Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

May include but is not limited to databases, applications, servers, operating systems, gateways, application service provider and ISP

May include eavesdropping, manipulation, and impersonation, penetration, denial of service and by-pass, hackers, viruses

May include theft, viruses, standards (including archival, back-up, network), privacy, audits, alerts and usually relates directly to the security objectives of the organisation.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects of evidence
Assessment must confirm knowledge of security risks and options available in the operating environment.
Assessment must confirm the ability to implement and manage security functions on a system.

Knowledge and Skill
Systems management and process control in relation to security
Specific knowledge of the client organisation
Systems technologies, with broad knowledge of general features and capabilities, and substantial depth in some areas
Risk analysis techniques, with broad knowledge of general features, and depth in security procedures
Broad knowledge of general features of specific security technology, with substantial depth in some areas
Research skills for identifying, analysing and evaluating weaknesses and strengths of security systems
Best practice in systems security methodologies and technologies
Problem solving skills for a mixed mode environment of people and systems processes
Management of unpredictable problems involving participation in group solutions and analysis
Ability to communicate clear concepts and solutions to complex issues in an unambiguous manner
Report writing skills requiring depth in some areas, analysis and evaluation of information in a defined range of areas
Questioning and active listening skills

Assessment guidance
The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1.
Competency in this unit should to be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.
Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Resources
Live system
Utility tools

Role context
System security is an increasingly important preoccupation for both ICT and business professionals.
As more organisations expand their operations using the internet and linking their infrastructure to mass communications media, managing systems effectively becomes paramount. Understanding systems is key to managing risk in a cost-effective and secure manner and effective system security is important not only for improving business operations, but in some cases preventing business loss by avoiding security breaches and threats.
Analysis involves participation in development of strategic reviews, determining security outcomes, as well as dependence on organisational information in a complex mixture of people and processes.

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of security in relation to processes and people
Develop plans and policies and theoretical issues in security, with substantial depth in some key areas
Analyse and plan to solve technical problems
Determine management requirements
Apply theoretical concepts to technical issues
Demonstrate creative skills in a range of complex situations
Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning purposes
Take key responsibility for the achievement of security outcomes
Maintain knowledge of industry products and services
The breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination would be characteristic.
The demonstration of competency may also require self-directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.
Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may also be involved.

Additionally, an individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of a broad knowledge base incorporating theoretical concepts, with substantial depth in some areas
Analyse and plan approaches to technical problems or management requirements
Transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical or creative skills to a range of situations
Evaluate information, using it to forecast for planning or research purposes
Take responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad quantity and quality parameters
Take some responsibility for the achievement of group outcomes