A CURRENT topic trending on social media bears the hashtag: #SinceWhenThatsYourRole. This pointed reference to recent exchange between a member of Parliament and the Speaker in the House of Parliament in Saint Lucia, raises an important question about roles and responsibilities. Do you know your role?
For a system to function effectively, it is important that everyone involved understands their role and responsibility, otherwise there will be chaos. As citizens, each one of us has an equal responsibility to play our role in supporting the development of the country. As good citizens, we are expected to:
* Respectfully obey the laws;
* Take part in elections and to vote;
* Work and pay taxes;
* Generally develop our communities.
With increasing authority (or a bigger role), our responsibility increases. So in a business environment, the Board of directors may exercise a degree of flexibility that is not available to the junior officers of the organisation. If the chain-of-command should be breached, then it may cause confusion and disruption too! Problems may arise if one exceeds one’s authority, or worse, one does not adequately exercise one’s authority.
Computing systems require each user to understand their role and responsibility. For example, consider how you interact with a computer system, such as the ATMs provided by your favourite bank or credit union. As a regular user equipped with an ATM card, you only have a limited level of access to the system. This access is sufficient to allow you to withdraw and receive cash and to find out information about your accounts.
In contrast, senior supervisors and managers have a greater role, and are allowed a greater degree of access. A power user or administrator would also have the ability to recharge or reprogram the ATM. You could imagine the disruption and disorder that would arise, if everyone could make modifications to an ATM. It is good practise for ICT systems to restrict access in a manner based on an individual’s role.
Some other examples of access control mechanisms:
* Physical locks and keys needed to enter a controlled area;
* The remote control device used to open doors and gates;
* Manned security checkpoints at carnival events.
The next time you are tempted to pose the popular question #SinceWhenThatsYourRole, make sure that you know and stay in your section!
In your role as a reader, you may contact the author at: www.datashore.net or via The VOICE.