Unit name | Security Behaviours (Teaching Unit) |
---|---|
Unit code | COMS30038 |
Credit points | 0 |
Level of study | H/6 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Edwards |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Ability to write basic scripts in a commonly-used programming language, e.g. Python. |
Co-requisites |
EITHER Assessment Units COMS30036 Security Behaviours (Exam assessment, 10 credits). OR COMS30037 Security Behaviours (Coursework assessment, 20 credits). Please note: COMS30038 is the Teaching Unit for the Security Behaviours option. Single Honours Computer Science students can choose to be assessed by either examination (10 credits, COMS30036) or coursework (20 credits, COMS30037) by selecting the appropriate co-requisite assessment unit. Any other students that are permitted to take the Security Beahaviours option are assessed by examination (10 credits) and should be enrolled on the co-requisite exam assessment unit (COMS30036). |
School/department | School of Computer Science |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The security of complex socio-technical systems relies on the behaviour of human agents as much as it relies on the correctness of technical controls. Poor choices made in the design, development and deployment of security controls can provoke legitimate users into errors, creating or exacerbating vulnerabilities in a system. Similarly, security controls cannot be effectively designed without an understanding of the adversary being defended against - their capabilities, motivations and typical behaviours.
This unit explores the human factors underlying cybersecurity from two complementary perspectives. Firstly, we will study the role of human behaviours in creating and undermining security, covering:
Secondly, we will study the behaviour of adversarial actors, and how we can translate our understanding of these attackers into defences, including:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
In addition, students assessed by coursework will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Teaching will take place over Weeks 1-7, with coursework support in weeks 8-10 and for students assessed by examination, consolidation and revision sessions in Weeks 11 and 12.
Examination details:
January timed assessment (100%, 10 credits)
OR
Coursework details:
Coursework, to be completed over weeks 8-10. (100%, 20 credits)
TBC