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Course Outline

SEC603 Introduction to Device & Network Security

Course Coordinator:Nayson Machin (nmachin@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2024Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This online professional competency course introduces you to fundamental competencies and skills to effectively secure computer devices and networks.You will specifically develop and test your competency across device and network security vulnerabilities, behaviours and restrictions. You will also develop an understanding of ethical hacking and vulnerability/penetration testing. You will work online independently and in teams through problem based and case study activities and you will be able to diagnose and secure network devices.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous on campus workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – On campus seminar 1hr Week 1 2 times
Online
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous Zoom workshop 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Seminar – Online seminar 1hr Week 1 2 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to Cyber Security
  • Cyber Security Roles and Frameworks
  • Introduction to Threats, Vulnerabilities, Controls and Cryptography
  • Incident Response
  • Digital Forensics
  • Network Protocols and Services
  • Protecting the network and network attacks
  • Principles of Network Security and Ethical Hacking
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Report Writing

What level is this course?

600 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Explain device and network fundamental concepts. Knowledgeable
2 Diagnose data points and device/network behaviours that reveal vulnerabilities in the computer network. Empowered
3 Evaluate the role of data access restrictions, white-listing, administrative privileges, and related controls from a multi-actor perspective in an organisational context. Creative and critical thinker
4 Communicate research and findings in systematic ways to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in Program SC509, SC517, SC705 or BU708

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Students will be expected to have a working knowledge of computer systems and networks.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Feedback will be given to students from activities conduced in the weekly tutorials

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Examination - not Centrally Scheduled Individual 10% 
1 hour
 Week 4 Online Test (Quiz)
All 2 Written Piece Individual 40% 
1000 words
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Report Individual 50% 
1500 words
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Security Artefact Development
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to demonstrate your understanding of foundational level knowledge of security, compliance, and identity concepts and related cloud-based solutions.
Product: Examination - not Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
Individual 1 hour online exam. More details will be provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity.
 1
2 
Describe the capabilities of solutions including identity and access management, security and compliance.
 2 3
All - Assessment Task 2:Connecting theory and practice
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to apply your understanding of the weekly learning material to industry-based situations and to practice configurations and professional report writing, both skills fundamental to the work of industry professionals.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
3 Mini Tasks in 3 weeks (Week 3,5 and 7). Specific mini-task information will be released a minimum of one (1) week prior to each deadline. Mini tasks may include applying understandings of OS utilities, practical exercises and report writing in response to case studies.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Generate a product or output using the task objectives
 2
2 
Analyse and apply research information to achieve task objectives.
 1 2
3 
Provide justification for decisions made to achieve task objectives.
 1
All - Assessment Task 3:Policy and Governance Report
Goal: 
The goal for this task is to apply your understanding of governance to review a fictional company's Information Technology policy and make recommendations to ensure that it represents industry best practice.
Product: Report
Format: 
You will compile your recommendations in a written report and provide justification using relevant governance documentation. Your recommendations should be formatted as a written report and saved as a Word document. More details will be provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identify strategies for securing networks
 1 2 3
2 
Identifying strategies for hardening devices
 2 3
3 
Provide and justify security recommendations
 3
4 
Identify key messages for technical and non-technical audiences
 4
5 
Communicate using report writing
 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Charles P. Pfleeger,Shari Lawrence Pfleeger,Jonathan Margulies 2015 Security in Computing 5th Ed Pearson College Division

Specific requirements

Access to a computer and the internet for activities during the week.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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