week 3 assignment
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Strayer University, Memphis *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
402
Subject
Information Systems
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
5
Uploaded by lajuain38670
Week 3 Assignment - Case Study 1: Information Security and the National Infrastructure
Lorenzo Windless
Strayer University
Homeland Security
Alanna Gordon
4/23/2023
Explain in your own words the information security concerns that exist in protecting the
United States' national infrastructure.
Information security should be taken as essential in attaining Information Security and
the National Infrastructure in the United States. The most targeted company in this topic will be
Oil and gas, where sub-sectors such as cybercriminals will be a point of focus regarding
infrastructural development. In this essay, I will explain rules and regulations that need to be
made to SCADA and companies, why cybercrime is most evident in gas companies, and why
information security is a factor in infrastructure security. In the United States, protecting national
security and taking note of information security will stabilize the economy and enhance national
security.
The systems put in place in IT to attain this goal are financial institutions, communication
firms, and transportation sectors (
Verhoef et al., 2021)
. Cybercrime can dominate the nation by
taking advantage of computer software, resulting in system slowdown, data breaches, and
unpleasant results. Employees with authorized access to the infrastructure's computer systems
can seriously harm the system through criminal actions like data theft, malware introduction, or
system disruption. Physical assaults like bombings, which can seriously damage the nation's
infrastructure and interrupt vital services, are risks. National calamities such as earthquakes and
floods can affect services and demolish infrastructure.
Describe why the author of the article says that the oil and gas industries are prime targets
for cyber criminals
—
more so than other infrastructures
—
and state whether or not you
agree and why.
Oil and gas firms are the primary targets of cyberbullying, as clearly stated by the author
of a book titled Info Security Magazine articles. This was a result of the overdependent of these
companies on computer services in carrying on with their daily operations, such as distributing
products and drilling resources.
The author further mentioned that these companies needed to invest more heavily in
information security than others (
Beechey and Teague,2023)
. I agree with the author because the
oil and gas sectors have been critical to America's economy and safety. Any disruption to their
operations might have serious repercussions. Furthermore, an attack on the oil and gas sectors
could knock on other crucial systems due to the interconnectedness of the country's
infrastructure.
Conclude why there is a need to regulate SCADA and industrial control systems and why
there is concern that this is not being dealt with appropriately.
SCADA and industrial control systems require regulation. Industrial control systems and
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) are crucial parts of the country's
infrastructure, and the provision of critical services depends on the effective operation of these
systems (
Kunonga, 2021)
. These systems are susceptible to cyber-attacks, resulting in data
breaches, system failures, and other undesirable outcomes. Regulations are required to maintain
the security and resilience of SCADA and industrial control systems.
Using the Strayer library or the Internet, find an article that either supports the need for
regulating SCADA or that discusses a recent attack. Discuss how this article validates the
need for tighter controls.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
The article "Microgrid cyber-security: Review and challenges toward resilience" by
Canaan, Colicchio, and Ould Abdeslam (2020) emphasizes the critical need for increased
security measures and regulations for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
systems. The authors discuss the significant risks and vulnerabilities that SCADA systems face,
including cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and human error. They argue that SCADA systems can
significantly threaten public safety and national security without proper security measures. The
article validates the need for tighter controls on SCADA systems by highlighting the increasing
frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks on these systems and the potential consequences of
such attacks. Implementing stricter regulations and security protocols can help mitigate these
risks and ensure the resilience of microgrid systems.
In conclusion, information security is essential for achieving the objective of protecting
the infrastructure of the State. Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted the nation's
infrastructure, and the oil and gas sector are one of the most vulnerable. SCADA and industrial
control systems must be regulated to maintain security and resiliency. A legislative framework is
required to establish uniform and efficient information security procedures since the absence of
rules in these areas has resulted in severe security concerns.
References
Beechey, A., & Teague, G. (2023).
USA-Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs &
Culture
. Kuperard.
Canaan, B., Colicchio, B., & Ould Abdeslam, D. (2020). Microgrid cyber-security: Review and
challenges toward resilience.
Applied Sciences
,
10
(16), 5649.
Kunonga, T. R. (2021).
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Automating Industrial Control Systems
or Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems
(Doctoral dissertation, Utica
College).
Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein,
M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research
agenda.
Journal of business research
,
122
, 889-901.