ISEC-615 - Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (with LabSim) (3 credits)
Winter 2020 - January 6, 2020 - May 3, 2020

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E-mails will be usually answered within 24 hours on weekdays and within 48 hours on weekends or official holidays, although in most cases, I will answer you even before. If I'm out of town and have posted a note to the site about it, you will get an automated response and I will answer it when I get back or have access to the Internet from that location. 

An overview of the technical aspects of cybersecurity. Issues discussed include confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA), as well as authentication, access control, trust, and non-repudiation. Furthermore, topics covered include the threat types and attack vectors used for compromising computer and network security. Investigation of fundamental cybersecurity and assurance technologies that can be applied to mitigate threat vectors. The selection of appropriate information security applications, security lifecycles, as well as controls utilized to protect computers and networks from the variety of threat vectors will also be covered.

Prerequisites: None.

Upon completing this course the students will:
1) Be familiar with the major development in the area of security of computer systems and cybersecurity;
2) Understand the theoretical basis for information assurance and cybersecurity;
3) Understand the threat types and attack vectors used for compromising computer and network security;
4) Be familiar with the technical and managerial controls utilized to protect computers and networks from the variety of threat vectors;
5) Be familiar with the information security tools and approaches used to protect computers and networks;
6) Understand the issues in designing and planning for computer and network security;
7) Understand the foundations of how information systems security are implemented and managed;
8) Demonstrate a network security hardening using a layered security model; and
9) Demonstrate the knowledge and skills need to mitigate cyber attacks from the physical security measures to data defense tactiques.

This course will utilize Canvas and GoToTraining as the delivery tools. Also, majority of class activities will be done via the LabSim, which is a hands-on cybersecurity lab simulator. Assignments and class discussions will take place in the Canvas and/or GoToTraining assigned to this course.

Majority of the work in this course is done individually via the LabSim (students must purchase their access via the bookstore), and four assignments where students will work on applied cybersecurity issues in written papers. The assignments in this class include: one initial minor assignment of an introduction post, 10 Lab Progress Reports (LPRs), three exams (one for each of the three domains in the LabSim), four written asignments, and a Final Exam. The Final Exam includes all domains covered throughout the term and will conclude the course. Additional information on each assignment is provided under the assignment guidelines in the "Modules" section of the course's Canvas site or within the appropriate area. Remember that all dues are mandatory. See grading weights in the Grading section below.

NOTE: This course does not include programming assignments, however, part of the LabSim there will be some activities that may require students to conduct some configurations and settings on simulated devices.

Grading Scale:

• Mutual respect and courtesy.
• Professional quality in the organization, completeness, neatness, and timeliness of any material submitted will be expected.
• Late assignments will not be accepted! However, the professor realizes that exceptional situations (such as justified emergencies or medical situations) do occur. In such cases, please inform your professor via e-mail to obtain special permission for late submission, prior to the deadline.
• A student may not do additional work or repeat an examination to raise a final grade.
• All papers and assignments should include a certificate of authorship signed by the student.
• The professor is not obligated to communicate with students via e-mail or telephone about the course or assignments after final grades have been submitted. However, official Challenge of Course Grade and Student Grievance Procedure, as outlined in the graduate catalog, will be processed.
• Students should be aware that any submitted work for this course may be subjected to detection of breach of copyright.
• No incompletes will be provided unless the student compleated at least 75% of the course assignments.

Although some sections above are parts of this course's syllabus, this is not the course syllabus. The purpose of this page is to allow students and prospective students to gain understanding on the nature of this course and the professor. The course syllabus will be provided via Canvas and will be available for all students who register for this course.

Looking forward "seeing" you in my class!

	Yair Levy, Ph.D. (levyy@nova.edu) Professor of Information Systems and Cybersecurity Director, Center for Information Protection, Education, and Research (CIPhER) College of Computing and Engineering Nova Southeastern University Copyright ©  - Dr. Yair Levy, all rights reserved worldwide. Modified  December 30, 2019