Cybersecurity-Architecture-and-Engineering WGU Cybersecurity Architecture and Engineering (D488) Questions and Answers

Professional associations are vital for IT professionals because they:

Provide up-to-date training: Offering courses, certifications, and workshops to keep members current with the latest technologies, practices, and industry standards.

Networking opportunities: Facilitating connections with other professionals in the field, which can lead to job opportunities and collaborations.

Professional development: Offering resources and support for career growth and development.

Industry standards and best practices: Providing guidelines and frameworks to ensure high-quality work and ethical practices.

Staying engaged with professional associations helps IT professionals remain knowledgeable and competent in their field.

References

CompTIA, "Advancing the Global IT Industry."

ISACA, "Building a Better Digital World."

Operating Systems:

Operating systems are software that manage computer hardware and software resources, providing common services for computer programs.

Commonly Used Operating Systems:

Mac OS: Developed by Apple Inc., used on Apple computers.

Linux: An open-source operating system used on a wide variety of devices from servers to personal computers.

Microsoft Windows: Developed by Microsoft, it is one of the most widely used operating systems for personal and business computers.

Not Operating Systems:

Microsoft Outlook: An email client, part of the Microsoft Office suite.

MySQL: A relational database management system.

Mozilla Firefox: A web browser.

References:

Types of operating systems: Types of Operating Systems

Mac OS:macOS

Linux:Linux

Microsoft Windows:Windows

Intranet Application Software:

Intranet applications are designed to be used within an organization’s internal network. They are not accessible from outside the organization unless through a secure connection like a VPN.

Characteristics:

Internal Hosting: These applications are hosted on servers within the business network, ensuring that only authorized internal users can access them.

Security: Since they are hosted internally, they can be secured with internal security measures like firewalls and access controls.

Incorrect Options:

A: Describes applications hosted by external providers.

C: Describes applications hosted by third-party web portals.

D: Describes standalone applications on individual computers.

References:

Intranet applications: Intranet Applications

IT infrastructure encompasses all the physical and virtual resources that support the flow,storage, processing, and analysis of data. Networks, which include the internet, intranets, and extranets, are fundamental components of IT infrastructure as they enable communication and data exchange between different hardware and software components.

Business continuity planning (BCP) is essential because it ensures that an organization can quickly resume its critical functions after a disruption. The key aspects include:

Minimizing downtime: Strategies to restore business operations as quickly as possible.

Risk management: Identifying potential threats and creating plans to mitigate their impact.

Data recovery: Ensuring that data can be restored quickly in the event of a loss.

Communication plans: Establishing protocols for communicating with employees, customers, and stakeholders during and after a disruption.

The primary goal of BCP is to ensure the quickest return to business operations, maintaining service levels and minimizing financial losses.

References

Andrew Hiles, "The Definitive Handbook of Business Continuity Management," Wiley.

Michael Wallace and Lawrence Webber, "The Disaster Recovery Handbook," AMACOM.

A Local Area Network (LAN) requires a router to communicate over the Internet.

The router serves as a gateway that connects the LAN to the external network (Internet) and directs data traffic between the LAN and the Internet.

The other options:

Multiplexer combines multiple signals into one.

Repeater amplifies signals to extend the range.

Switch connects devices within the LAN but does not facilitate Internet communication.

Therefore, a router is the necessary device for a LAN to communicate over the Internet.

References:

"Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach" by James Kurose and Keith Ross, which explains network devices and their functions.

"CCNA Routing and Switching Study Guide" by Todd Lammle, which covers routers and their roles in networks.

Scope creep refers to the phenomenon where the scope of a project gradually increases over time due to small, incremental changes that were not initially planned or approved. This can happen when:

New featuresor requirements are added without proper evaluation or approval.

Stakeholderscontinuously request small changes or additions.

Lack of a clear scope definitionand change control process.

These small changes can accumulate, leading to significant deviations from the original project plan, affecting the project's schedule, budget, and overall success.

References

Project Management Institute, "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)," PMI.

Kathy Schwalbe, "Information Technology Project Management," Cengage Learning.

Information Technology (IT) has revolutionized the way businesses operate, enabling them to reach global markets and audiences. IT facilitates communication, data exchange, and operational efficiency across borders, allowing companies to manage global operations and engage with international customers seamlessly. This global reach is a critical aspect of modern business strategies, driven by advancements in IT infrastructure and services.

Alpha testing is a type of system testing that involves having end users test the system with simulated data and the help of the developer. This phase is crucial because:

Early feedback: Users provide early feedback on the usability and functionality of the system.

Bug identification: Developers can identify and fix bugs before the system is released for beta testing or production.

Simulated environment: The testing is done in a controlled, simulated environment, often within the development organization.

Alpha testing is followed by beta testing, where the system is tested in a real-world environment by end users without the developers' direct involvement.

References

Ron Patton, "Software Testing," Sams Publishing.

Glenford J. Myers, "The Art of Software Testing," Wiley.

AnEnd User License Agreement (EULA)is a legal contract between the software manufacturer and the user.

The primary purpose of a EULA is togrant the user the right to use the software.

It outlines the terms and conditions under which the software can be used.

This can include restrictions on installation, distribution, and modification.

The EULA helps protect the intellectual property rights of the software creator.

References:

"Software Licensing Handbook" by Jeffrey I. Gordon.

"Intellectual Property and Open Source" by Van Lindberg.

Proxy Server Functions:

Caching: Proxy servers can store copies of web pages and other web resources. This helps to improve load times for frequently accessed resources and reduce bandwidth usage.

Security: They can provide additional security by anonymizing the user’s IP address and filtering unwanted content.

Correct Function:

Acting as a cache (B) is one of the primary functions, where it stores web pages that users in the organization have recently accessed.

Incorrect Functions:

A: Describes a file server.

C: Describes a database server.

D: Describes a web server.

References:

Proxy servers: Proxy Server

Caching in proxy servers:Caching Proxy

The statement refers to the different types of media that can be used for data backup. Backup media encompasses various storage devices and methods used to store copies of data. Examples include:

CDs and DVDs: Optical storage media used for smaller-scale backups.

Hard drives: Mechanical or solid-state drives used for local and external backups.

Cloud storage: Online services providing remote storage and access to backups.

Choosing the appropriate backup media is crucial for ensuring data availability and recovery in case of data loss.

References

David M. Kroenke and Randall J. Boyle, "Using MIS," Pearson.

Curtis Preston, "Backup & Recovery: Inexpensive Backup Solutions for Open Systems," O'Reilly Media.

A system administrator is responsible for managing, installing, and maintaining an organization's computer systems and networks. This role involves configuring new hardware, setting up user accounts, troubleshooting system and network issues, and ensuring the systems run efficiently.

The development of scope creep is often signaled by the addition of many unplanned features to the original project. This indicates that the project scope is expanding beyond its initial boundaries. Key indicators include:

Uncontrolled changesto the project scope.

Continuous new requestsfrom stakeholders that were not part of the original requirements.

Increased project complexityand difficulty in managing the project timeline and resources.

Scope creep can lead to delays, budget overruns, and project failure if not managed properly.

References

Project Management Institute, "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)," PMI.

Harold Kerzner, "Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling," Wiley.

The goal of an IT department that directly supports business goals is to develop technological solutions that enable and enhance the company's business operations. Developing an online shopping cart for company products directly supports the business goal of facilitating online sales. This involves:

E-commerce functionality: Enabling customers to browse, select, and purchase products online.

User experience: Creating a seamless and user-friendly shopping experience to drive sales.

Integration: Ensuring the shopping cart integrates with backend systems like inventory and order management.

This development aligns with business goals by enabling revenue generation through online sales.

References

Efraim Turban, Judy Whiteside, David King, and Jon Outland, "Introduction to Electronic Commerce and Social Commerce," Springer.

Laudon, K.C. and Traver, C.G., "E-commerce 2020-2021: Business, Technology, Society," Pearson.

Aproprietary software licensetypically grants a business or user theright to usethe software.

Unlike open-source licenses, proprietary licenses do not usually allow modification, redistribution, or reverse engineering.

The software remains the property of the company that created it, and the licensee is only granted specific, limited rights.

Examples:Many enterprise software applications come with proprietary licenses that specify the terms of use.

References:

"Open Source Licensing: Software Freedom and Intellectual Property Law" by Lawrence Rosen.

"Proprietary Software Licenses Explained" from Software Engineering Institute.

The SQL statementSELECT * FROM Customers WHERE State = 'Arizona';is used to select records from theCustomerstable.

TheSELECT *clause indicates that all columns from theCustomerstable should be returned.

TheWHEREclause filters the rows to only include those where theStatecolumn value is'Arizona'.

The result is a subset of theCustomerstable with all rows that match the condition.

References:

"SQL For Dummies" by Allen G. Taylor.

"SQL Pocket Guide" by Jonathan Gennick.