Assessment 2: Threat Model Report
Assessment Overview
Subject Code and Title: MIS607 Cybersecurity
Assessment: Threat Model Report
Individual/Group: Individual
Length: 1500 words(+/-10%)
Learning Outcomes
The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by successful completion of the task below include:
b) Explore and articulate cyber trends, threats and staying safe in cyberspace, plus protecting personal and company data.
c) Analyse issues associated with organisational data networks and security to recommend practical solutions towards their resolution.
d) Evaluate and communicate relevant technical and ethical considerations related to the design, deployment and/or the uses of secure technologies within various organisational contexts.
Submission
For regular class (12 Weeks Duration):
By 11:55 pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of Module 4.1 (week 7)
For intensive class(6 Weeks Duration):
By 11:55 pm AEST/AEDT Sunday of Module 4.2 (week 4)
Weighting: 30%
Total Marks: 100 Marks
Assessment Task and Context
The goal of this assessment is to identify the threats or vulnerabilities in the case scenario described in the associated file, Assessment Initial Case Scenario.docx. NOT all threats or vulnerabilities you “discover” are in the initial case scenario. “Discovery” of threats is important.
For each threat you need to indicate how it would be discovered in a business and in three cases, expand with a viable explanation of discovery, with small relevant details of an interview or survey, etc.
You should use this assessment brief document to guide what to include in this assessment and use the provided case study to help demonstrate understanding of the topic.
Instructions
To successfully complete this assessment, your MIS607 Assessment 2 MUST include:
The report should have the following heading structure.
Title page
The title page should include subject code and name, assessment number, report title, assessment due date, word count (actual), student name and surname, student ID, Torrens’s email address, learning facilitator name and surname.
Executive Summary
The best time to write the Executive Summary is when you have finished working on your assessment. Top-level executives often only read the executive summary, so it is a brief summary of what was done with a very brief overview of major results.
1. Introduction
Since you already have an executive summary, this can be quite brief. You will need to provide a short description of the case organization. Overall, the introduction section is about “What the assessment is going to be about?”
2. Main Discussion
IMPORTANT NOTE: The required discussions for sub-sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are discussed earlier in this assessment brief document (see above).
2.1.Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs)
The DFDs must relate to the business described in the initial case scenario. You must remember that the DFDs are the FIRST step in the “Risk Analysis” process, and so they are not the main output of this assessment. The main output of MIS607 Assessment 2 is the categorized threats (see below).
For the DFD section of your report, you will need to present at least a “Context Diagram” (level-0) and a “Level-1 Diagram” (DFD). You can include further levels of DFD (e.g., Level-2, Level-3, etc.) if you feel they are needed to show a trust boundary, but it’s not necessary.
The level-1 diagram (and further level diagrams, if needed) must not break the rule for proper DFD formation/development. And the DFDs (excluding the Context Diagram) MUST have labelled trust boundaries.
You MUST use the symbol conventions shown below:
2.2. Threat List, Threat Discovery, and STRIDE Categorisation
For the threat list you should have a table of at least 10 threats with at least the following headings: threat brief name, brief description, brief discovery technique, STRIDE category, trust boundary, and whatever else may be handy. Make the table as readable as possible.
After the table, you need to expand on at least three of the threats (one of these must be the main threat mentioned in the case). These should be related to research material. You should also go into some explanation of how you discovered the threat (as if you found them within the organization).You need to discuss the other seven threats in brief(2-3 lines at least)
3. Conclusion
In this section, you will wrap up your discussion in a clear and simple way. Overall, the conclusion section reminds the reader what the report/assessment has been about. Indicate and discuss the major findings and/or recommendation of your report.
4. References
A minimum of ten (10) references are required in this assessment. At least one (1) reference needs to be a “peer-reviewed” journal article or a conference paper.
You are welcome to use more than ten (10) references in your MIS607 Assessment 2 based on your decision and preference; however, the minimum number of references to be used in this assessment is ten (10) references. Make sure to list the references alphabetically and where possible, make sure to use the most recent references. At least three (3) references MUST be from peer reviewed sources (e.g., conferences, journals).
You need put a “**” before such peer-reviewed references in the references section when you want to highlight, they are peer reviewed. One mark will be deducted for not putting a ** in front of the peer reviewed article in references.
5. Appendices(Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc.)
Overall, there is no need to have an Appendix in this assessment; however, if there is any EXTRA information which you might think of being necessary in your assessment, you can use this section to highlight it. IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL important and necessary information (e.g. DFDs, Threats, STRIDE, etc.) for your report MUST be inserted and discussed within the report and NOT in Appendices (Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc.) section.
Important points on STRIDE and threat discovery:
▪ Threats Discovery – The main output of MIS607 Assessment 2 should be a table with a set of minimum 10 threats or vulnerabilities that need mitigation in the case scenario organisation. Out of these 10 threats or vulnerabilities, choose 3 and explain them in more depth below the table. You will discover these threats or vulnerabilities with the help of the DFDs and the trust boundaries.
Imagine yourself as a consultant called into work inside the business to discover threats. For this assessment, business acumen and business logic in approaching threats is what is required.
The main threat for this assessment resembles a real-world attack. You need to develop a brief, factual overview of the real-world attack (web links can count as references here since the attack might not yet be covered academically).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any explanation of the real-world case is based on real information/data, NOT speculation or simulated “discovery”.
It is important to understand that you need to “discover” additional threats or vulnerabilities on the associated initial case scenario. The case scenario is only an initial assessment of the organisation. The “discovery” can be simulated based on your simulated investigation. Obviously, you must cover the main threats already identified in the case scenario, but other threats or vulnerabilities should be “discovered” by you. In this regard, inform the reader about what discovery techniques were used.
▪ STRIDE Methodology – Note that the DFDs are NOT the main output of this assessment. The main result of this assessment is a “set of threats or vulnerabilities”. Important points to consider are:
✓ Try to map these threats or vulnerabilities as best you can against trust boundaries.
✓ And categorize the identified threats or vulnerabilities as best you can, against STRIDE categories.
The STRIDE categories are NOT the threats. Do not be concerned if the threats you discover do not fit all STRIDE categories. In a full real-world assessment with hundreds of threats, this would be the case, but with around 10 threats this will probably not be possible. You can make assumptions, but the report is written from the point of view of a consultant who has made “discoveries” from their investigations. In the simulation you may gather needed information from stakeholders. Assessment markers are aware that the technical information “discovered” by you might not be 100% accurate in all details. However, your discoveries should be somewhat realistic.
Note:
▪ This assessment must be submitted as a WORD document (*.docx OR *.doc).Zero marks will be given for Pdf submission.
▪ The report should use Arial or Calibri fonts, 11 point. It should be line spaced at 1.5 and must have page numbers on the bottom of each page.
▪ The word count for this assessment is 1500 words (+/- 10%), NOT counting Tables, Figures, Executive Summary, Cover Sheet, References, and Appendices (if any).
▪ It is highly advised that you read the “case scenario” several times. Then, read through this assessment brief document and take notes for your assessment writing task. Furthermore, make sure to check the Marking Rubric for more information on how marking is completed.
▪ You must be careful NOT to use up the word count discussing any type of general information such as cybersecurity basics etc. This is NOT an exercise in summarising class notes etc. Discussing general information and material will not count towards marks.
▪ Make sure to use a reasonable number of Tables and Figures in your assessment.
▪ ALL inserted/used Tables and Figures within the report MUST be captioned/labelled and numbered (e.g., Table 1, Table 2, etc.).
▪ ALL inserted/used Tables and Figures within the report require being initially introduced and then discussed in a clear, focused, and simple way.
▪ Within the assessment document, when referring to Tables and Figures, you require to refer to them by their captions. NOTE: Tables and Figures without a caption may be treated as if they are not in the report.
▪ Leading into MIS607 Assessment 3, try to concentrate on threats with “corresponding controls”. IMPORTANT NOTE: The “controls” are NOT part of MIS607 Assessment 2 but be prepared to find the “controls” for your MIS607 Assessment 3. For instance:
✓ Weak Passwords: Password policy and/or 2 factor
✓ Fire: Fire alarms and extinguishers and/or fire insurance,
✓ Theft: CCTV system
Referencing
It is essential that students use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research. Please see more information on referencing here in the Academic Writing Guide found via the Academic Skills website.
Submission Instructions
Please submit ONE Microsoft Word document (.doc or.docx) via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu in Blackboard. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.
Academic Integrity
All students are responsible for ensuring that all work submitted is their own and is appropriately referenced and academically written according to the Academic Writing Guide. Students also need to have read and be aware of Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure and subsequent penalties for academic misconduct. These are viewable online.
Students also must keep a copy of all submitted material and any assessment drafts.
Special Consideration
To apply for special consideration for a modification to an assessment or exam due to unexpected or extenuating circumstances, please consult the Assessment Policy for Higher Education Coursework and ELICOS and, if applicable to your circumstance, submit a completed Application for Assessment Special Consideration Form to your Learning Facilitator.
Assessment Rubric
Assessment Attributes
High Distinction (85-100)
Distinction (75-84)
Credit (65-74)
Pass (50-64)
Fail (0-49)
Citation Practice and Engagement with Relevant Literature (20 Pts)
Exceeds expectation
High quality
Meets basic expectation
Pass level work
Fails to meet basic expectation
DFD and Trust Boundaries (20 Pts)
Exceeds expectation
High quality
Meets basic expectation
Pass level work
Fails to meet basic expectation
Threat Discovery (35 Pts)
Exceeds expectation
High quality
Meets basic expectation
Pass level work
Fails to meet basic expectation
Communication and Presentation (15 Pts)
Exceeds expectation
High quality
Meets basic expectation
Pass level work
Fails to meet basic expectation
Basic Formatting and Submission Requirements (10 Pts)
Exceeds expectation
High quality
Meets basic expectation
Pass level work
Fails to meet basic expectation
The following Subject Learning Outcomes are addressed in this assessment
SLO b) Explore and articulate cyber trends, threats and staying safe in cyberspace, plus protecting personal and company data.
SLO c) Analyse issues associated with organisational data networks and security to recommend practical solutions towards their resolution.