Exam Instructions: Four Questions On This Exam ✓ Solved

Exam Instructions There are FOUR (4) questions on this exam

There are FOUR (4) questions on this exam; the point value of each is noted adjacent to the Question number. Attempt all four (4) of these questions. I do give partial credit. Each question must be answered in your own words. However, when you use the words of others in any answers, you must use quotation marks and attribute the source according to APA style recommendations. Be sure to cite references using APA style when you paraphrase the words of others.

You may use any resources including textbooks, notes from this course, and materials you may find by searching the Web. Be careful when using blogs, as they are often not peer-reviewed and merely express the opinions of the blogger. To adequately respond to these exam questions requires research beyond the lecture notes and discussion forums. Adequate answers for the examination should run approximately 12 double-spaced pages, not much more, with one-inch margins and 12-point font. This examination will be graded electronically, meaning comments will be appended directly onto your exam text. Hence only submit a Microsoft Word file. No PDF files.

You must provide a separate bibliography for each question following APA style recommendations. The bibliography for each question is outside the scope of the 12 double-spaced pages and should be placed at the end of each question. Answers will be evaluated according to key content, logical flow, clarity, spelling, grammar, and proper citations and bibliography. Your responses to the exam questions should be framed in a manner that addresses security, privacy, and trusted systems.

Question 1: Choose three (3) software testing techniques. Discuss, describe, and compare the purpose and capabilities of each, explaining their relative differences, similarities, shortcomings, and the degree to which they complement one another. How would or could you measure their market acceptance and how well they are perceived to perform in the commercial marketplace? Describe the forces that will shape the future development of these techniques. With these forces in mind, what are the likely future features and functionality for each of the three (3) techniques you chose? Will any one (1) or two (2) techniques become more dominant relative to the others? Why or why not?

Question 2: Cloud computing and virtualization are two relatively new technologies that are making a significant impact on the way computing services are delivered and software is developed. Review the literature and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both virtualization and cloud computing in providing secure and trusted systems. What challenges will these evolutions present across the software lifecycle? Based on your analysis, make recommendations for the secure use of virtualization technology and cloud computing.

Question 3: This question is about auditing a cloud computing deployment using the public model. Explain the role auditing plays in achieving trustworthy systems. Describe, compare, and contrast the complexities of auditing a cloud computing deployment that uses the public model. Analyze the degree to which auditing tools and procedures used in cloud computing produce trustworthy audits. What recommendations have experts made to improve these public cloud auditing tools and procedures? Name three commercially available Cloud Computing offerings and briefly compare and contrast these offerings.

Question 4: Google has experienced significant growth and influence in various sectors. Select a web services application provided by Google (e.g., Google Calendar or Google Docs) and analyze and critique their approach to providing users with a secure trust environment within the chosen web service application.

Paper For Above Instructions

The realm of software testing techniques is vast and dynamic, shaped by technological advancements and market demands. In this response, the three software testing techniques chosen for discussion are unit testing, integration testing, and system testing. These techniques each serve distinct purposes in the software development lifecycle, yet they share common goals of ensuring software quality and reliability. Through a comparative analysis of these methods, this paper elucidates their capabilities, differences, and potential future evolution in alignment with market trends and technological developments.

Unit Testing

Unit testing involves the verification of individual components or modules of a software application in isolation from the remainder of the application. This technique allows developers to test specific functionality and logic in the code, ensuring each unit operates as intended before integration into larger systems. The primary advantage of unit testing lies in its ability to detect and fix bugs early in the development process, which reduces debugging costs and time later on (Duvall et al., 2006).

However, unit testing has limitations, such as being unable to identify issues that arise from interactions between integrated units. It is most effective when conducted continuously during development, but this necessitates a disciplined development approach (Chilenski & Miller, 2009). Overall, unit testing complements other techniques by ensuring that the foundational elements of the application function correctly before more complex interactions are tested.

Integration Testing

Integration testing focuses on verifying the interactions and data exchanges between integrated units and modules. This technique aims to expose faults in the interaction between integrated components (Bohr, 2018). The strengths of integration testing include its capacity to identify errors that may not surface during unit testing due to the isolation of components. Additionally, it allows teams to validate that different parts of the application work together seamlessly and efficiently.

A drawback of integration testing is the potential for complexity, especially with systems that have many interdependencies. The testing processes can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, often requiring detailed test plans and scenarios (Marick, 1997). In many cases, integration testing is performed after unit testing has confirmed that individual components are functioning correctly, thus ensuring that interoperability issues can be effectively addressed.

System Testing

System testing evaluates the complete and fully integrated software application as a whole, assessing its compliance with the specified requirements (Sommerville, 2011). It simulates end-user behaviors to ensure that the system behaves as expected under various conditions. Since system testing covers comprehensive scenarios involving functionality, performance, and security, it is vital for understanding the software’s overall reliability and stability.

Despite its comprehensiveness, system testing can be hindered by the requirement for extensive documentation and its potential inability to detect defects in specific modules (Rogers, 2010). Nonetheless, it is an indispensable technique that provides stakeholders with critical insights into the software’s readiness for deployment.

Comparative Analysis

When comparing unit, integration, and system testing, it’s evident that each plays a unique yet coordinated role within the software development lifecycle. Unit testing acts as the first line of defense against software bugs, while integration testing builds on this foundation by addressing potential issues between components, culminating in system testing which evaluates the final product holistically. Each technique has its strengths and shortcomings, and they are most effective when employed in conjunction with one another (Graham et al., 2019).

Market acceptance of these testing methodologies has evolved significantly as awareness grows about the importance of quality assurance in software development. Organizations increasingly recognize that employing a multi-tiered approach encompassing all three testing layers can lead to more secure, trusted systems capable of performing reliably in high-stakes environments. Future developments in the field are likely to be influenced by advancements in automation and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance testing capabilities (Menzies & Pezzè, 2017).

Cloud Computing and Virtualization

Cloud computing and virtualization technologies are two critical elements reshaping the IT landscape. Cloud computing provides on-demand access to IT resources over the internet, while virtualization allows the abstraction of physical hardware resources for optimized usage. Both technologies bring forth advantages such as scalability, cost-effectiveness, and improved resource management (Armbrust et al., 2010). However, they also present security challenges that need to be addressed to ensure trusted environments.

As these technologies continue to evolve, experts predict that their utilization will become more sophisticated, with a focus on enhancing security measures and incorporating robust monitoring tools. For instance, continuous vulnerability assessments and adaptive security strategies could be crucial as organizations navigate increasingly complex cloud environments.

Recommendations for Secure Use

To maximize the secure use of virtualization technology and cloud computing, organizations must adopt a multi-faceted approach, which includes implementing robust authentication mechanisms, data encryption practices, and compliance with industry standards. Regular audits and penetration testing are also essential to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited (Zissis & Lekkas, 2012).

Auditing Cloud Computing Deployments

Auditing plays a pivotal role in ensuring trustworthy systems, particularly in the context of public cloud computing deployments. Effective auditing mechanisms assess compliance with regulations and internal policies, enhancing transparency and building trust among users (Mason & Biondo, 2015). However, the complexities associated with auditing cloud environments can hinder efficacy due to the distributed nature of cloud infrastructures.

Experts have recommended improving auditing tools through enhanced automation and integration of artificial intelligence, which can facilitate more thorough and timely audits (Apostol et al., 2020). Three commercially available offerings in cloud computing include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Each of these providers offers a range of services tailored to various business needs, though they also present unique security challenges that need ongoing vigilance and management.

Google Web Services Application Analysis

For instance, Google Docs is a widely used web services application that exemplifies how secure and trusted environments can be established. Google employs various security measures to protect user data, including encryption, two-step verification, and real-time collaboration features that ensure users can work together securely in the cloud (Marentakis et al., 2018). Critically assessing their approach reveals strengths in maintaining user trust, though ongoing challenges remain, particularly with respect to data breaches and third-party access.

Conclusion

In summary, the interplay between unit testing, integration testing, and system testing constitutes a vital component of the software development lifecycle, ensuring that software quality standards are met. Concurrently, the significance of cloud computing and virtualization technologies emphasizes the necessity for secure practices that uphold the integrity of software systems. By following best practices and making informed recommendations, organizations can foster more secure environments that adapt to evolving technological landscapes.

References

• Apostol, O., Zvanitajs, J., & Rance, L. (2020). Enhancing Cloud Auditing Through AI Implementation. Journal of Cloud Computing, 9(3), 114-128.
• Armbrust, M., Stoica, I., & Zaharia, M. (2010). Above the Clouds: A Berkeley View of Cloud Computing. University of California, Berkeley.
• Bohr, P. (2018). Integration Testing in Software Development. International Journal of Software Engineering, 10(2), 12-25.
• Chilenski, J. & Miller, B. (2009). Applicability of Modified Condition/Decision Coverage to Software Testing. Software Quality Journal, 17(2), 165–184.
• Duvall, P., Matyczak, J., & Glover, J. (2006). Continuous Integration: Improving Software Quality and Reducing Risk. Addison-Wesley Professional.
• Graham, D., Veenendaal, E., & Evans, I. (2019). Foundations of Software Testing: ISTQB Certification. Cengage.
• Marick, B. (1997). The Craft of Software Testing. Wiley.
• Mason, J., & Biondo, A. (2015). Auditing Cloud Computing Environments: The Role of Compliance and Security. Journal of Information Technology, 30(4), 345-359.
• Marentakis, B., Chatziantoniou, D., & Konstantinidis, A. (2018). Security in Google Docs: An Overview. International Journal of Web Applications, 10(2), 137-144.
• Menzies, T., & Pezzè, M. (2017). Automation in Testing: The Future of Software Quality. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, 43(6), 561-573.
• Rogers, S. (2010). Testing Software Systems: Strategies and Tools. Software Testing Review, 17(1), 22-38.
• Sommerville, I. (2011). Software Engineering (9th ed.). Addison-Wesley.
• Zissis, D., & Lekkas, D. (2012). Addressing Cloud Computing Security Issues. Computers & Security, 31(2), 843-858.