30 Dec • Headings: You will need to use

ACCT 326 Writing Assignment #4

When global firms like Home Depot and Target become prime targets for hackers, the attack themselves become front-page news. Firms like these have invested a ton of resources (financial and non-financial) to prevent such an attack, but the attack is successful. Financial and personal data have been compromised, and now everyone wants answers. Your challenge is to argue the position of whether or not companies should be held liable for losses sustained in a successful attack made on their AIS applications (sales, billing, cash collections, credit, etc.) by hackers.

In support of your argument, locate at least two cases where hackers breached a firm’s AIS (or business system). Your first case must be either the Home Depot or Target case. The second case must be a case that involves a global entity. Your paper will consist of the following section

– Part I: What are the main facts from Case #1 (either Home Depot or Target, both not both)?

– Part II: What was the firm’s response to the attack and why (or why not) do you agree with their response?

– Part III: What are the main facts from Case #2 (remember, your case has to be a global one)?

– Part IV: What was the firm’s response to the attack and why (or why not) do you agree with their response?

– Part V: In general, why should the firm be held liable (or not held liable) for losses sustained by customers, employees, and suppliers per an attack by hackers?

– Part VI: In general, what can we learn from attacks by hackers, especially those who focus on ransomware?

Paper Guidelines:

• Page Length: Your response should not exceed eight pages (double-spaced) or four pages (single-spaced). Note that cover page, reference page, and appendix, if provided are excluded from the page count.

• References: You will need to include at least two references and at least two in-text citations to support your paper. These references must be related directly to the topics covered in the paper.

• Headings: You will need to use headings (short, brief, and centered) to separate each area of your paper. Your headings should have an appropriate title such as Ransomware instead of Part VI.

• Margins & Font Sizes: Use standard margins (minimum .5″; maximum 1.5″) and standard font size (minimum 10 point; maximum 12 point) in your paper.

• Writing Style: APA is the preferred writing style, but you can choose any appropriate writing style (e.g. MLA), except that all references are to be formatted via APA. Please consult the UMUC Effective Writing Center (http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/index.cfm) for assistance regarding the choice of styles and formatting of references via APA.