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CM22014: Cybersecurity

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Computer Science
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWRG 20%, CWRI 40%, EXOB 40%
Assessment Detail:
  • Payment Card Security Practical (CWRI 40%)
  • Comparative report on payment card processing (CWRG 20%)
  • Examination (EXOB 40%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must ( take CM12002 AND take CM12005 AND take CM12006 )
Learning Outcomes: After successfully completing this unit, students will be able to:
  • describe common security models;
  • discuss what it means for a given system to be 'secure';
  • identify security weaknesses in proposed and current systems.



Synopsis: You will learn about the security of computing systems at both the software and hardware level. You will explore common security models, learn about standard attacks such as man in the middle, identify weaknesses in given systems, and consider current legislation on computer security and data protection.

Content: Typical topics include: Passwords, user ids and biometrics. Current legislation such as the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Regulatory and Investigatory Powers Act. Security within a computer: -Hardware support for security: states and memory protection. memory mapping, virtual memory and security. -The Unix Security model: chown, chgrp, setuid and chroot. Strengths and weaknesses of the Unix security model: common attacks. -The Multics security model. Capabilities. Security within networks. 'Man in the middle' attacks. Web security: OWASP top ten.

Course availability:

CM22014 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Computer Science
  • USCM-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science (Year 2)
  • USCM-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCM-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Computer Science with study abroad (Year 2)
  • USCM-AFM30 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science (Year 2)
  • USCM-AKM30 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with professional placement (Year 2)
  • USCM-AKM30 : MComp(Hons) Computer Science with study abroad (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.