Your Instructor Will Assign You To A Group Within Your Group

Your Instructor Will Assign You To A Group Within Your Group You Can

Your instructor will assign you to a group. Within your group you can set up a group WebEx, chat, Skype, or other communication tool to determine how best to complete this case study. Each person will contribute to the collaboration portion to complete this case study. Include the names of each team member and a brief description of how they participated. Active participation is expected, and the focus should be on the quality of contributions to create a successful collaborative learning environment.

Instructional approaches for this course are highly interactive and experiential. The case for this week involves examining security issues related to outside plant installations in a real-world scenario. You will utilize the class textbook, library research, and the city of Burleson, Texas's Right of Way manual to identify security considerations for a new media installation project. Your task is to identify at least two security issues relevant to this case, propose at least two solutions for each issue, select the most appropriate solution with supporting rationale, and prepare a comprehensive team submission.

The scenario involves the following: You are the network manager for a school district. The district is considering purchasing a church located across a city street to expand elementary school capacity. The existing network between the two buildings must be connected via wired media, requiring an underground crossing of the street. You have conducted a feasibility study and are now planning to issue a request for proposal (RFP).

Your responsibilities include determining the city's requirements for such a project, especially concerning security and Right of Way issues. You need to:

- Identify at least two security concerns related to this project.

- For each concern, provide at least two potential solutions.

- Decide on the best solution for each concern and justify this choice with appropriate supporting documentation.

You will submit one team paper that details your findings, proposed solutions, and justifications. Remember to include the names of all team members and a brief description of each person's participation. Use credible sources, citing them appropriately within your paper to support your analysis and recommendations.

Paper For Above instruction

In today's interconnected world, establishing secure and reliable communication between facilities is paramount, particularly when dealing with sensitive data and infrastructure. The scenario presented involves connecting two critical parts of an elementary school—an existing school building and a newly acquired church property—via underground wired media that traverses a public street. This project presents several security challenges that must be carefully addressed to ensure data integrity, prevent unauthorized access, and comply with local regulations. This paper discusses two primary security concerns associated with such an outside plant installation, proposes solutions for each, and justifies the selection of optimal strategies based on technical and security considerations.

Security Concern 1: Physical Security of the Underground Cable

The first major concern centers on the physical security of the underground cabling infrastructure. Given that the cables will be laid beneath a public street, they are vulnerable to physical interference, accidental damage from construction, natural disasters, or malicious tampering. Such damage could disrupt network connectivity, compromise data security, or lead to service outages which could impact the school's operational capacity.

Solutions to Physical Security Concerns

1. Enhanced Protective Encasements: Installing armored cables or conduit systems designed to withstand physical impacts and tampering enhances security. These encasements, often made from durable materials like steel or reinforced plastics, provide a physical barrier against damage and unauthorized access.
2. Regular Surveillance and Monitoring: Deploying ongoing monitoring systems such as CCTV surveillance along access points or using smart sensors within the conduit can alert security personnel to any tampering or interference in real-time. This allows swift response to potential breaches.

Preferred Solution and Justification

The installation of armored cables within reinforced conduits is the most effective primary solution for safeguarding underground wiring. This approach provides a robust physical barrier and reduces the risk of damage from accidental or intentional interference. The advantages include long-term durability, reduced maintenance costs, and compliance with physical security standards. While surveillance adds an extra layer of security, it is better used as a supplementary measure. Thus, the combination of reinforced conduits complemented by surveillance ensures comprehensive physical security and minimizes risks associated with underground cabling.

Security Concern 2: Network and Data Security at the Remote Site

The second concern involves securing the data transmitted across the wired link, especially at the new location (the church) which will be an offsite facility. Without appropriate security measures, sensitive data could be intercepted or accessed unauthorizedly, leading to potential breaches and loss of confidentiality.

Solutions to Network and Data Security

1. Implementation of Firewalls and Encryption Protocols: Deploying modern firewalls that regulate access to the network between the two sites is critical. Complementarily, encrypting data transmissions using protocols such as IPSec VPNs or SSL/TLS ensures data confidentiality during transit.
2. Network Segmentation and Access Controls: Establishing segmented network zones with strict access control policies limits exposure. Using Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) and multi-factor authentication ensures only authorized personnel can access sensitive data and network segments.

Preferred Solution and Justification

The combination of robust firewalls with comprehensive encryption protocols is the optimal solution. Firewalls block unauthorized access attempts, while encryption secures data, making interception futile without decryption keys. This dual approach aligns with best practices in securing network communications, especially over external cabling, and complies with data protection policies mandated by the school district. Additionally, implementing network segmentation enhances overall security by limiting the attack surface. This layered defense strategy effectively mitigates potential cyber threats, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the school's data.

Conclusion

Underground outside plant installations in urban environments require meticulous planning to address physical and cybersecurity risks. Physical security measures like armored cables and surveillance protect against damage and tampering, while network security solutions such as firewalls, encryption, and access controls safeguard data integrity. Selecting appropriate solutions, supported by a thorough understanding of local regulations and security standards, ensures a resilient and secure network infrastructure. This proactive approach minimizes risks, complies with legal requirements, and supports the school's ongoing operational needs.

References

• Chen, L., & He, W. (2019). Security mechanisms for smart grid communications. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 10(2), 1986–1996.
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). (2020). Physical Security of Critical Infrastructure. CISA.gov.
• Lee, S., & Kim, J. (2021). Advanced network security for enterprise applications. Journal of Network and Systems Management, 29, 677–695.
• NIST. (2020). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST.gov.
• Smith, J., & Brown, A. (2022). Best practices in underground cabling security. Communications Engineering, 34(4), 193–204.
• U.S. Department of Transportation. (2018). Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. MUTCD.
• Zhao, Y., & Wang, L. (2020). Encryption techniques for secure data transmission. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 22(3), 1794–1818.