CYBER 221: Overview of Information Security

Overview

This course focuses on an overview of information security. Students will learn the principles of information security, security architectures and models, aspects and methods of information security such as physical security control, operations security, access control, hacks/attacks/defense, systems and programs security, cryptography, network and web security, worms and viruses, and other Internet secure applications. Students will also learn how to plan and manage security, security policies, business continuity plans, disaster recovery plans, and social and legal issues of information security. A major component of the course will be several hands-on exercises and a final team-based project. This course will incorporate collaborative and action-learning experiences wherever appropriate. Emphases will be placed on developing and practicing writing and speaking skills through application of the concepts, theories and technologies that define the course.

Prerequisites

• SRA 111

• IST 140 or CMPSC 101 or CMPSC 121

Logistics

• Instructor: Jinyuan Jia, jinyuan@psu.edu, Westgate E325, 814-865-7369
• Teaching Assistant: Matthew Joseph Gergus (mjg6926@psu.edu), and Wei Zou (wxz5259@psu.edu)
• Class Time: Tuesday/Thursday 04:35 PM - 05:50 PM
• Class Location: Chambers Bldg 108
• Office Hours:
  • Jinyuan Jia: Wednesday 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, E325 Westgate
  • Matthew Joseph Gergus: 12pm to 2pm on Tuesday and Thursday; 12pm to 4pm on Sunday, Zoom link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/2370082275
  • Wei Zou: 2pm to 5pm on Monday and Wednesday, Zoom link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/99937810882?pwd=JdsChHZOu1RkbHObqixwapwyfdXmzi.1

Course Materials

• Recommended (not required):
  • Computer security: principles and practice, William Stallings, Lawrie Brown, Fifth Edition
  • Principles of Computer Security: CompTIA Security+ and Beyond, Sixth Edition (Exam SY0-601), 6th Edition. Link to Free Edition in the PSU Library, you will need to login to the Library System to access this O’Reilly EBOOK (https://learning.oreilly.com/library/view/principles-of-computer/9781260474329/).
• Required: Lab Access - Purchasing Cyrin Lab Access is required the second week of class ( https://cyrin.atcorp.com/course/view.php?id=576), please select the section taught by Jinyuan Jia (CYBER 221-001 University Park - JIA). Your instructor will advise you on the process, which consists of creating a Cyrin account and paying for access via Debit or Credit card. The current access fee is $77.5 for all labs used in the course.

Due Dates for Assignments

• The due date for an assignment can be found on Canvas.

Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change)

Final Project (Group)

• Students can form groups of at most 3 students for the final project.
• Class project: The project should be related to security.
  • Designed by your group
    • A demo of information security in real-world applications.
  • Select one of the projects designed by the instructor (see Canvas and Course Introduction Slides for details)

Grading Policy

• Labs 30%
• Exams 30%
• Group Project 20%
• Attendance (Required) and In-Class Quizzes 20%

Final Grade Cutoff

• A [93%, 100%]
• A- [90%, 93%)
• B+ [87%, 90%)
• B [83%, 87%)
• B- [80%, 83%)
• C+ [77%, 80%)
• C [70%, 77%)
• D [60%, 70%)
• F [0%, 60%)

Late Submission Policy

• All assignments are due on the due date at 11:59 pm (EST).
• Students can submit late with the penalty of 10% deduction for every 24 hours late (up to 4 days).
• After 4 days, no more late submission is allowed.
• Requests for exceptions, with justifications, should be sent in advance to the instructor (on Canvas).

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT

Read First: Notice to Students from the Dean of the College of IST

Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

The use of Artificial Intelligence tools, such a ChatGPT is a violation UNLESS such use has been expressly permitted by the instructor AND the assignment calls for its use.

For more information, please review these policies and procedures:

Penn State’s policy on Academic Integrity

College of IST Academic Integrity Resources

Penn State Academic Integrity Videos

IST Honor Code - College of IST Honor Code developed by IST students

While utilizing additional sources outside of this class is encouraged for gaining a better understanding of course concepts, seeking explicit answers for graded assignments from outside sources (e.g. Course Hero, Chegg, tutoring services like tutor.com, etc.) is considered CHEATING and will not be tolerated. Sanctions range from failure of the assignment or course to dismissal from the University. Additionally, sharing course content without permission is a violation of copyright and may result in university sanctions and/or legal ramifications. Contact your instructor with questions related to this topic.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION STATEMENT

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contact information for every Penn State campus (https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources/campus-offices). For further information, please visit the Student Disability Resources website https://equity.psu.edu/offices/student-disability-resources/.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: See documentation guidelines (http://equity.psu.edu/sdr/guidelines). If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES STATEMENT

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS) (http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/): 814-863-0395

Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses (https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/caps-campuses)

Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400 Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY/REPORT BIAS STATEMENTS

Consistent with University Policy AD29, students who believe they have experienced or observed a hate crime, an act of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment that occurs at Penn State are urged to report these incidents as outlined on the University’s Report Bias webpage (http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/)