The Case Study – Network Security Planning and Upgrade
This individual assessment for the Network Security module requires students to work as network consultants and carry out network and security planning and an upgrade for an imaginary company. The assignment is titled “The Case study” and requires students to produce a written report presenting solutions to the problems identified within the case study. The assessment is worth 15 credits and requires approximately 1,500 words, with a permitted variation of ±10%. The coursework focuses on applying network security concepts and protocols to contemporary Internet and mobile-based solutions and technologies. Students are expected to analyse the requirements of the imaginary organisation, identify relevant network and security issues and propose appropriate planning and upgrade solutions. The report should demonstrate an understanding of network security technologies while considering the organisation's information assets and operational requirements. A significant part of the assessment concerns network performance. Students must provide recommendations and suggestions for addressing network performance issues identified in the case study. Where the proposed solution changes the existing network design, an appropriate network diagram should be included. The brief allows students to use tools such as Packet Tracer or other suitable applications to represent the proposed network design. The assignment also requires students to consider security policy and network protection. The existing security policy should be reviewed and recommendations should be made for improving it. Students are specifically instructed not to create a completely new security policy because the organisation already has one. In addition, the report should discuss how appropriate security measures could be implemented across the network. Detailed device configurations are not required, although relevant examples or configuration snippets are encouraged. Because the information provided in the case study is incomplete, students must identify and document their assumptions and requirements. This includes defining unspecified parameters such as network speeds, device features and existing policy details. The assumptions and requirements section is therefore an important part of the investigation and contributes to the assessment mark. The final report should summarise the key findings of the investigation and may recommend how any remaining IT support budget could be used. References must be included and used effectively to support the discussion. The marking criteria allocate 10% to the introduction, 10% to assumptions and requirements, 20% to improving performance, 20% to policy amendments, 20% to securing the network, 10% to the conclusion/summary and 10% to references. The assessed learning outcomes cover the application of network security concepts and protocols, critical evaluation and design of security policies, understanding of IT governance and its influence on organisational security policy, and critical review of current research and technological advances in network security. The brief also permits AI assistance, but any AI tools used must be referenced and their use summarised at the end of the report before the reference list.
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