COMP2700

This course is true to its word, it introduces students to the basics of cyber security and only runs in semester 2. There is a math prerequisite quiz at the start of the course (required for the second part of the course which has a heavy focus on cryptography and the mathematics behind it). The prerequisite quiz has a focus on modular arithmetic and polynomials to ensure students are well prepared for the fast-paced second half of the course. This course has a course hurdle of at least 40% on the final exam.

This course is split into two distinct sections. The first half is an introduction to the basics of Linux/Unix systems and general security foundations, the main topics being:

• Security management
• Identity and authentication
• Access control
• Hardware, software and operating system security
• Vulnerability basics and defence mechanisms

The second half seeks to provide students an adequate cryptography background. The main topics here are:

• Ciphers (Classic, stream and block)
• Encryption modes
• Hash functions
• Message Authentication Codes (MACs)
• RSA
• Diffie-Hellman key exchange
• Network security

The assignments in the course mirror Capture the Flag (CTF) style questions. Students are assigned questions and must exploit vulnerabilities, either in a Linux environment (Assignment 1) or deficiencies in implementations of common cryptographic mediums/methods (Assignment 2). This course has a weekly 3 hour lab and 3 one hour lectures a week. Labs have a follow up lab quiz to ensure students understood the topics covered in the most recent lab, quizzes are untimed, but have a one week deadline.

This course does not follow on from the prerequisite courses (COMP1100/COMP1130; and COMP1600) and is its own stand alone course designed to prepare students for the Major in Cyber Security.

There is a required reading textbook: Understanding Cryptography by Christof Paar and lecture slides are modified versions of lecture slides provided by Chrisoft Paar. The course also has a recommended reading Computer Security by Dieter Gollmann.