module specification

The aim of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of security threats against network and cloud computing systems and the security measures designed to protect such systems. The module will explicitly develop students’ knowledge and experience in the design and application of network and cloud security solutions. The module will also equips students for further academic study and future employability in the area of computer security.

Assessment: Coursework (60%) and Examination (40%) - Pass on aggregate

The key skills and knowledge  to be gained are:

Students to develop a critical understanding of the principles and technologies employed in the protection of computers and their networked communications systems from security threats.

Successful completion of level 5 or equivalent

1. Information Security Concepts LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
2. Practical Cryptography LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
3. Network Security Concerns LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
4. Network Security Applications: LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
a. Authentication applications
b. IP security
c. Web security
d. E-Mail security LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
5. Computer Systems Security
a. Intruders
b. Malicious software
c. Firewalls
6. Cloud Computing Fundamentals LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
7. Cloud Computing Architecture LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
8. Cloud Computing Software Security LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5
9. Risk issues of Cloud Computing LO1,LO5,LO7
10. Network and Cloud Security – Social, Legal, Professional, and Ethical Issues LO6,LO7

Students will develop a theoretical understanding, and practical security design and application skills, based on weekly lectures, tutorials and supervised workshops. The workshops, in particular, are provided to support students in gaining practical experience in understanding/developing/applying security algorithms/mechanisms.

Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and computer security and encryption tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning, in particular, to:

• deliver content;
• encourage active learning;
• provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
• enhance student engagement and learning experience.
Students will be expected and encouraged to produce reflective commentaries and an action plan for personal development on the learning activities and tasks that they carry out to complete their work, e.g. in the form of an assessed section of their coursework report/essay.

On completing the module the students will be able to:

LO1. understand the security risks associated with computer networks generally and within cloud computing environments specifically;
LO2. explain and demonstrate the role of network security protocols and policies;
LO3. demonstrate a critical understanding of commonly employed network security measures;
LO4. describe and analyse authentication mechanisms and security modelling techniques;
LO5. apply appropriate network security measures to particular scenarios;
LO6. understand the fundamentals of network and cloud computing security with specific reference to Legal, Social, Professional, and Ethical Issues (LSPEI);
LO7. critically evaluate and reflect on their learning, development, and achievements within the context of the subject.

The assessment for this module is based on coursework (60%) and written examination (40%). The module will be passed on aggregate mark. The assessment consists of an unseen 2-hour examination [LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6] and two courseworks. Coursework #1 is a group coursework that assesses understanding of network security protocols through the practical development of security algorithms and an associated group report [LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5, and LO7]. Coursework #2 is an individual research assignment into the security concerns and LSPEI issues associated with cloud computing [L01, LO2, L03, and LO6].

LO1,LO2,LO3,LO4,LO5