Applied cyber security
Categories
Skills
Project scope
What is the main goal for this project?
The goal of this project is to evaluate the cybersecurity posture of a small-to-medium business (SMB) or a simulated organizational environment to ensure it is adequately protected against potential cyber threats. Learners will begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the organization’s current security infrastructure, policies, and practices. This includes identifying existing vulnerabilities, analyzing potential threats, and evaluating the likelihood and impact of various risks. Using established cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST or ISO/IEC 27001, learners will then develop a detailed, prioritized mitigation plan that outlines specific actions to strengthen security controls, reduce risk exposure, and enhance overall resilience. The final deliverable will provide the organization with a clear, actionable roadmap to improve its cybersecurity posture in alignment with industry best practices.
The goal of this project is to evaluate the cybersecurity posture of a small-to-medium business (SMB) or a simulated organizational environment to ensure it is adequately protected against potential cyber threats. Learners will begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of the organization’s current security infrastructure, policies, and practices. This includes identifying existing vulnerabilities, analyzing potential threats, and evaluating the likelihood and impact of various risks. Using established cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST or ISO/IEC 27001, learners will then develop a detailed, prioritized mitigation plan that outlines specific actions to strengthen security controls, reduce risk exposure, and enhance overall resilience. The final deliverable will provide the organization with a clear, actionable roadmap to improve its cybersecurity posture in alignment with industry best practices.
What tasks will students need to complete to achieve the project goal?
- Cybersecurity Assessment Report: A detailed report evaluating the current cybersecurity posture of the organization or simulated environment, including an inventory of assets, identified vulnerabilities, and associated risks.
- Risk Analysis Matrix: A visual and analytical breakdown of identified threats, including likelihood, impact, and risk levels to help prioritize remediation efforts.
- Mitigation Plan: A prioritized action plan recommending specific technical, administrative, and policy-based controls to address identified vulnerabilities. The plan will be aligned with recognized industry standards such as NIST or ISO/IEC 27001.
- Framework Alignment Summary: A summary of how the organization's current and proposed cybersecurity practices align with selected frameworks, highlighting compliance gaps and improvement areas.
- Presentation of Findings: A clear, professional presentation summarizing the key findings, risks, and recommended actions, tailored for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Optional Security Awareness Briefing: A short educational resource or briefing to help the organization improve cybersecurity awareness among staff, if applicable.
Outcomes include a clearer understanding of the organization's cybersecurity risks, a roadmap for strengthening defenses, and improved readiness to protect sensitive data and operations.
- Cybersecurity Assessment Report: A detailed report evaluating the current cybersecurity posture of the organization or simulated environment, including an inventory of assets, identified vulnerabilities, and associated risks.
- Risk Analysis Matrix: A visual and analytical breakdown of identified threats, including likelihood, impact, and risk levels to help prioritize remediation efforts.
- Mitigation Plan: A prioritized action plan recommending specific technical, administrative, and policy-based controls to address identified vulnerabilities. The plan will be aligned with recognized industry standards such as NIST or ISO/IEC 27001.
- Framework Alignment Summary: A summary of how the organization's current and proposed cybersecurity practices align with selected frameworks, highlighting compliance gaps and improvement areas.
- Presentation of Findings: A clear, professional presentation summarizing the key findings, risks, and recommended actions, tailored for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Optional Security Awareness Briefing: A short educational resource or briefing to help the organization improve cybersecurity awareness among staff, if applicable.
Outcomes include a clearer understanding of the organization's cybersecurity risks, a roadmap for strengthening defenses, and improved readiness to protect sensitive data and operations.