48730 Authentication and System Security

6cp

Requisite(s): 48740 Communications Networks
Fields of practice: Telecommunications Engineering program
Undergraduate

This subject has been designed as the third subject in the Networking Thread of the ICT Engineering undergraduate program. It addresses the issue of network security. The subject is also suitable as an elective for students in other majors such as Computer Systems Engineering and Software Engineering seeking an introductory subject in network security.

The technical content of the subject covers conventional and public key cryptography, message integrity schemes, authentication protocols using Kerberos and X509 certificates, network security standards at the application, transport and network layer, and protection of network resources through policies, intrusion detection, firewalls and protective software.

The technical content is contextualised in a major project in which students in small groups play the role of security consultants engaged by a hypothetical organisation to make recommendations on various aspects of network and system security. The project involves a critical analysis of the existing operations and ultimately the development of a new conceptual design.

Three engineering themes permeate the subject. They are introduced and continually highlighted during the student's sequence of learning experiences in the subject. The first theme is the need for a systems perspective in engineering. The second related theme is the notion of engineering as a process of solving constrained optimisation problems. The third theme is the need for engineers to take responsibility for their own professional development, in this subject with specific reference to the development of effective teamwork, information retrieval and project management skills.

Assessment: Typically assessment for this subject involves assignments and project work, participation in online discussion forums and written examinations.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus

Fee information

2007 contribution for post-2004 Commonwealth-supported students: $889.75
2007 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,370.00
Subject EFTSL: 0.125
Note: The above fees are applicable in 2007 for Commonwealth-supported students who commenced after 2004 and domestic fee-paying undergraduate students only. Pre-2005 Commonwealth-supported students should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students webpage.
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places, and not all subjects are available to Commonwealth supported students. Domestic fee-paying students and international students should refer to the Fees webpage.

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.