ELEC5616: Semester 1, 2022

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Units ELEC5616 Semester 1 2022 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

ELEC5616: Computer and Network Security

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

This unit examines the basic cryptographic building blocks of security, working through to their applications in authentication, key exchange, secret and public key encryption, digital signatures, protocols and systems. It then considers these applications in the real world, including models for integrity, authentication, electronic cash, viruses, firewalls, electronic voting, risk assessment, secure web browsers and electronic warfare. Practical cryptosystems are analysed with regard to the assumptions with which they were designed, their limitations, failure modes and ultimately why most end up broken.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	ELEC5616
Academic unit	Electrical and Information Engineering
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	A programming language, basic maths
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mahyar Shirvanimoghaddam, mahyar.shirvanimoghaddam@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final Exam The exam is held during the formal exam period.	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 1 n/a	9%	Week 05	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 n/a	1.25%	Week 06	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 2 n/a	9%	Week 10	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 n/a	1.25%	Week 11	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 3 n/a	7%	Week 12	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Wargames n/a	12.5%	Week 13	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignments n/a	10%	Week 13	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

50% Final exam

50% Quiz/Assignment

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please contact lecturer well ahead of time if you experience difficulties meeting submission deadlines.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Overview; Hash Fns/HMACs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Ciphers; PRNGs & Modes of operation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Breaking HMACs	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 03	Attacks on DES; Key Management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	PRNGs, XOR, and DES	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 04	Number Theory; Attacks on RSA	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Skynet project part 1, Git & Phabricator	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 05	Digital Signatures; Authentication	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Finalise project part 1	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 06	Cryptographic Protocols 1; Overview of SSL/TLS	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Project part 2	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 07	Cryptographic Protocols 2; Overview of Network Security	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Project part 2; Questions from lectures	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 09	Bitcoins	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Project part 2 & part 3; Questions from lectures	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 10	Network Protocols	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Finalise project part 2; Assignment released	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 11	Web Security	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Project Part 3	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 12	Wireless & Hardware security	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Finalise project part 3	Computer laboratory (2 hr)
Week 13	Software Security; Politics; Quantum	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Assignment & Exam Questions	Computer laboratory (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Assumed knowledge: A programming language, basic maths.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

William Stallings, Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice (4th). Prentice Hall, 1999. 0130914290.
A. Menezes, P. Van Oorscho, S. Vanstone, Handbook of Applied Cryptography (5th). CRC Press, 0-8493-8523-7.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate the ability to write reports and make presentations on the complexity of security system design and its related performance, using clear and accurate terms and a language commensurate with the expected level of understanding by stakeholders
LO2. demonstrate the ability to work in a team, taking up clear roles and responsibilities while drawing on skills and knowledge of other team members in order to deliver specific engineering work
LO3. demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast practical cryptosystems and the assumptions with which they were designed to determine their failure modes and to design a cryptosystem to a specification
LO4. demonstrate the ability to appraise applicability and value of cryptography in authentication, key exchange, secret and public key encryption, digital signatures, protocols and systems
LO5. demonstrate proficient use of software system knowledge and cryptography in designing and evaluating security schemes
LO6. demonstrate the ability to undertake inquiry and knowledge development by first identifying the limits of the available information on security systems and then effectively searching and synthesising the information most pertinent.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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