Unit 5 Assignment 2 Directions: Project 2: Memo and Flyer for Top School University
This assignment has two deliverables, a memo and a flyer. Read the Scenario and then follow the Instructions and Requirements for both the Memo and the Flyer.
Scenario
In this exercise, you will:
As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Top School University, your team has decided that the best tactics to implement to increase security is a 10-character password and two-factor authentication. Both will be used to access email, other accounts, library databases, and financial information. Industry standards in higher education support these changes. Licenses and grants also require more efforts to protect databases and relevant information.
In the past, feedback from the university community has expressed that the changing of passwords is time consuming. People wish to access the university’s sites and databases in more convenient ways, and the IT department needs to do more to protect users on their end instead of through user actions.
The university President agrees with the need to do more to protect university assets. You are tasked with creating a memo addressing the entire university community with the upcoming changes: “In 30 days, all users will begin to change their passwords and upload the Duo app on their smartphones (persons without a smart phone will use hardware tokens). If users do not complete these two changes, they will not have access to the university system.”
Memo Instructions
The audience for the memo comprises all members of the university, including students, staff, and faculty. Thus, ensure that your information can be clearly understood by each type of audience member.
Your memo must explain the following:
- Current threats in cyberspace related to colleges and universities (consider all the unique activities that occur on a university network that are different from other businesses)
- Requirements of licenses, databases, and intellectual property contracts involved in creating greater security.
- The need to change password and requirements (be sure to discuss passwords to authentication)
- The need to add more security strategies beyond authentication (discuss what authentication can and cannot do)
- How access control, through two-factor authentication, helps protect assets (e.g., student records and databases)
- The timeline for implementation of changes (i.e., changes will be implemented in 30 days, with 30 days to complete. By day 61, all users must make the changes, or they will not have access to university networks)
Memo Requirements
- Using excellent grammar, spelling, and punctuation, create a memo that will be attached to an email from the university president to all university members (staff, faculty, and students).
- Ensure the content is expressed in non-technical format so that all recipients can understand your explanations.
- The memo should include:
- an introduction
- paragraphs or sections that address the above bullet points and are clearly indicated
- a conclusion/summary
- a references page of sources you used for your memo. Refrain from relying on blogs as sources. To find credible sources, you might begin with the UMGC Library using OneSearch, Google Scholar, or web search (Google), government websites, and professional organizations.
Flyer Instructions
Once the memo is complete, create a one-page (single-sided) flyer that will be emailed two weeks after the memo. This flyer will be distributed across campus to be placed on billboards, whiteboards, and other areas as a reminder of the upcoming changes and why they are important.
Flyer Requirements
Make sure the flyer provides:
- Relevant information about the upcoming changes in short phrases and wording that will catch attention
- Relevant graphics/pictures and colors. You can find free, copyright-free images online at sites such as Google Image Search, Unsplash and Pexels. These sites offer images that are free to use under Creative Commons licensing. On Google Image Search, after you type in your image keyword, click on “Tools.” Under “Usage rights” click “Creative Commons licenses” to find images you may freely use. Also, make sure that your images do not distract from the information but rather enhance it by being eye-catching and informative.
Submission:
- Submit both documents—memo and flyer—in a single file. You may use Word or another option to complete these documents.
- Review the Unit 5 Project 2 Grading Rubric to understand how you will be assessed on this assignment.