CAT online exam failure – an eye opener

The impact of such a blunder was experienced nationwide. But,with meticulous planning and preparedness,this fiasco could have been averted. Such failure should serve as an eye-opener of what needs to be done in preparedness to avoid any such glitches appearing again as we go on a fast track to maximize the benefits of Information Technology.

The bigger question now is whether such problems could be prevented and whether the loss incurred is reversible. Also,are we investing intelligently in IT?

Tarun Seth,CEO,1440 – the unique service framework for managing services for end users commented,“We should have been more proactive in managing such issues through meticulous planning,real-time monitoring and addressing the critical issues such as optimum utilisation of IT infrastructure using our intelligence and rich knowledge pool. As an organization,I feel that issues like such should be taken on the highest priority because the end results are directly related to the image and progress of the nation.”

He elaborated on the Systems Integration methodology and highlighted the need for comprehensive managed services software applications with sophisticated modules and reporting features even at multi-remote locations. In such instances conducting online tests for competitive examination,mock-drills could have ensured lesser problems as the systems were vulnerable to virus attacks. Some systems reported booting and authentication issues. Due to non-deployment of operating system security patches,the systems were susceptible to network slowdown and worm attacks that disable security patches.

Moreover,real time hardware and service monitoring including software audit was not done and this could have minimized the pitfalls on the D-day. Most of the testing centres were not geared up to manage such issues.

“If real time monitoring for anti-virus and firewall had been deployed beforehand,the systems would have performed in a more reliable manner as well as manageable,he said. “In the era of computerisation,we could have well mitigated the online CAT examination disaster emanating through proper IT management.”