ACIT4050 Applied Computer and Network Security Course description

The aim of this course is to build further on the grounding of principles in the earlier security courses and to apply those principles to technologies such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, widely sold as commercial solutions. Students will construct and adapt firewalls and intrusion detection systems, analyse their architectures and analyse security incidents related to cyber security. Actual security incidents will be demonstrated and then analysed in depth by the students.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

The student should have the following outcomes upon completing the course:

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course, the student:

• has thorough knowledge of cyber security
• has advanced knowledge of the purpose of firewalls and how they are used in practice to implement a network security policy
• has in-depth knowledge of the type of network information available to classify traffic, such as protocol headers and IP addresses.
• has a thorough understanding of how signature-based host and network intrusion detection and prevention is used in organisations
• has good understanding of malware and cyber threat intelligence
• has good understanding of penetration testing
• has good understanding of computer forensics

Skills

Upon successful completion of the course, the student:

• can implement a high-level network security firewall policy
• can implement host and network intrusion detection and prevention systems
• Is able to analyse and explain the contents of network traffic
• is able to analyse and explain the workings of common cyber security incidents
• can execute penetration tests on network services

General competence

Upon successful completion of the course, the student:

• understands the role of security awareness in organisations
• understands the role of malware and threat intelligence in cyber security
• can explain and discuss security challenges related to cyber security to experts and non-experts alike
• can reflect on how intrusion detection and prevention can improve network security and how it is used in the field

The following coursework requirement must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam.

Students must submit a coursework requirement paper of eight pages (+/- 10%), calibri, pt. 12, paragraph 1.5, written preferably in groups (4-5 students). Students who wish to write individually (around 4-5 pages) must get permission from the course lecturer. The topic of the work requirement will reflect main areas of the course curriculum and lectures.

The coursework requirement papers are to be presented at a seminar, or poster session, or zoom gathering. Participation in the seminar, or poster session, or zoom gathering is a mandatory part of the coursework requirement.

Students whose papers are not approved after the first submission will be given the chance to resubmit. Papers that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from sitting the final examination.

This course features weekly lectures and lab sessions to provide both theoretical content and hands-on experience. Students work in groups of two and complete assignments. The students supplement the lectures and lab sessions with their own reading. Compulsory assignments are given throughout the semester.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

The student is required to complete at least 9 of the 13 assignments to a satisfactory level. The assignments focus on technical work and are documented in reports. The reports must adequately detail the completed work.

The course gives a comprehensive introduction to global health problems, health policy studies, and international and national strategies to meet these problems.

Language of instruction is English.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has advanced knowledge of global health problems and global health policy
• has thorough knowledge of theories, ethics discussions and empirical methods in the study of health care systems, illness and disease in populations
• can apply scholarly theories and methods to new areas in international health policy

Skills

The student can

• analyse and deal critically with various sources of information about the global health situation and main challenges to health and health care
• analyse and deal critically with the relationship between culture and illness
• evaluate research methods and strategies in investigations of population health
• apply relevant theories and arguments in debates on health inequalities
• apply relevant health policy theories to evaluate health challenges
• apply relevant theories and evaluate the role of organisations in international health policies

General Competence

The student can

• apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects in international health policy
• communicate about academic issues, analyses and conclusions in international health policy, both with specialists and the general public
• contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in international health policy

The course is organised into a series of lectures and seminars. Students are expected to play an active role. Students will also be required to present papers, and discuss course themes during lectures and seminars.