Syllabus

Meetings: Monday Evenings; January 13, 2020 - May 4, 2020; 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM; Mendel Hall 260

Instructor: Donald "Justin" Price

Email: donald.price@villanova.edu

Office hours

Please email me if you would like to schedule a meeting. I will make every effort to be available 30 minutes prior to the start of each class.

Textbook

CISSP (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide, 8th Edition

• Amazon Link
• eBook available (free) at the Falvey Memorial Library

Website

Click here and follow the links under "Current Course - Spring 2020"

All class material and assignments will be posted on Blackboard

Course Description

Information Security is the study of principles and practices relating to securing computer systems and digital information. This course provides the foundation for understanding the key issues associated with protecting information assets, determining the levels of protection and response to security incidents, and designing a consistent, reasonable information security system, with appropriate intrusion detection and reporting features. The purpose of the course is to provide the student with an overview of the field of information security and assurance. Students will be exposed to the spectrum of security activities, methods, methodologies, and procedures. Coverage will include inspection and protection of information assets, detection of and reaction to threats to information assets, and examination of pre- and post-incident procedures, technical and managerial responses, and an overview of the information security planning and staffing functions.

Course Goals

The student will understand the principles of:

• Information Security Through Principles and Policies
• Security Vulnerabilities, Threats, and Countermeasures
• Personnel Security and Risk Management Concepts
• Secure Network Architecture and Securing Network Components
• Protecting Security of Assets
• Secure Communication and Network Attacks
• Laws, Regulations and Compliance
• Managing and Monitoring Authentication
• Cryptography and Symmetric Key Algorithms
• Preventing and Responding to Incidents
• PKI and Cryptographic Applications
• Software Development Security
• Principles of Security Models, Design, and Capabilities
• Malicious Code and Application Attacks

Course Structure

The course will be presented in traditional lecture format incorporating exercises to reinforce and advance the understanding of information security.

The final grade will be calculated using the following grading parameters: exercises, midterm exam, technical briefing, research paper and class participation.

• EXERCISES: Exercises will be assigned throughout the semester to reinforce the material presented in class.
• MIDTERM EXAM: The midterm exam will cover the material from the lectures and distributed support materials.
• TECHNICAL BRIEFING: The technical briefing will take the form of a presentation directed toward a technical audience. Select topics will be provided for each student to choose. The topics will provide a historical perspective and understanding of known malware that has helped shape the information security industry. Each student will be required to provide a 10-15 minute presentation on their topic.
• RESEARCH PAPER: The requirements for the research paper will be clearly identified after the midterm break.
• CLASS PARTICIPATION: Class participation will be considered towards the assignment of a final grade. Information security is a constantly evolving field that requires technical knowledge and creative thinking skills. This percentage will encourage each student to share his or her knowledge and unique ideas that can be used to solve the complex problems encountered in this field.

Grading Policy

35% Research Paper

25% Midterm Exam

20% Technical Briefing

15% Exercises

5% Participation (attendance, class discussion, intellectual contribution to class)

Final Grades

100-95 = A

94-90 = A-

89-85 = B+

84-80 = B

79-76 = B-

75-70 = C+

69-60 = C

Makeup Policy

Students will be required to complete each test / exam. Make-up testing will be pre-approved and scheduled based on merit.

Late Assignment Policy

Assignments are expected on time unless pre-approved by instructor.

Tentative Schedule

Click here to access the course's schedule.

Disabilities & Learning Support:

Students with disabilities who require reasonable academic accommodations should schedule an appointment to discuss specifics with me. It is the policy of Villanova to make reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. You must present verification and register with the Learning Support Office by contacting 610-519-5176 or at learning.support.services@villanova.edu or for physical access or temporary disabling conditions, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 610-519-4095 or email Stephen.mcwilliams@villanova.edu Registration is needed in order to receive accommodations.

Academic Integrity:

All students are expected to uphold Villanova’s Academic Integrity Policy and Code. Any incident of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for disciplinary action. For the College’s statement on Academic Integrity, you should consult the Enchiridion. You may view the university’s Academic Integrity Policy and Code, as well as other useful information related to writing papers, at the Academic Integrity Gateway web site:

http://library.villanova.edu/Help/AcademicIntegrity

• Attendance and class participation policies (if applicable)
• Late assignment submissions (if applicable)
• Extra credit opportunities (if applicable)