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 identify, isolate and protect a system from destructive software by installing virus protection and software updates and to identify and take counter-action against SPAM.

To demonstrate this unit of Competency the learner will require access to:

the organisation's applications needs

appropriate software

computer hardware

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The spread of junk email or spam over the internet has the potential to threaten the viability and efficiency of electronic messaging. Together with the circulation of destructive software in the form of viruses and the like, spam damages consumer confidence, obstructs legitimate business activities and imposes costs on users.

This competency is one of a suite of foundation skills necessary for all users of email and internet services.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would prepare a person to perform in a range of varied activities or knowledge applications where there is a clearly defined range of contexts in which the choice of actions required is usually clear. There would generally be limited complexity in the range of operations to be applied.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and some accountability for the quality of outcomes would be characteristic.

Applications may include some complex or non-routine activities involving individual responsibility or autonomy and/or collaboration with others as part of a group or team.

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, for example:

ICAU2005B Operate computer hardware

ICAU2006B Operate computing packages

ICAU2231B Use a computer operating system

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

demonstrate basic operational knowledge in a moderate range of areas

apply a defined range of skills

apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems

perform a range of tasks where choice between a limited range of options is required

assess and record information from varied sources

take limited responsibility for own outputs in work and learning

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Decision making in a limited range of options

Problem solving of known problems in routine procedures

Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to the presentation of information

Basic skills in computer operation and software application operation

Ability to install and/or activate system filtering and security settings

Required knowledge

Basic knowledge of identification of spam and virus intrusions and appropriate remedial action

Broad general knowledge of operating systems supported by the organisation

Broad general knowledge of computer hardware

Basic knowledge types protective applications used against viruses and spam

Spam Act 2003 and associated guidelines

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.

Appropriate action may include but is not limited to:

Delete the spam

Block the sender by configuring spam filter.

Unsubscribe from mailing list, if company is reputable

Appropriate organisation may include but is not limited:

Company that originated the spam message.

Australian Communications Authority (www.aca.gov.au)

Australian Broadcasting Authority (www.aba.gov.au/internet)

Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au)

Appropriateperson may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Operating System may include but is not limited to:

Linux 7.0 or above

Windows 2000 or above

Apple OS X or above

Virus protection

There are various antivirus software applications available. Some include: McAfee, Panda AntiVirus, Protector Plus Antivirus, Symantec's Norton Antivirus, Command Antivirus, Vet. AMIvirus

DestructiveSoftware may include but ins not limited to:

Viruses

File viruses

System sector viruses

Macro viruses

Worms

Trojans

Logic bombs

Spyware

Software Updates may include but ins not limited to:

Service packs and service releases

Security patches

Automatic online updates

Virus scanning engine updates

Virus definition updates

Spam may include:

unsolicited commercial electronic messaging, where electronic messaging covers emails, instant messaging, SMS and other mobile phone messaging, but does not cover normal voice-to-voice communication by telephone.

A formal definition is included in the Spam Act 2003.

Spamfilter may include but is not limited to:

Email client filters or rules

Email server filters

Third party filter programs such as:

MailWasher Pro

Spamassassin

Norton Internet Security

Securitysettings may include but is not limited to:

Internet browser security settings

Virus protection security settings

Firewall security settings

Operating system security settings

Advanced systems may include but is not limited to:

Hardware firewall

Software firewall