MITS 5004
IT SECURITY
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Assessment item 2
Assignment - 2 Value: 10% Due date:
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
Part A: 30 Marks
Answer the following questions:
1. Search the web for news on computer security breaches that occurred during April-August 2015-2018. Research one such reported incident. Prepare a report focusing on what the problem was, how and why it occurred and what are the possible solutions. - 15 Marks
Length: Around 800 words
2. Explain why asynchronous I/O activity is a problem with many memory protection schemes, including base/bounds and paging. Suggest a solution to the problem. - 15 Marks
Length: Around 600 words
Part B: 20 Marks
1. Research the 2011 Sony PlayStation Network outage case on the web and prepare a report focusing on the following questions:
• What was the problem?
• Who were affected and how?
• How was the attack carried out?
• What could have been done to prevent the attack?
Length: Around 900 words
Rationale
This assessment task is based on the following topics discussed in the subject: the overview of Information security fundamentals, security threats, cryptography, malicious software and its countermeasures, operating system security and software security .
The assessment task is aligned with the following learning outcomes of the subject:
On successful completion of this subject, students will
• be able to justify security goals and the importance of maintaining the secure computing environment against digital threats;
• be able to explain the fundamental concepts of cryptographic algorithms;
• be able to examine malicious activities that may affect the security of a computer program and justify the choice of various controls to mitigate threats.
• be able to compare and contrast the security mechanisms of a trusted operating system with those used in a general purpose operating system;
Marking criteria
Assessment criteria
PART A : 30 marks
Assessable Components HD 100% - 85% DI 84% - 75% CR 74% - 65% PS 64% - 50% FL 49% - 0
Q.1 (15 marks)
Search the web for news on computer security breaches that occurred during April-August 2015-2018. Research one such reported incident. Prepare a report focusing on what the problem was, how and why it occurred and what are the possible solutions.
1. Comprehensive report addressing all criteria. Evidence of indepth research.
(Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a wide range of appropriate sources.
Referencing style correctly used. (Value: 5%)
1. Comprehensive report addressing all criteria. Evidence of in-depth research. Minor omissions only.
(Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources. Referencing style correctly used.
Minor errors only. (Value: 5%)
1. Mostly wellresearched and wellpresented report addressing all
criteria. Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources.
Referencing style correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%)
1. Partially complete report addressing most of the criteria. Evidence of research. Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced some appropriate sources.
Referencing style mostly correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%)
1. Major omissions or incorrect answers. (Value: 95%)
2. Either no evidence of
literature being consulted or cited references irrelevant to the assignment set. Major errors in referencing style.
(Value: 5%)
Possible marks 15.0 – 12.75 12.6 – 11.25 11.10 – 9.75 9.60 – 7.5 7.35 – 0
Q.2 (15 marks)
Explain why asynchronous I/O activity is a problem with many memory protection schemes, including base/bounds and paging. Suggest a solution to the problem.
1. Correct and in depth explanation of the problem.
Viable solution provided with complete details.
(Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation.
(Value: 5%) 1. Comprehensive and correct explanation of the problem.
Viable solution provided with complete details.
Very minor omissions only.
(Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation. (Value: 5%) 1. Correct explanation of the problem with some details.
Viable solution provided.
Some omissions.
(Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation.
Minor omissions. (Value: 5%) 1. Mostly correct explanation and solution.
Minor errors.
(Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation. Some omissions. (Value: 5%) 1. Major omissions or incorrect answers. (Value: 95%)
2. Either no evidence of
literature being consulted or cited references irrelevant to the assessment set. Major errors in referencing style.
(Value: 5%)
Possible marks 15.0 – 12.75 12.6 – 11.25 11.10 – 9.75 9.60 – 7.5 7.35 – 0
PART B: 20 marks
Q.1 (20 marks)
1. Comprehensive
1. Comprehensive
1. Mostly well-
1. Partially
1. Major
Research the 2011 Sony PlayStation Network outage case on the web and prepare a report focusing on the following questions:
• What was the problem?
• Who were
affected and how?
• How was the
attack carried out?
• What could
have been done to prevent the attack? report addressing all criteria. Evidence of in-depth research.
(Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a wide range of appropriate sources.
Referencing style correctly used. (Value: 5%)
report addressing all criteria. Evidence of in-depth research. Minor omissions only.
(Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources. Referencing style correctly used.
Minor errors only. (Value: 5%) researched and wellpresented report addressing all
criteria. Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources.
Referencing style correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%) complete report addressing most of the criteria. Evidence of research. Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced some appropriate sources.
Referencing style mostly correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%) omissions or incorrect answers. (Value: 95%)
2. Either no evidence of
literature being consulted or cited references irrelevant to the assignment set. Major errors in referencing style.
(Value: 5%)
Possible marks 20.0 – 17 16.9 – 15 14.9 – 13 12.9 – 10 9.4 – 0
Presentation
• You are recommended to write the answers in a word document and submit. You can also submit your document in pdf format as well.
• Your answers to the questions should be precise but complete and informative.
• Each question should be answered individually with the corresponding label to indicate the tasks completed e.g. Task 1 a.
• A cover page must be included and should contain relevant identifying information.