Course syllabus - Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Objectives

The course aims to provide the students with fundamental knowledge in cybersecurity, including an introduction to cybersecurity services, threats, and protection mechanisms. The purpose is also to prepare the students for further studies in the subject by establishing a solid conceptual and technical foundation.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

1. explain fundamental principles of information security, including confidentiality, integrity, and availability (the CIA triad),
2. identify common cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques,
3. understand and apply key security mechanisms such as encryption, authentication, and access control,
4. describe the basics of network and application security, as well as common methods to protect these environments,
5. reason about how attackers think and apply defense techniques to protect systems and
6. use an analytical and critical approach to identify and address security challenges.

Course content

Cybersecurity - Definitions, Key Terminologies and Core Concepts. Cyberattacks - Threat Actors, Vulnerabilities as well as Attack Methods and Tactics.
Cybersecurity Services - CIA Triad, Authentication, Accountability, and Access Control.
Cryptography - Symmetric & Asymmetric Cryptography, hashing, digital signatures and and Key Management. 
Network and Application security - Fundamental security principles for networks and software. 
Ethical Hacking - Basic principles and methods.

Specific requirements

60 credits in completed courses in computer science, that include completed courses in programming corresponding to 15 credits and computer networks 7.5 credits, and 10 credits in Mathematics/Applied Mathematics. In addition Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3.

Examination

PRO1, Project, 1 credit, examines the learning outcomes 1-6, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G).

SEM1, Seminar, 6,5 credits, examines the learning outcomes 1-6, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course completely overlaps with DVA511 Cybersecurity Fundamentals and also 2,5 credits with DVA486 Fundamentals of Industrial Cybersecurity.