This unit applies to experienced technical support personnel, such as help-desk supervisors, IT support technicians, and user support specialists responsible for maintaining the security of a system.
Not applicable.
1. Ensure user accounts are controlled | 1.1 Modify default user settings to ensure that they conform to security policy 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 Check strength of passwords using the appropriate utilities 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 operating system 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 security threats 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 security strategies 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
communication skills to:
liaise with technical team members
present information
provide assistance with organisational guidelines
review logs and audit reports to identify security threats
problem-solving skills to:
identify security threats
use third-party software or utilities to evaluate system security
project planning skills to:
identify scope
implement a virus checking process and schedule
set benchmarks
report writing skills to:
present audit reports and recommendations
report on system security
research skills to identify, analyse and evaluate broad features of a particular business domain and best practice in system security methodologies and technologies
technical skills to:
check strength of passwords
implement virus checking processes and schedules
modify user settings
monitor and record security threats to the system.
Required knowledge
current industry-accepted hardware and software products
privacy issues and legislation with regard to IT security
key components of risk analysis process for system security
specific security technology
systems technologies
client business domain, including client organisation structure and business functionality.
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 ability to: monitor and administer security functions on the system, which may include use of third-party diagnostic tools confirm knowledge of security features available in the operating environment. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: security policy industry and organisational standards live system appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct observation: ensuring security policy compliance using security strategies to evaluate and report on system security and threats review of: audit report and recommendations prepared virus checking process and schedule implemented verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of security features within the operating environment. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
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: | department within the organisation person within a department third party. |
Security policy may relate to: | audits and alerts file access levels privacy security objectives of the organisation standards: archival backup network theft viruses. |
Legislation may include: | copyright liability statements privacy legislation. |
Hardware may include: | modems or other connectivity devices networks personal computers remote sites servers workstations. |
Software may include: | application: spreadsheet database word-processing internet browser commercial customised in-house programming: assembler compiler development tools system: computer security software device drivers operating system. |
Operating system may include: | Linux GNU and Linux Mac OS X Microsoft Windows Unix-like operating systems: HP-UX IBM AIX Silicon Graphics IRIX Sun Solaris. |
Security threats may include: | by-pass denial of service eavesdropping hacking impersonation manipulation penetration viruses. |
Server may include: | application or web servers BEA Weblogic servers email servers file and print servers firewall servers FTP servers IBM VisualAge and WebSphere Novell Directory Services (NDS) servers proxy or cache servers voice servers. |
Computer may include: | laptops other devices: hand-held and mobile devices personal digital assistant (PDA) servers workstations. |
Encryption may include: | asymmetric public-key ciphers Deslogin digital signatures public key infrastructure (PKI) PKZIP pretty good privacy (PGP) RSA public key secure socket layer (SSL) sniffers SSH symmetric ciphers. |
Security strategies may include: | authentication authorisation and integrity privacy security objectives of the organisation. |
Appropriate person may include: | authorised business representative client project manager security consultant supervisor. |
Systems administration and support
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.