BN200 Network Security Fundamentals

BN200 Network Security Fundamentals Page 2 of 4
Prepared by: Dr Wanod Kumar Moderated by: Dr Sajjad Akbar March, 2020
Assignment Description
Assignment 1 is divided into two parts. Part A focuses on Preventing Attacks and Part B is
about potential threats and mitigation tools for Ransomware.
Assignment 1-Part A: Preventing attacks
One area that has been especially frequent target of attacks is the information technology
(IT). A seemingly endless array of attacks is directed at individuals, schools, businesses, and
governments through desktop computers, laptops, and smartphones. The Privacy Right
Clearinghouse (PRC) is a non-profit organisation which maintains a searchable database of
security breaches that impact consumer’s privacy [1].
In this part of the assignment, select any two of the recent attacks by referring to PRC
database (https://privacyrights.org/data-breaches). Carry out an in-depth literature review
about these two attacks. Your discussion must explain following points with proper in-text
citations.


Identify and discuss main reasons for these attacks being successful.
Report the importance of key terms in the information security: asset, threat, threat
actor, vulnerability, attack vector, attack surface in the context of these two attacks.
How could these attacks have been prevented if the five fundamental security
principles- layering, limiting, diversity, obscurity, and simplicity- had been applied?

Assignment 1-Part B: Potential threats and mitigation tools for ransomware
The security remains a challenge in networked information systems. One of the fastest
evolving malware is ransomware and it continues to be a serious threat to the network users.
For this part of the assignment, write a report on ransomware including the following
sections:

Addressing the feedback provided in Part A of the assignment


Introduction about ransomware
Discussion of any four variants of ransomware (Consider some recently developed
ransomware)
The working mechanism of ransomware
Potential threats posed by ransomware
Case study of one recent attack carried out by the ransomware
Recommendations on any one mitigation tool to tackle the ransomware attack




[1] M. Ciampa, Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals, 6th ed. Cengage, 2018.
BN200 Network Security Fundamentals Page 3 of 4
Prepared by: Dr Wanod Kumar Moderated by: Dr Sajjad Akbar March, 2020
Assignment Instructions:



Assignment-1 should be submitted as MS Word documents.
Do not use Wikipedia as a source or a reference
Must consider at least six current references (two for part A and 4 for part B) from
journal/conference papers and books. Must follow IEEE referencing style.
Make sure you properly reference any diagrams/ graphics used in the assignment.

Marking Criteria for the Assignment 1
Assignment 1 –
Parts
Description of the section
Marks
Assignment 1-
Part A:
Preventing
Attacks
 Identify and discuss main reasons for these attacks
being successful [4 Marks]
 Report the importance of key terms in the
information security: asset, threat, threat actor,
vulnerability, attack vector, attack surface in the
context of these two attacks [4 Marks]
 How could these attacks have been prevented if
the five fundamental security principles- layering,
limiting, diversity, obscurity, and simplicity- had
been applied? [5 Marks]
 References in IEEE style [2 Marks]
15
Assignment 1-
Part B
 Addressing the feedback provided in Part A of the
assignment [3 Marks]
 Introduction about ransomware [4 Marks]
 Discussion of any four variants of ransomware
(Consider some recently developed ransomware)
[4 Marks]
 The working mechanism of ransomware [4 Marks]
 Potential threats posed by ransomware [4 Marks]
 Case study of one recent attack carried out by the
ransomware [4 Marks]
 Recommendations on any one mitigation tool to
tackle the ransomware attack [4 Marks]
 References in IEEE style [3 Marks]
30
Total Marks
45

BN200 Network Security Fundamentals Page 4 of 4
Prepared by: Dr Wanod Kumar Moderated by: Dr Sajjad Akbar March, 2020
Marking Rubric for Assignment
Grade
Mark
HD
80% +
D
70%-79%
CR
60%-69%
P
50%-59%
Fail
<50%
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Assignment 1-
Part A
A very detailed
and very clear
discussion
Very clear
discussion
Generally good
discussion
Brief discussion
Poor discussion
with irrelevant
information
Assignment 1-
Part B
All sections
discussed are
pertinent and
covered in
depth.
Demonstrated
the ability to
think critically
and make good
use of the
source
material.
Sections
presented are
relevant and
soundly
analysed.
Sections
presented are
generally
relevant and
analysed.
Sections presented
are somewhat
relevance and
briefly discussed.
Sections
presented are
not relevant to
the assignment
topic.

Grade
Mark