Cyber-Security

Cyber-Security explores the risks and mitigations inherent to computer use. The module incorporates ideas from ethical practice, risk management, legal considerations, and technology-based solutions to address computer security issues. Cyber-Security begins by examining the concept of privacy from a philosophical, legal, and ethical standpoint, before exploring some of the technology used to protect an individual's privacy. The module then continues by introducing foundational principles of computer security, including policies, legal frameworks, CIA (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability), threats, and attacks. With these principles in place, the Cyber-Security explores secure design and the use of cryptography in computer systems. Finally, human-factors, including interface design and governance are explored.

Cyber-Security brings together concepts covered in a range of modules throughout Computer Science, including Computing and Society, Software Development 2, Databases, Operating Systems, and Software Engineering. Cyber-Security explores how the issues introduced in other modules fit within current computer security definitions. The module also explores the technology to support computer security throughout.

The aim of Cyber-Security is to develop students' fluency in computer security. The module capstones the Systems and Cyber-Security theme of Computer Science, insofar that an understanding of the system is required to fully appreciate issues of computer security. The module will require students to undertake evaluation of systems to understand vulnerabilities and mitigations. This will best place students to understand the requirements of security as they enter the workplace.