Sample HI5030 System Analysis and Design Report

HI5030 System Analysis and Design Report Sample

This assessment relates to the unit learning outcomes as in the Unit of Study Guide. This assessment is designed to give students skills to explore the latest system analysis and design trends, challenges, and future directions.

In this individual research paper, you will explore a contemporary issue in systems analysis and design, integrating academic research with practical application. The assignment is designed to deepen your understanding of the selected issue and its real-world impact on business information systems. You will critically analyse the issue, apply relevant methodologies to a real-world or hypothetical scenario, and propose solutions to address the challenges it presents.

1. Issue Selection:

- What You’ll Do: Choose a contemporary issue from the list provided by the unit coordinator. Some examples of issues you might consider include:

o Agile vs. Waterfall Methodologies: The challenges and benefits of agile methodologies compared to traditional waterfall approaches in system development.

o Data Privacy and Security: How emerging privacy regulations, such as GDPR, impact system design and the challenges of ensuring compliance while maintaining system efficiency.

o Integration of AI in System Design: The opportunities and challenges of incorporating artificial intelligence into business information systems, including issues related to data quality, bias, and explainability.

o Cloud-Based Systems vs. On-Premises Systems: The considerations and trade-offs involved in choosing cloud-based solutions over traditional on-premises systems, including security, cost, and scalability.

o User-Centred Design: The importance of user experience (UX) in systems analysis and design, and the challenges of balancing user needs with technical requirements.

2. Research and Practical Application:

- What You’ll Do: Start by conducting a literature review on your chosen issue. Look for academic articles, industry reports, and case studies that discuss the issue in depth. Then, apply the insights from your research to a practical scenario. For example:

o Agile vs. Waterfall Methodologies: After reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches, you could apply them to a project management scenario in a software development company. You might create a prototype or design document showing how an agile approach could be adapted to a traditionally waterfall project, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges.

o Data Privacy and Security: If your issue is data privacy, you could apply your research to a company that needs to redesign its information systems to comply with GDPR. This could involve proposing specific changes to data storage and processing practices and demonstrating how these changes would be implemented.

3. Impact and Solution Analysis:

• What You’ll Do: Analyse how the selected issue impacts the design and implementation of business 1 information systems in your scenario. Discuss how the issue affects system functionality, data management, and the communication of requirements to stakeholders. Then, propose practical solutions or methodologies that could address these challenges. For example:

o Agile vs. Waterfall Methodologies: Your analysis might reveal that while agile offers greater flexibility, it may be less effective in highly regulated industries where detailed documentation is required. You could propose a hybrid approach that incorporates the flexibility of agile with the structure of waterfall.

o Integration of AI in System Design: You might identify that the use of AI introduces new challenges in data quality and bias. To address this, you could propose a framework for regular audits of AI systems to ensure they are fair and transparent.

4. Documentation and Communication:

• What You’ll Do: Compile your findings, analysis, and proposed solutions into a well-organized research paper. Your paper should clearly articulate both the theoretical research and the practical application. Ensure your writing is accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences, using clear explanations and supporting your arguments with evidence from your research and application.

Solution

Introduction

Background

The rapid expansion in digital platforms has forced data security and privacy to become integral in modern-day processes. With private information becoming an asset, governments and regulating bodies have formulated strong policies such as GDPR in an attempt to secure information regarding users from misuse, unauthorized access, and information leakages. GDPR compels a strong collection of requirements such as transparency in processing, granting users high levels of information control, and having strong security controls in place (Sharma, 2019, p5-33). Organizations must re-engineer system approaches in compliance with such requirements in a manner that maintains efficiency in the system intact.

Purpose

This report for the Assignment Help aims to examine how GDPR affects system design, such as its challenge for organizations in achieving compliance at a cost not incurring a loss in system performance. It involves an in-depth analysis of methodologies and approaches companies can use in harmonizing information systems with GDPR compliance at a level not compromise operational agility.

Scope

The study addresses information systems in financial services and in e-commerce whose operations entail working with sensitive information regarding users at a fundamental level. Analysis entails compliance issues, impact on system structures, and proposed solutions in terms of using privacy-preserving technology and automation.

Structure

The report is organized into key sections, beginning with an analysis of GDPR and similar legislation, followed by a careful analysis of compliance barriers and ramifications for commercial infrastructure, and then a real-world application case study to present actual compliance methodologies, culminating in proposed methodologies and an implementation schedule for enhancing security for information and compliance with legislation.

Literature Review

Theoretical Background

Major GDPR compliance concepts are privacy-by-design, data minimization, encryption, and lawful processing of data. Privacy-by-design ensures that data protective measures are included in system development at an early stage and not appended later. Data minimization entails collecting data that is pertinent to a certain purpose, reducing exposure to security threats. Encryption secures stored and in-transit data, and access to them in an unauthorized way is difficult. Lawful processing of data ensures openness in processing an individual's data and for a certain purpose defined under GDPR. Kamocki and Witt, (2020) state that compliance is enhanced through privacy-by-design principles, through inclusion of security in system architecture, and reducing security breaches (Kamocki, and Witt, 2020, p3423-3427). Daniel, 2022 further identifies that secure processing and encryption are vital considerations in the protection of users' information, and in reducing exposure to cybersecurity threats (Daniel, 2022, p33-43).

Current Research

Recent studies have concentrated specifically on GDPR's function in redefining information security architectures. Research identifies added expenses and complexity, particularly for SMEs, with compliance. Most companies have a problem with interpreting GDPR requirements, and therefore, have an ad hoc form of compliance. According to studies, GDPR encourages increased trust in consumers, but full compliance is challenging with changing requirements and technological development. Höglund, (2019) believes that blockchain technology can deliver secure, unalterable transaction logs in supporting GDPR compliance, particularly in terms of controlling data (Höglund, 2019, p12-32). Carroll et al., in 2023 refer to using AI for compliance automation, with companies being capable of tracking and controlling user information and reducing human intervention and mistakes (Carroll et al., 2023, p1-19).

Relevance to Business Information Systems

Compliance needs to shape business systems through an impact on database structure, access controls, and authentication processes for users. GDPR necessitates that companies implement strong access controls in a move to stop unauthorized access to sensitive information. Companies must also maintain thorough logs of processing activity, and therefore, must modify database administration systems. Rules for the right to be forgotten and data portability require companies to implement processes through which users can request deletion of information or move information to new service providers. Business information systems must also include real-time tracking tools to detect information breaches and honor GDPR’s 72-hour breach reporting requirement. According to MBULA, (2019), companies that fail to comply with these requirements face significant penalties, and compliance is a key concern for system architects (MBULA, 2019, p1-7). In addition, studies conducted by Höglund (2019) have determined that GDPR compliance is driving companies to redesign their system architectures with enhanced security capabilities, including biometric authentication and sophisticated algorithms for encryptions (Höglund, 2019, p12-32).

Analysis of the Issue

Description of the Issue

GDPR compliance involves several technical, operational, and legal complexities. Organizations must maintain security for information, manage consent, and have effective breach response processes in position. Having to maintain compliance and yet preserve efficiency in the system involves additional complications. Organizations must redesign systems in a way that incorporates privacy-related controls in a manner that doesn't affect operations. Regulatory bodies have severe penalties for non-compliance, and compliance is, therefore, significant in terms of financial and reputational loss avoidance. Besides, GDPR involves proactive security for information, with continuous updating and tracking in terms of emerging vulnerabilities and changing legislation and laws (Tamburri, 2020, p1-14).

Impact on Business Information Systems

Companies must re-engineer information systems to:

- Implement encrypted data and secure access protocols in compliance with GDPR security standards, such as end-to-end encryption, secure key management, and complex authentication processes to resist unauthorized access to information (Pookandy, 2020, p19-32).

- Ensure compliance with the rights of users over information, such as erasure and portability. Organizations must have processes in place through which deletion and moving of information can be requested in terms of GDPR’s principle of right-to-be-forgotten.

- Develop real-time auditing capabilities in a manner that will enable companies to monitor and log all processing activity for data, for transparency and for compliance with regulators to verify compliance.

- Introduce role-based access controls to limit access to sensitive information based on job roles. Individual datasets can only have access for approved staff, and through this, security and data vulnerabilities will be reduced to a minimum.

- Conduct regular compliance audits and risk assessments to assess potential vulnerabilities in business information systems and apply corrective actions in anticipation of breaches taking place.

Comparison of Methodologies/Approaches

- Traditional security methodologies focus first and foremost on perimeter security, such as anti-malware and firewalls, but lack in GDPR compliance through an insufficiency of deeper security processes for safeguarding information. Traditional methodologies provide a baseline level of security, but not one capable of supporting modern compliance frameworks with a focus on safeguarding information at all processing stages.

- Privacy-enhancing technologies (e.g., homomorphic encryption) allow for increased compliance through computations over encrypted data, not in its plaintext state. In such a way, private information is preserved even during processing, but such techniques require high computational powers, with increased operational costs and system overheads (Hall, 2024, p39-46).

- Hybrid approaches integrate AI-facilitated compliance monitoring with traditional security methods. AI-facilitated compliance tools can monitor compliance with policies, detect outliers, and manage risks with effectiveness. Hybrid approaches, through a combination of traditional security methodologies and emerging techniques for protecting privacy, integrate compliance and system performance harmoniously. Organizations can utilize AI-facilitated auditing tools to scan high volumes of information in real time, and compliance can be guaranteed with reduced intervention.
Practical Application

Scenario Description

A multinational e-commerce retailer will have to re-engineer its information management system in compliance with GDPR legislation. The retailer processes enormous amounts of information about its customers, including payment details, individual identifiers, and web browsing behavior. GDPR compliance will require significant changes in collecting, storing, and accessing information in a way that doesn't affect operational efficiency in any manner. Embedding security controls in a way that doesn't impair user experience will challenge the retailer, and a careful balancing act between compliance and agility in operations will be a necessity.

The introduction of new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) brings opportunity and challenge together. AI not only will enhance security for information but will require a high level of governance for ethics compliance. Cross-border transmissions of information will have to be handled, and with them, additional legal requirements will become applicable. In this case study, an optimized compliance path with GDPR and at the same time not compromising efficiency in operations will be exhibited.

Application of Methodologies

Automated Consent Management Systems: Implementing automated consent management tools keeps users in control of collecting and processing information about them. Automated consent management tools make it easier for users to opt in and withdraw consent at any stage, in compliance with GDPR requirements. Automated tracking of consent reduces administration and lessens the risk of non-compliance through having a current record of a user's preference (Chhetri et al., 2022, p.2763(5)).

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): The adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) fortifies security for information through a multi-step access-granting verification process. By utilizing biometric authentication, one-time passwords (OTPs), and hardware tokens, MFA reduces unauthorized access with high-security protocols in position for safeguarding sensitive information about a user in case of future hacks and cyber attacks (Lawson, 2023, p1-13).

Data Retention Policies: Developing robust data retention policies assists in deleting unnecessary and outdated information automatically in a manner that adheres to GDPR requirements. Having an automatic mechanism for deleting information lessens vulnerability to over-storage of information, and subsequently lessens vulnerability to a data breach. Policies also allow companies to have effective use of storage and compliance with requirements for minimizing information under legislation.
Real-Time Compliance Monitoring: Integrating real-time compliance tracking tools helps companies monitor processing activity and label suspected violations in real-time. AI-powered analysis tells companies about processing activity for specific users, and companies can actively correct compliance failures in real-time even when no failure actually occurred.

Incident Response and Breach Notification Protocols: Establishing structured incident reporting and breach notification processes helps in minimizing loss in case of a breach. GDPR mandates organisations to report to regulators in 72 hours when a breach is discovered. Automated incident reporting and incident resolution processes enable rapid incident identification, containment, resolution, compliance, and trust with stakeholders (Obanla and Sapozhnikov, 2019, p12-20).

Outcome

The redesigned system vastly improves security for the data, with increased compliance with GDPR and operational effectiveness for the organization. Automated consent management enables transparency and trust with the users, and multi-factor authentication strengthens access controls. Data retention policies minimize unnecessary storing of data, safeguarding against future legal repercussions. Real-time compliance checking reduces compliance-related danger, with ongoing compliance with developing standards. AI and ML integration fortifies security for the data and enables real-time danger detection and response. Automated reporting processes streamline GDPR compliance audits, with reduced administration involved.

By balancing security, compliance, and operational efficiency, the organization achieves an expandable and flexible information management infrastructure. In the long-term, the enhanced system enables a safer, user-centric information environment for both the organisation and its clients. Implementation of AI-powered security and compliance tools not only ensures GDPR compliance but puts the organization at an edge in terms of ethical information processing and cybersecurity solidity.

Proposed Solutions

Solution Description

To address GDPR compliance in an effective manner, companies must undertake a multi-faceted approach comprising encryption, governance, and compliance automation.

Encryption and access controls: Secure information at rest and in transit with robust encryption algorithms like AES-256. Implement multi-dimensional authentication processes, such as biometric and multi-factor authentication (MFA), to safeguard access (Iavich et al., 2024, p70-78).

Data Governance Framework: Adopt a documented data governance model with role-based access controls (RBAC), real-time activity logging, and automated audit trails for compliance with GDPR transparency and accountability requirements (Nookala, 2024, p2-18).

Automated Compliance Monitoring: Install AI-based compliance monitoring software that periodically audits system logs and data transactions for suspected compliance failures. Automated software can detect unapproved access, label non-compliant data storage, and generate real-time alerts for security professionals

Justification

Implementing these solutions strengthens security for data and ensures efficiency in the system. Encryption keeps even unauthorized access at bay, and yet, keeps the information in an uninterpretable and secure state. Having a strong data governance model reduces the chance of any kind of human errors, and with that, helps companies comply with regulatory requirements with ease. Automated compliance checking reduces the burden of constant checking, allowing companies to detect and correct any compliance-related issues.

Implementation Plan

- Assessment: Conduct a complete GDPR compliance review to detect security and governance vulnerabilities, evaluate processing risks for your data, and confirm compliance with applicable regulations.

- Development: Modify system infrastructure with strengthened encryption techniques, role-based access controls (RBAC), and compliance tools for securing information.

- Testing: Perform in-depth security tests, including penetration testing, system audits, and acceptance tests, to validate protective controls

- Deployment: Implement compliance in phased phases, with a minimum level of operational disruption and opportunity for iterative refinement and system optimizations.

- Monitoring: Establish continuous compliance tracking with AI-facilitated analysis, conduct regular audits, and apply real-time risk management methodologies to assure GDPR compliance and system integrity.

Conclusion

GDPR has initiated a new era in system development with its imposition of strong data protection and prioritization of anonymity for users. Organizations must operate in an environment with a complex scheme of regulation that will require them to integrate privacy-by-design methodologies, secure information processing, and real-time transactional observation for compliance. Compliance poses such challenges as implementation complexity, uncertainty in legislation, and performance compromises, but proactive techniques such as encryption, role-based access controls, and governance automation can harmonize system efficiency with compliance requirements effectively. Besides, companies have to review security and compliance methodologies in a continuous manner regularly in an ongoing search for countering new emerging threats and changing compliance requirements in a long-term basis.

As businesses increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, security for information has become a part of system planning. Organizations must integrate privacy as a principle in planning, such that security controls have no impact on operational efficiency. Trends in technology enriched with privacy, AI-powered compliance tracking, and blockchain-powered tracking of information can make GDPR compliance easier to manage. With these emerging trends, frameworks for safeguarding information can become efficient and allow companies to maintain agility and responsiveness at the same time. As awareness regarding information privacy keeps growing, companies prioritizing compliance can gain a competitive edge through trust and a demonstration of a desire to safeguard individual information. Overall proactive and meticulous compliance will not only allow companies to manage risks but will make them overall cybersecurity strong.

Recommendations

Actionable Steps

To ensure long-term GDPR compliance and future emerging legislation regarding data privacy, companies must act in anticipation in fortifying security frameworks:

- Regularly update security policies in accordance with developing laws and legislation, with a view to revising them every six months and including best practice in the field.

- Implement privacy-enhancing techniques such as homomorphic encryption and differential privacy in an effort to mitigate vulnerabilities in data exposure and maintain usability for operations and analysis.

- Conduct periodic audits, both internal and external, to detect vulnerabilities and evaluate system resilience.

- Employ automated compliance tools for real-time deviation in policies and taking immediate corrective actions.
Best Practices

- Adopt a security-first development at every stage of software and system development, with security controls incorporated at each stage

- Establish transparent data processing policies to inform users about how their information is collected, stored, and processed, in a manner that will instill trust in regulators

- Train employees in GDPR compliance and best practice, instilling a culture of awareness and accountability.

Reference