Programming Question

IT security is a major topic, as there are security breaches announced frequently that impact individuals and businesses. Using the following site, select a recent breach and review what took place and the impacts on individuals. On the site, click on any of the bubbles showing a breach and you will be taken directly to the article addressing the breach. In a 4-5 page APA-formatted paper, summarize the incident, focusing on the information that is breached rather than the technologies. Address why securing information is so important for individuals and businesses. Present 2-3 recommendations that you would make to better secure information and protect privacy.

Full Answer Section

     

APA Format Guidelines:

  • Title Page: Include the title, your name, course number, and date.
  • Abstract: A brief summary of the paper's content.
  • Introduction: Introduce the topic and provide a thesis statement.
  • Body: Develop the main points, citing sources as needed.
  • Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and reiterate the thesis.
  • References: List all sources cited in the paper, following APA style.

Note: To ensure the most relevant and up-to-date information, please replace "[Insert the specific website URL here]" with the actual URL of the website you're using. Additionally, be sure to cite your sources appropriately throughout your paper.

Sample Answer

     

Proposed Approach:

1. Select a Recent Breach:

  • Website: [Insert the specific website URL here]
  • Criteria: Choose a breach that has occurred within the past few months and has significant implications for individuals.

2. Analyze the Breach:

  • Key Information:
    • What information was breached? (e.g., personal data, financial information, medical records)
    • How many individuals were affected?
    • What was the cause of the breach? (e.g., hacking, insider threat, social engineering)
    • What steps did the organization take to respond to the breach?
    • What were the consequences for individuals? (e.g., identity theft, financial loss, emotional distress)

3. Address the Importance of Securing Information:

  • Personal Data: The value of personal data in today's digital age.
  • Financial Loss: The potential financial consequences of a data breach, including identity theft, fraudulent charges, and damage to credit scores.
  • Emotional Distress: The psychological impact of a data breach, such as anxiety, stress, and a sense of violation.
  • Business Reputation: The damage a data breach can cause to a company's reputation and customer trust.

4. Present Recommendations:

  • Stronger Security Measures: Suggest specific measures to enhance data security, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and regular security audits.
  • Employee Training: Emphasize the importance of employee training to prevent insider threats and promote awareness of security best practices.
  • Incident Response Planning: Recommend the development of comprehensive incident response plans to mitigate the impact of data breaches.