Risk Assessment And Security Improvements For GFI's Infrastr ✓ Solved

Risk assessment and security improvements for GFI's infrastructure

Conduct a thorough asset inventory of devices and systems identified in GFI's corporate network topology. Assign monetary values (quantitative) and priority levels (qualitative) to determine which assets are most critical for restoral after a catastrophic event or attack.

Evaluate GFI's perimeter security, identify all access points (both internal and external, including remote access), uncover vulnerabilities, and recommend improvements to enhance perimeter and network security.

Examine the remote access infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and propose security enhancements to mitigate risks associated with remote access methods such as VPN, dial-up, and BYOD.

Address the COO’s concern about mobility security by designing a secure mobile computing policy covering authentication technologies and data protection for smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Identify vulnerabilities in the wireless network, and recommend safeguards, authentication mechanisms, and security practices to protect data within the wireless environment.

Evaluate current authentication protocols and mechanisms across wired, wireless, mobility, and remote access domains. Suggest improvements to strengthen security in these environments.

Review the protocols used for web authentication on the intranet server, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend secure protocol enhancements to mitigate risks.

Design a secure cloud computing environment for GFI, focusing on data protection during rest, in transit, and processing. Address security measures for cloud data, applications, and operations.

Assess vulnerabilities of each asset within this cloud environment, analyze potential impacts if compromised, and relate this to asset valuation.

Based on the asset inventory with monetary and priority values, conduct a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative risk assessment of GFI’s network infrastructure. This includes identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and likelihoods, and assessing potential impacts.

Recommend risk mitigation strategies aligned with asset values, balancing security improvements with budget considerations, and addressing the organization's mission objectives.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial services, safeguarding information assets is paramount for organizations like GFI. This paper presents a comprehensive risk assessment of GFI’s infrastructure, aiming to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate risks, and recommend effective security enhancements to protect critical assets. Given the history of cyber-attacks and internal vulnerabilities, this assessment emphasizes both technical controls and strategic measures aligned with organizational priorities.

Asset Inventory and Prioritization

The first step involves cataloging all critical assets within GFI's network topology. These include the Oracle database server storing sensitive customer data, servers hosting web applications and email services, networking infrastructure such as border, distribution, and VLAN switches, wireless access points, and mobile devices used within the BYOD policy. Each asset was assigned a monetary value based on replacement cost, impact on operations, and regulatory compliance obligations. For example, the Oracle database’s value is assessed at $3 million, considering customer trust and regulatory fines, whereas individual end-user devices are valued at approximately $2,000 each.

Prioritization of assets was based on their mission criticality, with the Oracle database, core web servers, and key network infrastructure ranked highest. Assets supporting administrative functions and less sensitive end-user devices received lower priority levels. This stratification helps focus security efforts where they can most effectively mitigate risk impacts.

Perimeter Security Evaluation

The GFI perimeter security comprises border routers, distribution routers, and a VPN gateway. Vulnerabilities identified include the lack of encryption on VPN data transactions, WEP wireless security (which is outdated and susceptible to attack), and weak password-based authentication. External access points such as VPN and dial-up systems are exposed to interception and brute-force attacks. To improve security, implementing IPsec or SSL/TLS encryption on VPN tunnels, replacing WEP with WPA3 or WPA3-Enterprise, and deploying multi-factor authentication (MFA) are recommended strategies. Additionally, establishing intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) can monitor for anomalous activity at the perimeter.

Remote Access Vulnerabilities and Improvements

The remote access infrastructure relies on MS-CHAP V2 passwords, which are vulnerable to attacks such as bridge attacks and password cracking. Remote users connect via VPN or dial-up, but the lack of account lockout policies and multi-factor authentication increases risk exposure. Recommendations include migrating to VPN solutions utilizing MFA, adopting stronger protocols like IKEv2 with certificates, and enforcing strict password policies. For dial-up, implementing callback or RADIUS-based authentication with MFA can further secure remote sessions.

Mobile Computing Security

With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, mobile security must be a key focus. A comprehensive policy includes the use of full-disk encryption on laptops, mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies, and MFA for accessing corporate resources. Additionally, deploying virtual private networks (VPN) with strong encryption, disabling untrusted apps, and ensuring timely software updates mitigate many risks. Regular security awareness training helps employees recognize phishing attempts and malware infiltration vectors targeting mobile devices.

Wireless Network Vulnerabilities and Safeguards

The current wireless security relies on WEP, which is known to be insecure. Upgrading to WPA3-Enterprise ensures stronger authentication and encryption. Implementing 802.1X authentication with RADIUS, deploying enterprise-grade certificates, and segmenting wireless networks from the main corporate LAN via VLANs are essential steps. Intrusion detection for wireless, such as Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS), can monitor for rogue access points or malicious activity. Regular wireless site surveys identify vulnerabilities and unauthorized devices.

Authentication Protocols and Methodology

Current authentication mechanisms—password-based MS-CHAP V2 and basic Wi-Fi security—are insufficient. Strengthening authentication through MFA, digital certificates, or biometric authentication provides layered security. For remote access, adopting RADIUS or Diameter protocols with certificate-based authentication enhances validation. Moving towards single sign-on (SSO) systems integrated with MFA reduces password fatigue and improves security posture across wired and wireless environments.

Web System Protocols and Vulnerabilities

The intranet web servers currently use HTTP, which transmits data unencrypted, exposing sensitive information. Transitioning to HTTPS with TLS 1.3 encrypts web traffic and mitigates man-in-the-middle attacks. Web application firewalls (WAFs), regular vulnerability scans, and secure coding practices address application-layer vulnerabilities such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS). Implementing strong password policies and periodic security assessments ensures ongoing resilience.

Designing a Secure Cloud Environment

GFI’s plans for cloud-based e-commerce necessitate implementing a secure architecture with encryption at rest using AES-256, in transit via TLS 1.3, and in processing with trusted execution environments (TEE). Identity and access management (IAM), continuous monitoring, and incident response plans are critical. Cloud security services such as AWS Shield, Azure Security Center, or Google Cloud Security Command Center provide additional protection. Data backups, multi-region replication, and strict access controls mitigate data breach impacts.

Vulnerabilities and Impacts in Cloud Environment

Potential vulnerabilities include misconfigured access controls, insecure APIs, and insufficient encryption. Data breaches could lead to financial loss, legal consequences, and reputational damage. For example, compromised customer data could trigger regulatory sanctions and customer erosion. Thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration testing are necessary to identify weaknesses before exploitation occurs.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation

The quantitative valuation and prioritization informed a risk analysis considering threat likelihood, vulnerability exposure, and potential impacts. High-priority assets like the Oracle database face risks from insider threats, external hacking, and physical theft. Implementing layered controls—such as strong authentication, encryption, and continuous monitoring—reduces risk exposures. Regular vulnerability scans, employee security training, and incident response simulations further enhance GFI’s security posture. For lower-value assets, cost-effective measures, such as firmware updates and network segmentation, mitigate residual risks.

Conclusion

GFI’s infrastructure presents significant vulnerabilities stemming from outdated security protocols, insufficient perimeter defenses, and internal weaknesses. A comprehensive security strategy integrating technological upgrades, policy enhancements, and ongoing monitoring is essential for protecting critical assets. While outsourcing certain functions may reduce internal effort, maintaining in-house expertise—especially in security—ensures tailored controls that adapt to emerging threats. The balance between investment and risk mitigation should always prioritize mission-critical assets to maintain trust, compliance, and operational resilience.

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