In today's hyper-connected world, malicious software poses an ever-increasing risk to organizations across sectors. From ransomware crippling operations to spyware leaking confidential information, these malevolent programs are not just a technical nuisance but a critical business risk. Berwicq is no exception to this vulnerability.

The company's absence of a robust cybersecurity framework and the recent data breach incident expose the crucial need for both technical and non-technical measures to mitigate risks. It's no longer sufficient to install antivirus software and hope for the best; the modern landscape requires a layered, holistic approach.

This assignment aims to guide you through the process of assessing the risk posed by various types of malicious software to Berwicq. You will analyze how these threats could compromise the company's data and systems, impacting the triad of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Equipped with this understanding, you will then develop a mitigation plan to address these vulnerabilities.

By the end of this assignment, you'll have a thorough understanding of how malicious software can jeopardize an organization like Berwicq and what multi-layered strategies can be implemented to counter these risks effectively.

Preparation Steps

1. List types of malicious software that could potentially affect Berwicq. These can range from ransomware to spyware.
2. For each type of malicious software, analyze how Berwicq's current infrastructure and policies make the company vulnerable. Use real-world examples to support your assessment.
3. Evaluate the potential impact on Berwicq's confidentiality, integrity, and availability if such malicious software were successfully deployed.
4. Explore technical solutions (e.g. access controls, etc.) and non-technical (e.g. policies, procedures, and awareness programs) solutions that can reduce the risks. This could involve employee training, incident response plans, or regular audits.

Delivery Steps

Present your findings and recommendations in the form of a business document. The document should be clear, concise, and geared toward an audience of company executives who may not have a deep technical background. Aim for at least words of content (not including references). It is acceptable to enlist the help of Generative AI (GenAI) tools such as Open AI's ChatGPT or Google's Bard in crafting the document, but you will have to give the GenAI tool the data you have collected in the preparation steps and review what the tool gives you. These tools do not reliably list source references so you will need to find and include those yourself.

1. Executive Summary
   • Briefly summarize the problem, key findings, and recommendations
2. Introduction
   • Explain the purpose and importance of the document for Berwicq.
3. Types of Malicious Software
   • List and describe the types of malicious software that could affect Berwicq.
4. Vulnerability Analysis
   • For each type of malicious software, discuss how Berwicq's current setup exposes the company to risks. Use real-world examples for credibility.
5. Impact Assessment
   • Discuss the potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability if such malicious software were to breach Berwicq's systems.
6. Mitigation Strategies
   • Suggest policies, procedures, and awareness programs to reduce risks. Include a subsection on Access Controls and how they can serve as technical solutions for mitigating risks of malicious software.
7. Conclusion
   • Sum up key points and emphasize the need for immediate action on the recommended mitigation strategies.
8. Appendices
   • Include any charts, graphs, or additional data that support your analysis.
9. References
   • List all external sources and references.