Networks and Security

Module overview

This module introduces students to the principles of layered communication protocols, the architecture of the Internet and the TCP/IP model. This is complemented with a multi-disciplinary overview of cyber security, which considers not only technical measures and defences, but also legal, management, crime, risk, social and human factors.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Issues surrounding privacy and anonymity
The Internet architecture and the layered TCP/IP networking model
The cyber threat landscape, including actors
Approaches to making systems and networks more robust to attack
Network services, design, operation and security
Principles of networking protocols
The importance of taking a multi-disciplinary approach to cyber security

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Explain the fundamental concepts underlying computer networks
Critically analyse a cyber attack and identify effective countermeasures
Assess network systems and technologies
Design and analyse simple networks and the protocols they use

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, the module website, directed reading and pre-recorded materials. Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study and preparation for timetabled activities, along with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments. Students work on their practical skills and technical understanding in technical laboratories and assessed laboratories.

Study time
Type	Hours
Revision	16
Preparation for scheduled sessions	5
Completion of assessment task	5
Specialist Laboratory	10
Lecture	36
Follow-up work	18
Wider reading or practice	60
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Clarke, R.A (2012). Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do about it. ECCO Press.

L. Parziale et al (2006). TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical Overview. IBM Redbooks.

D. Comer and D. Stevens (1993). Internetworking with TCP/IP Volume III: Client-Server Programming and Applications. Prentice Hall.

A Tanenbaum, D. J. Wetherall (2010). Computer Networks. Pearson.

LL Peterson and BS Davie (2008). Computer Networks, a Systems Approach. Morgan Laufman.

Graham, J., Howard, R. and Olson, R (2011). Cyber Security Essentials. CRC Press.

Andress, J. (2013). Cyber Warfare: Techniques, Tactics and Tools for Security Practitioners. Syngress.

Hadnagy, C. (2011). Social Engineering: The Art of Human Hacking. Wiley.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

This module is assessed by a combination of coursework, assessed laboratories and a final assessment in the form of a computer aided examination.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Laboratory Exercises	30%
Examination	70%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Examination	100%