Task
Below are listed a list of topics. You are required to -
• Select a topic from the list and conduct research (based on literature, at least three recent research papers) and prepare a summary report with brief supportive descriptions to post on the forum/blog. In your posting you should provide information about the topic (discuss the topic, challenges, problems, describe the relevant technologies, applications of the technologies, clarify vague areas, research questions… etc.)
• Provide constructive feedback for (at least two) cohort colleagues and receive feedback from (at least two) cohort colleagues on your own design and make refinements accordingly.
• Raise questions about the information provided by other students (this must be done in an adequately professional manner)
• Respond to questions raised about your own information and other students
• Contribute to discussions in general
Note that the aim of this task is:
1. To build an understanding and perspective of current hot topics in Information Security; and
2. To build generic skills including, but not limited to:
• a capacity for teamwork and collaboration;
• an ability for critical thinking, analysis and problem solving;
• information technological literacy;
• a capacity for lifelong learning and an appreciation of its necessity.
As such, the more you contribute in the development of these topics and related discussion the more likely you will score well in this task.
Topics Set
1. US cryptography export restrictions: past, present, and future.
2. Biometrics for authentication: security and privacy implications.
3. Denial of service and distributed denial of service attacks.
4. Malware: past, present and future.
5. Employee privacy and email, WWW, and instant messaging.
6. Security threats to mobile devices and countermeasures.
7. Security threats in cloud computing and preventive methods.
8. Security threats in smart devices.
9. Data Exfiltration.
10. Wireless Network security and preventive methods.
11. Security issues in Software Defined Networks (SDN)
12. Security and privacy issues in Internet of Things (IoT)
Your submission:
You are required to prepare and submit a report on your topic to address the following questions (the length of the report within 1500~2000 words, excluding references):
a. Provide your published (to the forum/blog) research report on the chosen topic with brief supportive descriptions about the challenges, problems, relevant technologies, applications of the technologies, clarify vague areas and research questions.
b. Summarize the issues discussed in the forum (at least two peers). Discuss how your own posts contributed to this knowledge and discuss whether or not the summary presented by your peers is accurate.
c. Identify any important issue/s that you believe were not addressed, or not addressed adequately in the discussions. Discuss why you view this issue/these issues as important.
d. Discuss the impact of the above mentioned issues and their application/impact in real life.
e. Reflect on what you believe to be the most important lesson you have learnt as a result of these discussions.
f. Provide references (at least three) using APA referencing system including in text citations.
Presentation
The following should be included as requirements in the report structure:
• Executive Summary or Abstract
provide a brief overview, your involvement/contribution, major findings and conclusion
• Table of Content
• Introduction
Background,
scope of engagement,
tools used and
summary of findings
Impact in real life etc.
• Conclusion
• References
You must cite references to all material you have used as sources for the content of your work
Follow the referencing guidelines for APA 6 as specified in Referencing Guides.
• Glossary (Preferable)
a glossary should assist the reader in understanding any technical terms used in the report. Use a generally accepted source for the definition of the terms and include appropriate references.
• Appendices (Preferable)
you can attach any supporting material such as printouts of particular items of evidence, feedback from your cohort colleagues etc.