Scenario: It Is Your First Day At The Job In The Information

Scenario It Is Your First Day At The Job In The Information Security

It is your first day at the job in the information security department, and you are called for a meeting. In the meeting, the need for strengthening the information security for the college is discussed, and everyone agrees that the first step is to identify the top five threats that are potential risks to Aim Higher College. The college’s administrative staff and faculty run the latest version of Microsoft Windows on their primary workstations, while students’ laptops may run Windows or macOS. The college’s web servers run on Linux; however, all other servers are Windows Server-based. Student, staff, and faculty mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones, run on iOS or Android; all mobile devices can connect to the campus network.

You have been given the responsibility to determine the top five threats that Aim Higher College faces. You asked your supervisor for support in this task, and he provided resources such as Microsoft Security Advisories and Bulletins, the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposure (CVE) database search, and security organizations like Secunia that might be useful in your research and analysis.

Your supervisor has also asked you to consider the following questions as you shortlist the threats: which threats are new this year and which have become more prevalent; why these threats are more common and why they are important; what threats remain constant from year to year and why; what threats are likely to become more critical in the next 12 months and why; and the likelihood of an exploit affecting Aim Higher College, including which operating system(s) it targets.

Write a summary report of the top five threats to Aim Higher College. Briefly explain why you have selected these threats and what effects they might have on the institution, its students, employees, graduates, or other communities on campus. The report should be formatted in Microsoft Word or compatible, using Arial font size 12, double-spaced.

Paper For Above instruction

In today’s digital landscape, the security of educational institutions like Aim Higher College is paramount given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. This report identifies and analyzes the top five threats facing the college, considering the current technological environment and the evolving cyber threat landscape. The threats are selected based on their prevalence, potential impact, and likelihood of affecting the college’s diverse computing ecosystem, which includes Windows and macOS devices, Linux and Windows servers, and mobile platforms like iOS and Android.

1. Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware remains one of the most prevalent and damaging cyber threats globally and locally, incurring significant financial and operational impacts (Kharraz, M. et al., 2017). Recent trends have seen a surge in targeted ransomware attacks on educational institutions, exploiting vulnerabilities in Windows environments, which the majority of staff and faculty use. Attackers typically deploy ransomware via phishing emails or exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities in Windows OS and related applications (Chin et al., 2020). The impact of a successful ransomware attack on Aim Higher College could include data loss, disruption of academic activities, financial costs for remediation, and damage to the institution’s reputation. Given the increase in ransomware variants and sophistication, this threat remains a top concern, especially as cybercriminal groups become more organized and targeted.

2. Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks

Phishing remains a persistent threat, targeting staff, students, and faculty through emails designed to steal credentials or deliver malicious payloads (Verizon, 2022). The rise of remote work and online learning has expanded attack surfaces, making the college's community more susceptible to social engineering tactics. Attackers often exploit the human element and deceive recipients into revealing passwords or clicking malicious links, leading to broader security breaches (Hadnagy, 2018). This threat remains constant year-to-year but has become more sophisticated, employing spear-phishing and deepfake techniques to enhance effectiveness. If successful, phishing can compromise user credentials, facilitate lateral movement within the network, and lead to data breaches or malware infections.

3. Vulnerabilities in Outdated and Unpatched Systems

Many institutions struggle with timely application of security patches, creating exploitable vulnerabilities. Microsoft's Security Advisories warn of numerous critical vulnerabilities affecting Windows OS and related software, many of which are exploited by threat actors (Microsoft, 2023). The college’s commitment to updating Windows workstations and servers is vital; failure to do so leaves systems exposed to known exploits, including privilege escalation or remote code execution attacks (CVE-2023-XXXX). Such vulnerabilities are exploited frequently by hackers aiming to gain persistent access and control, making this an ongoing and evolving threat. This threat is particularly significant as new vulnerabilities are discovered regularly, and attackers continuously scan for unpatched systems.

4. Exploitation of Web Server Vulnerabilities

The college’s Linux-based web servers are at risk of exploitation through misconfigurations or software vulnerabilities, particularly if updates and patches are not applied promptly. Historically, web applications and servers have been targeted for data breaches, defacement, or denial-of-service (DoS) attacks (Veracode, 2021). Threat actors often exploit known vulnerabilities in web server software, such as outdated Apache or PHP versions, or SQL injection flaws (OWASP, 2023). Such exploits could lead to unauthorized data access, defacement of college websites, or disruption of online services critical for learning and administrative functions.

5. Mobile Device Compromise via Malware and Unsecured Networks

The proliferation of mobile devices among students, staff, and faculty introduces new risks, particularly via malware infections and insecure Wi-Fi networks. Android devices, which are more fragmented and less uniformly secured compared to iOS, are especially vulnerable to malicious apps and malware (Symantec, 2022). Moreover, mobile devices connecting over unsecured or public Wi-Fi networks can be exploited through man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, leading to data interception or infection propagation (Khan et al., 2019). Given the diversity of devices and operating systems, the rapid increase in mobile device usage heightens the risk for data leaks, credential theft, and malware infections, which could compromise sensitive institutional or personal data.

Conclusion

The dynamic nature of cyber threats necessitates continuous vigilance and proactive security measures. Ransomware, phishing, unpatched systems, web server vulnerabilities, and mobile device risks stand out as the top threats likely to impact Aim Higher College in the near future. Addressing these vulnerabilities through a comprehensive security strategy—including regular patch management, security awareness training, endpoint protection, and layered defenses—is essential to safeguard the institution’s digital assets, reputation, and community members.

References

  • Chin, T., et al. (2020). The rise of ransomware: Threats, impacts, and defense strategies. Journal of Cybersecurity, 6(2), 45-59.
  • Hadnagy, C. (2018). Social Engineering: The Science of Human Hacking. Wiley.
  • Kharraz, A., et al. (2017). Understanding Ransomware: Evolution, Detection, and Prevention. IEEE Security & Privacy, 15(3), 36-45.
  • Khan, R., et al. (2019). Security challenges in mobile computing: Problems and solutions. IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 18(3), 652-662.
  • Microsoft. (2023). Security Updates for Windows. Microsoft Security Advisory, https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide.
  • OWASP. (2023). Web Security Testing Guide. OWASP Foundation.
  • Veracode. (2021). State of Software Security Report. Veracode Research.
  • Verizon. (2022). Data Breach Investigations Report. Verizon Enterprise.
  • Symantec. (2022). Internet Security Threat Report. Symantec Corporation.
  • Kharraz, A., et al. (2017). Understanding Ransomware: Evolution, Detection, and Prevention. IEEE Security & Privacy, 15(3), 36-45.

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