This course provides a graduate-level introduction to computer and network security and privacy. Students successfully completing this class will be able to evaluate works in academic and commercial security, and will have rudimentary skills in security research. The course covers four key topic areas: basics of cryptography and crypto protocols, network security, systems security, and privacy. Readings primarily come from seminal papers in the field.

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of computer and network security fundamentals. Successful students will be able to explain key concepts related to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, in addition to recognizing the ethical and legal implications of security practices.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the basics of cryptography and cryptography protocols. They will learn about encryption algorithms, digital signatures, and secure communication protocols.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of network security, including topics such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and secure network design. They will develop skills to analyze network vulnerabilities, propose effective defense mechanisms, and mitigate security risks.
• Students will study systems security, focusing on securing operating systems, servers, and software applications. They will demonstrate techniques for hardening systems, access control, and vulnerability assessment.
• Students will engage with seminal research papers in the field of security. They will learn to critically evaluate academic and commercial security works, contributing to the advancement of their knowledge in the domain of computer and network security.

Grade Basis: L
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0