Network Security

Code:

CC4031

Acronym:

CC4031

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Computer Science

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Computer Science
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Information Security

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:CC	5	Study plan since 2014/2015	1	-	6	42	162
M:ERSI	21	Official Study Plan since 2021_M:ERSI.	1	-	6	42	162
M:SI	27	Study plan since 2020/2021	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The course aims to introduce students to the concepts and problems of security in communication networks. Throughout the course, the students will review the basics of networks allowing a discussion from the point of view of security of communication protocols. Analysis and design of network architecture aiming at a high degree of safety will be developed, using techniques for monitoring and traffic analysis. Network tools will be presented and used to achieve those goals. Web security and attacks to its applications will also be addressed.

Learning outcomes and competences

After the course, the students should be knowledgeable on the main security problems with communication networks. They should be able to identify, assess and diagnose possible risks and vulnerabilities in data networsk. Given this assessment the students should be able to choose, deploy and configure correct software and hardware tools so that the system presents the adequate security.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

• Operating systems


• System administration


• Network administration


• Cryptography

Program

• Basic concepts of networks, protocols;


• Network tools;


• Security Protocols:
  
  
  
  • Network Authentication;
  
  
  • Security protocols Standards (IPsec, TLS, Kerberos, SSH);
  
  
  
  


• Security in computer networks: vulnerabilities in communication protocols;


• Firewalls;


• Network monitoring, packet and traffic analysis;
  
  
  
  • Network intrusion and prevention systems;
  
  
  • DDOS Attacks
  
  
  
  


• Web security and vulnerabilities ;


• Security in wireless networks:802.11, GSM, UMTS

Mandatory literature

William Stallings; Cryptography and network security. ISBN: 9780138690175
Stamp Mark; Information security. ISBN: 9780470626399 hbk
William Stallings; Computer security. ISBN: 978-0-13-600424-0

Complementary Bibliography

McClure Stuart; Hacking exposed 7. ISBN: 9780071780285
Stallings William; Network security essentials. ISBN: 9780273793366

Comments from the literature

Seminal and actual articles in network security will also be used as reference.

Teaching methods and learning activities

In the lectures the essential concepts are presented so to understand the network security tools that will be used to audit computer networks in a lab controlled environment. This environment hosts a service and network infrastructure, based on virtual machines, where vulnerabilities will be explored, tested and controlled with the security tools discussed in the lectures.
This infrastructure will be used in the lab classes and on one of the assignments.
The other assignment will involve research on on subject among the list proposed by the lecturer.

keywords

Technological sciences > Technology > Computer technology > Control techniques

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Elaboração de projeto	40,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

• Minimum grade of 40% on lab assignments

Class attendance is not recorded.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade will be based on assignment grade and exam grade, using the following expression:

(AG x 10 + EG x 10) / 20
where:

• EG = exam grade (0-20)


• AG = assignment grade (0-20)




• first part of the assignment is worth 4 points


• second part of the assignment is worth 6 points

This applies for all the exams (normal, recourse, grade improvement or special term)

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Students wishing to improve their grades from the previous year may do so to both components by re-doing the one(s) they wish to improve.

This weighting applies to all exams: normal, "recurso", special season, last year student or grade improvement.

Classification improvement

See grade calculation above.