Course Title: Computer and Network Security

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Computer and Network Security

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

EEET2424

City Campus

Undergraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2016

EEET2424

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

EEET2427

City Campus

Postgraduate

125H Electrical & Computer Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2016

EEET2427

City Campus

Postgraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

EEET2584

RMIT University Vietnam

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Viet2 2021

Course Coordinator: Dr Du Yong Kim

Course Coordinator Phone: email for an appointment

Course Coordinator Email: duyong.kim@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 12.11.13

Course Coordinator Availability: via appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You are required to have successfully completed EEET2290 Network Engineering or equivalent. This is not an enforced pre-requisite.
It will be assumed that you have C/C++ programming experience and have fundamental knowledge of TCP/IP networks.


Course Description

This course covers the concepts of vulnerabilities, threats, attacks, security measures and mechanisms in computer networks. The course will introduce the fundamental concepts of security technology and the applications of these technologies. Topics include fundamental cryptography, authentication, encryption, digital signatures, digital certificates, and network security protocols such as IP Sec, SSL. You will also have the fundamental knowledge on security mechanisms such as firewall and network intrusion detection systems. The detailed contents are listed below:

  • Fundamental cryptography.
  • Modern ciphers, symmetric and asymmetric ciphers ( DES, AES, RSA).
  • Public key systems, digital signatures.
  • Authentication, digital certificates, hash and MAC.
  • Key management, Diffi-Hellman key exchange.
  • Network security protocols: IP Sec, SSL, SSH.
  • Firewalls and network intrusion detection systems.
  • Concepts of vulnerabilities, threats, attacks, security measures and mechanisms in both computer systems and networks.
  • Computer system security (Virus, Worm and Hacking).

After completing this course, you will have the theoretical background for undertaking computer system and network security management and administration roles. The practical work will help you to gain firsthand experience. The topics covered in the course can also be your foundation for getting into design and development of network security products or research in the area of network security.

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onward. See the WAM information web page for more information.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At undergraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes:

      1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
      2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
      2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

At postgraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes:

  • High levels of technical competence in the field.
  • Be able to apply problem solving approaches to work challenges and make decisions using sound engineering methodologies.


On completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the fundamentals of cryptography.
  2. Apply your knowledge of cryptography to computer and network security systems.
  3. Describe the popular computer and network security mechanisms and protocols.
  4. Analyse, implement and maintain security requirements and mechanisms in various computer systems and networks.


Overview of Learning Activities

Student Learning occurs through the following experiences and evaluation processes:

  • Pre-recorded lecture videos that provide guided learning of key topics.
  • Self-paced learning using reference material as a guide.
  • Laboratory based assignments and a mini project to explore specific topics in depth.

Laboratory practice based assignments are used to assess the concept understanding.
 
The mini project is on investigation of a specific topic on computer and network security.

Online quizzes during the semester and a final written assignment at the end of the semester are for the overall assessment of concepts and core computer and network issues. 


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be able to access course information and learning materials through RMIT University’s online systems.

Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided.

You will also use the laboratory equipment and computer software within the School in the laboratory practice.


Overview of Assessment

☒This course has no hurdle requirements.
☐ All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

Assessment tasks

Assessment Task 1: Laboratory exercises
Weighting: 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1, 3, 4

Assessment Task 2: Mini-project
Weighting: 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 2, 3, 4

Assessment Task 3: Online quizzes 
Weighting: 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1, 2, 3

Assessment Task 4: Final Timed Assessment
This task will be a 2-hour timed assessment that may be taken any time within a 24-hour period. The postgraduate test is different to the undergraduate test reflecting a higher level of expertise expected of postgraduates.
Weighting: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1, 2, 3