Advanced persistent threats $($APTs$)$ have been thrust into the spotlight due to their advanced tactics, techniques, procedures, and tools. These APTs are resourced unlike other types of cyber threat actors.

Part $1$: Threat Landscape Analysis

$$ Provide a detailed analysis of the threat landscape today.

$$ What has changed in the past few years?

$$ Describe common tactics, techniques, and procedures to include threat actor types.

$$ What are the exploit vectors and vulnerabilities threat actors are predicted to take advantage of$?$

Part $2$: APT Analysis

$$ Provide a detailed analysis and description of the APT your group was assigned. Describe the specific tactics used to gain access to the target$($s$).$

$$ Describe the tools used. Describe what the objective of the APT was$/$is$.$ Was it successful?

Part $3$: Cybersecurity Tools, Tactics, and Procedures

$$ Describe current hardware$-$ and software$-$based cybersecurity tools, tactics, and procedures.

$$ Consider the hardware and software solutions deployed today in the context of defense$-$in$-$depth.

$$ Elaborate on why these devices are not successful against the APTs.

Part $4$: Machine Learning and Data Analytics

$$ Describe the concepts of machine learning and data analytics and how applying them to cybersecurity will evolve the field.

$$ Are there companies providing innovative defensive cybersecurity measures based on these technologies? If so$,$ what are they? Would you recommend any of these to a Chief Technology Officer?

Part $5$: Using Machine Learning, Data Analytics, and Cryptography to Prevent APT

$$ Describe how machine learning and data analytics could have detected and$/$or prevented the APT you analyzed had the victim organization deployed these technologies at the time of the event. Be specific.