Issues of usefulness and security

118 views 9:05 am 0 Comments August 18, 2023

Paper #1: Can we ensure that Open Data is useful AND secure?

Scenario:

A federal agency has asked your cybersecurity consulting firm to provide it with a white paper that discusses the issues of usefulness and security in regards to Open Data. The white paper is intended for a group of executives at the agency who are opposed to the planned conversion of its current controlled distribution for several highly valuable and frequently requested datasets (DVDs purchased through the Government Printing Office) to OPEN Data distribution via the government’s Data.Gov portal (website). Currently, these data sets are purchased by businesses and academic institutions and are used for a variety of purposes.

A customer satisfaction survey revealed that purchasers are willing to change over to the new Open Data distribution method for data sets. But, the agency head has received phone calls from several large and politically well-connected customers who expressed concerns about potential issues with the integrity and authenticity of downloaded data. The agency’s executives were also surveyed and they provided the following security-related items in a list of concerns for the planned conversion to an Open Data delivery method:

a.  Confidentiality / Privacy (ensuring proper redaction)

b.  Data integrity

c.  Data authenticity

d.  Availability (reliability) of the Open Data service (website)

e.  Non-repudiation of data sets

Research:

1. Read / Review the weekly readings.

2. Research the federal government’s OPEN Data mandate. Here are some sources that you may find useful:

a. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/2013/m-13-13.pdf (includes significant discussion of security issues and policy solutions including references to FIPS 199 and NIST SP-800-53)

b. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/us_open_data_action_plan.pdf

c. http://www.data.gov

d. http://www.data.gov/privacy-policy#data_policy

e. https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/memoranda/2014/m-14-06.pdf

3. Research how government information, e.g. OPEN Data, is used by businesses and the general public. Here are some sources to get you started:

a. 7 Ways Companies Are Using the Government’s Open Data http://mashable.com/2013/05/30/7-ways-government-open-data/

b. Government open data proves a treasure trove for savvy businesses http://www.computerworld.com/article/2488683/business-intelligence-government-open-data-proves-a-treasure-trove-for-savvy-businesses.html

c. Open data: Unlocking innovation and performance with liquid information http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/open_data_unlocking_innovation_and_performance_with_liquid_information

4. Research the issues that can arise when businesses depend upon the confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of government provided Open Data. Suggested sources include:

a. Authenticating Digital Government Information http://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1954&context=law-faculty-publications

b. Legal and Institutional Challenges for Opening Data Across Public Sectors http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=iih&AN=97430297&site=eds-live&scope=site

c. Risk Analysis to Overcome Barriers to Open Data http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=poh&AN=93550378&site=eds-live&scope=site

d. Reconciling Contradictions of Open Data Regarding Transparency, Privacy, Security and Trust http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=iih&AN=97430299&site=eds-live&scope=site

5. Find five or more best practice recommendations for ensuring the security (confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, non-repudiation) of information provided by the federal government through its OPEN Data initiative.  N.B. For the purposes of this assignment, you may treat “licensing” concerns as an “availability” issue.

Write:

Write a five (5) to eight (8) page summary of your research. You should focus upon clarity and conciseness more than length when determining what content to include in your paper. At a minimum, your summary must include the following:

1. An introduction or overview of OPEN Data which provides definitions and addresses the laws, regulations, and policies which require federal agencies to identify and publish datasets and information collections. Discuss the role of the executive branch’s Open Data / Open Government policies in making data available via Data.Gov. This introduction should be suitable for an executive audience.

2. A separate section in which you discuss the value (benefits) of Open Data. This section should provide several specific examples of how government provided Open Data is being used by businesses and the general public.

3. A separate section in which you address security issues (confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation ) which can impact the usefulness of Open Data and how these issues are currently being addressed by the federal policies and plans for Open Data. Again, you should provide examples of issues and mitigations or solutions.

4. A section in which you address best practice recommendations for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of Open Data.

Additional Information

1. Your white paper should use standard terms and definitions for cybersecurity concepts. The following sources are recommended:

• ISACA Glossary http://www.isaca.org/pages/glossary.aspx

• Guidelines on Security and Privacy in Public Cloud Computing http://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-144.pdf

2. You are expected to credit your sources using in-text citations and reference list entries. Both your citations and your reference list entries must comply with APA 6th edition Style requirements. Failure to credit your sources will result in penalties.

3. Use APA 6th edition style (formatting) for the organization and appearance of the MS Word document that you submit to your assignment folder. This includes margins, section headings, and consistent use of fonts (Times New Roman 12 in black), paragraph styles (first line indent by ½ inch), and line spacing (double). Your file should contain both a title page and a separate References page. Use page breaks to ensure that the title page and references page are separate from the body of the paper.

4. You are expected to write grammatically correct English in every assignment that you submit for grading. Do not turn in any work without (a) using spell check, (b) using grammar check, (c) verifying that your punctuation is correct and (d) reviewing your work for correct word usage and correctly structured sentences and paragraphs. These items are graded under Professionalism and constitute 15% of the assignment grade.

 

 

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