Students

PICX8049 – Australia and Cyber Intelligence

2022 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Jeffrey Foster
jeff.foster@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or MCPICT or GradDipPICT or GradDipCPICT or GradCertCPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MCPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or GradCertIntSecStud or MCyberSec or MSecStrategicStudMCyberSec or MIntellMCyberSec or MCyberSecMCTerrorism or MCyberSecMCrim or Master of Cyber Security Analysis
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Cyberspace has become a major site for different forms of warfare and coercion, ranging from cyber disruption, through information compromise, all the way to covert information operations on a national level. In this unit students learn how robust cyber intelligence can be used to enhance the often-reactive posture of cyber security. This includes understanding the role of cyber intelligence and counterintelligence within the broad, integrated configuration of cyber-security. Students will learn fundamental intelligence collection and analysis principles and apply them to a cyber-security context. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence
  • ULO2: Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulatesustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • ULO3: Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately tointegrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance andrelevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • ULO4: Model intelligencecollection andanalysis skills,particularly theability to select andevaluate sources and producean effectiveintelligenceassessment.
  • ULO5: Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cybersecurity context.

General Assessment Information

SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • All text-based assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 
  • Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS word document by the due date.
  • Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process.
  • The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.   

This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • Stated word limits include footnotes and footnoted references, but not bibliography, or title page.
  • Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.
  • If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of the awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%).
  • The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SESSION

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
  • In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Intelligence Report 25% No 11:59PM - 3 Oct
Preliminary Analysis and Collection Plan 20% No 11:59PM - 22 Aug
Intelligence Briefing 25% No 11:59PM - 28 Oct
Quiz 30% No 11:59PM - 26 Aug, 16 Sep, 4 Nov

Intelligence Report

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 11:59PM - 3 Oct
Weighting: 25%

 

An open-source intelligence collection on a relevant target culminating in a structured written report.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulatesustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately tointegrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance andrelevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Model intelligencecollection andanalysis skills,particularly theability to select andevaluate sources and producean effectiveintelligenceassessment.
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cybersecurity context.

Preliminary Analysis and Collection Plan

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 11:59PM - 22 Aug
Weighting: 20%

 

A Preliminary analysis of the target based on a scan of readily available material culminating in a detailed collection plan with RFIs.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulatesustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately tointegrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance andrelevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Model intelligencecollection andanalysis skills,particularly theability to select andevaluate sources and producean effectiveintelligenceassessment.

Intelligence Briefing

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: 11:59PM - 28 Oct
Weighting: 25%

 

A 10-minute presentation or a two-page intelligence product providing an intelligence evaluation of a relevant target.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulatesustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately tointegrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance andrelevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Model intelligencecollection andanalysis skills,particularly theability to select andevaluate sources and producean effectiveintelligenceassessment.
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cybersecurity context.

Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 11:59PM - 26 Aug, 16 Sep, 4 Nov
Weighting: 30%

 

3 X Quiz covering the prescribed literature in the course.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cybersecurity context.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

  • You should spend an average of 12 hours per week on this unit. This includes listening to lectures prior to seminar or tutorial, reading weekly required materials as detailed in iLearn, participating in Ilearn discussion forums and preparing assessments.
  • Internal students are expected to attend all seminar or tutorial sessions, and external students are expected to make significant contributions to on-line activities.
  • In most cases students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

REQUIRED READINGS

  • The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's library site.  Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed through the library or will be made available by other means.

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

  • Computer and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement.
  • This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.
  • Information about IT used at Macquarie University is available at  http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

STAFF AVAILABILITY

  • Department staff will endeavour to answer student enquiries in a timely manner. However, emails or iLearn messages will not usually be answered over the weekend or public holiday period.
  • Students are encouraged to read the Unit Guide and look at instructions posted on the iLearn site before sending email requests to staff.

 

Unit Schedule

 

Tentative Class Schedule

Module

Week Starting

Topic

Reading

1

25 Jul 2022

Welcome/Kick-off

May (Intro & Ch. 1 to 5)

2

1 Aug 2022

Intelligence Collection Planning

May (Ch. 6 to 9) - Clark (Ch. 1-2)

3

8 Aug 2022

Readily available sources

Coney (Ch. 1.1-1.5) - Bertram (Preface, Intro, Ch. 1)

4

15 Aug 2022

A Threatening World

Cooney (Ch. 2.1-2.3) - Bertram (Ch. 2-3)

5

22 Aug 2022

Tasking for in-depth OSINT investigations

Betram (Ch. 4, Conclusion, Appendix A) - Clark (pp. 176-189)

6

29 Aug 2022

Forensics 1

Stanfield (2009) - What are computer forensics

7

5 Sep 2022

Forensics 2

Casey (Ch. 1) - Holt (Ch. 10-11)

InterSession Break

12 Sep 2022

 

 

InterSession Break

19 Sep 2022

 

 

8

26 Sep 2022

Completing collection

Cooney (Ch. 3.1-3.3)

9

3 Oct 2022

Writing up the target model

Cooney (Ch. 4.1-4.4) - Caltagirone (2018) - Industrial Control Threat Intelligence

10

10 Oct 2022

Preparing verbal Intelligence Briefing

May (Ch. 10-13) - Hutchins - Intelligence-driven computer network defense

11

17 Oct 2022

What does the customer need?

Caltagrione et al. (2013) - The Diamond Model of Intrusion Analysis

12

24 Oct 2022

Last minute trouble shooting

May (Ch. 14-15 and Conclusion)

13

31 Oct 2022

Review

Cooney (Ch. 5.1-5.5 and Afterword)

Please note, exact order of topics may vary during the semester as needed.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Unit information based on version 2022.03 of the Handbook