Hello Class!

Welcome to Week # 4. This week’s assignment will help you to fulfill the requirements for the fourth-course objective (CO-4)

Assignment Instructions:

Select the PDF attached to this assignment to download and read the Geoff Keston article titled “Developing A Security Communications Plan.”

According to Keston (2013), “A mark of a mature security communications program is the shift away from one-time messages, such as ad hoc emails. Such messages are easily forgotten and are often hard to find after a few weeks. A good security communications plan will include sending updates and alerts as well as maintaining a repository of documentation. Creating such a repository (or a consolidated document) makes information easier to find, and it helps to link together disparate elements into a unified plan.”

For the purpose of this assignment, you are tasked as the Cybersecurity Director to prepare a Security Communications Plan for execution at the program level. You are to develop a security communications plan for your organization that addresses the handling of all communications related to security. Follow the requirements below:

REQUIREMENTS:

1. 4 – 6 Pages in length in APA format (not including a cover page and reference section)
2. Cover Page
3. Develop a comprehensive security plan that does the following:
   • Identify archiving procedures
   • Establish approval processes for sending communications
   • Describe legal and regulatory requirements
   • Define key terms
   • Define severity levels and message types
   • Using the definitions of severity levels and message types, diagram who receives messages and through what means they receive them (e.g., text messages)
   • The plan will address the concerns of many constituents, including executives, IT staff members, and end users, as well as customers and partners. Each group has somewhat different needs, so it is helpful to structure a plan to protect sensitive information from the entire group and to make targeted information easy for its audience to find.
4. Reference Section

MISCELLANEOUS:

1. Your references should not be more than 5 years old
2. Your assignment is due by Sunday, not later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

CATEGORY

4

3

2

1

Multiplier

Total

Introduction

The introduction clearly states the main topic and previews the structure of the paper.

The introduction clearly states the main topic but only partially previews the structure of the paper.

The introduction states the main topic, but does not preview the structure of the paper.

There is no clear introduction to the main topic or structure of the paper.

X 2.5

Paragraph Construction

All paragraphs include the introductory sentence, explanations or details, and a concluding sentence.

Most paragraphs include introductory sentences, explanations or details, and concluding sentences.

Paragraphs included related information but were typically not constructed well.

The paragraphing structure was not clear, and sentences were not typically related within the paragraphs.

X 2.5

Sequencing

Details are placed in a logical order and correspond to the structure presented in the introduction.

Details are sometimes logically placed but do not correspond to the structure presented in the introduction.

Some details are not in a logical or expected order, distracting the reader.

Many details are not in a logical or expected order. There is little sense that the writing is organized.

X 2.5

Transitions

A variety of thoughtful transitions are used. They clearly show how ideas are connected.

Transitions clearly show how ideas are connected, but there is little variety.

Some transitions work well, but connections between other ideas are fuzzy.

The transitions between ideas are unclear or nonexistent.

X 2.5

Supportive Research

Supporting research studies and/or reports are research-based and accurately reported.

Supporting research studies and/or reports are not accurately reported.

Research studies and/or reports do not support the discussion.

Research studies and/or reports are limited and/or inaccurately reported.

X 2.5

Quality of Information

Information clearly relates to the main topic. It includes several supporting details and/or examples. The paper is in APA format, and the body of the paper is between 8 and 10 pages.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. It provides 1-2 supporting details and/or examples. The paper is not completely in APA format, and the body of the paper is between 8 and 10 pages.

Information clearly relates to the main topic. No details and/or examples are given. The paper is not completely in APA format, and the body of the paper is between 8 and 10 pages.

Information has little or nothing to do with the main topic. The paper is completely in APA format, and the body is between 8 and 10 pages.

X 2.5

Conclusion/

Recommendations

The conclusion effectively summarizes the discussion and provides at least two recommendations for further research.

The conclusion summarizes the paper but provides only one recommendation for further research.

The conclusion partially summarizes the discussion but provides no recommendations.

The conclusion is poorly constructed.

X 2.5

Sources

Citations

References

All sources (information and graphics) are accurately documented in APA. If you had a citation in the body of your work, you must have the appropriate reference in the reference section. (Provided at least 10 references)

Two sources are not documented in APA format. If you had a citation in the body of your work, you must have the appropriate reference in the reference section. (Provided at least 10 references)

Several sources are not documented in APA format. Not all citations match the reference in the reference section. (Provided less than 10 references)

Several sources are not documented in APA format. Not all citations match the reference in the reference section. Provided less than 5 references)

X 2.5

Mechanics

No grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

One grammatical, spelling, or punctuation error.

Two grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

More than two grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.

X 2.5

Timeliness

All late submissions have a 10 point (10%) deduction.

APA FORMAT 300 WORDS WITH references and citations 

Requirement 1: Provide a list of technologies that have gone from analog to digital. What was the reasoning behind each conversion?

Requirement 2: What is the basic function of a codec?

As a penetration tester and security consultant, you have been engaged by a company to assist them in selecting an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for their infrastructure. They’re considering installing a signature or anomaly based IDS product. They’ve asked you to provide a concise analysis of the strengths and potential weaknesses of each of the IDS types.

Discuss and explain the strengths and weaknesses of each type of IDS and any considerations they should make in selecting one over the other.

200-250 words

For this assignment, you will create a response to the following memo from your Project Manager:

Memo
From: The PM
To: Members of the project team
Attached is the Gantt chart for the project. As you can see, we have a tight schedule. Please review it and comment on your area, as we know the coming project will be challenging. With everyone’s help, though, I’m sure we can pull this off with a minimum of scope creep. I look forward to hearing from you before the meeting on Tuesday.
This project involves moving our current in-house system to a cloud solution. We are not sure yet if we’re going to partner with an outside company to manage the cloud services or if we’re going to just rent space on Google, Amazon, Microsoft, or other cloud services. I’ll expect a recommendation from each of you based on your area of expertise. Do your research and provide me the pros and cons of the option you are recommending. Be sure to share where you got that information, so I can take a look at your reasoning if I have questions. DO NOT just cut and paste what you find, but rather explain the pros and cons in your own words.

 As the cybersecurity expert, what concerns do you have, and which methods will you use to secure the network and the cloud solution? What does the partner service provide, and what will we need to do/know in the company, and what training will be needed for users?