695.721.81 - Network Security

Expanded Course Description

Topics covered include cryptography, virtual private networks, wireless local area network security, evolving 3GPP compatible mobile broadband networks, evolution to 5G, network endpoint assessment, routing and multi-protocol label switching, firewalls and intrusion detection systems, VoIP security, network authentication, and domain name system security. Each of these topics is explored in the context of industry standards (NIST, IETF, 3GPP and ITU). This course includes a case study approach as well as virtual lab assignments.

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into 14 modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the module-at-a-glance, readings, video lectures and related content, discussions, and quizzes. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. Module weeks begin on Wednesday and complete on Tuesday.

Course Topics

• Cryptography
• Virtual private networks<
• Wireless Local Network (WLAN) Security
• The 3GPP Mobile Broadband Standard
• 3GPP 5G Mobile Broadband Security Architecture
• Network Endpoint Assessment
• Routing and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) & SD-WAN
• Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
• VoIP Security
• Network Authentication and Identity Management
• Domain Name System (DNS) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Security

Course Goals

1. Unified Network Security Perspective: Develop a unified understanding and view of the role of network security architectures to support enterprise cybersecurity risk management.
2. Integrated Analytical View of Network Security: Achieve an integrated analytical view of network security to support enterprise networks and mission objectives.
3. Key Network Security Technologies: Develop an insight into key network security technologies.
4. Hands-on Network Security Analysis: Perform hands-on network security analysis for IPsec solutions and a virtual firewall using Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud-based services.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Research, describe and explain network security architectures and technologies that pertain to cybersecurity risk management.
• Explain the process and challenges that pertain to evolving network security challenges.
• Distinguish between network security architecture requirements for continuous monitoring at each of the enterprise levels defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• Analyze network security requirements for reducing cybersecurity risk.
• Assess and evaluate network security and technology issues for complex IT “system of systems.”

Textbooks

No textbook purchases required. The course has many assigned readings that are available through EReserves and linked through the Blackboard course site.

Other Materials & Online Resources

You will need the ability to connect to the cloud-based tool, Amazon Web Services (AWS) to complete the virtual lab assignments.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 10-13 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 5 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1-2 hours per week), discussion boards, case studies and virtual labs (approximately 3-5 hours per week), and quizzes (1 hour per week).

This course will consist of five basic student requirements:

1. Discussion board assignments (10% of final grade): Weekly discussion board assignments require you to think about real-world applications for the concepts you will be learning. You are required to respond to each discussion prompt as well as respond to at least two other student’s post. A rubric for how discussion assignments will be evaluated by the instructor is posted in module 1.
2. Quizzes (15% of final grade): There are 13 quizzes in the course, in every module except module 14. Quizzes cover material from the current week’s lectures and readings – and also previously presented material. Quizzes are timed and are online through Blackboard. Once you log into a quiz you will have one hour to complete it.
3. Case Studies (40% of final grade): There are three case studies in the course. They are group assignments that run over multiple weeks. The first case study runs over modules 2-3, the second over modules 6-8, and the third over modules 11-13. Student working groups will be assigned by the instructor by way of an announcement in Blackboard. More information about the case studies is available in the modules where they are presented.
4. Virtual Labs (20% of final grade): There are two virtual labs in the course, each 10% of your final grade. These are individual assignments. The first virtual lab runs over modules 4-5: the second over modules 9-10. Amazon Web Services is the tool for the virtual labs. More information about the labs is available in the modules they are presented.
5. Final Exam (15% of final grade): The final exam is in module 14. It is timed and is also set up directly in Blackboard. Once you log into the final exam you will have 120 minutes to complete it.

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in the Blackboard course site. Students may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Grades will post no later than one week after assignment due dates. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.
The following grades are used for this course: A+, A, A– (excellent), B+, B, B– (good), C (unsatisfactory), F (failure), I (incomplete). A grade of F indicates the student’s failure to complete or comprehend the course work.
English language. It is proper for faculty to consider writing quality when assigning grades.
For incomplete grades, please see the Graduate Programs catalogue for the Whiting School of Engineering.
The course grading scale is the following:

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.