Case 1 – Managing the Virus Hunters
OBM
Organization Behavior Management
Case 1 – Managing the Virus Hunters
IBMS 2010-2011
Case Summary
The computer virus employees of Symantec Corp. are never able to enjoy a finished product. They are constantly collecting viruses and suspicious codes to analyze the way they work and to find a solution to prevent these viruses form damaging the public’s computers. They are determined to provide their consumers with updated versions of anti viruses for their computers. At the Symantec lab, they have a box, which has all dangerous types of viruses that needs or be disposed of. Vincent Weafer has been a part of Symantec since 1999. In 1999, there were only a few employees at Symantec and that there were only a few viruses spread out through months compared to how it is now. Nowadays there are about 20,000 viruses monthly so more talented employees around the world work for Symantec. Vincent Weafer said that colleges are not creating computer security experts everyday so as soon as they find someone who does, that no matter in what country they hire him or her.
The Blaster-B worm made Symantec employees work really hard and this proved that they needed more employees would be more talented towards fixing these problems. Each employee has their own job; some people are managers who are responsible for responding to new security threats, some write research papers, some develop tools that will be used to fight the viruses and even some who find out about the virus. Symantec never stops meaning that the labs switch when they are done for the day. Vincent Weafer wants to be able to have a well defined process for dealing with the viruses that are found every day.
Case Questions
1. Keeping professionals excited about work that is routine and standardized and chaotic is a major challenge for Vincent Weafer. How could he use technical, human, and conceptual skills to maintain an environment that encourages innovation and professionalism among the
Organization Behavior Management
Case 1 – Managing the Virus Hunters
IBMS 2010-2011
Case Summary
The computer virus employees of Symantec Corp. are never able to enjoy a finished product. They are constantly collecting viruses and suspicious codes to analyze the way they work and to find a solution to prevent these viruses form damaging the public’s computers. They are determined to provide their consumers with updated versions of anti viruses for their computers. At the Symantec lab, they have a box, which has all dangerous types of viruses that needs or be disposed of. Vincent Weafer has been a part of Symantec since 1999. In 1999, there were only a few employees at Symantec and that there were only a few viruses spread out through months compared to how it is now. Nowadays there are about 20,000 viruses monthly so more talented employees around the world work for Symantec. Vincent Weafer said that colleges are not creating computer security experts everyday so as soon as they find someone who does, that no matter in what country they hire him or her.
The Blaster-B worm made Symantec employees work really hard and this proved that they needed more employees would be more talented towards fixing these problems. Each employee has their own job; some people are managers who are responsible for responding to new security threats, some write research papers, some develop tools that will be used to fight the viruses and even some who find out about the virus. Symantec never stops meaning that the labs switch when they are done for the day. Vincent Weafer wants to be able to have a well defined process for dealing with the viruses that are found every day.
Case Questions
1. Keeping professionals excited about work that is routine and standardized and chaotic is a major challenge for Vincent Weafer. How could he use technical, human, and conceptual skills to maintain an environment that encourages innovation and professionalism among the