Networks

JPMorgan Chase utilizes several types of networks. There are different components used to build a business network. Some examples of these components include: network interfaces in every computer, a network interface card or an Ethernet card, hubs or switches to connect computers together and pass messages by repeating all network transmissions, and routers to pass network traffic between smaller subnets or a larger network. Another type of network used by JPMorgan Chase is a local area network, which is a network that covers a building or buildings in close proximity. In order to use these networks, different types of interfaces are needed. Software can be considered intellectual interface because it contains the instructions that hardware uses to execute an information-processing task. JPMorgan Chase, as well as other industries, employs a category of application software known as horizontal market software. Examples of horizontal market software include, inventory management, payroll, accounts receivable, billing, invoice processing, and human resource management. The company also uses personal productivity software, which helps perform tasks such as writing memos, creating graphs, and presentations. On the other hand, hardware is considered the physical interface. To understand the role of hardware, you need to know that computers unlike humans work with bytes and bits. The challenge here is to be able to translate the common human language into binary form. In order to translate into binary form, computers use coding systems to represent, process, and store information. Examples of the coding systems used by JPMorgan Chase include SQL, and ASCII. You also need to be familiar with the role of your input and output devices. Input devices convert information from human-readable form into bits and bytes. Output devices on the other hand, covert the “computers language” into something people can understand. Examples of input devices are keyboards, mouse, touchpad, scanners, and cameras. Examples of output devices consist of monitors, printers, and speakers. All these devices are used by JPMorgan Chase.

JPMorgan Chase uses several types of media such as magnetic, optical, and flash. Magnetic media includes storage devices such as hard disks, which stores information inside the disk drive. Optical media is not that well-known these days but in some way it is still used. Optical storage devices include CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW. Last but certainly not least, flash media comes in two categories, flash memory device and flash memory cards. JPMorgan Chase also uses network communications media, which includes two options: wired communications media and wireless communications media. Both wired and wireless transmission media is utilized by JPMorgan Chase. They also use several kinds of communications software. Communications media are paths over which information travels in a network. There are also wired and wireless versions of communication media. Wired communications media include twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, and optical fiber. Wireless communications media include infrared, Bluetooth, microwave, and satellite. JPMorgan Chase utilizes wireless as well as wired communication software. Wi-Fi would be another example of a wireless communications media this is a standard for transmitting information over distances as far as several miles. Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) is a communications software employed by JPMorgan Chase. This software operates a worldwide financial messaging network which exchanges messages between banks and other financial institutions. SWIFT also markets software and services to financial institutions. SWIFT transports financial messages in a highly secure way, but does not hold accounts for its members and does not perform any form of clearing or settlement. The software does not facilitate funds transfer, rather, it sends payment orders, which must be settled via correspondent accounts that the institutions have with each other.

There are several different types of ways to connect a network. A company can utilize just a hub or a switch, or they can connect the network with a hub or a switch with a router. JPMorgan Chase is a global company with offices all over the world. They connect their networks using a router and a switch. It is the most resourceful way to network such a large company. The routers connect the subnetworks to the larger network. Since JPMorgan Chase is a global company with employees and customers all over the world needing to access the network, they utilize both local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN). LANs are networks used to connect an entire building or several buildings that are in close proximity to each other. WANs are used to network buildings that are not in close proximity to each other but need to be on the network. JPMorgan Chase connects to the internet using T1, which is a high-speed business circuit with speeds as high as 1.544 Mbps; DS3, which is a very high-speed business circuit running at up to 44.736 Mbps; as well Frame Relay which is set up on the T1 and DS3 lines. Voice over IP (VoIP) is a means of transmitting a voice telephone call over a computer data network. T1 and DS3 lines were originally designed to transmit telephone calls and were later adapted to carry computer data. VoIP is just one of the many more technological advances that JPMorgan utilizes.

The four principles of network security are confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality means that information can be obtained only by those authorized to access it. JPMorgan Chase values the sensitivity of the information that their system contains and therefore has safeguards they use to ensure that no outside parties can access this information. They also restrict the access of certain information to only authorized personnel. JPMorgan Chase also distributes a code of conduct to all employees to ensure they understand the importance of keeping valuable customer information private. JPMorgan Chase also employs the use of passwords to access certain areas of the network as well as requires customers to safeguard their accounts with their own personal password. Authenticity means that information really comes from the source it claims to come from. JPMorgan Chase employs digital signatures on their website to ensure the authenticity of transactions as well as the confidentiality. They also employ digital signing of transactions binding users to the transactions they initiate, advanced encryption technology assuring end-to-end security of transactions, and secure log record verification of transaction, originator, and recipient.

Integrity means that information has not been altered. JPMorgan Chase’s code of conduct outlines the integrity that they expect their employees to follow. JPMorgan Chase’s digital signature, advanced encryption technology, and secure log verification ensures the integrity of the information entered and stored. JPMorgan Chase also has processes set up to notify customers when their information or account may have been comprised and ensure that they take the necessary actions quickly to maintain the integrity of their database. Availability means simply that a service or resource is available when it is supposed to be. JPMorgan Chase takes every means possible to ensure that their network is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If for any reason, the network is to crash or is not available, JPMorgan Chase takes every means necessary to ensure that the down town is extremely limited and that there are no future interruptions. JPMorgan Chase employs the use of several different programs to ensure they are maintaining the four principles of network security such as anti-virus software, filters, firewall, keystroke logger, monitoring software, and Wi-Fi protected access, just to name a few. JPMorgan Chase has three domains that one can use to access information about the company, http://www.jpmorganchase.com/, http://www.jpmorgan.com/, and http://www.chase.com/.