BISS Unit Assessment 2016-2017

This assessment consists of a year-long portfolio report (70%) focusing on a chosen current business security issue and a final exam (30%). The report requires in-depth research, critical evaluation, and reflection on the chosen topic, including professional, ethical, and social issues. Students submit an initial abstract (200-250 words) in week 8, a preliminary report (300-350 words) in week 19 for peer review, and the final report (1500-2000 words) after Easter. The final report includes sections on main findings, reflection on peer review, and discussion of relevant professional, social, and ethical issues. The assessment emphasizes original work and proper referencing to avoid plagiarism. A list of defined topics is provided, but students can also propose their own topics with tutor approval.

BISS Unit Assessment 2016-2017
The unit assessment will consist of a year-long portfolio report (70% of unit) within which students will
produce a report on a chosen current security issue facing business, and a final exam (30% of unit) which
assesses understanding of the wider set of topics within the L.O.s for the unit. The strategy is based
around the notion of students embedding the knowledge and understanding attained during the unit
delivery by making choices regarding technology, strategy, cost and effectiveness.
The Report:
Students will conduct research into a defined topic, or a student selected topic area, and then to produce a
report supporting and demonstrating their in depth investigation. The students will reflect on their
decisions, justifying their approach and discussing the professional, ethical issues and standards applied
to their strategy.
There will be opportunity for students to get feedback on their investigation, including an initial abstract
defining the security topic being investigated, and a preliminary report. The word count for assignment
will consist of a main report body (1,500 to 2,000 words), a small abstract (200 to 250 words), and
preliminary assessment for Peer Review/Feedback (300-350 words, which can be included in the
appendix of main report). [A total of 2,000 to 2,600 words]
Report Marks and Deliverables
This will consist of a staged submission to enable constructive feedback to be given to students. This
consists of an initial abstract to be handed in week 8 of teaching, and preliminary assessment of two or
more relevant references in week 19 for Peer Review/Feedback (formative feedback, not marked),
and the main report during the consolidation period after Easter.
You should have a meaningful title for your handed in work (e.g. covering the technology or incident).
a) Initial Abstract (10 marks) detailing topic selection, issues and expected method and
identification of initial sources of information. The initial abstract will be between 200 to 250
words. This will be handed in during teaching week 8 via Moodle in time to get some
feedback before the Christmas Break. The initial abstract should contain:
 an outline of the chosen security topic for investigation,
 an indication of why it is relevant,
 an indication of how the topic will be investigated and
 an initial list of likely sources of information
 example of two references used/likely to be used (in correct format)
The initial abstract would expect to be supported by references where relevant.
b) Preliminary assessment Peer Review (Formative Feedback/Not marked): Students will bring
along a preliminary assessment report consisting of a review using three or more references
within the topic area for Peer Review/Feedback during the seminar sessions in Teaching week 19
and 20. The preliminary assessment should be a max of 350 words long (about a page) with
appropriate referencing. Students will be allocated feedback and peer review slots closer to the
Peer Review sessions.
c) Main body of report (90 marks) consisting of:-
 Final Report (60 marks): Students will conduct research into their chosen security related area
(guidance and details about topic selection is below) and produce a report consisting of a critical
evaluation of the topic including items such as identification of (where relevant to the topic)
current issues, technologies, protocols, examples, trends, weaknesses, implications, potential
impacts, solutions or anything else pertinent to the topic. Note students are not necessarily
expected to cover all of the above, just those that are deemed relevant to the topic investigated.

 Reflection and discussion of peer review: including decisions, topic, approach, feedback given or
taken, limitations and investigation. Note students are not necessarily expected to cover all of
these, just those that are deemed relevant, though it is expected that it would include discussion of
the peer review activity. (15 marks)
 Discussion of relevant professional, social, ethical issues and any relevant standards to the topic
investigated in the report (15 marks). Note, again students are not necessarily expected to cover
all of these, just those that are deemed relevant.
Students may wish to use appropriate heading for each of these sections in their report. It is suggested
that students allocate a relative and appropriate number of words for each section (e.g. suggest allocating
15% of report words for a section giving 15% of marks).
Please include a word count at the end of the reports and abstract. Items in the appendix and the
reference list are not counted in the word counts. Penalties may be applied to excessively long or short
pieces of work.
Students can use bullet points, tables, figures and diagrams where suitable to inform their arguments and
present information. Further supporting material may be included in an appendix to the report if required.
In particular, outputs and results of analysis using any of the techniques applied in the seminar sessions
can be included in the appendix to aid discussion in the reports.
Students must use appropriate referencing of material used in their report. Poor referencing will attract
mark penalties.
Hand-in dates:
The Initial Abstract: is to be handed into Moodle by Friday 18th November 2016 in teaching
week 8. The abstract should contain a header consisting of the title of the investigation, the
student number, and the day and time of the tutorial session (to help with giving feedback
to students).
Preliminary report for formative feedback: is to be handed in to the CAM office in Lion Gate
building by Thursday 16th February 2017, teaching week 18 (ready for formative feedback in the
tutorials in the following two weeks).
The main report: should be handed in to the CAM office in Lion Gate building by Thursday 23rd
March 2017.
Feedback on the submission will be within the University 20 working days guidelines. Note that 20 days
after the 23rd March hand-in will include the Easter break period so feedback may be extended to
accommodate this.
Assessment Guidance:-
Plagiarism and Poor Scholarship
This piece of work requires you to conduct research on your chosen topic. You are expected to
understand how to reference using the Harvard APA V6 format. Therefore, marks will be deducted for
poor scholarship and NO marks will be awarded for the entire assignment if ANY part of it is found to be
directly copied from printed or published work or another student.
Use respected websites, and sources, where possible for your information gathering. To avoid plagiarism
rewrite using your own words, but ensure where you have used the ideas of others you acknowledge the
source within the text and provide the full source in the references at the end of the document (using
Harvard APA V6 format). The majority of your document will need to be referenced, unless the idea is

an original one of your own. If you are not sure of how to reference the library provides some useful
information and guidance (including an online resource).
Presentation
Proof read your work for spelling, grammar and English prior to submission as clarity of expression is an
important part of writing reports and presenting the results of your research and investigation.
Anonymity
All coursework should be anonymous, therefore do not put your name on your work. Only identify your
work by putting your Student ID number in the footer of the document(s).
General guidance
The analysis you perform and the suggestions you propose are limited by major constraints.
Information – The amount of information you can gather for this work is limited (e.g. in
available time and resources). Remember, real world decisions usually have to be based on
incomplete information.
Assumptions - The number of assumptions you make will affect your analysis. Good rational
assumptions are a key ingredient in good solutions, since there is never enough information
available. You should identify and explain your rationale for any assumptions that you make.
Defined Topics for Investigation:
Students choose a topic relevant to the BISS unit. For instance, students can choose from this list of
topics below for their investigation, alternatively students can negotiate with the tutor an alternative
suitable topic for investigation.
Defined topic list:
1. A new security protocol, cryptography or technology
2. Evaluation of a new technology from a BISS perspective (you have to identify what the new
technology is)
3. A new specific security threat and corresponding security solution
4. A specific biometric security technology, problem or solution (note not a general coverage of
biometrics!)
5. A future security technology, problem or solution within a specific domain, business sector or
application area
6. Database security within a specific domain, business or business sector
7. Forensic evaluation issues relating to a specific technology within the context of BISS
8. Forensic evaluation issues relating to a specific business sector
Students can discuss their ideas for suitable topics with the tutors in the tutorial sessions. The general
principles applied are that the topics should be related to BISS and that they should be fairly focussed
topics. Indeed, difficult and challenging current topics will be looked at more favourably in the marking
than ‘easy’ general previously well investigated topics.

BISS Assessment marking scheme:
Initial Abstract (10 marks)
Marking guideline: Comments
The initial abstract should contain
a) topic selection, outlining the chosen security topic for
investigation,
b) issues and an indication of why it is relevant
c) expected method indicating how the topic will be
investigated
To achieve high marks students should demonstrate initial
understanding of topic area, supported by references, examples,
discussion or anything else relevant, plus thoughtful comments
on issues and investigation methods.
Penalties will be applied to excessively short or long abstracts /10
Main body of report (90 marks)[Main findings 60 marks, reflection/peer review 15 marks, professional/ legal/ethical 15
marks]
Marking guideline: Comments
Main findings: Very good to Excellent report (35-50marks):For
top marks students should demonstrate an appropriate
investigation into their chosen security related area, containing
appropriate critical evaluation, and a selection of items such as
identification and coverage of, where relevant to the topic,current
issues, technologies, protocols, examples, trends, weaknesses,
solutions or anything else pertinent to the topic. Students are not
necessarily expected to cover all of these above, but the report
should be consistent, the arguments fit together, show a founded,
critical evaluation and have good structure and English.
Medium to Good report (26-39 marks): Some of the items but
lacking in either breadth or depth. Would still expect some merit in
either of the following: critical evaluation, and a selection of items
such as identification and coverage of, where relevant to the
topic,current issues, technologies, protocols, examples, trends,
weaknesses, solutions or anything else pertinent to the topic.
Poor to Medium report (0-25 marks): As above but lacking in
some key aspects of the investigation, representation or critical
evaluation. Poorer marks are likely to lack both depth and breadth
and demonstrate weak foundation in investigation of topic area.
As an indication there will be 1-5 marks for each item included. /60
Reflection and discussion of peer review of preliminary
assessment (15 marks) Reflection: on peer review activity (peer
review given and/or received), decisions, topic, approach,
limitations and investigation. For good marks the reflection should
demonstrate coherent discussion and argument of issues related to
decisions, topic, approach and investigation as appropriate. As an
indication there will be 1-3 marks for each item included. /15
Discussion of relevant professional, social, ethical issues: and
any relevant standards to the topic investigated in the report. As an
indication there will be 1-3 marks for each item included.
/15
Total for assignment .....................
Further Comments: