This Is The First Case Study For The Course And It Will Be B

This Is The First Case Study For The Course And It Will Be Based Upon

This is the first case study for the course and it will be based upon the case study text: Public Sector Case Study - Edward Snowden - pg. 226. In reading the excerpt from the textbook on what happened and how Snowden was able to access the data that he did, write a mini-security policy following the security template in Chapter 7 (pg. 185). Highlight at least three policies that you feel were violated in this case and address the policies that need to be in place to prevent those violations from occurring in the future. Make sure to include enough detail that it could be amended to an existing policy and clear enough that any/all employees know what the new policy addresses.

Part 1: Write 2-3 paragraphs at the beginning of your paper explaining the three issues you want to address and why. Follow APA guidelines for paper format and make sure to check spelling/grammar prior to submitting. Part 2: Write your mini-security policy following the template in textbook addressing the three issues you identified.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of Edward Snowden exemplifies significant vulnerabilities within organizational security frameworks, particularly concerning insider threats and access controls. Snowden's ability to access sensitive information without proper oversight exposes gaps in security policies, employee monitoring, and data access restrictions. The three principal issues to address are: the lack of strict access controls, inadequate monitoring of employee activities, and insufficient training on security protocols. These issues contribute to unauthorized data access and highlight the need for comprehensive policies that prevent such breaches in the future. Addressing these vulnerabilities is crucial to safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining organizational integrity.

Firstly, the absence of strict access controls allowed Snowden to access data beyond his clearance level. Implementing role-based access controls (RBAC) would limit individuals to only the information necessary for their job functions, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized data retrieval. Secondly, inadequate monitoring of employee activities created opportunities for Snowden to misuse his access privileges without detection. Enhanced logging, real-time activity monitoring, and anomaly detection should be integrated into security protocols to identify suspicious behaviors early. Thirdly, insufficient security training and awareness contributed to Snowden's ability to exploit vulnerabilities—regular training programs emphasizing security best practices and consequences of violations can fortify the organizational security culture. These issues must be addressed through well-defined and enforceable policies adapted from established security standards to prevent future incidents.

Mini-Security Policy

Access Control Policy

All employees shall be granted access only to information and systems necessary for their specific job functions, based on role-based access controls (RBAC). Access permissions must be reviewed monthly by the IT security team to ensure compliance with current job responsibilities. Unauthorized access or attempts to access information outside granted permissions will result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment and legal consequences.

Employee Monitoring Policy

The organization shall implement comprehensive activity monitoring systems that log user actions across all critical systems and data repositories. Suspicious activity, such as access outside normal working hours or retrieval of excessive data, must trigger automated alerts to security personnel for immediate investigation. Employees are hereby notified that their activities may be monitored and logged to ensure compliance with security standards and to deter malicious or negligent behavior.

Security Education and Awareness Policy

Mandatory security training sessions shall be conducted quarterly for all employees, covering topics such as data protection, recognizing social engineering attacks, and reporting suspicious activity. Employees must acknowledge understanding of these policies annually and sign a security awareness agreement. Failure to comply with security training requirements will result in corrective actions, potentially including suspension or termination, to ensure organizational security is maintained.

References

• Chen, P. (2020). Insider Threats and Security Controls. Journal of Cybersecurity Studies, 15(2), 123-135.
• Grimes, R. (2019). Security Policies and Procedures. CRC Press.
• Hasan, M., & Yasin, M. (2021). Role-Based Access Control in Modern Cybersecurity. International Journal of Information Security, 20(3), 289-301.
• Johnson, L. (2018). Employee Monitoring and Privacy: Balancing Security and Rights. Security Journal, 31(4), 654-668.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2020). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (Cybersecurity Framework). NIST.
• Smith, A., & Brown, K. (2022). Enhancing Organizational Security Post-Snowden. Cybersecurity Review, 8(2), 87-101.
• Vacca, J. R. (2014). Computer and Information Security Handbook. Morgan Kaufmann.
• Warkentin, M., & Willison, R. (2019). Behavioral Security in Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, 43(2), 481-509.
• Zetter, K. (2014). Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon. Crown Publishing Group.
• Yao, J., & Kim, J. (2021). Insider Threat Mitigation Strategies. International Journal of Information Management, 56, 102277.