For This Assignment, You Will Complete The Following Questio

For This Assignment You Will Complete The Following Questions In An Ms

For this assignment you will complete the following questions in an MS Word Document in APA format. Double space your work and use Sans-Serif Font. This worksheet is formatted in Arial 11-point font. You must include both a separate cover and reference page. Delete the yellow highlights for text and screenshot placement. They are for guidance only and should not be included in your finished document. The header questions can be deleted if they are increasing the Turnitin Similarity score.

Question 1: Discuss the differences between external and internal threats as they relate to network security. Add at least two differences. Which threat is most difficult to defend against and why? What protections would be used specifically related to internal threats? Add at least two protections. Why is it important for organizations to have a written security policy?

Paper For Above instruction

Network security is a critical aspect of protecting organizational assets and maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information systems. Among the various challenges faced are external and internal threats, each presenting unique risks and requiring tailored defensive strategies.

Differences Between External and Internal Threats

External threats originate from outside the organization’s security perimeter and typically include hackers, cybercriminals, nation-states, and malicious actors aiming to breach systems for financial gain, espionage, or disruption. These threats often exploit vulnerabilities in network defenses, such as unpatched software or weak authentication mechanisms. Conversely, internal threats originate from within the organization—employees, contractors, or business partners who have authorized access to the organization’s systems and data.

One key difference is the origin of the threat: external threats come from outside entities actively seeking entry, while internal threats stem from individuals with legitimate access who may intentionally or unintentionally compromise security. Another distinction concerns mitigation strategies: external threats are often countered through perimeter defenses like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, whereas internal threats require monitoring and controls within the organization’s network, such as access controls and insider threat detection programs.

Most Difficult Threat to Defend Against

Internal threats are generally considered more challenging to defend against because those threats originate from trusted individuals who have legitimate access. Their actions can be less detectable and more difficult to prevent because they often do not trigger alerts in traditional perimeter security systems. Additionally, insiders may intentionally bypass security measures or inadvertently compromise data through negligence, making internal threats particularly insidious. The difficulty lies in distinguishing malicious insider activity from normal authorized actions, which requires sophisticated monitoring and behavioral analytics.

Protections Against Internal Threats

To mitigate internal threats, organizations employ several protections. First, implementing strict access control policies, such as the principle of least privilege, ensures employees only have access to resources necessary for their roles, thereby minimizing potential damage. Second, continuous monitoring and auditing of user activities help detect unusual or suspicious behavior early, allowing for prompt intervention. These measures, combined with employee training on security awareness, can significantly reduce the risk posed by internal threats.

Importance of a Written Security Policy

Having a comprehensive written security policy is vital for organizations because it establishes clear guidelines and procedures for safeguarding information assets. It defines roles, responsibilities, and acceptable behaviors, ensuring that all employees understand their security obligations. A documented policy also provides a framework for consistent security practices, facilitates compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and serves as a reference point during audits or security incidents. Moreover, a formal policy enhances organizational security posture by promoting a culture of security awareness and accountability.

Functions and Operation of Public Key Cryptography

Public key cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography, utilizes a pair of keys: a public key, which is openly shared, and a private key, which remains confidential. This technology facilitates secure communication by enabling encryption, decryption, and digital signatures. When a sender encrypts a message with the recipient’s public key, only the recipient’s private key can decrypt it, ensuring confidentiality. Conversely, digital signatures are generated by encrypting a hash of the message with the sender’s private key, providing integrity and authentication.

What is the Advanced Encryption Standard?

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a widely adopted symmetric key encryption algorithm used to secure data. It operates on fixed block sizes with keys of 128, 192, or 256 bits, offering a high level of security and efficiency. AES has become the encryption standard because of its robustness against cryptographic attacks and suitability for a variety of applications ranging from data at rest to secure communications.

Generation and Use of Digital Signatures

Digital signatures are generated by creating a hash of the message using a cryptographic hash function. This hash is then encrypted with the sender's private key, producing the digital signature. The recipient can verify the signature by decrypting it with the sender’s public key and comparing the resulting hash to their own hash of the message. Digital signatures ensure data integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation, making them essential for secure electronic transactions.

Conclusion

Understanding network security threats, cryptographic methods, and security protocols is essential in today's digital landscape. External and internal threats must be addressed through comprehensive strategies, including technological defenses, policies, and user awareness. Technologies like public key cryptography and AES continue to underpin secure communication, while digital signatures facilitate trust and authenticity. As threats evolve, so must our security approaches, emphasizing the importance of ongoing education, robust policies, and advanced cryptographic techniques.

References

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• Kim, D., & Spafford, E. H. (2014). The Internet Security Glossary. NIST.
• Stallings, W. (2017). Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice. Pearson.
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• Diffie, W., & Hellman, M. E. (1976). New Directions in Cryptography. IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, 22(6), 644-654.
• Ellison, C. (1999). Key Management. In Handbook of Applied Cryptography. CRC Press.
• Rivest, R. L., Shamir, A., & Adleman, L. (1978). A Method for Obtaining Digital Signatures and Public-Key Cryptosystems. Communications of the ACM, 21(2), 120-126.
• Skoudis, E., & Zeltser, L. (2004). Malware: Fighting Malicious Code. Prentice Hall.
• Perlman, R., & Forte, D. (2018). Interconnections: Bridges, Routers, Switches, and Internetworking Protocols. Pearson.
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