Cybersecurity Fundamentals Exploration

Assignment 1.1: Cybersecurity Fundamentals Exploration (100 points total)

1. Current Threat Research (40 points)

Research and analyze three major cybersecurity incidents that occurred between 2024 and 2026. For each incident, address the following:

• The attack vector used
• The business impact (financial, operational, reputational)
• How the incident could have been prevented through secure software development practices

Length: 23 paragraphs per incident

2. CIA Triad Application (30 points)

Select a software system you use regularly (e.g., online banking, social media, e-commerce).

• Explain how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability apply to the selected system
• Identify two potential threats for each CIA component
• Propose basic security controls to mitigate each threat

3. Security Design Principles (30 points)

Define and provide real-world examples for each of the following principles:

• Principle of Least Privilege
• Defense in Depth
• Fail Securely

Deliverables

Submit the following as a single package:

• 68 page research paper (properly cited)
• Executive summary
• Professional development plan (focused on cybersecurity skills growth)

Submission Guidelines

• Submission Method: Course Management System or Email
• File Naming Convention: LastName_FirstName_Module1_Assignment
• Due Date: Next class session
• Late Policy: Contact me in advance if you require an extension due to extenuating circumstances
• Academic Integrity: All work must be original and properly cited