CST Ethics

 

 

 

 

1. Activity: Technical analysis – Before the ethical questions can be considered, the students might consider several immediate technical questions that will help inform the discussion on ethical issues. A sample data set or similar technical problem could be used for this analysis. For example: 

 

 

[Is it possible to ascertain whether a breach has happened, and data has been accessed?] 

• Detecting the Breach: Check for signs that someone might have accessed information they shouldn't have, like unusual activity in system logs or unexpected data transfers. 

So, in this situation, if I were investigating a potential breach: 

• Examine System Logs: Review system logs for any unusual or irregular activities. Look for login attempts from unfamiliar locations or at odd hours, multiple failed login attempts, or any activities outside the ordinary patterns. 

• Monitor Data Transfers: Keep an eye on data transfer logs for any unexpected or unusually large data movements. This could indicate data being exfiltrated from the system. 

• Analyze Access Records: Check the access records to identify any unauthorized access or changes in user permissions. Check for accounts that shouldn't have certain levels of access attempting to retrieve sensitive information. 

[What data may have been compromised?] 

• Finding Out What's Compromised: Figure out what information might have been accessed. Was it financial data, personal details, or something else? 

To ascertain what information might have been accessed in a potential breach: 

• Identify Potentially Compromised Data Types: Review the types of data stored or processed within the affected systems. This includes financial records, personal information, transaction details, or any sensitive data the system handles. 

• Consult Data Protection Policies: Refer to existing data protection policies and regulations to understand the level of severity and legal implications of the potential data breach. 

• Engage Experts if Necessary: If there's uncertainty about the extent of the breach or the data compromised, consider involving cybersecurity experts or forensic analysts to perform a detailed investigation and determine the scope of the information accessed. 

 

[Is a breach of this kind preventable, and could it be better prevented in the future?] 

 

• Stopping Future Breaches: Take steps to prevent this from happening again. That might mean fixing security holes or making the system more secure. 

 

To prevent a breach of this nature and strengthen security measures for the future: 

 

• Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly update a detailed incident response plan. This plan should outline the steps to be taken in case of a breach, including containment, communication protocols, and recovery procedures. 

• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA wherever feasible. Require additional verification steps beyond passwords, such as SMS codes or biometric authentication, to access sensitive systems or data. 

• Patch and Update: Ensure all software and firmware across the network-connected appliances and devices are up to date. Frequently, security vulnerabilities are patched in updated versions of software or firmware. 

 

[Has the security been subject to a hack or is the data not secure?] 

• Figuring Out What Went Wrong: Understand how this happened. Was it a hack, or were there weak spots in security? 

To ascertain whether the security was compromised due to a hack or if the data was inherently insecure: 

• Review Security Protocols: Evaluate the existing security measures and protocols in place. Assess if they were robust enough or if they were improperly configured, allowing for the breach. 

• Forensic Analysis: Conduct a detailed forensic investigation to determine the root cause of the breach. This involves examining logs, system records, and any available evidence to trace the intrusion path. 

[Has the problem now been rectified, and all data secured?] 

 

• Fixing the Issue: Once you know what happened, take immediate action to secure everything and make sure it doesn't happen again. 

To ensure the problem has been rectified and all data is secured: 

 

• Patch Vulnerabilities: Address identified vulnerabilities or security gaps promptly. Apply necessary patches, updates, or configuration changes to fortify the system against similar breaches. 

• Security Testing: Perform rigorous penetration testing and security audits to validate the effectiveness of the implemented changes and ensure there are no lingering vulnerabilities. 

• Continuous Monitoring: Set up continuous monitoring systems to detect any unusual activities or potential threats. Establish alerts for suspicious behavior to enable rapid responses to any future security incidents. 

 

 

If your data gets exposed in the UK: 

• Tell the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office): There's a group called the ICO that handles data rights. If the breach is serious and could harm people's rights, you might need to tell them within 72 hours (about 3 days) of finding out about it. 

• Tell Affected People: If the breach might seriously hurt people, like causing them to lose money or have their identity stolen, you might need to tell those people directly. 

The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), a set of rules, says you must judge how bad the breach is and report it if it could harm people. It's important to know these rules and get advice from experts to follow the right steps.

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