Case Study #1: Technology & Product Review for Endpoint Protection Solutions

Case Scenario:

A client hasrequested that your company research and recommend an Endpoint Protection Platform which will provide host-based protection for the laptop PC's used by its field representatives. These laptops are running the Windows 8/8.1 operating system. The laptops currently use Microsoft Windows Defender and Microsoft Windows Firewall. The client's IT manager wants a product that is easy to use, can be deployed on individual laptops, and automatically updates its self.The client's field representatives use a cellular connection to access the Internet while visiting customers and taking orders via a web-based ordering system. The laptops are also used to access web-based corporate email servers and additional web-based applications used for internal business operations.

Research:

1. Review the Week 1 readings.

2. Choose one of the Endpoint Protection Platform products from the Gartner Magic Quadrant analysis (link provided in the weekly readings).  Then, research your chosen product using the vendor's website and product information brochures. (Vendors for highly rated products will provide a copy of Gartner's most recent Magic Quadrant report on their websites but, registration is required.)

3. Find three or more additional sources which provide reviews for (a) your chosen product or (b) information about Endpoint Protection Platforms.

Write:

Write a 3 page summary of your research ("briefing paper"). At a minimum, your summary must include the following:

1. An introduction or overview for the security technology category (Endpoint Protection Platforms)

2. A review of the features, capabilities, and deficiencies for your selected vendor and product

3. Discussion of how the selected product could be used by your client to support its cybersecurity objectives by reducing risk, increasing resistance to threats/attacks, decreasing vulnerabilities, etc.

4. A closing section in which you restate your recommendation for a product (include the three most important benefits).

As you write your briefing paper, make sure that you address security issues using standard terms (e.g.5 Pillars IA, 5 Pillars Information Security). See the resources listed under Course Resources > Cybersecurity Concepts Review for definitions and terminology.

Formatting Instructions

Use standard APA formatting for the MS Word document that you submit to your assignment folder. Formatting requirements and examples are found under Course Resources > APA Resources.