CSI 424/524: Information Security – Fall 2017

Title/Credits:

CSI 424/524: Information Security (3 Credits)

Semester:

Fall 2017

Time/Location:

Mondays 5:45pm–8:35pm, LC 3C

Instructor:

Amir Masoumzadeh (amasoumzadeh@albany.edu)

• Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:00pm-5:00pm (UAB 422), or by appointment

Teaching Assistant:

Padmavathi Iyer (riyer2@albany.edu)

• Office Hours: Thursdays 12:15pm–2:15pm (UAB 401)

Teaching Assistant:

Subhitsha Suresh (ssuresh@albany.edu)

This course covers fundamental issues surrounding computer security and information privacy. You will learn about security policies, models, and mechanisms related to confidentiality, integrity, authentication, identification, and availability issues in computing systems. Other topics that are covered include basics of cryptography (e.g., digital signatures), network security (e.g., firewalls), and information privacy (e.g., data anonymization).

Homework Assignments

You will be assigned to individually solve 6 problem sets related to the topics covered in the class.

Lab Assignments

You will be assigned 3 hands-on exercises that may need writing small programs. You will need to run virtual machines on your own computer in order to complete those assignments.

In-Class Activities and Performance

A major component of your participation in the course will be involvement in class activities and discussions (both individually and in a team). Because your work in your teams is crucial to your success in this course as well as your teammates, you will be held accountable for your contribution to your team. Your team members will give you feedback on your performance during the semester.

Exams

There will be 2 exams during the semester and no exam during the finals week.

Course Project

You will work on a course project which includes research/design/implementation, a written component, and an oral presentation. The requirements and the schedule of deadlines will be posted as a separate document on Blackboard.

Final Grade

Your final grade will be determined as a weighted average of the followings:

• Homework Assignments: 20%
• Lab Assignments: 15%
• In-Class Activities and Participation: 10%
• Exams: 30%
• Course Project: 25%

The numerical grade will be converted to a letter grade based on the following scale:

93–100% (A)	90–92% (A-)	87–89% (B+)	83–86% (B)	80–82% (B-)	77–79% (C+)
73–76% (C)	70–72% (C-)	67–69% (D+)	63–66% (D)	60–62% (D-)	0–59% (E)

Makeup Policy

There are generally no makeup opportunities for missed activities and assignments except in extenuating circumstances. Since there will be occasions in your life when missing a class meeting or a deadline is simply unavoidable, this course has a few built-in safety valves.

1. You can submit your assignment up to 2 days late subjecting to 10% penalty per day late. No assignment will be accepted after 2 days past the deadline.
2. The average of the best 90% of your in-class activities will count towards your grade.
3. If you become seriously ill during the semester, or become derailed by unforeseeable life problems, and have to miss so many assignments that it will ruin your grade, schedule a meeting with me in order to make arrangements for you to drop the course to save your grade point average. Do not wait until it is too late to see me when you get in trouble.

Use of Electronic Devices

Computers or other electronic devices may be only used during class for note-taking or other class-related activities. You are not allowed to perform any unrelated task during class.

Academic Integrity

It is every student’s responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the University. Claims of ignorance, of unintentional error, or of academic or personal pressures are not sufficient reasons for violations of academic integrity (See http://www.albany.edu/studentconduct/standards_of_academic_integrity.php). Any incident of academic dishonesty can result in (i) no credit for the affected assignment, (ii) report to the appropriate University authorities (e.g., (e.g., Dean of Undergraduate Education or Graduate Studies), and/or (iii) a failing grade (E) for the course. For all assignments and papers, make sure to do your own work, except where collaboration is explicitly permitted or required. Also, make sure that you properly cite any resource from which you borrow ideas and that you clearly distinguish them from your contributions.

Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodation will be provided for students with documented disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Disability Resource Center (BA 120, 518-442-5490). That office will provide me with verification of your disability, and will recommend appropriate accommodations. In general, it is your responsibility to contact me at least one week before the relevant activity to make arrangements.

The following schedule is tentative and will be regularly updated. Refer to the course page for the most up-to-date version. You are expected to read the book chapters and other assigned readings for a session before coming to the class.