CS 373: Computer Network Security

Course Description:

This course introduces students to various security concepts, issues, and countermeasurements in both computer systems and computer networks. The topics to be examined include, but are not limited to, cryptographic techniques and applications, attack and vulnerability identification, defenses and countermeasures, security tools and techniques, and ethical and legal issues. Several of these concepts may be put into practice using laboratory exercises. Prerequisite: CS 365.3:0:3

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define security terminology and explain the need for security policies
2. Discuss the need for authentication and the development of different types of authentication devices.
3. Discuss major types of attacks and countermeasures.
4. Introduce vulnerabilities associated with the popular applications such as email, web, wireless and instant messaging.
5. Discuss the role of major networking devices and how they work together.
6. Discuss network media for a secure network.
7. Discuss network topologies that are pertinent to organization's security policy.
8. Discuss intrusion detection systems.
9. Discuss cryptography and how it formed the foundation for computer and network security.
10. Discuss the physical security
11. Discuss the disaster recovery planning
12. Introduce computer forensics.

Teaching Directives:	Linkage to Learning Outcome #:
Homework Assignments:
Assign a sufficient amount of homework such that all of the above objectives are covered.	All
For each homework assignment, include problem-solving questions that require the student to apply the above objectives.	All
For each homework assignment, include short-essay questions that require the student to effective communicate the technical content of the above objectives.	All
For each homework assignment, include short-essay questions that require the student to effective communicate the technical content of the above objectives.	All
For certain homework assignments, include critical-thinking questions that require the student to evaluate and analyze the security situation, and provide a suitable solution (hardware and/or software) for the computer network.	All
For certain homework assignments, the student may be asked to solve security problems or implement a security design by using appropriate security protocols and devices.	All
Exams:
Include one or more of: short essay, short answer, multiple choice, multiple answer, mathematical calculation, computer network security design.	All
Given a problem description, apply an appropriate security solution.	All

Textbooks

To view the approved textbook list, click here.