INFO5995: Introduction to Cybersecurity

2026 unit information

This unit of study introduces the principles and practices of cybersecurity. Students will explore fundamental concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, availability, risk management, and threat mitigation. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on lab activities, students will gain practical experience with encryption, network security, web security, access control, and incident response. Key topics include cryptographic techniques, secure network design, web application security, mobile and IoT security, and cloud security. The unit also covers important legal and ethical considerations, focusing on regulations such as the Australian Privacy Act and GDPR. By the end of the unit, students will have a solid foundation in cybersecurity, preparing them for advanced study or entry-level positions in the field. Emphasis is placed on real-world applications and current trends to ensure students are equipped to handle emerging cybersecurity challenges.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Engineering

Details

Study level	Postgraduate
Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prerequisites: ?	None
Corequisites: ?	None
Prohibitions: ?	OINF5995
Assumed knowledge: ?	None

Learning outcomes

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

LO1. (Attacks & Defenses) - Explain system model, threat model, and common attack vectors.
LO2. (Attacks & Defenses) - Understand fundamental security operations and incident response procedures
LO3. (AI + Security) - Explain common security risks and challenges in AI based systems.
LO4. (AI + Security) - Use AI assisted techniques to identify potential security vulnerabilities.
LO5. (Software and Platform Security) - Understand basic web / mobile security considerations
LO6. (Software and Platform Security) - Understand basic security tools and issues in software development.
LO7. (Systems Security) - Understand fundamental cryptographic concepts and mechanisms.
LO8. (Systems Security) - Develop a basic understanding of security issues in operating systems.
LO9. (Systems Security) - Develop a basic understanding of security issues in distributed systems.
LO10. (Infrastructure Security) - Explain fundamental network security concepts and practices.
LO11. (Infrastructure Security) - Understand the basic security issues in cyber physical systems.
LO12. (Human, Organisational & Regulatory Aspects) - Demonstrate understanding of risk governance and their application in cybersecurity.
LO13. (Human, Organisational & Regulatory Aspects) - Apply knowledge of cybersecurity regulations and compliance requirements in basic scenarios.
LO14. (Human, Organisational & Regulatory Aspects) - Describe the role of human factors in security breaches.
LO15. (Human, Organisational & Regulatory Aspects) - Understanding privacy requirements and their organizational impacts.

Unit availability

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Current year
Previous years

Session	MoA ?	Location	Outline ?
Semester 1 2026	Normal evening	Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney	View
Semester 2 2026	Normal evening	Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney	Outline unavailable

There are no availabilities for previous years.

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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