Unit information: Network Security in 2022/23

Unit name	Network Security
Unit code	COMSM0123
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Oracevic
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	Unit in TB1 for MSc in Cyber Security Foundations
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Computer Science
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

Contemporary and future infrastructures are networked systems. Knowledge of network security is, therefore, a key element in developing a holistic understanding of attacks and defences in such contexts. Students will learn about challenges as well as approaches to securing networks that underpin connected infrastructures serving society. This will include gaining an understanding of security goals and attacker models, typical attacks in networks and their impacts as well as security of protocols at different levels of the internet protocol stack. Students will also learn about access control and identity management in networked systems and a variety of defence mechanisms, including architectural approaches and specific controls such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?

Learning from this unit underpins the two units taught in TB2 – on industrial control systems security and IoT/IIoT security

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content.

Topics will include:

• Security goals in networks and attacker models
• Access control in networked systems
• Authentication and identity-management in networked systems
• Security of network protocols at different layers
• Network security mechanisms

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

Students will develop knowledge and understanding of the topics above. They will also gain hands-on understanding of attacks and defences through lab work as well as a live exercise where they work with others in a team to attack and defend a networked environment. Students will also develop their individual analytical and problem solving skills by applying their knowledge to a substantial case study.

Learning Outcomes

1. Have knowledge of different network architectures, attacks against them and their implications.
2. Have knowledge of key networking protocols, their security and vulnerabilities and how to mitigate the risks arising from vulnerabilities at different layers of a networked system.
3. Be able to analyse potential threats against networks and specify security policies for networked systems and deploy a range of access control, authentication and defence mechanisms to ensure that the security policies are effectively enacted.
4. Ability to analyse the problems from different vantage points in a network and deploy a range of countermeasures to mitigate against attacks.
5. Hands-on knowledge and experience of network security

How you will learn

The unit will be delivered through lectures, labs and office hours.

In the event of a return to fully remote teaching due to COVID-19 we will adopt the University’s recommended blend of synchronous, asynchronous and on-campus (where possible) sessions.

Asynchronous sessions are designed for students to access in their own time and are made up of a structured sequence of inputs and activities. Synchronous sessions are delivered live and will include opportunities for interaction, for example, tasks, quick polls or chat) to support and encourage student engagement. Synchronous sessions will be recorded, where possible, for those unable to attend. Peer to peer interaction and group work will remain key elements of the unit. For lab work, on-campus will be prioritised, however, where that is not feasible this will be adapted to suit available software. For specialised activity, Bristol Cyber Security Group host an isolated VPN network that sits alongside that of the main university. This VPN can be used across any units that require specific services that cannot be replicated at home.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

Weekly lab sessions and workbook; Extension exercises. This will include both group work and individual work.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Coursework (100%), comprising Group work (40%) & Individual work (60%)

Hands on experience of penetration testing and defending a networked system (red team/blue team exercise (group work: 40%)

• Assessment will be in the lab and based on successfully accomplishing different attacks or defending against them.

Security analysis of a case study of a networked system, undertaking an analysis of vulnerabilities and proposing architectural mechanisms and controls to improve the security and resilience of the system (Individual work: 60%)

• Submission will include the vulnerability analysis, the network architecture and proposed controls accompanied by a discussion. The discussion will be maximum 3000 words (this excludes the artefacts and any bibliography).

For group work, each student will be required to submit a reflective log (max. 500 words) reflecting on their learning, their contributions and that of other group members. These reflective logs will be used by markers to evaluate group dynamics and contributions.

When assessment does not go to plan

If students do not pass an individual assessment, an equivalent (different) assessment will be set by the unit director.

For group work, if the reflective logs highlight an unequal contribution by the students and therefore it would be unfair to award all students within the group the same mark, the marker will hold a meeting with relevant students to assess their understanding of the topic. Where extenuating circumstances mean that a student cannot participate in this summative group work, an equivalent piece of work will be set which would require an in-depth study of two contrasting approaches from literature through their application to a suitably sized case study and a report.

As the formative assessments in each of the units involve group work the students will still be able to gain relevant group work skills and meet the programme level ILOs even if they cannot complete a summative group work assessment in group work mode due to extenuating circumstances.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0123).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.