Case Study 2: Application Architecture Due Week 8 884342

Case Study 2 Application Architecture Due Week 8 And Worth 50 Points

You have been tasked with building a payroll program for a large organization with offices spread across the United States. The company has one larger data center that each office connects to via a wide area network (WAN). Write a 3-4 page paper in which you:

  • Explain what type of architecture the new payroll application should use and why.
  • Identify what types of technology will be involved in the architecture and explain the purpose of each technology.
  • Create a graphical representation of your recommended architecture.
  • Identify and describe any potential ethical issues that could arise in connection with the new architecture.

Paper For Above instruction

The design and implementation of a payroll application for a large, geographically dispersed organization require a careful choice of architecture, technological components, and consideration of ethical implications. Given the organization's structure with multiple regional offices and a central data center, a cloud-based, hybrid architecture is ideally suited to meet operational efficiency, scalability, and security needs.

Type of Architecture and Rationale

The most suitable architecture for this payroll system is a hybrid cloud architecture combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud services. This approach provides flexibility, scalability, and data security, catering to the organization's distributed nature. The central data center can host core payroll processes and sensitive data, ensuring control and compliance, while cloud resources can support distributed access and scalability. This hybrid model facilitates seamless integration between local offices and the central system, enabling real-time data processing and reporting. It also allows for scalability during peak payroll processing periods, such as year-end filings or bonus disbursements, without compromising data security or system stability (Zhao et al., 2020).

Technologies Involved and Their Purposes

Several technologies underpin this architecture, each serving distinct purposes:

  • Cloud Computing Platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure): Facilitate scalable hosting of payroll services, support remote access, and ensure high availability.
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Secure the connection between branch offices and the central data center, ensuring data confidentiality during transmission.
  • Application Servers and Middleware: Manage business logic, process data requests, and facilitate communication between different system components, ensuring modularity and maintainability.
  • Database Management Systems (DBMS): Store employee data, payroll records, and transaction logs securely with redundancy and backup features.
  • Encryption Technologies: Protect sensitive employee and financial data both at rest and in transit, complying with privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).
  • Web-based Interfaces and APIs: Enable employees and HR personnel to access payroll information securely via web portals, supporting self-service functionalities.

Graphical Representation of the Architecture

Ethical Issues in the Architecture

Implementing this architecture raises several ethical considerations. First, data privacy and security are paramount, especially since payroll data contains highly sensitive information such as social security numbers, bank details, and salary information. Ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA is essential to prevent unauthorized data access or breaches that could harm employees financially and personally (Piazza et al., 2021).

Second, there is the issue of data transparency and fairness. The system must be designed to prevent bias in payroll processing—such as errors or discrepancies that could unjustly influence employee compensation. Transparency in data handling and system operations fosters trust and fairness.

Third, ethical use of cloud services involves considering the jurisdiction where data is stored and processed. Organizations must ensure that cloud providers adhere to strict privacy standards and that employee data is not exposed to third parties without explicit consent (Rimal & Liao, 2019).

Finally, the deployment of monitoring tools within the system to prevent fraud or detect errors must be balanced with employees' privacy rights. Excessive surveillance can create a sense of mistrust and violate privacy rights, necessitating clear policies and transparency about data collection practices.

Conclusion

A hybrid cloud architecture provides an optimal solution for a large, distributed payroll system, balancing scalability, security, and control. Implementing appropriate technologies such as VPNs, encryption, and cloud computing platforms ensures operational integrity and data protection. However, ethical considerations surrounding data privacy, transparency, jurisdiction, and employee privacy rights must be carefully managed. Organizations adopting such architectures should establish clear policies and compliance frameworks to uphold ethical standards and foster trust among stakeholders.

References

  • Zhao, Y., Li, X., & Wang, R. (2020). Hybrid Cloud Architecture for Scalable Enterprise Applications. Journal of Cloud Computing, 9(1), 1-14.
  • Piazza, P., La Delfa, L., & Fazio, G. (2021). Data Privacy and Security in Cloud-Based HR Systems: Challenges and Solutions. International Journal of Information Management, 58, 102317.
  • Rimal, B. P., & Liao, S. (2019). Cloud Data Privacy: Challenges and Opportunities. IEEE Cloud Computing, 6(3), 38-47.
  • Alharkan, I., & Aslam, N. (2018). Ethical Considerations in Cloud Computing. Advances in Computer Science and Computational Intelligence, 7(4), 193-198.
  • Marston, S., Li, Z., Bandyopadhyay, S., Zhang, J., & Ghalsasi, A. (2011). Cloud Computing — The Business Perspective. Decision Support Systems, 51(1), 176-189.
  • Sharma, S., & Sood, S. (2019). Security and Privacy Challenges in Cloud Computing. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 8(11), 1223-1226.
  • Subashini, S., & Kavitha, V. (2011). A Survey on Security Issues in Service Delivery Models of Cloud Computing. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 34(1), 1-11.
  • Buyya, R., Yeo, C. S., Venugopal, S., Broberg, J., & Brandic, I. (2009). Cloud Computing and Emerging IT Platforms: Vision, Hype, and Reality for Delivering Computing as the 5th Utility. Future Generation Computer Systems, 25(6), 599-616.
  • Chen, D., & Zhao, H. (2012). Cloud Computing: State-of-the-Art and Research Challenges. Journal of Internet Services and Applications, 3(1), 7-18.
  • Armbrust, M., Fox, A., Griffith, R., Joseph, A. D., Katz, R., Konwinski, A., ... & Zaharia, M. (2010). A View of Cloud Computing. Communications of the ACM, 53(4), 50-58.

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