Enterprise's "black box": security mission in ERP

An ERP system is like a "black box" of an enterprise. It covers the most critical and sensitive information resources of an enterprise. Therefore, how to ensure security on the basis of application development has always been the biggest challenge in ERP deployment.

Security

ERP features big and comprehensive, users can find information about an enterprise in terms of organizational structure, management philosophy, customer resources, human resources composition, enterprise productivity, sales channels, partners, and competitors. As a result, it is imperative to establish an information security management mechanism to protect the security of ERP. Some experts suggested that information security should be the focus of attention and urgent problems in the ERP application process.

However, when many enterprises discuss and promote the construction of ERP projects, they do not have an accident and disaster foresight and response mechanism. It is often difficult to effectively consider the requirements of information security, the information security construction of ERP systems is often ignored. Both product suppliers, implementation service providers, and third-party consulting institutions of the ERP system are paying too much attention to the functions of the ERP system, while most of the problems related to ERP information security are ignored.

At the same time, because the implementation process of the ERP system is relatively complex and the technical strength of the manufacturer is limited, it is difficult to establish an effective ERP system information security management mechanism during the implementation process, this makes ERP the weakest link in the information security management of the entire enterprise. The perfect and reliable information security management is the central link that affects the successful implementation of the ERP system. If effective control is not implemented on the information security problems of the ERP system, it may not only increase the implementation cost of the system, it is also possible to restrict the full application of system functions to a large extent, and ultimately make the ERP construction more efficient than half or even worse, resulting in the success rate of China's ERP project construction less than 35%.

ERP security Summary

It can be said that with the widespread application of ERP systems in domestic enterprises, the security issues of ERP are increasingly exposed and become increasingly serious. The reasons are summarized as follows: 1. Physical environment, mainly for disasters such as Water, Fire, power supply, and low levels of personnel usage, decision-making, and control; second, system hardware, mainly for the monitoring and control equipment, computer systems, network equipment, connection lines and other defects; third, system software, mainly for computer operating systems, database management systems, servers and other defects; fourth, application Software is mainly caused by design defects and weak technology of the ERP system. Fifth, external intrusion mainly involves tampering and damage by viruses and hackers. Sixth, internal abuse, mainly for Operation errors, man-made damages, internal crimes, etc.

Today, with the rapid popularization of Information-based applications, especially ERP systems that can be remotely accessed from and outside the Internet, are at risk of viruses, hackers, and even competitors obtaining, tampering, and destruction, this will bring huge risk losses to enterprises. Therefore, how can we take into account the security and efficiency of the ERP system, enhancing the management and control capabilities of enterprises to identify, prevent, reduce and control information security risks of the organization, and establishing secure, reliable, and effective security management systems and mechanisms are becoming the top priorities of enterprise information construction, it is also a major challenge faced by many enterprises.

Four key points

The security of ERP information systems should include Entity security, information security, Operation Security, and personal security. Physical security refers to measures and processes for protecting computer equipment, infrastructure including networks, and other facilities from natural and man-made damages; information security refers to measures and processes to prevent information from being intentionally or accidentally leaked, modified, damaged, or identified or controlled by illegal systems; operational security refers to four measures and content in terms of system risk management, audit tracking, backup and recovery, and emergency response; personal security mainly refers to the system usage, management personnel's security awareness, legal awareness, and security skills.

The security management mechanism of ERP system is established in order, ensure that the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of enterprise information systems do not conflict with the maintainability of ERP information system engineering; while controlling investment, ensure that there are no loopholes in the security design of information systems; urge the enterprise's ERP information system management personnel and application personnel to strictly implement security operations and management under the security management system and security specifications, and establish security awareness at all times; supervise the implementation of the construction unit in accordance with technical standards and construction plans, and check whether the construction unit has any non-safety hazards in the design process.

Strategy and Technology

ERP security is more important than Taishan. For enterprises, it is very important and necessary to establish a reliable and reasonable information security management system. Although there are many technical methods and means to establish an information security management system, the details of the methods are even more important, however, the fundamental method is to establish a sound ERP information security management system and adopt the corresponding basic strategies and main technologies. Through the organic combination of systems and means, the best information security management effect can be achieved.

The first is to establish an ERP security risk prediction and control mechanism, which is the first step in the information security management system. The "error model and consequence analysis" technology is used to predict and discover the error conditions generated or potential in each link of the system, so as to reduce risks and risks for the continuous and secure operation of the ERP system. In addition, it is also important to implement a complete initialization establishment and operation.

The second is to establish ERP security protection policies and systems, and clarify the use scope and handling methods of enterprise ERP information by determining key information, job configuration, and staff permissions. Protects computer equipment and facilities, Prevents viruses, hackers, and other intrusions, tampering and damages, and supervises administrators and application personnel to strictly implement security operations and management under security management systems and security regulations.

The third is to fully implement the ERP security protection technology, mainly including server security control, login security control, and database security control. This is a monitoring method for the implementation of information security protection policies and systems, and a guarantee for maintaining the information security management system. Information security protection technology is an important part of the information security management system and an important implementation and guarantee means of information security protection systems and policies.

The fourth is to analyze and summarize the effectiveness of ERP security protection, which provides the necessary basis for improving the dynamic information security management system in the future. By analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of information security management, we can continuously discover new security vulnerabilities and risks and further improve information security protection policies and systems.

Of course, everything is relative. ERP information security is also a relative concept and there is no absolute security. That is to say, security cannot be ignored because of over-emphasis on system functions, and the system operation quality and efficiency cannot be greatly reduced because of over-emphasis on system security. Properly handle the relationship between information security and operation quality and efficiency, take into account the security and efficiency of the ERP system, further standardize system operation rules, and establish security measures that are in line with standards and rationality, to comprehensively improve the overall running effect of enterprise ERP systems.

As long as we treat information security issues with a scientific, rigorous, and serious attitude and establish an effective and adaptable ERP information security management system, the security risks of enterprise ERP systems will be minimized, and achieve the best construction implementation effect.

ERP security construction experience

Establishing a reliable and effective security management system and mechanism is a prerequisite for ensuring the security of ERP applications.
Reliability, availability, confidentiality, integrity, and maintainability are the connotation of ERP security
Risk Prevention and Control Mechanism is the basis of ERP security management system
Enterprises must establish their own ERP security policies and systems for well-documented purposes.
Security and functions complement each other. ERP construction must balance the relationship between the two.