Higher Nationals

Internal verification of assessment decisions – BTEC (RQF)

INTERNAL VERIFICATION – ASSESSMENT DECISIONS
Programme title BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing

Assessor Internal Verifier

Unit 6 Managing a Successful Computing Project
Unit(s)
Vulnerability Assessment – Management Information System (MIS) Project
Assignment title

Student’s name
List which assessment Pass Merit Distinction
criteria the Assessor has
awarded.
INTERNAL VERIFIER CHECKLIST

Do the assessment criteria awarded match

those shown in the assignment brief? Y/N

Is the Pass/Merit/Distinction grade awarded

justified by the assessor’s comments on the Y/N
student work?
Has the work been assessed
Y/N
accurately?
Is the feedback to the student:
Give details:

• Constructive?
Y/N
• Linked to relevant assessment
criteria? Y/N

• Identifying opportunities for

improved performance? Y/N

• Agreeing actions? Y/N

Does the assessment decision need

Y/N
amending?
Assessor signature Date

Internal Verifier signature Date

Programme Leader signature(if
Date
required)
 Confirm action completed
Remedial action taken

Give details:

Assessor signature Date

Internal Verifier
Date
signature
Programme Leader
Date
signature (if required)
Higher Nationals - Summative Assignment Feedback Form
Student Name/ID
Unit Title Unit 6 Managing a Successful Computing Project

Assignment Number 1 Assessor

Date Received 1st
Submission Date
submission
Date Received 2nd
Re-submission Date
submission
Assessor Feedback:

LO1. Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme

Pass, Merit & Distinction P1 P2 P3 M1

Descripts
LO2. Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge

to support the project

Pass, Merit & Distinction P4 M2 D1

Descripts

LO3. Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions
drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis.
Pass, Merit & Distinction P5 P6 M3
Descripts

LO4. Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable
organisational performance
Pass, Merit & Distinction P7 M4 D2
Descripts

Grade: Assessor Signature: Date:

Resubmission Feedback:

Grade: Assessor Signature: Date:

Internal Verifier’s Comments:

Signature & Date:

* Please note that grade decisions are provisional. They are only confirmed once internal and external moderation has taken place and grades decisions have
been agreed at the assessment board.
Pearson
Higher Nationals in
Computing
Unit 6: Managing a Successful Computing Project
General Guidelines
1. A Cover page or title page – You should always attach a title page to your assignment. Use previous page as
your cover sheet and be sure to fill the details correctly.
2. This entire brief should be attached in first before you start answering.
3. All the assignments should prepare using word processing software.
4. All the assignments should print in A4 sized paper, and make sure to only use one side printing.
5. Allow 1” margin on each side of the paper. But on the left side you will need to leave room for binging.

Word Processing Rules

1. Use a font type that will make easy for your examiner to read. The font size should be 12 point, and should be
in the style of Time New Roman.
2. Use 1.5 line word-processing. Left justify all paragraphs.
3. Ensure that all headings are consistent in terms of size and font style.
4. Use footer function on the word processor to insert Your Name, Subject, Assignment No, and Page Number
on each page. This is useful if individual sheets become detached for any reason.
5. Use word processing application spell check and grammar check function to help edit your assignment.

Important Points:
1. Check carefully the hand in date and the instructions given with the assignment. Late submissions will not be
accepted.
2. Ensure that you give yourself enough time to complete the assignment by the due date.
3. Don’t leave things such as printing to the last minute – excuses of this nature will not be accepted for failure
to hand in the work on time.
4. You must take responsibility for managing your own time effectively.
5. If you are unable to hand in your assignment on time and have valid reasons such as illness, you may apply (in
writing) for an extension.
6. Failure to achieve at least a PASS grade will result in a REFERRAL grade being given.
7. Non-submission of work without valid reasons will lead to an automatic REFERRAL. You will then be asked to
complete an alternative assignment.
8. Take great care that if you use other people’s work or ideas in your assignment, you properly reference them,
using the HARVARD referencing system, in you text and any bibliography, otherwise you may be guilty of
plagiarism.
9. If you are caught plagiarising you could have your grade reduced to A REFERRAL or at worst you could be
excluded from the course.
Student Declaration

I hereby, declare that I know what plagiarism entails, namely to use another’s work and to present it as my own
without attributing the sources in the correct way. I further understand what it means to copy another’s work.

1. I know that plagiarism is a punishable offence because it constitutes theft.

2. I understand the plagiarism and copying policy of the Edexcel UK.
3. I know what the consequences will be if I plagiaries or copy another’s work in any of the assignments for this
program.
4. I declare therefore that all work presented by me for every aspects of my program, will be my own, and where
I have made use of another’s work, I will attribute the source in the correct way.
5. I acknowledge that the attachment of this document signed or not, constitutes a binding agreement between
myself and Edexcel UK.
6. I understand that my assignment will not be considered as submitted if this document is not attached to the
attached.

Student’s Signature: Date:

(Provide E-mail ID) (Provide Submission Date)
Assignment Brief
Student Name /ID Number

Unit Number and Title Unit 6: Managing a Successful Computing Project

Academic Year 2017/2018

Unit Tutor

Assignment Title Vulnerability Assessment - Management Information System Project

Issue Date

Submission Date

IV Name & Date

Submission Format:

The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise, formal
business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs
and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the
Harvard referencing system. Please also provide an end list of references using the Harvard referencing
system.

Unit Learning Outcomes:

LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme.

LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge to
support the project.

LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful
conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis.

LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable
organizational performance.
Assignment Brief and Guidance:

Vulnerability Assessment - Management Information System (MIS) Project

Management Information Systems (MIS) plays a very important role in today’s organizations; it creates
an impact on the organization’s functions, performance and productivity. A Management Information
System (MIS) ensures that an appropriate data is collected from the various sources, processed and send
further to all the needy destinations. A system is expected to fulfill the information needs of an individual,
a group of individuals, management functionaries, managers and top management to improve efficiency
and productivity.

On contrary, any system can be compromised with vulnerability issues. This is mostly in area of
confidentiality, integrity and availability (security triangle).
You’re advised to provide solutions for improvements for a selected Management Information System’s in
a selected organization in the area of how to improve aspects of confidentiality, integrity and availability
(security triangle) through a vulnerability study assessment.
You should investigate the causes and impacts of vulnerabilities within computing systems and explore the
solutions to the problems presented in order to make recommendations to improve their security for
Management Information System. The expected solution of the project is a vulnerability assessment and
action plan which includes, issues of varying severity.

In general, the vulnerability assessment may focus on a test of security infrastructure devices, network
servers, operational systems (including Windows and Linux), physical security of buildings, and wireless
internet security. You have to mainly focus on how can vulnerabilities in an existing system be identified
and counteracted.

 Discover unknown entry points both physical and electronic – that is threat to the overall
confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network data and resources.
 Problem can be discovered in the areas of installing, configuring, and maintaining servers and
infrastructure equipment as well as practices of different department managers and staff tend to have
different ways of managing their IT.
 Recommendations for standardization of upcoming infrastructure installations, configurations, and
maintenance.
 Educate and increase user awareness on what they could change to improve their security situation
in order to build confidence of using the Management Information System
 An action plan to keep their environment secure.

Your role as a student researcher means that you are not trying to perform a specific solution to any
vulnerability problem case. You have to make expert recommendations on how to tighten security
controls, based on a proven assessment methodology, that are in the best interest of the specific project of
Management Information System which may eliminate unnecessary entry points that would greatly reduce
the threat. Introducing of a set of policies and procedures for the entire Management Information System
help eliminate threats through network entry points and infrastructure. The vulnerability trends and
recurring issues that needed careful attention. The project span 03 months in order to provide an accurate
snapshot of their current security posture.

The benefit of the project is that it provides a greater awareness among the entire staff about how any
vulnerability or weakness in any functional area affects the overall security posture of the Management
Information System at large. You are required to provide a full report on vulnerabilities you found and
 how you educate the Management Information System staff on what they could change to improve their
security situation with an action plan to keep their environment secure.

TASK – 01

1.1 Describe aims and objectives for vulnerability assessment project which you’re introducing. Your
explanation should include a brief introduction about the company, the MIS and other relevant
information to the assessment project.
1.2 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, The plan should include milestone schedule
and project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project that
includes cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and resources management.
1.3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart to provide timeframes and stages for
completion.
TASK – 02

2.1 Explain qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for meeting project aims and
objectives which you produced as vulnerability assessment project.
2.2 Evaluate the project’s management process and appropriate research methodologies applied, the
accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied for the small scale research

TASK – 03
3.1 Analyze research data using appropriate tools and techniques.
3.2 Describe appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw valid and
meaningful conclusions.
3.3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to support
and justify recommendations.

TASK – 04
4.1. Provide a reflection on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives with your
own learning and performance which includes a discussion of the project outcomes, its usefulness
to support sustainability of the given organization and its’ performance, the decision-making
process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support
justification of recommendations and learning during the project.

4.2. Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to meet stated
objectives and support own learning and performance
Grading Rubric
Grading Criteria Achieved Feedback

LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on

the chosen theme

P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario.

P2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of

cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and resources.
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart to
provide timeframes and stages for completion.
M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan,
milestone schedule and project schedule for monitoring and
completing the aims and objectives of the project.
LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and
data collection to generate knowledge to support the project

P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and

quantitative research methods appropriate for meeting project
aims and objectives.

M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research

methods applied.

D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and

appropriate research methodologies applied.
LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate
recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from
the evidence findings and/or analysis

P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate

tools and techniques.
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a
result of research and data analysis to draw valid and meaningful
conclusions.
M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for
accuracy and authenticity to support and justify recommendations.
LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and
its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance

P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet

stated objectives and own learning and performance.

M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process and use

of quality research to meet stated objectives and support own
learning and performance.
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the
decision making process and changes or developments of the initial
project management plan to support justification of
recommendations and learning during the project.