KV4011 - Introduction to Networks and Cyber Security

You will learn through lectures, workshops, and independent learning. The lectures will cover theories and concepts that will enable you to tackle a series of guided exercises. You will work on these during workshops and hands-on sessions in Northumbria’s CIS building computer labs, which are fully equipped with the latest industry-standard software.

You will be supported by lecturers during the timetabled sessions when you will receive feedback on your work. The University’s eLearning Portal offers remote access to all lecture and seminar materials to reinforce your learning. In addition, the university library offers support for all students through providing electronic resources.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
ML01 - Understand and explain the fundamental networking principles related to data transmission, layered architecture, reference OSI model and TCP/IP protocol suite.
ML02 - Understand and explain security topics like general security threats, network attacks, device attacks and mitigations.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
ML03 - Theoretically design small networks with IP addressing schemes, build and test small networks through simulation and lab hardware.
ML04 - Demonstrate an understanding of LAN security attacks and mitigations.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
ML05 – Communicate results of work in an accurate and reliable manner.

The main element of summative assessment (100%) will be a final assignment course work that will examine basic network knowledge, simple network implementation skills, and basic security knowledge. The word limit will be 3,000. You will receive both informative and confirmatory feedback on your assessments.

This assessment addresses Module Learning Outcomes – ML01, ML02, ML03, ML04, and ML05.
On an on-going basis you will also receive formative feedback on lab exercises you are required to complete.

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The ‘Introduction to Networks and Cyber Security’ module provides a thorough introduction to basic technologies in computer networks and cyber security. The module covers basics of computer networking through the TCP/IP reference model, discussing different network layers with applications and explore security topics like general security threats, network attacks, device attacks and mitigations. The concepts introduced in lectures are reinforced with the help of extensive hands-on Cisco lab workshops, supporting technology-enhanced learning. The research/enquiry-based assessment will have to solve a network scenario among other activities and feedback to improve the work will be provided. Students will have increased employability opportunities and will have the opportunity to develop practical networking skills by using Cisco IOS, configuration of Cisco switches and routers, analysing Wireshark traces and designing small networks using the Cisco hardware and simulator.