Quality Objectives and Quality Metrics, Research Paper Example

The primary objectives of the proposed project require a greater understanding of the different elements of risk analysis and evaluation to ensure that the project is successful in fulfilling its desired criteria. The risk assessment process mandates an effective approach to support the development of quality-based metrics that will facilitate a reduced level of risk, as well as limited vulnerability within the system as a whole. Therefore, it is expected that these methods will encourage quality records management, including failsafe methods to reduce the risks that are associated with the project implementation and execution.

Summary of Quality Tests that Should be Conducted

In conducting a risk assessment, it is expected that there will be a number of challenging approaches that are designed to evaluate any and all potential risks, and to provide a basis for exploring the different dimensions that might emerge during this process. It is important to demonstrate that there are many different approaches to take, and that quality testing serves as a barometer for the development of possible changes to the project implementation that might be more successful. In the area of network forensics, it is expected that there will be ongoing efforts in place to demonstrate the capacity of the project to not only be efficient, but also effective in achieving the desired results. Therefore, quality testing methods and approaches must be utilized to explore the different dimensions of this practice, and to also support the ability to improve outcomes and to achieve the desired objectives within the action plan. This is an opportunity to explore the different dimensions of the process, and to also support the concepts that are relevant in executing the project in the desired fashion. When these objectives are achieved, there is a greater opportunity for the project to be on target in all phases.

Summary of the Application Areas to be Tested

Establishing the appropriate level of control within this project requires an effective understanding of the different elements of the project, as well as the processes that are involved in risk assessment from start to finish. In an effort to provide the most effective testing strategy, it is expected that these efforts will be useful in establishing a timeframe to support each step of the process, including the level of control that is required to support this method. Therefore, testing for this process must incorporate a number of areas and elements, each of which should provide a basis for testing each method appropriately and without difficulty. Testing will reduce the possibility that there will be any type of breach of security within the framework, and will also demonstrate that there are many different alternatives that are available when conducting a security assessment, and that these options represent a means of supporting the entire project effectively and efficiently. Testing requires a more comprehensive understanding of the methods that are being utilized to support the process as a whole. It is expected that through testing, quality assurance measures will be further assessed in an effort to provide a greater understanding of the challenges that the security team faces in implementing the process, while utilizing quality objectives and considerations in the process. These efforts are instrumental in shaping the project and its desired outcomes in an effective and suitable manner.

Summary of Artifacts Required for the Testing Process

The testing process requires the following artifacts that will be suitable in supporting the desired objectives:

• An understanding of how network forensics operates from a general perspective
• A successful approach to incident response that incorporates a variety of objectives and considerations that support a team-based environment which is capable of carrying out the desired objectives (Computer Emergency Response Team, 2007)
• Understanding how to manage incidents that occur effectively and efficiently
• Supporting a contingency plan based upon the concepts developed by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)  (NIST, 2011)
• Incorporate different steps to accomplish the desired tasks, while also considering other factors that may contribute to this process effectively
• An evaluation of each possible risk requires prior knowledge and understanding of the technology that is utilized to support systems, and to conduct an appropriate risk assessment strategy on a regular basis
• With these frameworks, it is expected that there will be alternatives available to support the development of different alternatives to improve outcomes, and to also support ongoing efforts to expand the quality of the risk assessment process to encourage consistency and to reduce risks over time.

Description of Techniques to be Employed

In conducting an effective testing process, it is expected that there will be additional insights when the techniques utilized are consistent with the desired programmatic objectives. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate the capacity to improve outcomes by using techniques that are efficient in determining if the quality of the risk assessment program is acceptable. Therefore, the proposed techniques are as follows:

• Establishing the basic criteria of the risk assessment system in an effort to protect the information that is being stored within the information system under consideration
• Supporting the prioritization of information to determine which assets are most critical, versus those that do not require immediate attention
• Conducting a random data check as a means of improving outcomes and expectations for the risk assessment method
• Evaluating the performance of the risk assessment system, based upon a number of quality-based indicators
• Determining how quality indicators play a role in improving data protection and the overall assessment of risk as it relates to different methods or strategies

Description of Tools Used to Conduct Tests

Conducting the appropriate testing methods for the proposed risk assessment project requires a greater understanding of the strengths and limitations of the system, in addition to other factors. As a result, the primary tools to be used in this process include survey assessments and evaluations that will be effective in determining whether or not the proposed program is achieving the desired outcomes. Therefore, it is important to implement tools that will lead to these results, while also influencing other objectives accordingly. With incident response programs, there are a variety of important objectives that must be considered, including documentation of all external sources, such as IP addresses, which may impact the outcomes of the response mechanism when the need warrants. Tools and available resources must be focused on the tasks at hand, and must also demonstrate that there are significant factors that support the development of effective methods to improve the incident response mechanism as the need arises.

Summary of how Defects will be Documented and Resolved

When defects or errors have been identified within the incident response system, the source of and reason for these errors must be addressed in a timely manner. It is expected that when the quality and/or integrity of the system is in doubt, there must be additional factors in place that will be utilized to improve existing responses to the system, and that will encourage the development of new methods or modifications that will improve system outcomes over time. When defects or errors are recognized, they must be managed and eliminated as quickly and as efficiently as possible in order for the system to achieve its desired objectives. All defects that are identified must be tracked and documented accordingly to reduce the possibility that the same mistakes will be made in the future. When these efforts are established, it is possible that the response effort will improve its efficiency, and will also provide a basis for improving the quality of the incident response system, while utilizing all available resources accordingly.

Requirements for Traceability Mappings

Evaluating each step of the incident response system requires an effective approach that includes traceability mapping for each step, in both a forward and reverse motion (Gatherspace.com, 2011). Therefore, it is important to determine how to approach these conditions through system evaluations that will identify problems and/or inconsistencies within the system framework (Gatherspace.com, 2011). Within this context, it is expected that the proposed system will be designed to accommodate the needs of incidents that are severe enough to interrupt system organization and flow, even for brief periods of time (Gatherspace.com, 2011). Under these conditions, it is important to determine how these mapping events will also support the coordination of efforts that influence data flow and analysis accordingly to create an even more efficient system (Gatherspace.com, 2011).

Testing Roles and Responsibilities

Testing the system requires knowledgeable and experienced individuals who possess the ability to identify and spot problems as needed, and that also influence the capacity of the system to continue operations without severe interruptions or delays. Therefore, those directly responsible for these testing features must ultimately recognize the impact of their testing procedures and how they improve system outcomes and data flow on an ongoing basis. When these objectives are achieved, it is possible for the organization to benefit more effectively from the proposed methods, while also considering other factors that are designed to influence outcomes according to the established framework.

Tests Timeline

Conducting the appropriate testing methods includes testing procedures that will occur on a regular basis, such as every quarter. This is a sufficient period of time to determine whether or not the system has been effective on an ongoing basis in achieving the desired results. In addition, with these quarterly tests, problems with the system may be identified before they cause or create significant problems that are far too difficult to manage without a complete overhaul of the system as a whole.

References

Gatherspace.com (2011). Requirements traceability. Retrieved from http://www.gatherspace.com/static/requirements_traceability.html

Computer emergency response team. (2007). Network Dictionary, , 115-115. National Institute for Standards and Technology.