史密斯与琼斯拍卖行全球运营，每年举办数百场工业设备现场拍卖，网络安全与稳定性至关重要。其主要挑战包括分散互联网接入同时保持集中安全、保护敏感数据、支持大规模访客Wi-Fi及新站点整合，确保业务连续性、数据机密性和流畅用户体验。分析案例中的安全隐患。
Scenario Overview
Smith and Jones Auctioneers stands as the world’s largest industrial auction house, conducting hundreds of unreserved live auctions annually for used heavy machinery, trucks, and industrial components. These events span over 60 locations worldwide, including North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. More than 50% of bidders participate online via the company’s website.
Maintaining a secure, efficient, and reliable network infrastructure is paramount for Smith and Jones. Malware infections not only hinder online bidding but also risk exposing confidential information. Milo, the company’s senior network security specialist, emphasizes the importance of establishing customer trust by ensuring secure online experiences. Past attempts to centralize web filtering at the head office caused performance bottlenecks and limited access to global search engines, prompting a shift to decentralized internet connections at each auction site while maintaining centralized security control.
In addition, Smith and Jones plans to offer guest Wi-Fi at all auction locations, supporting up to 500 simultaneous users. This enables customers to browse, check emails, and place bids remotely, enhancing engagement and sales. Key challenges include integrating two new prototype sites in Manchester and Mexico City, ensuring network resilience, safeguarding sensitive data, delivering seamless user experiences, minimizing IT workload, future-proofing WAN performance, and designing secure Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Wi-Fi systems.
Task 1: Risk Assessment
a) Identification of Key Electronic Information Assets
Analyze the scenario and identify the five most critical electronically stored information assets for Smith and Jones. Justify your selections with reasonable assumptions based on the company’s operations. (Approx. 150 words)
b) Threat Analysis Table
Construct a table listing these assets, alongside principal security threats potentially affecting their confidentiality (C), integrity (I), or availability (A). Threats may arise from accidental or malicious sources. Multiple threats may apply per asset, with overlap among assets expected.
| Asset | Threat | CIA Aspect | Likelihood | Impact | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.g., Customer data | Server failure | A | Low | Medium | Low |
| E.g., Customer data | Insider theft | C | Low | High | Medium |
c) Likelihood and Impact Ratings
Evaluate each threat’s likelihood and potential impact on the organization, using these definitions:
| Likelihood | Description |
|---|---|
| Low | Less than once per year |
| Medium | Between once per year and once per week |
| High | Several occurrences per week |
| Impact | Description |
|---|---|
| Low | Minor disruption lasting up to two days |
| Medium | Operational impact exceeding one week, loss of clients |
| High | Critical damage risking company survival and reputation |
d) Risk Determination
Apply a risk matrix to derive the overall risk rating for each threat.
Task 2: Risk Mitigation Strategies
For the highest-priority risks identified, recommend appropriate security controls and justify their effectiveness. Address each threat specifically, explaining how your proposed measures reduce risk.
Furthermore, discuss the necessity of encryption within this environment. Recommend suitable protocols or encryption algorithms that align with the company’s needs for confidentiality and integrity. (Approx. 900 words)
Task 3: VPN Configuration
a) VPN Connection Options
Explain the two primary site-to-site VPN architectures—intranet and extranet—highlighting their differences and benefits. Recommend the most suitable option for Smith and Jones’ branch connectivity, with justification.
b) Network Diagram
Provide a detailed network diagram illustrating the components required to establish VPN connections between the main Toronto site and the new Manchester and Mexico City branches. Individual client devices need not be shown, but all critical infrastructure elements must be included.
c) Firewall Usage
Discuss the role of firewalls within the VPN setup. Explain typical firewall rules and how they contribute to the security posture of the network.
Task 4: Security Governance and Monitoring
Outline recommendations to foster a culture of security awareness across all users within the Smith and Jones partnership. Describe strategies for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the Information Security Management System (ISMS) to ensure continuous effectiveness.
Task 5: Reflective Learning
Using the model proposed by Rolfe, Freshwater, and Jasper (2001), critically reflect on your learning journey throughout this assignment. Your reflection should include:
- A description of what you learned
- An analysis of your learning process
- An action plan outlining how you will improve your approach in future tasks
Submission Guidelines
- Prepare a professional, thoroughly proofread report suitable for the intended audience.
- Include a properly formatted list of references using Harvard style, ensuring all sources are acknowledged to avoid plagiarism.
- Compile responses to all tasks into a single document with an appropriate introduction.
- The final report should be approximately 1750 words (+/- 10%), excluding tables.
- Submit both digital and hard copies as specified.