Software-Related Accidents: First-Hand Insight - 1/2 Day

 

There are many systems that have the ability to kill or seriously injure if they are improperly designed, maintained or operated. Many of these depend on the proper functioning of software to prevent catastrophe.

This presentation is based on 5 forensic analyses, conducted by us, including the THERAC-25.

We are sure you have heard of the THERAC-25 cancer therapy machine. This software-controlled device, incorporating a linear particle accelerator, delivered fatal doses of radiation.

We were the consultants at the forefront. We were called in by the manufacturer, AECL Medical, following the accidents in Tyler, Texas.

A great deal has been published by outsiders regarding these accidents but virtually nothing regarding our involvement.

There is a very long story behind our involvement encompassing the documentation, code, analyses, difficulties, restrictions on mandate, moral issues, media issues, corporate law issues, and the sobering effect of the situation. You may recall that the machines were left operational during the analytical period with an inherent race between the analyses/documentation and the surfacing of the next catastrophic software-related accident - Yakama.

This seminar provides you first-hand insight into software-related accidents. Beyond the details, specific to each accident, it includes lessons learned.

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