Technology:

• Presentations using Powerpoint
• Other computer related material

Lecture and Tutorial:

• Provided in Unit Schedule

 ITEC855 is taught via lectures and sessions.

All unit information will be posted on iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/). We assume that students will regularly check iLearn for information regarding lecture notes and other related resources.

It should be noted that no single text book completely covers the content of this unit. Below books are recommended (not compulsory) for the course. 

References:

• Gary McGraw, Software Security: Building Security IN, Addison-Wesley
• Stuart McClure, Joel Scambray, George Kurtz, Hacking exposed 7: Network Security Secrets & Solutions,  Mc Graw Hill. 
• Charles P. Pfleeger, Shari Lawrence Pfleeger, Security in Computing, Prentice Hall, Fourth Edition. 
• Building Secure Software, How to avoid security problems the right way, John Viega, Gary McGraw, Addison-Wesley.
• Dafydd Stuttard, Marcus Pinto,The Web Application Hackers Handbook, Wiley, 2nd Edition. 
• Howard and LeBlanc, Writing Secure Code, Microsoft Press, 2nd edition

Week 1             Introduction                                                                            

Week 2             Software security        

Week 3             Software security attacks analysis      

Week 4             Network security attacks analysis

Week 5             Penetration testing

Week 6              Quiz and Group project allocation

Week 7             Security techniques & tools-1

Week 8             Security techniques & tools- 2            

Week 9             Software assurance techniques                 

Week 10            Building secure software      

Week 11           Group project assessment

Week 12           Revision 

Week 13           No lecture (Public Holiday) 

Grading 

At the end of the semester, you will receive a grade that reflects your achievement in the unit 

• Fail (F): does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.
• Pass (P): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.
• Credit (Cr): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.
• Distinction (D): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.
• High Distinction (HD): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

In this unit, your final grade depends on your performance in each part of the assessment. For each task, you receive a mark that combines your standard of performance regarding each learning outcome assessed by this task. Then the different component marks are added up to determine your total mark out of 100. Your grade then depends on this total mark and your overall standards of performance. 

Concretely, in order to pass the unit, you must

• obtain a total mark of 50% or higher and a mark of 30% or higher in the final examination;
• make a reasonable attempt at the exercises in the assessment tasks;
• demonstrate that you can perform at a Functional level or higher for each criterion assessed in the Quiz and Group Project/Presentation.
• reach a Functional level or higher for each criterion assessed in the final examination.

 Students obtaining a higher grade than a pass in this unit will (in addition to the above)

• have a total mark of 85% or higher and perform at distinction level or higher in the final examination to obtain High Distinction;
• have a total mark of 75% or higher and perform at credit level or higher in the final examination to obtain Distinction;
• have a total mark of 65% or higher and perform at pass level but with 50% or higher in the final examination to obtain Credit.