695.721.3VL - Network Security

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites: 605.202 Data Structures; 695.601 Foundations of Information Assurance and 605.671 Principles of Data Communications Networks or 635.611 Principles of Network Engineering.

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 readings, slides and video recordings will be posted after class. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• NIST Risk Management Framework
• Cryptography
• WLAN Security
• Virtual Private Networks
• NGN & IPv4/IPv6 Transition Issues
• NGN & IPv4/IPv6 Transition Issues Continued
• Routing and MPLS Security
• Firewalls and IDS/IPS
• Topics
• NGN IMS and UMTS Security Architecture
• VoIP Security
• Network Authentication and Identity Management
• Network Endpoint Assessment and Layer 2 Switching Security
• DNS and 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 linked through the Canvas course site.

Required Software

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), participating in weekly class sessions (approximately .5 hours per week), and homework, virtual labs, research project, and final exam (approximately 3-5 hours per week).

This course will consist of three basic student requirements:

1. Homework and Virtual Labs (30% of final grade)
• A few homework assignments will be given that will involve some research and answer questions related to the current module topics. The homework will be done over two module weeks.
• There are two virtual labs in the course, each 10% of your final grade. These are individual assignments. They will run over several module weeks. Amazon Web Services is the tool for the virtual labs. More information about the labs is available in the modules they are presented.
2. Research Project (35% of final grade)
3. The research project is a semester long opportunity to investigate a topic of interest. The output is both a written paper and a short presentation to the class at the end of the semester
4. Final Exam (35% of final grade)
• The final exam is in module 14. It is untimed and consists of multiple questions that require between 1 to several paragraphs to answer.

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.

A course for which an unsatisfactory grade (C or F) has been received may be retaken. The original grade is replaced with an R. If the failed course includes laboratory, both the lecture and laboratory work must be retaken unless the instructor indicates otherwise. A grade of W is issued to those who have dropped the course after the refund period but before the drop deadline. The transcript is part of the student’s permanent record at the university. No grade may be changed except to correct an error, to replace an incomplete with a grade, or to replace a grade with an R.

The Whiting School assumes that students possess acceptable written command of the 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:

 
If you need to turn something in late you must notify me ahead of time; I’m willing to be flexible. Assignments that are late without notice will not be accepted.

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.