CYSE 200T – How do engineers make cyber networks safer?

System security engineering is essentially laced with everyday utilities such as power grids and fiber optic internet services. These engineering systems can use the SCADA systems to monitor live readings from the systems, and analyze the data for the best practices for efficiency and safety. With the advancement of these systems utilizing RTUs that provide information to the SCADA systems, there is a massive benefit. The systems engineer would use the SCADA to observe the system, and make intelligent decisions on adjustment. In the Systems Security Engineering article, it is stated that the engineers must have a discipline to have a thorough understanding of a problem when they arise, and consider all of the feasible solution options before acting on the solution.

For a thorough analysis of an engineer to make a cyber network safer, they have to participate in all stages of engineering systems implementation. The obvious first encounter is when new systems are being set up. The engineer analyzes the feasibility of the new system in relation to the current engineering process, studies all of the alternatives, and analyzes the potential impact of the new system. The engineer at this stage provides proper security contribution at the concept level.

The other stage in the modification to the current systems. Engineers can participate to reactive modifications to the engineering systems when there are disruptions to the systems. When a cyber-attack happens to a system, the threat is assessed, along with the impact of the attack, then a solution to resume operations. This will make the cyber networks safer by potentially identifying threats and vulnerabilities, and attempting to provide a proper protection from the threat.

Engineers can also contribute to the safety of a cyber network by providing planned upgrades. These system upgrades can provide new capability for the system, with new ways to adjust the specifications of the systems, and provide new reactive methods for protection of the cyber networks.

CYSE 200T – Describe three ways that computers have made the world safer and less safe.

The usage of computers have completely changed the landscape of the world. Single computational devices have assisted greatly in very specific tasks, and with the implementation of connecting the computer across the world, it has evolved the way everything is done, and how we all interact with each other. With this evolving technology, it has provided both safe spaces for systems, but also in some ways created new avenues for less safe world spaces.

One way that computer have made the world safer is immediate verification of identity. In the cyber security realm, this is confirming Who you are. With computers, they can store an identifying photo, and confirm the person somewhere else via a secure connection for verification.

Another example of computer making the world safer if by gathering immense amounts of data of criminal justice. With the usage of computers, there is extensive criminal science data being analyzed to pinpoint behaviors, and how to administer law enforcement more effectively.

Then another way that computer make the world safer is the electronic features certain financial transactions can take place. Applications that utilize digital transactions prevent people from carrying around cash all day, and have reduced the amounts of theft of cash.

Even though those are just a few of the many examples of how computer make the world safer, there are examples of how it has made the world less safe. One example is that computers have gathered such an immense amount of user data, that it attracts attackers to attempt to steal the information. People’s sensitive credit information has been leaked, creating an unsafe environment for their financial position.

Computers also make the world less safe for the fact that governments can carry out sophisticated cyber attacks on another country. The real world example is the Russian government attacked the Ukrainian power grid, which now has severe unsafe consequences.

Finally, another aspect of un safeness due to computers is the breach of security of information for people’s personal information for location and identity. There have been attackers on the internet that have pinpointed where people live, and figure out how to break into their homes for burglary.