ITS102.S09: Computer Security: Attacks and Defenses
Spring 2011

Course Description

Computer security is an increasingly important and difficult issue in our society. Why is it so hard to make a secure computer system? This course will explore some of the challenges, by looking at various kinds of attacks and how they can be prevented or mitigated. In the process, we will learn about core aspects of computer security.

This is not a "how to" course that will directly help you configure your antivirus software, firewall, etc. This course will help you understand the underlying vulnerabilities that make such counter-measures necessary.


Course Information

Instructor: Scott Stoller
Meeting Time and Place: Monday, 10:40am-11:35am, in Irving Lounge (room 180)
Office Hours: Monday, 11:35am-1:35pm, in Computer Science 1429. Also by appointment, and whenever I am in my office and not unusually busy
Credits: 1


Blackboard

I use Blackboard to send email to the class, so make sure that your email address in Blackboard is up-to-date. I also post documents and assignments in Blackboard.


Project

The project description is on Blackboard.


Grading

Attendance 30
Presentation 20
Report 50
Total 100

Attendance has a significant weight in the course grade because there are no homework assignments on most of the material covered in class, so the only way I can tell whether you are learning that material is in-class observation.


Required Statements

The University Senate has authorized that the following required statements appear in all teaching syllabi on the Stony Brook Campus.

Academic Integrity. Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another person's work as your own is always wrong. Faculty are required to report any suspected instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Judiciary. For more comprehensive information on academic integrity, including categories of academic dishonesty, please refer to the academic judiciary website at http://www.stonybrook.edu/uaa/academicjudiciary/

Disabilities. If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, 128 ECC Building (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students who require assistance during emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information go to the following web site: http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu and search Fire Safety and Evacuation and Disabilities.

Critical Incident Management: Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to report to the Office of Judicial Affairs any disruptive behavior that interrupts their ability to teach, compromises the safety of the learning environment, or inhibits students' ability to learn. Faculty in the HSC Schools and the School of Medicine are required to follow their school-specific procedures.