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Cybersecurity Assessment of "Company X"
No full textThis project presents a comprehensive cybersecurity assessment of Company X, a small manufacturing business with limited existing security infrastructure. Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of small enterprises to modern cyber threats, this study aimed to identify critical weaknesses, evaluate organizational readiness, and recommend actionable security improvements tailored to the company's size and operational environment. A multi-layered methodology was employed, incorporating Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering, risk analysis, and vulnerability scanning using tools such as Maltego, Shodan, TheHarvester, Nessus, Nmap, and Burp Suite Pro. Additionally, the Axio360 platform was utilized to benchmark the organization's cybersecurity maturity across key domains such as governance, risk management, detection, response, and recovery. The assessment highlighted several areas where improvements can be made to enhance Company X's cybersecurity posture. Observations include opportunities to strengthen network segmentation, address systems pending security updates, and secure exposed credentials. I also noted that formal security policies and incident response protocols are not yet fully developed, presenting an opportunity for standardization and preparedness. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools identified publicly accessible information that, if left unaddressed, could be used in reconnaissance or social engineering attempts. Additionally, technical scans identified a number of vulnerabilities—ranging from moderate to critical severity—across internal and cloud-hosted environments. Addressing these findings will support the organization's efforts to reduce risk, improve resilience, and align more closely with security best practices. To address these findings, the project delivered a set of risk mitigation strategies, security policies, and an incident response framework designed to enhance the organization's cyber resilience. Key recommendations included the implementation of structured employee training, improved patch and configuration management, adoption of multi-factor authentication, and formalized recovery planning. Ultimately, the project underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity planning for small businesses and provides a replicable model for other organizations seeking to strengthen their digital defenses with limited resources
Analyst Assist: Automating SOC Tasks for Enhanced Productivity
Get PDFDuring my semester-in-residence, I completed a project at Company X, a leading Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider that specializes in delivering Security Operations Center (SOC) as a Service. Company X supports hundreds of clients worldwide by offering comprehensive SOC capabilities, enabling continuous threat monitoring, detection, and response. The project's objective, which has been named "Analyst Assist," is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of SOC threat analysts by automating repetitive tasks commonly encountered during daily investigations. "Analyst Assist" was developed using JavaScript, jQuery, and HTML and implemented through the Tampermonkey scripting environment. By reducing the time required for these routine actions, Analyst Assist enabled analysts to dedicate more attention to in-depth threat analysis, ultimately improving the quality and accuracy of their investigative outcomes. Because each investigation is time-sensitive and analyst performance is measured, it was crucial to balance timely incident resolution and the quality of a thorough investigation. By streamlining workflows through automation, "Analyst Assist" not only accelerated investigation processes but enabled analysts to manage more alerts with greater depth and accuracy. This improvement ultimately contributes to improved team performance and an enhanced organizational security posture. Overall, the project was successfully implemented and is now utilized globally across Company X. As Analyst Assist receives monthly updates, future development focuses on integrating SharePoint and parsing .txt files to extract necessary information dynamically. This enhancement will enable real-time updates to Analyst Assist, improving its responsiveness and utility for SOC threat analysts
Culture, Symptom Expression, and Help-Seeking Attitudes Among Latine College Students
Get PDFThe Latine* population in the United States is rapidly growing. Latines, especially Latine college students, are at particularly high risk for psychopathology. Despite this, Latine college students tend to underutilize mental health services compared to other ethnic groups. This study examined cultural factors that may affect psychological help-seeking attitudes and somatic psychological symptoms in a sample of Latine college students. In particular, this study examined the influence of family obligation stress, Latine cultural values, and gender on psychological help-seeking attitudes and psychological symptom somatization. Significant relationships between family obligation stress, adherence to traditional Latine values, and gender were found for psychological help-seeking attitudes and somatic psychological symptoms. Understanding these factors may aid college health professionals in designing mental health outreach programs and culturally sensitive treatment for Latine collegiates. The results of this study may be particularly beneficial for mental health administrators and providers at institutions serving Latine students. Tailoring mental health programs to better fit the views and needs of Latine college students may lead to higher mental health service utilization and improved mental health overall for a population that is at high risk for psychopathology. *Latine is an alternate gender-neutral term for Latinx that is possible to conjugate in Spanish and English
Gaining growth and attracting along with operational feasibility - Qwench Juice Bar
Get PDF[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] In this consulting project, our team partnered with a juice bar franchise located in Northridge, California. The project's primary scope involved assessing operational feasibility and identifying growth strategies aimed at enhancing customer attraction and business performance. My role was pivotal in performing detailed internal and external analyses to identify critical strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the local juice bar industry, which subsequently guided our strategic recommendations. Initially, I conducted thorough market analyses focusing on local and regional dynamics of the juice bar industry. My work involved assessing industry trends and recognizing areas for potential growth and competitive advantage. Specifically, I examined the catering segment of California's food and beverage market, identifying it as a promising area for expansion due to favorable industry trends and changing consumer preferences toward healthier beverage options at events. This assessment provided our team with a clear direction for developing strategic growth recommendations. Additionally, I analyzed consumer behaviors related to delivery preferences and expectations. By exploring various scholarly and professional resources, I evaluated how offering enhanced delivery services could positively influence customer satisfaction and repeat purchasing behaviors. This analysis enabled our team to identify practical strategies designed to strengthen local brand loyalty and customer retention. I also identified significant external threats by analyzing environmental and economic factors prevalent in California, particularly those influencing local consumer behaviors and business sustainability. Understanding these broader market conditions allowed me to pinpoint critical challenges that our client may face, enabling the team to develop realistic and actionable recommendations to mitigate these risks. Throughout the remainder of the consulting process, I actively contributed by identifying and clearly articulating critical issues facing the business, collaboratively developing strategic recommendations with the team, and effectively communicating our analysis and solutions through a comprehensive written report. Furthermore, I actively participated in the preparation and delivery of our final client presentation, clearly explaining key findings, potential impacts, and actionable steps the client could implement. In conclusion, my contributions significantly supported our team's efforts in providing the Northridge juice bar franchise with clear, actionable, and strategically viable recommendations. My work directly aided in positioning our client to address operational challenges, attract and retain customers, and achieve sustainable growth in a highly competitive market environment. Our team concluded the project by presenting the analysis and findings to the client at the end of the semester
Sexual Education and Sexual Risk Behaviors: Understanding associations across age for women in the United States
Get PDF[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] Background. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an ongoing public health concern in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 1 in 5 Americans have an STI, with over 20 million new cases diagnosed each year. Sexual risk behaviors, such as high number of sexual partners, inconsistent or incorrect condom use, and lack of testing, can greatly impact the incidence of sexually transmitted infections and development of other health complications as a result of infection. Understanding potential protective factors or determinants for sexual risk behavior can be beneficial in developing more effective interventions and reducing incidence of STIs. The present study aims to assess the relationship between exposure to sexual education programs and sexual risk behavior among women in the United States. Methods. Data are from the 2017-2019 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) conducted among women, age 15 to 49 years old, in the United States (N=6,141). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between exposure to sexual education programs and sexual risk behaviors, including condom use and STD testing, when adjusting for age, race, and income level. Results. Participation in sexual education programs was significantly associated with STD testing within the sample. For every unit increase in sexual education scale score, the odds of not receiving an STD test within the past year were significantly lower [OR= 0.850, p=0.007, 95% C.I.= (0.756, 0.957)], when adjusting for age, race, and income level. Sexual education score was not a significant predictor of condom use or overall sexual risk behavior. Conclusion. Results of this study support previous research findings and suggest that sexual education programs may reduce sexual risk behaviors through increased awareness and knowledge of STI risks. Implications include further development and implementation of such sexual education programs, especially within communities most at risk for infection
Rebuilding a Company's Legacy: Enhancing Brand Loyalty and Reconnecting with More Musicians
Get PDF[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This graduate project is about "Rebuilding a Company's Legacy: Enhancing Brand Loyalty and Reconnecting with More Musicians", which focuses on revitalizing a company's longstanding reputation by strengthening brand loyalty and engaging with a broader audience of musicians. The project aims to re-establish a deep connection between its customers by improving online user experience, addressing relevant points, and delivering personalized value. The initiative seeks to incorporate modern learning, expand the brand's reach, and ensure its continued relevance in the music industry through strategic insights and tailored actions. In the project, we are investigating the high dropout rate among the rise of musicians, particularly those who disengage after only a brief involvement in online music learning resources. The goal is to enhance long-term user engagement and make more musicians. The project will employ a multidisciplinary approach, exploring motivation psychology, gamification, neuroscience, social interactions, educational theory, and learning styles to uncover insights into the solution to human committed behavior. The findings aim to be cost-effective and actionable, helping the rise of establishing devoted musicians to maintain consistency. Moreover, these initiatives are instrumental in solidifying the enduring music guide that nurtures musicianship, enriches the music community, and stands as a key resource for aspiring and experienced players alike. I contributed by conducting extensive research to explore the connection between people's usage and retention. I identified key factors through our project's diagnosis and findings to understand the current foundation of the company and potential improvements, focusing on how different factors influence user engagement. I delved into relevant sources on gamifying online platforms and global gamified market stats. As well as identifying new strategies that could enhance learners' experience and foster long-term commitment through online music platforms. By synthesizing these insights, I connected the principles of modern technology with the broader retention strategy, helpin in digital visual appearance, providing evidence-based recommendations that could enhance a music company's experience, drive sustained user involvement, and elevate the company's reputation to become both entertaining and lasting
Trying Again
Get PDF[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] Trying Again is a collection of vignettes, musings, poetry, and short stories that I have produced that explores the idea of writing. By being an intentional mixture of various seemingly disconnected elements, it tackles several aspects of writing, including the question of "why I write", questions about identity and emotions, and various existential topics such as nihilism and absurdism. The work uses various formats throughout in order to express a diversity and creativity in thought and ideas, as well as using fire as a symbol throughout in order to represent various desires and passions. Additionally, the work examines the idea of randomness through various sections about seemingly disconnected topics, including fun facts and a section about competitive Pokémon
Operational Feasibility for Growth and Attraction for BLAST Swimming
Get PDF[ABSTRACT ONLY; NO FULL TEXT] This report was produced as a consulting project for our client, an organization that provides competitive swimming training for youth. Our client sought consultation for their operational feasibility for growth and attraction. The client provided internal data, including swimmer enrollment records, training schedules, handbooks, forms, and financial records to assist in our research. Secondary data sources used for industry analysis included resources from USA Swimming, Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, IBISWorld, Swimming World, and LAParks. Primary research consisted of parent surveys, attendance at coaches' meetings, and an interview with the owner. Our team conducted research and analysis on local competitors and the future of swimming. We also incorporated concepts from our Master of Business Administration program into our analysis, supported by empirical data from both primary and secondary sources. Our research process involved analyzing the dynamics of the youth swimming market, recognizing its competitive nature and the growing emphasis on health-focused activities. We examined the key factors that contribute to success in competitive youth swimming, like athlete engagement. Our team utilized a data-driven approach to understand the needs of sports-oriented parents and identify potential opportunities for growth. This process involved considering both internal and external factors to inform strategies for attracting new participants and supporting long-term athlete development. Throughout this project, I played a pivotal role in shaping the foundational understanding of the client's market landscape. My contributions began with a comprehensive analysis of the competitive swimming industry, delving into the nuanced factors that influence its dynamics. This analytical groundwork directly informed the development of the company's core identity, as I collaborated on articulating its mission, values, and vision. In addition, I contributed to the marketing and digital content analyses. To ensure the project's academic integrity and professional presentation, I meticulously organized the references and in-text citations, and played a key role in refining the client surveys for optimal data collection. Also, with my accessibility knowledge and experience, I analyzed minor details that my teammates didn't think of, that could bring us closer to our client's objective. My commitment to detail extended to rigorous proofreading and grammatical refinement, ensuring a polished final product. In total, I dedicated 6-13 hours weekly to research, writing, editing, and project organization, demonstrating a sustained and dedicated effort to deliver a high-quality analysis. Based on our research and analysis, we developed proposals to improve operational feasibility. We shared these with faculty advisors to refine our insights. After rigorously testing and validating our recommendations, we formalized them into concrete, data-driven proposals. Based on the proposals we narrowed down, we created recommendations to accomplish our client's goals. These were presented to the client in a written document and presentation, marking the culmination of our MBA experience
100 Topologies for the Real Numbers
Get PDFThis thesis studied the separation and connectedness properties of topological spaces on the set of real numbers. The author created one hundred new topological spaces on {R,T} and analyzed them for separation and connectedness properties. Several counterexamples for various properties on the set of real numbers were found, and several theorems resulted from this effort. A chart of these topologies with their separation and connectedness properties was created
QUANTUM GEOMETRY IN HOMOBILAYER tTMD'S: PREDICTIVE MODELING OF THE QUANTUM ANOMALOUS HALL PHASE
Get PDFThis work investigates the emergence of non-trivial quantum phases in the family of two-dimensional moire systems. In the quantum Hall regime, the Hall resistance exhibits plateau behavior characterized by discrete topological invariants known as Chern numbers. These quantized values, immune to disorder and geometric imperfections, reflect the underlying Berry curvature structure of the electronic bands. This thesis leverages the underlying topological framework of the family of twisted transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayer systems to identify and characterize candidate quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) phases. Particular emphasis is paid to flat band geometry and band-resolved Chern number transitions as a function of twist angle and moire potential strength