ISA 562: Information Security Theory and Practice 

Semester: Fall 2016

Catalog Description

A technical introduction to the theory and practice of information security, which serves as the first security course for the MS-ISA degree, is required as a prerequisite for all subsequent ISA courses (at the 600 and 700 levels) and subsumes most topics covered by the CISSP examination. Also serves as an entry-level course available to non-ISA students, including MS-CS, MS-INFS, and MS-SWE students.


Registration Dates: Apr 08, 2016 to Sep 02, 2016
Drop without Tuition Penalty Dates: 09/06/2016
Drop with Tuition Penalty (and final drop deadline) Dates: 09/30/2016.
Prerequisite(s): (INFS 501, 515, 519, and SWE 510), or (CS530+CS531) or permission of instructor. 

Note: Having passed CISSP, work experience,  a busy schedule or otherwise loosing a scholarship is NOT an alternative way to satisfy prerequisites or a reason for a waiver.


Course Textbook: Network Security (Private Communication in a PUBLIC World) by C. Kaufman, R. Perlman and M Speciner


Class Administration

Text Book:

Network Security (Private Communication in a PUBLIC World) by C. Kaufman, R. Perlman and M Speciner

Other martial will be specified on Blackboard.

Class Time:

Wednesday 4.30-7.20 pm

Class Room:

Innovation Hall 222

Instructor:

Duminda Wijesekera (dwijesek AT gmu DOT edu), 703-993-5030

Office Hours:

Research Hall 436, W 7.30-8.30 or by appointment

TA:

Maofei Chen, mchen18 (at) mason live (dot) gum (dot) edu

TA Office Hours:

 M 3.30-5.00 and W 2.50-4.20, in Engineering 4456



Grading:

Four Home works=40%, In Class Midterm=20%, In Class Final (non cumulative, open book, closed Internet and neighbors)=20%, Project=20% Due date will be announced in class.


Tentative Schedule

Date

Topic

Book Chapter

HW / Exam


Aug 31


Introduction and Cryptography


Ch 1 and 2

 HW 1 out

Sept 07

Secret Key Cryptography

Ch 3


Sept 14

Modes of Operation

Ch 4

 HW 1 in HW 2 out

Sept 21

Number Theory

Ch 7


Sept 28

Hashes and Message Digests

Ch 5

 

Oct 05

Cryptography and Secret Keys

Ch 6

HW 2 in HW 3 out

Oct 12

Catch up


 

Oct 19

MID-TERM EXAM



Oct 26

Authentication + Passwords

Chs 9 and 10

HW 3 in and HW 4 out

Nov 02

Handshake Pitfalls

Ch 11

Project out

Nov 09

Strong Password Protocls

Ch 12


Nov 16

Keeberose

Ch 13 and 14

 Hw 4 in

Nov 23

PKI

Ch 15


Nov 30

IPSec

 Ch 17, 18




Dec 07


SSL/TLS


Ch 19

Project in


Notes

The timetable given above may change during the semester. Powerpoint’s will be provided in the Blackboard system.

Homework:

All homework solutions must be done individually. Written submissions should be handed lover to the TA, preferably using the Blackboard, ad when not possible using email.

Note on Exams:

In Class, closed book, closed neighbor, no electronic devices during exams.

Final exam on Wednesday December 14.



Partial Credit:

Partial credit is given for incomplete proofs or counterexamples ONLY IF they can be completed as begun.

Honor Code:

GMU honor code applies to all submitted work for this course.