| Unit name | Foundations of Cyber Security |
|---|---|
| Unit code | COMSM0118 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Omoronyia |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Computer Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This unit introduces the fundamentals and foundations of why cyber security exists and the principles, tools and techniques used to secure systems. You will learn about the importance of threat modelling and risk analysis (and relevant approaches) as well as architectures and fundamental techniques for security operations and incident management. You will gain an understanding of human factors in security and the importance of usable security and employee engagement as central to securing organisations and systems. You will learn about the importance of cryptography and the importance of hardening protocols and systems against different classes of attacks. You will also develop an understanding of legal and ethical considerations pertinent to cyber security. This unit sets up the foundations; which will be developed and specialised over the remainder of the course.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The foundations unit forms the introduction to the cyber security course. It is a required unit for all students on the cyber security MSc programme and introduces core concepts, principles tools and techniques. These foundations will be built upon by later units as your studies develop greater depth, but this unit ensures that broad foundational knowledge about cyber security is present from the start.
An overview of content
Topics will include:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will gain hands-on experience on applying their knowledge to a running case study of web security (modelling and lab exercises) to contextualise the fundamental concepts and appreciate the consequences of vulnerabilities and security breaches. They will gain further in-depth understanding of risk analysis and threat modelling through a group work exercise.
They will also develop their individual analytical and problem-solving skills by applying their knowledge of secure design, attack types, classes of vulnerability and applied cryptography by implementing a secure application using off-the-shelf APIs and libraries
Learning Outcomes
Ability to apply their knowledge to provide fundamental security in real-world applications.
The unit will be delivered through lectures, labs and office hours.
In the event of a return to fully remote teaching due to COVID-19 we will adopt the University’s recommended blend of synchronous, asynchronous and on-campus (where possible) sessions.
Asynchronous sessions are designed for students to access in their own time and are made up of a structured sequence of inputs and activities. Synchronous sessions are delivered live and will include opportunities for interaction, for example, tasks, quick polls or chat) to support and encourage student engagement. Synchronous sessions will be recorded, where possible, for those unable to attend. Peer to peer interaction and group work will remain key elements of the unit. For lab work, on-campus will be prioritised, however, where that is not feasible this will be adapted to suit available software. For specialised activity, Bristol Cyber Security Group host an isolated VPN network that sits alongside that of the main university. This VPN can be used across any units that require specific services that cannot be replicated at home.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
A running case study of web security - studying implications of security weaknesses and importance of particular security mechanisms through both analytical exercises and hands-on lab examples. This will include both group work and individual work.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Coursework (100%), comprising Group work (40%) & Individual work (60%)
Threat modelling and risk analysis exercise on a case study (Group work: 40%)
Implementing security principles and design practices to develop a secure application using off-the-shelf security and cryptography libraries and APIs (Individual work: 60%)
For group work, each student will be required to submit a reflective log (max. 500 words) reflecting on their learning, their contributions and that of other group members. These reflective logs will be used by markers to evaluate group dynamics and contributions.
When assessment does not go to plan
If students do not pass an individual assessment, an equivalent (different) assessment will be set by the unit director.
For group work, if the reflective logs highlight an unequal contribution by the students and therefore it would be unfair to award all students within the group the same mark, the marker will hold a meeting with relevant students to assess their understanding of the topic. Where extenuating circumstances mean that a student cannot participate in this summative group work, an equivalent piece of work will be set which would require an in-depth study of two contrasting approaches from literature through their application to a suitably sized case study and a report.
As the formative assessments in each of the units involve group work the students will still be able to gain relevant group work skills and meet the programme level ILOs even if they cannot complete a summative group work assessment in group work mode due to extenuating circumstances.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0118).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
