What are Smart Contracts and how might they be applied in human resource management?

 

Discuss the following: 1. What are Smart Contracts and how might they be applied in human resource management? You are required to cite this week’s assigned readings in your paper. You may also cite prior week’s reading assignments and external sources if you wish.

Use the following headings to organize your paper: Introduction, Question 1, Conclusion, References.

Submit your paper as a Word attachment in the discussion forum. I provide feedback within the paper and will not grade your post unless you submit it as an attachment. Your response to the discussion prompt should contain a minimum of 500 words 

 

Follow the following writing requirements for all of your discussion prompt responses (note that these writing requirements DO NOT apply to your responses to other students):

Writing Requirements for all Assignments:

  • References MUST be cited within your paper in APA format. Your reference page and in-text citations must match 100%. Papers without in-text citations will earn failing grades.
  • Always include a cover page and reference page with all submissions
  • Your paper must have headings in it. For discussion posts Introduction, Prompt/Question, and Conclusion will suffice as headings.  
  • Provide the EXACT web link for all online sources – do not provide just the home page, but the EXACT LINK – I check all sources
  • No abbreviations, no contractions – write formally
  • Write in the third person formal voice (no first or second person pronouns)
  • Write MORE than the minimum requirement of the word count assigned
  • As always, the word count is ONLY for the BODY of the paper – the cover page, reference page, and / or Appendix (if included) do not count towards the word count for the paper
  • Indent the first line of each new paragraph five spaces
  • Refer to the example APA paper in the getting started folder under the content tab if you need an example. Also, a power is provided under the information tab that addresses APA format.
  • Use double-spacing / zero point line spacing, a running header, page numbers, and left justify the margins.

Cloud Provider Evaluation

 

THIS ASSIGNMENT  MUST BE SUBMITTED IN FOUR SEPARATE PARTS.  The first submission will be  Steps 2, 3, and 4, Next will be Steps 5,6, and 7, Then Step 8, and  Finally Step 9

INTRO:

Since you have become familiar with foundations of cloud computing  technologies, along with their risks and the legal and compliance  issues, you will now explore cloud offerings of popular cloud providers  and evaluate them to recommend one that would be the best fit for  BallotOnline.

In this project, you will first learn about networking in the cloud  and auxiliary cloud services provided by cloud vendors. Next, you will  explore cloud computing trends, best practices, and issues involved in  migrating IT deployments to the cloud, as well as typical architectures  of cloud deployments. Then, you will apply your findings to propose a  general architecture for BallotOnline’s cloud deployment to best address  the company’s business requirements.

Once you have selected a deployment architecture, you will research  two leading cloud vendors: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft  Azure. Exploring and comparing the tools available for application  migration will enable you to recommend a vendor to the executives in  your final report. The final deliverable is a written report to  BallotOnline management, describing the results of your research and  recommending the cloud deployment architecture and the vendor for its  deployment, with justification.

Your final report should demonstrate that you understand the IT needs  of the organization as you evaluate and select cloud providers. The  report should include your insights on the appropriate direction to take  to handle the company’s IT business needs. You will also be assessed on  the ability to integrate relevant risk, policy, and compliance  consideration into the recommendations, as well as the clarity of your  writing and a demonstration of logical, step-by-step decision making to  formulate and justify your ideas.

Step 1: Research Networking and Auxiliary Services in the Cloud

The executives at BallotOnline have been impressed with your research on cloud computing thus far. While there are a variety of cloud providers (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Cloud%20Providers),  BallotOnline is considering using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and  Microsoft Azure, two of the top providers in the market. BallotOnline’s  executives want you to help determine which would be the best provider  for the organization.

You will start with learning about internet networking basics (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Internet%20Networking%20Basics) and cloud networking (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Cloud%20Networking). You will also research many cloud services (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Cloud%20Services)  that cloud providers make available to their customers to help them  take full advantage of cloud service and deployment models.

Step 2: Research Cloud Trends, Best Practices, and Migration Issues

The cloud computing revolution is redefining ways that companies of  all sizes use information technology. The cloud landscape shifts  rapidly, and current trends reflect this rapid pace of change. You  likely got an idea about this in the last step when you conducted  research on cloud architecture. Now, continue gathering information for  your final report by assessing:

In a separate piece of paper Discuss: Cloud Trends and Migration Issues, and post your findings.

Post your thoughts about new trends in cloud computing as well as  migration strategies for cloud deployments. Here are some possible  discussion topics:

1.   Which trends in the cloud computing industry do you consider the most important?

2.   What kind of future developments in the cloud industry would benefit companies like BallotOnline the most?

3.   Considering that BallotOnline would migrate the existing  application to the cloud, what elements should its migration strategy  embrace?

Your discussions will be helpful in determining proposed deployment architecture as well as a cloud vendor for BallotIOnline.

Step 3: Research Typical Architectures of Cloud Deployments

In the previous step, you considered best practices and trends in the  cloud industry. Next, you will have to look at the kinds of  architectures needed for cloud.

Because most elements of cloud deployments are implemented in a  virtualized environment controlled by software, the degree of freedom in  defining your deployment of cloud reference models is unprecedented (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Cloud%20Reference%20Models).  You can define the number of virtual servers required and the  configuration, and even change them dynamically as needed. You can also  define your virtual local area networks (LANs) and subnets, and place  servers in them to implement network security requirements.

The basic cloud deployment components are cloud consumer, cloud  provider, and cloud carrier, with cloud brokers and auditor as possible  additions.

Typical cloud architectures  (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Typical%20Cloud%20Architectures)  of cloud deployments vary from single server (suitable for  proof-of-concept engagements) and multiserver architectures with various  servers carrying different software components and occupying different  security zones, to geographically dispersed deployments to achieve high  availability, resilience, and speed of delivery. There are several issues to consider when selecting a server architecture, including cost, scalability, performance, and use of management (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Issues%20to%20Consider%20When%20Selecting%20a%20Server%20Architecture).

For this step, research the typical architectures of cloud  deployments and begin to consider what might be a good fit for  BallotOnline. Discuss your findings in a separate piece of paper and Discuss: Cloud Architectures.

Describe your findings about typical cloud deployment architectures. In particular, provide answers to these questions:

1.   Which features of these architectures would be difficult to implement in traditional, noncloud IT deployments?

2.   Which architectural elements would be important for the BallotOnline deployment?

3.   Which architectural elements are less important for BallotOnline?

Step 4: Propose Cloud Architecture for BallotOnline Deployment

Now that you have looked into cloud architectures, in this step, you  will propose the cloud deployment architecture for BallotOnline,  applying the knowledge of typical architectural elements of cloud  deployment from the project’s initial step. You will also consider  trends and migration issues from a previous step. Your recommendation  should consider the company’s business requirements.

Recall that the company has an existing web application that it wants  to move to the cloud, and also that the company wants to expand its  business to other parts of the world. In earlier projects, you learned  about and analyzed the IT business requirements for BallotOnline. Among  them were demands for application and data security, data encryption, and separation for deployments overseas (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Application%20and%20Data%20Security). Also, the application should handle load peaks during election times in different regions.

Specific technical requirements state that BallotOnline is a web  application, written using the popular open-source LAMP (Linux, Apache,  MySQL, PHP) software suite and the PHP application (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=PHP%20Application).

Action Item

Describe your proposed architecture by submitting a report with a  drawing of the architecture (hand-drawn or computer-created) diagram and  explaining its elements in a separate piece of paper.

There are some sample drawings here under typical cloud architectures to give you an idea (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Typical%20Cloud%20Architectures).

Step 5: Research AWS

You’ve described your proposed architecture and included a diagram to  provide leadership a way to envision the system. Now, it’s time to look  closely at the leading cloud providers to see if their services will  fit BallotOnline’s needs.

Each cloud provider provides a unique profile of services, so it is  good practice to compare cloud vendors and evaluate their reliability,  performance, ease of use, cost, security and compliance measures. As  more providers enter the marketplace, many will specialize on specific  needs and use cases, making this evaluation even more critical.

In this step, you will explore AWS and assess the feasibility of this platform for deploying the architecture proposed in the previous step (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Explore%20AWS). You should also consider issues related to AWS Pricing (https://aws.amazon.com/pricing/).

Based on your research, determine to what degree AWS supports the  elements of the BallotOnline business and technical requirements.

Share your thoughts in a separate piece of paper and Discuss: Amazon Web Services Feasibility. 

Post your findings on the features and services of AWS, including:

1.   Do you find the AWS offering feature-rich? Which features do you  like the most? Do you feel there are some features missing?

2.   What features support architectural elements such as  auto-scaling, load balancing, application auditing, or multigeography  deployments?

3.   Does the website, tutorials, and services usage seem easy and user-friendly?

Step 6: Research Microsoft Azure

Now that you have had a chance to research AWS, it’s time to explore Microsoft Azure (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Explore%20Microsoft%20Azure), another cloud provider that could be used to deploy the proposed architecture. You should also consider issues related to Microsoft Azure pricing (https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/).

Based on your research, determine to what degree Microsoft Azure  supports the elements of the BallotOnline business and technical  requirements. Share your thoughts in a separate piece of paper and Discuss: Microsoft Azure Feasibility 

Post your findings on the features and services of Microsoft Azure, including:

1.   Do you find the Azure offering feature-rich? Which features do  you like the most? Do you feel there are some features missing?

2.   What features support architectural elements like auto-scaling,  load balancing, application auditing, multi-geography deployments?

3.   Does the website, tutorials, and services usage seem easy and user-friendly?

Step 7: Generate AWS Proof of Concept (POC)

With your research complete, you will now deploy a simple one-page  PHP application to the AWS cloud. It will allow you to explore  deployment methods, ease of use, provisioning speed, etc., for the  Amazon cloud.

Action Item

As you may have already discovered in your research on AWS, it makes a cloud migration tool called Elastic Beanstalk available for customers to migrate their existing applications into the AWS cloud (https://aws.amazon.com/elasticbeanstalk/). We will use this tool to deploy your AWS proof of concept (POC) (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Proof%20of%20Concept%20(POC)).

Follow the steps in the AWS lab instructions to complete your AWS POC (https://content.umgc.edu/file/c91e7ce0-9040-442d-b244-0b511f07cbad/4/AWS%20Lab%20Instructions.pdf).

In a word single page, upload the URL linking to your application running in the AWS portal.

Step 8: Generate Azure Proof of Concept (POC)

Now that your AWS POC is complete, you can proceed with a similar POC deployment for the Microsoft Azure cloud.

Action Item

Follow the steps in the Azure lab instructions to complete your Azure POC (https://content.umgc.edu/file/c91e7ce0-9040-442d-b244-0b511f07cbad/3/MicrosoftAzureLabInstructions.html).

In a word single page, upload the URL linking to your application running in the Azure portal.

You are ready for the last step: writing the final report with  recommendations on the cloud providers for the BallotOnline executives.

Step 9: Write the Final Report Evaluating AWS and Azure Providers

Now that you have completed your research, shared your ideas with  colleagues, and explored the two vendors, it is time to compile your  findings and recommendations for the BallotOnline executives. You may  find these considerations for cloud provider selection helpful in making your decisions (https://lti.umuc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=Considerations%20for%20Cloud%20Provider%20Selection).

Use the Final Report Evaluating AWS and Azure Providers Template  to write your report and submit your work to the classroom  (https://content.umuc.edu/file/c91e7ce0-9040-442d-b244-0b511f07cbad/3/FinalReportEvaluatingAWSandAzureProvidersTemplate.docx).

Rubrics:

Check Your Evaluation Criteria

Before you submit your assignment, review the competencies below,  which your instructor will use to evaluate your work. A good practice  would be to use each competency as a self-check to confirm you have  incorporated all of them. To view the complete grading rubric, click My  Tools, select Assignments from the drop-down menu, and then click the  project title.

2.2: Locate and access sufficient information to investigate the issue or problem.

2.3: Evaluate the information in a logical and organized manner to determine its value and relevance to the problem.

2.4: Consider and analyze information in context to the issue or problem.

2.5: Develop well-reasoned ideas, conclusions or decisions, checking them against relevant criteria and benchmarks.

5.4: Articulate insights to leadership on the appropriate course of direction on the identified IT business needs.

6.1: Articulate the systems architecture of the cloud – cloud infrastructure, cloud service, cloud platform, and cloud storage.

6.6: Evaluate and select cloud providers (AWS, Azure, VMware, Google Cloud, IBM).

6.8: Review, evaluate, and utilize emerging technologies related to cloud to support business needs.

Information Governance Research paper 2

This is the second milestone of the portfolio project (which is due in week 7).

For milestone 2 (due in week 5), you will develop an annotated bibliography with a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed scholarly articles. Additionally, you will write the literature review for the final project. The entire milestone should be a minimum of 6 pages with 10 peer-reviewed scholarly articles.

For your reference, the portfolio project guidelines are attached here. 

Please see the UC library for help in formatting your bibliography.

Here are some examples: 

Here are some resources to complete a literature review:

1 page in APA 6th Format on BlockChain

1 page in APA 6th Format on BlockChain on the below points.

1. In chapter 2, the author describes Hyperledger Fabric and its components. Create a new thread, choose one of the Hyperledger design principles described in chapter 2, and explain why your chosen design principle is important to a successful enterprise blockchain implementation. I’m interested to read what YOU learned from this week’s reading. Do NOT submit a research paper. Tell me what you think.

2. Then think of three questions you’d like to ask other students and add these to the end of your thread. 

Tasks

 There are TWO tasks that you would need to do( they are separate): 

Task 1 (Minimum 300 words): 

 Your company is experiencing a decline in business because of competition. 

Your manager thinks they may be able to turn the company around if they can get help from an IT professional on E-Commerce and Mobile Technologies. 

Assume your company is a traditional retail entity similar to Sears, Macy’s or K-Mart, suggest ways your company can use E-Commerce and Mobile Technologies to increase its visibility and sales. 

In your discussion, explain what is E-Commerce and Mobile Technology..

TASK 2:

Write a reply to the two responses in the attached document ( Response 1 and Response 2) with 150 words for each. 

There should be no plagiarism. Attach a plagiarism report with 0 % similarity index. 

Operation Security

 

The economy is driven by data ~ Data sustains an organization’s business processes and enables it to deliver products and services. Stop the flow of data, and for many companies, business comes quickly to a halt.  Those who understand its value and have the ability to manage related risks will have a competitive advantage. If the loss of data lasts long enough, the viability of an organization to survive may come into question. 

  • What is the significant difference between quality assurance & quality control? Explain
  • Why is there a relationship between QA/QC and risk management? Explain
  • Why are policies needed to govern data both in transit and at rest (not being used – accessed)? Explain

Discussion

 

Security assessment vs Security audit, explain briefly the differences and similarity.

 

This assignment should include at least two references.

Computer Science

Technology and Enterprise Resource Planning

As an IT manager, discuss how your company will use Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to integrate the various functions of an entity. What are the advantages of using ERP? In your discussion, please be sure to provide substantive explanation of what ERP is and give example(s) of ERP. 

1 response with 300 words and 2 responses with 150 words each. All with references(don’t include references towards total words count) and please use APA format.