Kent actually paled when Margret issued the last statement.
Kathryn continued, “I have not gotten a full report from my people. The two I need to speak with are in the room working through this. They were supposed to notify me if there was any problem. I never got a call.”
“I would think all of the staff from the data center walking out would qualify as a problem,” said Carol.
“So would I,” continued Kathryn. “They don’t know it, but once they have filed what happens in writing they no longer have jobs.”
“Now for the ugly question, Kent,” Carol continued. “Why didn’t we have any staff overseeing the migration?”
“I had the data center manager and the entire staff of the data center. I had no idea they were all going to quit at the same time as some form of protest.”
“Do we know what they were protesting?” Kathryn interjected, “From what I have heard, they were under the impression the data center was going to be expanded, not migrated.” “Where the hell did they get such an idea!” Kent exclaimed.
“Probably from doing the legwork for a report the board requested. They wanted to know the currently available floor space, cost per kilowatt hour of electricity, and additional floorspace available in the building should a center need to be expanded. They also asked for a list of all employees working there who have undergone security clearance in accordance with FDIC regulations,” said Carol.
“Why was the board asking for that?” Kent piped up, confused.
“It is part of an annual audit for insurance purposes. It is more important now that we aren’t far from having a regulation that all data centers be staffed by personnel having a government security clearance of SECRET. It is the lowest level you can get from the DOD, but everyone with significant access to the banking systems must have it if the regulation goes through,” continued Carol. “Right now it is something that dramatically reduces our insurance rates. If everyone with privileged access to the system has this security clearance our insurance rate is one-twentieth what it would be with personnel who don’t have such a clearance background check.”
Kent was really paling now. Nobody had told him the insurance rates would go up twentyfold. Kent didn’t have the common sense God gave little green apples, which means he didn’t have sense enough to ask when the project plan was being put together. He was quietly hoping this wouldn’t happen until after his promotion so his replacement could take the fall. He also made a note to start looking for a new job once he got his new title, assuming he wasn’t on the board.
Kathryn, sensing the fickle finger of fate heading her way, asked, “What is the process for getting this clearance?”
“It’s a standard DOD clearance check. Fingerprinting, criminal background check of yourself and family, credit check – in some cases a polygraph is required. All applicants must be sponsored by a company either doing business with the DOD or in an industry having this regulation. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens, either natural or naturalized.”
“Right now that is not our concern,” Carol continued. “The regulation may not become mandatory, and the insurance rates will be what they will be. Our concern right now is piecing together a timeline of what transpired so we have it all documented for the federal regulators when they arrive. Yes, I’m assuming a worst-case scenario of us not getting the system operational in time.”
Carol looked at Margret and said, “When you have your next lull in there, I need to come in and get statements from those two guys. We can mute the phone so Pete doesn’t have to hear.”
“Statements?” stammered Kathryn.
“If for any reason our systems aren’t running at the start of business, we have to run a midday audit to ensure all funds are accounted for. Not fixing this on Sunday caused a shitload of work for a lot of people. On Sunday, nobody would have known and nothing would have to happen,” Carol told Kathryn. “Now we have to comply with the letter of our insurance agreement or nothing will be covered.”
“Fine. Do you mind if I have some counsel from Big Four in the room as well?”
“Not at all. Just be sure they are skilled with depositions.” And I thought my cramps were bad this morning, thought Kathryn.
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