Course Coordinator:Nayson Machin (nmachin@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Adelaide |
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, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement. |
Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
A cyber security specialist will use a complex array of tools, methods and applications to investigate and protect information in computer systems. This online course has been designed to introduce you to some cryptography techniques that allow different parties to securely transmit information. The course will introduce blockchain and its growing uses, including cryptocurrencies. You will learn the differences between authentication and security protocols and how private keys are exchanged to establish secure communications.
| 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 |
600 Level (Specialised)
12 units
| 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 | Identify and explain the evolution of cryptographic protocols. | Knowledgeable |
| 2 | Explain the cryptographic function of block ciphers and their value in proving the authenticity of data transactions. | Knowledgeable |
| 3 | Identify and discuss the elements of the key exchange process. | Knowledgeable |
| 4 | Apply a range of security applications suitable to secure a network connected device. | Empowered |
| 5 | Compare and contrast the value to data security and privacy of cryptographic protocols outlining their strengths and vulnerabilities. | Empowered |
| 6 | Demonstrate the qualities of professionalism, leadership and digital collaboration. | Engaged |
| 7 | Communicate research and findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences. | Engaged |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
SEC601 and Enrolled in SC509, SC705, SC517 or BU708
Not applicable
Not applicable
Students will be assumed to understand technology and its role in society. They will be expected to have a working knowledge of computer systems and networks
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Using marking rubrics, students will participate in continuous peer and self-assessment during tutorials
| 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 | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | Individual | 40% | 2,500 words (+/- 10 percent of the stated word count) |
Week 5 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 2 | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | Individual | 40% | 2,000 words (+/- 10 percent of the stated word count) |
Week 9 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Portfolio | Individual | 20% | 1000 words equivalent |
Week 12 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Cryptographic evaluation. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | This written piece will evaluate a cyber security case study of a company and identify proper encryption and cryptographic approaches to security. |
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| Product: | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Students will prepare a written report of no more than 2,500 words using APA7 referencing style. The artefact will be written in Australian English and provide suitable information that a technical and non technical person may understand. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 2:Cryptographic technical review. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | This is a cryptographic task where you will individually work through a complex case study. |
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| Product: | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | ||||||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Students will prepare a written report of no more than 2,000 words using APA7 referencing style. The artefact will be written in Australian English and provide suitable information that a technical and non technical person may understand. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 3:Proof of Work Portfolio | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | Students will complete cryptography related tasks demonstrating their understanding and knowledge of encryption and cryptographic protocols by performing periodic practical tasks. |
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| Product: | Portfolio | |||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Word document individually submitted online via LMS. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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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.
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.
You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Recommended | David Kahn | 1996 | The Codebreakers: The Comprehensive History of Secret Communication from Ancient Times to the Internet | n/a | Scribner |
| Recommended | David Gerard | 2017 | Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain | n/a | David Gerard |
| Recommended | Robert Wallace,H. Keith Melton | 2009 | Spycraft | n/a | Penguin |
| Recommended | Daniel Drescher | 2017 | Blockchain Basics | n/a | Apress |
This is an online course therefore access to a computer with systems admin rights and unrestricted access to the internet for 10-12 hours per week is essential.
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.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
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.