Security threats proposed to the online trading portal

Paul Gray is the proprietor of a small share trading company that allows individuals to enter the stock market. He is currently running it with manual
procedures and communicating with his clients using a free e-mail service provider and Skype telephone. He is planning to convert it to an online share
trading company, but he is aware that there are security concerns when doing this. Gray needs his online trading portal to have the following key
requirements:
It should allow its registered users to trade from any net-enabled PC.
It should allow real-time portfolio tracking.
It should enable instant credit and money transfer.
Its users should be able to communicate with the company using any e-mail service, free or paid.
You were hired as a security consultant for Gray. You need to respond to the queries below in your initial meeting with Gray.
Answer the following questions:
What are two to three possible security threats to the proposed online trading portal? Who would be interested in attacking the portal and what could the
attacker gain by such an attack?
How would you mitigate these security threats? What are a few strategies that could deter or prevent unauthorized use of the portal? At this point, these
suggestions can be preliminary and non-technical, but they should suggest means of preventing or deterring attack on the system.
What possible threats exist on Gray’s current use of free e-mail services? Consider the possible gain an attacker may have from attacking this system and
enumerate several reasons why this would be a viable attack. Consider the risk of getting caught attacking this system. When would the payout make the
attack worthwhile to the attacker? What factors would make this an undesirable target?

Sample Solution