Case Scenario Yieldmore Task 1 2013 By Jones Bartlett Learni

Case Scenario Yieldmore Task 1 2013 By Jones Bartlett Learning L

Identify threats to the seven domains of IT within the organization.

Identify vulnerabilities in the seven domains of IT within the organization.

Identify threat/vulnerability pairs to determine threat actions that could pose risks to the organization.

Estimate the likelihood of each threat action.

Prepare a brief report or presentation of your findings for IT management to review.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Risk management is an essential process within organizations, especially those relying heavily on information technology (IT). It involves identifying potential threats, vulnerabilities, and their interrelations, estimating the likelihood of these threats, and devising strategies to mitigate risks. In the context of YieldMore, a small but complex agricultural company, understanding the security landscape across its seven IT domains is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring operational continuity, and maintaining regulatory compliance.

Threats to the Seven IT Domains

The seven domains of IT typically include user, workstations, LAN, LAN-to-WAN, WAN, systems/application, and data. Each domain faces unique threats. For the user domain, threats include social engineering attacks, phishing, and insider threats. Workstations are vulnerable to malware, unauthorized access, and software vulnerabilities. The LAN can be compromised through malicious insider activity, unpatched switches, or unauthorized devices. The LAN-to-WAN connection faces threats like man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access through misconfigured firewalls. The WAN, connecting remote facilities and salespersons' home networks, is vulnerable to interception, eavesdropping, and routing attacks. Systems and application domains face threats such as zero-day exploits, application vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access. Data, being the organization’s most critical asset, is threatened by data breaches, accidental disclosures, and loss through hardware failure or disasters.

Vulnerabilities in the Seven Domains

Vulnerabilities are weaknesses that can be exploited by threats. In the user domain, lack of security awareness and insufficient training create vulnerabilities. Workstation vulnerabilities include unpatched software, outdated antivirus, and physical security lapses. LAN vulnerabilities stem from unsegmented networks, default configurations, and unmanaged devices. The LAN-to-WAN connection vulnerability exists due to insufficient firewall rules, VPN misconfigurations, or outdated firmware. WAN vulnerabilities include unsecured wireless segments or poor encryption standards. System and application vulnerabilities are often caused by outdated software, unpatched vulnerabilities, or inadequate access controls. Data vulnerabilities arise from weak encryption, improper access controls, and inadequate backup procedures.

Threat/Vulnerability Pairs

In assessing risks, pairing threats with vulnerabilities helps identify specific risk scenarios. For example, social engineering (threat) exploits employee unawareness (vulnerability), leading to potential unauthorized access. Malware attacks (threat) exploit unpatched workstations (vulnerability). Unauthorized network access (threat) takes advantage of default switch configurations (vulnerability). Man-in-the-middle attacks (threat) exploit weak encryption on the WAN connection (vulnerability). Zero-day exploits (threat) leverage unpatched system vulnerabilities (vulnerability). Data breaches (threat) exploit weak access controls or unencrypted data (vulnerability).

Likelihood Estimation

Estimating the likelihood of each threat action requires analyzing both historical data and current controls. For example, phishing attacks may have a high likelihood due to employee lack of training, but implementation of phishing simulation and awareness campaigns can reduce this risk. Malware infections may be moderate in likelihood if antivirus solutions are outdated but could be high if patches are not regularly applied. Network intrusions through the WAN could be moderate if firewalls are properly configured, but complex or known vulnerabilities could increase this risk. Assessing likelihood involves a combination of statistical data, expert judgment, and control effectiveness—ensuring estimates are both logical and plausible.

Conclusion

Thorough identification and analysis of threats and vulnerabilities across the seven IT domains enable YieldMore to implement targeted mitigation strategies. Estimating the likelihood of threat actions helps prioritize risks for resource allocation. Presenting these findings in a comprehensive report will support IT management in making informed decisions to protect organizational assets, ensure operational resilience, and maintain compliance with applicable standards.

References

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  • Tipton, H. F., & Krause, M. (2021). Information Security Management Handbook. CRC Press.
  • Stallings, W., & Brown, L. (2018). Computer Security: Principles and Practice. Pearson.
  • Kerr, T., & Kraus, J. (2019). Cybersecurity Risk Management. Journal of Information Privacy and Security, 15(4), 225-238.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST.
  • ISO/IEC 27001:2013. Information Security Management Systems. International Organization for Standardization.
  • Office of Management and Budget (OMB). (2022). Guide to Federal Information Security Management. U.S. Government Printing Office.
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  • Schneier, B. (2020). Data and Goliath: The Hidden Battles to Collect Your Data and Control Your World. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Sharma, A., & Patel, P. (2021). Risk Assessment Techniques in Modern IT Environments. International Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(2), 120-134.

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