IFN658 Networks and Security
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | IFN658 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | IFN635. IFN635 can be studied concurrently with IFN658. |
| Equivalent(s): | IFN507, IFQ507 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | IFN583 or equivalent |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,816 |
| International unit fee | $5,352 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFN658 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | IFN635 (can be taken concurrently) |
| Equivalent: | IFN507 or IFQ507 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | IFN583 or equivalent |
| Coordinator: | Glen Tian | y.tian@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Networking allows us to connect all sorts of devices and gain access to a wide range of applications and services. However, our heavy reliance on networking technology means the security of our networks is critical for both enterprise and individuals to avoid disruption to services that are essential for day-to-day activities in a connected world.
This unit introduces the core concepts of computer networks and the Internet, in particular layered network architecture and models, hardware and software, TCP/IP protocol stack, addressing and routing, wireless networks, network security, and network services and applications. It teaches you how modern computer networks and the Internet work, how they are structured, and how they operate.
Additionally, we will explore the challenges associated with securing a network. We will consider attack scenarios along with security controls for addressing network security vulnerabilities.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the major principles, and the security requirements of computer networks.
- Analyse networks using network analysis, and testing tools and methodologies.
- Apply problem solving skills to identify appropriate network security controls to address identified security risks in practical network scenarios.
- Communicate professionally about networks and security requirements, risks, designs, controls, systems, tools and vulnerabilities in written form.
- Collaborate with others in a team environment to write a report addressing an aspect of network security.
Content
You will investigate the following topics:
- network fundamentals including architecture, addressing, routing, and protocols,
- network analysis tools and techniques,
- security goals in networked systems,
- security challenges for common network types,
- securing network protocols at various layers,
- network security controls
Learning Approaches
You are responsible for your academic progression through this unit. Unit staff will provide a learning environment designed to maximise your learning experience. In order to realise your full potential, it is strongly recommended that you actively participate in all of the learning activities offered in this unit.
The content of the unit is delivered through weekly pre-recorded lectures and practical sessions, and through the QUT Learning Management System. During the weekly sessions, theory on various network security topics will be presented, and the practical sessions will emphasize structured hands-on lab activities to reinforce the key concepts and build skills.
You should expect to spend, on average, 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending scheduled classes, preparing and completing assessment tasks as well as in independent study to consolidate your learning. You must be able to manage your time and prioritise activities in order to complete the required unit activities.
Your participation in the learning activities provides opportunities for you to self-assess and to obtain feedback from unit staff and your peers, further developing your interpersonal and oral communication skills.
The unit coordinator will use email and the unit's QUT Learning Management System to make announcements and post various types of information throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to access your email account and the unit's QUT Learning Management System regularly.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will have a range of opportunities to receive feedback on your learning and progress in this unit. This includes:
- formative in-class individual and whole-of-class feedback provided by unit staff during practical classes
- responses to questions posed through the unit communication channel from your peers and teaching staff
- feedback given on your assessment items via the rubric and written feedback, individually and during scheduled review sessions
- have a private consultation with teaching staff at a mutually convenient time.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Laboratory/Practical
Three Laboratory/Practical tests focusing on Linux basics, addressing and routing, and protocol analysis, respectively.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A project to assess and fix interrupted network services by using computer networking technologies and tools.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Final Examination
Written examination consisting of a set of multiple choice questions and multiple answer questions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with the study of this unit.
Resources
There is no required textbook for this unit. All learning materials will be provided via the Canvas site. This unit utilises a range of different software, which is available in computer laboratories or is freely available.
Resource Materials
Other
Canvas site
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/ lecture activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.IN20 Master of Information Technology
- Demonstrate advanced specialist IT knowledge in at least one information technology discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Laboratory/Practical, Final Examination - Critically analyse complex IT problems and opportunities and use creativity and problem-solving skills to generate innovative and novel solutions that are convincingly justified.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Laboratory/Practical, Project (applied), Final Examination - Integrate advanced, industry-best practice, IT methods, tools and techniques to develop and implement complex IT systems, processes and/or software.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Laboratory/Practical, Project (applied), Final Examination - Employ leadership and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts to create value for others.
Relates to: ULO5, Final Examination - Communicate effectively in IT professional and scholarly contexts to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Laboratory/Practical, Final Examination
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFN658 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | IFN635 (can be taken concurrently) |
| Equivalent: | IFN507 or IFQ507 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | IFN583 or equivalent |
| Coordinator: | Glen Tian | y.tian@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Networking allows us to connect all sorts of devices and gain access to a wide range of applications and services. However, our heavy reliance on networking technology means the security of our networks is critical for both enterprise and individuals to avoid disruption to services that are essential for day-to-day activities in a connected world.
This unit introduces the core concepts of computer networks and the Internet, in particular layered network architecture and models, hardware and software, TCP/IP protocol stack, addressing and routing, wireless networks, network security, and network services and applications. It teaches you how modern computer networks and the Internet work, how they are structured, and how they operate.
Additionally, we will explore the challenges associated with securing a network. We will consider attack scenarios along with security controls for addressing network security vulnerabilities.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the major principles, and the security requirements of computer networks.
- Analyse networks using network analysis, and testing tools and methodologies.
- Apply problem solving skills to identify appropriate network security controls to address identified security risks in practical network scenarios.
- Communicate professionally about networks and security requirements, risks, designs, controls, systems, tools and vulnerabilities in written form.
- Collaborate with others in a team environment to write a report addressing an aspect of network security.
Content
You will investigate the following topics:
- network fundamentals including architecture, addressing, routing, and protocols,
- network analysis tools and techniques,
- security goals in networked systems,
- security challenges for common network types,
- securing network protocols at various layers,
- network security controls
Learning Approaches
You are responsible for your academic progression through this unit. Unit staff will provide a learning environment designed to maximise your learning experience. In order to realise your full potential, it is strongly recommended that you actively participate in all of the learning activities offered in this unit.
The content of the unit is delivered through weekly pre-recorded lectures and practical sessions, and through the QUT Learning Management System. During the weekly sessions, theory on various network security topics will be presented, and the practical sessions will emphasize structured hands-on lab activities to reinforce the key concepts and build skills.
You should expect to spend, on average, 10 - 15 hours per week involved in preparing for and attending scheduled classes, preparing and completing assessment tasks as well as in independent study to consolidate your learning. You must be able to manage your time and prioritise activities in order to complete the required unit activities.
Your participation in the learning activities provides opportunities for you to self-assess and to obtain feedback from unit staff and your peers, further developing your interpersonal and oral communication skills.
The unit coordinator will use email and the unit's QUT Learning Management System to make announcements and post various types of information throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to access your email account and the unit's QUT Learning Management System regularly.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will have a range of opportunities to receive feedback on your learning and progress in this unit. This includes:
- formative in-class individual and whole-of-class feedback provided by unit staff during practical classes
- responses to questions posed through the unit communication channel from your peers and teaching staff
- feedback given on your assessment items via the rubric and written feedback, individually and during scheduled review sessions
- have a private consultation with teaching staff at a mutually convenient time.
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Laboratory/Practical
Three Laboratory/Practical tests focusing on Linux basics, addressing and routing, and protocol analysis, respectively.
Assessment: Project (applied)
A project to assess and fix interrupted network services by using computer networking technologies and tools.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Final Examination
Written examination consisting of a set of multiple choice questions and multiple answer questions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with the study of this unit.
Resources
There is no required textbook for this unit. All learning materials will be provided via the Canvas site. This unit utilises a range of different software, which is available in computer laboratories or is freely available.
Resource Materials
Other
Canvas site
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no extraordinary risks associated with the classroom/ lecture activities in this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.IN20 Master of Information Technology
- Demonstrate advanced specialist IT knowledge in at least one information technology discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Laboratory/Practical, Final Examination - Critically analyse complex IT problems and opportunities and use creativity and problem-solving skills to generate innovative and novel solutions that are convincingly justified.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Laboratory/Practical, Project (applied), Final Examination - Integrate advanced, industry-best practice, IT methods, tools and techniques to develop and implement complex IT systems, processes and/or software.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Laboratory/Practical, Project (applied), Final Examination - Employ leadership and initiative in both self-directed and collaborative contexts to create value for others.
Relates to: ULO5, Final Examination - Communicate effectively in IT professional and scholarly contexts to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
Relates to: ULO4, ULO5, Laboratory/Practical, Final Examination