Rozprawy doktorskie na temat „IDS IMPLEMENTATION”

Today’s wide usage of the Internet makes malicious software (malware) and botnets a big problem. While anti-virus software is commonplace today, malware is constantly evolving to remain undetected. Passively monitoring DNS traffic on a network can present a platform for detecting malware on multiple computers at a low cost and low complexity. To explore this avenue for detecting malware we decided it was necessary to design an extensible system where the framework was separate from the actual detection methods. We wanted to divide the system into three parts, one for logging, one for handling modules for detection and one for taking action against suspect traffic. The system we implemented in C collects DNS traffic and processes it with modules that are compiled separately and can be plugged in or out during runtime. Two proof of concept modules have been implemented. One based on a blacklist and one based on geolocation of requested servers. The system is complete to the point of being ready for field testing and implementation of more advanced detection modules.

Sammanfattning

Bakgrund: En ökad handel över nationsgränserna har skapat en efterfrågan på ett internationellt redovisningsspråk. IASB har därför skapat ett set med högkvalitativa internationella redovisningsstandarder. Från och med 2005 kräver EU att alla företag som är listade på en reglerad marknad inom EU ska an-vända sig av IASBs standarder IFRS.

Problem: Genomförandet av implementeringen av IFRS är olika i olika företag. Vi vill därför undersöka hur implementeringsprocessen var genomförd i Sveriges största bank, Swedbank.

Syfte: Syftet med den här rapporten är att beskriva samt förklara hur förändringen till IFRS genomfördes i Swedbank samt att beskriva de eventuella problem och hinder som implementeringen av dessa standarder kan ha medfört.

Metod: Vi har valt att göra en fallstudie genom att intervjua anställda i Swedbank som har varit delaktiga i implementeringsprocessen. Vi har också intervjuat Deloitte för att få deras syn på en implementeringsprocess av IFRS.

Analys: Vår analys är baserad på empirisk data i jämförelse med ett teoretiskt underlag. Vad vi har kommit fram till är att Swedbank har inkluderat de flesta av de steg som tas upp i teorin angående en implementering av IFRS; de har förberett sig bra samt använt rätt resurser. De har dock avvikit genom att inte utvärdera processen när den var klar.

Slutsats: Swedbank satte ihop en central projekt grupp som skötte implementering-en. De identifierade de ändringar som skulle göras och genomförde dessa. De problem som uppstod i processen har sitt ursprung i FVO och IAS 39.

Abstract

Background: An increase in cross-border trade has created a need for a common international accounting language. IASB therefore created a single set of high quality international accounting standards. As of 2005 all companies listed on a regulated market within the EU are mandated to use IASB’s standard IFRSs.

Problem: The process of implementing IFRS is different in different companies. We therefore want to look at the implementation process in Swedbank, the largest bank in Sweden.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe and explain how the process of the change to IFRSs was done within Swedbank and to outline the problems and obstacles that might have occurred when implementing these new standards.

Method: We have done a case study by interviewing people in Swedbank that took part in the implementation process. We have also done an interview with Deloitte to get their views on a IFRSs implementation process.

Analysis: Our analysis is based on our empirical findings in comparison with our theoretical framework. We found that Swedbank did most of the steps described in the theoretical framework regarding the implementation process; they prepared themselves well and choose the right resources to do so. The deviating step is that no evaluation was done afterwards.

Conclusion: Swedbank used a project group to handle the implementation process. They identified the changes that had to be done and did the change to IFRS. The problems and obstacles that occurred were due to FVO and IAS 39.

Background: The increased globalization and trade over domestic borders within the European Union (EU) has lead to the implementation of new international accounting standards. This is necessary to create an effective capital market, where comparisons between companies located in different countries can be made, due to a more harmonized accounting. Obstacles to overcome when establish a more harmonized accounting in the EU is for example different accounting backgrounds and valuation methods.

Purpose: The purpose of the thesis is to as far possible study whether the establishment of IAS 40 contributes to an increased harmonization and more comparable accounting of investment property for listed companies within the EU.

Method: This thesis involves both a quantitative –and a qualitative research method. We have used primary data in forms of interviews, and secondary data in forms of annual reports, regulations, literature and articles in the thesis. Using both primary –and secondary data results in a higher reliability and validity.

Frame of reference: There are two alternative valuations methods according to IAS 40, the cost –and the fair value model. The cost model means a valuation to historical cost minus depreciation. Valuation in compliance to the fair value model on the other hand means that the investment property shall be valuated to market value. When using the cost model a note of the fair value shall be included in the financial statement. A company has according to IAS 40 the possibility to choose between internal –or external valuation when estimating the fair value.

Empirical results and analysis: Our empirical result is presented mainly through annual reports from listed investment property companies in Sweden, England and Germany. We found that the fair value model was used by all the analysed companies in Sweden and England in 2005, the year of the implementation of IAS 40 in the EU. By analysing the annul reports from the investment property companies we found indications that the fair value model also tends to become the generally excepted valuation model in Germany. Furthermore, our empirical result shows that a majority of the Swedish investment property companies regularly used internal valuation, but there is a pattern of external valuation as a complement to the internal valuation. In England and Germany all investment property companies used external valuation and there was no use of internal valuation even as a complement to the external valuation.

Conclusions: Based on our empirical results we draw the conclusion that the accounting for listed investment property companies within the EU is more harmonized and comparable today than before the implementation of IAS 40 in 2005. However, IAS 40 gives the companies the possibility to decide weather to use the cost –or the fair value model and the use of external valuation is optional. This can be viewed as obstacles to achieve a total harmonization of the accounting within the EU for listed investment property companies. From our empirical findings we draw the conclusion that the fair value model tends to become the generally excepted valuation model within the EU. Also, we do not perceive the use of the cost model as a barrier to the harmonization process because the fair value still has to be left in a not in the financial statement. However, we believe that in order to achieve a more harmonized and more comparable accounting for listed investment property companies within in the EU a directive about a minimum of external valuation must be included in IAS 40. This in order to avoid companies to use only internal valuation of the properties as this may effect the result.

In 2005, all groups listed on European stock exchanges are required to prepare their consolidated financial statements according to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). IFRS are different from local regulations across Europe in many aspects, and observers expect the transition process thorny and resource-draining for the companies that undertake it.

The study explores transition difficulties by Swedish bank groups on the way of implementing IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. Deemed the most controversial and challenging standard for adoption by the financial sector, it indeed poses new demandson classification, recognition and measurment of financial instruments, and sets out new hedge accounting rules, previously unseen in Swedish practice. Additionaly, the structure of bank's balance sheets makes IAS 39 also the central one among all other standards in terms of numbers of balance sheet items it impacts.

The study uses qualitative method to explore whether transition to IAS 39 is likely to improve transparency in reporting derivatives. Focus is on use of interest rate swaps as hedging instruments in mitigation of interest rate risk.

It is concluded that differences between two reporting frameworks have been well understood by the banks early in the implementation process. A negative feature of the standard is increased volatility in earnings as a result of more wide-spread reliance on fair value measurement method. This accounting volatility impedes comparability of performance results, as well as conceals true efficiency of economic hedge relationships. To some degree, the volatility can be minimized by the application of hedge accounting. However, a bank must methodically follow a set of rigourous if hegde accounting is to be adopted. Fair value is a more straightforward alternative to hedge accounting , but it brings in additional concerns, and has not yet been endorsed in the EU.

It is additionally argued that recognition of all derivatives on BS and measurement at fair value are two important features of IAS 39 that indeed increases reporting transparency by minimizing risk of undisclosed hidden losses.

Background: Within real estate companies assets according to IFRS/ IAS 40 should be valued at fair value, to compare with previous valuation criteria according to which real estate should valued at cost. Two models can be used within IAS 40, these are value at cost and fair value. When valued at cost the real estate value in the balance sheet should be specified at cost. The method chosen by the company should be used for all real estate within the company except for the premises used by the company.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to analyse and evaluate how real estate companies experienced the problems that arose when converting to IAS 40, and to analyse the effects on the companies key ratios as a result of the change of accounting method. Key ratios examined were, return on equity, solvency ratio, P/E-ratio and debt/equity ratio.

Method: The essay is made on a qualitative effort in the form of four interviews with experts within the chosen subject area. The compilation of key ratio is made in a quantitative form and is made up of secondary data. Conclusions: With the implementing of IAS 40 for real estate accounting, the ability to better compare the accounting between real estate companies increased, even though all companies do not account for their real estate in the same way. It appeared that the regulation requirements need to be adjusted and formed in a way that better matches the reality in which real estate companies act. Valuation with fair value proved to have both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage was that the comparability and the fair picture between real estate companies increased. The disadvantage was that the valuation of the fair value gives an increased risk for the real estate companies to be over- or undervalued. A wrong valuation gives a wrong picture of the real estate companies and effects the key ratios in a volatile manner.

This thesis presents an implementation study on the handling of electronic identification in three public authorities in Sweden. Electronic identification is a complex but very topical policy domain, largely tied to the general policy aspirations of e-government development. Theories on policy action, logic of appropriateness, garbage cans, and the dialectics of institutions and technology are used. The result highlights that the policy process of electronic identification in the three studied authorities could not be adequately explained from a traditional policy-implementation dichotomy. The action imperative to develop e-services is very strong and explains why and how electronic identification has been developed within the three authorities. The three authorities have very different institutional capacity to implement e-services with electronic identification. The available technology on electronic identification is inscribed with certain logics of appropriateness, that doesn’t sit equally easy with the administrative logics of appropriateness in all three authorities.