05/03/2020 Research Project https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/13437?module_item_id=73277 1/6 Research Project Due Mar 23 by 2:59am Points 60 Submitting a file upload Available Jan 25 at 4am - Mar 23 at 2:59am about 2 months Submit Assignment Summative Assessment Research Project: 60 pts. Directions on Project: Your instructor will provide information about project topics, scope of work, and submission requirements. Review scoring rubric for project to aid in the construction and organization of the project. Listed below are potential guidelines your instructor MAY follow. Guidelines on Graduate Project Following are the guidelines for a graduate project. Apart from these guidelines, your instructor may also suggest guidelines and instructions as required during the course of the graduate project. Selecting a Topic Choose a project on a topic of your interest related to your subject of study. The idea for a project may come from your own curiosity, from your coursework, interactions with colleagues, faculty members, and general observation. Explore the idea; examine its significance and feasibility. Go through the existing projects on similar topics. Conduct a preliminary research on the idea. Review the relevant literature. Examine the gap areas in research and identify issues you want to address. The idea should be new or must add significant value to the existing projects. Prepare a rough outline of project proposal you would like to submit. Discuss the topic and draft project proposal with your project coordinator, exchange ideas and incorporate suggestions. Conduct further research on the topic. Make a detailed proposal. In the project proposal you should: a. Introduce the topic b. Explain your rationale for selecting the project c. Describe significance of the project 05/03/2020 Research Project https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/13437?module_item_id=73277 2/6 d. State the objective of the project and project outline e. Describe the methodology to be adopted f. State the timeline for the project completion g. Include references § Finalize the proposal with your instructor by week five (specific instructors may vary that date) Working on the Project On approval of the project, you should start working on your project. It is recommended you do this prior to the 5 week of the course, but speak with your instructor to clarify dates. Limit your research to the approved proposal. You have to complete your project within the stipulated deadlines. Plan your project accordingly While meeting the executives of a company in relation to your project, make sure you have appropriate approvals and request letters from the concerned university department. Make sure your instructor approves questionnaires designed for any survey in relation to the project. You must use any data collected in course of the research, only for the approved project. You m.

1. 05/03/2020 Research Project
https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/1343
7?module_item_id=73277 1/6
Research Project
Due Mar 23 by 2:59am Points 60 Submitting a file upload
Available Jan 25 at 4am - Mar 23 at 2:59am about 2 months
Submit Assignment
Summative Assessment Research Project: 60 pts.
Directions on Project:
Your instructor will provide information about project topics,
scope of work, and submission
requirements. Review scoring rubric for project to aid in the
construction and organization of the project.
Listed below are potential guidelines your instructor MAY
follow.
Guidelines on Graduate Project
Following are the guidelines for a graduate project. Apart from
these guidelines, your instructor may also
suggest guidelines and instructions as required during the
course of the graduate project.
Selecting a Topic

2. Choose a project on a topic of your interest related to your
subject of study. The idea for a project
may come from your own curiosity, from your coursework,
interactions with colleagues, faculty
members, and general observation.
Explore the idea; examine its significance and feasibility. Go
through the existing projects on similar
topics. Conduct a preliminary research on the idea. Review the
relevant literature. Examine the gap
areas in research and identify issues you want to address. The
idea should be new or must add
significant value to the existing projects.
Prepare a rough outline of project proposal you would like to
submit. Discuss the topic and draft
project proposal with your project coordinator, exchange ideas
and incorporate suggestions.
Conduct further research on the topic. Make a detailed proposal.
In the project proposal you should:
a. Introduce the topic
b. Explain your rationale for selecting the project
c. Describe significance of the project
05/03/2020 Research Project
https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/1343
7?module_item_id=73277 2/6
d. State the objective of the project and project outline

3. e. Describe the methodology to be adopted
f. State the timeline for the project completion
g. Include references
§ Finalize the proposal with your instructor by week five
(specific instructors may vary that date)
Working on the Project
On approval of the project, you should start working on your
project. It is recommended you do this
prior to the 5 week of the course, but speak with your
instructor to clarify dates. Limit your research
to the approved proposal.
You have to complete your project within the stipulated
deadlines. Plan your project accordingly
While meeting the executives of a company in relation to your
project, make sure you have
appropriate approvals and request letters from the concerned
university department.
Make sure your instructor approves questionnaires designed for
any survey in relation to the project.
You must use any data collected in course of the research, only
for the approved project. You must
not share collected information with other candidates.
Make notes of key points during the course of research. It
would save lot of time in preparation of
project report.
Make sure all relevant journals, magazines, papers and books
are available in the university library.
Please check with the library information desk for information
on resources, currently not available

4. with the library.
Analysis is the most critical part of the project and forms basis
for all findings. Make sure you make
use of appropriate statistical tools in analysis. Take guidance of
your project coordinator during the
analysis. Do validate your findings with your project
coordinator.
Writing a Project Report
Review the style guidelines for project report
The project report should not exceed 7,000 words
Abstract should be between 150-250 words
Select A4 size; page orientation should be portrait. Specify “1”
margin on all sides.
Number all pages consecutively. Start every chapter on a new
page.
Provide double spacing
You should use Times New Roman Font- “12” for text and “10”
for footnotes. Use a larger font size
for section headings.
th
05/03/2020 Research Project
https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/1343
7?module_item_id=73277 3/6

5. A project report must contain:
Content Section
a. Title Page
Preliminariesb. Table of Contents
c. Abstract
d. Introduction and background
Body of the report
e. Problem statement
f. Objectives of the project
g. Literature review
h. Methodology adopted
i. Results - project findings
j. Recommendations
k. Conclusion
l. Bibliography References
m. Appendix

6. 05/03/2020 Research Project
https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/1343
7?module_item_id=73277 4/6
Research Paper (60)
n. List of figures and tables
o. Index words (if required)
Be clear and precise. Express your ideas in a logical way.
Abstract should reflect the essence of the project
The introduction should provide the overview of the topic and
highlight its significance
Clearly indicate the objectives of your project.
Describe all the methods used such as interviews,
questionnaires in the methodology section.
Ensure that literature review is in your own words. Analyze
other person’s contribution to the topic.
Identify the gaps in the literature. Emphasize on the likely
contribution of your project to the existing
literature on the topic.
Describe your findings from analysis in the results section. As
this is the most critical part of the
project, ensure that there are no errors in analysis. Make proper
inferences from analysis and
findings.
The conclusion section should summarize your objectives,
findings and learning’s from the project.
Provide useful supplementary information in the Appendix.
Avoid plagiarism. The project report should reflect your
understanding of the topic. The majority of

7. the paper should be in your own words and reflect your own
ideas.
Give credit for all referenced work. Provide appropriate citation
and references for all quotations.
Ensure that papers referenced are relevant and not outdated.
Your paper should be reader friendly. Use footnotes to explain
difficult terms.
Don’t use text from Wikipedia in footnotes
All tables and figures must be suitably numbered and titled.
Give appropriate credit.
On completion, go through the entire project. Ensure there are
no proofing errors and you have
adhered to all guidelines related to the project.
05/03/2020 Research Project
https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/1343
7?module_item_id=73277 5/6
Criteria Ratings Pts
6.0 pts
18.0 pts
18.0 pts
Introduction 6.0 pts
Exceeds Standards
Strong introduction of
topics key

8. question(s), terms,
Clearly delineates
subtopics to be
reviewed. Specific
thesis statement
3.0 pts
Meets Standards
Conveys topic
and key
question(s).
Clearly delineates
subtopics to be
reviewed. General
thesis statement
2.0 pts
Needs Some
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Coveys topic, but
not key
question(s).
Describes
subtopics to be
reviewed.
General thesis
statement.
1.0 pts
Needs Substantial
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Does not
adequately convey
topic. Does not

9. describe subtopics
to be reviewed.
Lacks adequate
theses statement.
Focus and
Sequencing
18.0 pts
Exceeds Standards
All material clearly
related to subtopic,
main topic. Strong
organization and
integration of material
within subtopics.
Strong transitions
linking subtopics, and
main topic.
9.0 pts
Meets Standards
All material clearly
related to subtopic,
main topic and
logically organized
within subtopics.
Clear, varied
transitions linking
subtopics, and
main topic.
5.0 pts
Needs Some
Improvement to
Meet Standards

10. Most material
clearly related to
subtopic, main
topic. Material
may not be
organized within
subtopics.
Attempts to
provide variety of
transitions.
1.0 pts
Needs
Substantial
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Little evidence
material is
logically
organized into
topic, subtopics
or related to
topic. Many
transitions are
unclear or
unsubstantiated.
Support,
Citations, and
References
18.0 pts
Exceeds Standards
Strong peer-reviewed
research based
support for thesis,

11. references and
citations are
thoroughly and clearly
indicated after every
quote or an authors
statement or idea.
9.0 pts
Meets Standards
Good research
based support for
thesis, references
and citations are
adequately and
clearly indicated
after most quotes or
an authors
statement or idea.
5.0 pts
Needs Some
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Some research
based support for
thesis, references
and citations are
inconsistently
indicated after a
few quotes or an
authors statement
or idea.
1.0 pts
Needs
Substantial

12. Improvement
to Meet
Standards
limited or no
peer-
reviewed
research
based
support for
thesis,
references
and citations
are absent.
05/03/2020 Research Project
https://eccouncil.instructure.com/courses/437/assignments/1343
7?module_item_id=73277 6/6
Total Points: 60.0
Criteria Ratings Pts
6.0 pts
6.0 pts
6.0 pts
--
Spelling and
Grammar

13. 6.0 pts
Exceeds
Standards
Work has no
misspellings or
grammatical
errors.
3.0 pts
Meets Standards
Work has 1 or 2
misspellings or
grammatical errors
2.0 pts
Needs Some
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Work has several
misspellings or
grammatical errors
1.0 pts
Needs Substantial
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Work has numerous
misspellings or
grammatical errors
Conclusion 6.0 pts
Exceeds Standards
Strong review of key
conclusions and
integration with thesis
statement. Insightful

14. and supported
discussion of impact
of the researched
material.
3.0 pts
Meets Standards
Good review of
key conclusions
and integration
with thesis
statement. Good
discussion on
impact of
researched
material.
2.0 pts
Needs Some
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Review of key
conclusions.
Some integration
with thesis
statement.
Discusses impact
of researched
material on topic.
1.0 pts
Needs
Substantial
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Does not

15. summarize
evidence with
response to thesis
statements. Does
not discuss the
impact of
researched
material.
Citations and
References
6.0 pts
Exceeds
Standards
All references and
citations are
correctly written and
present.
3.0 pts
Meets Standards
One reference or
citations missing
or incorrectly
written.
2.0 pts
Needs Some
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Two references or
citations missing
or incorrectly
written.

16. 1.0 pts
Needs Substantial
Improvement to
Meet Standards
Reference and
citation errors
detract significantly
from paper.
best practices
while
managing
changes to
Windows and
its
applications.
threshold: 3.0 pts
5.0 pts
Exceeds Expectations
3.0 pts
Meets Expectations
0.0 pts
Does Not Meet Expectations
PRACTICAL CONNECTION ASSIGNMENT
Original source of fact pattern:
https://resources.infosecinstitute.com/computer-forensics-
investigation-case-study/
Refresher
1. A Computer Forensic investigator generally investigates the

17. data which could be taken from computer hard disks or any
other storage devices with adherence to standard policies and
procedures to determine if those devices have been
compromised by unauthorized access or not.
2. Computer Forensics investigators work as a team to
investigate the incident and conduct the forensic analysis by
using various methodologies (e.g. Static and Dynamic) and tools
(e.g. FTK or Encase) to ensure the computer network system is
secure in an organization.
3. A successful Computer Forensic investigator must be familiar
with various laws and regulations related to computer crimes in
their country (e.g. Computer Misuse Act 1990, the UK) and
various computer operating systems (e.g. Windows, Linux) and
network operating systems (e.g. Win NT).
4. Public investigations and Private or Corporate investigations
are the two distinctive categories that fall under Computer
Forensics investigations. Public investigations will be
conducted by government agencies, and private investigations
will be conducted by private computer forensic team.
Fact Pattern
1. A new start-up SME (small-medium enterprise) based in
Luton has recently begun to notice anomalies in its accounting
and product records.
2. This SME has also noticed that their competitors seem to be
developing products that are very similar to what they are doing
which suggests potential intellectual property theft.
3. SME has undertaken an initial check of system log files, and
there are several suspicious entries and IP addresses with a
large amount of data being sent outside the company firewall.
4. SME has also recently received several customer complaints
saying that there is often a strange message displayed during
order processing, and they are often re-directed to a payment
page that does not look legitimate.
5. The company makes use of a general purpose eBusiness
package (OSCommerce) and has a small team of six IT support
professionals, but they do not feel that they have the expertise

18. to carry out a full scale malware/forensic investigation.
6. As there is increased competition in the hi-tech domain, the
company is anxious to ensure that their systems are not being
compromised either internally or externally and they have
employed a digital forensic investigator to determine whether
any malicious activity has taken place, and to ensure that there
is no malware within their systems.
7. The company uses Windows 10 for its servers. Patches are
applied by the IT support team on a monthly basis, but the team
has noticed that a number of machines do not seem to have been
patched.
8. The company provides mobile devices (Apple iOS) to its
employees and the iPhones are considered corporate assets.
9. The company also as several employees who use non-
corporate mobile devices for work but they are not considered
corporate assets.
10. The company uses Microsoft Exchange with an enterprise
email server environment where every employee has their own
corporate email account.
11. The company’s network is composed of routers, firewalls,
hubs, and active directory domain servers.
12. Many of the employees also carry tech-wearables e.g.
FitBit, smart watches, etc that can be plugged into a computer
via a USB port for charging and/or for data transfer.
13. The company has several employees in the United States
and several in the European Union region (EU) e.g. two of them
are in Germany.
14. Your task, as an attorney and a trained forensic investigator,
is to supervise a digital forensics investigation to see whether
you can prepare a case against the perpetrators.
15. This task may require investigating all employees including
emails, the network, mobile devices, computers, etc.
16. In addition to overseeing an investigation you are asked to
advise the company of its legal rights e.g. what the company
may or may not do especially if you are planning to collect
devices or emails.

19. Deliverables
Your deliverable in this assignment is a 2-page report
discussing how you would approach the following Digital
Forensic Investigation. As part of this report you should also:
1. Outline and discuss the methodology that you will use.
2. Provide a reasoned argument as to why the particular
methodology (or methodologies) chosen is relevant.
3. Identify key facts and identify key considerations to consider
from a technical / forensic standpoint that the company should
consider.
4. Identify key facts and identify key considerations to consider
from a legal standpoint that the company should consider.
5. Discuss in detail (step by step) the process that you will use
to collect evidence and discuss the relevant guidelines that need
to be followed when collecting digital evidence.
6. Be sure to back your reasoning with case law as applicable.