Emerging Technologies and Innovation

Question: Write an essay on the Cyber Crimes. Answer: 1. Introduction 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. Rationale of the research 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. 2.2 Purpose and justification 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. 2.2.2 Objective of the research The objectives of the research project in consideration are being enlisted below: To conduct in depth survey of existing literary and scholarly articles so as pinpoint the motivation with which cyber crimes are being committed. 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. To identify the methods which can be utilized for avoiding cyber crimes in an efficient manner. 2.3 Sponsor/ Supervisor Recommendation 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. 2. 4 Justification of research work: 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. 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. 3. Research Question The proposed research work would be aimed at finding the solutions of the following research questions: What are the primary motivations of the cybercriminals behind intruding secured computer networks? Why is the success rate of cyber criminals so high and why do cyber crimes get undetected for long periods of time? What methods can be used for avoiding cyber crimes in an efficient manner? 4. Conceptual or theoretical frame work Figure: Conceptual Framework 5. Research Methodology 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 The names and other personal identities of the IT professionals being interviewed would not be released in public. The information collected from the said professional would be utilized for research purpose only (Billig Waterman, 2014). 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: The researchers would not be able to publish any sensitive information collected during the research work in any public forum (Pickard, 2012). 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: Quantitative analysis: The data collected from the secondary sources of data would be interpreted and analyzed using the following tools (Tuohy et al. 2013): descriptive statistics regression analysis 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. Project Plan 6.1 Deliverables The deliverables of the project under consideration are being mentioned in the following list: 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. The estimated time, budget and other resources required to conduct the project successfully. The progress report of the project, submitted in regular intervals. Presentations documenting the significant findings of the research work. 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 Risk Domain Risk description Probability Severity Risk Score (P * S) Action for managing or avoiding risk Prior Commitments The group members might not be able to participate in the research activities due to any prior work commitment (Matthews Ross, 2014). 4 2 8 Minor changes might be included in the project schedule such that the project is completed within the time committed to the supervisor and/ or the sponsor Risk associated with the materials to be used in research The research materials required for conducting the project might not be available at the institute library (Anfara Jr Mertz, 2014). 4 3 12 The members of the project team should consult with the librarian regarding the research materials that would be required for conducting the research work, even before commencing the research wok, to check the availability of the said materials. Risk associated with the project group The members of the project group might not be comfortable working with each other. 3 5 15 The project team lead requires to conduct meetings with the other members so as to resolve such issues (Clark Creswell 2014). Risk associated with research methodology The selected methodology might not be appropriate for the research work being conducted (Lushey Munro 2014). 2 2 4 Consultation with the supervisor is necessary before finalizing the methods to be used. Technological risks The computing devices being used for the research work might malfunction (Miller et al. 2012). 5 4 20 Backups of research data need to be maintained. 6.4 Duration The estimated time duration required for the project has been provided in the table below: Table: Estimated duration of the project. Task Mode Outline Number Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors Auto Scheduled 0 Project on Cyber Crimes 120 days Mon 01-08-16 Fri 13-01-17 Auto Scheduled 1 Project starts 0 days Mon 01-08-16 Mon 01-08-16 Auto Scheduled 2 Selecting the project topic 13 days Mon 01-08-16 Wed 17-08-16 Auto Scheduled 2.1 Consideration of all the available project topics 2 days Mon 01-08-16 Tue 02-08-16 1 Auto Scheduled 2.2 Selecting two or more from the available topics 0.5 days Wed 03-08-16 Wed 03-08-16 3 Auto Scheduled 2.3 Conducting a brief background study of the topics 10 days Wed 03-08-16 Wed 17-08-16 4 Auto Scheduled 2.4 Selecting the topic of the project based on the information available from the background study 0.5 days Wed 17-08-16 Wed 17-08-16 5 Auto Scheduled 2.5 Topic of the project work finalized 0 days Wed 17-08-16 Wed 17-08-16 6 Auto Scheduled 3 Designing the project proposal 29 days Thu 18-08-16 Tue 27-09-16 Auto Scheduled 3.1 Considering the aims and objectives of the research work to be conducted 4 days Thu 18-08-16 Tue 23-08-16 7 Auto Scheduled 3.2 Conducting a brief survey of the existing literary works 5 days Wed 24-08-16 Tue 30-08-16 9 Auto Scheduled 3.3 Finalizing the research methods to be used in the project 7 days Wed 31-08-16 Thu 08-09-16 10 Auto Scheduled 3.4 Estimating the time, budget and other resources required for conducting the project 5 days Fri 09-09-16 Thu 15-09-16 11 Auto Scheduled 3.5 Documenting the project proposal 7 days Fri 16-09-16 Mon 26-09-16 12 Auto Scheduled 3.6 Submitting the project proposal 0.5 days Tue 27-09-16 Tue 27-09-16 13 Auto Scheduled 3.7 Approval of project 0.5 days Tue 27-09-16 Tue 27-09-16 14 Auto Scheduled 3.8 Project Approved 0 days Tue 27-09-16 Tue 27-09-16 15 Auto Scheduled 4 Conducting the research work 52 days Wed 28-09-16 Thu 08-12-16 Auto Scheduled 4.1 Conducting an in depth literature review 15 days Wed 28-09-16 Tue 18-10-16 16 Auto Scheduled 4.2 Data collection 15 days Wed 19-10-16 Tue 08-11-16 Auto Scheduled 4.2.1 Conducting the primary data collection process 10 days Wed 19-10-16 Tue 01-11-16 18 Auto Scheduled 4.2.2 Conducting the secondary data collection process 15 days Wed 19-10-16 Tue 08-11-16 18 Auto Scheduled 4.3 Analyzing and Interpreting the data collected 15 days Wed 09-11-16 Tue 29-11-16 Auto Scheduled 4.3.1 Conducting the qualitative data analysis process 10 days Wed 09-11-16 Tue 22-11-16 21,20 Auto Scheduled 4.3.2 Conducting the quantitative data analysis process 15 days Wed 09-11-16 Tue 29-11-16 20,21 Auto Scheduled 4.4 Arriving at a conclusion 7 days Wed 30-11-16 Thu 08-12-16 24,23 Auto Scheduled 5 Documenting the findings of the research work 26 days Fri 09-12-16 Fri 13-01-17 Auto Scheduled 5.1 Presenting the significant findings of the research work to the Sponsor/ Supervisor 3 days Fri 09-12-16 Tue 13-12-16 25 Auto Scheduled 5.2 Project results approved 1 day Wed 14-12-16 Wed 14-12-16 27 Auto Scheduled 5.3 Documenting the final project report 20 days Thu 15-12-16 Wed 11-01-17 28 Auto Scheduled 5.4 Submitting the project report 2 days Thu 12-01-17 Fri 13-01-17 29 Auto Scheduled 6 Project ends 0 days Fri 13-01-17 Fri 13-01-17 30 7. 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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 peoples perspectives on transitions from care to adulthood?.Qualitative Social Work, 1473325014559282. 2.2 Purpose and justification