COIT20246 - Networking and Cyber Security

General Information

Unit Synopsis

In this unit, you will learn how Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure supports the operation of modern organisations. You will investigate the structure of the Internet, design wired and wireless networks, and deploy applications using virtualisation and cloud computing. You will discover mechanisms for securing ICT infrastructure and applications by studying the motivation of attackers and the common vulnerabilities they exploit. You will also learn frameworks and tools organisations use to manage cloud infrastructure, reduce cyber security risks, and deliver IT services to customers. As you explore cyber security and Internet technologies via hands-on laboratory tasks, you will reflect on the impact of those technologies on society, and your responsibilities as a future ICT professional. This unit gives you the broad knowledge of networking and cyber security that all ICT professionals require and is a starting point for a career as a cyber security analyst, cloud engineer, or network operations specialist.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level 8
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites There are no pre-requisites for the unit.

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2023

Term 1 - 2023 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 2 - 2023 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney
Term 3 - 2023 Profile
Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

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).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Online Quiz(zes) 35%
2. Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books 35%
3. Project (applied) 30%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2022 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 89.13% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 27.22% response rate.

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.

Source: Student Feedback
Feedback
Some students do not see the relevance of the written assignment tasks in relation to emerging technology.
Recommendation
Make greater efforts to communicate the reasons for the tasks in the written assignment and how they benefit the students and their learning, in particular the skills in communicating complex technical ideas in simple ways and exploring emerging technology and ICT challenges.
Action Taken
The broader purpose and rationale for this assignment has been articulated as clearly as possible in a written introduction to the assignment.
Source: Student Feedback Teaching Team
Feedback
The unit covers a variety of topics and it has been suggested that there should be a more specific focus.
Recommendation
Review the unit content.
Action Taken
This level of review is ongoing, as it has potential impacts on course as well as unit content.
Source: Student feedback
Feedback
Inadequate graphical illustrations on computer architecture and CPU topics.
Recommendation
Insert improved graphics on this topic into the lecture slides and tutorial materials. Alternatively, links to suitable online sites could be recommended to students in lectures and tutorials.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Student and staff feedback
Feedback
Outline a clear correlation between the unit content and the written assignment.
Recommendation
Communicate relationships between assignments and weekly topics.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Investigate the role of ICT infrastructure, such as computer hardware, operating systems, virtualisation, and networks, in providing Internet applications and cloud services
  2. Recommend cyber security controls to prevent and detect attacks and vulnerabilities
  3. Apply standards and industry best practices to manage networks, ICT services, and cyber security
  4. Summarise key professional, social and legal issues relating to the Internet, cloud computing, and cyber security.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS), the professional association for Australia's ICT sector, recognises the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). SFIA is adopted by organisations, governments, and individuals in many countries and provides a widely used and consistent definition of ICT skills. SFIA is increasingly being used when developing job descriptions and role profiles. ACS members can use the tool MySFIA to build a skills profile.

This unit contributes to the following workplace skills as defined by SFIA 8 (the SFIA code is included):

  • IT Infrastructure (ITOP)
  • Network Design (NTDS)
  • Network Support (NTAS)
  • Information Security (SCTY)
  • Security Operations (SCAD)
  • Problem Management (PBMG)
  • Service Level Management (SLMO)
  • Change Control (CHMG)

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Online Quiz(zes) • • •
2 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books • • •
3 - Project (applied) • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Advanced Level
• Professional Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge • • • •
2 - Communication • • • •
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills • • •
5 - Self-management •
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Advanced Level
• Professional Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8