Show me, do not tell me
You tell a manager: "Our payroll server has a serious flaw." She says: "Prove it."
A safe test on a copy of the server shows the flaw is real. Then you must explain it to her, and later to the board, in words each of them can use.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of concept | a safe test that shows a flaw is real | PoC |
| Simulation | a safe copy of the real thing used for a test | |
| Authorised | allowed in writing by the owner | |
| Recommendation | advice on what to do and why | |
| Audience | the people who will read or hear your report | |
| Terminology | the special words used in a job or subject | |
| Board | the senior group that makes the big decisions for an organisation | |
| Evidence | facts that back up a claim |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can plan a safe proof of concept and write a recommendation for a chosen audience.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
A proof of concept confirms a flaw
A scanner may give a false positive. A proof of concept (PoC) checks whether the flaw can really be used.
You run the test in a simulation, on a copy of the system. You never test the live system without being authorised. The result is evidence: it turns a guess into a fact.
Rules for a safe proof of concept
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Get written permission first | Testing without it can be a crime |
| Use a copy, not the live system | A test could break the real service |
| Keep a record of every step | Others can repeat it and trust it |
| Stop once the flaw is proved | Never take more data than you must |
| Delete the test copies afterwards | Copies of real data are a risk too |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
Have a go
Check
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.