Reflection Paper – 100 Hours
Over the last 100 hours at the Cybersecurity Clinic, I have gained significant
hands-on experience delivering cybersecurity services to microbusinesses, especially during
our recent engagement with JenDore LLC. JenDore, a small online retailer that specializes in
gaming gear and personalized products, faced unique cybersecurity difficulties, including
data breaches, business email intrusions, and third-party risks. The first meeting provided
insights into their current security posture, highlighting areas such as multi-factor
authentication (MFA) deployment and backup policies, as well as identifying risks such as a
lack of a VPN and antiquated password management techniques.
My responsibilities included doing a preliminary review of JenDore’s cybersecurity
practices using the NIST 2.0 framework and the clinic’s template. I found key areas for
improvement, such as the need for a robust incident response plan and better protection
against phishing and impersonation attacks, which were major issues for the company. In
addition, I suggested alternatives such as using a password manager to ensure unique
credentials and researching VPN possibilities to protect their digital perimeter.
This experience emphasized the value of clear communication and realistic
recommendations for small companies with limited resources. It also confirmed my
understanding of how specific cybersecurity strategies may dramatically improve
microbusinesses’ resistance to evolving threats. Moving ahead, I hope to improve my risk
assessment and incident response planning abilities, allowing me to further contribute to the
cybersecurity clinic’s aim of enabling local businesses.
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