You are tasked as the Cyber Security Analyst at your new organization to prepare a briefing for executive management (comprised of people with anywhere from a basic understandin

Welcome to Week # 1. This week's assignment will help you to fulfill the requirements for the first-course objective (CO-1).

For this week's assignment instructions, please see below:

Assignment Instructions:
You are tasked as the Cyber Security Analyst at your new organization to prepare a briefing for executive management (comprised of people with anywhere from a basic understanding of Information Technology [IT] to a Chief Information Officer with a vast knowledge of IT). The purpose of the briefing is to make recommendations on a course of action they should take to deal with a myriad of threats due to a recent compromise of critical IT Infrastructure by an unknown intruder or insider.

For the purpose of this assignment, you are to select one of the topics below and create an in-depth and thoroughly analyzed report that first researches the subject matter, provides a well-thought-out background based on current trends, and then makes rationalizations for the subsequent recommendations.

TOPICS (you may use more than one topic in your report if you like):

1. Attack Methodology plus Tools and Techniques used
2. Attackers – Types of Threats
3. How Most Organizations Defend Today (Lessons Learned)
4. Targeted Capabilities – What We Should Be Defending

REQUIREMENTS:

• 4 – 6 Pages in length in APA format (not including a cover page and reference section)
• Cover Page
• Background Section
• Analysis of current research on the subject matter
• Recommendations
• Reference Section

MISCELLANEOUS:

1. Use current and real-world data to make your points, not just the textbook
2. Your report may focus only on the topic of your choosing – imagine yourself working on one aspect of the report while team members complete the other areas following the same structure.
3. 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, and this distracts 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 of the paper 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.

10

Total:

100