1) Since we know that this particular instance of the AppMaker implements a customer-facing store that processes financial transactions, how does that influence which threat agents may be interested in attacking it? 2) Attached Document with Requirements. (Need Conclusion too.) Let me know if you have any questions. Text Book: In today’s world, both government and the private sector are struggling to provide a secure, efficient, timely, and separate means of delivering essential services internationally. As a result, these critical national infrastructure systems remain at risk from potential attacks via the Internet. It is the policy of the United States to prevent or minimize disruptions to the critical national information infrastructure in order to protect the public, the economy, government services, and the national security of the United States.The Federal Government is continually increasing capabilities to address cyber risk associated with critical networks and information systems. Please explain how you would reduce potential vulnerabilities, protect against intrusion attempts, and better anticipate future threats. APA Format 2 References

In analyzing the potential threats to the AppMaker that implements a customer-facing store processing financial transactions, the fact that it deals with financial transactions automatically makes it an attractive target for various threat agents. The nature of the system being customer-facing also opens up additional avenues for potential attacks. It is important to identify and understand these threat agents in order to implement appropriate security measures to protect the system.

One key threat agent that may be interested in attacking the AppMaker is financially motivated hackers or cybercriminals. They see an opportunity to gain unauthorized access to the financial transactions and exploit them for personal financial gain. Their goal may be to steal sensitive customer information such as credit card details, social security numbers, or other payment-related data that can be used for identity theft or fraudulent activities. Financially motivated threat agents may also attempt to manipulate or alter transactions to divert funds to their own accounts.

Another potential threat agent is a disgruntled employee or an insider with privileged access to the system. These individuals may have grievances against the company or seek to benefit from leaking confidential information or disrupting the system’s operations. Their motivations can range from personal revenge to insider trading or industrial espionage.

Additionally, hacktivist groups or politically motivated threat agents may target the AppMaker to make a political statement or disrupt the operations of the store. Their attacks may include defacement of the website, denial-of-service attacks, or data breaches in order to expose sensitive customer information and embarrass the organization.

Fraudsters and identity thieves may also be interested in attacking the AppMaker to obtain customer information for fraudulent activities. They could use the stolen data to create fake identities, apply for credit cards, or perform other illegal activities.

To reduce potential vulnerabilities, protect against intrusion attempts, and better anticipate future threats, a multi-layered approach to security should be adopted. This includes implementing strong access controls, encryption of sensitive data, regular security updates and patches, and continuous monitoring of the system for any unusual activities.

Additionally, conducting regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify and address any weaknesses in the system. Employee training and awareness programs can also help in detecting and preventing insider threats.

Furthermore, keeping up-to-date with the latest threat intelligence and emerging attack vectors can help anticipate future threats and proactively implement appropriate defenses. Collaboration with industry partners and information sharing forums can play a vital role in staying ahead of potential attackers.

In conclusion, the AppMaker that implements a customer-facing store processing financial transactions is susceptible to a range of threat agents due to its nature. Financially motivated hackers, insiders, hacktivist groups, and fraudsters are all potential threat agents with different motivations. By implementing a comprehensive security strategy that includes access controls, encryption, regular monitoring, and staying informed about emerging threats, the potential vulnerabilities can be reduced, intrusion attempts can be protected against, and future threats can be better anticipated.