COMP 3261: Computer Network Security
This course presents the most practical of Internet/Intranet technologies and techniques to students. It covers Internet protocols, addressing and architecture, Intranet and Extranet design, installation and management, as well as all aspects of Internet/Intranet security and user/data authentication.
Learning outcomes
Students will have sound understanding of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite and Internet/Intranet techniques, and have necessary knowledge and skills for network-related professions and advanced studies.
- Have sound understanding of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite and Internet/Intranet techniques, and have necessary knowledge and skills for network-related professions and advanced studies.
- Classify computer network vulnerabilities and types of attacks.
- Define security goals and their meanings.
- Explain useful tools commonly used by an attacker.
- Explain common techniques used for launching the Denial of Service and Distributed Denial of Service attacks, as well as techniques to prevent them.
- Explain the characteristics of viruses, worms and malware.
- Explain the basic concepts and techniques for protecting and designing a private network.
- Identify types of firewall implementation suitable for differing security requirements.
- Apply and explain simple filtering rules based on IP and TCP header information.
- Distinguish between firewalls based on packet-filtering routers, application-level gateways, and circuit-level gateways.
- Compare and contrast symmetric and asymmetric encryption systems and their vulnerability to attack, and explain the characteristics of hybrid systems.
- Explain what is meant by data integrity, and give reasons for its importance.
- Describe the use of hash functions, and explain the characteristics of one-way and collision-free functions.
- Explain the role of third-party agents in the provision of authentication services.
- Explain some widely-used techniques and protocols for secure communications.
- Discuss the effectiveness of passwords in access control and the influence of human behaviour.
- Be aware of future trends in the field of network security.
Course topics
- Unit 1: Introduction to Network Security
- Unit 2: Network Endpoint Security
- Unit 3: Cryptography
- Unit 4: Securing Transaction — Digital Signature, Security Protocols and Virtual Private Networks
- Unit 5: Emerging Areas of Network Security
Required text and materials
Students require the following e-textbook, which can be purchased directly from the TRU bookstore site at: https://thebookstore.tru.ca/site_digital.asp
- Stallings, W. (2020). Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice (8th
ed.). Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Type: E-Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-13-5764176
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.
| Assignment 1: Introduction to Network Security | 10% |
| Assignment 2: Network Endpoint Security | 10% |
| Assignment 3: Cryptography | 10% |
| Assignment 4: Securing Transactions | 10% |
| Assignment 5: Emerging Areas of Network Security | 10% |
| Final Exam (mandatory) | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
