COMPSCI 726 : Network Defence and Countermeasures

Science

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Focuses on the use and deployment of protective systems used in securing internal and external networks. Examines in detail the widely used protocols including SSL, IPSec, DNSSEC as well as covers infrastructure platform protocols including wireless security (IEEE 802.11). Explores current research and developments in the area of network defence and countermeasures. Recommended preparation: COMPSCI 314, 315

Course Overview

This course focuses on protective systems used in securing internal and external networks. It covers a range of security technologies such as firewalls, NAT, IDS, honeypot and a host of other security mechanisms for providing security at different TCP/IP layers. It examines in detail the widely used protocols including SSL, IPSec, and DNSSEC as well as covers topics related to securing the infrastructure including wireless security (IEEE 802.11). This course also explores the current research and developments in the area of network defence and countermeasures. The research aspect is mainly covered in individual seminars, which are based on recent research articles published at top-notch venues. There is a group report, which typically extends the presented articles. Finally, there is a final exam based on lectures and seminars.

The skills developed in this course are particularly useful for those wishing to have a career involving cybersecurity. The course project will be helpful for those who are planning to develop expertise in writing research reports.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Approval of the Academic Head or nominee

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Give basic advice on securing communication networks (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Criticise and appreciate technical literature on network security (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  3. Demonstrate technical skills to increase security of communication networks (Capability 2 and 3)
  4. Prepare and deliver an oral presentation on an advanced topic in network security (Capability 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6)
  5. Develop novel problem solving and research-informed ideas (Capability 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Seminar 15% Individual Coursework
Project 25% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 60% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Seminar
Project
Final Exam

Key Topics

  • Cryptography and PKI
  • OSI and TCP/IP Models
  • SSL/TLS
  • DNS and DNSSEC
  • DoS and DDoS
  • Firewall
  • IDS and Honeypot
  • Wifi Security
  • IPv4, IPv6, and IPSec
  • BGP and SDN

Special Requirements

  • Each student must deliver a seminar in class and peer review one seminar.
  • The group project must be completed in a team of 2.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 20 hours for individual seminars, 40 hours for group projects, and 50 hours of reading and thinking about the content.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including seminars to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including seminars and group discussions.
Attendance on campus is required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Network Security Essentials - Applications and Standards
Fourth Edition
William Stallings
Prentice Hall
ISBN 0-13-706792-5

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Level 1:  Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode.
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person.  All teaching and assessment will have a remote option.  The following activities will also have an on campus / in person option: lectures and seminars.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 26/01/2021 10:46 a.m.