Cybersecurity Response

reply to discussion post belowCandis,Cybersecurity fits within all aspects of our connected-CIKR sectors, however, I believe the key to understanding the cyber environment, and subsequently securing it both defensively and offensively, is to realize that the cyber universe does operate in a manner were our tired and true SIGINT, IMINT, MASINT or HUMIT means of intelligence gathering will be effective.Cyber warfare is ‘fought’ with computers, machines; technology and our CIKR should be viewed from the standpoint of the actual systems that we use to connect us to the assets that are actually critical.We are spending way too much money. First, we should shift our focus away from mainly investing in new technology to maintain and operate the network, to investing in new technology designed to analyze digital threats, which would then lend itself to threat forecasting, THEN, we could shift our posture to that of offense.Last year, the Fed spent more than 80% of the budget for IT on Operations and Maintenance for our “aging legacy systems,” and only 20% percent on Development, Modernization, and Enhancement.This ‘state’ of our Federal IT systems in these threat conditions significantly increases our exposure to risk in the cyber environment.Federal legacy IT investments are simply obsolete yet many agencies are using outdated software languages and have hardware that’s not even manufactured anymore.Some agencies are using systems and components at least 50 years old which is unacceptable.Check this out; the DoD still use 8-inch floppy disks in a system that coordinates the operational functions of our nuclear forces. Floppy disks? Really? The Treasury Dep employs code initially used in the 50’s. The VA is using systems over 50 years old and the Social Security Administration is using 31-year-old software.If our Gov would fund innovation, partner via Public Private Partnerships, which is an emerging area for new enterprises, or STEM projects at our Universities and laboratories, we could pivot from defense to offense and finally secure our network of CIKR.I mean we helped fixed the ozone layer, which, by the way, is repairing itself; surely, we can create ‘cyber architecture’ that gathers and accurately analyzes threats, and design code that only recognizes and protects US Federal systems, and seeks and destroys alien attempts at intrusion?I believe we can do anything in this country.  

ELAC Light and Color Chiaroscuro and Tenebrism Discussion

I’m working on a art writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. Discussion Ch. 7: on Light and ColorChiaroscuro and TenebrismWhat do these terms mean?  How did Renaissance artists used light by incorporating these two techniques?  Use two specific examples in which the artists deliberately use these techniques.  What did the artist achieve?  Try using examples outside your textbook.Below is the chapter 7 is already provided on canvas so please access that .  

AU American History The Election of 1848 & Its Significance Essay

Instructions Timeline Project After reviewing the Unit VII materials, you should be familiar with some events that shaped Western Expansion and the Antebellum South. Take a look at the 1793-1857 timeline here. For this assignment, you will pick one of the events identified on the timeline and discuss how that event prompted a change in national philosophies or ideals. In addition to discussing a specific event from the timeline, you will also want to take into consideration how the nation’s views had evolved to the point of the event you choose. Incorporating ideas and related concepts from previous units may help you develop your ideas. Below are the steps you will need to take in order to successfully complete this assignment.Step 1: Choose an event.Choose an event from the timeline above that interests you the most. Your research will surround this event, so it is important to think about what you want to learn more about.Step 2: Conduct research.Conduct research around the event you chose. For this assignment, you are required to utilize at least one source from the CSU Online Library. Your source can either revolve around the event you chose or it can focus on the philosophies and ideals before/after your event, whichever supports your writing more. Note that you may not find an article specifically addressing both the event you chose and the philosophies surrounding it; in most cases, you will need to use your critical thinking skills to infer the information. You may use more sources if you would like, but those sources cannot include Wikipedia, biography.com, history.com, or other encyclopedias. Click here to view a valuable resource that will walk you through tips and tricks on how to use the library for this assignment.Step 3: Plan and reflect.Reflect on the change in American life before and after the event you chose. Once you have completed your research, you should sit back to think about what it means to see if you notice any trends and to have a better sense of what you want to convey in your writing. Although it is not required, you may want to develop a short outline to help you organize your thoughts and ideas. Use some of the following prompts to help guide you:Step 4: Write your assignment.

Comparing humanistic-existential psychotherapy with other approaches

 
Understanding the strengths of each type of therapy and which type of therapy is most appropriate for each patient is an essential skill of the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. In this Assignment, you will compare humanistic-existential therapy to another psychotherapeutic approach. You will identify the strengths and challenges of each approach and describe expected potential outcomes.
To prepare:

Review the humanistic-existential psychotherapy videos in this week’s Learning Resources.
Reflect on humanistic-existential psychotherapeutic approaches.
Then, select another psychotherapeutic approach to compare with humanistic-existential psychotherapy. The approach you choose may be one you previously explored in the course or one you are familiar with and especially interested in. 

Importance in Today Technology Driven World Response

reply to discussion post belowCedric,Cybersecurity is an issue of profound importance in today’s technology-driven world. What was once a problem only for IT professionals is now a fact of life for all of us. A day hardly goes without hearing of some new cyberattack (Lewis, 2014). These incidents are a clear illustration of how the internet has become an integral part of our professional and personal lives. And while the benefits have been enormous, so, too, have the risks. In fact, there is almost no aspect of our lives that cybersecurity does not touch.In the security industry and across government, cybersecurity has been a long discussed nightmare with various scenarios caused by cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR). Critical infrastructure sectors, from financial services to transportation to healthcare, all depend on massive information technology networks. Many of the cyber defenses used by critical infrastructure owners and operators to ward off attacks are outdated and ineffective. These systems remain highly vulnerable to hackers, who could gain control of nuclear plants, railways and any number of other vital systems. Unfortunately, the frequency of attacks against critical infrastructure is increasing at an alarming rate. For instance, the chemical industry has tight sector-wide regulations on everything from occupational safety to environmental protection, yet even though the Department of Homeland Security recognized cyber-attacks as a major threat to the industry in 2010, cyber security regulations are still only managed at the company or facility level.With few regulations in place, it has become increasingly important for these industries to assess their environments and cyber security risk. One way to do that is through compromise assessments or Industrial Control System (ICS) assessments (Lewis, 2014). These tests search the environment to identify whether or not a hacker is currently in the system. If a breach is identified then the organization can work to stop it and secure their system before any valuable information is taken. Organizations could also perform “red team” operations. In this assessment, a team of experts attempts to hack into an environment and, if successful, they can then reverse engineer security features to make sure that a real hacker cannot gain access to the system.ReferencesChina Could Shut Down U.S. Power Grid With Cyber Attack, Says NSA Chief. (2016, March 6). Retrieved from Lewis, T. G. (2014). Critical Infrastructure Protection in Homeland Security: Defending a Networked Nation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

ELAC Art The Principles of Design Art as Social Commentar Discussion

I’m working on a art writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. Discussion Ch. 8 and 9: The Principles of Design, Art as Social CommentarBaca and Diego Rivera…and Yes, Velazquez1.Baca was inspired in part by the muralist painter Diego Rivera.  Rivera was a revolutionary painter looking to take art to the public.  His style was direct and full of social content.  Now examine Diego’s mural Los Explotadores and then describe what you think is represented.  How is the social commentary in Diego’s mural similar to Baca’s?  How do these two artists create compositional intrigue both visually and conceptually? 2.After, you answer the first part, look at  Velazquez Las Meninas (figs. 239, 240).  What are some of the techniques Velazquez used to draw the viewer in?  How does he comment on the Spanish court of the time?

Protecting Power Grids from Cyber Attacks Response

reply to discussion below christopher,Protecting power grids from cyber attacks has been gaining attention for the last several years. Last year, hackers infiltrated the computer systems of a consortium of small utilities known as the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool 3.8 million times. The network serves 200 communities in six Midwestern and Rocky Mountain states. The U.S. power grid’s vast size and aging equipment make the system highly susceptible to both cyber and physical attacks on its transformers, substations and power lines by saboteurs or terrorists. The growing use of a computerized “smart grid,” where sensors replace human meter readers to gather data and communicate digitally with a utility’s operations center, adds to the challenges. In a worst-case scenario, coordinated attacks on the U.S. electrical grid could cause massive economic losses and perhaps widespread illness or death. Because of advanced electronic technology, these attacks can now happen from any country. Computer hacking has removed security fences for the would-be attacker.

Mathematics of Game Worksheet

After working for 18 months in your analyst position at G&B Consulting, you are now being considered for a project manager position that would put you in charge of several team members. As part of the interview process, you have been asked to make a presentation to highlight what you think are the most compelling reasons you should get the position.You are to put together a PowerPoint presentation that explains all of the key components that you feel will factor into why you should get the position.What to SubmitTo complete this assignment, you must first download the word document. Use the questions on the worksheet as your guide for the contents of your presentation.Your step-by-step breakdown of the problems, including explanations and all work shown, should be present within the PowerPoint you create. If you use Excel for any of your calculations that file must also be included in the drop box. Do not submit the Word document with instructions.     

TCC History Texas Government Getting Rid of Jury Trials Discussion

Under the federal constitution everyone charged with a crime where their liberty is at stake (possibility of jail or prison) is entitled to a lawyer and a jury trial.  Class C misdemeanors (for example: speeding, public intoxication, disorderly conduct) are not included in this because the judge can only assess a fine.  In Texas, someone charged with a class C misdemeanor does not have a right to a court-appointed attorney, but Texas does allow for jury trials on class C misdemeanors.  More than half of the other states do not allow someone to request a jury trial for these minor offenses – any trial would be heard only by a judge.The question this week:  Should Texas get rid of jury trials for class C misdemeanors?  Trials to the judge save time and money, but are citizens rights at stake?  Is it worth your time as a citizen to sit as a juror on one of these cases just in case you might want to have a jury trial on a class C misdemeanor one day? 

Commercial Facilities Sector Response

responseBrenda,This week’s readings have been extremely interesting. My main take away is how I tend to focus on the cyber security and physical aspect of a building or compound and forget about the significant importance a building’s structural build is to the overall security of the individuals working in the building and for the security of the material inside the building. According to the Reference Manual to Mitigate Potential Terrorist Attacks Against Buildings, it is of great essence to critical infrastructure for buildings to meet building code requirements to minimize the negative effects of man-made or natural hazards, all still meeting the functional needs of the building owners.  In addition, it is quite astounding how most terrorist attacks occur within the Commercial Facilities Sector, rather than in the Government Facilities Sector. Although they are both the highest attacked, it still makes sense that an act of terrorism happens directly to the general population. Often individuals have the idea that any individual who works for the government is “used to” danger, and the way to impact a nation is through the direct disruption of its people.