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Module

CSC8202 : Information Security and Cryptography

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Thomas Gross
  • Lecturer: Dr Essam Ghadafi
  • Owning School: Computing
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

Avoiding security breaches is a high priority for organisations which store and handle confidential data. This module will provide students with the fundamentals of information security covering the techniques used to protect information and information systems from unauthorized access and tampering. The module will cover both the technical (e.g., cryptography) and organisational aspects (e.g., security policies) of protecting information.

Outline Of Syllabus

- Cryptography primitives (Symmetric and Asymmetric primitives: encryption, MACs, signatures, hash functions,
PKI)
- Identification & Authentication
- Biometrics
- Access Control & Authorisation
- Identity Management
- Privacy
- Security Policies
- Information security risk management and disaster recovery

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion11:301:30Digital Examination
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture241:0024:00Lectures present in person
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion241:0024:00Formative Coursework to assess practical skills on a realistic and open-ended problem, while still assessing theoretical underpinnings.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical81:008:00In-person practicals for Q&A and optional exercises
Structured Guided LearningStructured non-synchronous discussion18:308:30Lecture follow-up via online discussion board sessions
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study191:0019:00Background reading and revision for examination
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study151:0015:00Lecture follow-up
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will be used to introduce the learning material and for demonstrating the key concepts by example. Students are expected to follow-up lectures within a few days by re-reading and annotating lecture notes to aid deep learning.

Students are expected to spend time on coursework outside timetabled classes.

Students aiming for 1st class marks are expected to widen their knowledge beyond the content of lecture notes through background reading.

Students should set aside sufficient time for lecture follow up and revision to prepare for the coursework.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination901A100N/A
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Practical/lab report1Mformative coursework.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative coursework allows an assessment of the development of student's practical skills on a realistic and open-ended problem

The examination is an appropriate way to assess knowledge of theoretical, including ethical, underpinnings and practical skills.

Reading Lists

Timetable