Overview
This unit is a capstone to the network security specialisation of the undergraduate BIT course and is designed so that final year students can demonstrate their learning across their whole course of study before making the transition to the next stage of his/her career. Students are required to apply, synthesise and demonstrate the skills that they have developed in earlier network security specialisation units. This will be demonstrated through a group project where students are required to develop an integrated solution to real-world security problems and threats. The group project will have a designated client (or acting client). Students will be required to design and implement a security plan by meeting the real or simulated client requirements. Deliverables will include the formal security plan and configured secure infrastructure (including servers and networks), forming part of an overall portfolio of planning and design documentation, scripts and rules. In order to deliver a robust solution, students will need to choose and employ an appropriate project management methodology. The delivered infrastructure will undergo stress testing and simulated security attack scenarios.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: (COIS13064 or COIT12208) and COIT12202 Corequisites: COIT13146 and COIT13229
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student feedback and unit evaluation
Positive comments about the unit as a real world project experience
Continue with the project-based learning approach
Feedback from Unit evaluation
Provide more details in marking sheet
Redesign the marking guidelines including more comprehensive information
- Develop solutions to security problems and threats.
- Apply the concepts taught in network security specialisation units.
- Evaluate security protections and assess their level of compliance and effectiveness.
- Identify “client” or employer requirements and propose solutions.
- Apply time management, prioritisation and organisational skills in order to address real world problems.
- Demonstrate productive participation and contribution to a project team or work environment.
- Demonstrate technical skills, communication skills, and both professional and ethical behaviour.
- Project Management (PRMG)
- IT Management (ITMG)
- Information Security (SCTY)
- Security Administration (SCAD)
- IT Governance (GOVN)
- Technical specialism (TECH)
- IT Operations (ITOP)
- Systems Installation/Decommissioning (HSIN)
- Network Support (NTAS)
- Network Planning (NTPL)
- Network Design (NTDS)
- System Design (DESN).
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||||
| 2 - Group Work - 80% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Group Work - 80% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
There is no requirement for a prescribed textbook.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
e.arenas@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Chapter
No specific textbooks for this unit
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Project Selection
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in Week-1, Week-2 and Week-3
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
- Submit DRAFT network security plan
- Submit Project Plan
- Submit Group Project Progress Report-1
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
- Deliver Group Presentation of the implementation of proposed network security plan
- Submit Group Project Progress Report-2
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
- Submit Group Project Progress Report-3
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
- Deliver presentation of DRAFT Project Report and Technical Implementation
- Submit Group Project Progress Report-4
Module/Topic
Weekly meeting with project mentor
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Make entries in the Portfolio covering activities performed in this week
- Submit FINAL Project Report including Project Working Documents
Module/Topic
Chapter
This unit does not have an examination
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
This unit does not have an examination
Events and Submissions/Topic
Dr. Edilson Arenas, Ph.D.
Discipline Leader – Networks and Information Security | School of Engineering and Technology, Higher Education Division
CQUniversity Australia, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Phone +61 03 96160570 | Email e.arenas@cqu.edu.au
1 Written Assessment
This assessment comprises two different parts:
- Activity journal
- Periodic project progress reports
Please refer to the unit website in Moodle for more details
Within two weeks of submission
Individual Activity Journals (8%)
Due date: Fridays, Week 3, 6, 9 and 12
This is an individual assessment.
As part of your Portfolio and during the term unit, you are required to write and submit four activity journals (in weeks 3, 6, 9 and 12) that illustrate your individual contribution to the project and lessons learnt. This should capture everything you do, including:
- Tasks that you performed
- Time spent
- How that contributed to your overall project requirements
- Challenges faced, and
- A bibliography of researched resource materials such as technical journals, web sites, trade magazines
It is important to maintain this document throughout the term as it is the only component of the unit assessed individually.
Please use the standard template provided in the unit website in Moodle to write and submit your activity journals.
Periodic Project Progress Reports (12%)
Due: Fridays, Week 4, 7, 9 and 11
This is a group assessment.
Each group must submit four periodic project progress reports using a standard template provided in the unit website in Moodle.
On-campus students
Each member of your group MUST give in-class presentation of each periodic project progress report (4).
Distant or Flexible students
The Unit Coordinator will provide you necessary instructions to present your group's periodic progress reports.
- Develop solutions to security problems and threats.
- Apply the concepts taught in network security specialisation units.
- Evaluate security protections and assess their level of compliance and effectiveness.
- Apply time management, prioritisation and organisational skills in order to address real world problems.
- Demonstrate technical skills, communication skills, and both professional and ethical behaviour.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Group Work
As per unit Website in Moodle.
On certification day
The project documentation will be assessed upon the quality of content. This includes the presentation layout and the depth and breadth of project recommendations adhering to the implementation of a secured computer network. The assessment criteria for each part of the assessment, as described in Task Description is as follows:
NOTE: Please refer to the unit website in Moodle for submission due dates and detailed marking criteria.
DRAFT network security plan (5%)
Due: Friday, Week 4
You are required to submit a DRAFT network security plan that you believe will mitigate, enhance or address the network security of the organisation (project case study).
Project plan (10%)
Due: Friday, Week 4
You are required to submit a project plan that will include: Project Charter outlining project scope, objectives and constraints, statement of work, project team members, and a RACI matrix Project Work Breakdown Structure using project GANTT Chart that also shows a timeline and allocation of tasks to team members Project risks and proposed mitigation plan
Group presentation of Network Security Pan (10% )
Due: Friday, Week 7
In this group presentation you will:
- present the summary of your network security plan that you have produced
- identify and justify your selection of key threat or security challenge to the organisation
- explain what technologies will you implement to mitigate or address such threats and challenges
- describe how you will test the security technologies what types of policy and/or procedure documents that you have intended to produce
On-campus students: The date and time of this presentation will be determined by your local lecturer/tutor.
Distant students: The time of the presentation and technology employed will be determined on an individual basis.
Presentation of DRAFT Project Report (10% )
Due: Friday Week 11
Each group must present their project in plenary session in week 11 of the term.
Each member of the group must submit their group’s PowerPoint slide through the appropriate link in Moodle. Please refer to the unit website in Moodle for detailed information about the presentation session and marking criteria.
On-campus students: The date and time of this presentation will be determined by your local lecturer/tutor.
Distant students: The time of the presentation and technology employed will be determined on an individual basis.
Project working documents (5% )
Due: Friday, Week 12
This submission includes the group’s important project artifacts/ documents such as DRAFT security plan produced prior to building a project plan, agendas and minutes of team meetings. This document should be included in the FINAL project report as an Annex with an appropriate title page.
Project report and technical implementation (40%)
Due: Friday, Week 12
This assessment is comprised of two different parts:
- Produce detailed network security plan
- Identify key security threats or challenges and implement technology to mitigate or address them.
Produce detailed network security plan
The project group is required to produce a detailed security plan for an organisation in order to meet its network security threats and challenges.
Identify key security threats or challenges and implement technology to mitigate or address them
This is a practical activity that requires demonstration of the implementation of your group’s network security plan. Your group must identify key threats and challenges and implement technology to mitigate or address it. The technology has to address key challenges to the organisation’s network environment. You should pick an area of network, infrastructure or security that you have already touched in your studies, but you would like to explore them in-depth and implement.
Your group needs to show how that was implemented and how the tests were carried. Your group is required to submit documentation including a test plan, test results and any network security policy and/or procedures that result from your implementation test.
- Develop solutions to security problems and threats.
- Apply the concepts taught in network security specialisation units.
- Evaluate security protections and assess their level of compliance and effectiveness.
- Identify “client” or employer requirements and propose solutions.
- Apply time management, prioritisation and organisational skills in order to address real world problems.
- Demonstrate productive participation and contribution to a project team or work environment.
- Demonstrate technical skills, communication skills, and both professional and ethical behaviour.
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
