Students

PICT849 – Cyber Policing and Intelligence

2016 – S2 Evening

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Dr Angela Irwin
angela.irwin@mq.edu.au
Contact via +61 (0)2 9850 1427
Y3A 225
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or GradDipPICT or PGDipPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud or PGDipIntSecStud or GradCertIntSecStud or PGCertIntSecStud
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Government and non-government agencies are increasingly dependent and reliant on cyberspace. There is a cornucopia of information and resources within reach of unauthorised individuals or parties to obtain, destroy or deny access to. Unit participants will interpret aspects of cyber policing and intelligence globally and identify potential hostilities, profiling of aggressors and explore counter measures. Students will critically analyse the problems, concepts and theories of cyber policing and intelligence at a strategic level.

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:

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Research essay 50% TBC
Intelligence product/report 25% TBC
Participation/engagement 25% Ongoing

Research essay

Due: TBC
Weighting: 50%

The goal of counterintelligence is to prevent, deter, defeat, or manipulate the adversary from conducting intelligence operations on you or those you protect.  Discuss how each of the three categories of counterintelligence can be used strategically by governments and corporations to protect against cyber espionage, sabotage, cyberwarfare or cyberterrorism.   Provide examples and case studies to support your arguments. A detailed marking matrix and instructions are available to all enrolled students on the unit iLearn site. Marking criteria in the marking matrix includes evaluation of topic comprehension, argument, written expression, referencing, essay structure and organisation. 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Intelligence product/report

Due: TBC
Weighting: 25%

Internal students

Internal students will be required to produce an intelligence report using IBM i2 software.  Details and requirements will be provided to students once the semester has commenced.

External students

External students will have the opportunity to attend the in-class IBM i2 training sessions and complete the same intelligence product as internal students (see details immediately above).  However, external students, who are unable to attend all of these hands-on classroom training sessions, will be required to create a video-recorded intelligence briefing on one of the following questions:

  • What are the top 5 technology trends likely to shape the cyber security environment in the next 5 – 10 years?
  • How is Australia utilizing geospatial intelligence to help with cybersecurity?   
  • What are the implications of economic cybercrime for policing?

The intelligence briefing should be between 5 and 7 minutes in duration and can be recorded on a mobile device such, as a smart phone, or using their computer.  Students should contact the unit convenor, after the commencement of the semester, if they have issues with finding a suitable recording medium to enable a work-around to be found.

Detailed marking matrices and instructions are available to all enrolled students on the unit iLearn site.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Participation/engagement

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 25%

Internal students

Internal students will be exposed to the IBM i2 intelligence software.  Each week you will look at a different aspect of the tool/software and perform activities to develop your skills.  For one of your assessments, you will be required to develop an intelligence product, therefore, it is important that you attend each of these practical seminars.  You will be required to undertake assessable group work activities in various weeks throughout the semester.  Attendance, group work and full participation is worth 25% of the overall mark.

External students

External students, who cannot attend the hands-on IBM i2 intelligence sessions, will be required to post to online discussion forums each week or conduct a prescribed online activity.  The online discussion forums/activities should demonstrate that you have read, understood and reflected on course material and weekly readings. You should bring in related thoughts and material, readings or questions that occur to you throughout the discussion. You are required to complete the core readings for each module, reflect upon the readings and share your reflections on the readings with course colleagues through online discussion forum questions.  One question will be posted to the discussion forum each week.  Responses to each question should be a minimum of 100 words in length. 

Forum discussion question postings should advance the group's negotiation of ideas and meanings about the material. Some ways you can further discussions include:

  • expressing ideas or observations - where possible support them by more than personal opinion or anecdotal evidence;
  • making a connection between the current discussion and previous discussion, personal experience or readings;
  • commenting on or expanding another student’s statement;
  • posting a substantive question aimed at furthering the group’s understanding of the topic.

If citing course readings, in-text references are sufficient. For additional references (if applicable), please provide a bibliographic reference at the end of your post.  All posting should be submitted before the end of Week 12.  Completion of the online discussion forum and online activities is worth 10% of the overall mark.

A mark for the discussions will be awarded on the basis of:

1. Your participation in the discussions (40%)

2. The essence of your contributions (60%)

In assessing your contributions, the following categories will be used:

  • Level 1 - Postings providing a single point of view;
  • Level 2 - Postings which make reference to other contexts or course material;
  • Level 3 - Postings which offer a critical reflection on theoretical perspectives and/or practical experiences.

Quizzes

Students studying in external mode will be required to complete three quizzes during the unit.  These will fall on weeks 4, 8 and 12.  The quizzes will be based around the readings or course materials for specified weeks.   Each quiz will be worth 5%  (i.e. 15% in total).
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Delivery and Resources

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, 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.

 

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 of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convener or nominated delegate such as a tutor.  Any requests for extensions must be before the due date for the submission of the assessment task.  Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy 

 

 

LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS

  • If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late. 
  • For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).
  • The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.

 

 

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 SEMESTER

  • Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately. 

Unit Schedule

Week 1 - Introduction to cyber policing and intelligence

Week 2 - Knowing ourselves and knowing our enemies

Week 3 - Cyber threat intelligence and counterintelligence

Week 4 - Strategic cyber intelligence

Week 5 - The intelligence cycle

Week 6 - Sources of intelligence

Week 7 - Investigation techniques

Week 8 - The intelligence product and tools

Week 9 - Cybercrime, policing and privacy

Week 10 - Intelligence-led policing

Week 11 - Information sharing and collaboration

Week 12 - Cybercrime, jurisdiction and extradition

Week 13 - Unit review

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/

Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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.

Student Support

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

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Assessment tasks

  • Research essay
  • Intelligence product/report
  • Participation/engagement

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Assessment tasks

  • Research essay
  • Intelligence product/report
  • Participation/engagement

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Evaluate how the intelligence function fits within the dynamic national and internal cyber security context
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Assessment tasks

  • Research essay
  • Intelligence product/report
  • Participation/engagement

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly
  • Critically analyse a case study, demonstrating professional judgment and assessment.

Assessment tasks

  • Research essay
  • Intelligence product/report
  • Participation/engagement

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to formulate sustained, persuasive and original written and oral arguments
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly

Assessment tasks

  • Research essay
  • Intelligence product/report
  • Participation/engagement

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Critique contemporary literature relating to the concepts of cyber intelligence and policing
  • Model academic research skills, particularly the ability to select sources appropriately to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to critically evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present finding logically, rationally and lucidly

Assessment tasks

  • Research essay
  • Intelligence product/report
  • Participation/engagement

Changes since First Published

Date Description
24/07/2016 To ensure consistency between PICT846 and PICT849, which will share the same seminar training, the assessments have been adjusted. Internal students will have a higher mark (25%) allocated to group work and full participation. They will no longer need to complete the three short quizzes. External students on PICT849 will complete the quizzes and complete the online discussion forum/online activities to achieve their 25% participation/engagement score.