M591 coursework assignment

Authentication Methods and Protocols – M591

M591 coursework assignment

Academic year 2009/10

Coursework Title:	Portfolio of research articles
Coursework Due Date:	January 25, 2010
Lecturer:	C Nguyen

COURSEWORK DESCRIPTION

Write a portfolio containing 3 research articles. Each article should inform a non-technical reader in a way that is easy to understand and reflects your own personal style. Supporting images, charts, diagrams and other visual elements from outside sources may be included in the articles using the Harvard APA referencing and citation format.

ARTICLE 1
Select two methods used for identification purposes. Each method must be from a different industry and both must be outside the computer or networking industry. Write an article that compares and analyzes:

The attributes used for identification.
The authentication methods used to verify identity.
The historical context leading to the current identification methods.
The person or group who benefits the most from the use of the current identification methods.
Known and potential effects on collection of personal data.

ARTICLE 2
Select two authentication or data security systems. One must use an open source license and one must use a commercial license. Write an article that compares and analyzes:

The technology (and applicable patents) used to implement each system.
The cost of purchasing and installing each system.
The cost of supporting and maintaining each system.
Known attacks on each system.
Known and potential effects on personal privacy issues.
The type of organization that would most likely benefit from using each system.

ARTICLE 3
Select two legislative acts that have direct effects on identity, authentication or data security. Each legislative act must be from a different country. Write an article that compares and analyzes:

The political objective(s) of each legislative act.
The amount of government spending that may have been caused by each legislative act.
Known and potential effects on personal privacy issues.
Estimates of the success of each legislative act towards achieving their political objective(s).
Considerations of the possibility for achieving similar political objective(s) through business markets.

The coursework content is limited to a maximum of 4,500 words in length (excluding references).

This coursework contributes 60% to the M591 unit mark.

COURSEWORK SUBMISSION

Students are required to submit their coursework online using the Mosaic website. Supporting images, e.g. charts and photos, may be included in the coursework. Students are not permitted to write their coursework using Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat document files. The coursework content (text and images) must be written and displayed directly within the Mosaic coursework submission page for each student.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(1) Research and analysis (70 marks)

Marks	Criteria
50–70	The coursework contained original and creative analysis which was supported by thoughtful personal reflection, a creative and purposeful plan of inquiry and primary research.
49	The coursework contained effective analysis of authentication and data security which was supported by thoughtful personal reflection and a creative and purposeful plan of inquiry.
42–48	The coursework contained analysis of authentication and data security with some personal reflection and a purposeful plan of inquiry.
35–41	The coursework addressed authentication and data security issues and followed a plan of inquiry.
28–34	At a threshold level, the coursework had some considerations of authentication issues and supported by relevant research sources.
0–27	The coursework contained an insufficient amount of relevant content and analysis.

(2) Writing mechanics (30 marks)

Marks	Criteria
22–30	The coursework effectively used a personal writing style and followed all grammar and spelling rules.
21	The coursework used effective writing techniques and followed all grammar and spelling rules.
18–20	The coursework followed all grammar and spelling rules.
15–17	The coursework followed most grammar and spelling rules.
12–14	At a threshold level, the coursework followed some grammar and spelling rules.
0–11	The coursework has an unacceptable number of errors with grammar and spelling.