FIT3031 - Network security - 2019

This unit will provide students with an understanding of: OSI security architecture; common information risks and requirements; operation of encryption techniques; digital signatures; public key infrastructure; authentication and non-repudiation; intrusion detection and response; firewall defence; privacy and ethics issues; security configurations to PC-based applications; and design of information systems with security compliance and security standards and protocols.

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. describe OSI security architecture and apply common security standards and protocols for network security applications e.g. electronic mail, IP, web and network management;
2. critically assess threats, vulnerabilities and risks to an organisations information assets and propose control technologies and techniques which can be applied to reduce the security risk;
3. apply cryptographic techniques to develop methods to disguise information to ensure its integrity, confidentiality and authenticity;
4. describe the ethical, legal and criminal issues relating to the security of information and computer networks both Wired and Wireless;
5. implement cryptographic algorithms and security protocols to provide security over networks and the Internet using Vitual Private Networks;
6. design system security against intruders and malicious software;
7. apply security configurations to computer and network based applications.
8. describe and apply firewall configurations to protect networks.
9. implement network management protocols and security requirements.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Examination (2 hours): 60%; In-semester assessment: 40%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • Two hours of lectures
   • One 2-hour laboratory
2. Study schedule for off-campus students:
   • Off-campus students generally do not attend lecture and tutorial sessions, however should plan to spend equivalent time working through the relevant resources and participating in discussion groups each week.
3. Additional requirements (all students):
   • A minimum of 8 hours independent study per week for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

See also Unit timetable information

Advanced computer science

Computer networks and security