Cyber Hygiene Self-Assessment Tool - Technical & Engineering Guide
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This guide outlines the development of a Cyber Hygiene Self-Assessment Tool designed to help individuals and organizations evaluate their cybersecurity practices. The tool provides insights into the security posture and suggests actionable measures for improvement.
1.2 Scope
The tool is intended for non-technical users and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to assess their cybersecurity hygiene. It focuses on common vulnerabilities, password management, device security, and network safety.
2. Features
- **Assessment Questionnaire**: Covers critical areas such
as passwords, software updates, and network safety.
- **Scoring System**: Provides a score based on responses to highlight the
current cybersecurity level.
- **Actionable Recommendations**: Suggests steps for improving weak areas.
- **Reports**: Generates a downloadable or printable report summarizing the
assessment.
- **User-Friendly Interface**: Ensures accessibility for all users.
3. System Requirements
1. **Operating System**: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
2. **Hardware**: Minimum 4GB RAM, 10GB disk space.
3. **Software**: Python 3.9 or later, Flask/Django framework for web
application.
4. **Dependencies**: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend development.
4. Architecture and Design
4.1 System Architecture
The tool consists of three main components:
- **Frontend**: User interface for questionnaire input and results display.
- **Backend**: Core logic for scoring and recommendation generation.
- **Database**: Stores questions, scoring metrics, and user results.
4.2 Workflow
1. The user accesses the tool via a web interface.
2. Completes a questionnaire on various cybersecurity practices.
3. The backend processes the responses and calculates a score.
4. Recommendations and a report are generated based on the score.
5. Development Process
5.1 Frontend Development
- Use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for designing a responsive
UI.
- Implement form validation for accurate data collection.
- Provide real-time progress updates as users fill out the questionnaire.
5.2 Backend Development
- Implement scoring algorithms to evaluate user responses.
- Use Python for backend logic and Flask/Django for server-side scripting.
- Develop a recommendation engine that maps scores to suggestions.
5.3 Database Design
- Use a relational database (e.g., SQLite or PostgreSQL) to
store questionnaire data and results.
- Organize data into tables for questions, responses, scoring criteria, and
recommendations.
6. Testing and Validation
1. **Unit Testing**: Verify the correctness of scoring
algorithms.
2. **Integration Testing**: Ensure seamless interaction between frontend,
backend, and database.
3. **User Testing**: Collect feedback from a sample audience to improve
usability.
4. **Performance Testing**: Test the tool under various loads to ensure
reliability.
7. Deployment and Maintenance
1. Deploy the tool on a cloud platform (e.g., AWS, Heroku)
for accessibility.
2. Regularly update questions and recommendations to reflect the latest
cybersecurity trends.
3. Monitor for bugs and ensure timely fixes to maintain smooth operation.