Part A: 30 Marks
Answer the following questions:
- Search the web for news on computer security breaches that occurred during April-August 2015-2018. Research one such reported incident. Prepare a report focusing on what the problem was, how and why it occurred and what are the possible solutions. – 15 Marks
Length: Around 800 words
- Explain why asynchronous I/O activity is a problem with many memory protection schemes, including base/bounds and paging. Suggest a solution to the problem. – 15 Marks
Length: Around 600 words
Part B: 20 Marks
- Research the 2011 Sony PlayStation Network outage case on the web and prepare a report focusing on the following questions:
- What was the problem?
- Who were affected and how?
- How was the attack carried out?
- What could have been done to prevent the attack?
Length: Around 900 words
Rationale
This assessment task is based on the following topics discussed in the subject: the overview of Information security fundamentals, security threats, cryptography, malicious software and its countermeasures, operating system security and software security .
The assessment task is aligned with the following learning outcomes of the subject:
On successful completion of this subject, students will
- be able to justify security goals and the importance of maintaining the secure computing environment against digital threats;
- 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;
Marking criteria
| Assessment criteria | |||||
| PART A : 30 marks | |||||
| Assessable Components | HD 100% – 85% | DI 84% – 75% | CR 74% – 65% | PS 64% – 50% | FL 49% – 0 |
|
Q.1 (15 marks)
Search the web for news on computer security breaches that occurred during April-August 2015-2018. Research one such reported incident. Prepare a report focusing on what the problem was, how and why it occurred and what are the possible solutions. |
1. Comprehensive report addressing all criteria. Evidence of indepth research. (Value: 95%) 2. Referenced a wide range of appropriate sources. Referencing style correctly used. (Value: 5%) |
1. Comprehensive report addressing all criteria. Evidence of in-depth research. Minor omissions only. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources. Referencing style correctly used. Minor errors only. (Value: 5%) |
1. Mostly wellresearched and wellpresented report addressing all criteria. Some omissions. (Value: 95%) 2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources.
Referencing style correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%) |
1. Partially complete report addressing most of the criteria. Evidence of research. Some omissions. (Value: 95%) 2. Referenced some appropriate sources.
Referencing style mostly correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%) |
1. Major omissions or incorrect answers. (Value: 95%)
2. Either no evidence of literature being consulted or cited references irrelevant to the assignment set. Major errors in referencing style. (Value: 5%) |
| Possible marks | 15.0 – 12.75 | 12.6 – 11.25 | 11.10 – 9.75 | 9.60 – 7.5 | 7.35 – 0 |
| Q.2 (15 marks)
Explain why asynchronous I/O activity is a problem with many memory protection schemes, including base/bounds and paging. Suggest a solution to the problem.
|
1. Correct and in depth explanation of the problem.
Viable solution provided with complete details. (Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation. (Value: 5%) |
1. Comprehensive and correct explanation of the problem.
Viable solution provided with complete details.
Very minor omissions only. (Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation. (Value: 5%) |
1. Correct explanation of the problem with some details.
Viable solution provided.
Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); fluent writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation. Minor omissions. (Value: 5%) |
1. Mostly correct explanation and solution.
Minor errors. (Value: 95%)
2. Supporting reference/(s); writing style appropriate to assignment with proper in text citation. Some omissions. (Value: 5%) |
1. Major omissions or incorrect answers. (Value: 95%)
2. Either no evidence of literature being consulted or cited references irrelevant to the assessment set. Major errors in referencing style. (Value: 5%)
|
| Possible marks | 15.0 – 12.75 | 12.6 – 11.25 | 11.10 – 9.75 | 9.60 – 7.5 | 7.35 – 0 |
| PART B: 20 marks | |||||
| Q.1 (20 marks)
|
1. Comprehensive |
1. Comprehensive |
1. Mostly well- |
1. Partially |
1. Major |
| Research the 2011 Sony PlayStation Network outage case on the web and prepare a report focusing on the following questions:
• What was the problem? • Who were affected and how? • How was the attack carried out? • What could have been done to prevent the attack? |
report addressing all criteria. Evidence of in-depth research.
(Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a wide range of appropriate sources. Referencing style correctly used. (Value: 5%)
|
report addressing all criteria. Evidence of in-depth research. Minor omissions only.
(Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources. Referencing style correctly used. Minor errors only. (Value: 5%) |
researched and wellpresented report addressing all
criteria. Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced a range of appropriate sources.
Referencing style correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%) |
complete report addressing most of the criteria. Evidence of research. Some omissions. (Value: 95%)
2. Referenced some appropriate sources.
Referencing style mostly correctly used. Some errors and omissions. (Value: 5%) |
omissions or incorrect answers. (Value: 95%)
2. Either no evidence of literature being consulted or cited references irrelevant to the assignment set. Major errors in referencing style. (Value: 5%) |
| Possible marks | 20.0 – 17 | 16.9 – 15 | 14.9 – 13 | 12.9 – 10 | 9.4 – 0 |
Presentation
- You are recommended to write the answers in a word document and submit. You can also submit your document in pdf format as well.
- Your answers to the questions should be precise but complete and informative.
- Each question should be answered individually with the corresponding label to indicate the tasks completed e.g. Task 1 a.
- A cover page must be included and should contain relevant identifying information.
