Introduction to Cybersecurity

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Objectives:
This course aims to give an introduction to and an overview over the concepts of vulnerabilities, threats, attacks, and security measures and mechanisms in both computer systems and computer networks.

Content:
Human, Organisational and Regulatory Aspects including Risk Management and Governance, Law and Regulation, as well as Human Factors, Privacy and Online Rights; Attacks and Defences including Malware and Attack Technologies, Adversarial Behaviours, Security Operations and Incident Management, and Forensics; Systems Security including Cryptography, Operating Systems and Virtualisation Security, Distributed Systems Security, as well as Authentication, Authorisation and Accountability; Software and Platform Security including Software Security, Web and Mobile Security, Secure Software Design and Development; and Infrastructure Security including Network Security, Hardware Security, Cyber-Physical Systems Security and Physical Layer Security.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student should be

  • able to describe typical threats to modern digital systems, and to outline techniques of defense against each threat.
  • able to describe the fundamentals of modern cryptography
  • able to describe the popular computer and network security mechanisms and protocols
  • aware of the difficulty of security problems

Skills

The student is able to

  • catch up new security mechanisms in a short period of time
  • discuss security aspects, as outlined in the course content description, with security-peers informally/semi-informally
  • identify security tasks that need to be handled by experts

General competence

The student

  • is familiar with new ideas and innovation processes,
  • can exchange opinions with others with relevant background and participate in discussions concerning the development of good practice.

Full-time/Part-time

Full-time

ECTS Credits

10

Level of Study

Bachelor

Semester of Instruction

Autumn
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Following courses are recommended: INF100, MNF130 and MAT121. All courses can be studied in parallell.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
Access to the course requires admission to a programme of study at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Teaching and learning methods

The teaching comprises of lectures and group exercises:

Lectures: 4 hours pr. week for 13 weeks

Group exercises: 2 hours pr. week

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Compulsory assignments are valid for one subsequent semester .
Forms of Assessment
Written examination or Digital written examination (3 hours).
Compulsory exercises may count towards the final grade.  
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Examination both spring semester and autumn semester. In semesters without teaching the examination will be arranged at the beginning of the semester.
Reading List
The reading list will be available within June 1st for the autumn semester and December 1st for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
The course will be evaluated by the students in accordance with the quality assurance system at UiB and the department.
Examination Support Material
Non-programmable calculator, according to the faculty regulations
Programme Committee
The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.
Course Coordinator
Course coordinator and administrative contact person can be found on Mitt UiB, or contact Student adviser
Course Administrator
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences represented by the Department of Informatics is the course administrator for the course and study programme.