Csia 360 Cybersecurity In Government Organizations Pr 643890

Csia 360 Cybersecurity In Government Organizationsproject 2 Securin

CSIA 360: Cybersecurity in Government Organizations Project #2: Securing Digital Government Services For this paper, you will research potential and existing security issues affecting digital government websites. Government websites enable customers to enroll in programs and services, check the status of benefits, and receive information about the federal government’s activities. Your audience for this research report is the Chief Information Officer for a small federal agency who asked for assistance in developing a risk assessment and risk mitigation strategy for the agency’s digital government websites. Note: this research report is separate from the report you previously prepared about OPEN data and may not reuse information from that report.

This paper must address other types of government services. See Table 1 for the list of websites to use in your research. For this report, you should begin by reviewing three or more specific digital government websites (from the list provided in Table 1) to determine: (a) the types of information provided by the websites (b) the types of services provided by the websites (c) security issues which could impact the delivery of digital government services by the websites.

After you have reviewed these websites, review the Federal Cybersecurity Risk Determination Report and Action Plan to identify additional sources of risk that the agency must be aware of and should address in its planning. You should also review Executive Order 13800 Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.

Research: 1. Read / Review the Weekly readings 2. Research three or more attacks that could compromise the security of a Digital Government Website that uses Web Applications, a Web Server, and a Database Server. Here are some sources to get you started: a. Web Applications Architectures and Security (in the Week 3 content module). b. Cyber Vandalism -- / c. Cybersecurity: Actions needed to address challenges facing federal systems (GAO 15-573T) 3. Review three or more websites that deliver digital government services (select from those listed in Table 1). What types of information or services are available via these websites? What population do these websites serve (who is in the intended audience for each website)?

4. As part of your Digital Government websites review, determine the types and sensitivity of information collected, displayed, processed, and stored by the Web applications that implement the Digital Government services. a. See / for general security and privacy requirements. b. See FIPS 199 for additional guidance on determining the sensitivity level of a Federal IT system. (See the section on public websites.) 5. Using FIPS 200, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and NIST SP 800-53, research the general types of security controls required by IT systems hosting the Digital Government service that you reviewed. a. FIPS 200 b. NIST Cybersecurity Framework c. NIST SP . Find three or more additional sources that provide information about best practice recommendations for ensuring the security of the Web Applications used to deliver Digital Government information and services. These additional sources can include analyst reports and/or news stories about recent attacks/threats, data breaches, cybercrime, cyber terrorism, etc. that impacted the security of digital government services.

Write: Write a five- to seven-page summary of your research. At a minimum, your summary must include the following: 1. An introduction or overview of digital government that provides definitions and addresses the laws, regulations, and policies that require federal agencies to provide information and services via the Web. This introduction should be suitable for an executive audience. 2. An overview of the information and services provided by the digital government Websites that you reviewed. Answer the following questions: a. What types of information or services are available via your selected Websites? b. What populations do the websites serve (who is the intended audience)? c. What sensitivity level are applicable to each Website (use FIPS 199 criteria). d. What security issues did you observe during your review?

3. A separate section that addresses the architectures and security issues inherent in the use of Web applications when used to deliver the services provided by your selected digital government Website. Include 5 or more examples of security issues and address how these issues contribute to increased risk.

4. A separate section that includes recommendations for best practices for ensuring Web application security during the design, implementation, and operation of digital government websites. Include five or more best practice recommendations in your recommendations. (Hint: at least one of your recommendations should address use of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Another recommendation should address use of NIST SP 800-53 controls for ensuring security and privacy.)

5. A closing section in which you summarize your research and your recommendations. Submit for Grading Submit your work in MS Word format (.docx or .doc file) using the Project 2 Assignment in your assignment folder. (Attach the file.)

Paper For Above instruction

The rapid evolution of digital services in government agencies has transformed how citizens interact with federal programs, access vital information, and conduct transactions online. With this surge in digital engagement comes an increased risk landscape necessitating comprehensive cybersecurity measures. This paper explores the security issues confronting digital government websites, reviews pertinent laws and policies, examines specific website functionalities, assesses associated risks, and provides best practices for safeguarding these critical online services.

Introduction to Digital Government and Regulatory Frameworks

Digital government encompasses the delivery of government information and services via electronic means, primarily the internet, to enhance citizen engagement, improve service efficiency, and ensure transparency. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), federal agencies are mandated by laws such as the E-Government Act of 2002, which promotes the use of electronic government services, and policies like the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) that require robust cybersecurity practices. Executive Order 13800 further emphasizes strengthening federal cybersecurity, underscoring the importance of risk management and resilience in digital systems.

Overview of Selected Digital Government Websites

Reviewing websites such as Benefits.gov, Healthcare.gov, and Data.gov reveals a broad spectrum of information and services tailored for diverse populations. Benefits.gov provides access to federal assistance programs aimed at low-income individuals and families, serving a vulnerable demographic requiring privacy safeguards due to the sensitive nature of personal data. Healthcare.gov offers health insurance enrollment options, primarily targeting citizens seeking health coverage, with security controls to protect personal health information. Data.gov serves researchers, policymakers, and the general public interested in open government data, with comparatively lower sensitivity levels but still requiring secure access protocols.

Security issues observed include vulnerabilities such as insufficient input validation leading to SQL injection risks, session management weaknesses allowing session hijacking, and exposure of sensitive data through insecure transmission channels. These vulnerabilities could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or malicious manipulation of government data.

Architectural and Security Challenges in Web Applications

The architecture of digital government services involves complex integrations of web applications, servers, and databases. Common security issues include inadequate authentication mechanisms, improper access controls, cross-site scripting (XSS), cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and insecure APIs. For instance, insecure web application frameworks could be exploited via malicious scripts, increasing the risk of unauthorized data access or service disruption. Additionally, the use of outdated software components and insufficient encryption measures amplify vulnerabilities, exposing sensitive citizen data and undermining trust in digital services.

Best Practices for Web Application Security

To mitigate these risks, implementing comprehensive security controls throughout the development lifecycle is essential. Best practices include adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's core functions—Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—to structure cybersecurity initiatives. Ensuring strict access controls via multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) can prevent unauthorized data exposure. Regular vulnerability assessments and patch management mitigate exploitable weaknesses. Encrypting data in transit using TLS protocols and at rest through encryption standards also protect confidentiality. Employing security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-53, such as audit and accountability or system and communications protection, enhances overall resilience. Additionally, conducting security training for developers and administrators fosters a security-aware culture capable of identifying and mitigating emerging threats.

Summary and Recommendations

The security of digital government websites is critical to maintaining public trust, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. A layered security approach grounded in federal standards like NIST frameworks and SP 800-53 controls provides a robust defense. Regular risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and adherence to best practices such as secure coding, encryption, and rigorous access controls are indispensable. Future efforts should also incorporate emerging cybersecurity technologies like AI-based intrusion detection systems and threat intelligence sharing platforms to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.

References

• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2010). FIPS PUB 199: Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2013). NIST SP 800-53 Revision 4: Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2015). Cybersecurity: Actions Needed to Address Challenges Facing Federal Systems (GAO-15-573T).
• Executive Office of the President. (2017). Executive Order 13800: Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.
• Benefits.gov. (2023). Official U.S. Government Benefits Portal.
• Healthcare.gov. (2023). Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Data.gov. (2023). Open Data Catalog.
• Office of Management and Budget. (2012). Open Government Directive.
• Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2022). Best Practices for Securing Federal Web Applications.