Course Title: Utilise basic network concepts and protocols required in cyber security

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2023

Course Code: INTE5058

Course Title: Utilise basic network concepts and protocols required in cyber security

School: 520T Future Technologies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4424 - Certificate IV in Cyber Security

Course Contact: Luke Eberbach

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4381

Course Contact Email: luke.eberbach@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will gain the skills and knowledge required to comprehend how data travels around the internet. It includes the function and operation of protocols such as Open System Interconnection (OSI) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite and devices that facilitate data transfer.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU23213 Utilise basic network concepts and protocols required in cyber security

Element:

1 Outline key network security concepts

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Network vulnerabilities that affect cyber security in a data network are defined 1.2 Differences between network security and cyber security are clarified 1.3 OSI and TCP/IP models of data communication are defined 1.4 Organisation/enterprises' security policy is sourced reviewed 1.5 Business implications of cyber security breaches are identified

Element:

2 Define key features of the TCP/IP suite of protocols

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Binary number system and hexadecimal number systems are defined 2.2 Conversions between number systems are demonstrated 2.3 IPv4 and IPv6 (internet protocol versions 4 & 6) addressing schemes are identified 2.4 Differences and commonalities between the OSI and TCP/IP models are described and demonstrated 2.5 Key protocols of the TCP/IP suite are identified and demonstrated 2.6 TCP/IP Network Interface Layer standards are identified 2.7 TCP/IP Internet Layer standards and protocols are defined and demonstrated 2.8 TCP/IP Transport Layer Standards and protocols are defined and demonstrated 2.9 TCP/IP Application Layer standards and protocols are identified and demonstrated with particular emphasis on how TLS and HTTPS can provide security for network communications

Element:

3 Define services, standards and protocols that facilitate security and the functional operation of a network

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Server Message Block (SMB) in the local area network are defined and demonstrated 3.2 Use of Quick (QUIC) User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to establish more secure HTTP traffic is investigated

Element:

4 Implement and demonstrate the function and operation of key networking devices

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Physical and logical network representations of a local area network are implemented 4.2 Function and operation of network switches and network routers are described and implemented 4.4 Function and operation of a wireless access point (WAP) and a wireless enabled end point is described and implemented 4.3 Function and operation of a firewall is identified 4.5 End to end network troubleshooting methodologies and commands are demonstrated

Element:

5 Implement the components of a network security laboratory and testing environment

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Software tools for the testing environment are identified and implemented 5.2 Use of virtualisation is described and demonstrated in the testing environment 5.3 Interconnectivity of the virtualised tools is described and demonstrated 5.4 Use of the testing environment is demonstrated

Element:

6 Present current examples of cyber network attacks and resources

Performance Criteria:

6.1 Example of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is presented 6.2 Example of a current ransomware breach is presented 6.3 Example of Local Area Network (LAN) Address Resolution Poisoning (ARP) is presented 6.4 Useful resources that increase industry's awareness of cyber security awareness are identified

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements


Details of Learning Activities

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to comprehend how data travels around the internet. It includes the function and operation of protocols such as Open System Interconnection (OSI) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite and devices that facilitate data transfer. The exposure to these protocols is at an introductory level in this unit.

The unit applies to individuals working as cyber security technicians and supports their ability to detect breaches in security infrastructure

No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of accreditation


Teaching Schedule

Weeks

Topic

1

 

OSI Layer and TCP/IP Layer

 

2

IPv4 Addresses and Subnetting

3

Direct Routing and Wireless Networking

4

 Learning Linux and how to network it

5

Static Routing and Dynamic Routing

6

DHCP/ARP/SFTP/DNS

7

 IPv6

8

 Utilising Cybersecurity Tools

9

 VLANs

10

 VLSM/Network Troubleshooting

11

Inter-VLAN Networking

12

Python Scripting/IoT Networking/QUIC

13

 Switchport Security

14

 Firewall Control Testing

* Subject to Change


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Type of Assessment
1 Practical Assessment
2 Product Assessment
3 Knowledge Assessment


Assessment Matrix

Element

Performance criteria

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment

      Task 1: Title

Assessment

Task 2: Title

Assessment

Task 3: Title

 

  • Outline key network security concepts

1.1 Network vulnerabilities that affect cyber security in a data network are defined

 

Part B

Q1

 

1.2 Differences between network security and cyber security are clarified

 

Part B

Q2

 

1.3 OSI and TCP/IP models of data communication are defined

 

Parts A

Q2, Q3

 

1.4 Organisation/enterprises’ security policy is sourced reviewed

 

Part B

Q1 - Q7

 

1.5 Business implications of cyber security breaches are identified

 

Part B

Q3

 
  • Define key features of the TCP/IP suite of protocols

2.1 Binary number system and hexadecimal number systems are defined

Q18 - Q19

 

 

2.2 Conversions between number systems are demonstrated

Q18 - Q19

 

 

2.3 IPv4 and IPv6 (internet protocol versions 4 & 6) addressing schemes are identified

 

 

Lab A – task 6

 

Lab D – tasks 1

2.4 Differences and commonalities between the OSI and TCP/IP models are described and demonstrated

 

Part B Q4

 

2.5 Key protocols of the TCP/IP suite are identified and demonstrated

Q1

Part A - Q2

 

2.6 TCP/IP Network Interface Layer standards are identified

 

Part A - Q2

 

2.7 TCP/IP Internet Layer standards and protocols are defined and demonstrated

 

Part A - Q2

Lab A - Task 6 - Task 11

2.8 TCP/IP Transport Layer Standards and protocols are defined and demonstrated

 

 

Lab A - Task 6 - Task 11

2.9 TCP/IP Application Layer standards and protocols are identified and demonstrated with particular emphasis on how TLS and HTTPS can provide security for network communications

Q8, Q15

 

Lab A - Task 6 - Task 11
  • Define services, standards and protocols that facilitate security and the functional operation of a network

3.1 Server Message Block (SMB) in the local area network are defined and demonstrated

Q7

 

Lab A

3.2 Use of Quick (QUIC) User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to establish more secure HTTP traffic is investigated

Q4

 

Lab H

3.3 Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and Long Range IoT (LoRa-IoT) standards for IoT devices are investigated

Q9

 

Lab B
  • Implement and demonstrate the function and operation of key networking devices

    • Physical and logical network representations of a local area network are implemented

 

 

 

Lab A,

 

Task 1 - Task 2

 

4.2 Function and operation of network switches and network routers are described and implemented

 

 

Lab E

4.3 Function and operation of a firewall is identified

 

 

Lab A - Task 13

4.4 Function and operation of a wireless access point (WAP) and a wireless enabled end point is described and implemented

Q3

Part A - Q1

Lab B

4.5 End to end network troubleshooting methodologies and commands are demonstrated

 

 

Lab C
  • Implement the components of a network security laboratory and testing environment

5.1 Software tools for the testing environment are identified and implemented

 

 

Lab F

5.2 Use of virtualisation is described and demonstrated in the testing environment

 

 

Lab A - Task 12 - Task 13

5.3 Interconnectivity of the virtualised tools is described and demonstrated

 

 

Lab A - Task 12 - Task 13

5.4 Use of the testing environment is demonstrated

 

 

Lab A - Task 12 - Task 13
  • Present current examples of cyber network attacks and resources

6.1 Example of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is presented

 

 

Lab I

6.2 Example of a current ransomware breach is presented

Q13

 

 

6.3 Example of Local Area Network (LAN) Address Resolution Poisoning (ARP) is presented

 

 

Lab H

6.4 Useful resources that increase industry’s awareness of cyber security awareness are identified

 

Part B - Q3, Q5

 

 

 

Knowledge Evidence  

The learner must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

 

 

Assessment

Task1:  Title 

Assessment

Task 2: Title

Assessment

Task 3: Title 
  • Open System Interconnection (OSI) layered communication model

 

Q6

 

 
  • Media Access Layer (MAC) addresses

 

Q5

 

 
  • binary number system

 

Q18

 

 
  • hexadecimal number system

 

Q19

 

 
  • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

 

Q1

 

 
  • User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

 

Q1

 

 
  • Address resolution Protocol (ARP)

 

Q14

 

 
  • Server Management Block (SMB)

 

Q7

 

 
  • Transport layer Security (TLS)

 

Q15

 

 
  • Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)

 

Q8

 

 
  • basics of Internet Protocal Version (IPV4)  and Internet Protocol Version (IPV6) addressing

 

Q2

 

 
  • Narrowband IoT (NB – IoT) and Long Range IoT (LoRA) Internet of Things protocols

 

Q9, Q10

 

 
  • routers, switches, firewall fundamentals & wireless access points

 

Q3, Q17

 

 
  • end to end test commands e.g. Ping, Traceroute, netcat

 

Q12

 

 
  • Quick User Datagram Protocol (UDP) Internet Connections (QUIC) Operation

 

Q4

 

 
  • Denial-of-Service (DOS) & Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS) attack mechanisms

 

Q20

 

 
  • Address Resolution Poisoning (ARP) attack mechanism

 

Q14

 

 
  • fundamental ransomware attack mechanisms

 

Q13

 

 
  • virtual machine images and their construction

 

Q11

 

 

Other Information

Other Resources  

Students should have the following equipment:

  • USB Hard Drive
  • Laptop (Optional)

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview