The Written Research Paper Should Be 5–7 Pages, Double Space ✓ Solved

The Written Research Paper Should Be 5 7 Pages Double Spaced And Apa

The written research paper should be 5-7 pages double spaced and APA compliant discussing Part I and II. The cover page and reference list are excluded. The PPT presentation should consist of 18-20 slides discussing Part I and II. All work must be original to the team.

Part I: Select one of the TOGAF Architecture Case Studies (Litton PRC or Westpack) and apply the Threat Model Analysis (TMA) 7-steps for security analysis. Provide security recommendations based on the analysis. Analyze the case using background information from provided resources, making assumptions as needed.

Part II: Respond to questions regarding risk assessment frequency, risk ownership, organizational blind spots, preparedness for extreme events, skills for risk oversight, and the suitability of TOGAF and OWASP ZAP tools for enterprise architecture and security testing, respectively. Support responses with APA references.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Information security is a critical component of enterprise architecture, especially for organizations with significant digital presence like Westpac Bank. This paper applies the Threat Model Analysis (TMA) 7-step methodology to assess security risks within Westpac and offers strategic recommendations to enhance the organization’s security posture. Additionally, the paper addresses risk management practices, organizational responsibilities, and the applicability of established frameworks and tools such as TOGAF and OWASP ZAP for enterprise security governance.

Part I: Threat Model Analysis of Westpac Bank

Overview of Westpac

Westpac Banking Corporation, one of Australia's leading financial institutions, offers a range of banking and financial services via its digital channels. Given the sensitive nature of financial transactions and customer data, Westpac faces substantial cybersecurity threats, including hacking, phishing, and insider threats.

Applying the TMA 7-Steps

The Threat Model Analysis (TMA) 7-step process involves the following stages: 1) Identify assets, 2) Identify threats, 3) Identify vulnerabilities, 4) Model potential attack vectors, 5) Assess risk levels, 6) Identify mitigation options, 7) Implement security controls.

In the first step, essential assets include customer data, transaction platforms, network infrastructure, and employee credentials. Threats include phishing attacks targeting customer accounts, malware infiltration into transaction systems, and insider abuse. Vulnerabilities such as outdated software, weak authentication measures, and unsegmented networks increase risk.

Modeling attack vectors reveals common scenarios like spear-phishing leading to credential compromise, SQL injection attacks exploiting database vulnerabilities, or malware Macro-based attacks on endpoint devices.

Security Recommendations

Based on the TMA analysis, recommendations include enforcing multi-factor authentication, regular patch management, employee security awareness training, and network segmentation to limit lateral movement. Encryption of sensitive data at rest and in transit further mitigates data breaches.

Part II: Risk Assessment and Framework Recommendations

Frequency of Risk Assessment

Organizations like Westpac should review top risks periodically, typically quarterly, with a comprehensive assessment annually or after significant changes. Continuous monitoring tools help detect emerging threats in real-time.

Risk Ownership and Accountability

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) should own the risk management process, with risk owners across departments accountable for implementing controls. The Board oversees overall risk governance, and executive management reports to stakeholders.

Organizational Blind Spots

Common blind spots include inadequate third-party risk management, insider threats, and unpatched legacy systems. Regular audits and third-party assessments are crucial to uncover these gaps.

Preparedness for Extreme Events

Organizations should develop incident response plans, conduct regular tabletop exercises, and establish communication protocols to respond effectively to breaches or cyber-attacks.

Skills for Effective Risk Oversight

Skills required include threat intelligence, vulnerability assessment, security architecture, and incident handling. Continuous training and certification are essential for staff involved in security oversight.

TOGAF Framework Suitability

As an enterprise architecture framework, TOGAF provides a comprehensive structure for aligning IT strategy with business goals, especially useful for integrating security considerations. Its ADM cycle supports ongoing risk assessment and mitigation planning, making it highly recommended for enterprise architecture analysis.

OWASP ZAP Tool Evaluation

The OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is a popular open-source web application security scanner. Its benefits include ease of use, active community support, and a wide range of testing features. Pros include automated scanning, intercepting proxy capabilities, and integration options. Cons involve occasional false positives, the need for technical expertise for configuring advanced scans, and limited support compared to commercial tools.

Valuable features include passive scanning, dynamic analysis, and fuzzing modules. However, improvements could focus on enhanced scalability for large applications and better reporting functionalities. Technical support is community-driven, which may affect response times during critical issues.

Conclusion

Applying structured methodologies such as TMA, frameworks like TOGAF, and tools like OWASP ZAP collectively strengthen enterprise security architectures. Regular risk assessments, clear ownership responsibilities, and robust response plans are vital components to safeguard organizational assets effectively.

References

• Bass, L., & Carpenter, B. (2017). Software architecture in practice. Addison-Wesley.
• Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). (2023). OWASP ZAP. https://owasp.org/www-project-zap/
• The Open Group. (2018). TOGAF® Standard, Version 9.2. The Open Group.
• ISO/IEC 27001:2013. (2013). Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems requirements.
• Sommerville, I. (2016). Software engineering. Pearson Education.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST.
• Choo, K. K. R. (2011). The cyber threat landscape: Challenges and future research directions. Computer, 44(11), 86-90.
• Jo, D., & Yim, S. (2020). Risk management frameworks in cybersecurity: A comparative review. Journal of Information Security, 11(2), 107-124.
• Gordon, L. A., Lehman, R., & Loeb, M. P. (2019). Information security risk analysis. Springer.
• Wang, Y., et al. (2018). Enterprise risk management implementation for cybersecurity: Framework and application. Computers & Security, 77, 8-17.