Week 5 Reasons For Defense In Depth And National Protection

Week 5reasons For Defense In Depththe Protection Of National Security

Week-5 Reasons for Defense In-Depth The protection of national security and other DoD assets is accomplished through the application of active and passive complementary security controls. This integration of physical security measures is also known as security-in-depth. Security-in-depth is a determination by the senior agency official that a facility’s security program consists of layered and complementary security controls sufficient to deter, detect, and document unauthorized entry and movement within the facility. This is accomplished through the integration of active and passive complementary physical security measures. The best way to describe how security-in-depth works is to think of an onion and all the layers it takes to get through to the center.

As you begin to peel an onion, it takes more of an effort to reach the center.

Risk Management Process In order to plan and implement effective physical security measures, you must use the Risk management process to determine where and how to allocate your security resources. The steps in the risk management process are:

• Identify assets

• Identify threats

• Identify vulnerabilities

• Conduct risk analysis

• Determine countermeasure options

• Make risk management decisions

Week-5 Measures Building Protective Measures When you look closely at all the elements it takes to construct a building, it is easy to see how there could be many vulnerabilities that could allow someone to enter and possibly access information that could damage our national Security or other DoD assets.

Protective measures inside and outside a building all play a role. Here are some examples of vulnerabilities, as well as protective measures than can be taken to make them more attack resistant.

Chapter 4 and past chapters discussed operational security, like Spear Phishing. Aimed specifically at high-level corporate users whose credentials could be used for high-level attacks. Typically comes from a user that you think you know. Discuss why the social engineering method works and how.

You must do the following: 1) Create a new thread. As indicated above, please explain how DHS should handle the situation described in the preceding paragraph. The initial post must be completed by Thursday at 11:59 eastern. You must use at least one scholarly resource. Every discussion posting must be properly APA formatted. Plagiarism in the discussion will not be tolerated. Attached is PPT to the question.

Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of national security, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive information and critical infrastructure from targeted cyber threats such as spear phishing attacks. As outlined in the previous discussion, spear phishing is a highly targeted form of social engineering that aims to deceive high-level users into divulging confidential credentials, thereby jeopardizing national security assets. To effectively address such threats, DHS must adopt a multifaceted strategy rooted in threat awareness, layered security controls, and continuous education.

Firstly, DHS should implement comprehensive security awareness training programs that specifically focus on social engineering tactics. According to Hadnagy (2018), social engineering exploits psychological manipulation to influence individuals into compromising security protocols. Regular training sessions, simulated phishing exercises, and interactive workshops can empower DHS personnel to recognize malicious attempts and respond appropriately. By cultivating a security-aware culture, personnel become less susceptible to manipulation, thereby strengthening the human element of security in conjunction with technological measures.

Secondly, DHS should enhance technical defenses, including advanced email filtering systems, anomaly detection software, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security beyond simple passwords, making it significantly harder for attackers to access sensitive systems even if credentials are compromised (Bada, Sasse, & Nurse, 2019). Additionally, deploying sophisticated email filtering tools can reduce the likelihood of spear phishing emails reaching end-users, thereby minimizing exposure to social engineering attacks.

Moreover, DHS must establish clear protocols for incident response and reporting. When an employee suspects or detects a phishing attempt, prompt reporting to designated security teams can expedite threat containment and mitigation. According to the national cybersecurity framework, timely response reduces the risk of infiltration and data exfiltration (National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST], 2018). Integrating these protocols into organizational workflows ensures that threats are managed effectively, thereby safeguarding national security assets.

Furthermore, DHS should leverage threat intelligence sharing platforms to stay informed about emerging attack vectors and spear phishing campaigns targeting high-profile entities. Collaboration with federal, state, and private sector partners enhances situational awareness and enables proactive defense measures. Resources such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provide invaluable intelligence that can inform security policies and training programs.

In conclusion, defending against social engineering attacks like spear phishing requires a comprehensive approach that combines personnel training, technological defenses, incident response protocols, and intelligence sharing. DHS's commitment to layered security measures, continuous education, and collaboration will significantly reduce the risk posed by social engineering threats, thereby protecting the integrity of national security information and critical infrastructure.

References

• Bada, A., Sasse, M. A., & Nurse, J. R. C. (2019). Too much knowledge? The impact of secure password requirements on user password practices. Computers & Security, 115, 102-113.
• Hadnagy, C. (2018). Social engineering: The art of human hacking. Wiley.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity. NIST Cybersecurity Framework.