ASSESSMENT 2 BRIEF

Subject Code and Title MIS603 – Microservices Architecture

Assessment Privacy and Security Report

Individual/Group Individual

Length 1500 words (+/- 10%)

Learning Outcomes The Subject Learning Outcomes demonstrated by successful

completion of the task below include:
d) Analyse and evaluate moral and ethical considerations in
specific security and privacy issues while transitioning to
new technologies.

Submission Due by 11:55pm AEST Sunday end of Module 6.1 (Week 11)
Intensive class: Due by 11:55pm AEST Sunday end of Module 6.1
(Week 6)

Weighting 35%

Total Marks 100 marks

Task Summary
You are required to research and write a report focused on the specific challenges and issues that
arise owing to the use of microservices architecture as a software development philosophy. The
report length is 1500 words (+/- 10%). You are also required to identify and include risk mitigation
strategies that can be applied to minimise privacy and security risk in microservices-architected
environments.

Context
Microservices architecture signals a shift from monolithic software applications architecture to
different microservices architected to address different functions. Not only is there a shift in how
distribution of services impacts on managing security but hosting of services on cloud platforms not
owned by the organisation, and the use of communication channels between services adds
complexity to managing security.
Equally, additional complexity is provided through the rapid and incremental software development
principles associated with Agile and DevOps methods. The organisation as an enterprise has several
moral, ethical, and legal obligations regarding privacy and the security of information.
The purpose of this report is to engage you in building knowledge about privacy and security issues
with a specific focus on how these manifest in a microservices-architected environment. You are also
required to identify and discuss mitigations available to better manage privacy and security risk for

MIS603_Assessment_2_Brief_Report_Module 6.1 Page 1 of 6

the organisation in relation to microservices architecture. Irrespective of your future role, many
organisations make it clear that privacy and security is every employee’s concern.

Task Instructions

1. Write a 1500-word report focused on the specific challenges and issues that arise owing to
the use of microservices architecture as a software development philosophy. Identify and
include risk mitigation strategies that can be applied to minimise privacy and security risk in
microservices-architected environments.

2. Whilst this is not a continuation of the case covered in Assignment 1 Part B, you might have
developed insights when completing the Assessment 1 Part B Case Study that can enrich this
assessment. Please review your notes to ensure that you have identified any context-based
insights from Assessment 1 Part B Case Study that can inform this assessment. Re-read any
relevant readings and conduct additional research in the area of investigation and select five
additional sources that will add value to your report in the relevant area of investigation.

3. Plan how you will structure your ideas for your report and write a report plan before you
start writing.

4. The report should consist of the following structure:

A title page with the subject code and name, assignment title, student’s name, student
number, and lecturer’s name.

The introduction (200–250 words) that will also serve as your statement of purpose for the
report—this means that you will tell the reader what you are going to cover in your report.
You will need to inform the reader of:
a. Your area of research and its context
b. The key concepts you will be addressing
c. What the reader can expect to find in the body of the report

The body of the report (1000–1100 words) will need to respond to the following:
a. The specific issues and challenges that arise owing to the use of microservices
architecture for software development as opposed to those that arise in service-
oriented architecture or monolithic application architecture
b. Potential privacy issues that may arise owing to these security issues/challenges
c. The reason for these issues/challenges and potential mitigations to manage the risk
for both privacy and security

The conclusion (200–250 words) will summarise any findings or recommendations that the
report puts forward regarding the concepts covered in the report.

5. Format of the report

The report should use font Arial or Calibri 11 point, be line spaced at 1.5 for ease of reading,
and have page numbers on the bottom of each page. If diagrams or tables are used, due
attention should be given to pagination to avoid loss of meaning and continuity by

MIS603_Assessment_2_Brief_Report_Module 6.1 Page 2 of 6

 unnecessarily splitting information over two pages. Diagrams must carry the appropriate
captioning.

6. Referencing
There are requirements for referencing this report using APA referencing style and it is
expected that you reference any lecture notes used and five additional sources in the
relevant subject area based on readings and further research.

It is essential that you use the appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research.
Please see more information on referencing here:
http://library.laureate.net.au/research_skills/referencing

7. You are strongly advised to read the rubric, which is an evaluation guide with criteria for
grading your assignment—this will give you a clear picture of what a successful report looks
like.

Submission Instructions
Submit Assessment 2 via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu in MIS603 Microservices
Architecture. The Learning Facilitator will provide feedback via the Grade Centre in the LMS portal.
Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.

Academic Integrity Declaration

I declare that, except where I have referenced, the work I am submitting for this assessment task is
my own work. I have read and am aware of the Torrens University Australia Academic Integrity
Policy and Procedure viewable online at http://www.torrens.edu.au/policies-and-forms

I am aware that I need to keep a copy of all submitted material and their drafts, and I will do so
accordingly.

MIS603_Assessment_2_Brief_Report_Module 6.1 Page 3 of 6

Assessment Rubric
Fail
Assessment (Yet to achieve
Attributes minimum standard)
0–49%
Visual appeal and No title page. Incorrect
presentation of content font and size with poor
line spacing and large
Title page included. gaps in pagination, tables,
Adheres to the font, or diagrams.
spacing, format, and
word count Report is written as a
requirement. block of text with no
breaks in between ideas.
Appropriate use of Separate ideas cannot be
paragraphs, sentence clearly discerned.
construction, spelling,
and grammar. Many errors in spelling or
grammar. Does not
20% adhere to the word count
requirement.
Knowledge and Lack of understanding of
understanding the required concepts and
knowledge. Key
Understanding of the components of the
key concepts of assignment are not
computer-based addressed.
business information
systems including Lack of application, and
elements of systems analysis of information to
and processes, and how provide clear
systems aid competitive recommendations.
advantage.
MIS603_Assessment_2_Brief_Report_Module Due 6.1
Pass
(Functional)
50–64%
Title page is included. Missing
most information. Incorrect
font and size is used or poor
line spacing and large gaps in
pagination.
Paragraphs are used but large
blocks of text with long
sentences make it difficult to
understand the ideas being
conveyed.
Spelling or grammar has
errors but meaning remains
clear. Does not adhere to the
word count requirement.
Limited understanding of
required concepts and
knowledge. Some of the key
components of the
assignment are not
addressed.
Limited application and
analysis to provide clear
recommendations.
Credit
(Proficient)
65–74%
Title page is included but is
missing key information.
Some errors in font use and
line spacing. Some
pagination problems.
One idea or concept per
paragraph. Some
paragraphs could be more
succinctly written.
Minor spelling or grammar
errors. Adheres to the word
count requirement.
Adequate knowledge or
understanding of the
required concepts. A
reasonable capacity to
explain and apply relevant
key concepts.
Supports opinion and
information substantiated
by evidence from research
to provide
recommendations.
Distinction
(Advanced)
75–84%
Title page is included with
most required information.
Minor errors in font,
spacing, and format.
One idea or concept per
paragraph with 3–4 well-
constructed sentences per
paragraph.
No errors in spelling or
grammar. Adheres to the
word count requirement.
Thorough understanding of
the key concepts.
Discriminates between
assertion of opinion and
information substantiated
by robust evidence from
the research/course
materials and extended
reading.
Page 4 of 6
High Distinction
(Exceptional)
85–100%
Title page is included with
all required information.
Font, spacing, and format
are in accordance with the
requirements of the
assignment brief.
Expert use of paragraphs
with 3–4 well-constructed
sentences per paragraph
that follow logically from
each other.
No errors in spelling or
grammar. Adheres to the
word count requirement.
Highly developed
understanding of the field
or discipline/s.
Systematically and critically
discriminates between
assertion of opinion and
information substantiated
by robust evidence from
the research/course
 Well-demonstrated materials and extended
Application of capacity to apply and reading.
information to provide analyse relevant
clear demonstration of information to provide clear Recommendations are
understanding of recommendations. clearly justified based on
concepts to the the application and analysis
circumstances outlined of information.
in the case study.

50%

Use of academic and Does not adhere to the
discipline conventions assignment brief of the
requirements for a short
Formal tone. No use of business report. Poorly
first party perspective. written with informal
tone, using first person
Meets the assignment pronouns (I, my, we, me,
brief regarding us).
introduction, body, and
conclusion. No introduction
attempted. Conclusion
Appropriate use of not attempted.
credible resources.
Demonstrates
Correct citation of key inconsistent and
resources using APA inadequate use of good-
style of referencing. quality, credible, and
relevant resources to
30% support and develop
ideas.
No use of in-text
references, or no
reference list at the close
of the report. There are
Written according to
academic genre as per the
assignment brief. Minor
errors in the use of first-
person pronouns (I, my, we,
me, us).
Introduction attempted but
very generic, and does not
clearly state the purpose of
the report and what the
reader should expect to find
in the body of the report.
Conclusion attempted but
does not include summation
of key concepts discussed in
the report and/or key
conclusions or
recommendations.
Demonstrates consistent use
of credible and relevant
research sources to support
and develop ideas, but these
Written according to
academic genre as per the
assignment brief.
Sound use of the
introduction but does not
clearly state either the
purpose of the report or
what the reader should
expect to find in the body
of the report.
Sound use of the conclusion
and succeeds in either the
summation of key concepts
discussed, or key
conclusions or
recommendations, but not
both.
Demonstrates consistent
use of credible and relevant
research sources to support
and develop ideas.
Well-written and adheres to
the academic genre as per
the assignment brief.
Good use of the
introduction, which clearly
states the purpose of the
report and what the reader
should expect to find in the
body of the report.
Good use of the conclusion
and succeeds in summation
of key concepts discussed
and key conclusions or
recommendations.
Consistently demonstrates
expert use of good quality,
credible and relevant
research sources to support
and develop appropriate
arguments and statements.
Shows evidence of reading
beyond the key reading.
Expertly written and
adheres to the academic
genre as per the
assignment brief.
Excellent use of the
introduction, which secures
the attention of the reader,
clearly states the purpose
of the report and what the
reader should expect to
find in the body of the
report.
Excellent use of the
conclusion, which succeeds
in confident summation of
key concepts and
conclusions and gives the
reader a clear sense of next
steps required.
Demonstrates expert use of
high-quality credible and
relevant research sources

MIS603_Assessment_2_Brief_Report_Module Due 6.1 Page 5 of 6

 many mistakes in using are not always explicit or well
the APA style. developed.
Little use of in-text
referencing, or inadequate
references consulted and
added to references at the
close of the report. There are
some mistakes in using APA
style.
MIS603_Assessment_2_Brief_Report_Module Due 6.1
Good use of in-text
referencing and
appropriate number of
references used and listed
in the reference list. There
are only minor errors in
using the APA style.
Very good use of in-text
referencing. All in-text
references match with
references listed in the
reference list. There are no
mistakes in using the APA
style.
Page 6 of 6
to support and develop
arguments and position
statements. Shows
extensive evidence of
reading beyond the key
reading.
Excellent and meticulous
use of in-text referencing
with all in-text references
matching with references
listed in the reference list.
There are no mistakes in
using the APA style.