Introductory description

The module aims to provide students with a thorough grounding in computer security from a system wide perspective, including language-based security, operating system security and network security, and to provide an enhanced and detailed understanding of selected advanced topics of current importance, such as quantum cryptography, proof-carrying code, etc.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Threats and Security policy models.
Security automata, edit automata
Network security: Firewall design.
Distributed system security.
Fair exchange.
Bitcoin.
Source location privacy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the various security concepts such as confidentiality, privacy etc.
• Understand various security models.
• Understand the notion of security policy enforcement and classes of policies that runtime enforceable.
• Understand the workings of firewalls.
• Understand security in distributed systems.
• Understand notions of security in E-commerce.
• Understand the technologies and techniques that support bitcoin.
• Understand source location privacy in wireless sensor networks.

Indicative reading list

Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

CIA, threat modelling, authentication, security models, access control, symmetric cryptography, asymmetric cryptography, software security, web security, OS security, hardware security

Transferable skills

Able to critically analyze security systems identifying flaws, and able to build secure systems theoretically and practically