Leader: Professor Bala Srinivasan

Offered

Not offered in 2008

Synopsis

This unit introduces students to the important area of software security. Principles of secure application development are examined, including threat modelling, software authorisation and authentication, malicious software, and exception management. Students gain practical experience in secure software development through projects and assignments.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have:

1. a detailed knowledge of the importance of secure software systems;
2. understanding of various ways software can be compromised;
3. understanding of the techniques and tools used to discover compromised systems;
4. practical experience with building secure applications.

After completing this unit, students should have developed attitudes of:

1. security is of foremost importance to software design and should not be considered after the fact;
2. confidence in being able to identify software security development pitfalls;
3. being able to take a systematic approach to secure software development.

Students will be able to:

1. develop secure software; identify common software security hazards;
2. be able to integrate a secure software system as part of a larger networked environment.

At least one assignment will be based upon group work.

Assessment

Examination (2 hours): 50%
Assignments: 50%

Contact hours

Lecture 2 hrs/week, tutorial 2 hrs/week.