Impact of Cybercrime on Information Security

Write an essay on the Cyber Crimes.
 

 A Cybercrime can be defined as  any  crime  that involves  any digital equipment, a computing  device to be  very specific, irrespective  of the  fact that  whether a computer system  has been utilized for conducting the crime or   a computer device (or a network) itself has become the victim of any  criminal  activity (Broadhurst et al. 2014). 

 The principle objective of this paper is to provide in depth information about a proposed research   work aimed at finding efficient methods for preventing cybercrimes. The report provides insight   into the problem domain, along with the purpose and justification of conducting the research work. The research questions have also been defied in this paper, along with the research   methods to be utilized in conducting   the research work. Last but not least the estimated duration of the project along, with the work breakdown structure and the risk matrix of the project would also be mentioned in the report.  

2.1 Problem domain

Authors Broadhurst and  Chang  (2013) are  opined that the number of cyber crimes reported  in the last few   years  has  forced  information security experts  to  conduct serious research  woks  in the said domain:   however, the  authors firmly believe that  the  over dependency of  the  Government agencies  and the business organizations  on  information technology tools is the primary  reason behind  the  sudden rise in the number of  cyber crimes.

Researchers Gordon  et al. (2014) are of the opinion   that business organizations   should   consider and develop strategies so as  avoid be being the victims  of  cyber crimes: hence they  have emphasized on the strategies for  the prevention of cybercrime, along  with  the use of digital forensic technologies for the identification of the  sources of such  crimes and the collection of evidences. 

Thus it can be said that the fact that several research works are currently being conducted in the field of cyber crime and prevention indicates the significance of the domain: hence conducting a research project on the said topic is justified. 

The aim of the proposed research work would be   to unveil the reason behind the sudden rise in cyber crime activities in the last couple of  years, such that efforts can be  made towards the prevention of  such incidents.  The researchers  would emphasize  on the motivation  with  which the cyber criminals  launch   such attacks and the sophisticated tools and techniques which aid them  in  the successful conduction  of  cyber crime. Needless to say, the efforts made by the researchers would be directed towards   finding efficient methods for reducing (or completely avoiding) cybercrime activities.

The objectives of the research project in consideration are being enlisted below:

1. To conduct in depth survey of existing literary and scholarly articles so as pinpoint  the motivation  with which cyber crimes are being committed.
2. To identify the reason behind the success of the intrusions that have been reported in the recent past, along with thousands of others that have not been detected.
3. To identify the methods which can be utilized for avoiding cyber crimes in an efficient manner.

The supervisor or the sponsor associated with the project need not recommend the project, as the project has already been approved by the University and is being conducted in accordance to the   norms and regulations of the said authority.

It is expected that  proposed research  would be  successful at  revealing the factors that have influenced the  sudden  rise in the number  of cyber crimes  reported in the last  few years, along  with  the identification of the strategies that  would be helpful in changing the trend.

Strategies for Cybercrime Prevention

The results of the research work would indeed help those business organizations and government offices that have experienced breaches in their secured computer networks. On the other hand, the finding of this project is expected to encourage further research work   in the very same domain.   

Thus, the selection of the research domain is justified.

The   proposed research work would be aimed at finding the solutions of the following research questions:

1. What are the primary motivations of the cybercriminals behind intruding secured computer networks?
2. Why is the success rate of cyber criminals so high and why do cyber crimes get undetected for long periods of time?
3. What methods can be used for avoiding cyber crimes in an efficient manner?

Figure: Conceptual Framework

5.1 Research methods  

The researchers have decided to conduct an exploratory research work, using the post-positivism philosophy. Since the primary objective of the research work is to   identify the   methods that can be utilized in  reducing   the number  of cyber crimes, the selection of the research  methodology  is justified (Robson  & McCartan,  2016) .

5.2 Data collection

Researchers Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault (2015)  are of the opinion that the process of data collection facilitates the process of penetrating into the topic being researched on.  Author Panneerselvam  (2014) has seconded the opinion, besides differentiating all data sources into  the following  two classes:

Primary sources of data: Raw data collected from individuals who are associated with the research domain are considered to be primary data (Blumberg, Cooper & Schindler, 2014).  The researchers would  conduct  interviews  with  IT  security personnel  and  authorities of  organizations that have  experienced cyber crimes in the  past so as    collect data regarding  such attacks.

The researchers would also create questionnaires and post them in public forums so to collect data from other IT professionals willing to participate in the survey. 

Secondary sources of data: Information collected from the existing literary articles would be utilized in  the research work.

5.3 Ethical issues

1. The names and other personal identities of the IT professionals being interviewed would not be released in public.
2. The information collected from the said professional would be utilized for research purpose only (Billig & Waterman, 2014). 
3. The researchers would not influence the IT professionals in any manner whatsoever.

5.4 Compliance of requirements

The research work has to abide by the following rules set up by the University:

1. The researchers would not be able to publish any sensitive information collected during the research work in any public forum (Pickard, 2012).
2. The researchers would not be able to interview any person having past records of conducting cyber crimes.

5.5 Analysis of data

he information collected from the primary sources of data would be analyzed using the under-mentioned techniques:

1. Quantitative analysis: The data collected from the secondary sources of data would be interpreted and analyzed using the following tools (Tuohy et al. 2013):
2. descriptive statistics’
3. regression analysis
4. Qualitative analysis: Qualitative analysis techniques would be utilize to collect the information available from the research papers and other existing literary articles (Salaberry & Comajoan,  2013). 

6.1    Deliverables

The deliverables of the project under consideration are being mentioned in the following list:

1. The project proposal document depicting the aims and objectives of the research study to be conducted, the rationale for selecting the said domain and the information collected during the background study.
2. The estimated time, budget and other resources required to conduct the project successfully.
3. The progress report of the project, submitted in regular intervals.
4. Presentations documenting the significant findings of the research work.
5. A well documented final project report describing the aims and objectives of the project work, the methods and techniques used in conducting  the research work, the  data  collected during the process and  information gained from the process of data analysis, along   with the  all  findings of the research work. 

6.2 Work Breakdown Structure

The activities associated with the project have been identified   in the following Work Breakdown Structure:

Figure: Work Breakdown Structure of the project

6.3 Risk Analysis

The risks associated with the project have been discussed in the table below:

Table:  Risks associated with the project

6.4 Duration

The estimated time duration required for the project has been provided in the table below:

Table:  Estimated duration of the project.

Anfara Jr, V. A., & Mertz, N. T. (Eds.). (2014). Theoretical frameworks in qualitative research. Sage Publications.

Billig, S. H., & Waterman, A. S. (Eds.). (2014). Studying service-learning: Innovations in education research methodology. Routledge.

Blumberg, B. F., Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business research methods. McGraw-hill education.

Broadhurst, R., & Chang, L. Y. (2013). Cybercrime in Asia: trends and challenges. In Handbook of Asian criminology (pp. 49-63). Springer New York.

Broadhurst, R., Grabosky, P., Alazab, M., Bouhours, B., & Chon, S. (2014). An Analysis of the Nature of Groups Engaged in Cyber Crime. An Analysis of the Nature of Groups engaged in Cyber Crime, International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 8(1), 1-20.

Clark, V. L. P., & Creswell, J. W. (2014). Understanding research: A consumer’s guide. Pearson Higher Ed.

Gordon, G. R., Hosmer, C. D., Siedsma, C., & Rebovich, D. (2014). Assessing technology, methods, and information for committing and combating cyber crime.

Lushey, C. J., & Munro, E. R. (2014). Participatory peer research methodology: An effective method for obtaining young people’s perspectives on transitions from care to adulthood?. Qualitative Social Work, 1473325014559282.

2.2 Purpose and justification