COMP424 Computer System Security

 

Professor Brenda Timmerman

 

Office:  JD4423

Office hours:  Tuesday, Thursday 1:00 – 2:00 pm or by appointment

Phone:  X7341

E-mail  btimmer@csun.edu

 

Text:  Security in Computing (Fourth Edition) by Charles P. Pfleeger and Shari Lawrence Pfleeger

Selected articles and papers

 

Prerequisites:  Comp 322, 322L, and 380

 

Course Objectives:

A successful student will be able to:

1.      Communicate about computer security through oral and written reports and group discussions.

2.      Understand the functions and relationships of computer system security systems.

3.      Understand and analyze security encryption mechanisms and be able to cite the strengths and weaknesses of the various encryption algorithms, and other security issues surrounding them.

4.      Understand the function of security controls such as firewalls, authentication, and intrusion detection devices.

5.      Identify the vulnerabilities of computer systems, and how they can be protected.

6.      Understand the ethical and legal issues that arise from new technology related to computer security.

 

 

Grading:  Plus/minus grading will be used. Scores on the midterm exam (25%), class participation (15%), Semester Project (30%), and the final exam (30%) will determine grades. Homework, papers, and projects must be turned in on time in order to be accepted. There will be a separate handout to discuss the semester projects.

 

Miscellaneous:  There will be class web page. In cases of absence students are responsible to be prepared for exams and homework assignments. The class this semester will be in a Cooperative Learning format, where the lecture will be augmented by various classroom activities such as group discussions of selected articles and papers, and student presentations that will be followed by question and answer periods.

I’d like to call your attention to the Legal Notices Spring 2009 Schedule of Classes. These describe important University rules that will be followed by this class. No final exams can be given before or after the scheduled time and date. Each student is required to take the final exam on the date and time that it is scheduled by the University, no exceptions.    The final for this class is on Thursday May 14, at 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

 

General Course Outline:

Introduction                                                                                                       

Encryption                                           

Viruses and Covert Channels                                                              

Operating System Security                                                               

Data Base Security                                                                                  

Networks and Distributed System Security                           

Review