You must write a 2,500-word report on the following:
Task: Employability Scenario
University of Portsmouth scholars regularly produce reports for government bodies to analyse potential cyber risks and threats to society. This year, the Home Office has requested a report to assess the risks of new technologies and to identify whether any reforms are needed to manage these risks. Additionally, the Home Office is interested in determining whether additional reforms in the form of policy, legislation, or practice are needed to reduce the potential risks new technologies have upon society. The report may also reference other forms of new technologies to demonstrate their interrelation. The report is intended for both professional and academic audiences, so it is important to compare and contrast knowledge from various areas of expertise in order to draw conclusions.
Guidance provided to students:
While the first assignment focused on considering the risks of new technologies to society, the aim of the second assignment (report) is to consider how to respond to the risks or challenges that emerge due to the advent of new technologies. Therefore, a key aspect of the report will involve a critical evaluation of whether existing strategies to address the risks associated with new technologies are effective or whether more needs to be done to confront these challenges. For instance, when examining the role of technology in domestic abuse cases, you may consider gaps in policy, legislation, criminal justice responses, or the private sector, among other factors. Subsequently, the report will concentrate on providing recommendations to address these challenges.
It is essential to select a different new technology for this assignment. The following structure and headings may be helpful for your 2,500 word report:
Title of the report: Short Title
1. Executive Summary: The executive summary is a concise overview of the entire report. It should provide a brief summary of the report’s key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Include the purpose of the report and a brief background. Highlight the most important points in each section of the report. Keep it to around 150 words or less.
2. Contents: The table of contents is a roadmap for your report, listing all sections and subsections with corresponding page numbers. It should be clear and easy to read. Include headings and subheadings, and make sure they correspond accurately to the report’s structure. Typically, it’s concise, containing fewer than 50 words.
3. Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for your report. Explain the purpose of the report, the problem it addresses, and the scope of your analysis. Provide some background information to give context to the reader. State the objectives and outline the report’s structure. Keep it between 250-350 words.
4. Body of the Report: The body of the report is the core content where you present your research, analysis, and findings. Organise it into sections and subsections based on the topics you need to cover. Each section should have a clear heading and subheadings for further organisation. Use a logical flow and ensure smooth transitions between sections. Cite sources and provide evidence to support your points. You will need to include key definitions and draw from both academic and professional sources. (Keep it between 1,700-2,000 words).
5. Conclusions: Summarise the key findings and insights from the report. Highlight the main takeaways and their significance. Keep it concise, the conclusion is typically between 250-350 words.
6. Recommendations: Based on your analysis and conclusions, provide actionable recommendations. Clearly state what should be done to address the challenges posed by new technology. Ensure your recommendations are specific, realistic, and feasible.
7. References: List all the sources you used in your report. Use APA 7, for proper formatting. Ensure consistency in formatting and include all necessary details like author, title, publication date, and source.