This course is a broad introduction to the managerial issues of information security. Because security is multifaceted, the topics of the class range widely, including technical (e.g., cryptography), managerial (e.g., policy compliance), physical (e.g., door locks), and psychological (e.g., social engineering) issues. A key objective of the class is to develop a security mindset, in which one learns to think like an attacker for ways to exploit a system.
Syllabus
Course goals
- Develop a security mindset
- Learn to think like a security professional—how to identify threats like an attacker, and how to model and mitigate those threats.
- Gain a working knowledge of methods to protect data
- Gain a working knowledge of modern methods of protecting data: encryption, hashing, confidentiality, authentication, integrity, non-repudiation, certificates, and IP security.
- Learn methods of attack and defense
- Learn methods of attacking systems and how to protect against those methods of attacks.
- Appreciate the broad disciplines required for IS security
- Appreciate the broad disciplines required for information security to work. We’ll cover subjects as comprehensive as cryptology, physical security, psychology, and management, based on based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Version 1.1 (https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework/framework) and the NIST Risk Management Framework (https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/risk-management/about-rmf).
- Communicate security risks and responses effectively
- This course is a Temple-designated writing intensive course. As such, a substantial portion of the course will be devoted to practicing capable, proficient communication of cybersecurity risks, threats, mitigations, and responses to relevant stakeholders for their decision making.
Important information
Disability
Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a documented disability, including special accommodations for access to technology resources and electronic instructional materials required for the course, should contact me privately to discuss the specific situation by the end of the second week of classes or as soon as practical. If you have not done so already, please contact Disability Resources and Services (DRS) at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to learn more about the resources available to you. I will work with DRS to coordinate reasonable accommodations for all students with documented disabilities.
Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities
Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. Please review the university policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02).
Technology Usage
The use of technology is an important aspect of this course. Please review the Temple University Technology Usage Policy.