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 student's
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.

Rationale
This assessment item relates to the learning objectives and to demonstrate your understanding of the material in different topics of your subject.
Its also provides an opportunity for you to :
demonstrate factual knowledge, understanding and application of state-of-art information security;
demonstrate ability to integrate and apply information from various topics and ;
apply understanding and knowledge to a practical situation;
demonstrate ability to work in a team, sharing knowledge.
Marking criteria
Assessment criteria
Assessable Components
HD
100% - 85%
DI
84% - 75%
CR
74% - 65%
PS
64% - 50%
FL
49% - 0
Provide your published 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.
(10)
Demonstrate an ability to survey the literature, concise summary which are logically structured, integrate and link information into cohesive and coherent piece of analysis and consistently use correct to the selected topic terminologies and sophisticated language.
Demonstrate an ability to survey the literature, concise summary which are logically structured to create cohesive and coherent piece of analysis that consistently use correct forensic terminologies.
Demonstrate an ability to survey the literature, concise summary which are generally logically structured to create a comprehensive, mainly descriptive piece of analysis. Some use of correct forensic terminologies.
Demonstrate an ability to survey the literature, concise summary which partially structured into loosely-linked rudimentary sentences to create a comprehensive, descriptive piece of analysis. Some use of correct forensic terminologies.
Fails to demonstrate the ability to survey the literature, concise summary which partially structured and may tend to list information. Uses frequent informal language.
Possible Marks
10.0 – 8.5
8.4 – 7.5
7.4 – 6.4
6.4 – 5
4.9 – 0
Summarise 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. (10)
The DI criteria, plus:
Summary of the literature (the forum posting above) also exhibits significant creativity and innovation in the way it depicts and presents the design concept and supportive information.
Feedback provided to two cohort colleagues offers in-depth insights and relies strongly prompts on broader examination of emerging trend of Information security.
Summary of the literature (the forum posting above) is strongly student-centred or reader-orientated, strikes a balance between being simple, informative and engaging and is supported by brief descriptions, how it fits within the subject.
Feedback provided to two cohort colleagues is informed, constructive and progressive and feedback received is critically reviewed and prompts a broader examination of the issues raised through reliance on information security.
Summary of the literature (the forum posting above) strikes a balance between being simple, informative and engaging and is supported by brief descriptions, how it fits within the topic.
Feedback provided to two cohort colleagues is informed, constructive and progressive and feedback received is critically reviewed with changes made supported through reliance on Information security.
Summary of the literature (the forum posting above) is supported by brief descriptions, how it fits within the topic. Feedback provided to two cohort colleagues is informed and constructive and feedback received is reviewed with changes made to your report accordingly.
Fails to summarise the literature (the forum posting above) and feedback provided to cohort colleagues is inadequate/or lacking research. Uses frequent informal language.
Possible Marks
10.0 – 8.5
8.4 – 7.5
7.4 – 6.4
6.4 – 5
4.9 – 0
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. (8)
Comprehensive knowledge of the topic and in depth explanation of the issues that were not addressed;
Reasonable knowledge of the topic and a comprehensive explanation of the issues that were not addressed;
Provided factual/conceptual knowledge of the topic and an overall explanation of the issues that were not addressed;
Limited knowledge of the of the topic and a basic explanation of the issues that were not addressed;
Fails to satisfy minimum requirements of explaining the issues.
Possible Marks
8.0 – 6.8
6.7 – 6.0
5.9 – 5.2
5.1 – 4.0
3.9 – 0
Discuss the impact of the above mentioned issues and their application/impact in real life. (8)
Comprehensive knowledge of the issues and real life consequences to a firm.
Reasonable knowledge of the issues and real life consequences to a firm.
Provided factual/conceptual knowledge of the issues and real life consequences to a firm.
Limited knowledge of the issues and real life consequences to a firm.
Fails to satisfy minimum requirements of explaining the impact on a firm.
Possible Marks
8.0 – 6.8
6.7 – 6.0
5.9 – 5.2
5.1 – 4.0
3.9 – 0
Reflect on what you believe to be the most important lesson you have learnt as a result of these discussions. (8)
The reflection is an in-depth analysis of the learning experience, the value of the derived learning to self and the enhancement of the student’s appreciation for the issues surrounding the topic.
The reflection is a reasonable analysis of the learning experience, the value of the derived learning to self and the enhancement of the student’s appreciation for the issues surrounding the topic.
The reflection is a reasonable analysis of the learning experience, the some value of the derived learning to self.
The reflection attempts a basic analysis of the learning experience, but the value of the derived learning to self is vague.
Fails to satisfy minimum requirements of reflecting the important lessons.
Possible Marks
8.0 – 6.8
6.7 – 6.0
5.9 – 5.2
5.1 – 4.0
3.9 – 0
Provide references (at least three) using APA referencing system including in text citations. (6)
Faultless
referencing,
including
reference list and in text citations.
High quality
references.
Very good
referencing,
including
reference list and
in text citations.
High quality
references.
Good referencing,
including
reference list and
in text citations.
Good quality
references.
Evidence of
rudimentary
referencing skills.
Mix of good and
poor quality
references.
Sub-standard
referencing.
Poor quality
references.
Possible Marks
6.0 – 5.1
5.04 – 4.5
4.44 – 3.85
3.84 – 3.0
2.9 – 0
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. .
Submit the assignment in ONE word or pdf file on Turnitin. Please do not submit *.zip or *.rar or multiple files.
Requirements
Your submission must be in a form readable by Microsoft Word format.
• A cover page (outside the page limit) must be included and should contain relevant identifying information.
• Your discussion postings are considered part of your assignment submission and are thus subject to Faculty regulations for academic misconduct (including plagiarism). As such, any text adapted from any source must be clearly labelled and referenced. You should clearly indicate the start and end of any such text.
• Your discussion postings will be used required to complete your assignment but do not directly form part of the assessment of the assignment. As such, no formal feedback will be provided regarding your discussions.