Short Report: Proposal for New Course on Cybersecurity Strategies
Revise the short report base on the feedback given by the professor to improve the report.
2 years ago
5
WA5_293_report_to_PD_.pdf
MoncrieffeShortReportDraftJackComments.docx
WA5_293_report_to_PD_.pdf
Writing Assignment #5
Short Report to Your Program Director
Summary of assignment
• Task: In this assignment, you will write a short report to the program director of your
major at UMGC. In the short report, you will suggest one of the following:
o a new class for your major
o a modification of a current class that is offered in your major.
You will conduct some research on your field in order to support this proposed change
in the curriculum.
• Length: Your report should be 1000-1500 words.
• Format: You will use APA 7th edition format in citing your sources and preparing a title
page for your report.
• Number of Sources: You will integrate three or more sources into your report.
Brief Description of the Short Report
In professional writing settings, individuals often need to write to an external audience to
persuade that audience to make a change. This could be a change in a government program, a
company policy, a law or regulation, or other step of action. In this assignment, you will write to
the program director of your major and propose a new or modified class for the major.
Some examples are as follows:
• You are majoring in Cybersecurity Management and Policy. You could write a short report to
the program director for that major to propose a class that is totally devoted to phishing, spear
phishing, and whaling. You would cite research showing that these types of social
engineering attacks are the most common methods for cyber breaches. You might argue that
managers in the cybersecurity field must be equipped to instruct and train employees in
thwarting these types of attacks and that the course you are proposing will improve the
curriculum by providing that background.
• You are majoring in Human Resources Management. You could write a short report to the
program director for that major to propose a class on bullying in the workplace. You would
cite research showing why this is a major issue in human resources today, noting why human
resource professionals need to have focused study and direction on it. You would make the
case that the course you are proposing will improve the curriculum by providing this
background to students.
• You are majoring in English. You could write a short report to the program director for that
major to propose a class devoted to prescriptive grammar. You would cite research showing
why a prescriptivist approach to grammar is needed among English graduates. You would
argue that the course you are proposing will improve the curriculum by providing students
this needed instruction.
• You are majoring in Homeland Security. You could write a short report to the program
director for that major to propose a class in report writing. You would cite research showing
that professionals in the field of homeland security will be asked to write reports frequently
to internal and external stakeholders. You could argue that a class devoted to report writing in
the homeland security field is necessary for students in that major and, therefore, that the
course you are proposing will improve the curriculum by providing this instruction.
How to Organize the Short Report:
Please include the following sections in your briefing paper:
• title page
• Memo to the Program Director (app. 80-120 words)
• Executive Summary (app. 100-150 words)
• The Problem (app. 400-600 words)
• The Solution: A New Class (app. 250-400 words)
• Recommendation (app. 75-125 words)
• References (the word count does not include the list of references)
In the Memo, you will address the program director using memo format. The memo should not go into
great detail, but rather should let the program director know that the following pages contain a report
proposing a new class.
In the Executive Summary, summarize your research and your proposed class in no more than 150
words. The executive summary should be a stand-alone document. It should be written in such a way that
a busy program director could read the executive summary and have an overall understanding of what the
report is about and what class is being proposed without actually reading the rest of the paper. You cannot
go into much detail in the executive summary, however. Please keep it to no longer than 150 words.
In the The Problem section, you will describe current trends in the industry and why the current list of
required classes for the major is not addressing these trends. For example, if you are majoring in
Cybersecurity Management and Policy and want to propose a class on phishing, spear phishing, and
whaling, you would show that cyber attacks through these methods are increasing and that companies and
organizations are becoming increasingly vulnerable to them. You also want to show why the current
curriculum for your major is not addressing this topic effectively enough. Perhaps these issues are being
dealt with in some of the current classes, but not thoroughly enough. You might argue that that is why a
class devoted to this issue is needed—a more thorough analysis of these issues is needed among
cybersecurity graduates.
In this section of the short report, your use of sources will be important. You should integrate research to
show these trends in the industry and why a class like the one you are proposing has the potential to
prepare students more effectively for the field to address these trends. If you can cite industry
professionals who mention the need for a class like you are proposing, this type of research will make
your your report even more persuasive.
In the The Solution: A New Class section, you will describe the class you are proposing. The more
specific you get about the class you are proposing, the more persuasive your report will be. You might
mention one or two assignments or tasks that students should complete in the proposed class, for
example.
In the Recommendation section, you will write a short paragraph that summarizes why students need to
be taught these trends and why the class you are proposing helps fill that need. This section serves as a
summary of the problem and restatement of the need for the proposed class.
In the References page, you will list your sources in APA 7th edition format. The assignment asks for
three sources, but you may integrate more than three sources if you would like to. Your sources should be
credible ones that highlight trends or needs in your field.
Due Date:
Your instructor will notify you of the due date. Your instructor will work with you on any
revisions he or she asks for.
MoncrieffeShortReportDraftJackComments.docx
2
Short Report: Proposal for New Course on Cybersecurity Strategies
Moesha Moncrieffe
University of Maryland Global Campus
April 23, 2024 Comment by Jack Downs: Nice title page!
Short Report: Proposal for New Course on Cybersecurity Strategies
Date: March 23, 2023
To: Program Director
From: Moesha Moncrieffe
Subject: Proposal for New Course on Cybersecurity Strategies
Dear Program Director,
I am forwarding this proposal of adding a new course to the Cybersecurity Strategies training that remediates the current curriculum. I am pleased to submit this report, which provides a comprehensive justification for this suggestion. I believe that implementing this training is the key to improving the capacity of our students to successfully deal with the various changing problems in their career line. Comment by Jack Downs: I would say “submitting.” Forwarding implies it’s coming from someone besides you, via you. Comment by Jack Downs: In this memo, I would at least include a working title for the class, as well as whether you see is it as an elective, or a mandatory.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Moesha Moncrieffe
Executive Summary Comment by Jack Downs: Begin your ES—which is the first section of the report itself—on its own page. The other sections can be started mid-page, except for the References section, which is also its own page.
The primary purpose of the course is to review the inadequate situation as well as to promote advanced cyber-techniques such as countermeasures and solutions of spear phishing, phishing, and whaling attacks, which are becoming a widespread and complex type of cyber-assaults. After realizing that the majority of the existing cybersecurity curriculum lacks the training for combating unconventional email threats like phishing attacks, learners become vulnerable to the upcoming developments in that area of expertise. Throughout this class, students will receive practical tools to help them identify, suppress, and provide a spot-on solution to highly professional email fraud scams. Through active sessions in the form of exercises and real-world case studies from the industry, students will not only be able to transfer theoretical knowledge to practical situations but also build efficient crisis-management skills, which will distinguish them from cybersecurity professionals. Comment by Jack Downs: This is really confusing. Which inadequate situation? The lack of the course itself, which you’re describing here? Or the lack of coverage of cyber countermeasures? Comment by Jack Downs: I would italicize these terms. Comment by Jack Downs: ...assault Comment by Jack Downs: This is an odd word choice. Do you mean “open to” here? That’s something different. Comment by Jack Downs: Good place for a paragraph break. Comment by Jack Downs: comma
The Problem
Cyber threats, ranging from spear phishing to whaling, are one of the most serious risks faced by organizations across the globe. Such unlawful activities correspond to a distortion of human nature based on illusions among the masses, allowing them to penetrate secrets and harm simultaneously. However, although the cyber threat environment is gradually gaining pace, existing cyber security education regimens still need to be more effective in resolving these targeted dangers (Prem & Reddy, 2019). Although subjects like cybersecurity are highlighted as pillars of some courses, there is lacking concentration on email threats that are explicitly developed for earmarking attacks. Comment by Jack Downs: This is so zen as to be incomprehensible. I would strike. Comment by Jack Downs: Not sure what this term adds here. Do you mean “targeting”?
Therefore, the educational program becomes incomplete and an obstacle to creating educated cybersecurity specialists. At the same time, it presents the organizations with a potential cyber offense hazard. Research demonstrates an urgent need to implement a more thorough analysis of cyber threat goals for graduates in computer science classes to better deal with this problem. Prem and Reddy (2019) state that educational institutions could be considered the most important in curbing this situation, providing focused courses in spear phishing, phishing, and whaling attacks. Using hands-on activities allows the students to acquire the tools required to manage the difficulties of contemporary cybersecurity while being confident and competent to embrace momentary change by combining existing cases, industry issues, and the views of the experts. Comment by Jack Downs: I think this is unnecessarily provocative. Comment by Jack Downs: By “it” do you mean the course itself? That’s a bit of a stretch. Comment by Jack Downs: This is a great place for a paragraph break. Comment by Jack Downs: This also doesn’t seem to serve a purpose in the context.
Reinforcing the academic program by stressing email threats of phishing and others will produce graduates who are watchful and discreet and can lessen the possibility of cyber-attacks in the future. Instance, practical skills among students are possible by providing a learning environment involving a hands-on approach to counter-breaching threats, incident response, and risk management. In conjunction with these programs, the industry expert sessions that are held in a classroom where students interact while they explore options for their possible career paths will reinforce their ability to apply theory in a practical environment. Besides that, educational organizations with a thorough understanding of such spear phishing, phishing, and whaling attacks foster a stable desired firm framework that is unable to be penetrated by cyber-attacks. Students equipped with the expertise of cyber security of the latest technology are different from the rest as they are the ones who can defend vital information, keep the systems free of online privacy issues, and utilize digital resources (Pienta et al., 2020). Lastly, cybersecurity training that omits details on technical aspects of some emails will educate staff and help organizations have a good cyber stand against hackers from all over the world. Comment by Jack Downs: ? Comment by Jack Downs: I would italicize these terms too. Comment by Jack Downs: This is a great place for a paragraph break. Comment by Jack Downs: It sounds like you’re claiming in this sentence that UMGC is protecting itself by offering the class. Do you really want to offer this as a reason for the class? Comment by Jack Downs: This is a great place for a paragraph break. Comment by Jack Downs: Not sure what you’re referring to here, but how does eliminating technical details educate staff and help organizations?
The Solution: A New Class
The course will thoroughly cover the latest attacks, such as spear phishing, phishing, and whaling, and will be equipped with the most recent defensive cybersecurity tactics to fight the attacks. The combination of theory teaching enriched with a practical application of what students will experience firsthand is certain to stimulate engagement in the fine details of email cyber-threats. Mishra et al. (2018) say that by means of interactive assignments, such as mimicking phishing attackers and confronting real-life cases of management of cyber risk, the students will acquire the experience to understand and combat cyber risk. On top of that, an organization that will invite leaders in different fields to present lectures briefing students on the recent cybersecurity trends and practices will be provided. Most importantly, this will give students a taste of real-world issues, which, in turn, will supplement the theoretical knowledge of current cybersecurity challenges. Comment by Jack Downs: I would strike. Comment by Jack Downs: ...an organization...will be provided…” Is this referring to UMGC itself? Comment by Jack Downs: Strike comma
By explicitly focusing on hacking email, this educational course attempts to tackle a severe weakness in students’ cybersecurity curriculum. Students will gain problem-solving, pattern recognition, and critical thinking skills that will aid them in targeting, preventing, and managing email-based cybercrimes through individual instruction and practical sessions. However, as students pass the course, they will not only join but also be able to actively participate in implementing phishing, spear phishing, and whaling attack protection strategies. Thus, the students will be responsible for ensuring that the organization they are part of is secure by employing appropriate measures against the evolving cyber threats. Through training on targeted email threats, classes seek to close the gap in the cybersecurity curricula by enabling students with the required skills and knowledge to confront the ever-evolving cybersecurity threat landscape. An accumulation of appropriate training as well as practical learning activities will be an ideal method for students to acquire a comprehensive set of skills to identify, combat, and counter this kind of advanced email-based cyberattack (Alkhalil et al., 2021). Through the hands-on implementation of exercises and simulations, students will reinforce the idea of cyber attackers' tactical and technical methods, thereby improving their detection and dealing with the problems effectively. Comment by Jack Downs: This is a great place for a paragraph break. Comment by Jack Downs: This is a great place for a paragraph break.
Training, including literary attacks such as phishing, whale phishing, and spear phishing, gives the learner key competencies that he may use to build a career in information security (Prem & Reddy, 2019). With cybersecurity technology equipment and knowledge about the latest cyberattack patterns, graduates will be essential to making the cyber landscape more immune to cyber threats. This course will facilitate the fusion of power and knowledge needed to create cyber defenses that are fully capable of mitigating cyber risks. This will ultimately nurture the firm's overall resilience to possible security threats and, as a result, will contribute to the creation of a strong cyber-secured environment for all parties involved. Comment by Jack Downs: Literary?
Recommendation
Courses on combating spear phishing, phishing, and whaling attacks should be compulsorily integrated into the cybersecurity curriculum. Embracing such a strategy guarantees students the training to identify, counter, and manage advanced email-based cyber-attacks. Through this class, the information gap in the syllabus is filled as the students will receive the skill and intellect needed to become professionals in the cybersecurity field capable of securing their organizations with cyber threat dynamics. Comment by Jack Downs: So you are saying this should be a mandatory semester-long class? Comment by Jack Downs: This seems like an odd word choice. The course will increase a student’s intellect?
References
Alkhalil, Z., Hewage, C., Nawaf, L., & Khan, I. (2021). Phishing attacks: A recent comprehensive study and a new anatomy. Frontiers in Computer Science, 3, 563060.
Pienta, D., Thatcher, J. B., & Johnston, A. (2020). Protecting a whale in a sea of phish. Journal of information technology, 35(3), 214-231.
Prem, S. P., & Reddy, B. I. (2019). Phishing and anti-phishing techniques. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 6(7), 1446-1452.
Mishra, A. K., Tripathy, A. K., & Swain, S. (2018, December). Analysis and prevention of phishing attacks in cyberspace. In 2018 First International Conference on Secure Cyber Computing and Communication (ICSCCC) (pp. 430-434). IEEE.
Moesha – I’m not sure you’ve made a case that the contents of this course justify a full semester. Good work overall on the draft.
Your final short report is due seven days from the date of this file. If you have any questions about my comments, please let me know. 174.8 / 230
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