Module: Network Security

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Network Security
Module Code	CA645 (ITS) / CSC1134 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
Module Co-ordinator	Darragh O'Brien
Module Teachers	Renaat Verbruggen
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination

Description

The aim of the course is to introduce the student to the issues that arise when we consider the security of computer networks, from both a "white-hat" (defensive), and "black-hat" (offensive) perspective.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the threats that exist against computer networks
2. Deploy defences to mitigate network security threats
3. Advise those concerned with their network security on corrective measures
4. Assess the top threats to internet-facing applications
5. Securely configure network devices
6. Deploy defences across both IPv4 and IPv6 networks

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Classroom lectures
Laboratory	12	Lab exercises
Independent Study	140	Independent learning
Total Workload: 188

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative syllabus
Network models. Attacks across the network layers. Defences across the network layers. DNS. DNS attacks. Subnetting. VLANs. VLAN attacks and defences. Securing network devices. Malware. Packet filtering. Firewalls. Wireless networks. Wireless network security. Working with network simulators.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	30%	Examination Weight	70%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
In Class Test	In-class test	15%	Week 10
Group assignment	Network security assignment	15%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Bruce Schneier: 2004, Secrets and lies, Wiley, Indianapolis, Ind., 0-471-45380-3
Joel Scambray, Stuart McClure, George Kurtz: 2001, Hacking exposed, Osborne/McGraw-Hill, Berkeley, Calif., 978-0072127485
Cyrus Peikari, Seth Fogie: 2003, Maximum wireless security, Sams, Indianapolis, Ind., 978-0672324888
Stephen Northcutt: 2003, Inside network perimeter security, New Riders, Indianapolis, Ind., 978-0735712324
William Stallings: 2003, Network security essentials, Pearson Education, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 978-0130351289

Other Resources

None