Information Security A Critical Discussion

Within the contemporary, hyper-connected and interlinked business landscape, organizations – large and small – are continually under attack.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security: A Critical Discussion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A computer crime and security survey conducted in 2005 through the joint efforts of the Computer Security Institute (CSI) and the San Francisco Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) demonstrated that six in every ten organizations were victims of unauthorized computer use during the past 12 months (Johnston Hale, 2009). These unauthorized uses, according to the authors, included â€Å"†¦malicious acts such as theft or destruction of intellectual property, insider abuse and unauthorized access to information that resulted in loss of data integrity and confidentiality, as well as malware threats such as viruses, spyware, worms, and Tro jans† (p. 126). It is against this background that the present paper aims to put into perspective some critical issues regarding information security, particularly in healthcare organizations. In layman’s language, information security can be defined as the protection of data against unauthorized or illegal access through the employment of authentication protocols such as passwords, fingerprints, and digital certificates, as well as employing encrypting processes for highly sensitive data (Bodin, Gordon Loeb, 2008). A computer system that asks users to input personal identification numbers (PIN) demonstrates a good example of how information security functions. In more complex terms, however, the concept of information security is often viewed under the lens of protecting data and complex information systems from unauthorized or illegal access, use, revelation, interruption, modification, examination, inspection, recording or obliteration of information, whether in pri nt, electronic or any other format, and against the denial of access to authorized users (Khansa Liginlal, 2009).Advertising Looking for essay on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In practice, therefore, information security entails taking proactive measures and strategies aimed at detecting, documenting, and countering any form of unauthorized use, access or modification of information systems (Bodin et al, 2008). A good example here is the heavy investments organizations make to install antivirus software, firewalls and other internet security tools to ensure that cyber criminals do not have access to their networks, and to incapacitate any attempts made by these criminals to modify the information systems and databases through malware threats. Today, more than ever before, the daily functioning of contemporary healthcare organizations is becoming more intricately tied to the investments made in terms of ado pting information technology, as well as the integrity and accountability of the information systems by virtue of the fact that â€Å"†¦patient care, research, operations, and finance all rely on highly available, trustworthy, and robust applications, data, and infrastructure† (Glaser Aske, 2010, p. 40). The very fact that health organizations must continuously invest in latest information technologies demonstrate the importance of adopting information security technology; they, as is the case in other business organizations, deal with particularly sensitive data that must be protected from unauthorized access, use or modification (Bernstein McCreless, 2007). Patient and health data, which are the mainstay of most heath organizations, are particularly sensitive to a point where client trust and satisfaction levels are largely evaluated on account of how well the organizations are able to secure confidential information on behalf of their clients (Cooper Collman, 2003) . Away from patient-related issues, it is very important for health organizations to protect their information systems, which are often costly to design and implement, from any possible attack or unauthorized access (Weems, 2010). It simply does not make any business sense for health organizations to expose themselves to these attacks or unauthorized access of information systems since such actions always come with high financial and reputational implications for the healthcare organizations involved.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security: A Critical Discussion specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, it is always advisable and beneficial to assume a proactive stance and invest heavily on information security technology. Lastly, it is generally believed that information security in healthcare settings can only be achieved by addressing the germane issues of confidentiality, integrity/veracit y, availability/accessibility, reliability, and accountability. While confidentiality implies that sensitive patient and health data should not be made available or disclosed to unauthorized individuals or processes, integrity implies that such kind of data or information must not be altered, modified and/or destroyed in an unauthorized manner (Cooper Collman, 2003). Availability as a critical component in healthcare information security implies that data or information should always be accessible and useable upon demand by any authorized entity, while accountability is used to describe the capability to audit the actions of all parties, procedures and processes which continually interact with the data or information, and to intrinsically determine if such actions or interactions are appropriate (Cooper Collman, 2003). It goes without saying that data or information contained in information systems within the healthcare context must be reliable and free of error at all times. Refe rence List Bernstein, M.L., McCreless, T., Cote, M.J. (2007). Five constants of information technology adoption in healthcare. Hospital Topics, 85(1), 17-25. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database Bodin, L.D., Gordon, L.A., Loeb, M.P. (2008). Information security and risk management. Communications of the ACM, 51(4), 64-68. Retrieved from Business Source Premier DatabaseAdvertising Looking for essay on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Cooper, T., Collman, J. (2003). Managing information security and privacy in healthcare data mining: State of the art. In: C.J. Alberts A.J. Derofee (Ed.), Managing information security risks: The octave approach. Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley Professional Glaser, J., Aske, J. (2010). Healthcare IT trends raise bar for information security. Healthcare Financial Management, 64(7), 40-44. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database Johnston, A.C., Hale, R. (2009). Improved security through information security governance. Communications of the ACM, 52(1), 126-129. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database Khansa, L., Liginlal, D. (2009). Quantifying the benefits of investing in information security. Communications of the ACM, 52(11), 113-117 Weems, K. (2010). Health IT the road so far. Health Financial Management, 64(6), 86-90. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier Database This essay on Information Security: A Critical Discussion was written and submitted by user Isis Foreman to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Mary Shelley

The Romantic Age (1780-1830) was a time when writers’ ideas went from those of the Age of Reason to more imaginative ideas. These ideas were changed throughout this time for many reasons, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in England, and the many other things that affected the society. A great example of the use of imagination was a by called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a great writer of the Romantic Age. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary Shelley seemed like she was meant for greatness. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a liberal thinker and radical feminist, passed away 10 days after her birth, leaving her and her half sister to be cared by her father, William Godwin. Her father married their neighbor, Mary Jane Clairmont, who was a widow and had two children of her own. Shelley began her writing when she was very young, and she was observing many other writers becoming interested in what they were doing. She was inspired to write the famous novel Frankenstein in the summer of 1819, after she met with Lord Byron and he recommended that she try writing her own ghost story. A few nights later Mary had a dream and explained it by saying: Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on the pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the normal bounds of reverie. I saw- with eyes shut but acute mental vision- I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had to put together. (Shelley) Fitting perfect with the ideas of her time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a book which required much imagination in order for it to be written. Based on her dream, Shelley developed one of the greatest stories of all time. As with many good stories, the story of Frankenste... Free Essays on Mary Shelley Free Essays on Mary Shelley The Romantic Age (1780-1830) was a time when writers’ ideas went from those of the Age of Reason to more imaginative ideas. These ideas were changed throughout this time for many reasons, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in England, and the many other things that affected the society. A great example of the use of imagination was a by called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a great writer of the Romantic Age. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary Shelley seemed like she was meant for greatness. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a liberal thinker and radical feminist, passed away 10 days after her birth, leaving her and her half sister to be cared by her father, William Godwin. Her father married their neighbor, Mary Jane Clairmont, who was a widow and had two children of her own. Shelley began her writing when she was very young, and she was observing many other writers becoming interested in what they were doing. She was inspired to write the famous novel Frankenstein in the summer of 1819, after she met with Lord Byron and he recommended that she try writing her own ghost story. A few nights later Mary had a dream and explained it by saying: Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on the pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the normal bounds of reverie. I saw- with eyes shut but acute mental vision- I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had to put together. (Shelley) Fitting perfect with the ideas of her time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a book which required much imagination in order for it to be written. Based on her dream, Shelley developed one of the greatest stories of all time. As with many good stories, the story of Frankenste... Free Essays on Mary Shelley Mary Shelley The Romantic Age (1780-1830) was a time when writers’ ideas went from those of the Age of Reason to more imaginative ideas. These ideas were changed throughout this time for many reasons, including the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in England, and the many other things that affected the society. A great example of the use of imagination was a by called Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a great writer of the Romantic Age. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary Shelley seemed like she was meant for greatness. Her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, who was a liberal thinker and radical feminist, passed away 10 days after her birth, leaving her and her half sister to be cared by her father, William Godwin. Her father married their neighbor, Mary Jane Clairmont, who was a widow and had two children of her own. Shelley began her writing when she was very young, and she was observing many other writers becoming interested in what they were doing. She was inspired to write the famous novel Frankenstein in the summer of 1819, after she met with Lord Byron and he recommended that she try writing her own ghost story. A few nights later Mary had a dream and explained it by saying: Night waned upon this talk; and even the witching hour had gone by before we retired to rest. When I placed my head on the pillow I did not sleep, nor could I be said to think. My imagination, unbidden, possessed and guided me, gifting the successive images that arose in my mind with a vividness far beyond the normal bounds of reverie. I saw- with eyes shut but acute mental vision- I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had to put together. (Shelley) Fitting perfect with the ideas of her time, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a book which required much imagination in order for it to be written. Based on her dream, Shelley developed one of the greatest stories of all time. As with many good stories, the s...

Major General Anthony Wayne in the American Revolution

Major General Anthony Wayne in the American Revolution Early Life: Born January 1, 1745, at the family home in Waynesborough, PA, Anthony Wayne was the son of Isaac Wayne and Elizabeth Iddings. At a young age, he was sent to nearby Philadelphia to be educated at a school run by his uncle, Gabriel Wayne. During the course of the schooling, the young Anthony proved unruly and interested in a military career. After his father interceded, he began to apply himself intellectually and later studied at the College of Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania) ultimately studied to become a surveyor. In 1765, he was dispatched to Nova Scotia on behalf of a Pennsylvania land company which included Benjamin Franklin among its owners. Remaining in Canada for a year, he helped found the Township of Monckton before returning to Pennsylvania. Arriving home, he joined his father in operating a successful tannery which became the largest in Pennsylvania. Continuing to work as a surveyor on the side, Wayne became an increasingly prominent figure in the colony and married Mary Penrose at Christ Church in Philadelphia in 1766.   The couple would ultimately have two children, Margaretta (1770) and Isaac (1772). When Waynes father died in 1774, Wayne inherited the company. Actively involved in local politics, he encouraged revolutionary feelings among his neighbors and served in the Pennsylvania legislature in 1775. With the outbreak of the American Revolution, Wayne aided in the raising of regiments from Pennsylvania for service with the newly-formed Continental Army. Still retaining an interest in military matters, he successfully obtained a commission as the colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment in early 1776. The American Revolution Begins: Dispatched north to aid Brigadier General Benedict Arnold and the American campaign in Canada, Wayne took part in the American defeat to Sir Guy Carleton at the Battle of Trois-Rivià ¨res on June 8. In the fighting, he distinguished himself by directing a successful rearguard action and conducting a fighting withdrawal as the American forces fell back. Joining the retreat up (south) Lake Champlain, Wayne was given command of the area around Fort Ticonderoga later that year. Promoted to brigadier general on February 21, 1777, he later traveled south of join General George Washingtons army and to take command of the Pennsylvania Line (the colonys Continental troops). Still relatively inexperienced, Waynes promotion irritated some officers who had more extensive military backgrounds. In his new role, Wayne first saw action at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11 where American forces were beaten by General Sir William Howe. Holding a line along the Brandywine River at Chadds Ford, Waynes men resisted attacks by Hessian forces led by Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen. Ultimately pushed back when Howe flanked Washingtons army, Wayne conducted a fighting retreat from the field. Shortly after Brandywine, Waynes command was the victim of a surprise attack on the night of September 21 by British forces under Major General Charles Grey. Dubbed the Paoli Massacre, the engagement saw Waynes division caught unprepared and driven from the field. Recovering and reorganizing, Waynes command played a key role at the Battle of Germantown on October 4. During the opening phases of the battle, his men aided in exerting heavy pressure on the British center. With the battle going favorably, his men fell victim to a friendly fire incident that led them to retreat. Defeated again, the Americans withdrew into winter quarters at nearby Valley Forge. During the long winter, Wayne was dispatched to New Jersey on a mission to gather cattle and other foodstuffs for the army. This mission was largely successful and he returned in February 1778. Departing Valley Forge, the American army moved in pursuit of the British who were withdrawing to New York. At the resulting Battle of Monmouth, Wayne and his men entered the fight as part of Major General Charles Lees advance force. Badly handled by Lee and compelled to start retreating, Wayne assumed command of part of this formation and re-established a line. As the battle continued, he fought with distinction as the Americans stood up to the attacks of British regulars. Advancing behind the British, Washington assumed positions in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. Leading the Light Infantry: As the 1779 campaigning season began, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton sought to lure Washington out of the mountains of New Jersey and New York and into a general engagement. To accomplish this, he dispatched around 8,000 men up the Hudson. As part of this movement, the British seized Stony Point on the western bank of the river as well as Verplancks Point on the opposite shore. Assessing the situation, Washington instructed Wayne to take command of the armys Corps of Light Infantry and recapture Stony Point. Developing a daring attack plan, Wayne moved forward on the night of July 16, 1779 (Map). In the resulting Battle of Stony Point, Wayne directed his men to rely on the bayonet as to prevent a musket discharge from alerting the British to the impending attack. Exploiting flaws in the British defenses, Wayne led his men forward and, despite sustaining a wound, succeeded in capturing the position from the British. For his exploits, Wayne was awarded a gold medal from Congress. Remaining outside of New York in 1780, he aided in foiling Major General Benedict Arnolds plans to turn over West Point to the British by shifting troops to the fort after his treason was uncovered. At the end of the year, Wayne was forced to deal with a mutiny in the Pennsylvania Line caused by pay issues. Going before Congress, he advocated for his troops and was able to resolve the situation though many men left the ranks. Mad Anthony: During the winter of 1781, Wayne is said to have earned his nickname Mad Anthony after an incident involving one of his spies known as Jemmy the Rover. Thrown in jail for disorderly conduct by local authorities, Jemmy sought aid from Wayne. Refusing, Wayne instructed that Jemmy be given 29 lashes for his behavior leading the spy to say that the general was mad. Having rebuilt his command, Wayne moved south to Virginia to join a force led by the Marquis de Lafayette. On July 6, Lafayette attempted an attack on Major General Lord Charles Cornwalliss rearguard at Green Spring. Leading the assault, Waynes command advanced into a British trap. Nearly overwhelmed, he held off the British with a daring bayonet charge until Lafayette could arrive to aid in extricating his men. Later in the campaign season, Washington moved south along with French troops under the Comte de Rochambeau. Uniting with Lafayette, this force besieged and captured Cornwallis army at the Battle of Yorktown. After this victory, Wayne was sent to Georgia to combat Native American forces which were threatening the frontier. Successful, he was awarded a large plantation by the Georgia legislature. Later Life: With the end of the war, Wayne was promoted to major general on October 10, 1783, before returning to civilian life. Living in Pennsylvania, he operated his plantation from afar and served in the state legislature from 1784-1785. A strong supporter of the new US Constitution, he was elected to Congress to represent Georgia in 1791. His time in the House of Representatives proved short-lived as he failed to meet the Georgia residency requirements and was forced to step down the following year. His entanglements in the South soon ended when his lenders foreclosed on the plantation. In 1792, with the Northwest Indian War ongoing, President Washington sought to end a string of defeats by appointing Wayne to take over operations in the region. Realizing that previous forces had lacked training and discipline, Wayne spent much of 1793, drilling and instructing his men. Titling his army the Legion of the United States, Waynes force included light and heavy infantry, as well as cavalry and artillery. Marching north from present-day Cincinnati in 1793, Wayne built a series of forts to protect his supply lines and the settlers in his rear. Advancing north, Wayne engaged and crushed a Native American army under Blue Jacket at the Battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20, 1794. The victory at ultimately led to the signing of the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, which ended the conflict and removed Native American claims to Ohio and the surrounding lands. In 1796, Wayne made a tour of the forts on the frontier before beginning the journey home. Suffering from gout, Wayne died on December 15, 1796, while at Fort Presque Isle (Erie, PA). Initially buried there, he body was disinterred in 1809 by his son and his bones returned to the family plot at St. Davids Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA.

Human Resource Management Relations and Rewards Essay

Human Resource Management Relations and Rewards - Essay Example â€Å"Grievances are best dealt with at an early stage, informally, with the immediate line manager. However, organizations should have formal procedures in place to handle cases left unresolved. Having formal grievance procedures in place allows employers to give reasonable consideration to any issues which can't be resolved informally and to deal with them fairly and consistently†. The problems are solved in the grievance hearing meeting. The line manager will hear the complaint of the employee first and then it is taken a open discussion by the group about the issues. Disciplinary cases include poor performance or misconduct by the employee during his work .If an employee’s performance does not meet the set standards, the employer has to improve the performance through informal discussion with the employee. But if the employee continues his poor performance, the employer has to take disciplinary actions against him. Basic useful direction is given in the Acas Code of Practice on Grievance and Discipline issues. It provides a detailed guidance and advice for the employers and employees which will be useful to them in their current and future career. This code is adopted to help the employer and employee to handle the disciplinary and grievance issues in the working environment. â€Å"If the employer decides to a take disciplinary action or dismiss the employee, they should follow the procedures which are laid out in the Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures†.

Procurement Routes and the Different Formats of Tendercontract Dissertation

Procurement Routes and the Different Formats of Tendercontract Documents - Dissertation Example As the discussion stresses procurement is the acquisition of goods and services for use and benefits of individuals or governments and corporations, obtained with the help of terms and contracts. Procurement is guided by certain factors such as services provided within a fixed budget or goods obtained by using economic analysis or cost analysis. According to the research findings procurement methods are characterized by application for tenders and different forms of contracts and tender documents are used and the methods of procurement have significant implications for small to medium sized contractors. The economic or cost analysis of procurement is seen in terms of risks or without risks. When risks are involved the analysis shows expected outcomes or values for a specific product or service. Organizations have procurement policies and strategies in place that aid in procurement of goods and services through planned and informed management decisions to help businessmen, clients and organizations alike. Procurement policies are focused on meeting corporate or organizational goals and objectives in which council or corporations, organizations, business clients, suppliers and contracts derive maximum support and mutual advantage for long term business and professional relationships. All workforce issues are considered in proc urement activity and focus should be given on maximizing purchasing power and in ensuring fair competition in all procurement activity. ... plication for tenders and different forms of contracts and tender documents are used and the methods of procurement have significant implications for small to medium sized contractors. The economic or cost analysis of procurement is seen in terms of risks or without risks. When risks are involved the analysis shows expected outcomes or values for a specific product or service. Organizations have procurement policies and strategies in place that aid in procurement of goods and services through planned and informed management decisions to help businessmen, clients and organizations alike. Procurement policies are focused on meeting corporate or organizational goals and objectives in which council or corporations, organizations, business clients, suppliers and contracts derive maximum support and mutual advantage for long term business and professional relationships (Turner, 1997; Marsh, 2003). All workforce issues are considered in procurement activity and focus should be given on maxi mizing purchasing power and in ensuring fair competition in all procurement activity. Procurement activities will also have to consider opportunities for social enterprise and continuous improvements in project implementation and sustainability. Usually resource members are responsible for strategic implementation of procurement. Procurement activities must comply with the best practice processes and procurement sponsors should provide feedback on the procurement process to the procurement support unit. Procurement activity and policy works in this manner and requires teamwork, and arrangement between suppliers, contractors and corporations. We consider a case study on the procurement policy of the Liverpool Council which states the principles of procurement policy are as follows: To ensure

Henry Ford Biography :: essays research papers

Henry Ford Born July 30, 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan, Henry Ford was the first child of William and Mary Ford. As a young man he became an excellent self-taught mechanic and machinist. At age 16 he left the farm and went to nearby Detroit, a city that was becoming an industrial giant. There he worked as an apprentice at a machine shop, while months later he would begin work with steam engines at the Detroit Dry Dock Co., where he first saw the internal combustion engine, the kind of engine he would later use to make his automobiles. When he was 28 Ford took a job with Thomas Edison's Detroit Illuminating Company, where he became chief engineer. In his spare time he began to build his first car, the Quadricycle. It resembled two bicycles positioned side by side with bicycle-like wheels, a bicycle seat, and a barely visible engine frame. Some said it bore a resemblance to a baby carriage with a two-cylinder engine. In June 1896, Ford took an historic ride in his first automobile that was observed by many curious Detroit on-lookers. The Quadricycle broke down in a humiliating scene. By 1899 Ford created a more proper looking motorcar with the help of wealthy businessman William Murphy. It had high wheels, a padded double bench, brass lamps, mud guards, and a "racy" look. In the same year Ford founded the Detroit Automobile Company. Within 3 years Ford had built an improved, more reliable Quadricycle, using a four-cylinder, 36 horsepower-racing engine. In 1901 his car beat what was then the world's fastest automobile in a race before a crowd of eight thousand people in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. The publicity he received for this victory allowed Ford to finance a practical laboratory for refining his auto ideas. In 1903 Ford launched his own car company, The Ford Motor Car Company, and by January 1904 he had sold 658 vehicles. By 1908 he built the famous Model T, a car that was affordable to the middle class. The automobile was no longer the toy of the rich. Ford was able to make a reliable and inexpensive automobile primarily because of his introduction of the innovative moving assembly line into the process of industrial manufacturing. The assembly line is a system for carrying an item that is being manufactured past a series of stationary workers who each assemble a particular portion of the finished product.

Marvel Comics Research Paper

In October 1939, the world required heroes. Hitler had recently attacked Poland. Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand had proclaimed war. The US remained unbiased – but it was already taking the first steps towards the Manhattan Project and the making of the nuclear bomb. As Nazi Germany's shadow fell over Europe, it appeared the planet was on the edge of demolition. Who might save us? The response hit the newsstands when Timely Publications gave us Marvel Comics #1. Emerging between the usual romance, western and crime magazines that lined the racks, Marvel Comics was an alternate breed.Its cover demonstrated a gigantic orange figure, The Human Torch, melting bullets on his blazing chest. Inside, The Torch was joined by Namor the Sub-Mariner, an oceanic superhero from the Antarctic. The cover price was just ten cents. Over the past 70-odd years, Marvel Entertainment has evolved from that first issue of Marvel Comics into one of the industry’s leaders. Marvel Comi cs weathered World War 2 (previous Editor-In-Chief Stan Lee took leave to do military service). It survived the opposition to comics in the '50s. It was restored throughout the '60s Silver Age.Troops in Vietnam carried X-Men comics in their rucksacks. Marvel watched the Berlin Wall fall, survived 9/11 and even commended Obama's electon by letting the president make an appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #583. So, is it an exaggeration to say that Marvel is an institution that’s impacted on American pop culture with a force heavier than Thor’s hammer? Probably not. Marvel’s creations are instantly recognisable icons. Without Marvel and their long-time rivals Detective Comics (DC) – the publishers of Superman and Batman – the superhero as we know it wouldn’t exist.And if superhero comics didn’t exist you could kiss goodbye to the last 10+ years of super-powered summer tentpole movies. â€Å"It’s been proven now in the world of mass media that Marvel characters mean money,† former Editor-In-Chief Joe Quesada commented. â€Å"People are attracted to these characters. They love these characters. They’re becoming more and more relevant every day. They are now basically modern myths. † Consistent with Marvel Comics legend, the story starts on a golf course in 1961. Timely Publications head Martin Goodman was playing nine holes with one of the executives from comic merchant Independent News.This person specified that opponent DC Comics was creating sales from its Justice League Of America superhero title. It was a surprising bit of information to Goodman. Last he'd realized, superhero comics were taking a loss, their introductory prominence throughout WW2 having dissipated in the '50s as romances, westerns and horror comics took over the market. Back in the workplace, Goodman requested his Editor-In-Chief Stan Lee to arrange an opponent comic. Working with craftsman Jack Kirby, Lee made The Fantastic Four. It was the beginning of an unfathomably fruitful couple of years.Between 1961 and 1963 Lee also made The X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Avengers, Iron Man and – maybe their most popular of all – Spider-Man. All of a sudden superheroes were back in vogue and Lee's remarkable brand of narrating revolutionised the comics business. The â€Å"Marvel Age of Comics† had begun. What separated Marvel’s superheroes from their peers was their humanity. Lee’s characters may have been able to turn invisible or set themselves on fire but they were real people first and foremost. They had foibles, they had weaknesses – and if they were Peter Parker they struggled to get a date.â€Å"I tried to give them authenticity by making them more realistic,† Lee says of his original spandex-clad heroes. â€Å"Who do you know who has a really perfect life? I mean, I don’t care how rich the guy is, how sexy his wife is. Thereâ€⠄¢s nobody who doesn’t have a hard time. I mean, when we were doing those books, Kennedy seemed to have a perfect life, and he got shot†¦ Everybody has problems and everybody has secret sorrows. † Since those early days, Marvel has gone from stength to strength – actually surviving filing for bankruptcy in the '90s.In any case there was, up to this point, one thing that evaded it: Hollywood success. The point when superhero movies first started to overwhelm the box office, from Superman (1978) to Batman (1989), they were all DC titles. Marvel never appeared to have the capacity to keep up, regardless of being purchased by film organization New World Pictures in 1986. Film rights were lashed to studios yet all we got was super-crap as The Punisher (1989) and direct-to-VHS Captain America (1990). At that point came sleeper hit Blade in 1998.â€Å"The character was basically obscure, didn't even have his own particular comic book, and had been part of Tombs Of Dracula,† reviews Arad. However the establishment went ahead to make $1 billion in income and prepared for X-Men (2000). X-men was a massive hit that put the Marvel Cinematic Universe where it is today. Suddenly Marvel Comics were contendors at the movies and the organization even set up its own film division – Marvel Studios – in the in the '90s. With such a rich back list to work with, it was a No-Brainer.Its multi-billion dollar deal with The Walt Disney Company demonstrates exactly how lucrative its characters are to Hollywood. Mouse House CEO Bob Iger depicts Marvel as a â€Å"Treasure trove† that â€Å"transcends sex, age and geographical barriers†. Disney, an organization that based fortunes on making franchises around notable characters, was a great partner. Previous Marvel studios CEO Avi Arad said: â€Å"I think this will look like a smart deal,† he says, â€Å"because Disney is a company that knows how to exploit a brand. † Since being aquired by Disney, Marvel has grown to be the dominating factor in theaters.With it's release of Ironman is 2008, Marvel took a big risk. Ironman set Marvel on a path, a 6-movie, 4-year path that led them straight to one of the most ambitious movies ever: The Avengers. Combining 5 franchises, 8 characters, preserving original cast members, keeping continuity in tact, and servicing fans of each character has to be one of the greatest feats ever hurdeled in movie history. Marvel has been a major influence on pop culture for 74 years and continues to grow. I personally connot wait to see what the future holds for Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios.