MSI 416 - Communications, Networking and Security

University at Albany, SUNY

 Spring 2004

Instructor Information

Name:              

Sanjay Goel

            Email:

goel@albany.edu

Phone:                         

(518) 442 4925

Office Hours:    

Wednesday 10:00-11:30 or by appointment

            OfficeLocation

BA 310b

Class Information

Time:

M/W, 8:00-10:00 (Section 4574)

Venue:                         

BA 231

Dates:             

Jan 22- May 01

Available Labs:

MIS Lab

Course Overview 

This course covers the basic technologies required for communication on the networks, including the Internet. The course covers fundamentals of signal transmission, transmission hardware and concepts such as error control and multiplexing. The course also covers Network Topologies, the OSI model, and the TCP/IP protocol suite. We will also discuss the vulnerabilities of the network and techniques for protecting data and networks. Cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure, which are currently used for secure data transmission over the web, will also be discussed. Also discussed in the class are issues of ethics and privacy in the use of computer networks.

Learning Objectives 

  1. Students learn the hardware and protocols involved in transmission of data over networks
  2. Students learn the various networking architectures and and their applications
  3. Students learn the use of cryptographic techniques used for secure communication on networks
  4. Students learn to analyze the  threats, vulnerabilities and solutions for information system security
  5. Students gain hands-on experience in testing the security of computer networks and auditing security policies
  6. Students develop critical thinking skills via debates on the ethics and legal issues involved in electronic data access

Books & Software

Text Book

Data Communications and Computer Networking by Curt M. White

Reference Book

Hackers Beware by Eric Cole

Reference Book

Professional Java Security by Jess Garms and Daniel Somerfield

Grading

Homework

25%

Paper

25%

First Module Exam

25%

Second Module Exam

25%

 

Term Paper (on Computer Security)

Students should make two person teams. Each team must complete a term paper on some aspect of computer security. The paper should deal with issues such as payment systems, privacy on the internet, security technology, legal issues in security and computer crimes. The paper should include a broad introduction of the topic and a comprehensive discussion of a few selected aspects of the topic. The paper will be presented during the last two classes i.e. March 17 & March 19. All students must be present for all the presentations. The students will be graded on the term paper as well as the quality of the presentations. The paper should not be more than four pages long so the students should make an effort to write four pages of original text. The paper should reflect a clear understanding of the subject by the the student. The presentation should not exceed more than five viewgraphs. Please use your critical thinking skills to be concise and focused on both the paper as well as the presentations.

Assignments

Assignment given in any week is due at the beginning of the class on the same day in the following week. There will be a penalty of 10% per day for late assignments unless there is a very pressing reason for the delay. Please work individually on all assignments. Stop by my office (BA 310b) if you have difficulty in understanding the assignment or the course material discussed in the class.

Course Schedule

Week

Date

Topics

Readings

Class Notes

1

01/22

Introduction to the Course

 DCCN Chapter 1

 

2

01/28

Fundamentals of Data and Signals

 DCCN Chapter 2

 

01/29

Hardware & Media Types

 DCCN Chapter 3/4

 

3

02/3

Multiplexing

 DCCN Chapter 5

 

02/5

Review / Error Detection

 DCCN Chapter 6

 

4

02/10

Exam

 Closed Book

 

02/12

Internet Model / OSI Model         LAN Configurations

 DCCN Chapter 7

internet.ppt

5

02/17

Introduction to Security/Privacy

 Class Notes

introduction.ppt

02/19

Hacking

 Class Notes

Hacking.ppt

6

02/24

Cryptography

 Class Notes

cryptography.ppt

02/26

Computer Forensics                   (NY State Police)

 

 

7

03/03

Spring Break

 

 

03/05

Spring Break

 

 

8

03/10

PKI & SSL / Exam

 Class Notes

 

03/12

Steganography

 

Steganography.ppt

9

03/17

Student Presentations

 

 

03/19

Student Presentations