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School
Macquarie University *
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Course
897
Subject
Information Systems
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
13
Uploaded by chocochally
Table Of Content:
1.
Introduction
2.
Executive Summary
3.
Quantitative Analysis
4.
Project Concept
5.
Costs
6.
Major Risks
7.
Timescale
8.
Conclusion and References
9.
Introduction
1. Introduction:
Cybersecurity is one of the most important areas of study in today’s digital world. As
technology continues to advance, so do the risks and threats associated with it. It is
imperative that businesses and individuals protect themselves against cyber-attacks
and data breaches. With this in mind, we propose a cybersecurity project that will
benefit a select segment of the population and generate income for the entrepreneur.
2. Executive Summary:
This proposal outlines a cybersecurity project that aims to provide online security and
privacy for small businesses. The project will use a Weighted Scoring Model to evaluate
its viability, with a budget of less than $500,000 AUD. The project will be completed
within two years and is expected to generate income in the first year.
The project will benefit small businesses by providing them with a comprehensive
security system that will protect their sensitive data from cyber-attacks. This will be
achieved through the development of a software solution that is easy to use and
affordable for small businesses. The software will be developed using the latest
technologies and will be compatible with various operating systems.
3. Quantitative Analysis:
Quantitative analysis is an essential aspect of determining the viability of a project. In
this proposal, we will use a weighted scoring model to quantify the project's viability.
The weighted scoring model involves assigning a numerical value to each criterion
based on its relative importance and then calculating the overall score for the project.
The criteria used to evaluate the project's viability are as follows:
i.
Community Benefit - This criterion assesses the extent to which the project will
benefit a community or a specific segment of the population. It is given a weight of 30%
as it is the most critical criterion for receiving the grant.
ii.
Uniqueness - This criterion assesses the uniqueness of the project. It is given a
weight of 20% as it is an essential factor in determining the project's success.
iii.
Completion Time - This criterion evaluates the project's completion time, which
should not exceed two years. It is given a weight of 15%.
iv.
Budget - This criterion assesses the project's budget, which should not exceed
$500,000 AUD. It is given a weight of 10%.
v.
Income Generation - This criterion evaluates the project's potential to generate
income. It is given a weight of 15%.
vi.
Area of Study - This criterion evaluates the extent to which the project relates to
the applicant's area of study, which is cybersecurity. It is given a weight of 10%.
Each criterion is assigned a score from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score. The
scores are then multiplied by the corresponding weight, and the sum of the weighted
scores gives the overall score for the project.
The following table summarizes the scores and weights for each criterion:
Criterion
Weight
Score
Weighted Score
Community Benefit
30%
5
1.5
Uniqueness
20%
4
0.8
Completion Time
15%
5
0.75
Budget
10%
4
0.4
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Income Generation
15%
4
0.6
Area of Study
10%
5
0.5
The overall score for the project is calculated by summing the weighted scores, which is
4.55 out of 5.
Based on the weighted scoring model, the proposed cybersecurity project meets the
criteria set by Charles Darwin University for the small business grant. The project's high
score indicates that it is a viable and worthy investment that will benefit the community
and generate income while remaining within budget and completing within the given
timeframe.
4. Project Concepts
Objectives:
The proposed cybersecurity project has two primary objectives, which are as follows:
a.
Improve Cybersecurity Awareness: The first objective of the project is to improve
cybersecurity
awareness
among
individuals,
small
businesses,
and
non-profit
organizations. Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated and are evolving
rapidly, and many individuals and small businesses lack the necessary knowledge and
skills to protect themselves from cyber attacks. Therefore, the proposed project aims to
create a cybersecurity awareness program that will educate people about cybersecurity
threats, provide them with the necessary knowledge and tools to protect themselves,
and encourage them to adopt secure practices.
b.
Develop a Cybersecurity Platform: The second objective of the project is to
develop
a
cybersecurity
platform
that
provides
small
businesses
and
non-profit
organizations
with
affordable
and
effective
cybersecurity
solutions.
Many
small
businesses and non-profit organizations cannot afford to hire full-time cybersecurity
professionals or purchase expensive cybersecurity tools, leaving them vulnerable to
cyber attacks. Therefore, the proposed project aims to develop a platform that provides
these organizations with cost-effective cybersecurity solutions that are tailored to their
specific needs and requirements.
These objectives are aligned with the project's aim of promoting cybersecurity in the
community and generating income through the provision of cybersecurity solutions. By
improving cybersecurity awareness and developing a platform that provides affordable
cybersecurity solutions, the project will benefit the community and generate income for
the proposed business.
SWOT Analysis: SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to identify the
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a business venture. In the case of
the proposed cybersecurity project, the SWOT analysis is as follows:
Strengths:
Affordable
pricing
for
small
businesses:
The
cybersecurity
platform
will
provide
affordable pricing options for small businesses and non-profit organizations. This will
enable them to access cybersecurity solutions that are otherwise too expensive for
them to afford. This strength will be a key selling point for the platform.
•Easy-to-use software: The cybersecurity platform will be designed to be user-friendly
and
easy
to
use.
This
will
make
it
accessible
to
small
business
owners
and
non-technical personnel who lack expertise in cybersecurity. The ease of use will also
reduce the cost of training and support for the users.
•Compatibility with various operating systems: The cybersecurity platform will be
designed to work with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and
Linux. This compatibility will allow the platform to reach a broader market.
Weakness:
The weaknesses of the proposed cybersecurity project are as follows:
1.
Competition
from
established
cybersecurity
companies:
The
cybersecurity
market is highly competitive, with many established players offering similar products
and services.
2.
Need
for
ongoing
updates
and
maintenance:
Cybersecurity
threats
and
vulnerabilities are constantly evolving, which means that the project will need to be
updated and maintained regularly to stay ahead of these threats.
3.
Limited budget for marketing and advertising: The project has a limited budget
for marketing and advertising, which could make it difficult to reach its target audience
and compete with established companies.
4.
Dependence on the success of the initial launch: The success of the project will
depend on the success of its initial launch, which means that there is a significant risk
of failure if the launch is not successful.
Overall, the weaknesses of the proposed cybersecurity project highlight the challenges
and risks associated with launching a new venture in a competitive market. By
addressing
these
weaknesses
through
careful
planning,
resource
allocation,
and
strategic decision-making, the project can position itself for success and achieve its
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goal of providing affordable and accessible cybersecurity solutions to small businesses
and non-profit organizations.
Opportunities:
●
Expansion into other markets
●
Partnership with other businesses in the industry
●
Potential for recurring revenue through software updates and maintenance
●
Potential for growth through word-of-mouth marketing
Threats:
●
Rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape
●
Increasing competition from new entrants in the market
●
Economic downturns affecting small business spending
Changes in government regulations related to cybersecurity
Shareholders:
1.
Small businesses: Small businesses are the primary beneficiaries of the project,
as they are the target audience for the cybersecurity solutions being offered. Small
businesses are vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches, and often lack the
resources to invest in expensive cybersecurity solutions.
2.
Entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs are another important stakeholder group, as they
may be interested in investing in or partnering with the project. Entrepreneurs who are
interested in the cybersecurity industry or who have experience in starting and growing
businesses may see the project as a viable investment opportunity.
3.
Cybersecurity experts: Cybersecurity experts are critical stakeholders in the
project, as they will be involved in developing and testing the cybersecurity solutions
being offered. They will also play a key role in educating small businesses and non-profit
organizations about cybersecurity best practices and helping them implement effective
cybersecurity measures.
4.
Investors: Investors are important stakeholders in the project, as they will provide
the funding needed to launch and grow the venture. Investors may be attracted to the
project if they see the potential for high returns on their investment, or if they are
interested in supporting innovative and socially responsible business ventures.
5.
Software developers: Software developers are critical stakeholders in the project,
as they will be responsible for developing the cybersecurity solutions being offered.
They will need to have the skills and expertise required to develop secure and effective
software that meets the needs of small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Assumptions:
●
The software solution will be developed using the latest technologies.
●
The project will be completed within the two-year timeline.
●
There will be a high demand for the software solution.
●
The
project
will
generate
enough
revenue
to
cover
ongoing
updates
and
maintenance.
Constraints:
●
Budget limitations of $500,000 AUD.
●
Limited resources for marketing and advertising.
●
Dependence on the success of the initial launch.
5. Costs
The estimated cost of the project is $450,000 AUD. This includes the cost of developing
the software solution, marketing and advertising expenses, and ongoing updates and
maintenance. The cost was estimated based on research into the average costs of
software development projects and marketing and advertising expenses for small
businesses.
6. Major Risks
Risk 1: Rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape
Likelihood: High
Severity: High
Management Plan: Continual research and development to ensure the software solution
remains up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity threats.
Risk 2: Increasing competition from new entrants in the market
Likelihood: Medium
Severity: Medium
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Management Plan: Continuous improvement and innovation to ensure the software
solution remains competitive.
Risk 3: Economic downturns affecting small business spending
Likelihood: Low
Severity: High
Management Plan: Diversification of revenue streams, including potential partnerships
with other businesses in the industry.
Risk 4: Changes in government regulations related to cybersecurity
Likelihood: Low
Severity: Medium
Management
Plan:
Continuous
monitoring of government regulations related to
cybersecurity to ensure compliance and adaptation to any changes.
Risk 5: Dependence on the success of the initial launch
Likelihood: High
Severity: High
Management Plan: Thorough market research and testing prior to launch to ensure the
software solution meets the needs of small businesses and is competitive in the
market. Ongoing updates and improvements based on customer feedback.
7. TimeScale:
The estimated time to complete the project is two years. The proposed cybersecurity
project involves several major milestones that must be achieved in order to successfully
launch and grow the venture. These milestones include:
1.
Development of the software solution: The first major milestone of the project is
the development of the cybersecurity software solution. This will involve designing and
coding the software, as well as integrating it with various operating systems and
ensuring that it meets the needs of small businesses and non-profit organizations. The
development phase will require a team of skilled software developers and cybersecurity
experts, as well as access to the necessary hardware and software tools.
2.
Testing and quality assurance: Once the software solution has been developed, it
will need to undergo rigorous testing and quality assurance to ensure that it is secure,
effective,
and
user-friendly.
This
will
involve
testing
the
software
in
various
environments and scenarios, identifying and fixing any bugs or vulnerabilities, and
ensuring that it meets industry standards and best practices for cybersecurity.
3.
Marketing
and
advertising
campaign:
In
order
to
successfully
launch
the
software solution, the project will need to develop and execute a comprehensive
marketing and advertising campaign. This will involve identifying and targeting potential
customers, developing a strong brand identity and messaging, and creating marketing
materials and campaigns that effectively communicate the benefits of the software
solution.
4.
Launch of the software solution: The launch of the software solution represents a
major milestone in the project, as it represents the point at which the product becomes
available to customers. This will require careful planning and execution, including
ensuring that the software is available for download or purchase through various
channels, providing customer support and training, and monitoring customer feedback
and reviews.
5.
Ongoing updates and maintenance: Finally, the project will need to continue to
provide updates and maintenance for the software solution in order to ensure that it
remains secure and effective over time. This will involve monitoring for new threats and
vulnerabilities, providing regular software updates and patches, and providing ongoing
customer support and training.
8. Conclusion:
In conclusion, the proposed cybersecurity project will benefit small businesses by
providing them with a comprehensive security system that will protect their sensitive
data from cyber-attacks. The project is expected to generate income and meet the
criteria set by Charles Darwin University for the small business grant.
References:
●
Chaturvedi, A. (2020). How much does it cost to develop custom software.
Retrieved
from
https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-develop-custo
m-software
●
Sujan,
S.
(2021).
Small
business
marketing: A complete guide with
templates
and
tactics.
Retrieved
from
https://www.singlegrain.com/small-business-marketing/small-business-m
arketing/
●
BSI.
(2019).
Small
business
cyber
security
survey.
Retrieved
from
https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/blog/Small-Business-Big-Threats-Blog/
Small-Business-Cyber-Security-Survey/
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●
Cisco.
(2020).
Small
Business
Cybersecurity:
The
Definitive
Guide.
Retrieved
from
https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en_us/products/collateral/security/small-
business-cybersecurity/pdf/Small-Business-Cybersecurity-The-Definitive-G
uide.pdf
●
National
Cyber
Security
Alliance.
(2020).
Cybersecurity
Awareness
Resources
for
Small
Businesses.
Retrieved
from
https://staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-resources-for-small-b
usinesses/
●
Small
Business
Administration.
(2021).
Cybersecurity
for
Small
Businesses.
Retrieved
from
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/cybersecurit
y
●
Symantec.
(2018).
Internet
Security
Threat
Report.
Retrieved
from
https://www.symantec.com/security-center/threat-report