MSI 604: Communications Networking & Security
Spring 2004 Syllabus
Instructor Information
 |
Sanjay GoelOffice: BA 310bHours: M 1:00-2:30PM & by appt. PH: (518) 442-4925 FX (518) 442-2568 Email: [email protected] |
 |
Jakov (Yasha) CrnkovicOffice: BA 332Hours: M 10:00 - 11:30am & TH 1-2pm PH: (518) 442-5318 FX (518) 442-2568 Email: [email protected] |
Class Information
Time: TH 9:05am-12:10pmLocation: BA233
Dates: September - December
Credit(s): 3
Call #: 4321
Available Lab(s): MIS/HRIS/Security Lab
Course Overview
This course covers Data Communications, Computer Networking and Computer Security. The first module of the course focuses on communications where we discuss fundamentals of signal transmission, transmission hardware and basic communication concepts such as error control and multiplexing. The second module of the class covers Network Topologies, the OSI model, and the TCP/IP protocol suite. This module also covers the various architectures used on the Internet, including client-server, peer-to-peer and n-tier architectures. Also covered is network switching and schemes for routing data on the network. Students will have the opportunity to use network simulation tools. In the third module of the class, vulnerabilities of computer networks and techniques for protecting networks and data are discussed. Basic elements of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography are discussed. Secure Electronic Commerce, involving secure transmission, authentication, digital signatures, digital certificates and Public Key Infrastructure is also presented. Issues in privacy, ethics and policies are also discussed where students study technologies like Web Bugs and Carnivore and debate on ethical issues related to privacy.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn:
- Basic concepts of communications & computer networks
- How to use simulation tools for designing & optimizing communication network topologies
- Basic concepts of cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure
- How to analyze security threats to computer networks and how to protect them
- How to research in the focused area of computer networks & network security
- Critical thinking skills via debates on the ethics and legal issues involved in electronic data access
Immersion Classes
The class is usually supplemented by 2-3 immersion classes which are full day classes covering special topics in Computer security. The content of the classes may vary based on the interest of the audience and the availability of the instructor. This is not a mandatory part of the class and is strictly volunteer (without any grade implication) based on the interests of the students. The three potential classes are:
- Security Programming using Java - In this class the students learn the basic cryptography classes in java and learn encryption and decryption of data. The students also learn to create message hashes, digital signatures and certificate servers.
- Hacking Lab - In this lab students learn to use some hacking tools hands-on. These include password analyzers, network and port scanners and tools for denial-of-service attack as well as spoofing. The purpose of the lab is to train the students in better understand computer security issues in the organizations.
- Distributed Computing using Jini - The class will be involved in the development of a service based architecture using Jini. Each student will develop a different service and the class will call each others services. The goal of the class is to teach the students the working and development of a peer-to-peer system. As a part of the class the students will learn how to install, configure and deploy a peer-to-peer system
Text & Reference Books
Text: Data Communications & Computer Networks: A Business Users's Approach by Curt M. White
Text: Security In Computing (Third Edition) by Charles P. Pfleeger & Shari Lawrence Pfleeger
Reference: Hackers Beware by Eric Cole
Reference: Professional Java Security by Jess Garms and Daniel Somerfield
Grading
Homework & Assignments: 50%
Exam: 50%
Course Schedule
| No. | Date | Topics | Readings | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/22 | Introduction to Computer Networks and Data Communication | 1, 2 | Crnkovic |
| Fundamentals of Data and Signals; The Media | 3 | |||
| 2 | 1/29 | Making Connections. Multiplexing | 4, 5 | |
| Errors, Error Detection And Error Control | 6 | |||
| 3 | 2/5 | Local Area Networks | 7, 8, 9 | |
| WAN | 10 | |||
| 4 | 2/12 | Exam 1 | Chapters 1-10 | |
| Network Design and Management | 14 | |||
| 5 | 2/19 | Network Design and Management (continued) | 14 | |
| Telecommunication Systems; Implementation in various businesses | 12 | |||
| 6 | 2/26 | Introduction to Internet; OSI Model | Goel | |
| Network Architectures | ||||
| 7 | 3/4 | Routing | ||
| Routing cont'd. | ||||
| 8 | 3/11 | Introduction to Security | ||
| Hacker Attacks | ||||
| 9 | 3/18 | Hacker Attacks | ||
| Watermarking and Steganography | ||||
| 10 | 3/25 | Computer Forensics / Hacking Lab | ||
| 11 | 4/1 | Cryptography- Symmetric & Asymmetric | ||
| Public Key Infrastructure, Digital Signatures, Digital Certificates | ||||
| 12 | 4/15 | Current Topics | ||
| Analyzing Computer Security Risk | ||||
| 13 | 4/22 | Security Policy | ||
| Managing Computer Security Risk | ||||
| 14 | 4/29 | Exam 2 | ||
| Ethics and Legal Issues |
Download syllabus: msi604syllabus.pdf