Course Title: Cyber Security Foundations

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Cyber Security Foundations

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

INTE2643

City Campus

Undergraduate

520T Future Technologies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Mohamed Farrag

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 4475

Course Coordinator Email: mohamed.farrag@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: City Campus B57.5.36

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

Cyber security is a practice of protecting the integrity of network systems, applications, data, and digital assets from cyber-attacks that tend to access, alter, or destroy important information from an organisation or individual.
In this modern era of technological advancement, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Implementing an effective cybersecurity practice becomes more challenging due to more devices that are needed to protect from the sophisticated attacks that a cyber-criminal can perform.

 In this course you will gain foundational knowledge in cyber security best practices and concepts including: 

  • cyber security concepts  
  • cyber security frameworks 
  • cyber threat landscape and vulnerabilities 
  • risk management and mitigation strategies 
  • cyber security hygiene best practices 
  • security technologies (endpoint, firewall, IDS/IPS) 
  • business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery plan (DRP) 
  • incident response (IR) 
  • infosec teams 
  • security architecture and design 
  • legal and ethical consideration  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course will contribute to the following program learning outcomes.

PLO1: Enabling Knowledge

  • Understanding cyber security concepts in data, network, and cloud solutions. Understanding various Australian cyber security frameworks such as Essential 8, ISO/IEC, and NIST can be implemented in different industries

PLO2: Critical Analysis

  • To gain a broad understanding of the cyber security tools, emerging technologies, and solutions that align with the industry standards and best cyber security practices. 

PLO4: Communications

  • Employ a range of effective communication and presentation strategies in using technical jargon in a project team environment for non-technical and technical team members. 

PLO5: Teamwork

  • Develop collaboration skills in performing Information Security (InfoSec) teams’ activities such as blue-red team exercises. 

PLO6: Responsibility 

  • Responsibility of good learning practice in the industry and ethical standards as a cyber security professional. This includes security professional standards, relevant laws, acts, and legal standards of a cyber security professional.


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

CLO 1: Describe the importance of cyber security concepts, infosec team and best practices for individual and organisation 

CLO 2: Explain the trends of the cyber threat landscape, characteristics of vulnerabilities, and attacks in the security world 

CLO 3: Analyse and describe various security protocols and architecture to safeguard enterprise networks, cloud, data and applications including Distributed Ledger (DL). 

CLO 4: Demonstrate basic implementation of attack prevention and protection methods, such as end-point systems, firewall, intrusion detection and protection systems (IDS/IPS) to safeguard organization networks systems 

CLO 5: Explain the risk management cycle in the application of Incident Response (IR) and implementation of Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) and Business Continuity (BC) 

CLO 6: Identify legal & ethical issues, and relevant Australian laws in cyber security 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course will be a combination of blended delivery, on-campus and remote learning. It aims to provide multiple modes of delivery with course materials available online using a learning management system (LMS). Each module will consist of online lectures and demonstrations (recorded), on-campus lab activities and workshops. 

The learning activities included in this course are: 

  • Key concepts will be explained in the lectures and demonstrations (recording), while lab activities and workshops will be performed on-campus to utilize lab equipment and technical resources. 
  • Group discussions and collaboration (including online forums) will focus on communication and teamwork in exploring cyber security concepts with teaching staff and peers. 
  • Assignment work will require an integrated understanding of the subject matter comprising of theory and practical assessments. 
  • Mentorship and study group will assist in the critical analysis of course resources available in the learning management system (LMS) and other cyber security vendor courses. 


Teacher-guided learning will include seminars, case studies, group discussions and debates.  
You are expected to be self-directed and be able to study independently outside class. This may include studying learning materials presented in the class or provided by teaching staff or doing your own research on certain topics .


Overview of Learning Resources

Course information and learning materials will be available on Canvas. Tutorial/laboratory classes will be conducted in computer labs and all lab equipment and relevant software will be provided.  

Students are advised to log in to Canvas regularly to check announcements and to check their RMIT student account daily.  


Overview of Assessment

To pass this course you must achieve a minimum grade of 50%.  
Assessment marks will be added together across all submitted assessments and your final total mark must be equal to, or greater than 50%. 

 
Assessment 1: Online Quiz (Individual)
Weighting towards final grade: 20%
This task assesses the following course learning outcomes:  
CLO: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Assessment 2: Practical Assessment (Individual - in class)
Weighting towards final grade: 30%
This task assesses the following course learning outcomes:
CLO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 

Assessment 3: Project (Individual)
Weighting towards final grade: 30%
This task assesses the following course learning outcomes:
CLO: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

Assessment 4: Theory Test (Individual)
Weighting towards final grade: 20%
This task assesses the following course learning outcomes:
CLO: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6