IFN553 Introduction to Security and Networking
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: | IFN553 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | IFQ553 |
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $559 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $1,764 |
| International unit fee | $2,412 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 - 5 Week B 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFN553 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Equivalent: | IFQ553 |
| Anti-requisite: | IFN503 |
| Coordinators: | Vicky Liu | v.liu@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Cyber security breaches - network infiltration, malware, theft of personal or corporate information - are commonplace. The rise of the internet means that malicious actions of individuals may have global impact. This unit introduces essential information security concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is used to understand network communications. Threats and vulnerabilities are identified, for both stored and transmitted data. An overview of cyber security measures - preventing, detecting and correcting actions that result in harm - is provided. The limitations of such measures are noted, allowing you to develop an understanding of the trade-offs involved in protecting information. You can take this unit as a stand-alone course to raise your awareness of information security issues in networked systems, or as the start of a pathway into further cyber security and networking units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the processes for information exchange between devices over a network.
- Analyse network security situations for potential threats and vulnerabilities with reference to security goals.
- Choose network security controls based on security risks, taking into account threats, vulnerabilities and security goals.
- Examine the impact of cybersecurity on society with reference to privacy, cyber crime, and social stability.
- Communicate professionally and effectively about networks and cybersecurity to clients.
Content
This unit introduces fundamental cyber security concepts and explains why these are essential in networked information systems. Data security goals including confidentiality, integrity, and availability are defined. Threats to the security of information and vulnerabilities that can be exploited in networked information systems are identified and discussed. The potential impact of a cyber security incident (for example, privacy breach, process malfunction, or data loss) will be considered. An overview of technical and non-technical methods for protecting information is provided in areas including identity management and access control, use of cryptography and network and communications security. Discussions of information security issues emphasise the high standard of ethical conduct expected of those working in cyber security.
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 lectures and tutorial sessions, and through the QUT Canvas site. During the weekly sessions, theory on various topics in cyber security will be presented and examples showing how this theory can be applied will also be given. These sessions will focus on promoting your understanding of the presented material. Questions related to the presented material will be provided; your answers to these questions will direct your focus and aid your preparation for unit assessment items.
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.
You must be able to manage your time and prioritise activities in order to complete the required unit activities. You should be able to work both independently and as a productive and cooperative team member. Both group work and independent work is required to complete the assessment items. For the report, although you may discuss the assessment topics with others, the work you submit for assessment must be the combined effort of your group members only. It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is completed in a timely manner.
The unit coordinator will use email and the unit's QUT Canvas site 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 Canvas site regularly.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
- self-assess your responses to provided question sets and presented material
- peer-assessment of your tutorial preparation
- ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during tutorial sessions
- review your assessment items during scheduled review sessions
- have a private consultation with teaching staff
Assessment
Overview
This unit introduces foundational concepts and principles, so the assessment is based around the knowledge acquired throughout the semester. No prior knowledge is assumed. You will be assessed on the knowledge you have gained through tests and an exam, and your analytic skills via a written report.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
Written analytical report.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Quiz/Test
Multiple Choice Quiz on Modules 1 to 3
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
No special requirements
Risk Assessment Statement
N/A
Unit Outline: Semester 2 - 5 Week D 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | IFN553 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Equivalent: | IFQ553 |
| Anti-requisite: | IFN503 |
| Coordinators: | Matthew McKague | matthew.mckague@qut.edu.au Raja Jurdak | r.jurdak@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Cyber security breaches - network infiltration, malware, theft of personal or corporate information - are commonplace. The rise of the internet means that malicious actions of individuals may have global impact. This unit introduces essential information security concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is used to understand network communications. Threats and vulnerabilities are identified, for both stored and transmitted data. An overview of cyber security measures - preventing, detecting and correcting actions that result in harm - is provided. The limitations of such measures are noted, allowing you to develop an understanding of the trade-offs involved in protecting information. You can take this unit as a stand-alone course to raise your awareness of information security issues in networked systems, or as the start of a pathway into further cyber security and networking units.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the processes for information exchange between devices over a network.
- Analyse network security situations for potential threats and vulnerabilities with reference to security goals.
- Choose network security controls based on security risks, taking into account threats, vulnerabilities and security goals.
- Examine the impact of cybersecurity on society with reference to privacy, cyber crime, and social stability.
- Communicate professionally and effectively about networks and cybersecurity to clients.
Content
This unit introduces fundamental cyber security concepts and explains why these are essential in networked information systems. Data security goals including confidentiality, integrity, and availability are defined. Threats to the security of information and vulnerabilities that can be exploited in networked information systems are identified and discussed. The potential impact of a cyber security incident (for example, privacy breach, process malfunction, or data loss) will be considered. An overview of technical and non-technical methods for protecting information is provided in areas including identity management and access control, use of cryptography and network and communications security. Discussions of information security issues emphasise the high standard of ethical conduct expected of those working in cyber security.
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 lectures and tutorial sessions, and through the QUT Canvas site. During the weekly sessions, theory on various topics in cyber security will be presented and examples showing how this theory can be applied will also be given. These sessions will focus on promoting your understanding of the presented material. Questions related to the presented material will be provided; your answers to these questions will direct your focus and aid your preparation for unit assessment items.
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.
You must be able to manage your time and prioritise activities in order to complete the required unit activities. You should be able to work both independently and as a productive and cooperative team member. Both group work and independent work is required to complete the assessment items. For the report, although you may discuss the assessment topics with others, the work you submit for assessment must be the combined effort of your group members only. It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is completed in a timely manner.
The unit coordinator will use email and the unit's QUT Canvas site 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 Canvas site regularly.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:
- self-assess your responses to provided question sets and presented material
- peer-assessment of your tutorial preparation
- ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during tutorial sessions
- review your assessment items during scheduled review sessions
- have a private consultation with teaching staff
Assessment
Overview
This unit introduces foundational concepts and principles, so the assessment is based around the knowledge acquired throughout the semester. No prior knowledge is assumed. You will be assessed on the knowledge you have gained through tests and an exam, and your analytic skills via a written report.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
Written analytical report.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Quiz/Test
Multiple Choice Quiz on Modules 1 to 3
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
No special requirements
Risk Assessment Statement
N/A