assignment on cyber security

Lesson 1 (Beta)

The Security Mindset:

Cybersecurity through threat modeling, about this lesson:.

Lesson 1 introduces students to the basic concepts of cybersecurity and the “Security Mindset”. This perspective frames the topics in the remaining lessons.

Intended Audience: High school students or early undergraduates. Geared towards AP Computer Science Principles , but compatible with any introductory computer science course.

Delivery Format: Traditional classroom.

Duration for Whole Unit: 75 minutes (with options to shorten or lengthen).

Lesson Rationale

Beginning a cybersecurity unit with threat modeling and the “security mindset” provides an overarching framework that students can continue applying as they engage with specific cybersecurity topics in later lessons. This lesson is built around a series of progressively more structured threat modeling activities, demonstrating the value of taking an organized approach. Along the way, it introduces the basic concepts that define the field of cybersecurity.

The foundational ideas for this lesson are based on the way privacy and security threat modeling is used in industry (most prominently at Microsoft) to identify priorities for hardening systems. As Adam Shostack, author of Threat Modeling: Designing for Security, puts it: “Threat modeling is the use of abstractions to aid in thinking about risks. […] Threat modeling is the key to a focused defense. Without threat models, you can never stop playing whack-a-mole.” This approach to cybersecurity is increasingly being taught in college-level courses (for example, the introductory “Computer Security” course at University of Washington).

Learning Objectives

• Students can explain what cybersecurity is.
• Students can enumerate some reasons cybersecurity is important.
• Students can discuss some of the unique challenges in the field of cybersecurity that differentiate it from other design and engineering efforts.
• Students can identify the goals and summarize the overall process of threat modeling.
• Given a description of a system, students can predict and prioritize some potential threats (who might attack it and how) and the human impacts of those threats.

Alignment with AP Computer Science Principles -- SY 2020--21 Onward

This lesson addresses standards laid out in the AP Computer Science Principles Framework for 2020–21, Fall 2019 version .

Supports the following Learning Objectives under Big Idea 4, Computing Systems and Networks:

LO CSN-1.A Explain how computing devices work together in a network. Essential Knowledge points covered:

• EK CSN-1.A.3 A computer network is a group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

LO CSN-1.B Explain how the Internet works.

Supports the following Learning Objectives under Big Idea 5, Impact of Computing:

LO IOC-1.A Explain how an effect of a computing innovation can be both beneficial and harmful. Essential Knowledge points covered:

• EK IOC-1.A.3 Not every effect of a computing innovation is anticipated in advance.

LO IOC-1.B Explain how a computing innovation can have an impact beyond its intended purpose. Essential Knowledge points covered:

• EK IOC-1.B.2 Some of the ways computing innovations can be used may have a harmful impact on society, economy, or culture.

LO IOC-2.B Explain how computing resources can be protected and can be misused. Essential Knowledge points covered:

• EK IOC-2.B.9 Malware is software intended to damage a computing system or to take partial control over its operation.
• EK IOC-2.B.10 All real-world systems have errors or design flaws that can be exploited to compromise them. Regular software updates help fix errors that could compromise a computing system.

LO IOC-2.C Explain how unauthorized access to computing resources is gained.

LO IOC-1.F Explain how the use of computing can raise legal and ethical concerns.

Also touches on the following Essential Knowledge:

Under Big Idea 1, Creative Development:

• EK CRD-2.E.3 A development process that is iterative requires refinement and revision based on feedback, testing, or reflection throughout the process. This may require revisiting earlier phases of the process.

Under Big Idea 3, Algorithms and Programming:

• EK AAP-3.F.1 Simulations are abstractions of more complex objects or phenomena for a specific purpose.
• EK AAP-3.F.4 The process of developing an abstract simulation involves removing specific details or simplifying functionality.

Under Big Idea 5, Impact of Computing:

• EK IOC-1.A.1 People create computing innovations.
• EK IOC-1.A.2 The way people complete tasks often changes to incorporate new computing innovations.
• EK IOC-1.A.4 A single effect can be viewed as both beneficial and harmful by different people, or even by the same person.
• EK IOC-1.B.3 Responsible programmers try to consider the unintended ways their computing innovations can be used and the potential beneficial and harmful effects of these new uses.
• EK IOC-1.B.4 It is not possible for a programmer to consider all the ways a computing innovation can be used.
• EK IOC-1.F.8 As with any technology or medium, using computing to harm individuals or groups of people raises legal and ethical concerns.
• EK IOC-1.F.9 Computing can play a role in social and political issues, which in turn often raise legal and ethical concerns.
• EK IOC-2.A.5 Technology enables the collection, use, and exploitation of information about, by, and for individuals, groups, and institutions.
• EK IOC-2.A.10 Commercial and governmental curation of information may be exploited if privacy and other protections are ignored.
• EK IOC-2.A.11 Information placed online can be used in ways that were not intended and that may have a harmful impact. For example, an email message may be forwarded, tweets can be retweeted, and social media posts can be viewed by potential employers.
• EK IOC-2.B.1 Authentication measures protect devices and information from unauthorized access. Examples of authentication measures include strong passwords and multifactor authentication.
• EK IOC-2.B.8 A computer virus is a malicious program that can copy itself and gain access to a computer in an unauthorized way. Computer viruses often attach themselves to legitimate programs and start running independently on a computer.
• EK IOC-2.C.3 Data sent over public networks can be intercepted, analyzed, and modified. One way that this can happen is through a rogue access point.

Provides opportunities to use the following Computational Thinking Practices:

P1 Computational Solution Design: Design and evaluate computational solutions for a purpose.

• P1.D Evaluate solution options.

P3 Abstraction in Program Development: Develop programs that incorporate abstractions.

• P3.B Use abstraction to manage complexity in a program.

P4 Code Analysis: Evaluate and test algorithms and programs.

• P4.C Identify and correct errors in algorithms and programs, including error discovery through testing.

P5 Computing Innovations: Investigate computing innovations.

• P5.A Explain how computing systems work.
• P5.C Describe the impact of a computing innovation.
• P5.D Describe the impact of gathering data.
• P5.E Evaluate the use of computing based on legal and ethical factors.

P6 Responsible Computing: Contribute to an inclusive, safe, collaborative, and ethical computing culture.

• P6.A Collaborate in the development of solutions.
• P6.B Use safe and secure methods when using computing devices.

Curriculum Standards Addressed

Ap computer science principles curriculum framework.

The lesson substantially addresses the following Essential Knowledge under Big Idea X, NAME:

• EK XXX. Essential knowledge statement.

The following Essential Knowledge is also touched on:

• Under Big Idea X: NAME: XX, XXX.

CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards (Level 3 — High School)

The lesson substantially addresses the following learning objectives under Level X, Course Y: NAME:

• XXX. Learning objective.

The following learning objectives are also touched on:

• Under Level X, Course Y: NAME: XX; XXX.

ACM Computer Science Curricula 2013 (CS2013) Guidelines (Undergraduate)

The lesson substantially addresses the following Learning Outcomes under NAME:

• SUBNAME X: Learning outcome.

The following Learning Outcomes are also touched on:

• Under NAME: SUBNAME X; SUBNAME Y.

Cybersecurity Ethics Agreement

Some activities in this lesson involve learning skills that could be used to attack networked systems. Before beginning your cybersecurity unit, we recommend you ask students to sign an agreement such as the one below. The agreement commits them to use their powers only for good, and lays out some specifics of what that means.

Download Agreement: "Cybersecurity Ethics Agreement"

Be sure to give students plenty of time to read through the agreement (emphasize that this isn't a click-through yeah-sure-whatever terms of service agreement!) and invite them to ask questions if anything is unclear. Give them a copy to sign and a copy to keep.

• Check your district's policies to see whether students will need to have their parents sign the agreement as well.

Credits: Inspiration for the points to cover in this agreement came from Avi Rubin, Michael E. Whitman and Herbert J. Mattord (the Hands-On Information Security Lab Manual), an anonymous CS teacher from a Facebook group, and EC-Council’s Code of Ethics.

“Engage” Activities:

Introduce the topic, probe prior knowledge, and ignite students’ interest. (Choose one Engage activity, or use more if you have time.)

Quick Opening Questions (Whole-Class Mini-Discussion)

Estimated Time: 5-7 minutes.

What You’ll Need: Blackboard/whiteboard (optional).

Ignite Question

Are there any computer systems in the world that are safe from being hacked? Why or why not?

Optional Follow-Up Prompt:

• What would a totally safe system look like?

Target Answer + Details: No system is safe from attack. For a computer/system to actually be useful, it has to have some way for information to go in and come out (whether or not it’s connected to the Internet). It’s impossible to think of and protect against every way someone could possibly abuse those channels, other than just disabling them entirely.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is cybersecurity? What have you heard about it?

Optional Follow-Up Prompts:

• In what ways is it important?
• Who is it important to?
• Why do you need to protect systems from attackers? Who would do such a thing and why?

Target Answer + Details: Cybersecurity is about studying and protecting computer systems from adversaries who attempt to use the system in a way that it wasn’t meant to be used. (Where “computer systems” include many kinds of networked — or non-networked — devices, from smartphones to traffic lights.) It’s important because any system that’s designed for whatever purpose can be misused by an attacker/adversary. In other words, it’s important to anyone who interacts with computer systems, which is pretty much everybody! It’s common for criminals to attack a system for financial gain, i.e., to make money. It’s common for people to attack a system to exercise or demonstrate power, to prevent the real users from accessing the system, or simply because they’re bored or want to prove they can.

Small-Group Brainstorming Activity: Defend and Attack

Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes.

What You’ll Need: Print or write out slips of paper with a “secret” written on each one. Print one secret for each Blue Team, for them to keep hidden from the Red Team. Examples:

• “[Teacher] likes [title of movie/book/etc.].”
• “[Rival school]’s mascot is [name].”
• A random number
• An inspirational quote or a silly phrase

Description: In this activity, students get a taste of how cybersecurity involves thinking about possible attacks — but also experience the drawbacks of not using a structured approach to that thought process. This activity works best as a lead-in/contrast to the more organized activities later in this lesson plan.

Running the Activity:

• Ask your students to form groups of three or four. There should be an even number of groups overall.
• Red Team/Blue Team exercises take their name from a military exercise. The idea is simple: One group of security pros — a red team — attacks something, and an opposing group — the blue team — defends it.
• In the physical world, these exercises are used by the military to test force-readiness. They are also used to test the physical security of sensitive sites like nuclear facilities and government labs that conduct top-secret research.
• In the 1990s, cybersecurity experts began using Red Team/Blue Team exercises to test the security of information systems.
• Label each group as a Red Team or a Blue Team.
• Give each Blue Team a slip of paper with their “secret”.
• Tell the Blue Teams their task is to figure out a plan for protecting the information on the paper.
• Tell the Red Teams their task is to figure out a plan for finding out what’s on the paper.
• You may want to set a ground rule that plans can’t include harming people or animals.
• Give the teams 3-5 minutes to discuss their ideas for protecting or obtaining the information.
• Beginning with one of the Red Teams, ask the groups to report back. After hearing a Red Team plan to get the paper, ask if any of the Blue Teams has a plan to prevent that specific attack. (Repeat a few times.)

Types of Plans You’re Likely to Hear: Red Teams’ ideas will likely sort into two broad categories: Direct attacks: Plans that rely on directly pursuing the secret or attempting brute force; and Indirect attacks: Plans that rely on tricking the people involved into breaking protocol or exposing vulnerabilities. Blue Teams may attempt to reduce their risk of direct or indirect attacks. Higher-Level Ideas That May Emerge: It’s tough to cover every possible attack. It’s easier to think of attacks than it is to think of protection measures. Brainstorming attacks and protections feels disorganized. Both sides may have lots of open questions about what’s possible, or answers that begin with “It depends”.

Computing in the News - Cybersecurity Edition

Estimated Time: 3-7 minutes.

What You’ll Need: Computer and projector (optional).

Description: Teachers can use current news items about cyberattacks/data breaches or cybersecurity innovations to grab students’ attention at the beginning of class and illustrate the relevance of cybersecurity.

View Outline: “Computing in the News – Cybersecurity Edition”

Other media resources for "engage".

Estimated Time: TIME minutes. What You’ll Need: Computer, projector, and speakers.

Summary: SUMMARY

Video: VIDEO TITLE

• Content Advisory: IF YOU NEED ONE.

(Produced by PRODUCER.)

“Explore” Activities:

Ground students’ learning in firsthand experience and spark new ideas.

Small-Group Activity: Threat Model a House

Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes.

What You’ll Need:

• A whiteboard or a computer and projector
• Copies of the worksheet (1 per group)
• Students will need extra paper and pens/pencils

Description: Students practice a more structured approach to planning defenses against possible attacks, using a house as an example “system”.

Download Worksheet: “House Model Worksheet”

Introduction (2 minutes)

• Ask your students to form groups of 3-4.
• We’re going to talk about a process that can be used to approach thinking about security. It’s called threat modeling.
• At a high level, in threat modeling, you consider questions like what are you building or protecting, and what could go wrong?
• In groups, we’ll work through an example of how you would create a threat model for a basic house.

Blue Team Portion (10-15 minutes)

• Pass out pages 1 and 2 of the worksheet to each group
• In this activity, every group will start out as a Blue Team.
• The house on the worksheet and your answers to the first couple of questions are the “model” of what you’re protecting. This is an abstraction of the system at the heart of your threat model.
• The rest of the Blue Team questions involve thinking of ways that someone might attack the house or gain unauthorized access to the things inside.
• Write detailed notes for the whole group on one copy of the worksheet. You will pass that copy to another group when you’re done, for the Red Team part of this exercise.
• Give students 10-15 minutes to complete the Blue Team part of the worksheet (i.e. pages 1-2).

Red Team Portion (5 – 10 minutes)

• Have groups swap worksheets (pages 1-2) and pass out page 3.
• Give students 5-10 minutes to plan how they could gain access to the valuables inside the houses.
• If you’re short on time, you can direct Red Teams to write their responses on page 3, but skip having them represent their attacks on the Blue Teams’ diagrams.

Debrief/Wrap-Up (3-10 minutes)

• Have students return the worksheets to the original group so each Blue Team can spend a couple of minutes review the attacking Red Team’s plans.
• Optional: Ask each group to share an example of a clever or unexpected Red Team attack against their house, or one that would be difficult to prevent. (I.E., they should share examples thunk up by the group attacking them, not their own attack on someone else.)
• Wrap up by highlighting how designing a secure system differs from other fields of engineering, in that you have an active, motivated adversary to contend with. That’s why cybersecurity is often called an arms race. And it’s just a fact that you cannot predict or prevent all attacks.
• Allow both teams’ imaginations to run wild.
• Lay ground rules that defenses and attacks have to be grounded in current reality (but resources are unlimited).
• Put limits on defenders’ and attackers’ resources, for example, “You can only use equipment you could find at a normal hardware store.”
• Allow students to assume unlimited resources during the main part of the activity, but ask them at the end to revisit their Blue Team plans and think about how the plans would have been different if their resources had been limited (for example, to normal hardware-store equipment).

Whole-Class Brainstorm & Discussion: TITLE

Estimated Time: TIME minutes. What You’ll Need: Blackboard/whiteboard (optional).

Ask students to give examples of SOMETHING. Examples can be written on the board. Pick a few interesting example and ask:

Some examples you can start them off with: EXAMPLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXAMPLE

Extended Version:

FURTHER QUESTION

Interactive App: APP TITLE

Estimated Time: TIME minutes. What You’ll Need: Computer and projector.

DESCRIPTION

TITLE App: URL

“explain” activities:.

Introduce important facts and underlying concepts.

Slide Deck: Cybersecurity and Threat Modeling

Estimated Time: 15 minutes. What You’ll Need : Computer, projector, and speakers.

Description: In this presentation, students learn about what cybersecurity is, how threat modeling works, and why threat modeling is a useful place to start for cybersecurity. The slides are accompanied by Notes with details and examples to guide your lecture.

Access Slide Deck: “Cybersecurity and Threat Modeling”

• Presents an overview of web security (4-minute video), slide 2
• Defines cybersecurity, slides 3–9
• Defines cyber attack, slide 10
• Defines threat modeling, slides 11–14
• Explains the strengths and limitations of threat modeling, slides 15–24

Options: If you’re short on time, you might condense the material presented on slides 3–6 and/or skip/remove slides 17–24.

Coming Soon: Graphic organizer for student note-taking.

Estimated Time: TIME minutes. What You’ll Need: Computer, speakers, and projector.

DESCRIPTION.

“Elaborate” Activities:

Go deeper into the underlying concepts and/or let students practice important cybersecurity skills.

Small-Group Activity: Threat Modeling with the Security Cards

Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes What You’ll Need :

• Several sets of Security Cards (1 set per group)
• “Suggested Systems” handouts (1 system/page per group) or students’ sketches of systems they’re already studying or building (if they already have sketches) or blank paper for students to sketch the systems they’re studying or building
• Computer and projector

Description: Students use the Security Cards (from University of Washington) as a tool to practice threat modeling for a computer system. This activity further develops the framework for structured security thinking introduced in the Explore and Explain activities. Includes a slide deck for introducing the activity.

Get (Free) Printable PDFs or Purchase Pre-Printed Decks: The Security Cards from University of Washington

Access slide deck: “threat modeling with the security cards” (continues from explain deck.), download worksheet: “suggested systems”.

• Introduce the activity, using the slides and lecture notes.
• Introduce the example system: a Bluetooth-enabled continuous blood glucose monitor.
• Pass out a deck of Security Cards to each group.
• Introduce the Security Cards.
• Human Impact (blue)
• Adversary’s Motivations (orange)
• Adversary’s Resources (red)
• Adversary’s Methods (green)
• Break students into groups.
• Pass out “Suggested Systems” handouts. The handout has four pages, one for each system. Have students choose which system their group will model, or otherwise explain what system they’ll be using (see Options below). Each group should model only one system.
• Identify stakeholders (direct and indirect) and what data the system handles. Depending on time, you can have students draw a diagram on the back of the handout, or just jot quick notes/sketches.
• Sort the Security Cards by dimension.
• Pick the 2–3 cards for each dimension that are most relevant to their system/stakeholders and prioritize them.
• Ask groups to report back on their card choices and priorities.
• Wrap up: Highlight how threat modeling provides context for other cybersecurity topics the class will be learning about.

Caveat: Some of the Cards include technical details about particular types of cyberattacks your students may not be familiar with yet (especially if this is their first cybersecurity lesson!). For this activity, students don’t need to focus on those details. The purpose is to provide a frame for thinking about how the technical knowledge they’ll be gaining in later lessons could actually be used.

• Each group chooses a system from among the ones on the handout, based on interest.
• Choose which system each group will model at random, and pass them that handout.
• Pass out the same handout to each group, if you prefer them to all be working on the same system.
• The makers of the Security Cards provide some system suggestions .
• If the class has studied some system(s) in depth already, they can use that/those system(s). Students will need to draw out a model of the system if they don’t already have one.
• (Advanced version) If your students are designing or building systems in groups, they can work with their regular group and use the systems they’re building. Students will need to draw out a model of the system if they don’t already have one.

Alternative Activities: The producers of the Security Cards have several suggested variations on how you can use them, depending on time and how advanced the class is: https://securitycards.cs.washington.edu/activities.html

Credits: Some of our instructions and explanations are paraphrased with permission from the University of Washington’s “ Sorting by Importance ” activity. Original (UW) license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0).

Coming Soon: Unplugged version with “Introducing the Security Cards” handout and slide-free teacher’s notes.

In-Class Whole-Group Activity: TITLE

More stuff here.

Making Connections: Small-Group Discussion Questions

Estimated Time: Depends on protocol chosen. What You’ll Need: Blackboard/whiteboard (optional).

Use one or more of the following questions to help students digest the information presented in the lesson so far and personalize the content. The questions are compatible with many common classroom discussion protocols. We suggest Think-Pair-Share , Inside/Outside Circles , Chalk Talk , or Listening Dyads , but many others can be found on the NSRF’s protocol list .

QUESTION(S).

“Evaluate” Activities:

Assess students’ understanding of the material and development of new skills.

Assignment: Interpreting the Cybersecurity News

Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes.

• Copies of the assignment handout (one per student/group)
• Students will need pens/pencils

Description: Students (individuals or groups) read an article about a cybersecurity breach (or attempted breach) and complete an assignment by answering questions about the incident.

Download Handout: “Interpreting the Cybersecurity News”

Good sources for recent articles on cybersecurity incidents:

• SANS NewsBites (semiweekly newsletter on security incidents and news, with links to full news articles)
• Krebs on Security (blog about recent security breaches and related news/analysis)
• Wired , “ The Biggest Cybersecurity Crises of 2019 So Far ” (similar roundups once or twice a year; summaries and links to news articles)
• CSIS, “ Significant Cyber Incidents Since 2006 ” (running list of incidents; does not cite articles)

Suggestions when picking articles (or incidents) to assign:

• Think about whether students can easily relate to the incident or its consequences.
• Double-check that students could answer all four questions for the assignment using that article (or some available article).

Assignment Options:

• Pick one article for the whole class.
• Present a list of articles they can choose from.
• Assign a different article to each student/group.

Optional Extensions

• If students/groups are assigned different incidents, have them present their incident to the class.
• Teach Global Impact’s tips for identifying good sources (boxes at bottom left and top right)

Download Sample Responses: “Interpreting the Cybersecurity News (Example Responses)”

Review questions (quiz/homework).

Estimated Time: TIME minutes. What You’ll Need: Copies of review sheet.

This learning assessment can be used as an in-class quiz or as homework.

Download Assessment: “MODULE TITLE: Review Questions”

Answer key coming soon!

More for Teachers

Resources and background information to help you brush up on the technical nitty-gritty and be prepared for student questions.

Other Recommended Classroom Resources for Threat Modeling and the Security Mindset

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• Summary: One or two sentences.
• Produced by: Producer.

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What is Cybersecurity? Types, Threats and Cyber Safety Tips

Cybersecurity is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It's also known as information technology security or electronic information security.

The term "cybersecurity" applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories.

·          Network security is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.

·          Application security focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to the data its designed to protect. Successful security begins in the design stage, well before a program or device is deployed.

·          Information security protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in storage and in transit.

·          Operational security includes the processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing a network and the procedures that determine how and where data may be stored or shared all fall under this umbrella.

·          Disaster recovery and business continuity define how an organization responds to a cyber-security incident or any other event that causes the loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery policies dictate how the organization restores its operations and information to return to the same operating capacity as before the event. Business continuity is the plan the organization falls back on while trying to operate without certain resources.

·          End-user education addresses the most unpredictable cyber-security factor: people. Anyone can accidentally introduce a virus to an otherwise secure system by failing to follow good security practices. Teaching users to delete suspicious email attachments, not plug in unidentified USB drives, and various other important lessons is vital for the security of any organization.

The scale of the cyber threat

The global cyber threat continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with a rising number of data breaches each year. A report by RiskBased Security revealed that a shocking 7.9 billion records have been exposed by data breaches in the first nine months of 2019 alone. This figure is more than double (112%) the number of records exposed in the same period in 2018.

Medical services, retailers and public entities experienced the most breaches, with malicious criminals responsible for most incidents. Some of these sectors are more appealing to cybercriminals because they collect financial and medical data, but all businesses that use networks can be targeted for customer data, corporate espionage, or customer attacks.

With the scale of the cyber threat set to continue to rise, global spending on cybersecurity solutions is naturally increasing. Gartner predicts cybersecurity spending will reach $188.3 billion in 2023 and surpass $260 billion globally by 2026. Governments across the globe have responded to the rising cyber threat with guidance to help organizations implement effective cyber-security practices.

In the U.S., the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a cyber-security framework . To combat the proliferation of malicious code and aid in early detection, the framework recommends continuous, real-time monitoring of all electronic resources.

The importance of system monitoring is echoed in the “ 10 steps to cyber security ”, guidance provided by the U.K. government’s National Cyber Security Centre. In Australia, The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) regularly publishes guidance on how organizations can counter the latest cyber-security threats. 

Types of cyber threats

The threats countered by cyber-security are three-fold:

1. Cybercrime includes single actors or groups targeting systems for financial gain or to cause disruption.

2. Cyber-attack often involves politically motivated information gathering.

3. Cyberterrorism is intended to undermine electronic systems to cause panic or fear.

So, how do malicious actors gain control of computer systems? Here are some common methods used to threaten cyber-security:

Malware means malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats, malware is software that a cybercriminal or hacker has created to disrupt or damage a legitimate user’s computer. Often spread via an unsolicited email attachment or legitimate-looking download, malware may be used by cybercriminals to make money or in politically motivated cyber-attacks.

There are a number of different types of malware, including:

·          Virus: A self-replicating program that attaches itself to clean file and spreads throughout a computer system, infecting files with malicious code.

·          Trojans :  A type of malware that is disguised as legitimate software. Cybercriminals trick users into uploading Trojans onto their computer where they cause damage or collect data.

·          Spyware: A program that secretly records what a user does, so that cybercriminals can make use of this information. For example, spyware could capture credit card details.

·          Ransomware: Malware which locks down a user’s files and data, with the threat of erasing it unless a ransom is paid.

·          Adware: Advertising software which can be used to spread malware.

·          Botnets: Networks of malware infected computers which cybercriminals use to perform tasks online without the user’s permission.

SQL injection

An SQL (structured language query) injection is a type of cyber-attack used to take control of and steal data from a database. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in data-driven applications to insert malicious code into a databased via a malicious SQL statement. This gives them access to the sensitive information contained in the database.

Phishing is when cybercriminals target victims with emails that appear to be from a legitimate company asking for sensitive information. Phishing attacks are often used to dupe people into handing over credit card data and other personal information.

Man-in-the-middle attack

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyber threat where a cybercriminal intercepts communication between two individuals in order to steal data. For example, on an unsecure WiFi network, an attacker could intercept data being passed from the victim’s device and the network.

Denial-of-service attack

A denial-of-service attack is where cybercriminals prevent a computer system from fulfilling legitimate requests by overwhelming the networks and servers with traffic. This renders the system unusable, preventing an organization from carrying out vital functions.

Latest cyber threats

What are the latest cyber threats that individuals and organizations need to guard against? Here are some of the most recent cyber threats that the U.K., U.S., and Australian governments have reported on.

Dridex malware

In December 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) charged the leader of an organized cyber-criminal group for their part in a global Dridex malware attack . This malicious campaign affected the public, government, infrastructure and business worldwide.

Dridex is a financial trojan with a range of capabilities. Affecting victims since 2014, it infects computers though phishing emails or existing malware. Capable of stealing passwords, banking details and personal data which can be used in fraudulent transactions, it has caused massive financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions.

In response to the Dridex attacks, the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre advises the public to “ensure devices are patched, anti-virus is turned on and up to date and files are backed up”.

Romance scams

In February 2020, the FBI warned U.S. citizens to be aware of confidence fraud that cybercriminals commit using dating sites, chat rooms and apps. Perpetrators take advantage of people seeking new partners, duping victims into giving away personal data.

The FBI reports that romance cyber threats affected 114 victims in New Mexico in 2019, with financial losses amounting to $1.6 million.

Emotet malware

In late 2019, The Australian Cyber Security Centre warned national organizations about a widespread global cyber threat from Emotet malware.

Emotet is a sophisticated trojan that can steal data and also load other malware. Emotet thrives on unsophisticated password: a reminder of the importance of creating a secure password to guard against cyber threats.

End-user protection

End-user protection or endpoint security is a crucial aspect of cyber security. After all, it is often an individual (the end-user) who accidentally uploads malware or another form of cyber threat to their desktop, laptop or mobile device.

So, how do cyber-security measures protect end users and systems? First, cyber-security relies on cryptographic protocols to encrypt emails, files, and other critical data. This not only protects information in transit, but also guards against loss or theft.

In addition, end-user security software scans computers for pieces of malicious code, quarantines this code, and then removes it from the machine. Security programs can even detect and remove malicious code hidden in primary boot record and are designed to encrypt or wipe data from computer’s hard drive.

Electronic security protocols also focus on real-time malware detection . Many use heuristic and behavioral analysis to monitor the behavior of a program and its code to defend against viruses or Trojans that change their shape with each execution (polymorphic and metamorphic malware). Security programs can confine potentially malicious programs to a virtual bubble separate from a user's network to analyze their behavior and learn how to better detect new infections.

Security programs continue to evolve new defenses as cyber-security professionals identify new threats and new ways to combat them. To make the most of end-user security software, employees need to be educated about how to use it. Crucially, keeping it running and updating it frequently ensures that it can protect users against the latest cyber threats.

Cyber safety tips - protect yourself against cyberattacks

 How can businesses and individuals guard against cyber threats? Here are our top cyber safety tips:

1.       Update your software and operating system: This means you benefit from the latest security patches.

2.       Use anti-virus software: Security solutions like Kaspersky Total Security will detect and removes threats. Keep your software updated for the best level of protection.

3.       Use strong passwords: Ensure your passwords are not easily guessable.

4.       Do not open email attachments from unknown senders: These could be infected with malware.

5.       Do not click on links in emails from unknown senders or unfamiliar websites: This is a common way that malware is spread.

6.       Avoid using unsecure WiFi networks in public places: Unsecure networks leave you vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security received three  AV-TEST awards for the best performance, protection, and usability for a corporate endpoint security product in 2021 . In all tests Kaspersky Endpoint Security showed outstanding performance, protection, and usability for businesses.

Related Articles:

• What is Cybercrime: Risks and Prevention
• How to Avoid Most Types of Cybercrime
• Internet of Things Security Threats
• What is Spam and a Phishing Scam

Related Products and Services:

·          Cyber Security for your Home Devices

·          Small Business Cyber Security   

·          Advanced Endpoint Security for SMBs  

·          Corporate Cyber Security Services   

·          Cyber Security Awareness Training for Employees

·          Enterprise Cyber Security for Industries

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Cyber Insight

What is cyber security assignment? Tips from an expert.

Updated on: June 17, 2023

I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences that can come from a cyber attack. It’s not just about protecting your personal data anymore; it’s about safeguarding the entire infrastructure that our society relies on. So, if you’re tasked with a cyber security assignment, it’s not just a homework task – it’s a responsibility to help keep our world safe and secure.

But where do you start? With the rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats and the complex technology used to counter them, it can be overwhelming for even the most tech-savvy of individuals. That’s why I’m here. In this article, I’ll share some tips and tricks for tackling your cyber security assignment like a pro. From understanding the basics to implementing advanced techniques, you’ll have the tools you need to make a difference in the fight against cybercrime. So, let’s dive in and get started.

What is cyber security assignment?

In summary, a cybersecurity assignment revolves around ensuring the security of internet-related devices and services from malicious attacks. This is achieved by identifying potential threats, developing a security strategy, implementing security measures, and monitoring and reviewing these measures to remain effective.

???? Pro Tips:

1. Understand the scope of the assignment: Before starting, ensure that you have a clear understanding of what is expected from the cyber security assignment. Be sure to read and reread the instructions given and clarify any doubts with your instructor.

2. Research different aspects of cyber security: Cyber security is a vast field, and it is crucial to have a basic understanding of its various areas, such as network security, data security, and incident management, to name a few.

3. Consider real-world scenarios: To make your assignment relevant, consider real-world scenarios and apply the knowledge you have acquired. This could be an analysis of a cyber attack or suggestions to prevent a similar occurrence.

4. Follow best practices: Ensure that you follow industry-recognized best practices to create a well-researched and comprehensive assignment. Use credible sources for reference, and provide due credit to sources used.

5. Stay up-to-date: Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, with new threats and solutions emerging regularly. It is, therefore, essential to stay current and up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field. This will help make your assignment informative and relevant.

Understanding Cybersecurity and Its Importance

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting internet-connected devices and services from cyber attacks. Cyber attacks include malicious activities, such as hacking, stealing sensitive information, spreading malware, and disrupting critical infrastructure systems.

In today’s digital age, where the majority of businesses and organizations rely on digital technologies to perform their daily operations, cybersecurity has become more critical than ever before. The increasing use of the internet and connected devices has led to a surge in the number of cyber attacks, which can cause severe financial and reputational damages for businesses.

The importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. A successful cyber attack can cause significant losses and damage to a company’s reputation. Therefore, organizations must implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect their systems and data.

Types of Cyber Attacks and Threat Actors

Cyber attacks can come in many forms, each with a specific objective. Here are some of the most common types of cyber attacks:

Phishing Attacks: These are social engineering attacks that trick users into sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details.

Ransomware: This type of malware encrypts the victim’s files and demands a ransom payment to restore access.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: These attacks overload a target system with requests, making it unavailable to legitimate users.

Malware: This is a type of software designed to infiltrate a system and cause harm.

The threat actors behind cyber attacks can be anyone from lone-wolf hackers to state-sponsored hacking groups. Many of these attacks can be prevented by implementing cybersecurity best practices and protocols.

Cybersecurity Protocols and Best Practices

Here are some of the best cybersecurity protocols and practices that businesses can implement to protect their systems and data:

Use Strong Passwords: Passwords should be complex and unique for each account.

Implement Firewall and Antivirus Software: This helps to prevent unauthorized access and malware infections.

Encrypt Sensitive Data: Encryption helps to protect data even if it falls into the wrong hands.

Provide Cybersecurity Awareness Training: This helps to educate employees on best cybersecurity practices.

Conduct Regular Security Audits: Regular security audits help to identify vulnerabilities and threats before they can be exploited.

The Role of Cybersecurity in Business Operations

The role of cybersecurity in business operations cannot be emphasized enough. Cybersecurity helps to protect the company’s intellectual property, sensitive data, reputation, and financial stability. Moreover, implementing cybersecurity measures can attract customers who are increasingly concerned about the safety of their data.

The consequences of a successful cyber attack can be severe. It can lead to legal penalties, loss of revenue, and even bankruptcy. Therefore, businesses must prioritize cybersecurity in their operational strategies.

Cybersecurity Challenges and Emerging Threats

The cybersecurity landscape is continually evolving, and new threats emerge every year. Some of the most significant challenges that organizations face today are:

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): These are stealthy attacks that infiltrate a system and remain undetected for a long period.

Internet of Things (IoT) Vulnerabilities: The proliferation of IoT devices creates new vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Cloud Security: As more businesses move their operations to the cloud, the risk of cloud-based attacks increases.

Organizations must stay up-to-date with emerging threats and implement robust measures to mitigate them.

Advancements in Cybersecurity Technologies

As cyber attacks become more sophisticated, cybersecurity technologies have evolved to keep up. Some of the significant advancements in cybersecurity technologies include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI-powered cybersecurity solutions can help detect and mitigate cyber threats in real-time.

Biometric Authentication: Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, strengthens the security of sensitive data.

Quantum Cryptography: Quantum cryptography is an emerging technology that uses quantum mechanics to encrypt data securely.

Cybersecurity Compliance and Legal Regulations

Compliance with cybersecurity regulations and laws is critical for any business that collects, stores, or processes customer data. Some of the most prominent cybersecurity regulations include:

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): This regulation governs how businesses in the European Union (EU) handle, process, and store personal data.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): This act requires businesses to inform Californian consumers about the personal data they collect, use, and share and provide them with the right to opt-out.

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): This standard regulates how businesses that accept credit card payments handle cardholder data.

In summary, cybersecurity is critical for any business that uses digital technologies to perform its operations. Organizations must implement robust cybersecurity measures, protocols, and practices to protect their systems and data from cyber attacks. As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, organizations must stay up-to-date with emerging threats and comply with legal regulations and standards.

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NIST develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, best practices, and other resources to meet the needs of U.S. industry, federal agencies and the broader public. Our activities range from producing specific information that organizations can put into practice immediately to longer-term research that anticipates advances in technologies and future challenges.

Some NIST cybersecurity assignments are defined by federal statutes, executive orders and policies. For example, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) mandates that all federal agencies implement NIST’s cybersecurity standards and guidance for non-national security systems. Our cybersecurity activities also are driven by the needs of U.S. industry and the broader public. We engage vigorously with stakeholders to set priorities and ensure that our resources address the key issues that they face. 

NIST also advances understanding and improves the management of privacy risks, some of which relate directly to cybersecurity.

Priority areas to which NIST contributes – and plans to focus more on – include cryptography, education and workforce, emerging technologies, risk management , identity and access management, measurements, privacy, trustworthy networks and trustworthy platforms.

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Cybersecurity is the act of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks that can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. These cyber-attacks can take various forms, such as malware, phishing, ransomware, denial-of-service, or advanced persistent threats. They typically aim to access, alter or destroy sensitive information, extort money from users, or disrupt normal business processes. 

In this article, We covered the top 60 most asked cyber security interview questions with answers that cover everything from basic of cybersecurity to advanced cybersecurity concepts such as Threat Intelligence, Incident Response, Malware analysis penetration testing, red teaming and more.  Whether you are a fresher or an experienced cyber security architect, this article gives you all the confidence you need to ace your next cybersecurity interview.

Table of Content

Cyber security interview questions for freshers, cyber security interview questions for intermediate, cyber security interview questions for experienced, 1. what are the common cyberattacks.

Some basic Cyber attacks are as follows:

• Phishing: Phishing is the fraudulent practice of sending spam emails by impersonating legitimate sources.
• Social Engineering Attacks: Social engineering attacks can take many forms and can be carried out anywhere human collaboration is required.
• Ransomware: Ransomware is documented encryption programming that uses special cryptographic calculations to encrypt records in a targeted framework.
• Cryptocurrency Hijacking: As digital currencies and mining become more popular, so do cybercriminals. They have found an evil advantage in cryptocurrency mining, which involves complex calculations to mine virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Monero, and Litecoin.
• Botnet Attacks: Botnet attacks often target large organizations and entities that obtain vast amounts of information. This attack allows programmers to control countless devices in exchange for cunning intent.

For more details please refer to the article: Types of Cyber Attacks

2. What are the elements of cyber security?

There are various elements of cyber security as given below:

• Application Security: Application security is the most important core component of cyber security , adding security highlights to applications during the improvement period to defend against cyber attacks.
• Information Security: Information security is a component of cyber security that describes how information is protected against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, alteration, or deletion.
• Network Security: Network security is the security provided to a network from unauthorized access and threats. It is the network administrator’s responsibility to take precautions to protect the network from potential security threats. Network security is another element of IT security, the method of defending and preventing unauthorized access to computer networks.
• Disaster Recovery Planning: A plan that describes the continuity of work after a disaster quickly and efficiently is known as a disaster recovery plan or business continuity plan. A disaster recovery methodology should start at the business level and identify applications that are generally critical to carrying out the association’s activities.
• Operational Security: In order to protect sensitive data from a variety of threats, the process of allowing administrators to see activity from a hacker’s perspective is called operational security (OPSEC)n or procedural security.
• End User Education: End-user training is the most important component of computer security. End users are becoming the number one security threat to any organization because they can happen at any time. One of the major errors that lead to information corruption is human error. Associations must prepare their employees for cyber security.

For more details please refer to the article: Elements of Cybersecurity

3. Define DNS?

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses that browsers use to load web pages. Every device connected to the Internet has its own IP address , which other devices use to identify it in simple language, we can say that DNS Defines the Service of the network.

To know more please refer to the article: Domain Name System (DNS) in Application Layer

4. What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a hardware or software-based network security device that monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic and accepts, denies, or drops that particular traffic based on a defined set of security rules.

Please refer to the article: Introduction of Firewall to know more about this topic.

5. What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over an insecure network like the Internet. A virtual private network is a method of extending a private network using a public network such as the Internet. The name only indicates that it is a virtual “private network”. A user may be part of a local area network at a remote location. Create a secure connection using a tunnelling protocol.

Please refer to the article: Virtual Private Network (VPN) to learn more about this topic.

6. What are the different sources of malware?

The different sources of malware are given below:

• Worms: A worm is basically a type of malicious malware that spreads rapidly from one computer to another via email and file sharing. Worms do not require host software or code to execute.
• Spyware: Spyware is basically a type of malicious malware that runs in the background of your computer, steals all your sensitive data, and reports this data to remote attackers.
• Ransomware: Ransomware is used as malware to extort money from users for ransom by gaining unauthorized access to sensitive user information and demanding payment to delete or return that information from the user.
• Virus: A virus is a type of malicious malware that comes as an attachment with a file or program. Viruses usually spread from one program to another program, and they will run only when the host file gets executed. The virus can only cause damage to the computer until the host file runs.
• Trojan: Trojans are malicious, non-replicating malware that often degrades computer performance and efficiency. Trojans have the ability to leak sensitive user information and modify and delete this data.
• Adware: Adware is another type of malware that tracks the usage of various types of programs and files on your computer and displays personalized ad recommendations based on your usage history.

Please refer to the article: Different Sources of Malware to learn more about this topic.

7. How does email work?

When a sender uses an e-mail program to send an e-mail, it is redirected to a simple e-mail transfer protocol. In this protocol, the recipient’s email address belongs to a different domain name or the same domain name as the sender (Gmail, Outlook, etc.). After that, the e-mail will be stored on the server, and later he will send it using the POP or IMAP protocol. Then, if the recipient has a different domain name address, the SMTP protocol communicates with the DNS (Domain Name Server) for the different addresses that the recipient uses. Then the sender’s SMTP  communicates with the receiver’s SMTP, and the receiver’s SMTP performs the communication. This way the email is delivered to the recipient’s SMTP. If certain network traffic issues prevent both the sender’s SMTP  and the recipient’s SMTP from communicating with each other, outgoing emails will be queued at the recipient’s SMTP and finally to be received by the recipient. Also, if a message stays in the queue for too long due to terrible circumstances, the message will be returned to the sender as undelivered.  

Please refer to the article: Working of Email to learn more about this topic.

8. What is the difference between active and passive cyber attacks?

• Active Cyber Attack: An active attack is a type of attack in which the attacker modifies or attempts to modify the content of the message. Active attacks are a threat to integrity and availability. Active attacks can constantly corrupt the system and modify system resources. Most importantly, if there is an active attack, the victim is notified of the attack.
• Passive Cyber Attack: A passive attack is a type of attack in which the attacker observes the message content or copies the message content. Passive attacks are a threat to confidentiality. Since it is a  passive attack, there is no damage to the system. Most importantly, when attacking passively, the victim is not notified of the attack.

Please refer to the article: Difference between Active Attack and Passive Attack to know more about it.

9. What is a social engineering attack?

Social engineering is the act of manipulating individuals to take actions that may or may not be in the best interests of the “target”. This may include obtaining information, obtaining access, or obtaining a goal to perform a particular action. It has the ability to manipulate and deceive people. A phone call accompanied by a survey or a quick internet search can bring up dates of birthdays and anniversaries and arm you with that information. This information is enough to create a password attack list.

Please refer to the article: Social Engineering to know more.

10. Who are black hat hackers and white hat hackers?

• White Hat Hacker: A white hat hacker is a certified or certified hacker who works for governments and organizations by conducting penetration tests and identifying cybersecurity gaps. It also guarantees protection from malicious cybercrime.
• Black Hat Hackers: They are often called crackers. Black hat hackers can gain unauthorized access to your system and destroy your important data. The attack method uses common hacking techniques learned earlier. They are considered criminals and are easy to identify because of their malicious behavior.

Please refer to the article: Types of Hackers to know more.

11. Define encryption and decryption?

Encryption is the process of transforming an ordinary message (plaintext) into a meaningless message (ciphertext). Decryption is the process of transforming a meaningless message (ciphertext) into its original form (plaintext). The main difference between covert writing and covert writing is that it converts the message into a cryptic format that cannot be deciphered unless the message is decrypted. Covert writing, on the other hand, is reconstructing the original message from the encrypted information.

Please refer to the article: Difference between Encryption and Decryption to know more.

12. What is the difference between plaintext and cleartext?

The plaintext is not encrypted at all and cannot be considered encrypted and Clear text is a text sent or stored that has not been encrypted and was not intended to be encrypted. So you don’t need to decrypt to see the plaintext. In its simplest form.

Please refer to the article: Encryption and Decryption to know more.

13. What is a block cipher?

Block Cipher Converts plaintext to ciphertext using one block of plaintext at a time. Use 64-bit or 64-bit or greater. The complexity of block ciphers is simple. The algorithm modes used in block ciphers are ECB (Electronic Code Book) and CBC (Cipher Block Chaining).

Please refer to the article: Difference between Block Cipher and Stream Cipher to know more.

14. What is the CIA triangle?

When it comes to network security, the CIA Triad is one of the most important models developed to guide information security policy within an organization.  CIA stands for: 

• Confidentiality 
• Integrity 
• availability

Please refer to the article: CIA Triad in Cryptography to know more.

15. What is the Three-way handshake?

TCP uses a three-way handshake to establish reliable connections. The connection is full-duplex, with synchronization (SYN) and acknowledgment (ACK) on both sides. The exchange of these four flags is done in three steps: SYN, SYN to ACK, and ACK.

Please refer to the article: TCP 3-Way Handshake to know more about it.

16. How can identity theft be prevented?

Steps to prevent identity theft:

• Use a strong password and don’t share her PIN with anyone on or off the phone. 
• Use two-factor notifications for email. Protect all your devices with one password.
• Do not install software from the Internet. Do not post confidential information on social media.
• When entering a password with a payment gateway, check its authenticity. 
• Limit the personal data you run. Get in the habit of changing your PIN and password regularly. 
• Do not give out your information over the phone.

Please refer to the article: Cyber Crime – Identity Theft to know more about it.

17. What are some common Hashing functions?

The hash function is a function that converts a specific numerical key or alphanumeric key into a small practical integer value. The mapped integer value is used as an index for hash tables. Simply put, a hash function maps any valid number or string to a small integer that can be used as an index into a hash table. The types of Hash functions are given below:

• Division Method.
• Mid Square Method.
• Folding Method.
• Multiplication Method.

Please refer to the article Hash Functions to know more about this topic.

18. What do you mean by two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication refers to using any two independent methods from a variety of authentication methods. Two-factor authentication is used to ensure users have access to secure systems and to enhance security. Two-factor authentication was first implemented for laptops due to the basic security needs of mobile computing. Two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to use mobile devices to access secure data and systems.

Please refer to the article Two-factor Authentication to learn more about this topic.

19. What does XSS stand for? How can it be prevented?

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability in web applications that allows third parties to execute scripts on behalf of the web application in the user’s browser. Cross-site scripting is one of the most prevalent security vulnerabilities on the Internet today. Exploiting her XSS against users can have a variety of consequences, including Account compromise, account deletion, privilege escalation, malware infection, etc. Effective prevention of XSS vulnerabilities requires a combination of the following countermeasures: 

• Filter entrance on arrival. As user input comes in, filter expected or valid input as closely as possible. Encode the data on output. When user-controllable data is emitted in an HTTP response, encode the output so that it is not interpreted as active content. 
• Depending on the output context, it may be necessary to apply a combination of HTML, URL, JavaScript, and CSS encoding.  Use proper response headers. 
• To prevent XSS in HTTP responses that should not contain  HTML or JavaScript,  use the Content-Type and X-Content-Type-Options headers to force the browser to interpret the response as intended. Content Security Policy. As a last line of defence, a Content Security Policy (CSP) can be used to mitigate the severity of remaining XSS vulnerabilities.

Please refer to the article Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) to learn more about this topic.

20. What do you mean by Shoulder Surfing?

A shoulder surfing attack describes a situation in which an attacker can physically look at a device’s screen or keyboard and enter passwords to obtain personal information. Used to – access malware. Similar things can happen from nosy people, leading to an invasion of privacy.

Please refer to the article Shoulder Surfing to learn more about this topic.

21. What is the difference between hashing and encryption?

Please refer to the article Hashing and Encryption to learn more about this topic.

22. Differentiate between Information security and information assurance.

• Information Assurance: It can be described as the practice of protecting and managing risks associated with sensitive information throughout the process of data transmission, processing, and storage. Information assurance primarily focuses on protecting the integrity, availability, authenticity, non-repudiation, and confidentiality of data within a system. This includes physical technology as well as digital data protection.
• Information security: on the other hand, is the practice of protecting information by reducing information risk. The purpose is usually to reduce the possibility of unauthorized access or illegal use of the data. Also, destroy, detect, alter, examine, or record any Confidential Information. This includes taking steps to prevent such incidents. The main focus of information security is to provide balanced protection against cyber-attacks and hacking while maintaining data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Please refer to the article Information Assurance vs. Information Security to learn more about this topic.

23. Write a difference between HTTPS and SSL.

Please refer to the article SSL vs. HTTPS to learn more about this topic.

24. What do you mean by System Hardening?

The attack surface includes all flaws and vulnerabilities that a hacker could use to gain access to your system, such as default passwords, improperly configured firewalls, etc. The idea of ​​system hardening is to make a system more secure by reducing the attack surface present in the design of the system. System hardening is the process of reducing a system’s attack surface, thereby making it more robust and secure. This is an integral part of system security practices.

Please refer to the article System Hardening to learn more about this topic.

25. Differentiate between spear phishing and phishing.

• Phishing: This is a type of email attack in which an attacker fraudulently attempts to discover a user’s sensitive information through electronic communications, pretending to be from a relevant and trusted organization. The emails are carefully crafted by the attackers, targeted to specific groups, and clicking the links installs malicious code on your computer. 
• Spear phishing: Spear phishing is a type of email attack that targets specific individuals or organizations. In Spear, a phishing attacker tricks a target into clicking a malicious link and installing malicious code, allowing the attacker to obtain sensitive information from the target’s system or network.

Please refer to the article Phishing and Spear Phishing to learn more about this topic.

26. What do you mean by Perfect Forward Secrecy?

Perfect Forward Secrecy is a style of encryption that creates a temporary exchange of secret keys between the server and client. It is primarily used to call apps, websites, and messaging apps where user privacy is paramount. A new session key is generated each time the user performs an action. This keeps your data uncompromised and safe from attackers. This is separate from special keys. The basic idea behind  Perfect Forward Secrecy technology is to generate a new encryption key each time a user initiates a session. So, if only the encryption key is compromised, the conversation is leaked, and if the user’s unique key is compromised, the conversation will continue. Encryption keys generated by Perfect Forward Secrecy keep you safe from attackers. Essentially, it provides double protection from attackers.

Please refer to the article Perfect Forward Secrecy to learn more about this topic.

27. How to prevent MITM?

• Strong WEP/WAP Encryption on Access Points
• Strong Router Login Credentials Strong Router Login Credentials
• Use Virtual Private Network.

Please refer to the article How to Prevent Man In the Middle Attack? to learn more about this topic.

28. What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts data to make it inaccessible to computer users. Cybercriminals use it to extort money from the individuals and organizations that hacked the data and hold the data hostage until a ransom is paid.

Please refer to the article: Ransomware to know more about this.

29. What is Public Key Infrastructure?

A Public Key Infrastructure, or PKI, is the governing authority behind the issuance of digital certificates. Protect sensitive data and give users and systems unique identities. Therefore, communication security is ensured. The public key infrastructure uses keys in public-private key pairs to provide security. Public keys are vulnerable to attacks, so maintaining public keys requires a healthy infrastructure.

Please refer to the article: Public Key Infrastructure to know more.

30. What is Spoofing?

Spoofing is a type of attack on computing devices in which an attacker attempts to steal the identity of a legitimate user and pretend to be someone else. This type of attack is performed to compromise system security or steal user information.

Types of Spoofing:

• IP Spoofing: IP is a network protocol that allows messages to be sent and received over the Internet. Her IP address of the sender is included in the message header of all emails sent to her messages (sender address).
• ARP Spoofing: ARP spoofing is a hacking technique that redirects network traffic to hackers . Spying on LAN addresses in both wired and wireless LAN networks is called ARP spoofing.
• Email Spoofing : Email spoofing is the most common form of identity theft on the Internet. Phishers use official logos and headers to send emails to many addresses impersonating bank, corporate, and law enforcement officials.

Please refer to the article: What is Spoofing? to know more.

31. What are the steps involved in hacking a server or network?

The following steps must be ensured in order to hack any server or network:

• Access your web server.  
• Use anonymous FTP to access this network to gather more information and scan ports.
• Pay attention to file sizes, open ports, and processes running on your system.  
• Run a few simple commands on your web server like “clear cache” or “delete all files” to highlight the data stored by the server behind these programs. This helps in obtaining more sensitive information that can be used in application-specific exploits.
• Connect to other sites on the same network, such as Facebook and Twitter, so that you can check the deleted data. Access the server using the conversion channel.
• Access internal network resources and data to gather more information. 
• Use Metasploit to gain remote access to these resources.

To know more about this topic please refer to the article: How to Hack a Web Server?

32. What are the various sniffing tools?

Lists of some main Networking Sniffing Tools:

• SolarWinds Network Packet Sniffer
• Paessler PRTG
• ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer
• NetworkMiner

Please refer to the article: Sniffing Tools to learn more about sniffing tools in ethical hacking.

33. What is SQL injection?

SQL injection is a technique used to exploit user data through web page input by injecting SQL commands as statements. Essentially, these instructions can be used by a malicious user to manipulate her web server for your application. SQL injection is a code injection technique that can corrupt your database. Preventing SQL Injection is given below:

• Validation of user input by pre-defining user input length, type, input fields, and authentication.
• Restrict user access and determine how much data outsiders can access from your database. Basically, you shouldn’t give users permission to access everything in your database.
• Do not use system administrator accounts.

To know more about this topic, Please read the article: SQL Injection

34. What is a Distributed Denial of Service attack (DDoS)?

A denial of service (DoS) is a cyber attack against an individual computer or website aimed at denying service to intended users. Its purpose is to interfere with the organization’s network operations by denying her access. Denial of service is usually achieved by flooding the target machine or resource with excessive requests, overloading the system, and preventing some or all legitimate requests from being satisfied.

Please refer to the article: Denial of Service and Prevention to know more.

35. How to avoid ARP poisoning?

Following are the five ways of avoiding ARP Poisoning attacks:

• Static ARP Tables: If you can verify the correct mapping of MAC addresses to IP addresses, half the problem is solved. This is doable but very costly to administer. ARP tables to record all associations and each network change are manually updated in these tables. Currently, it is not practical for an organization to manually update its ARP table on every host.
• Switch Security: Most Ethernet switches have features that help mitigate ARP poisoning attacks. Also known as Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI), these features help validate ARP messages and drop packets that indicate any kind of malicious activity.
• Physical Security: A very simple way to mitigate ARP poisoning attacks is to control the physical space of your organization. ARP messages are only routed within the local network. Therefore, an attacker may have physical proximity to the victim’s network.
• Network Isolation: A well-segmented network is better than a regular network because ARP messages have a range no wider than the local subnet. That way,  if an attack were to occur, only parts of the network would be affected and other parts would be safe. Attacks on one subnet do not affect devices on other subnets.
• Encryption: Encryption does not help prevent ARP poisoning, but it does help reduce the damage that could be done if an attack were to occur. Credentials are stolen from the network, similar to the MiTM attack.

Please refer to the article: How to Avoid ARP Poisoning? to know more.

36. What is a proxy firewall?

The proxy firewall monitors application-level information using a firewall proxy server. A proxy firewall server creates and runs a process on the firewall that mirrors the services as if they were running on the end host.  The application layer has several protocols such as HTTP (a protocol for sending and receiving web pages) and SMTP (a protocol for e-mail messages on the Internet). A proxy server like Web Proxy Server is like a process that mirrors the behavior of the HTTP service. Similarly, the FTP proxy server reflects how his FTP service works.

Please refer to the article: What is a Proxy Firewall? to know more.

37.  Explain SSL Encryption.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) provides security for data transferred between web browsers and servers. SSL encrypts the connection between your web server and your browser, keeping all data sent between them private and immune to attack. Secure Socket Layer Protocols: SSL recording protocol.

Please refer to the article: Secure Socket Layer to know more about it.

38. What do you mean by penetration testing?

Penetration testing is done to find vulnerabilities, malicious content, flaws, and risks. It’s done to make the organization’s security system defend the IT infrastructure. It is an official procedure that can be deemed helpful and not a harmful attempt. It is part of an ethical hacking process that specifically focuses only on penetrating the information system.

Please refer to the article Penetration Testing to learn more about this topic.

39. What are the risks associated with public Wi-Fi?

•  Malware, Viruses, and Worms.
•  Rogue Networks. 
•  Unencrypted Connections
•  Network Snooping. 
•  Log-in Credential Vulnerability. 
•  System Update Alerts.
•  Session Hijacking.

Please refer to the article Risks Associated with Public Wi-Fi to learn more about this topic.

40. Explain the main difference between Diffie-Hellman and RSA.

• Diffie-Hellman (DH) algorithm: It is a key exchange protocol that allows two parties to communicate over a public channel and establish a shared secret without sending it over the Internet. DH allows two people to use their public key to encrypt and decrypt conversations or data using symmetric cryptography.
• RSA : It is a type of asymmetric encryption that uses two different linked keys. RSA encryption allows messages to be encrypted with both public and private keys. The opposite key used to encrypt the message is used to decrypt the message.

Please refer to the article to learn more about this topic.

41. Give some examples of asymmetric encryption algorithms.

Asymmetric key cryptography is based on public and private key cryptography. It uses two different keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. More secure than symmetric key cryptography, but much slower.

• You need two keys, a public key, and a private key. One for encryption and one for decryption. 
• The ciphertext size is equal to or larger than the original plaintext. 
• Slow encryption process. 
• Used to transfer small amounts of data. 
• Provides confidentiality, authenticity, and non-repudiation.

Please refer to the article Symmetric and Asymmetric Key Encryption to learn more about this topic.

42. Explain social engineering and its attacks.

Social engineering is a  hacking technique based on forging someone’s identity and using socialization skills to obtain details. There are techniques that combine psychological and marketing skills to influence targeted victims and manipulate them into obtaining sensitive information. The types of social engineering attacks are given below:

• Impersonation: This is a smart choice for attackers. This method impersonates organizations, police, banks, and tax authorities. Then they steal money or anything they want from the victim. And the same goes for organizations that obtain information about victims legally through other means. 
• Phishing: Phishing is like impersonating a well-known website such as Facebook and creating a fake girlfriend website to trick users into providing account credentials and personal information. Most phishing attacks are carried out through social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Vishing: Technically speaking, this is called “voice phishing”. In this phishing technique, attackers use their voice and speaking skills to trick users into providing personal information. In general, this is most often done by organizations to capture financial and customer data.
• Smithing: Smithing is a method of carrying out attacks, generally through messages. In this method, attackers use their fear and interest in a particular topic to reach out to victims through messages. These topics are linked to further the phishing process and obtaining sensitive information about the target.

Please refer to the article Social Engineering: The Attack on Human Brain and Trust to learn more about this topic.

43. State the difference between a virus and worm.

• Worms: Worms are similar to viruses, but do not modify the program. It replicates more and more to slow down your computer system. The worm can be controlled with a remote control. The main purpose of worms is to eat up system resources. The 2000 WannaCry ransomware worm exploits the resource-sharing protocol Windows Server Message Block (SMBv1).
• Virus: A virus is malicious executable code attached to another executable file that can be harmless or modify or delete data. When a computer program runs with a virus, it performs actions such as B. Delete the file from your computer system. Viruses cannot be controlled remotely. The ILOVEYOU virus spreads through email attachments.

Please refer to the article Difference between Worms and Virus to know more about this topic.

44. Explain the concept of session hijacking.

Session hijacking is a security attack on user sessions over a protected network. The most common method of session hijacking is called IP spoofing, where an attacker uses source-routed IP packets to inject commands into the active communication between two nodes on a network, allowing an authenticated impersonation of one of the users. This type of attack is possible because authentication usually only happens at the beginning of a TCP session. The types of session hijacking are given below:

• Packet Sniffing
• CSRF (Cross-site Request Forgery)
• Cross-site Scripting
• IP spoofing

Please refer to the article Session Hijacking to learn more about this topic.

45. Explain the honeypot and its types.

A honeypot is a networked system that acts as a trap for cyber attackers to detect and investigate hacker tactics and types of attacks. Acting as a potential target on the Internet, it notifies defenders of unauthorized access to information systems. Honeypots are classified based on their deployment and intruder involvement. Based on usage, honeypots are classified as follows: 

• Research honeypots: Used by researchers to analyze hacking attacks and find different ways to prevent them. 
• Production Honeypots: Production honeypots are deployed with servers on the production network. These honeypots act as a front-end trap for attackers composed of false information, giving administrators time to fix all vulnerabilities in real systems.

Please refer to the article What is Honeypot? to know more about this topic.

46. What do you mean by a Null Session?

Null session attacks have existed since Windows 2000 was widely used. However, system administrators do not consider this type of attack when implementing network security measures. This can have unimaginable consequences, as this type of attack allows hackers to obtain all the information they need to access your system remotely. This type of attack is more difficult to execute if the customer is using a newer version of the operating system, but Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are still the most common. 

Please refer to the article Null Session to learn more about this topic.

47. What is IP blocklisting?

IP blacklisting is a method used to block unauthorized or malicious IP addresses from accessing your network. A blacklist is a list of ranges or individual IP addresses to block.

Please refer to the article What is IP blocklisting? to know more about this topic.

48. What are Polymorphic viruses?

“Poly” refers to many and “morphic” refers to the shape. Thus, polymorphic viruses, as the name suggests, are complex computer viruses that change shape as they spread in order to avoid detection by antivirus programs. This is a self-encrypting virus that combines a mutation engine with a self-propagating code. A polymorphic virus consists of:

• Encrypted virus body mutation engine that generates random decryption routines.
• A polymorphic virus has its mutation engine and virus body encrypted. When an infected program is run, a virus decryption routine takes control of the computer and decrypts the virus body and mutation engine.
• Control is then passed to the virus to detect new programs to infect. Since the body of the virus is encrypted and the decryption routine varies from infection to infection, virus scanners cannot look for a fixed signature or fixed decryption routine, making detection more difficult.

Please refer to the article Polymorphic Viruses to learn more about this topic.

49. What is a Botnet?

A botnet (short for “robot network”) is a network of malware-infected computers under the control of a single attacker known as a “bot herder”. An individual machine under the control of a bot herder is called a bot.

Please refer to the article Botnet in Computer Networks to learn more about this topic.

50. What is an Eavesdropping Attack?

Eavesdropping occurs when a hacker intercepts, deletes or modifies data sent between two devices. Eavesdropping, also known as sniffing or snooping, relies on unsecured network communications to access data sent between devices.

Please refer to the article Eavesdropping Attack to learn more about this topic.

51. What is the man-in-the-middle attack?

This is a type of cyber attack in which the attacker stays between the two to carry out their mission. The type of function it can perform is to modify the communication between two parties so that both parties feel like they are communicating over a secure network.

Please refer to the article: Man In the Middle Attack to learn more about this topic.

52. What is a traceroute? Why is it used?

Traceroute is a widely used command line tool available on almost all operating systems. A complete route to the destination address is displayed. It also shows the time  (or delay) between intermediate routers.

Uses of traceroute: 

• It enables us to locate where the data was unable to be sent along
• Traceroute helps provide a map of data on the internet from  source to  destination
• It works by sending ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) packets.
• You can do a visual traceroute to get a visual representation of each hop.

Please refer to the article: Traceroute in Network Layer to know more about it.

53. What is the difference between HIDS and NIDS?

• HIDS: This intrusion detection system sees the host itself as a whole world. It can be a computer (PC) or a server that can act as a standalone system and analyze and monitor its own internals. It works by looking at the files/data coming in and out of the host you’re working on. It works by taking existing file system snapshots from a previously taken file system and comparing them to each other. If they are the same, it means the host is safe and not under attack, but a change could indicate a potential attack.
• NIDS: This system is responsible for installation points across the network and can operate in mixed and hybrid environments. Alerts are triggered when something malicious or anomalous is detected in your network, cloud, or other mixed environments.

Please refer to the article:   Difference between HIDs and NIDs to know more about it.

54. What is the difference between VA (Vulnerability Assessment) and PT (Penetration Testing)?

• Penetration testing: This is performed to find vulnerabilities, malicious content, bugs, and risks. Used to set up an organization’s security system to protect its IT infrastructure. Penetration testing is also known as penetration testing. This is an official procedure that can be considered helpful, not a harmful attempt. This is part of an ethical hacking process that focuses solely on breaking into information systems.
• Vulnerability assessment: It is the technique of finding and measuring (scanning) security vulnerabilities in a particular environment. This is a location-comprehensive evaluation (result analysis) of information security. It is used to identify potential vulnerabilities and provide appropriate mitigations to eliminate them or reduce them below the risk level.

Please refer to the article: Differences between Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessments to know more.

55. What is RSA?

The RSA algorithm is an asymmetric encryption algorithm. Asymmetric means that it actually works with two different keys. H. Public and Private Keys. As the name suggests, the public key is shared with everyone and the private key remains secret.

Please refer to the article: RSA Algorithm in Cryptography to know more.

56. What is the Blowfish algorithm?

Blowfish is an encryption technique developed by Bruce Schneier in 1993 as an alternative to the DES encryption technique. It is considerably faster than DES and provides excellent encryption speed even though no effective cryptanalysis techniques have been discovered so far. It was one of the first secure block ciphers to be patent-free and therefore freely available to everyone. 

• Block size: 64 bits 
• keys:  variable size from 32-bit to 448-bit 
• Number of subkeys: 18 [P array] 
• Number of rounds: 16 
• Number of replacement boxes: 4 [each with 512 entries of 32 bits]

Please refer to the article: Blowfish Algorithm to know more.

57. What is the difference between a vulnerability and an exploit?

• Vulnerability: A vulnerability is an error in the design or implementation of a system that can be exploited to cause unexpected or undesirable behaviour. There are many ways a computer can become vulnerable to security threats. A common vulnerability is for attackers to exploit system security vulnerabilities to gain access to systems without proper authentication.
• Exploit: Exploits are tools that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities. They are created using vulnerabilities. Exploits are often patched by software vendors as soon as they are released. They take the form of software or code that helps control computers and steal network data.

Please refer to the article: Difference Between Vulnerability and Exploit to know more about it.

58.  What do you understand by Risk, Vulnerability and threat in a network?

• Cyber threats are malicious acts aimed at stealing or corrupting data or destroying digital networks and systems. A threat can also be defined as the possibility of a successful cyberattack to gain unethical access to sensitive data on a system.
• Vulnerabilities in cybersecurity are deficiencies in system designs, security procedures, internal controls, etc. that can be exploited by cybercriminals. In very rare cases, cyber vulnerabilities are the result of cyberattacks rather than network misconfigurations.
• Cyber ​​risk is the potential result of loss or damage to assets or data caused by cyber threats. You can’t eliminate risk completely, but you can manage it to a level that meets your organization’s risk tolerance. Therefore, our goal is not to build a system without risk but to keep the risk as low as possible.

Please refer to the article: Difference Between Threat, Vulnerability and Risk in Computer Networks to know more.

59. Explain Phishing and how to prevent it.

Phishing is a type of cyber attack. The name phishing comes from the word ‘phish’, which means fish. Placing bait to catch fish is a common phenomenon. Phishing works similarly. Tricking users or victims into clicking on malicious websites is an unethical practice.

Here’s how to protect your users from phishing attacks. 

• Download software only from authorized sources
•  Do not share personal information on unknown links. 
• Always check website URLs to prevent such attacks.
• If you receive an email from a known source, but the email seems suspicious,  contact the sender with a new email instead of using the reply option.
• Avoid posting personal information such as phone numbers, addresses, etc. on social media.
• Monitor compromised websites with malicious content using phishing detection tools. Try to avoid free Wi-Fi.

Please refer to the article Phishing to know more about this topic.

60. What do you mean by Forward Secrecy and how does it work?

Forward secrecy is a feature of some key agreement protocols that guarantees that the session keys will remain secure even if the server’s private key is compromised. Perfect forward secrecy, also known as PFS, is the term used to describe this. The “Diffie-Hellman key exchange” algorithm is employed to achieve this.

In summary, today, implementing effective cybersecurity measures is especially challenging due to the increasing number of devices relative to humans and the constant innovation by attackers. Therefore, cybersecurity professionals must employ various tools and techniques, including encryption, firewalls, antivirus software, anti-phishing measures, and vulnerability assessments, to proactively safeguard against and respond to cyber threats. As a result, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to remain high in the future. 

Wondering about the salary of a cyber security analyst? Take a look at our specialized article on Average Cyber Security Salary .

Frequently Asked Cyber Security Interview Questions

1. what is cryptography.

Cryptography is the practice of securing information and communications by transforming them into a form that cannot be easily understood by unauthorized parties. This can be done by using encryption algorithms to scramble the data, making it unreadable without the decryption key. Cryptography is used in a wide variety of applications, including secure communication, data storage, and digital signatures.

2. What is a traceroute? Mention its uses.

A traceroute is a diagnostic tool used to track the path that packets take from a source to a destination on the internet. It does this by sending packets with increasing time-to-live (TTL) values and recording the IP addresses of the routers that the packets pass through. Traceroute can be used to identify the location of network bottlenecks, troubleshoot connectivity problems, and map the topology of an internet network. Uses of traceroute: To identify the path that a packet takes from a source to a destination. To troubleshoot connectivity problems. To map the topology of an internet network. To identify the location of network bottlenecks. To test the performance of a network. To investigate denial-of-service attacks.

3. Define firewall, and why is it used?

A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls can be used to block unauthorized access to a network, prevent malware from spreading, and protect sensitive data. There are two main types of firewalls: Packet-filtering firewalls: These firewalls examine the headers of network packets to determine whether they should be allowed to pass through. Application-level firewalls: These firewalls examine the content of network packets to determine whether they should be allowed to pass through.

4. Why is a firewall used?

Firewalls are used to protect networks from a variety of threats, including: Unauthorized access: Firewalls can block unauthorized users from accessing a network. Malware: Firewalls can prevent malware from spreading from one computer to another. Denial-of-service attacks: Firewalls can help to protect networks from denial-of-service attacks, which are attacks that attempt to overwhelm a network with traffic. Data leaks: Firewalls can help to protect sensitive data from being leaked from a network.

5. What is a three-way handshake?

A three-way handshake is a networking term for the process of establishing a connection between two hosts on a network. The three-way handshake is used in the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which is a reliable connection-oriented protocol. The three-way handshake consists of the following steps: The client sends a SYN packet to the server. The server sends a SYN-ACK packet to the client. The client sends an ACK packet to the server. Once the three-way handshake is complete, the two hosts have established a connection and can begin exchanging data.

6. What is a response code?

A response code is a three-digit number that is used to indicate the status of an HTTP request. Response codes are sent by web servers in response to requests from web browsers. The first digit of the response code indicates the class of response. The second and third digits indicate the specific status code. Here are some of the most common response codes: 200 OK: The request was successful. 400 Bad Request: The request was malformed. 401 Unauthorized: The request requires authentication. 403 Forbidden: The request is not allowed. 404 Not Found: The requested resource could not be found. 500 Internal Server Error: An error occurred on the server. 503 Service Unavailable: The server is temporarily unavailable

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Cyber Security Assignment

Task: Assessment 1: individual problem-solving task 1 Problem-Solving Task 1 Details

Learning outcomes In this assignment, you will be focusing on the following unit learning outcome (ULO):

ULO2: Assess security risks, threats and vulnerabilities to the organisation and implement appropriate information security protection mechanisms by analysing requirements, plans and IT security policies.

This ULO will contribute to three of your Deakin graduate learning outcomes (GLOs) in the form of discipline knowledge (GLO1), critical thinking (GLO4) and problem solving (GLO5).

Brief description of assessment task This task requires you to demonstrate the ability to conduct an investigation of security management issues in corporate organisations based on the background information provided below and write a report.

In your report, you will be required to follow prescribed procedures to evaluate risk levels and the potential impact of threats and vulnerabilities on a hypothetical organisation. You will be assessed on your ability to identify and prioritise the security risks, threats and vulnerabilities to an organisation.

Background information In Course 1 of SIT763 you looked at the Cyber Security and SMEs (Small and Medium Sized enterprises).

In light of this, your security company has been hired by a government body to undertake a security review in relation to SMEs.

This body would like you to write a consultancy paper about cyber security risks. Your report should address the following:

• What common cyber security risks, threats and vulnerabilities do SMEs face?
• Based on what we’ve covered so far and your additional research of the literature, what solutions do you propose?

Your task is to assess common security risks, threats and vulnerabilities to a SME and implement appropriate information security protection mechanisms by analysing requirements, plans and IT security policies.

You may also want to reflect on how cyber security issues relating to SMEs are unique

SIT763: IT Securty Management To prepare your report, you should conduct your research using a variety of sources (including those provided in your prescribed reading list) and reference them.

What do I do now?

• Start collecting and researching information
• Think creatively.
• Develop the report in Microsoft Word format
• Look at the assessment rubric and the unit learning outcomes to ensure that you understand what you are being assessed (and marked) on.
• The problem-solving task should be between 1000-1500 words (not including references).

Assessment 1: individual problem-solving task 1 Executive summary and description of a SME Protecting the sensitive data from the hackers needs to be the major priority for businesses of all sizes whether they are small, medium or large enterprises. The threats come in the form of phishing and malware which seeks to infiltrate the corporate network and extract data. The report focuses on security management issues in SMEs and provides an evaluation of risks levels and potential impact of the threats and different vulnerabilities. A hypothetical organisation needs to consider the high-quality services offered to the customers and protecting their data. The clients want to ensure that their information is secured where SMEs focus on ensuring the team members being informed about the current trends of cybersecurity. The assessment is based on developing better plans and IT security policies and proper training of the employees will help in protecting the organisation from the cyber-attacks.

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Cyber security risk assessment

Risks: It is the major loss or the damage in SMEs when the threat tends to exploit a vulnerability. Some of the possibilities include the financial loss with disruption in business, privacy, or reputation, with major legal implications that can include the loss of life as well.

• Unprecedented attacks: the valuable information resides in the different sources which grows with time. IoT create unprecedented attacks (Webb et al., 2017).
• Cyber espionage where the SMEs try to store their data in cloud (either in private, public or hybrid cloud technologies), there is a possibility of major loss of data.
• The data privacy and security are at stake when the confidential data is put on the cloud.
• Internet of Things (IoT) leakage where the real time data collection becomes important. It is important to monitor the traffic and collect the information of patients. The attackers make use of automated programs mainly to locate IoT devices and attackers tend to attempt to connect to the device through default credentials only.
• There are internal attacks which the small business face today. These can be phishing and spear phishing, malware or the spyware or maybe with the actions of disgruntled employee.
• The worms and virus are categorized as threats that tend to harm the organisation mainly through the exposure to the automated attack which is opposed to perpetrations by humans (Tuna et al., 2017).

Vulnerabilities For SMEs, it refers to the weakness of asset that could be exploited mainly by attackers. For example, if an employee leaves the organisation and his account is not disabled to their access to external accounts, change logins or removing their name from company credit card, then this can lead to the problem of intentional or unintentional threats. The vulnerabilities are mainly due to the automated attackers.There is another possibility in SMEs that they are not able to run antivirus and antimalware software which leads to vulnerability to infections. This fails to routinely update the operating systems or application software with remains of vulnerability to software problems (Baskerville et al., 2018). The user behaviour tends to create opportunities for attackers and system administrator tends to surf the web from account on corporate station could become a victim of the “drive-by” infection of the malicious software mainly.

Security strategy Cyber security strategy for SMEs that may include Technical: A proper handling of the external attack measures and internal fraud measures like the DDoS attack measure, web system security reinforcement solution, security operation monitoring solutions, administrative ID management reinforcement solutions could help in handling the technical approach. The firewall, and the IPS is the best platform to authenticate the link and secure the database system. For the security of the system, there are smart device security, a control over the entrance and exist, biometric and IC card authorisation that help in detecting any wrong activity. A proper backup of the system can be an effective measure for the system security (Martellini et al., 2017).

Policy For the SMEs, the improved cyber security requires a spectrum of defence that builds an approach of prevention control and compliance (Allodi et al., 2017). The cyber resilience includes internal cyber capability, strong governance and proposed a policy for Critical Infrastructure Resilience in July 2015. The strategy stated that the health, safety and prosperity are depending upon certain infrastructure.

Human In SMEs, the company should keep their employees informed of the trends of cybersecurity and performing regular threat assessments to determine the approach to protect the system and handling the penetration testing that involves the modelling with real world threats. It is important to ensure that the network security antivirus can protect the system, with a data recovery plan in the event of vulnerability being exploited. The risks also need to be assessed which includes the stakeholder perspectives, designating the central group of employees for risk management and determining funding levels for implementing better policies and related controls (Fu et al., 2017).

Governance solutions. The Privacy and Data Protection Deputy Commissioner handles the information privacy with protective data security (Alassafi et al., 2017). The functions include handling of issuing of protective data security standards and law enforcement data security standards. The development of national cyber defence capabilities is set in regard to broad based collective defence. There is a need to ensure of proper information exchange and cooperation with NATO, and other partners for joint cyber security capabilities, and training opportunities. In cyber security, the digital technology sector and innovation is considered to be the major driving force for a better economic growth, productivity and competitiveness (Deshpande et al., 2017). The digital technology will help in driving innovation and lead to the development of advanced capabilities with growing economy.

Summary The information technology risks are assessed and measured depending upon the training opportunities given to the people. SMEs needs to ensure the enhancement fight against cybercrime that tends to reduce trust in digital services. The enhancement of detection of cybercrime with law enforcement and raising public awareness could help in preventing cyber threats. The users of e-services are directed to secured solutions and promoting international cooperation against cybercrime (Sadeghi et al., 2017). It is advisable for the people, to change their passwords as soon as they login to the new device. To avoid the large scale cyber incidents, the technological risks pertain to high level of knowledge and risks awareness in developing a state, society and economy. For the SMEs, a standard regulation or an industry framework is important with better information security and oversight responsibilities. A proper integrated control and governance is will help through companywide control and maintaining the security levels as well.

References Alassafi, M.O., Hussain, R.K., Ghashgari, G., Walters, R.J. and Wills, G.B., 2017. Security in organisations: governance, risks and vulnerabilities in moving to the cloud. In Enterprise Security (pp. 241-258). Springer, Cham.

Allodi, L. and Massacci, F., 2017. Security Events and Vulnerability Data for Cybersecurity Risk Estimation. Risk Analysis, 37(8), pp.1606-1627.

Baskerville, R., Rowe, F. and Wolff, F.C., 2018. Integration of information systems and cybersecurity countermeasures: An exposure to risk perspective. ACM SIGMIS Database: the DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems, 49(1), pp.33-52.

Deshpande, V.M., Nair, D.M.K. and Shah, D., 2017. Major Web Application Threats for Data Privacy & Security–Detection, Analysis and Mitigation Strategies. under review in International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology PRINT ISSN, pp.2395-6011.

Martellini, M., Abaimov, S., Gaycken, S. and Wilson, C., 2017. Vulnerabilities and Security Issues. In Information Security of Highly Critical Wireless Networks (pp. 11-15). Springer, Cham.

Sadeghi, A., Jabbari, M., Alidoosti, A. and Rezaeian, M., 2017. Vulnerability and Security Risk Assessment of a Thermal Power Plant Using SVA Technique. Journal of Integrated Security Science, 1(1).

Tuna, G., Kogias, D.G., Gungor, V.C., Gezer, C., Ta?k?n, E. and Ayday, E., 2017. A survey on information security threats and solutions for machine to machine (M2M) communications. Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing, 109, pp.142-154.

Webb, T. and Dayal, S., 2017. Building the wall: Addressing cybersecurity risks in medical devices in the USA and Australia. Computer Law & Security Review, 33(4), pp.559-563.

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• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• WHY THE UA MS CYBERSECURITY?
• Program Overview and Tracks

Course Structure

Course calendar, course descriptions, certificates, computer requirements.

• Student Handbook

Meet the Advisors

• Admissions Overview and Application Requirements
• Admissions Checklist
• Application Deadlines
• Program Cost

Program Details

Ms in cybersecurity program overview.

Cybersecurity professionals are the gatekeepers of information systems and cyber-physical systems. They plan and execute security measures to shield an organization’s computer systems, networks, and networked devices from infiltration and cyberattacks.

Graduates of the Master’s in Cybersecurity program will understand how to prevent, monitor, and respond to data breaches and cyberattacks. The University of Arizona’s online MS in Cybersecurity enables you to bolster your technical and analytical skills, all from the convenience of your home or office.

The MS in Cybersecurity multidisciplinary curriculum draws courses from the University of Arizona’s programs in Management Information Systems (MIS) , Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) , and Systems & Industrial Engineering (SIE) .

The program is designed for working IT, engineering, and other professionals who have three years of work experience and want to boost their skills for a cybersecurity career path.

Designed specifically for those with technical experience, the degree focuses on effectively applying analytical and critical thinking to plan and execute security measures to shield an organization’s computer systems, networks, and networked devices from infiltration and cyberattacks.

Students engage in theoretical and hands-on approaches to learning the critical components of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity courses cover topics such as business intelligence data mining, information security, risk management, systems security management, penetration testing, network security, and system cybersecurity engineering.

• PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND TRACKS
• COURSE STRUCTURE
• COURSE CALENDAR
• COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
• CERTIFICATES
• COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
• MEET THE ADVISORS

As a result of this program, students will:

• Understand the breadth and scope of security issues on personal, corporate, national, and global levels
• Assess, prevent, and manage information or systems security related risks
• Perform system hardening, vulnerability testing, and forensic investigation procedures
• Apply data analytics to develop threat intelligence for current and future information or systems security endeavors

Program Tracks

The MS in Cybersecurity program offers two different tracks for students: Information Systems and Physical Systems. No matter which track a student chooses they must complete 33 units of coursework, comprised of 12 units of Common Core and 21 units of their selected track. Courses from either track can fulfill elective requirements within both tracks.

Cybersecurity courses are delivered using a combination of online voiced-over material supplemented by online labs, assignments, projects, reading materials, quizzes, and exams. Each course duration is seven weeks and materials are available online while students are enrolled in a course. Except for instructor-designated materials, students are also able to download material for later personal use or reference.

Courses in the common core and the Information Systems track (both required and electives) are offered in an accelerated seven-week format. Physical Systems track electives are 16 weeks long, and follow the UA's traditional fall and spring semester calendar. Physical Systems students should speak with one of the program advisors to create a plan of study that accommodates both 7 -week and 16-week courses. 

Courses are NOT self-paced but are structured in weekly assignments that must be completed within a designated time frame. The course mix includes a variety of active learning opportunities including projects, discussions, chats, labs, extra credit opportunities, quizzes, and exams – all delivered online.

Courses are delivered via a secure online course management system called D2L (Desire to Learn). Students are given access and instructions to D2L upon acceptance into the program. In addition, students upload their assignments and conduct online discussions with the instructor and classmates through the D2L interface.

The following course calendar is updated as of January 12 , 2024. Courses and dates are subject to change.

Click the course name or + adjacent to the name to view the course description:

Technical - 3 Credits - Elective

Description : This course provides an introduction to technical aspects of cyber security. It describes threats and types of attacks against computers and networks to enable students to understand and analyze security requirements and define security policies. Security mechanisms and enforcement issues will be introduced. Students will be immersed in the cyber-security discipline through a combination of intense coursework, open-ended and real-world problems, and hands on experiments.

Description:  Machine learning deals with the automated classification, identification, and/or characterizations of an unknown system and its parameters. There are an overwhelming number of application driven fields that can benefit from machine learning techniques. This course will introduce you to machine learning and develop core principles that allow you to determine which algorithm to use, or design a novel approach to solving to engineering task at hand. This course will also use software technology to supplement the theory learned in the class with applications using real-world data.

Prerequisite knowledge : Probability/statistics

Description:  Cloud computing is the model for ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. With the interest in cloud computing, the security challenges are raising concerns. This class discusses the cloud computing architecture and components along with the threat modelling and discusses physical, database, network, virtualization, services, and users level security concerns and their solutions.

Prerequisite knowledge : Prior computer programming experience in language C or Java.

Technical - 3 Credits - Elective

Description:  The purpose of the course is to give students a comprehensive introduction to digital communication principles. The major part of the course is devoted to studying how to translate information into a digital signal to be transmitted, and how to retrieve the information back from the received signal in the presence of noise and intersymbol interference (ISI). Various digital modulation schemes are discussed through the concept of signal space. Analytical and simulation models for digital modulation systems are designed and implemented in the presence of noise and ISI. Optimal receiver models for digital base-band and band-pass modulation schemes are covered in detail.

Description:  Shannon's approach to cryptography. Symmetric key cryptography, cryptographic hash functions, and public key cryptosystems. Authentication, key management and key distribution. Wireless and network security.

Theory/Practical - 3 Credits - Elective

Description:  Broad survey of the individual, organizational, cultural, social and ethical issues provoked by current and projected uses of networked computers on the Internet.

Description:  This course covers using controls to protect information assets. Topics include internal and external IT auditing, the role of auditing role in information security, the IT audit process, system independent IT audit processes, system dependent IT audit processes, auditing outsourced IT systems and resources. Controls covered will include desktop computer controls, systems development controls, computer center operation controls, assurance of information related to on-line, client-server, web-based, internet, cloud computing, virtualization and other advanced computer topics. Students will learn approaches to evaluating and addressing technology risk throughout the organization from the perspective of internal and external audit in addition to the view of end users. Topics included in the class will include coverage of all areas to prepare students to take the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) exam.

Theory/Practical - 3 Credits  –  Common Core Course

Description:  This course exposes the student to a broad range of computer systems and information security topics. It is designed to provide a general knowledge of measures to insure confidentiality, availability, and integrity of information systems. Topics range from hardware, software and network security to INFOSEC, OPSEC and NSTISS overviews. Components include national policy, threats, countermeasures, and risk management among others

Theory/Practical - 3 Credits - Core (for Information Systems Track)/Elective (for Cyber Physical Systems Track)

Description:  The objective of our MIS 516 course is to provide students a thorough and operational knowledge of information security so that this critical area is recognized as a management issue and not an IT  issue.

Technical - 3 Credits - Core (for Information Systems Track)/Elective (for Cyber Physical Systems Track)

Description:  The information security arena contains a broad array of multi-level models for assessing, planning, implementing and monitoring the mitigation of security risks. At the very core of this information security spectrum are the actual system and network devices which store, manage, transmit and secure information. This course is designed to provide a working knowledge of issues and techniques surrounding the proper safeguarding of operating systems and related components. Filled with Information Assurance topics, this course offers a solid base for system administrators and technical managers.

Technical - 3 Credits - Common Core

Description:  This course provides an in-depth knowledge of data communications and networking requirements, including networking technologies, hardware and software. This course has two objectives. First, it focuses on basic networking standards and protocols. Second, students will learn to evaluate, select and implement different data network options and prepare a cost-benefit analysis for a proposed solution.

Prerequisite knowledge: Python

Textbook for MIS 543:

James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross, “Computer networking: a top-down approach”

Technical - 3 Credits – Core (for Information Systems Track)/Elective (for Physical Systems Track)

Description:  Corporations today are said to be data rich but information poor. For example, retailers can easily process and capture millions of transactions every day. In addition, the widespread proliferation of economic activity on the Internet leaves behind a rich trail of micro-level data on consumers, their purchases, retailers and their offerings, auction bidding, music sharing, so on and so forth. Data mining techniques can help companies discover knowledge and acquire business intelligence from these massive datasets. This course will cover data mining for business intelligence. Data mining refers to extracting or “mining” knowledge from large amounts of data. It consists of several techniques that aim at discovering rich and interesting patterns that can bring value or “business intelligence” to organizations. Examples of such patterns include fraud detection, consumer behavior, and credit approval. The course will cover the most important data mining techniques -- classification, clustering, association rule mining, visualization, prediction.

Description:  This course is designed to provide students with a hands-on introduction to the fundamental concepts and tools of modern cyber threat intelligence. Students will become familiar with the cyber threat intelligence lifecycle, identifying, collecting, and integrating intelligence feeds, common intelligence formats, and standard cyber threat intelligence technologies (e.g., CIF servers, TAXII servers, SIEM's etc.).

Prerequisite : MIS 545: Data Mining for Business Intelligence and Python

Description:  This course introduces students to the principles and techniques of the cybersecurity practice known as penetration testing (pen testing), or ethical hacking, and covers the full pen test life cycle. Students discover how system vulnerabilities can be exploited and learn how to avoid such problems. Students will review various tools and methods commonly used to compromise information and control systems. Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing, is the act of breaking into a system with the permission and legal consent of the organization or individual who owns and operates the system, with the purpose of identifying vulnerabilities to strengthening the organization's security. Students will conduct hands-on penetration tests in a lab environment to practice the concepts presented and tools reviewed in the course. This course is an ethical hacking course and students will learn hacking techniques within a controlled environment for the goal of better securing the IT resources of their rightful owners.

Prerequisite knowledge : Python

Description:  Project Management is the application of knowledge, analytical skills, software tools and techniques related to various project activities in order to meet project requirements. It is increasingly recognized as an essential business skill. With a variety of exercises, demos, simulations and lectures, this course will present to you a systematic approach to project management that complements common sense with discipline.

Textbooks for MIS 578  are:

• Contemporary Project Management, 4th Edition
• Microsoft Project 2019, Step by Step 

Technical - 3 Credits - Core (for Information Systems Track)

Description:  The focus of this course is the usage of common tools used during penetration assessments and hardening system defenses. Students will draw from previous classes to combine skills in online defense and penetration exercises of systems in a virtual environment. Along with course labs, this course will apply theory and techniques to provide the following learning base - knowledge, comprehension, and application.

Prerequisite : MIS 545, MIS 515, MIS 543 or ECE 578, SIE 571, MIS 562, MIS 566, MIS 516, MIS 517 and Python

Textbook for MIS 689 :

• Hacker Techniques, Tools, and Incident Handling, 3rd Edition

Description:  Statistical methodology of estimation, testing hypotheses, goodness-of-fit, nonparametric methods and decision theory as it relates to engineering practice. Significant emphasis on the underlying statistical modeling and assumptions.

Prerequisite knowledge : Statistics

Description:  Process and tools for systems engineering of large-scale, complex systems: requirements, performance measures, concept exploration, multi-criteria tradeoff studies, life cycle models, system modeling, etc.

Technical - 3 Credits – Common Core Course

Description:  The purpose of this course is to introduce selected topics, issues, problems, and techniques in the area of System Cyber Security Engineering (SCSE), early in the development of a large system. Students will explore various techniques for eliminating security vulnerabilities, defining security specifications / plans, and incorporating countermeasures in order to achieve overall system assurance. SCSE is an element of system engineering that applies scientific and engineering principles to identify, evaluate, and contain or eliminate system vulnerabilities to known or postulated security threats in the operational environment. SCSE manages and balances system security risk across all protection domains spanning the entire system engineering life-cycle. The fundamental elements of cyber security will be explored including: human cyber engineering techniques, penetration testing, mobile and wireless vulnerabilities, network mapping and security tools, embedded system security, reverse engineering, software assurance and secure coding, cryptography, vulnerability analysis, and cyber forensics. After a fundamental understanding of the various cyber threats and technologies are understood, the course will expand upon the basic principles, and demonstrate how to develop a threat / vulnerability assessment on a representative system using threat modeling techniques (i.e. modeling threats for a financial banking system, autonomous automobile, or a power distribution system). With a cyber-resilience focus, students will learn how to identify critical use cases or critical mission threads for the system under investigation, and how to decompose and map those elements to various architectural elements of the system for further analysis. Supply chain risk management (SCRM) will be employed to enumerate potential cyber threats that could be introduced to the system either unintentionally or maliciously throughout the supply chain. The course culminates with the conduct of a realistic Red Team / Blue Team simulation to demonstrate and explore both the attack and defend perspectives of a cyber-threat. The Red Team will perform a vulnerability assessment of the prospective system, with the intention of attacking its vulnerabilities. The Blue Team will perform a vulnerability of the same system with the intention of defending it against cyber threats. A comparison will be made between the outcomes of both teams in order to better understand the overarching solutions to addressing the threats identified.

Upon completion of the course, students will be proficient with various elements of cyber security and how to identify system vulnerabilities early on in the system engineering lifecycle. They will be exposed to various tools and processes to identify and protect a system against those vulnerabilities, and how to develop program protection plans to defend against and prevent malicious attacks on large complex systems.

Graduate students will be given an additional assignment to write a draft Program Protection Plan (PPP) for the system that the class performed the threat analysis for. Program protection planning employs a step-by-step analytical process to identify the critical technologies to be protected; analyze the threats; determine program vulnerabilities; assess the risks; and apply countermeasures. A PPP describes the analysis, decisions and plan to mitigate risks to any advanced technology and mission-critical system functionality.

Technical - 3 Credits – Physical Systems Track

Description: T his course engages students in diverse and varied national cybersecurity/information systems security problems, under an existing and very successful umbrella program called “INSuRE”, that enables a collaboration across several universities, Cyber professionals and cross-disciplined Cyber related technologies. Led by  Stevens Institute of Technology , and made possible by a grant from the NSA and NSF, INSuRE has fielded a multi-institutional cybersecurity research course in which small groups of undergraduate and graduate students work to solve unclassified problems proposed by NSA, other US government agencies, and/or private organizations and laboratories. Students will learn how to apply research techniques, think clearly about these issues, formulate and analyze potential solutions, and communicate their results with sponsors and other participating universities.

Working in small groups under the mentorship of technical experts from government and industry, each student will formulate, carry out, and present original research on current cybersecurity / information assurance problems of interest to the nation. This course will be run in a synchronized distance fashion, coordinating activities with other INSuRE technical clients and sponsors, along with partnering universities which are all National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research (CAE-R).

Examples of past research projects are noted below. These are representative of the types of projects that the various organizations have sponsored over prior semesters of the INSuRE program. The exact projects for any given semester are not provided until the start of the semester, and therefore the following list should be used as reference only.

• NSA: The Impact of Known Vulnerabilities on Layered Cyber Defensive Solutions
• NSA: Cryptographic Protocol Analysis and Verification
• NSA: Cloud Forensics
• NSA: Internet of Things (IoT) Forensics
• Argonne National Labs: Using Blockchain as a Device Authentication Framework for IoT
• Argonne National Labs: A Risk Based Approach Towards Vehicle Security Networks
• John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab: Software Assurance: Defect Localization
• Oak Ridge National Labs: Leverage User Interactions to Detect Malicious Behavior

Prerequisite knowledge : Students may come from computer science, computer engineering, information technology, or any related technical field (e.g., electrical engineering, information systems, math). Each student is expected to bring expertise, interest, and experience in at least one relevant Cyber related technical area. (If you are uncertain whether you have the necessary technical background to participate in this course, coordinate with the instructor prior to enrolling.) One of the following courses is required to insure an appropriate background in Cyber related technical areas: SIE 471 / 571, ECE 478/578, ECE 509, or MIS 416/516. (Other relevant coursework or professional work experience can also be used to fill the prerequisite requirements with the approval of the instructor.)

Description: T he purpose of this course is to explore widely accepted security frameworks, industry standards, and techniques employed in engineering trustworthy secure and resilient systems. We will study and explore several National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) frameworks such as the Cyber Security Framework (CSF), the Risk Management Framework (RMF), and other standards. These widely adopted standards have been have been developed to ensure that the appropriate security principles, concepts, methods, and practices are applied during the system development life cycle (SDLC) to achieve stakeholder objectives for the protection of assets across all forms of adversity characterized as disruptions, hazards, and threats. We will also explore case studies within the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) 16 Critical Infrastructure elements, to understand how government and private sector participants within the critical infrastructure community work together to manage risks and achieve security and resilient outcomes. Cyber resiliency is the ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse conditions, stresses, attacks, or compromises on systems that use or are enabled by cyber resources regardless of the source.

Upon completion of the course, students will gain experience in understanding, assessing and complying with the various NIST and DHS frameworks and standards in order to proactively design security features into systems/products to prevent or minimize asset loss or compromise, and reduce system defects that can lead to security vulnerabilities that could render a system susceptible to exploitation. They will also learn how to develop systems that are more cyber resilient.

Prerequisite knowledge : A basic course in computing or computer applications (ECE 175, CSC127A, or equivalent) or consent of the instructor. Learners (including pre-med students and undergraduate biomedical, computer, electrical, systems engineering, and computer science students), trainees, fellows (including clinicians), graduate students, and scientists from all fields with interest in either biomedical and healthcare applications or computing are welcome.

NOTE: SIE 471 / 571 is recommended, but not a firm pre-requisite for enrollment in this course.

In the process of earning the Master’s in Cybersecurity, students could also earn the Department of MIS’s Enterprise Security Certificate, which leverages the department’s designation – by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security – as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education .

With the completion of the courses above, students are also eligible for:

• CPE units for CISSP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, CAP and SSCP designation(s). These designations are offered by (ISC)².
• CPE units for CISM and CRISC designations which are offered by ISACA.
• One year of qualified work experience towards the Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) designation.*

* As of May 17, 2012, the University of Arizona, Department of Management Information Systems, Eller College of Management, Security Graduate Certificate as submitted to ISACA was found to be in alignment with the ISACA® Model Curriculum for Information Security Management, 2nd Edition. Graduates of this program qualify for one year work experience toward the Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®) designation.

MS Cybersecurity students use a variety of online applications including discussion boards, chats, and virtual labs. Suggested hardware and software requirements include:

• Intel i5 or i7 processor
• 8 gigabytes system RAM
• 500 megabytes free hard drive space
• Preferred minimum 3 Mbps upload/download speeds or faster
• Web cam and microphone

Required Software

For accessing course content:

• Adobe Reader 7.x or higher
• Java JRE Runtime Environment 1.6.0 or higher

Macs: Parallels, VirtualBox, Boot Camp or equivalent solution that allows running of x86/x64 operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) and applications on the Mac. See note below for more details. 

Expected Student Computing Environment

• Windows 10, or Mac OS 11 operating systems or higher with Parallels or equivalent solution for allowing Windows OS to run on Mac; we recommend VirtualBox .
• Microsoft Office or another compatible Office program
• Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or other web browser supporting the above required software

For more information on Eller recommended configurations see https://eller.arizona.edu/students/technology-requirements .

* Some courses require software that will only run on an Intel x86/x64 architecture. This includes Windows operating system, many of its applications, and some Linux distributions.  Mac users should have a virtualization platform (e.g. Parallels, Virtualbox) or dual-boost solution (e.g. Boot Camp) that allows them to run x86/x64 operating systems and applications.  Apple M-series processors cannot run x86/x64 software, even with a virtualization platforms or dual-boot solution, as they are a different processor architecture entirely. 

The MS in Cybersecurity program has three advisors:

Bryn Pallette

520-621-0193 [email protected]

Bryn works closely with our enrolled and potential MIS online and Master’s in Cybersecurity students to ensure their academic needs are met from registration to graduation. She advises students on policies, procedures, and academic requirements for graduation and assists students in course scheduling and planning to achieve academic success.

Tami Whelan

520-621-0481

Tami works with Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate students. She advises students on policies, procedures, and academic requirements for graduation and assists students in course scheduling and planning to achieve academic success.

Cindy Nguyen

520-626-4644

Cindy works closely with Systems and Industrial Engineering graduate students. She advises students on policies, procedures, and academic requirements for graduation and assists students in course scheduling and planning to achieve academic success.

Enroll now in a dynamic, comprehensive cybersecurity master's degree

With tracks in information systems and physical systems, the MS in Cybersecurity from the University of Arizona will help you excel in the cybersecurity industry.

• APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
• ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
• ADMISSIONS DEADLINES
• THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
• ARIZONA ONLINE
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• SYSTEMS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

520-621-2748 MIS Department, Online Admission Eller College of Management The University of Arizona McClelland Hall Room 430 P.O. Box 210108 Tucson, AZ 85721-0108

The MS in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program of the Department of Management Information Systems at the Eller College of Management, and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Department of Systems & Industrial Engineering in the College of Engineering, offered through Arizona Online. UA Privacy | Eller College Privacy © 2019 The University of Arizona. All rights reserved.

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15 Essential Skills for Cybersecurity Analysts in 2024

Getting a job in cybersecurity often means having the right set of technical and workplace skills. Here are 15 cybersecurity skills companies are hiring for.

Working in cybersecurity typically means leveraging a range of technical and people skills to protect your organization’s data. Having the right set of skills could be critical to getting hired. But what skills should you focus on developing?

To find out, we reviewed cybersecurity analyst job listings on LinkedIn and Indeed to find the skills most frequently included in job descriptions. Target, Visa, Delaware North, and Mosaic are among the companies hiring for these skills.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most essential skills that a cybersecurity analyst should have, according to employers. But, if you're ready to start building those skills now, consider enrolling in Microsoft's Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate to get job-ready in as little as six months.

Expert insights: cybersecurity skills

Many employers are looking for qualified candidates who have both technical and workplace skills.

"You're going to see a critical eye [from employers], especially on the technical piece, on the ability to do the job. We also need leadership and management roles, that are aware of the kind of cyber threats and the liabilities around them," said Steve Graham, Senior Vice President Head of Product at EC-Council, during Coursera's virtual panel, "How can online learning accelerate cybersecurity careers and talent?"

What skills does a cybersecurity analyst need?

Cybersecurity analysts use a combination of technical and workplace skills to assess vulnerabilities and respond to security incidents. If you have a background in information technology ( IT ) you may already have some of the technical skills, and many of the workplace skills carry over from a wide variety of occupations. 

Learn more about what you can expect from a career in cybersecurity in this lecture from Microsoft's Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems course :

10 cybersecurity technical skills

A cybersecurity analyst's technical skills are the foundation of their career. Below, we cover ten of the most essential technical skills that you'll need to thrive in the field.

1. Scripting

Scripting is a type of coding in which you make a program do something. The difference is that coding is static, whereas scripts can make images and text move around. Knowing how to build tools and automate repetitive tasks with languages like Python or PowerShell empowers you to become a more efficient analyst. Python, in particular, ranks among the most prevalent languages in cybersecurity. As a bonus, it’s also among the easiest to learn. 

Want to get started? Enroll in the University of Michigan's Python for Everybody Specialization to learn how to program and analyze data with Python.

2. Controls and frameworks

A cybersecurity framework provides a collection of best practices, policies, tools, and security protocols designed to help secure an organization’s data and business operations. A control is a measure your company uses to protect itself from vulnerabilities and attacks. 

The framework you use will vary depending on your organization and industry. You may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with some of the most common cybersecurity frameworks, including:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Center for Information Security (CIS)

System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2)

3. Intrusion detection

As a cybersecurity analyst, a big part of your job will involve monitoring network activity for possible intrusions. Knowing how to use intrusion detection software—security information and event management (SIEM) products, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention systems (IPS)—enables you to quickly identify suspicious activity or security violations. 

Learn more about the difference between IDS and IPS systems in this lecture from Google's IT Support Professional Certificate :

4. Network security control

Many cybersecurity attacks take place across a network of connected devices. The same technologies that allow companies to collaborate can also lead to security vulnerabilities. To keep an organization secure, you’ll need an understanding of wired and wireless networks, and how to secure them. 

Start learning more about network security in IBM's Network Security & Database Vulnerabilities course, which covers everything from IP Addressing and Packet Sniffing to the vulnerabilities inherent in popular database structures.

5. Operating systems

Security threats exist across all operating systems, both on computers and mobile devices. Set yourself up for success as a security analyst by building a deep familiarity with MacOS, Windows, Linux, as well as their command-line interfaces. You might also find it helpful to study the threats and vulnerabilities associated with mobile operating systems, like iOS and Android. 

Read more: What Is an Operating System?

6. Incident response

While prevention is the goal of cybersecurity, quickly responding when security incidents do occur is critical to minimize damage and loss. Effective incident handling requires familiarity with your organization’s incident response plan, as well as skills in digital forensics and malware analysis.

Want to know more? Hear what cybersecurity expert Keatron Evans has to say about incident response in this lecture from Infosec's Cyber Incident Response Specialization :

As more and more businesses move to cloud environments, professionals with cloud expertise are in demand. According to data from GIAC Certifications, having cloud security skills can come with a salary premium of more than $15,000. The need for cloud security skills is expected to grow by 115 percent over the next four years, making it the most lucrative skill in the industry [ 1 ].

Read more: What Is GIAC Certification? A Guide

Security risks often exist within applications themselves. More and more companies are adding a security focus to their software development and operations (DevOps) phase to help ensure that applications are secure from the start. 

Read more: What Does a DevOps Engineer Do? A Career Guide

9. Threat knowledge

“Know thy enemy.” General Sun Tzu could have been talking about cybersecurity. You can be a more effective cybersecurity analyst by keeping up-to-date on the threat landscape. If you’re new to the field, get started with the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 —a document that outlines the top 10 web application security risks.

Gain expert insights into cybersecurity threats in IBM's Cyber Threat Intelligence course, offering hands-on access to the cybersecurity tools important to a system analyst.

10. Regulatory guidelines

Cybersecurity has to protect an organization from attack, theft, and loss, as well as comply with industry regulations. If you’re working for a company that does business around the globe, familiarity with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) could be beneficial. Cybersecurity analysts in the health care industry will need to understand how to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)—a US federal law that helps protect the privacy of medical records. Some states within the US have their own privacy laws as well.

Read more: Cybersecurity Terms: A to Z Glossary

5 cybersecurity workplace skills

Workplace skills are all those skills you rely on to actually get your work done, collaborate with others, and accomplish your professional goals. Below, we explore some of the most important workplace skills you'll need to become the best cybersecurity analyst possible.

1. Communication

Both written and verbal communication play a key role in cybersecurity. As an analyst, you may need to communicate technical concepts to individuals without a technical background, such as executives or legal teams. You may also be asked to write incident reports, where you’ll have to document what you did in a concise and clear manner. 

Wondering where to start? Try the University of Pennsylvania's Improving Communication Skills course to learn how to communicate more effectively at work and achieve your goals.

2. Collaboration

As a cybersecurity analyst, you’ll likely work with a larger security team of other cybersecurity professionals. You may also need to collaborate with other teams within your company (legal, IT, public relations) or share your findings with other organizations or the greater cybersecurity community. 

3. Risk management

Your ability to think through what could possibly go wrong, assess the severity of threats, and gauge the potential impact empowers you to focus your energy on the tasks where you’ll have the biggest impact.

Build foundational knowledge of cybersecurity risk management in the University of California, Irvine's I ntroduction to Cybersecurity & Risk Management Specialization .

4. Adaptability

Cyber criminals are constantly adjusting and enhancing their attacks. Technology continues to advance, introducing new vulnerabilities. Adopting the mindset of a  lifelong learner can help you keep up with (or stay one step ahead of) these changes.

5. Critical thinking

Working in cybersecurity sometimes means making high-stakes decisions about your organization’s security. Developing your critical thinking skills can help you to:

Ask the right questions

Evaluate and assess data

Identify your assumptions

Consider alternatives

Understand context

Draw data-driven conclusions

Learn more about the importance of critical thinking to cybersecurity in this lecture from IBM's Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate :

How to improve cybersecurity skills

There’s more than one way to build your cybersecurity skills. While you likely already possess some of the skills listed above, developing those you’re less familiar with could make you a more competitive candidate when you start applying for jobs.

Here are some options for building cybersecurity skills:

1. Take classes.

Whether you’re learning cybersecurity fundamentals or more advanced skills, enrolling in a course adds structure to your learning. Many courses that target specific technical skills, like network security or incident response, may also give you opportunities to practice workplace skills, like technical writing and collaboration. 

Consider earning the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate to develop some of these in-demand skills at your own pace.

Read more: Is Cybersecurity Hard to Learn? 9 Tips for Success

2. Stay up to date on the latest trends.

Keeping your technical cybersecurity skills up to date with the current threat and technology landscape can help you build confidence as a security analyst and give you a competitive advantage in your job search. Here are some resources to get you started:

SANS StormCast : Subscribe to this daily podcast for five to 10-minute episodes covering the latest security threats.

Security Now : Steve Gibson who coined the term “spyware” discusses current topics in cybersecurity on this weekly podcast.

Reddit: Join a cybersecurity sub, like r/netsec , r/cybersecurity , or r/hacking .

CISA Alerts: Sign up to receive technical alerts from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Learn cybersecurity skills today

Now that you know some of the top skills you should have as a cybersecurity professional, start learning them today with these top-rated courses on Coursera.

For an introductory course, start with Google's Foundations of Cybersecurity . In just 14 hours, you'll gain an overview of the eight cybersecurity domains, standard security frameworks and controls, and programming languages like Python and SQL. Plus, if you enjoy the course, you'll already be on your way to earning a Professional Certificate in the field.

To prepare for a career in cybersecurity, try Google's Cybersecurity Professional Certificate . Here, you'll learn cybersecurity best practices, how to use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and gain hands on experience with Python, Linux, and SQL as you get job-ready for an entry-level cybersecurity position in less than six months with industry leaders at Google.

To enhance your cloud computing skills, explore Amazon Web Service's AWS Fundamentals Specialization . Whether you're a current or aspiring professional in the field, in just about one month this specialization will provide you with a rich understanding of core AWS services, security concepts, and strategies, as well as how to build serverless applications with AWS.

Give your team access to a catalog of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business .

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is coding required for cybersecurity ‎.

Many entry-level cybersecurity roles do not require programming skills, but it is an important skill for mid- and senior-level cybersecurity jobs.

Read more: What Programming Language Should I Learn? ‎

Does cybersecurity require a lot of math? ‎

No, cybersecurity does not require a lot of math. But it is considered a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concentration, and familiarity with math will certainly get you farther as you move forward in your career.

Security professionals often calculate risk, which involves using math, statistics, and logic. Writing and understanding software code also requires some basic math. Finally, cryptography is the science of codes and encryption, and a part of cybersecurity, in which knowledge of math can help decipher and create algorithms for automated reasoning and data processing.

Read more: Is Cybersecurity Hard to Learn? 9 Tips for Success ‎

What human skills are required for cybersecurity? ‎

Effective cybersecurity professionals often leverage workplace skills like communication, collaboration, risk management, adaptability, and critical thinking on the job. ‎

Article sources

GIAC Certifications. " Top 5 Cloud Certs You Need to Know About , https://www.giac.org/blog/top-five-cloud-certs/." Accessed September 19, 2023.

Keep reading

Coursera staff.

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is the practice of defending computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and data from malicious attacks. It's also known as information technology security or electronic information security. The term applies in a variety of contexts, from business to mobile computing, and can be divided into a few common categories.

·          Network security is the practice of securing a computer network from intruders, whether targeted attackers or opportunistic malware.

·          Application security focuses on keeping software and devices free of threats. A compromised application could provide access to the data its designed to protect. Successful security begins in the design stage, well before a program or device is deployed.

·          Information security protects the integrity and privacy of data, both in storage and in transit.

·          Operational security includes the processes and decisions for handling and protecting data assets. The permissions users have when accessing a network and the procedures that determine how and where data may be stored or shared all fall under this umbrella.

·          Disaster recovery and business continuity define how an organization responds to a cyber-security incident or any other event that causes the loss of operations or data. Disaster recovery policies dictate how the organization restores its operations and information to return to the same operating capacity as before the event. Business continuity is the plan the organization falls back on while trying to operate without certain resources.

·          End-user education addresses the most unpredictable cyber-security factor: people. Anyone can accidentally introduce a virus to an otherwise secure system by failing to follow good security practices. Teaching users to delete suspicious email attachments, not plug in unidentified USB drives, and various other important lessons is vital for the security of any organization.

The scale of the cyber threat

The global cyber threat continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with a rising number of data breaches each year. A report by RiskBased Security revealed that a shocking 7.9 billion records have been exposed by data breaches in the first nine months of 2019 alone. This figure is more than double (112%) the number of records exposed in the same period in 2018.

Medical services, retailers and public entities experienced the most breaches, with malicious criminals responsible for most incidents. Some of these sectors are more appealing to cybercriminals because they collect financial and medical data, but all businesses that use networks can be targeted for customer data, corporate espionage, or customer attacks.

With the scale of the cyber threat set to continue to rise, global spending on cybersecurity solutions is naturally increasing. Gartner predicts cybersecurity spending will reach $188.3 billion in 2023 and surpass $260 billion globally by 2026. Governments across the globe have responded to the rising cyber threat with guidance to help organizations implement effective cyber-security practices.

In the U.S., the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a cyber-security framework . To combat the proliferation of malicious code and aid in early detection, the framework recommends continuous, real-time monitoring of all electronic resources.

The importance of system monitoring is echoed in the “ 10 steps to cyber security ”, guidance provided by the U.K. government’s National Cyber Security Centre. In Australia, The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) regularly publishes guidance on how organizations can counter the latest cyber-security threats. 

Types of cyber threats

The threats countered by cyber-security are three-fold:

1. Cybercrime includes single actors or groups targeting systems for financial gain or to cause disruption.

2. Cyber-attack often involves politically motivated information gathering.

3. Cyberterrorism is intended to undermine electronic systems to cause panic or fear.

So, how do malicious actors gain control of computer systems? Here are some common methods used to threaten cyber-security:

Malware means malicious software. One of the most common cyber threats, malware is software that a cybercriminal or hacker has created to disrupt or damage a legitimate user’s computer. Often spread via an unsolicited email attachment or legitimate-looking download, malware may be used by cybercriminals to make money or in politically motivated cyber-attacks.

There are a number of different types of malware, including:

·          Virus: A self-replicating program that attaches itself to clean file and spreads throughout a computer system, infecting files with malicious code.

·          Trojans :  A type of malware that is disguised as legitimate software. Cybercriminals trick users into uploading Trojans onto their computer where they cause damage or collect data.

·          Spyware: A program that secretly records what a user does, so that cybercriminals can make use of this information. For example, spyware could capture credit card details.

·          Ransomware: Malware which locks down a user’s files and data, with the threat of erasing it unless a ransom is paid.

·          Adware: Advertising software which can be used to spread malware.

·          Botnets: Networks of malware infected computers which cybercriminals use to perform tasks online without the user’s permission.

SQL injection

An SQL (structured language query) injection is a type of cyber-attack used to take control of and steal data from a database. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in data-driven applications to insert malicious code into a databased via a malicious SQL statement. This gives them access to the sensitive information contained in the database.

Phishing is when cybercriminals target victims with emails that appear to be from a legitimate company asking for sensitive information. Phishing attacks are often used to dupe people into handing over credit card data and other personal information.

Man-in-the-middle attack

A man-in-the-middle attack is a type of cyber threat where a cybercriminal intercepts communication between two individuals in order to steal data. For example, on an unsecure WiFi network, an attacker could intercept data being passed from the victim’s device and the network.

Denial-of-service attack

A denial-of-service attack is where cybercriminals prevent a computer system from fulfilling legitimate requests by overwhelming the networks and servers with traffic. This renders the system unusable, preventing an organization from carrying out vital functions.

Latest cyber threats

What are the latest cyber threats that individuals and organizations need to guard against? Here are some of the most recent cyber threats that the U.K., U.S., and Australian governments have reported on.

Dridex malware

In December 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) charged the leader of an organized cyber-criminal group for their part in a global Dridex malware attack . This malicious campaign affected the public, government, infrastructure and business worldwide.

Dridex is a financial trojan with a range of capabilities. Affecting victims since 2014, it infects computers though phishing emails or existing malware. Capable of stealing passwords, banking details and personal data which can be used in fraudulent transactions, it has caused massive financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions.

In response to the Dridex attacks, the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre advises the public to “ensure devices are patched, anti-virus is turned on and up to date and files are backed up”.

Romance scams

In February 2020, the FBI warned U.S. citizens to be aware of confidence fraud that cybercriminals commit using dating sites, chat rooms and apps. Perpetrators take advantage of people seeking new partners, duping victims into giving away personal data.

The FBI reports that romance cyber threats affected 114 victims in New Mexico in 2019, with financial losses amounting to $1.6 million.

Emotet malware

In late 2019, The Australian Cyber Security Centre warned national organizations about a widespread global cyber threat from Emotet malware.

Emotet is a sophisticated trojan that can steal data and also load other malware. Emotet thrives on unsophisticated password: a reminder of the importance of creating a secure password to guard against cyber threats.

End-user protection

End-user protection or endpoint security is a crucial aspect of cyber security. After all, it is often an individual (the end-user) who accidentally uploads malware or another form of cyber threat to their desktop, laptop or mobile device.

So, how do cyber-security measures protect end users and systems? First, cyber-security relies on cryptographic protocols to encrypt emails, files, and other critical data. This not only protects information in transit, but also guards against loss or theft.

In addition, end-user security software scans computers for pieces of malicious code, quarantines this code, and then removes it from the machine. Security programs can even detect and remove malicious code hidden in Master Boot Record (MBR) and are designed to encrypt or wipe data from computer’s hard drive.

Electronic security protocols also focus on real-time malware detection . Many use heuristic and behavioral analysis to monitor the behavior of a program and its code to defend against viruses or Trojans that change their shape with each execution (polymorphic and metamorphic malware). Security programs can confine potentially malicious programs to a virtual bubble separate from a user's network to analyze their behavior and learn how to better detect new infections.

Security programs continue to evolve new defenses as cyber-security professionals identify new threats and new ways to combat them. To make the most of end-user security software, employees need to be educated about how to use it. Crucially, keeping it running and updating it frequently ensures that it can protect users against the latest cyber threats.

Cyber safety tips - protect yourself against cyberattacks

 How can businesses and individuals guard against cyber threats? Here are our top cyber safety tips:

1.       Update your software and operating system: This means you benefit from the latest security patches.

2.       Use anti-virus software: Security solutions like Kaspersky Total Security will detect and removes threats. Keep your software updated for the best level of protection.

3.       Use strong passwords: Ensure your passwords are not easily guessable.

4.       Do not open email attachments from unknown senders: These could be infected with malware.

5.       Do not click on links in emails from unknown senders or unfamiliar websites: This is a common way that malware is spread.

6.       Avoid using unsecure WiFi networks in public places: Unsecure networks leave you vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security received three  AV-TEST awards for the best performance, protection, and usability for a corporate endpoint security product in 2021 . In all tests Kaspersky Endpoint Security showed outstanding performance, protection, and usability for businesses.

Related Articles:

• What is Cybercrime: Risks and Prevention
• How to Avoid Most Types of Cybercrime
• Internet of Things Security Threats
• What is Spam and a Phishing Scams

Related Products and Services:

·          Cyber Security for your Home Devices

·          Small Business Cyber Security   

·          Advanced Endpoint Security for SMBs  

·          Corporate Cyber Security Services   

·          Cyber Security Awareness Training for Employees

·          Enterprise Cyber Security for Industries

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