The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

Assessment must confirm the ability to ensure encryption solutions are implemented and appropriate to the business technology environment and business needs.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Servers

Encryption software

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The integrity of organisational data and sensitive documents is vital for businesses. Encryption of sensitive data is a way for organisations to protect this data. Confidentiality, integrity and availability of data are the three key goals for securing information.

A number of commercial encryption technologies are available in the market. It is vital that the implementation of these technologies takes place in a methodical and informed manner. Research of available technologies is important including information available through online vendor and newsgroup sources and security forums.

The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.

Assessment must ensure:

The demonstration of competency may also require self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.

Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas

Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements

Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations

Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters

Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Surveillance analysis

Implementation of encryption protocols

Implementing LAN/WLAN, VPN or WAN solutions

Ability to undertake a network security risk assessment

Ability to develop enterprise policies and procedures

Required knowledge

Security threats, including eavesdropping, data interception, data corruption, data falsification, authentication issues

Organisational issues surrounding security

Encryption strength

Encryption types (public key, secret key, hash key)

The functions and features of symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption and one-way encryption

Examples of symmetric key encryption (e.g. DES, Triple DES, Skipjack, IDEA, Blowfish)

Examples of symmetric key encryption (e.g. RSA)

Asymmetric key-based algorithms and public key/private key encryption

PKI, PGP: pretty good privacy, GnuPG

Examples of one-way encryption (e.g. message digests [MD5, SHA]), functions and features of timestamps, functions and features of digital signatures, replay security, functions and features of access control permissions, certificate-related infrastructure (certificate authorities, registration authorities, repository services), TCP/IP protocols and applications

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Encryption may include but is not limited to:

RSA public key

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)

symmetric ciphers

asymmetric public-key ciphers

sniffers

PKI

SSH

DESlogin

PKZIP

secure socket layer (SSL)

digital signatures

Appropriateperson may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Encryption technologies may include:

Authentex DataSafe

GPG (GNU software)

Blowfish Advanced 97

Crypto ActiveX Tool

Distributed management systems

PGP

Cryptainer LE

User may include:

a person within a department

a department within the organisation

a third party