research paper

This assignment challenges students to apply the concepts and knowledge gained throughout the first three modules of this course to analyze a real-world cybersecurity incident. Students will delve into the technical, human, economic, legal, and ethical aspects of the incident, demonstrating their understanding of the complex interplay of factors that contribute to cybersecurity vulnerabilities and their impact.

Instructions:

1. Choose an Incident: Select a well-documented cybersecurity incident that has occurred within the past 5 years. This could be a data breach, ransomware attack, malware outbreak, or any other significant cybersecurity event. Ensure the incident has sufficient information available for research and analysis.
2. Research and Analysis: Conduct thorough research on the chosen incident, gathering information from reputable sources such as news articles, official reports, technical analyses, and academic publications. Analyze the incident from multiple perspectives (within the context of the 3 previous modules), addressing the following key areas:
3. NOTE: The goal is for the student to relate previous content learned to the cyber event/incident you have chosen to research and write about. You can discuss information from all three previous modules, or only discuss concepts from module 1, or just module 2, or just module 3, it is up to you.

• Technical Aspects:
• Describe the technical details of the attack, including the vulnerabilities exploited, the attack vectors used, and the technical impact on the affected systems.
• Explain the type of malware or attack method involved (if applicable) and its characteristics.
• Discuss any technical countermeasures that were in place or could have been implemented to prevent or mitigate the attack.
• Human Factors:
• Analyze the role of human error or social engineering in the incident.
• Discuss the psychological factors that may have contributed to the success of the attack.
• Consider the impact of the incident on individuals and society, including any privacy violations or social consequences.
• Economic Impact:
• Assess the financial losses incurred by the affected organization(s), including direct costs (e.g., data recovery, system repairs) and indirect costs (e.g., lost revenue, reputational damage).
• Analyze the broader economic impact of the incident, considering its effects on the industry, the market, or the overall economy.
• Legal and Ethical Considerations:
• Identify any legal or regulatory frameworks that apply to the incident, such as data protection laws or cybersecurity regulations.
• Discuss the ethical implications of the attack, considering issues such as responsibility, accountability, and the potential for harm.
• Analyze the legal and ethical responses to the incident, including any lawsuits, investigations, or policy changes.

1. Paper Structure: Organize the research paper into a clear and logical structure, including the following sections:

• Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the chosen cybersecurity incident and its significance.
• Possible Titles that focus on Foundational Concepts:
• Foundations of Cybersecurity: Exploring the CIA Triad and Access Control
• Building Secure Systems: An Examination of Identification, Authentication, and Authorization
• The Human Element: Economics, Psychology, and Decision-Making in Cybersecurity
• Background: Describe the context of the incident, including the affected organization(s), the target systems, and any relevant background information.
• Technical Analysis: (as described above)
• Human Factors: (as described above)
• Economic Impact: (as described above)
• Legal and Ethical Considerations: (as described above)
• Lessons Learned: Discuss the key takeaways from the incident, including lessons learned about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, attack methods, and effective countermeasures.
• How does any area from the previous three modules apply to lessons learned?
• Conclusion: Summarize the main findings of the analysis and offer concluding thoughts on the significance of the incident and its implications for the future of cybersecurity.

1. Formatting and Citations: Adhere to the following formatting guidelines:

• APA Style
• 8 pages minimum (excluding title page and references, etc)
• Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins
• Use a consistent citation style (e.g., APA,)
• Include a title page, a reference page, and an appendix (if necessary) with at least 8 reputable sources, (internet article, journal, report, etc, just accurately document your references within APA Style.

If you use AI, please cite it- See Ethical and Responsible Behavior

Cyber Security News:

Peer Reviewed Articles:

1. USENIX Security Symposium:
2. ACM CCS:
3. IEEE S&P:
4. NDSS:
5. WEIS: