ICAI3020B

Install and optimise operating system software

ICAS3024B

Provide basic system administration

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Ensure user accounts are controlled

1.1. Modify default user settings to ensure that they conform to securitypolicy

1.2. Modify previously created user settings to ensure they conform to updated security policy

1.3. Ensure legal notices displayed at logon are appropriate

1.4. Use the appropriate utilities to check strength of passwords and consider tightening rules for password complexity

1.5. Take action to ensure password procedures are reviewed with appropriate other internal departments

1.6. Monitor email to uncover breaches in compliance with legislation

1.7. Access information services to identify security gaps and take appropriate action using hardware and software or patches

2. Secure file and resource access

2.1. Review inbuilt security and access features of the operatingsystem and consider need for further action

2.2. Develop or review the file security categorisation scheme, and develop an understanding of the role of users in setting security

2.3. Monitor and record securitythreats to the system

2.4. Implement a virus checking process and schedule for the server, computer and other system components

2.5. Investigate and implement inbuilt or additional encryption facilities

3. Monitor threats to the network

3.1. Use third-party software or utilities to evaluate and report on system security

3.2. Review logs and audit reports to identify security threats

3.3. Carry out spot checks and other securitystrategies to ensure that procedures are being followed

3.4. Prepare and present an audit report and recommendations to appropriate person

3.5. Obtain approval for recommended changes to be made

Required skills

Problem solving skills for a defined range of unpredictable problems

Plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to analysis, evaluation and presentation of information

Research skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating broad features of a particular business domain and best practice in system security methodologies and technologies

Report writing skills for business requiring depth in some areas, analysis and evaluation of information in a defined range of areas

Questioning and active listening skills

Project planning skills in relation to set benchmarks and identified scope

Required knowledge

Current industry-accepted hardware and software products, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities

Broad knowledge of the client business domain, business function and organisation

Systems technologies, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities and substantial depth in some areas

Risk analysis, with broad knowledge of general features

Broad knowledge of specific security technology

Broad knowledge of privacy issues and legislation

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 knowledge of security features available in the operating environment.

Assessment must confirm the ability to monitor and administer security functions on the system. This may include use of third-party diagnostic tools.

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

Security policy

Standards

Live system

Context of and specific resources for assessment

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would cover a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts most of which are complex and non-routine. Leadership and guidance would be involved when organising activities of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.

Assessment must ensure:

Performance of a broad range of skilled applications including the requirement to evaluate and analyse current practices, develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices and provision of some leadership and guidance to others in the application and planning of the skills would be characteristic.

Applications may involve responsibility for, and limited organisation of, others.

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:

ICAS4124B Monitor and administer network security

ICAT4194B Ensure basic website security

ICAT4195B Ensure dynamic website security

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating some theoretical concepts

Apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems

Identify and apply skill and knowledge areas to a wide variety of contexts, with depth in some areas

Identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources

Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to specified quality standards

Take limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

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.

User may include:

a person within a department

a department within the organisation

a third party

Security policy may be in relation to:

theft

viruses

standards (including archival, back-up, network)

privacy

audits and alerts, usually relates directly to the security objectives of the organisation

Legislation may include:

privacy legislation

copyright

liability statements

Hardware may include but is not limited to:

workstations

personal computers

modems or other connectivity devices

networks

DSL modems

remote sites

servers

Software may include but is not limited to:

commercial, in-house, packaged or customised software

Appropriateperson may include:

supervisor

teacher

authorised business representative

client

Operating system may include but is not limited to:

Linux 6.0 or above

Windows 98 or above

Apple OS 8 or above

Server may include:

Application/web servers

BEA Weblogic servers

IBM VisualAge and WebSphere

Novell NDS servers

Email servers

File and print servers

FTP servers

Firewall servers

Proxy/cache servers

System may include but is not limited to:

hardware and software components that run a computer

Computer may include:

laptops

workstations

servers

other devices

Encryption may include:

features or protocols such as RSA public key

PGP (pretty good privacy)

symmetric ciphers

asymmetric public-key ciphers

sniffers

PKI

SSH

Deslogin

PKZIP

secure socket layer (SSL)

digital signatures

Security threats may include:

eavesdropping

manipulation

impersonation

penetration

denial of service

by-pass

hacking

viruses

Securitystrategies may include:

privacy

authentication

authorisation and integrity

usually relates directly to the security objectives of the organisation

Unit sector

Support

This unit contains employability skills.