Task Task: Security being a top concern for any organisation, choosing the correct security solutions is of utmost importance. Consider an area of information technology (IT) security, such as, network security, e-mail security, database security and so on. Identify and research three different commercial IT security solutions/products for the chosen security area. The three products must target the same security issues.
[Note: Instead of IT security specific products such as antivirus software etc. you may also choose to research the security features of products such as database management systems, operating systems and so on.] Prepare a report providing categorical feature comparison for the three products in the chosen category and make recommendations about the products to assist purchasing decision.
Your report may include the following sections:
Executive overview. Introduction. Product description. Detailed feature comparison. Conclusions and recommendations. Reference list Appendices (if any) Length of the report:1500~2000 words, excluding references and appendices. Rationale This assessment item is aligned with the following learning outcome of the subject: be able to justify security goals and the importance of maintaining the secure computing environment against digital threats; Depending on the IT security area chosen, the assessment item also relates to one or more of the following learning outcomes of the subject: be able to explain the fundamental concepts of cryptographic algorithms; be able to examine malicious activities that may affect the security of a computer program and justify the choice of various controls to mitigate threats; be able to compare and contrast the security mechanisms of a trusted operating system with those used in a general purpose operating system; be able to investigate and justify the use of the access control mechanisms and user authentication processes; be able to compare and contrast foundational security policies and models that deal with integrity and confidentiality. Marking criteria Total marks: 100 Assessment criteria Assessable Components HD 100% - 85% DI 84% - 75% CR 74% - 65% PS 64% - 50% FL 49% - 0 Selection of products. (8 marks) Commercial IT security products with highly significant applications. Commercial IT security products with significant applications. Relevant commercial IT security product with appropriate applications. Commercial IT security product with limited applications. Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements as stated in the assessment. Possible Marks 8.0 - 6.8 6.7 - 6.0 5.9 - 5.2 5.1 - 4.0 3.9 - 0 Executive summary.
A professionally written executive summary providing a quick overview or synopsis of the report, summarising the essential parts, such as:
•the purpose of the report
•the methods used to conduct the research
•the result of the research
•the conclusions drawn from the research
•recommendations for future actions. A professionally written executive summary providing a quick overview or synopsis of the report, summarising the essential parts, such as:
•the purpose of the report
•the methods used to conduct the research
•the result of the research
•the conclusions drawn from the research
•recommendations for future actions. Minor omissions only. A professionally written executive summary providing a quick overview or synopsis of the report, summarising the essential parts, such as:
•the purpose of the report
•the methods used to conduct the research
•the result of the research
•the conclusions drawn from the research
•recommendations for future actions. Some omissions.
An executive summary providing a quick overview or synopsis of the report, summarising the essential parts. Major omissions. Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements of an executive summary. Possible Marks 10.0 - 8.5 8.4 - 7.5 7.4 - 6.4 6.4 - 5 4.9 - 0 Product description. (8 marks) Comprehensive description of the products including all relevant features. Comprehensive description of the products including relevant features. Minor omissions only. Good description of the products including relevant features.
Some omissions. Limited description of the products and their relevant features. Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements of describing the products. Possible Marks 8.0 - 6.8 6.7 - 6.0 5.9 - 5.2 5.1 - 4.0 3.9 - 0 Feature comparison. (40 marks) All relevant features have been considered.
Method of comparison appropriate in the context of the research.
Appropriate level of details.
All relevant features have been considered. Method of comparison appropriate in the context of the research. Appropriate level of details. Minor omissions only. Mostly all relevant features have been considered. Method of comparison appropriate in the context of the research. Some omissions. Some of the relevant features have been considered. Method of comparison mostly appropriate in the context of the research. Lacking in details. Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements of feature comparison. Possible Marks 40.0 - 34 33.6 - 30 29.6 - 26 25.6 - 20 19.6 - 0 Recommendations.
Presents comprehensive findings and recommendations, grounded in thorough feature analysis. Presents comprehensive findings and recommendations, grounded in thorough feature analysis. Minor omissions only.
Presents mostly complete findings and recommendations, grounded in thorough feature analysis. Some omissions. Presents some findings and recommendations, based on the feature analysis. Some omissions.
Fails to satisfy the minimum requirements of presenting recommendations. Possible Marks 24.0 - 20.4 20.16 - 18 17.76 - 15.6 15.36 - 12 11.76 - 0 Presentation; referencing using APA referencing system including in text citations.
Professionally presented report including all relevant sections as stated in the assessment. Faultless referencing, including reference list and in text citations. High quality references. Professionally presented report including all relevant sections as stated in the assessment. Minor omissions only. Very good referencing, including reference list and in text citations.
High quality references. Professionally presented report including all relevant sections as stated in the assessment. Some omissions. Good referencing, including reference list and in text citations. Good quality references. Average presentation. Evidence of rudimentary referencing skills. Mix of good and poor quality references. Major omissions in presentation.
Sub-standard referencing. Poor quality references. Possible Marks 10.0 - 8.5 8.4 - 7.5 7.4 - 6.5 6.4 - 5.0 4.9 - 0 Requirements
• Submit the assignment in ONE word or pdf file . Please do not submit *.zip or *.rar or multiple files..
• A cover page (outside the page limit) must be included and should contain relevant identifying information.