to access information from remote locations. The need to collaborate and share information with co-workers and external partners across the globe has become intrinsic to how ESB does its business.
What is happening?
The IT Innovation programme for 2013 is focussed on the following:
MOBILITY: What technologies enable ESB's growing mobile workforce to be productive?
COLLABORATION: How can we enable ESB staff to share information among colleagues, partners, contractors and customers more effectively both locally and globally?
CLOUD: How can ESB utilise services via the internet in a secure way, enabling greater agility and improvement in the cost of providing services?
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: How can ESB leverage value from accessing, storing, managing, analysing, governing, presenting, collaborating on and sharing information?
COST TO SERVE: What technologies and new ways of working can reduce the costs for the ESB, enabling it to be more competitive?
Who is involved?
Technology Innovation Manager Peter Veale is responsible.. Peter Veale, Technology Innovation Manager, is responsible for the IT Innovation Programme and chairs the IT Technical Council. Each IT Innovation initiative is proposed and sponsored through the Technical Council where ESB's business units are represented by BP&IT Managers, the CIO and IT Managers (see photo above). A diverse group of staff from ITS and Business Units participate in each initiative. Recommendations from each group are presented to the IT Technical Council for implementation.
THE CURRENT IT INNOVATION INITIATIVES ARE:
• Bring Your Own Device, which is sponsored by Electric Ireland BPIT Manager Eamonn Allen, is investigating the feasibility of allowing staff to bring personally-owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets, and smart phones) to their place of work and to use those devices to access company information and applications.
• Video Content Delivery, which is sponsored by G&WM & Innovation BPIT Manager John Moloney, is investigating options that will more readily facilitate internal and external video communications, including staff access to online video services such as YouTube.
• What is the appropriate device for ESB's Mobile users?, which is sponsored by ITS Project Delivery Manager Arthur Hutchinson, will recommend the most appropriate primary device to improve staff productivity when working in remote locations.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Future issues of EM will include updates on the progress of initiatives. The next article will feature the new service for providing email, calendar, contacts and tasks on smart devices.
IS SECURITY
Java Security Alerts
» There have been many published articles and news alerts recently on Java security issues and flaws. In this article we will try to give you a very brief synopsis of the issue and what you should do to protect your computers and information.
Should you Care? The first question often asked is ‘should I care?’ The answer is yes, very much so. Java runs on more than 850 million personal computers worldwide, and on billions of devices worldwide, including mobile and TV devices.
What is Java? Java is a programming language and computing platform first released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It is the underlying technology that powers programs including utilities, games, and business applications.
What are the risks? A website or application, if compromised, could be programmed to exploit the deficiencies in Java to allow data to be stolen or to install applications or Malware on your computer. Hackers have figured out how to exploit Java to install malicious software enabling them to commit crimes ranging from identity theft to making an infected computer part of an ad-hoc network of computers that can be used to attack websites. Finally, most people do not even know what Java is or if they have it installed. As a result, Java has become a popular target for cyber criminals.
How will I know if a website has been compromised? You won't. Well at least there is no easy and quick way to tell if a seemingly innocent website has been compromised . Sometimes the owners of that website might not even know they have been compromised.
Will my anti-virus software protect me? Not necessarily. It depends on what the hacker has programmed the exploit to do and on how efficient and up to date your anti-virus software is.
How do I know if I have Java? To check if you have Java installed on your system, open a command prompt (windows) or Terminal Console in (Mac, Unix). Then type: Java -version
If you receive an “Unknown Command” error message then you don't have Java installed. If you get a message return stating anything other than “Unknown Command” then you probably have Java installed.
How do I protect my computer and data? Uninstall or Disable Java
• The US department of Homeland Security recommends that users should disable Java or uninstall Java completely. The uninstall may not be feasible for some people as it may be required by a website the user frequents.
If you can't uninstall Java then disable it in your web browser. If need to use a website that requires Java, and you trust that web site, then you can re-enable it for short periods of time or for such time that it would allow you to complete your transaction. Then disable it again.
Keep Java current
• If you can't uninstall then at the very least you should keep your Java installation up to date. Go to http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp to check to see if you have the latest version.
Please bear in mind that by updating won't necessarily protect you from the information security issues associated with Java. New issues are being discovered on a very frequent basis.
Appreciation
JIM MORIARTY RIP
It was with deep shock and regret that we learned of the death of our colleague and friend Jim Moriarty. Jim joined ESB on March 3rd 1987 as part of the security team and he was the face of ESB from then until 2005.
Jim's friendly smile and courteous and helpful manner were what greeted everyone each day as they passed through the reception of Head Office.
Jim always had a cheerful word for everyone, both regular and occasional visitors. We learned over the years of his great love of his native Kerry and GAA football, though if it wasn't Kerry on the pitch he would get fully behind his adopted Dublin. We discussed the ups and downs of many a match and we trod the roads of the dingle Peninsula with Jim as he regaled us with stories of happenings around his beloved Lios Póil which he visited at every possible opportunity.
Jim was highly regarded throughout the company for his professionalism and courtesy in dealing with both ESB personnel and with visitors to ESB Headquarters. Always helpful and knowledgeable, he was a welcome face to those arriving for interview or taking up a position for the first time. Whether it was first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening, Jim had a word for all.
In 2005, Jim was promoted to the position of Senior Control room Operator in the ESB Security Control room in Head Office which monitors and controls all the fire and intruder alarms, the building's access and the PA system, as well as holding all the keys for the Head Office complex. Jim also took responsibility for the issue of Personal Identity cards. This was much to the disappointment of all, as we missed his presence in the main foyer. However, Jim's voice regularly came to us over the Pa system as he announced fire drills and evacuations.
The shock of his passing was all the more poignant given he had been at work on the Friday and had driven down with his wife to his home in Lios Póil for the weekend - the place where he was looking forward to spending his retirement.
Many of his colleagues travelled to Kerry for his funeral and for those who couldn't be present there was a touching memorial in the Head Office Oratory where staff could drop in for a quiet moment to remember him. We remember a kind and gentle man whom we had the privilege to know and our thoughts are with his beloved wife and family at this very sad time. May he rest in peace.
Thank You from the Moriarty Family
Words cannot describe the shock and pain of our loss but we take great comfort knowing how well thought of Dad was by his friends, colleagues and management of ESB. Due to the nature of his job, Dad had friends in every department. The kindness, gestures and support shown has been phenomenal. Although not expected we were very appreciative of the large number who travelled to Kerry for his funeral. The cards, letters and sympathies are all very welcome and encouraging - too many people to mention individually but you are all very much in our thoughts.
His immediate colleagues - we can't thank you enough for sharing your fond memories of Dad, they will always be with us. Dad would have taken great pride in knowing there was a bit of craic in Dingle on the 7th February, exactly how he would have wanted it. Dad spoke fondly of every one of you, despite the circumstances it was nice to put a face to the names.
The management of ESB have been professional, caring, helpful and above all respectful of my devastated mother at this sad time, in particular Des Hickey who has been in constant contact and has assisted us greatly on our journey.
Dad was passionate about many things but most importantly Dingle, the sea and his friends and colleagues. All of which he had when laid to rest.
On behalf of my mum, myself, brothers and sisters, go raibh mile maith agat, we will be ever grateful to you all.
Natasha Moriarty
On behalf of the Moriarty family
SENSATIONAL SPRING COOKING
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