Include At Least 250 Words In Your Posting

Include At Least 250 Words In Your Posting And At Least 250 Words In Y

Search "scholar.google.com" for a company, school, or person that has been the target of a network or system intrusion. Describe what information was targeted, whether the attack was successful, and what security measures or changes were implemented afterward to prevent similar attacks. Alternatively, identify a case where no breach occurred, and discuss the mechanisms in place that protected the entity.

Additionally, find a case where a company or school has involved end-users in the creation of a contingency plan. Explain why including end-users is or is not important in this process and analyze potential pitfalls of involving end-users in contingency planning.

For each module, select one exercise from the provided grouping, and submit documented evidence of completion on Moodle, including answers to every question posed in the exercise. Ensure your answers are detailed and scholarly, as these will be graded accordingly. Incomplete or inaccurate responses will impact your score. All submissions should be directed to the appropriate Moodle submission area.

Paper For Above instruction

Cybersecurity efforts hinge significantly on understanding past incidents, stakeholder involvement, and continuous preparedness. This paper explores case studies of network intrusions, the role of end-users in contingency planning, and the importance of thorough exercises, integrating scholarly insights to illuminate best practices and common pitfalls.

Case Study of Network Intrusions and Security Measures

Analyzing real-world breach incidents provides insight into common vulnerabilities and responses. For instance, the 2017 Equifax data breach exemplifies the devastating impact of unpatched security vulnerabilities. Hackers exploited a known weakness in the Apache Struts framework, leading to the compromise of sensitive personal information of approximately 147 million Americans. The targeted data included Social Security numbers, birth dates, and addresses (Riley et al., 2018). The attack was successful due to delayed patch deployment and inadequate network segmentation.

Following the breach, Equifax implemented several security improvements, including enhanced vulnerability management, regular patching procedures, and increased focus on employee training to recognize and respond to potential threats. The company also adopted advanced intrusion detection systems to identify suspicious activities proactively (Bada & Sasse, 2019). These actions exemplify how organizations can evolve their cybersecurity posture in response to identified vulnerabilities, emphasizing proactive risk management.

Conversely, some institutions, such as certain university networks, have robust preventative mechanisms that prevented breaches—for example, multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and anomaly detection. Such measures act as barriers, ensuring that even if credential theft occurs, attacker movement within the network remains constrained (Chen et al., 2020). These examples demonstrate that layered security controls and rapid incident response capabilities are vital for safeguarding sensitive information.

The Role of End-Users in Contingency Planning

Including end-users in contingency plan development is widely regarded as essential, given that human error often accounts for a significant percentage of security incidents (Verizon, 2022). For example, staff training in recognizing phishing operations can significantly reduce successful attacks, and involving users fosters ownership of security protocols. A notable case is the City of Atlanta’s ransomware incident in 2018, where lack of end-user awareness contributed to malware infiltration through phishing emails (Baker, 2019). Incorporating end-users ensures the contingency plan reflects practical, everyday scenarios and enhances the overall resilience of organizational responses.

However, pitfalls exist in this approach. Excessive reliance on end-user compliance may lead to complacency or fatigue, diminishing security effectiveness. Moreover, poorly managed involvement can result in inconsistent policies or resistance to change, especially if users perceive the process as burdensome or intrusive (Jouili et al., 2021). Balancing technical controls with user training, clear communication, and a culture of security is crucial for successful contingency planning.

Module Exercise and Scholarly Integration

For each module, students are required to select and complete an exercise, providing comprehensive answers to all questions posed. These exercises should demonstrate critical thinking and scholarly engagement, incorporating recent literature on cybersecurity best practices. Evidence of completion, such as answers submitted on Moodle, serves as documentation for assessment. This process reinforces the importance of ongoing learning and practical application of theoretical concepts in cybersecurity scenarios.

Conclusion

Effective cybersecurity strategies are multifaceted, involving insights from past incidents, stakeholder engagement, and continuous training exercises. Understanding vulnerabilities enables targeted responses, while including end-users in contingency planning enhances organizational resilience. Regular, well-documented exercises further strengthen preparedness, helping organizations adapt to evolving threats. To uphold security standards, organizations must integrate technical safeguards with human factors, fostering a proactive, informed security culture supported by scholarly research.

References

• Bada, M., & Sasse, M. A. (2019). Cybersecurity awareness campaigns: Why do they fail? Proceedings of the 52nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.
• Baker, R. (2019). The Atlanta ransomware attack: Lessons learned. Journal of Emergency Management, 17(2), 101-110.
• Chen, Y., Li, Y., & Li, R. (2020). Security controls and their effectiveness in university networks. IEEE Transactions on Education, 63(3), 168-176.
• Jouili, J., Perini, A., & Capra, L. (2021). Challenges in human-centered cybersecurity. ACM Computing Surveys, 54(4), 1-35.
• Riley, M., Elgin, B., Lawrence, D., & Matlack, C. (2018). Hackers exploited Equifax vulnerability. The New York Times.
• Verizon. (2022). 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report. Verizon Communications.