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PICX8031 – Cyber Crime and Methods

2026 – Session 1, 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 MCyberSecAnalysis(OUA) OR MStrategySec(OUA) OR GradCertStrategicPolicy(OUA)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the methods, motivations, and impacts of cybercrime, from financially driven attacks to technology-facilitated violence. As digital threats grow in scale and complexity, understanding how offenders operate and how systems are exploited is essential for effective prevention and response. Students will examine key cybercrime typologies, the tools and techniques used by cybercriminals, and the evolving tactics that underpin malicious activity in digital environments. The unit also introduces the incident response lifecycle, offering a structured foundation for identifying, managing, and mitigating cyber incidents. Through applied analysis, simulation, and collaborative activities, students will gain practical skills in threat identification, attacker profiling, and response strategy development. Legal and policy frameworks relevant to cybercrime will also be considered. By the end of the unit, students will be equipped to assess the impact of cyber threats, apply key principles of incident response, and develop foundational plans and reports to support organisational resilience.

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: Analyse the impacts of various cybercrime types on individuals and organisations.
  • ULO2: Evaluate techniques and tools commonly used in cybercriminal operations.
  • ULO3: Apply the incident response lifecycle to investigate, manage, and mitigate cyber security incidents.
  • ULO4: Interpret legal and policy frameworks relevant to cybercrime prevention and response.
  • ULO5: Develop a professional incident response plan to enhance organisational cyber resilience.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Cyber Incident Report Writeup 35% No 19 April @ 11:59PM Individual No Open
Group Tabletop Exercise Reflection 15% No 17 May @ 11:59PM Individual No Open
Live Skills Assessment 50% No Scheduled Individually between 1 June and 12 June Individual No Observed

Cyber Incident Report Writeup

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 19 April @ 11:59PM
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will complete a professional report on a simulated cyber incident.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply the incident response lifecycle to investigate, manage, and mitigate cyber security incidents.
  • Develop a professional incident response plan to enhance organisational cyber resilience.

Group Tabletop Exercise Reflection

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 17 May @ 11:59PM
Weighting: 15%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students will reflect on group response during a tabletop cyber incident.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Evaluate techniques and tools commonly used in cybercriminal operations.
  • Apply the incident response lifecycle to investigate, manage, and mitigate cyber security incidents.
  • Interpret legal and policy frameworks relevant to cybercrime prevention and response.

Live Skills Assessment

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Scheduled Individually between 1 June and 12 June
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

Students will complete a live demonstration of applied cybersecurity knowledge and reasoning.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Analyse the impacts of various cybercrime types on individuals and organisations.
  • Evaluate techniques and tools commonly used in cybercriminal operations.
  • Apply the incident response lifecycle to investigate, manage, and mitigate cyber security incidents.
  • Interpret legal and policy frameworks relevant to cybercrime prevention and response.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

DELIVERY AND RESOURCES

UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

Students should plan to spend around 10 hours per week on average for this unit to achieve an average result. This includes attending or watching weekly seminars, completing readings, participating in iLearn activities and discussions, and preparing assessment tasks.

The word average is important; Some students may need less time, while others may need more depending on prior knowledge, study habits and the mark they are aiming for.

The unit is delivered through a weekly two-hour seminar. Students are strongly encouraged to attend in person wherever possible, as much of the learning comes from discussion, examples, and interaction during class.

For flexibility, seminars are also live-streamed and recorded, with recordings made available on iLearn for students who cannot attend or who wish to review the material later.

Internal students are expected to attend seminars regularly, while external students are expected to make meaningful contributions to online activities and discussions.

In most cases, students are required to attempt and submit all major assessment tasks in order to pass the unit.

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REQUIRED READINGS

All required readings are listed on the unit iLearn site and are available through the Macquarie University Library. Electronic copies can be accessed through the library or provided through other approved means.

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TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Reliable computer and internet access are essential for participation in this unit. Basic computer literacy and word-processing skills are expected.

This unit has an online presence via iLearn: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Students must have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient for completing all unit activities and assessments.

Information about university IT services is available at: http://students.mq.edu.au/it_services/

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SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS

All text-based assessments must be submitted electronically via the unit iLearn site, where they will be marked and returned.

Assessment tasks must be submitted as a MS Word document by the stated due date.

Most written assessments will automatically be processed through Turnitin as part of the submission process.

Extensions are managed through the University’s Special Consideration process. Unit conveners and tutors cannot grant extensions directly. Applications must be lodged via: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration

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LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

Unless a Special Consideration request has been approved, a late penalty of 5% of the total possible mark will apply for each day an assessment is late (including weekends), up to seven days. After seven days, a mark of zero (0) will be awarded even if the work is submitted.

Submission time for written assessments is 11:55 pm. A one-hour grace period is available for students experiencing technical issues.

These penalties apply to non-time-sensitive tasks (for example: essays, reports, portfolios, journals, recordings, and similar assessments). Late submission of time-sensitive assessments (such as exams, presentations, tests, or scheduled practical activities) can only be considered through Special Consideration. Outcomes may include an alternative question or task.

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REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy for cases where students believe their work has been graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

In accordance with university policy, individual pieces of work are not subject to regrading.

Unit Schedule

PICT8031 Schedule

Week

Date (Wed)

Topic

Primary Readings

Assessment / Notes

1

25 Feb 2026

Introduction to Cybercrime: Scope, Harm and Impact

Holt et al., Cybercrime and Digital Forensics, Ch. 1 – Technology & Cybercrime

 

2

4 Mar 2026

Hackers, Malware & Automation

Holt et al., Ch. 3 – Computer Hackers & Hacking Holt et al., Ch. 4 – Malware & Automated Computer Attacks

 

3

11 Mar 2026

Illicit Markets & Online Fraud

Holt et al., Ch. 6 – Online Fraud Holt et al., Ch. 12 – Illicit Market Operations Online

 

4

18 Mar 2026

Incident Response in Practice

NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 – Computer Security Incident Handling Guide (Sections 1–3)

 

5

25 Mar 2026

Incident Response Lifecycle and Organisational Readiness

NIST SP 800-61 Rev. 2 – Section 4 ENISA – Good Practice Guide for Incident Management (Ch. 5–7)

 

6

1 Apr 2026

Backdoors & Breaches Tabletop Game Day

Case studies on iLearn

 

Break

8 Apr 2026

Mid-Session Break

—

 

Break

15 Apr 2026

Mid-Session Break

—

Game Reflection Due

7

22 Apr 2026

Containment, Recovery and Reporting Obligations

Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2023–2030 OAIC – Data Breach Preparation and Response (Parts 3 & 4)

 

8

29 Apr 2026

Detection, Triage and Early Response

CISA – Cybersecurity Incident and Vulnerability Response Playbooks MITRE – ATT&CK Design and Philosophy

 

9

6 May 2026

Sexual Cybercrime & Exploitation Online

Holt et al., Ch. 7 – Pornography, Prostitution & Sex Crimes Holt et al., Ch. 8 – Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offences

 

10

13 May 2026

Online Harms, Victims & Criminological Theory

Holt et al., Ch. 9 – CyberBullying, Online Harassment & CyberStalking Holt et al., Ch. 11 – Cybercrime & Criminological Theories

Assessment 2 Due

11

20 May 2026

Cyber Warfare

Holt et al., TBD

 

12

27 May 2026

Emerging and Hybrid Cybercrime Threats & Unit Review

None

 

13

3 Jun 2026

Careers in Cybercrime, Incident Response and Security Practice

None

Assessment 3 Due

 

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2026.05 of the Handbook