the perils of using windows for critical systems new south wales ambulance  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 12:47:49 am
content: http://www.techworld.com.au/article/376509/nsw_ambulance_computers_coming_back_online/you might be intrested to know that 1/2 attack attempts against windows machines results in exploitation that is a successfully attacked

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 01:08:01 am
content: Remind me no to get sick or have an accident...Dave.

author: adam1213
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 02:43:47 am
content: I am sure it is probably windows that they are using but has anyone actually confirmed this?According to microsoft windows is being used for at least one ambulance systemhttp://www.microsoft.com/industry/healthcare/providers/housecalls/articles/ambulance_service.mspxedit:Quotehttp://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/world-focus-on-ambulance-system-failure/story-e6frgakx-1226005951185

author: the_raptor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 12:49:36 pm
content: The peril of not having protection between your servers and user machines. This was an IT failure, not a Windows failure.Frankly for something critical like this I wouldn't use any consumer OS. I would use a hardened real time OS or similar.But of course the ability of management* to easily pull data in and out of Excel is considered more important than the reliability and ease of maintenance of the system.* Every public service in NSW is way over burdened with dickheads in Sydney getting six figures to molest data instead of allowing the workers to actually do their jobs.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 12:50:43 pm
content: to be honest I'm very suprised that governments and goverment departments are not using a purpose built OS, windoes is just too unreliable and vulnerable

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 05:36:00 pm
content: its microsofts fault for pushing unreliable software on our public systems.all software has bugs written by humans after allwinodows is a real pos in reality and unix linux whilst steps ahead are no betterdoesn't take much to tie up the message loop and just badly designed.remember thishttp://www.our-picks.com/archives/2007/02/01/bill-gates-vista-is-so-secure-it-could-run-life-support-systems/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/20/sheffield_conficker/its not a rant about operating systems but a realization that off the shelf operating systems have no place in these settings in critical systems.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 07:23:16 pm
content: Quote from: the_raptor on February 14, 2011, 12:49:36 pmYes, no one in their right mind would dream of using Windows to control a nuclear reactor, in fact the whole idea or using ordinary PCs for safety critical systems is stupid.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 07:30:44 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on February 14, 2011, 07:23:16 pmIsn't this the direction NI is pushing their products? I mean, NI products are used extensively in CERN.During a high-end Tektronix scope demonstation the sales-person said that the more expensive scope was using Windows and the cheaper one was using a proprietary OS. He then dared to imply that the scope using Windows as an OS must be better...

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 08:19:49 pm
content: my company bought some CNC equipment a couple of years ago, within weeks it was down: WindoZe again

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 08:56:51 pm
content: The worst one I remember was during a gigI use guitar amp modelling software to emulate expensive amps when I need different soundsthan my jcm 800ill nether forget the embarrassment, half way through the solo of a mr big songthe bloody thing blue screenedand there was I looking like a right T**T pulling stupid facesonly to notice there was no soundand I just though the loop/feedback had failedthen to stoop it all off I fell down the stage exit stairs after having rock star stroplooking back it was funny except the fall down stairs

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2011, 09:36:34 pm
content: Quote from: the_raptor on February 14, 2011, 12:49:36 pmQuite correct! The CAD system is not a Windows only platform! While not wanting to defend Microsoft or Windows and their appalling approach to security, there is nothing to be gained by simplifying this incident to a Windows flaw.Quote from: the_raptor on February 14, 2011, 12:49:36 pmProperly designed and hardened, a good back end system can maintain it's integrity without risk. The real risk is that any data extracted to insecure systems becomes insecure also. If the front end interface is properly thought out and flexible enough to meet routine needs, then you have to question why there is a need for extraction onto unmanaged and insecure excel spreadsheets.Quote from: the_raptor on February 14, 2011, 12:49:36 pmAnd there in lies the problem! Contracts awarded to political mates rather than via merit via open and compliant tenders!There is an election in a few weeks time to tell the incumbents and their stacked public service hierarchy how we feel about their management and spending performance.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2011, 06:57:31 am
content: Quote from: Sionyn on February 14, 2011, 08:56:51 pmouch! the stuff of nightmares right there! your example is #1 reason i switched to mac for live performance. aside from being inherently less prone to various modes of failure, should the occasion arise that something on my laptop goes horribly wrong, i can either: a. boot off of a backup image on a external drive. b. pull another laptop out of my bag and boot off it's internal drive c. pull another laptop out of my bag and boot off the original machine's internal drive. all of which result in only a couple minutes of down time, no phone calls to india, and only minor bruising of ego.-sj