This repository contains academic coursework and projects completed as part of my B.S. in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance at Western Governors University (WGU). The coursework spans several areas of IT, cybersecurity, legal issues in information security, systems thinking, and emerging technologies. Below is a summary of the major courses, tasks, and key deliverables included in this repository.
The Digital Forensics course focuses on analyzing and investigating cybercrimes using digital forensics tools and methodologies. Key projects include mock investigations, evidence collection, and reporting.
- Autopsy Forensic Tool Reports: Various mock cases where evidence was gathered and analyzed for digital forensics.
- Data Recovery: Data retrieval from compromised systems and servers.
This course explores the impact of emerging technologies in cybersecurity, such as blockchain, machine learning, and AI, along with their implications for future threats and defenses.
- Task 1 – Network Assessment Report: A comprehensive analysis of a network's vulnerabilities and performance, using tools like Nmap and Wireshark for traffic analysis.
- Task 2 – Ethical Implications and Training Plan: Development of a security awareness training program to address emerging threats in cybersecurity.
📂 Task 1 – Network Assessment Report
📂 Task 2 – Ethical Implications and Training Plan
This course focuses on the legal and ethical frameworks in cybersecurity, covering topics like compliance, privacy laws, and regulatory standards such as HIPAA, SOX, and ECPA.
- Task 1 – Legal Analysis Summary: A breakdown of legal and compliance issues at a fictional startup.
- Task 2 – Ethical Guidance & SATE Training Plan: Ethical frameworks and training strategies for organizations.
📂 Task 1 – Legal Analysis Summary
📂 Task 2 – Ethical Guidance & SATE Training Plan
Systems Thinking explores how to approach complex problems by viewing them as part of larger systems. This course helps in identifying interdependencies, feedback loops, and how to implement holistic solutions.
- Task 1 – Wildes Bramble Systems Analysis: Used the Iceberg Tool and Behavior Over Time graphs to analyze a fictional business.
- Task 2 – Systems Archetype: Homelessness: Applied the "Limits to Growth" archetype to propose solutions to homelessness in a city.
- Task 3 – Shifting the Burden Archetype: Analyzed organizational resistance to software adoption using the four-step method.
📂 Task 1 – Wildes Bramble Systems Analysis
📂 Task 2 – Homelessness Case Archetype
📂 Task 3 – Shifting the Burden
Systems Thinking Award (2024): Task 1 from the D372 Systems Thinking course was recognized with WGU’s Systems Thinking Award for excellence in applied systems modeling and analysis.
- Digital Forensics: Evidence gathering, forensic analysis, and reporting.
- Emerging Technologies: Evaluation and analysis of new cybersecurity threats and technologies.
- Legal & Ethical Compliance: Legal analysis and the creation of ethical frameworks for cybersecurity.
- Systems Thinking: Complex problem analysis, system modeling, and applying archetypes to propose solutions.
Contact:
Kiarah Pettaway
LinkedIn
kiatan@duck.com
Disclaimer: All case content and scenarios are fictional and recreated for academic and portfolio purposes only.