FIT5163 Information and computer security
Faculty of Information Technology
FIT5163 Information and computer security is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2023 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU). It needs FIT9137; or (FIT9134 and FIT9135) and unlocks 5 units.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2023
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton, Suzhou (SEU)
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 2 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2023 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before FIT5163
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After FIT5163
5 units list FIT5163 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Prerequisite: For students enrolled in E3001, E3002, E3005, E3010, E3011, E3007 completing the Software Engineering specialisation: FIT4165 Introductory knowledge of computing at the undergraduate level is assumed.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
The unit aims to provide the students with in depth knowledge of techniques required to deal with security problems in information systems. The main areas of study include symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques, cryptographic hash functions with related topics of message authentication codes and digital signatures. Study of techniques and algorithms for providing mutual trust include key management and distribution and user authentication to establish trust in the identity of communicating partner are also included. It looks at various management issues, including use and abuse of encryption, distributed systems authentication and integrity management. A range of security applications are used as examples. Students will learn how to apply cryptographic techniques in practice.
Offerings in 2023
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Term 3 | Suzhou (SEU) | On campus |
Assessment
- Class testIn class testThreshold hurdle15%
- AssignmentThreshold hurdle25%
- Scheduled final assessment (2 hours and 10 minutes)ExamThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Critically assess threats, vulnerabilities and risks to an organisation's information assets, and propose control technologies and techniques which can be applied to reduce the security risk;
- 2
Apply a variety of cryptographic algorithms to develop methods to disguise information to ensure its integrity, confidentiality and authenticity;
- 3
Apply a variety of methods for key management and distribution and analyse the risks associated with the various approaches;
- 4
Implement user authentication and access control mechanisms to create a security architecture to protect the assets of the information system;
- 5
Implement cryptographic techniques to preserve the security of information and evaluate its effectiveness;
- 6
Apply a variety of security control technologies to IT systems in an organisation.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Applied sessions24 hours
- Seminars24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled teaching activities.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
- Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice. William Stallings, 6th Edition, 2014. Pearson Education Limited.
- Computer Security: Principles and Practice William Stallings and Lawrie Brown, 3rd Edition, 2015, Pearson Education Limited.
- Security Engineering: A guide to building dependable distributed systems. Ross J. Anderson, 2nd Edition, 2008, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Where it fits
FIT5163 is part of 2 areas of study in the 2023 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Shujie Cui
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Vincent Lee
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for FIT5163?
You need FIT9137; or (FIT9134 and FIT9135) before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after FIT5163?
FIT5163 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 5 units, including FIT5003, FIT5037, FIT5124, FIT5214 and FIT5223.
When is FIT5163 offered?
In 2023, FIT5163 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Suzhou (SEU).
How much work is FIT5163?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does FIT5163 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include FIT5163?
FIT5163 is part of Computational science and Software engineering.