Computer Security Essay - 1039 Words

Computer Security Would you be interested in a career where you could make fifty thousand dollars a year right out of college? Would you like to have an extremely secure job? Would you like to create a company as successful as Microsoft or Facebook? If so, a career in computer security may be the field for you. As a high school student, you might be wondering what it would be like to work in the field of networking or database security, as well as compare them to similar fields. Today I will give you some general information that might encourage you to seek a degree in the field of computer science, with a concentration in computer security. My goal is to give you information to help you make an informed decision about whether this†¦show more content†¦He had just finished his associate’s degree in computer science, and had a few network security certifications. He was looking for a part time job, and had originally applied for a job as an accountant at a bank. After working the re for two days, they had a computer failure. When the IT specialist working on it was unable to fix right away, he decided to see if he could help. He quickly found what one of the IT specialists had missed and fixed the problem. Once he fixed their computer system his supervisor started asking him questions about what kind of computers had he worked on and asked one of the other IT specialist to test him to see if he knew what he was doing. Once they checked his basic computer skills they offered him a job as one of the bank IT specialists. Since he hadn’t finished school they told him that he couldn’t move up until he finished his degree. So, while you might be able to get your foot in the door with some practical experience, the best jobs will go to those that have a bachelor’s degree and maybe some certifications in their particular area of interest or specialty. You might be wondering what a security major really does. IT security has to be very careful about keeping their anti-virus software updated and secure. There are about a thousand new viruses created a day and it’s not unheard of to have tens of thousands created in a single day. A good example of this would be last year’s April Fool’s DayShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of Computer Security2039 Words   |  9 PagesThe Importance of Computer Security Computer security, is the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, the software, and to the information on them, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. It includes controlling physical access to the hardware, as well as protecting against harm that may come via network access, data and code injection,] and due to malpractice by operators, whether intentional, accidental, or due to them being trickedRead MoreComputer Security : Key Components Of Pc Security1099 Words   |  5 PagesComputer Security is an issue of critical significance for all associations, considering the way that data frameworks have turned into an essential piece of vital getting ready for all real organizations. Organizations need to find the key components of PC security while arranging their data frameworks technique. Computer security alludes to the assurance given to robotized data structures with a specific end goal to ensure their respectabili ty, accessibility, and secrecy. Computer security includesRead MoreComputer Security And Social Engineering Essay1810 Words   |  8 PagesComputer security is a very important topic in today’s world. One does not have to look far to read about data breaches, DDoS attacks, or other computer related crimes. When we think of cybercrime, we usually envision the Hollywood portrayal of technical hackers typing vigorously and wearing dark sunglasses. However, in reality, hacking tends to be much less glamorous. Actually, one critical element is often overlooked by the general public and movies alike; yet, every security professional knowsRead MoreWhat Is Computer Security?936 Words   |  4 PagesWHAT IS COMPUTER SECURITY? The process of preventing and detecting the use of data in the computer by any individuals without authorization is referred to as Computer Security. It is also known as cybersecurity or IT security. It involves the process of protecting computer resources from intruders for their own gains. Anti-virus, firewalls, data encryption, password protection are the main measures that encompass the computer security. It is mainly concerned with four main areas: 1. Confidentiality:Read MoreComputer Security : Computers And Networks870 Words   |  4 Pagesnot use the computer system to â€Å"snoop† or pry into the affairs of other users by unnecessarily reviewing their files and e-mail. Accessing other computers and networks: A User’s ability to connect to other computer systems through the network or by a modem does not imply a right to connect to those systems or to make use of those systems unless specifically authorized by the operators of those systems. Computer security: Each User is responsible for ensuring that use of outside computers and networksRead MoreChallenges Faced By Computer Network Security1501 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract- The rapid development in computer network technology leads to the security challenges faced by it at every step of its growth. Three main threats facing computer network security include: hackers, computer virus and denial of service attack. Safety factors of the network are mainly: resources sharing, data communication, computer virus and TCP/IP protocol security flaws. A safety network system should include at least three kinds of measures: legal measures, technical measures and reviewRead More Computer Security Essay3218 Words   |  13 PagesComputer Security In the last few decades, the world saw a revolution in information and technology, and the main factor of this revolution was the computer. Computers made life easier for millions of people all over the world, especially in the United States, where the latest innovations in the field of computers take place. Information circulates with extreme speed, and a person with a computer and access to the Internet can follow what is happening on Wall Street, even if he is thousandsRead MoreComputer Security : An Intrusion Of Security1467 Words   |  6 Pagesintrusion of security What is computer security? Computer security is the procedure which guarantees that the information put away on a machine is not intelligible by other individual without the director s endorsement or approval. Case in point: if the secret key â€Å"class† in cisco switches is made secure then it will be put away to some degree like 5 e08hjn38tyb8 which is elusive out what the real watchword is on the grounds that it is scrambled. What is computer Privacy? Computer protection intendsRead MoreInformation Security And Computer Usage Essay1704 Words   |  7 PagesDirector of Information and Computer Technology SUBJECT: Information security and computer usage policies This memo presents the plans for the revision of information security and computer usage polices for Technocracy. The memo will outline discovered security issues and new policies including additional steps, goals and obstacles when implementing them. Previous security issues discovered Security compromises were discovered in information and computer security after the hack of MultiGame’sRead MoreThe Flaws Of The Ieee Computer Security1580 Words   |  7 Pagesusage bugs instead of distinguishing the configuration defects. The IEEE computer security, the main relationship for registering experts had been dispatched a digital security which is activity with the point of growing and raising its continuous association in the field of digital security. In the first venture for the activity was to dispatch the IEEE computer society designs to move happen to the concentrate in security structure discovering bugs to distinguishing basic outline blemishes with

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - 671 Words

Robert Frosts poem â€Å"The Road Not Taken† describes a traveler facing a choice, he can either choose the road not taken, or he can choose the road most traveled by. He does not know where either road might lead, but in order to continue with his journey, he can pick only one road. He analyses both roads for the possibilities of where each may take him in his journey. Frosts traveler realizes that regret is inevitable. Regardless of his choice, he knows that he will miss the experiences he might have encountered on the road not taken. Frost, uses literary elements, such as Denotation and Connotation, Symbolism, alliteration, consonance, and assonance in order to convey massage. One very effective method alike from Shakespeare, that Frost uses, is Denotation and Connotation, which in conjunction with symbolism give the poem richness and color. Symbolism is used, when the author wants to suggest a certain mood, rather than blasting it out, the author hints the readers throughout symbols.Denotation is what the dictionary says a word means, and connotation, is what a word can make you think of. For example, the denotation of the word â€Å"Road† is: A long, narrow stretch with a smoothened or paved surface, made for traveling by motor vehicle or carriage. While the connotation of this word, is what you choose to do with your life, are you going to choose the path everybody takes, or are you going to forge your own path in life. So rather than just telling us that the two roadsShow MoreRelatedThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost983 Words   |  4 PagesThe poem â€Å"The Road Not Taken was written by Robert Frost, a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner in p oetry, and also a special guest at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration (Robert Frost Biography). Frost was born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco, California and he died of complications from prostate surgery on January 29, 1963. Much of Robert’s popularity was gained throughout Europe (An Analysis of Robert Frost’s Poem: The Road Not Taken). Frost became a poetic force, and the unofficial poetRead MoreThe Road Not Taken by Robert Frost764 Words   |  3 PagesWritten by Robert Frost, â€Å"The Road Not Taken† deals with about making choices in life and how those choices affect your whole life. The meter of this poem is iambic tetrameter, for the most part. In most lines, the meter follows the rule with four iambs, which means that there is one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. But the meter is not normal since, in some lines, an anapest, which means there are two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable, is substi tuted forRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost1173 Words   |  5 PagesRobert Frost, one of America’s well-known poets is highly regarded for his realistic illustrations of rural life and poetry which is still relevant in today’s society. After being honoured on numerous occasions, he became one of America’s most popular public figures. Frosts’ poems reflect his greatness and his life in a variety of ways after he was confronted with such despair and grief after the passing of his father due to tuberculosis at just eleven years of age and his mother who passed awayRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost995 Words   |  4 Pagesthey can only move forward hoping for the best. â€Å"The Road Not Taken†, Robert Frost, 1916. In â€Å"The Road Not Taken† a traveler is strolling through the woods and comes across two different roads he could take, and unable to travel both the poet eventually chooses which path to take. The theme con veyed is about making choices. Frost does this through the use of diction, the use of figure of speech, and the use of imagery. To start with, Frost displays the main idea of decision making by the wordsRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost1055 Words   |  5 Pagesago. Either way, if you admit it now or in the wee hours of the night, like most people, you will come across this question at least once in your life. Robert Frost was able to grasp this raw, vulnerable life changing moment in the palm of his hand. Then he beautifully laid it out in the form of words in the narrative poem â€Å"The Road Not Taken†. Frost is able to take you back to a time when you have been faced with a life-changing decision. Then, causing you to ask yourself â€Å"Did I make the right choiceRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost940 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Road Not Taken† was written by Robert Frost in 1916, and it was the first poem in the collection Mountain Interval (Shmoop). Even though it was written many years ago, people of all ages still study this enticing poem. Frost wrote about coming to a fork in the woods and examining which path he should take and whether he might ever come back; the speaker believes each path is fine to take, but he takes the less used path (line 6). He wrote about this decision in clear, standard English. â€Å"TheRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost863 Words   |  4 PagesThe Poem, â€Å"The Road Not Taken†, by Robert Frost is a detailed poem about a conflict in a person’s life, dealing with having to take the right path throughout life. The Narrator of this poem is faced with a predicament when he comes across two paths. The choices that he makes in his life, can alter the future for better or worse. This poem describes his attitude and emotion towards his choices as well as, shows examples of themes, mood, and different literary devices. The title of this poem canRead MoreThe Road Not Taken, By Robert Frost968 Words   |  4 PagesPersonal Response 3 Title: The Road Not Taken Text Type: Poem Author: Robert Frost The poem, ‘The Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost is about the â€Å"roads† and different paths we take in our lives. Frost wrote about a traveler who had to chose between two roads. He had to decide if he wanted to go down the well used or less used path. In the end, he went down the less used path. The theme of decision making and choices is shown in this poem. I think that this is a way of describing the choices we makeRead MoreRoad Not Taken, Robert Frost942 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish 101 Burstrem October 7, 2009 The Road Not Taken Life is full of choices and decisions that could ultimately change the outcome of our lives. In the poem, â€Å"The Road Not Taken† by Robert Frost, a traveler is destined to make that decision. This traveler man has to decide which road to take, one that is frequently traveled, and the one that is not. After contemplating which road to follow, he comes to the decision to take the road less traveled because he doesn’t want to follow inRead MoreThe Road Not Taken By Robert Frost1100 Words   |  5 PagesRobert Frost reflects that poetry â€Å"begins in delight and ends in wisdom†¦.It runs a course of lucky events , and ends in a clarification of life—not necessarily a great clarification, such as sects and cults are found on, but in a momentary stay against confusion† (931). His poem â€Å"The Road Not Taken† is a clarification of life. This paper will analyze and evaluate the formal elements of â€Å"The Road Not Taken† and consid er how these elements work together to fit the author’s purpose and clarification

The Superintendence of Companies - Securities and Insurance

Question: What Are the Regulatory Framework/S Affecting the Multinational Company? What Are The Treaties, Conventions Or Agreements That Have Impacted On The Products Or Services That Multinational Company Provides In Australia? Answer: Introducation: Suncorp Group Limited is a Australian conglomerate with interests in insurance, finance and banking. It also operates in other countries around the world like New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It has its headquarters in Brisbane Australia in Queensland. Suncorp Bank Limited is one of the largest banks in Australia and in other countries in its operations. Secondly, Suncorp insurance group is the largest general insurance group in Australia. The company was formed after a successful merger between Metway Bank, Suncorp and Queensland Industry Development Corporation (QIDC). By the end of the year 2015, Suncorp group limited had a total of 14,500 employees and is listed among the largest individual employer in both Australia and New Zealand. It is also listed in the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and has been performing relatively well despite volatility in banking and insurance industry(Avadhani, 2009). It is also a relatively young company which after it was founded in 1996 has survived mostly through joint ventures and partnerships. Key people in the company include; Ziggy Switkowski- chairman Michael Cameron Group CEO The group operating revenue for the year ending 2015 is A$ 16.72 billion and its operating income rose to A$ 3.48 billion for the same year. Profit rose to A$ 1.3 billion for the same year. The company is doing exceptionally well in insurance and banking and is riding high on the ability of its customers to take more and more of its products. It has remained a market leader due to innovation and product differentiation which are unique. Expansion strategies are also core on the boards and the executive trying to get into new markets and regions. The draft Organic Monetary and Financial Code establishes the strengthening of the private insurance regime and changes its regulation from the superintendence of banks and insurance (SBS) to that of companies, with the entry into force of which will have the name of Superintendence of companies, securities and insurance(Brown, 2017). While the minimum amount for insurance advisors, risk inspectors, claims adjusters and reinsurance intermediaries will be determined by the monetary and financial regulation policy board. The capital will be paid with cash. The monetary and financial regulation policy board may at any time increase the minimum capital requirements. In addition, the regulations establish that the resources for the increase of paid capital will come exclusively from contributions in money that cannot arise from loans or other direct or indirect financing that have been granted by the company itself; Of the legal reserve surplus; Of accumulated profits; And the capitalization of reserve accounts, provided that they are intended for this purpose(Dunning, 2013). Also, insurance and reinsurance companies must invest their technical reserves of at least 60% of paid-in capital and legal reserve in securities of the stock and real estate market, in the segments and percentages defined by the board, through norms of a general nature, seeking an adequate combination of risks, security and profitability. These companies are prohibited from trading securities issued by entities in the private financial sector. The fines imposed by the Superintendence, in no case, will be less than 30 unified basic salaries, nor more than 0.3% of the sales reported by the infringing entity. In order to conclude with the liquidation processes, the superintendent, in accordance with the rules issued by the board, may authorize or arrange for the assets and liabilities of entities in liquidation to be temporarily or irrevocably contributed to a trustee that the assets and liabilities arising from said entities may be jointly managed(Du?wel and Frey, 2012). The Code also establishes that the regulatory board will have the power to set wage limits in companies. Observations on the project The executive secretary of the Australian Federation of Insurance Companies , made several observations on the project sent by the executive. The businessman showed his disagreement regarding the minimum capital regime for the start of operations and raises that for insurance is $ 5 million and for reinsurance $ 8 million. Superintendence of Companies, Securities and Insurance Insurance and reinsurance companies are obliged to contract external auditors, as well as risk rating firms that must be legal entities that will be subject to the qualification standards. The shareholders, board members and administrators will be personally and financially responsible for the deficit that is determined to cover the liabilities of the entity in liquidation(Hill and Hult, n.d.). Functions of the Regulatory Authority Regulating the Insurance Activity To interpret, apply and resolve, for administrative purposes, that related to Mutual Insurance Institutions and Societies. Adopt all measures related to the creation, organization and operation of the National Insurance Institutions, after consulting the Bank of Australia . As examples: Authorization to create a new Insurance Company Authorization to function as an Insurance or Mutual Insurance Company. Authorization of officials of the first two levels in one of these organizations. Authorization of a new branch. Functions of the National Insurance and Bond Commission Supervise, monitor and, if applicable, punish that the operation of the Insurer and Bonding sectors adhere to the regulatory framework. To preserve the financial solvency and stability of the Institutions and thus guarantee the interests of the users. Examples: A) Inspection and supervision of Insurance Companies and Insurance Agents. B) Solvency and Stability of Insurance Companies, solvency margin and reserves. Nonetheless, this law maintains some monopolized insurance contracts in the hands of the Bank of Insurance, that is to say that they can only be contracted with this entity, as is the case of insurance contracts concluded by state public persons themselves (they are not monopolized The insurances contracted by the groups of civil servants of said public persons (Dunning, 2013). That is to say that in spite of the monopoly of the insurance activity, monopolized in the hands of the state entity important areas in the matter. It is singled out as an off-shore insurance operation, seeking as the ultimate goal of the norm the protection of insurance companies legally installed in our country. Its directors or directors may only be individuals. Companies must also require prior authorization, under penalty of nullity, from the Superintendence of Insurance and Reinsurance to transfer the shares, specifying in such request the identity of the new holder(Jachia and Nikonov, 2012). This implies a strict control by the Superintendence of Insurance and Reinsurance of the holders of the shares of insurance and reinsurance companies, trying to control the solvency that is essential in the insurance and reinsurance activity for the interests and purposes involved. Likewise, such companies must adopt social denominations that are clear and that leave no doubt about their nature and individuality, in the opinion of the Superintendence of Insurance and Reinsurance, being prohibited the use of denominations related to the insurance or reinsurance activity by entities not authorized to operate in insurance and reinsurance. The Superintendence of insurance and reinsurance can take corrective measures in this regard and even advise the central bank to arrange the temporary closure of the infringing entities, or their final closure prior authorization from the executive(LANG, 2016). In this sense, it should be taken into account that the balance sheets and financial statements of such companies must be periodically presented for control to the Superintendency of Insurance and Reinsurance and that the investment possibilities of the assets and reserves of the insurers and reinsurers installed In the country as to the form and type of investments that are authorized to carry out, are specially regulated in Circulars issued by the Superintendence of Insurance and Reinsurance. (Odle, 2013) . In the case of multinationals, especially those with Australian origin, this figure and the culture of regulatory compliance and business ethics have come from the matrix to its different divisions. "In the Australian company, you are breastfeeding compliance as something intrinsic to the company," Policy Deposit Insurance entities must file with the banking the model of the policies with their annexes, which are usually offered to the public in advance of the date scheduled to begin their use. Likewise, when making modifications to these models a complete copy must be sent. The Banking deposits in an ordered manner by entity and branch and in chronological order, the models policies and annexes that are sent. Financing of premiums and portfolio provision Insurance companies may finance the payment of the insurance premiums they issue, subject to the following conditions provided that they do not exceed seventy percent (70%) of the total value of the premium paid by the policyholder and without exceeding the Individual limits of indebtedness provided for in (Peng, 2017). The resources with which the payment of premiums is financed must come from the patrimony and other funds that do not correspond to the technical reserves. The planned financing mechanisms cannot be applied to the premiums corresponding to the insurance contracts whose form of payment through this modality was not previously agreed. Insurance premiums not collected in the period foreseen for payment or not financed under the terms and conditions above, must be provisioned according to the current legal regulations. Assignment of Portfolio Insurance companies may transfer their insurance contracts, totally or partially, to another that exploits the corresponding branch. When the assignment is made on twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the portfolio of the same branch, it requires the prior approval of the banking superintendence. The Ministry of trade and foreign affairs has included in the digital library of treaties the instruments celebrated by our country and its institutions during their more than two hundred years of existence. It has been decided to include existing agreements as well as those instruments that are not in force. In order to be able to satisfy the consultations on existing norms there are enormous amount of requests from researchers, historians, non-governmental organizations and other public or private institutions that are interested in the non-binding instruments and agreements. The instruments have not come into force, they have become extinct or are inter-institutional in character. Insurance premiums not collected in the period foreseen for payment or not financed under the terms and conditions above, must be provisioned according to the current legal regulations. The Insurer guarantees the payment of the fixed and non-recoverable expenses and disbursements in which the insured has incurred in connection with the planning, preparation and execution of the event or insured event, in the event of cancellation or postponement of the same, due to any causes unforeseeable and fortuitous and beyond the control of the Insured. Having a good insurance that supports the organization of a congress or convention is practically mandatory. The differential value is the assistance offered to participants in the event of unforeseen events such as: modification of dates, cancellations, medical care, etc. Having a correct coverage for the participants to the congress or convention can determine the savoir-faire of a good organizer, impacting on a positive image for future calls. We study each case, taking into account the specific characteristics, and can ensure, in case of cancellation of the congress, the budget items we consider, the needs of attendees regardless of their origin, as well as atypical situations that are far from the reach of any organizer. At the same time, it is a guarantee for the organizer of the congress or convention; Knowing that it may have a margin of maneuver, if necessary, by having a correct coverage that covers the circumstances that may affect the good development of the event. Also, insurance and reinsurance companies must invest their technical reserves of at least 60% of paid-in capital and legal reserve in securities of the stock and real estate market, in the segments and percentages defined by the board, through norms of a general nature, seeking an adequate combination of risks, security and profitability(Sleeboom-Faulkner, 2010). These companies are prohibited from trading securities issued by entities in the private financial sector. insurance and reinsurance companies are obliged to contract external auditors, as well as risk rating firms that must be legal entities that will be subject to the qualification standards. References Avadhani, V. (2009). Global Business. Mumbai: Global Media. Brown, K. (2017). Taxation and Development - A Comparative Study. Cham: Springer International Publishing. Dunning, J. (2013). Multinationals. Routledge. Du?wel, C. and Frey, R. (2012). Competition for internal funds within multinational banks. Frankfurt am Main: Dt. Bundesbank. Hill, C. and Hult, G. (n.d.). Global business today. Jachia, L. and Nikonov, V. (2012). Risk management in regulatory frameworks. New York: United Nations. LANG, M. (2016). INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION IN TAX MATTERS. [S.l.]: IBFD. Muchlinski, P. (2007). Multinational Enterprises the Law. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Odle, M. (2013). Multinational Banks and Underdevelopment. Elsevier Science. Onida, F. and Viesti, G. (n.d.). The Italian multinationals. Peng, M. (2017). Global business. Australia: Cengage Learning. Sleeboom-Faulkner, M. (2010). Frameworks of choice. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

Waterford Crystal A Case Analysis Waterford Crystal HISTORY OF WATERFO

Waterford Crystal a case analysis Waterford Crystal HISTORY OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL Waterford Glass was started by two brothers, George and William Penrose, in 1783. It was the most notable of all Irish crystal companies. In 1799, the Penrose brothers sold Waterford Glass to the Gatchell family. The crystal industry was prosperous until 1825. Irish glass manufacturers began to slowly close due to high export duties, the economic depression, and a lack of capital. Waterford Glass was the last to close in 1851. It was reestablished nearly a century later by Charles Bacik and Bernard Fitzpatrick. In 1947, they set up a factory in Waterford, Ireland. A turning point in the company's history came in 1950 when Joe McGrath made a sizable investment in Waterford Glass. He invested the capital needed to convert the small crystal manufacturing company into one with the potential to become a major player in the crystal industry. This investment gave his family control for the next thirty-five y ears. Joe McGrath was committed to Ireland and providing jobs for his country. He wanted to reduce the country's high unemployment level. His focus for Waterford Glass was on growing the company through exports to the United States. In 1966, Joe McGrath's son, Paddy McGrath, took over management of Waterford Glass. Like his father, he was dedicated to Ireland and to providing employment opportunities for the Irish. McGrath's quest to provide more jobs for the Irish led him to diversify the company. By 1983, the company had acquired more than thirty non-core businesses. To reflect the expansion, management changed the company's name to Waterford Glass Group. In 1985, Paddy McGrath resigned as chairman of Waterford Glass. Concurrent with Paddy McGrath's resignation, Paddy Hayes was appointed chairman and CEO of Waterford Glass Group. He immediately began to sell off the non-core businesses in an effort to reduce the company's high debt level. Waterford Glass's debt was virtually elimi nated with the issue of American Depository Shares (ADS) on the United States NASDAQ market. On November 28, 1986, Waterford Glass acquired Wedgwood, a two hundred year old manufacturer and marketer of fine bone china. Paddy Hayes was named the chairman and CEO of both companies and Paddy Byrne was appointed CEO of Wedgwood. In 1989, the company's name was changed to Waterford Wedgwood. Three divisions were created as a result of this acquisition: the Waterford Crystal division, the Wedgwood division, and the Creative Tableware division. In 1989, Paddy Hayes resigned from his position as chairman and CEO of Waterford Wedgwood. Paddy Hayes was succeeded by Paddy Byrne as CEO of Waterford Wedgwood. Paddy Galvin was appointed as CEO of Waterford and Paddy Byrne continued as the CEO of Wedgwood. In 1990, the ownership of the company began to shift from Ireland. This was the result of an equity investment made by the Morgan Stanley/Fitzwilton consortium. On April 5, 1990, the workers at Waterford Wedgwood went on strike. The strike occurred when management took steps to reduce high labor costs. The strike lasted fourteen weeks causing significant problems for the local community. In December 1990, Waterford Wedgwood became two independent entities. Concurrent with the restructuring of the company, Paddy Byrne resigned. In September 1991, Waterford introduced a new brand of crystal called "Marquis by Waterford Crystal." THE CRYSTAL BUSINESS Today, the craftsmen of Waterford are supreme artists as they were in the 18th century. Having craft and design skills is the critical element in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage. The combined skills of the craftsmen create the distinctive patterns known all over the world. The exceptional clarity of Waterford Crystal is achieved through several steps that have remained almost unchanged for over two centuries. Waterford products are manufactured by a strict process of mixing, blowing, cutting and polishi ng. Manufacturing crystal is very labor intensive. Labor costs are generally 50 to 55 percent of the manufacturing costs. Chemicals are mixed to create a unique formula that gives Waterford crystal its special sparkle and light refractive qualities. It is then heated to 1400 degrees centigrade in a natural gas fired furnace for at least 36 hours to produce molten crystal. A blower, using the traditional tools and techniques as in the 18th century, gathers a