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Introduction the growth and explosion of the internet has led to a global market place. Companies can sell products all over the world and never have to leave the bounds of their physically secure location. With this move to a global economy, we see an increase in security threats to organizations, individuals, and agencies. All these models must have an information system to process, store, and retrieve information for their internal stakeholders, customers, and external users. Information systems have inherent risks and vulnerabilities to attacks from internal users, external customers, hackers, and criminals.

Organizations must have a robust security program in place to meet these attacks and be proactive in their security stance. Your group has the responsibility of creating a robust security policy that covers all the needs of the organization. The security policy identifies administrative, physical, and technical controls that must be in place to identify security risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize the effects of these risks. You will evaluate the IT infrastructure of Solomon Enterprises and its global business model. Organizational structure Solomon Enterprises employees 500 people in five different locations throughout the domestic United States.

Solomon Enterprises generates $200 million in annual revenue through its business model, so they would be a huge target for hackers or criminals. Their business products can be purchased through an online website. They have one central database/data center located in West Virginia and regional offices in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Montana, and Missouri. Customers, clients, and users have access via the Internet throughout the world. The company has a disaster recovery site located in Billings, Montana.

Solomon Enterprises users can work remotely or within one of the regional offices. They have a VPN connection that ensures that their connection is encrypted. The central data center has a firewall, and each regional office has a firewall to monitor traffic and keep unauthorized access from the facility. They have company-issued devices located within the office and laptops that can be taken for remote access. All these devices are running Windows XP, and their server is running Windows 2003.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction and Overview of the Security Environment

The rapid expansion of the internet has revolutionized global commerce, allowing organizations such as Solomon Enterprises to reach international markets seamlessly. Nevertheless, this digital transformation introduces significant security challenges, rendering organizations vulnerable to diverse cyber threats. As organizations increasingly rely on information systems to operate, store sensitive data, and interact with customers worldwide, safeguarding these systems becomes paramount. Vulnerabilities inherent in legacy systems like Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 further exacerbate security risks, necessitating comprehensive evaluation and enhancement of the organization's security posture.

Assessment of the Existing IT Infrastructure

Solomon Enterprises’ IT infrastructure comprises a central data center in West Virginia, regional offices across the United States, and a disaster recovery site in Montana. The organization employs firewalls at each point of entry—such as the main data center and regional offices—to monitor network traffic and prevent unauthorized access. The use of VPNs ensures encrypted communication for remote employees, which is critical for maintaining confidentiality over internet connections. However, the reliance on outdated operating systems like Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 significantly increases vulnerability to malware, exploits, and unauthorized access due to their end-of-life status and lack of security updates (Chen & Zhao, 2019). Remote work policies and mobile device management should also be evaluated, considering the potential lack of encryption and security controls on the devices used by employees.

Key Security Risks and Vulnerabilities

Major security risks include malware infections, phishing attacks, insider threats, and external hacking attempts. Legacy operating systems are susceptible to cyberattacks exploiting known vulnerabilities, many of which remain unpatched (Kumar et al., 2020). The widespread adoption of outdated software increases the attack surface, making it easier for hackers to compromise sensitive data, especially customer and corporate information stored within the central database. Furthermore, remote work introduces additional security risks such as unsecured Wi-Fi networks and the potential loss or theft of portable devices. The lack of a comprehensive intrusion detection system (IDS) or intrusion prevention system (IPS) further impairs timely detection and mitigation of attacks.

Recommendations for Improving Security Controls

To enhance Solomon Enterprises’ security posture, a multi-layered security approach should be adopted. Firstly, the organization should prioritize upgrading or replacing outdated operating systems with modern, supported versions that receive security updates and patches (NIST, 2020). Transitioning to Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019/2022 would significantly reduce vulnerabilities. Secondly, implementing advanced security controls such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solutions would strengthen real-time monitoring and incident response capabilities (Almgren et al., 2018).

Thirdly, the organization should reinforce its physical security measures at all locations, including secure access controls, surveillance systems, and environmental controls to prevent unauthorized physical entry. Additional safeguards such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be enforced for all remote and administrative access, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access critical systems (Cheng et al., 2022). Encryption should be applied to all sensitive data at rest and in transit, with particular attention to mobile devices used remotely by employees. Regular security awareness training should be conducted to educate staff on phishing, social engineering, and safe internet practices.

Furthermore, Solomon Enterprises needs to develop and continually update an incident response plan to ensure preparedness for potential security breaches. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be scheduled to identify and remedy weaknesses proactively. Lastly, implementing a robust data backup and disaster recovery plan, including off-site backups and quick restore procedures, is essential to mitigate data loss risks (Fang et al., 2019).

Implementation and Policy Development

Developing a comprehensive security policy tailored to the organization’s structure and needs is critical. This policy should define roles and responsibilities, acceptable use policies, data classification standards, and procedures for incident handling. Training staff on security policies ensures adherence and reduces the likelihood of human error—often a significant cause of breaches (Madhavaram et al., 2020). To support policy compliance, regular audits and assessments should be mandated, with continuous updates reflecting evolving threats.

Conclusion

As digital threats continue to evolve, Solomon Enterprises must adopt a proactive stance to cybersecurity. Upgrading legacy systems, expanding security controls, and fostering a security-aware culture are essential strategies. By implementing layered security measures, enforcing policies, and planning for incidents, the organization can significantly reduce its vulnerability to cyber threats and protect its assets, reputation, and stakeholder interests.

References

• Almgren, K., Melander, S., & Olsson, J. (2018). Enhancing cybersecurity with SIEM solutions. Journal of Information Security, 9(4), 174-185.
• Cheng, G., Li, Y., & Zhang, F. (2022). Multi-factor authentication in enterprise networks: A review. IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing, 19(2), 768-781.
• Chen, L., & Zhao, X. (2019). Security challenges of legacy operating systems: A case study. Cybersecurity Journal, 4(2), 89-102.
• Fang, Y., Wang, W., & Liu, B. (2019). Disaster recovery planning for enterprise IT. International Journal of System Assurance Engineering, 10(3), 340-352.
• Kumar, R., Singh, A., & Sharma, K. (2020). Vulnerability analysis of outdated operating systems. Journal of Cyber Security and Mobility, 9(3), 145-159.
• Madhavaram, S., Sargent, D., & Rajesh, G. (2020). Security awareness training effectiveness. Journal of Business and Information Technology, 12(1), 45-56.
• NIST. (2020). Framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity. National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://www.nist.gov