Aoraki Digital Technologies/Level 2/DT 2.40 AS91367

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 Introduction

In this topic we will learn about how information/data is managed in a LAN by looking at:

  • how files are managed on a shared LAN
  • the ethical, privacy and legal considerations
  • backup procedures
  • the data input, output and processing systems
  • how the components of a LAN act as an information system

This topic is worth 3 credits and is assessed externally by submitting a portfolio of evidence.

Sharing Information over a LAN

When many users are able to access information over a LAN, it is important to ensure that only information that is intended to be shared is actually shared.  This is usually achieved by user permissions

  • In a school, what would be the most damaging consequence of information on a computer system getting in to the 'wrong hands'?
  • In a school what could be the most damaging consequence of information on a computer system not being 'discovered'?

The balance lies somwhere in between - the school needs the ability to ensure privacy as a default, but also have systems in place to enable data to be 'discovered'.  

Find out from your school what 'groups' and permissions exist on your school ICT systems.  

  • Are these reasonable?  
  • Could they be improved?
  • Are there any major privacy concerns?

Legal Issues with Sharing and Using Information

There are quite a few laws that affect how data or information can be used in an organisation.  These include:

  • The copyright act (1994)
  • The privacy act (1993)

Disaster Recovery and Backups

An organisations data is critical and it is crucial that the data is protected against fire, theft, flood, natural disaster etc.  The usual way of doing this is by off-site backup.  This means having a complete copy of all the data kept at a different location than the server.  Backups are a slightly different case that will protect users against deleting data and then requiring it at a later date.  This is more accurately called archiving.  With the advent of cloud computing and applicatopns such as gmail and googledocs, the options for and need of backing up data has changed.  Following the Canterbury Eartquakes, the NZ Ministry of Education gave advice to schools on backing data up.  A summary of the advice can be found onInterface andEdgazette.  


Interview your teacher about:

  • What backup procedures are in place at your school
  • What disaster recovery plans your school has


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