Cybersecurity for OPEN Data Initiative

 Cybersecurity for OPEN Data Initiatives Scenario: A federal agency has asked your cybersecurity consulting firm to provide it with a research report that examines the issues of usefulness and security in regards to Open Data. The report is intended for a group of executives at the agency who are currently involved in converting paper-based data sets to digital formats for distribution via digital government websites. This report is particularly important as the agency head has received inquiries from Congressional staff members who are conveying concerns that various elected officials have about potential issues with the integrity and authenticity of downloaded data. The agency’s executives were also surveyed and they provided the following security-related items in a list of concerns for the planned conversion to an Open Data delivery method: a. Confidentiality / Privacy (ensuring proper redaction) b. Data integrity c. Data authenticity d. Availability (reliability) of the Open Data service (website, network infrastructure) e. Non-repudiation of data sets Research: 1. Read / Review the weekly readings. Pay special attention to EO 13800 and the Federal Cybersecurity Risk Determination Report and Action Plan. 2. Research the federal government’s OPEN Data mandate. Here are some sources that you may find useful: a. Open Data Policy-Managing Information as an Asset – OMB Memorandum M-13-13 (PDF file is in the week 2 readings). This Memorandum includes significant discussion of security issues and policy solutions including references to FIPS 199 and NIST SP-800-53) b. U.S. Open Data Action Plan (see file us_open_data_action_plan.pdf in week 2 readings). c. https://www.data.gov d. https://www.data.gov/privacy-policy#data_policy e. Guidance for Providing and Using Administrative Data for Statistical Purposes – OMB Memorandum M-14-06 (PDF file is in the week 2 readings). This Memorandum includes discussion of privacy and security issues arising from the use of information collected for statistical purposes (e.g. the Census, employment, economic data, etc.). 3. Research how government information, e.g. OPEN Data, is used by businesses and the general public. Here are some sources to get you started: a. 7 Ways Companies Are Using the Government’s Open Data http://mashable.com/2013/05/30/7-ways-government-open-data/ b. Government open data proves a treasure trove for savvy businesses http://www.computerworld.com/article/2488683/business-intelligence-government-open-data-proves-a-treasure-trove-for-savvy-businesses.html c. Open data: Unlocking innovation and performance with liquid information http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/open_data_unlocking_innovation_and_performance_with_liquid_information 4. Research the issues that can arise when businesses depend upon the confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of government provided Open Data. Suggested sources include: a. Authenticating Digital Government Information http://scholarship.richmond.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1954&context=law-faculty-publications b. Legal and Institutional Challenges for Opening Data Across Public Sectors http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=iih&AN=97430297&site=eds-live&scope=site c. Risk Analysis to Overcome Barriers to Open Data http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=poh&AN=93550378&site=eds-live&scope=site d. Reconciling Contradictions of Open Data Regarding Transparency, Privacy, Security and Trust http://ezproxy.umuc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=iih&AN=97430299&site=eds-live&scope=site 5. Find five or more best practice recommendations for ensuring the security (confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, non-repudiation) of information provided by the federal government through its OPEN Data initiative. N.B. For the purposes of this assignment, you may treat “licensing” concerns as an “availability” issue. Write four to six page research report which includes a summary of your research. You should focus upon clarity and conciseness more than length when determining what content to include in your paper. At a minimum, your summary must include the following: 1. An introduction or overview of OPEN Data which provides definitions and addresses the laws, regulations, and policies which require federal agencies to identify and publish datasets and information collections. Discuss the role of the executive branch’s Open Data / Open Government policies in making data available via Data.Gov. This introduction should be suitable for an executive audience. 2. A separate section in which you discuss the value (benefits) of Open Data. This section should provide several specific examples of how government provided Open Data is being used by businesses and the general public. 3. A separate section in which you address security issues (confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation) which can impact the availability and usefulness of Open Data. Discuss how these issues are currently being addressed by the federal government. Provide examples of issues and mitigations or solutions. 4. A section in which you address best practice recommendations for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of Open Data. Your recommendations should address use of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and security & privacy controls from NIST SP 800-53. 5. A separate section in which you summarize your research and recommendations