Computer Engineering MA, Network Security and Management, 6 credits

Aim

The course treats policies, strategies and techniques for reliable management of computer networks. Some of the concepts studied are performance monitoring, fault detection, recovery and configuration. The emphasis is put on network security, including cryptography, privacy, message integrity, intrusion, packet sniffing, spoofing, authentication, authorization, access control and firewalls etc.

Course objectives

After the course the student should be able to
- enumerate and explain the case for network management arising from the complexity of the system,
- understand how network management is involved and affects the overall network design,
- summarize the strength and the weaknesses associated with different approaches to management,
- define the fundamental concepts of cryptography and describe how they work,
- summarize the capabilities and limitations of secure systems,
- demonstrate the use of appropriate management and security tools,
- develop strategy for ensuring appropriate levels of security, and
- discuss and explain the issues that go into the design of a secure network

Content

- Types of management (performance, fault, configuration, accounting, security).
- Management protocols (CMISE/CMIP; SNMP Internet framework for management)
- Monitoring and managing performance (hosts, routers, intrusion detection, RAMON)
- Security threats and attacks (secrecy; message integrity, types of intrusion)
- Cryptography (digital signatures, public and secrete key algorithms, data encryption standards)
- AAA (authorization; authentication and accounting)
- Protection and forensics (security policies, incidents)
- Identity management

Entry requirements

Computer Engineering BA (ABC), 52.5 credits, including TCP/IP Internetworking. Mathematics BA (A), 22.5 credits, including Discrete Mathematics.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

The course consists of 20 hours of lectures (10%) and 8 laboratory exercises (4%). The rest of the time, 172 hours (86%) is devoted to studying without supervision. This includes the time necessary to prepare for lectures, laboratory work, solve homework problems, and study time.

Examination form

P102: Project with seminars, 3 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

T102: Short written exam, 3 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

3.0 hp P102: Project with seminars
Grades: A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. A-E are passed and Fx and F are failed.

3.0 hp, T102: Short written exam
Grades: A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. A-E are passed and Fx and F are failed.

Assessment criteria for this subject can be found on www.miun.se/betygskriterier.

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.