Re: Centralized vs. Decentralized IT

[Megan Carney <carn0048 () UMN EDU>]

Decentralized isn't necessarily bad. If you have a wide array of interests
within a particular college (which most do), it would be difficult to craft
one department which would be able to do everything everyone needed to do.

That being said, it may make sense have centralized control of sensitive
systems, since there are standards that shoudl be strictly enforced.

On Thursday 07 August 2008 02:56:01 pm Stephen John Smoogen wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 1:27 PM, Sarazen, Daniel <dsarazen () umassp edu> wrote:
> > Hi All,
> >
> >
> >
> > Do you have any leanings between Centralized IT networks (Main IT group
> > responsible for IT services); vs. decentralized IT networks (Each
> > department is responsible for their own apps, servers and security
> > (Intrusion detection/prevention) with their own IT staff? Has anyone
> > looked at their campus and formed an opinion on the IT governance
> > configuration?
>
> In most places you are dealing with the feudal system that most
> Universities have in place. Centralized systems require a strong
> 'king' who can take money away if the 'lords' rebel and don't want to
> follow the rules. However, most Uni's do not have a strong 'king'
> since the money usually comes from grants etc. This leads to the
> decentralized system where every lord sets their own rules, and
> follows what the King says when it suits them (well if we follow that
> we won't be eligible for this grant... etc).
>
> > Any feedback you can provide is appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > :: Daniel Sarazen, CISA, Information Technology Auditor
> > :: University Internal Audit
> > :: University of Massachusetts President's Office
> > ::
> > :: 508-856-2443
> > ::
> > :: 781-724-3377 Cell
> > :: 508-856-8824 Fax
> > :: Dsarazen () umassp edu
> >
> > University of Massachusetts : 333 South St. : Suite 450 : Shrewsbury, MA
> > 01545 : www.massachusetts.edu



--
Megan Carney
Security Coordinator
OIT Security and Assurance
612-625-3858
carn0048 () umn edu

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