PROJECT
PROPOSAL
PREPARED BY:
MAVRICK WACHEKWA R247503F
SONNY BRANDON MUFUTE R245721Z
PROGRAM:
CYBER SECURITY
Title:
SECURE FILE STORAGE SYSTEM
1.1 Introduction
With the growing reliance on digital data, organizations will continue to face increased risks of
data breaches and unauthorized access. Sensitive information such as financial records, client
data, and internal reports will remain highly vulnerable when stored without proper security
measures. To mitigate these threats, this project will propose the design and development of a
desktop-based Secure File Storage System that will implement encryption, user authentication,
and role-based access control to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
1.2 Background of the Study
Data security will remain a critical component of organizational success in the digital era.
Traditional storage solutions, such as local directories and shared drives, will fail to provide
adequate security features like encryption or controlled access. As a result, sensitive files will be
susceptible to cyber threats, malware infections, and unauthorized internal access. This project
will aim to address these shortcomings by introducing a robust secure storage system that
leverages cryptographic algorithms and strong authentication mechanisms.
1.3 Problem Definition
Corporation will lack a secure and centralized system to manage sensitive files. Currently, files
will be stored on local drives without encryption, making them vulnerable to insider threats,
unauthorized modifications, and accidental deletions. Furthermore, the organization will not have
an effective auditing system for monitoring file activities. The absence of these security
measures will expose the organization to data breaches, financial losses, and compliance risks.
1.4 Aim
The aim of this project will be to develop a desktop-based Secure File Storage System that will
ensure data confidentiality and integrity through encryption, user authentication, and controlled
access.
1.5 Objectives
The proposed system will aim to achieve the following objectives:
1. To design and implement a user authentication module for secure system access.
2. To incorporate AES encryption for protecting stored files.
3. To design role-based access control to manage user privileges.
4. To provide audit logs for monitoring user activities.
5. To enable file backup and recovery features for data integrity.
1.6 Justification / Rationale
The proposed system will be essential for the following reasons:
Data Security: It will safeguard sensitive files against unauthorized access and cyber
threats.
Regulatory Compliance: It will assist in adhering to data protection laws such as GDPR.
Operational Efficiency: It will simplify secure file management for employees.
Risk Reduction: It will minimize financial and reputational losses associated with data
breaches.
1.7 Ethical Considerations
The system will comply with ethical and legal standards for data protection. User data will be
encrypted and stored securely, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. Access to files will be role-
based to prevent misuse, and audit trails will be implemented to enhance accountability.
Additionally, during development, no real organizational data will be used; instead, sample
datasets will be created to maintain ethical integrity.
1.8 Summary
This chapter will introduce the proposed Secure File Storage System, explain its background,
and define the problem it will address. The aim and objectives will outline the solution, while the
justification will emphasize the need for enhanced security. Ethical considerations will ensure
compliance with professional and legal requirements. The next chapter will cover planning and
feasibility analysis.
