TECH2400 Introduction to Cyber Security Report 2 Sample

TECH2400 Introduction to Cyber Security Report 2

Assessment Description

Situation:

Mark, a cybersecurity analyst at DCS Inc., plays a vital role in safeguarding the company's information assets. During routine security assessments, he uncovers a significant vulnerability in the network infrastructure that poses a risk to sensitive customer data and valuable intellectual property. Addressing this vulnerability becomes a top priority.

Ethical Dilemma:

Mark finds himself in a challenging situation where he must make critical decisions regarding the vulnerability at hand. On one hand, he is tasked with recommending risk mitigation strategies that effectively address the cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats associated with the identified vulnerability. This requires him to carefully assess the potential impact on data security, identify suitable controls, and propose measures to prevent data breaches. It is crucial for Mark's recommendations to align with industry best practices and consider the unique IT infrastructure and technologies employed by the organisation.

Furthermore, Mark must thoroughly analyse the privacy, legal, ethical, and security implications linked to the vulnerability. This entails evaluating the impact on data privacy, understanding the legal and regulatory frameworks governing data protection, and considering the ethical considerations involved in handling sensitive customer information. Mark's proposed solutions must not only rectify the vulnerability but also ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, safeguard individual privacy rights, and uphold ethical standards.

Additionally, Mark needs to assess the broader ramifications on the organisation's IT infrastructure and technology usage. This involves identifying potential disruptions to business operations, evaluating the financial consequences, and devising strategies to mitigate associated risks. Mark must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness between cybersecurity, privacy, legal, ethical, and security matters. By offering holistic solutions that encompass these factors, Mark can contribute to the organisation's cybersecurity resilience, protect customer data, and promote responsible and secure technology utilisation.

By navigating the ethical dilemma skilfully and providing well-reasoned recommendations, Mark plays a vital role in fortifying the organisation's defences against cybersecurity threats. Through careful analysis and consideration of privacy, legal, ethical, and security aspects, Mark ensures that the organisation can effectively combat the complexities of the cyber landscape while maintaining the highest standards of privacy, integrity, and ethical conduct.

Read the situation and scenario on the previous page and give answer

Your report must include the following questions:

1. What risks and consequences could result from the identified network infrastructure vulnerability? How might these impact data security and overall operations? (100 words)

2. What strategies would you recommend to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent data breaches? (150 words)

3. What ethical considerations arise when deciding whether to disclose the vulnerability? Factors such as stakeholder impact, legal obligations, and reputation should be considered. (300 words)

4. Analyse the role of transparency, responsible disclosure, and informed consent in handling cybersecurity vulnerabilities. How can these principles be applied to foster communication and collaboration? (200 words)

5. Analyse the relevant legal and regulatory requirements for the vulnerability. Identify privacy, legal, and security issues, and propose steps for ensuring compliance. (300 words)

6. Examine the potential impact of the identified vulnerability on the organisation's reputation and public perception. How can effective communication and reputation management strategies mitigate reputational damage and maintain stakeholder trust in the face of cybersecurity incidents? (250 words).

Solution

Introduction

DCS Inc. singled out a vulnerability within its network infrastructure which develops risks to customer data and intellectual property. The identification of possible risks and their consequences may help to implement risk management strategies. Ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations are discussed considering the identified vulnerability. Strategies are proposed to avoid reputational damage and manage stakeholder trust.

Risk identification and consequences

• Malware attack: Malicious software attacks over customer data may create trust issues.

• Phishing: Unknown texts, emails, and messages intruding into the network infrastructure may deceive users.

• Virus: Data breaching through spreading virus and replication of data may result in disruptions of system functionality.

• Denial of service: The traffic within the network can be disrupted by the attackers to restrict access to authentic users.

• SQL Injection attack: Unauthorized access to information assets and customer data may result in data manipulation.

Extreme (E), High (H), Moderate (M), Low (L)

Table 1: Risk Matrix
Source: (Developed by the author)

The risks identified above may reduce user privacy and the trust of customers. Operations of the company can be disrupted as a result of a lack of information flow.

Strategies to mitigate vulnerability

• Strict access control: Network access control within the network infrastructure will help to avoid phishing, virus, and malware attacks. Blockchain is used for access control (Pal, Dorri, & Jurdak, 2022).

• Data backup: Backup of customer data can help to address the risk of denial of services by ensuring the availability of data.

• Employee training: The company needs to arrange training for employees to recognize denial of service, malware, and phishing attacks to prevent data breaches.

• Incident response plan: A response plan if the risk occurs can help to ensure data recovery. It can be implemented if an SQL injection attack occurs.

Ethical Considerations Regarding Disclosure of the Vulnerability

The ethics of accountability shows the importance of disclosing the identified vulnerability in the network infrastructure to the stakeholders. The sense of accountability within Mark can help to increase awareness of the risks and their impact on the stakeholders of DCS Inc. Professional conduct associated with cyber security determines the accountability to disclosure vulnerability to report to each stakeholder (Formosa, Wilson, & Richards, 2021). Integrity needs to be maintained while revealing the vulnerability to stakeholders to withstand the risk with honesty and collaboration for MBA assignment expert.

Legal obligations over DCS Inc. occur as a result of a growing vulnerability within the network infrastructure. The ethics of non-discrimination support equal protection, inclusion, and fairness. Data protection policies for customers and the company's intellectual property must be equal to ensure fairness and avoid legal issues. Disclosure of the vulnerability may increase legal obligations associated with access control of authorized users. The company must identify the authenticity based on the ethics of non-discrimination.

The reputation of the company is considered while undertaking the decision to disclose the vulnerability to stakeholders. Reputation loss due to the incapabilities of DCS Inc. to protect sensitive customer data and intellectual assets may be possible. The ethics of responsible use of technology shows planning to minimize harm to the company's reputation. Privacy maintenance of users and protection of stakeholders can also help the company establish a good reputation within the market. Ethical planning and fair decisions regarding data security management may also avoid negative impacts on stakeholders and the company's operations in the future.

Importance of Transparency, Responsible Disclosure, and Informed Consent

The cyber security vulnerability in DCS's network infrastructure can be avoided by implementing the principle of transparency. Secure data handling with security measures will be possible by ensuring transparency in the decision-making process. Open communication with stakeholders may restore trust and help to implement solutions to mitigate risks. The principle of transparency may foster collaboration through the honest approach of communication (Dahlmanns, et al., 2021). It may generate scope for a better understanding of the issues to identify solutions.

The cyber security ethics involve responsible disclosure which helps the users to disclose security flaws on time to implement preventive measures. It is essential to create a secure digital environment within the company and protect customer data. Responsible disclosure of the vulnerability of DCS Inc. can create scope for maintaining stakeholder collaboration as it will ensure an understanding of the vulnerability and its impact.

However, the principle of informed consent determines the contributions of individuals to make informed decisions. It empowers communication to share ideas to solve the cybersecurity issue (Bergram et al., 2020). Shared consent can help to improve the level of collaboration. Informed consent will be important to maintain the data privacy of users.

Important Legal and Regulatory Requirements for the Vulnerability

The privacy issues of customers may occur as a result of the vulnerability in the network infrastructure. The GDPR guidelines will be effective in controlling personal data access and increasing privacy. GDPR shows privacy maintenance processes to address user data security issues (Zaeem & Barber, 2020). DCS Inc. can implement the GDPR guidelines. Along with that, the Privacy Act 1988 can develop scope to improve the personal data security of users.

The legal challenges associated with customer rights and human rights within the company may lead to reputation loss. Legal obligations over DCS Inc. come as it uses the personal information of customers. Intellectual property contains confidential data which may also cause human rights issues in the company. In that case, the Criminal Code Act 1995 can help the company implement strict actions against unauthorized users, hackers, and cyber attackers. Nonetheless, the security issues related to user data security and intellectual property security may hamper the company's performance. It may also develop complications in managing functional operations. Cybersecurity Act 2015 aims to safeguard information and create a secure digital infrastructure to counter cyber attacks. It will be relevant in the case of DCS Inc.

The following steps can ensure compliance.

• Identification of laws and regulations suitable to withstand different types of cyber security issues
• Development of awareness regarding the policies based on legal and regulatory framework
• Training for staff to accept the changes in regulations
• Implementation of laws and regulations to protect data and manage user authenticity
• Reviewing legal and regulatory policies from time to modify as per requirements in the company

Impact of the Vulnerability on the Company's Reputation and Public Perception

Breaching of sensitive data of customers may reduce the trust of customers in the company. A negative customer perception regarding the company data management processes can impact public perception. Besides, the loss of reputation of the company can be the result of the disclosure of the intellectual property of DCS Inc. to hackers or unauthorized users. It may not only increase the possibility of financial loss but can also hamper employees. The vulnerability within the company's network infrastructure may also increase challenges to manage confidentiality which will hamper public perception.

The cyber security incident response plan can help DCS detect and analyze risks to recover data. In this case, communication with the stakeholders will help to implement the plan. It may also prevent the reputation loss of the company. Along with that, DCS Inc. must focus on informed decision-making practices to engage stakeholders in their risk mitigation plan. Support of stakeholders with active communication helps to restore organizational reputation and performance (Radu & Smaili, 2022). DCS Inc. can also improve its position in the market with its stakeholder collaboration process. However, the Data Breach Response Plan can be implemented to avoid effects on individuals and mitigate the reputational damage of the company. It will improve the efficiency of the company to implement regulations to address the vulnerability and retain the trust of stakeholders.

Conclusion

The assessment of cyber risks, their consequences, and solutions helped in deriving solutions to avoid the identified vulnerability. Informed consent, transparency, and responsible disclosure can help to improve collaboration among stakeholders to implement legal and ethical policies. The reputation of the company can be restored by obtaining the trust of stakeholders and mitigating cyber security challenges in the future.

References

Bergram, K, Bezençon, V, Maingot, P, Gjerlufsen, T & Holzer, A 2020, June, ‘Digital nudges for privacy awareness: from consent to informed consent?’, In Ecis. retrieved 4 September 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Adrian-Holzer/publication/346915885_DIGITAL_NUDGES_FOR_PRIVACY_AWARENESS_FROM_CONSENT_TO_

INFORMED_CONSENT/links/5fd2018492851c00f862fbb7/DIGITAL-NUDGES-FOR-PRIVACY-AWARENESS-FROM-CONSENT-TO-INFORMED-CONSENT.pdf

Dahlmanns, M, Pennekamp, J, Fink, IB, Schoolmann, B, Wehrle, K & Henze, M 2021, April, ‘Transparent end-to-end security for publish/subscribe communication in cyber-physical systems’, In Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Workshop on Secure and Trustworthy Cyber-Physical Systems, pp. 78-87. retrieved 4 September 2024, https://www.martinhenze.de/wp-content/papercite-data/pdf/dpf+21.pdf

Formosa, P, Wilson, M & Richards, D 2021, ‘A principlist framework for cybersecurity ethics’, Computers & Security, vol. 109, p. 102382. retrieved 4 September 2024, https://philarchive.org/archive/FORAPF-5

Pal, S, Dorri, A & Jurdak, R 2022, ‘Blockchain for IoT access control: Recent trends and future research directions’, Journal of Network and Computer Applications, vol. 203, p. 103371. retrieved 4 September 2024, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2106.04808

Radu, C & Smaili, N 2022, ‘Board gender diversity and corporate response to cyber risk: evidence from cybersecurity related disclosure’, Journal of business ethics, vol. 177, no. 2, pp. 351-374. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04717-9

Zaeem, RN & Barber, KS 2020, ‘The effect of the GDPR on privacy policies: Recent progress and future promise’, ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems (TMIS), vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-20. retrieved 4 September 2024, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Razieh-Nokhbeh-Zaeem/publication/343681934_The_Effect_of_the_GDPR_on_Privacy_Policies_Recent_Progress_and_Future

_Promise/links/60185126a6fdcc071bac1959/The-Effect-of-the-GDPR-on-Privacy-Policies-Recent-Progress-and-Future-Promise.pdf