CSE493 : Fundamentals of Cybersecurity, Trusted Computing and Emerging Attacks

Course Description

This course introduces students to the basic principles and fundamental concepts of cybersecurity. As computers, networks, and online services become an essential part of modern life, protecting digital systems and information has become increasingly important. This course provides a foundational understanding of how cyber threats work and how systems can be protected from them.

Students will learn the core ideas behind cybersecurity, including network security, system security, attack surfaces, network hardening, and trusted computing. The course explains what cybersecurity means in practice and how organizations protect their digital infrastructure from attacks. Throughout the course, students will explore common cyber threats such as malware, phishing, and network attacks, as well as the defensive mechanisms used to prevent them. Key topics include basic networking concepts, cryptography fundamentals, secure authentication, access control, and security best practices for computer systems and networks. The course focuses on building strong conceptual understanding along advanced technical implementation. By the end of the course, students will understand how cyber attacks occur, how vulnerabilities arise in systems, and the fundamental strategies used to secure modern computing environments.

This course is designed for third and fourth-year university students and requires only basic computer literacy. It serves as an introductory foundation for further study in cybersecurity, information security, and secure system design.

Informations

• Credit Hours : 03
• Type: Core
• Prerequisites: None
• Faculty Name: Muhammad Shafayat Oshman (MUO)
• Office Room: SAC1181
• Consultation Hours: ST 9:40 AM - 12:30 PM (I prefer to go by email appointments first so I can first hand know what you plan to discuss with me)
• Email: muhammad.oshman@northsouth.edu
• Lectures - 3 Hours/week
• Class timing:
  • Section 1 - MW 4:20 PM - 5:50 PM - SAC513

Topics to be covered

• Introduction to Cybersecurity
• Core Security Principles
• Cyber Threat Actors
• Netowrking Fundamentals for Security
  • Internet Protocols
  • Network Hardening
  • Network Randomization
  • Network protocol for IoT and Edge Devices
• Cryptography Principles for Secure Encryption
• Cyber Attack Methogologies
  • Attack Surface
  • Attack Variations
• Digital Security Defense
  • Firewalls
  • Authentication, Authorization and Access Control
  • API and Endpoint Security
• Security Policy Management & Governance
• Trusted Computing and Emerging Attacks
  • Zero-Day Threats
  • Threat Modelling for Emerging Attacks

Resources

Course Slides :

Any and all course materials and announcements will be posted in Canvas.

Marking Scheme

Grading policy

As per NSU grading policy available in http://www.northsouth.edu/academic/grading-policy.html

Course Policies

• Be good and follow university policies. Any breach of university policies will be reported to the Department, Proctor Office and University Syndicate for further actions. Any additional directions will be updated as we proceed through the course.
• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Plagiarism can be defined as "presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement." First offense of plagiarism will result in losing the entire marks of the assignment/exam where plagiarism is detected. Second offense will result in awarding the student an F grade for the entire course.
• Attendance is not mandatory, hence you may choose to skip classes if you wish to. However, if you do decide to come to the class, please make sure you are adhering to class etiquettes: do not talk to anyone except the instructor, eat or drink or use any device such as mobile or laptops. In case of emergency, please ask permission from the instructor before leaving the classroom.
• Assignments won't be accepted after deadline.
• No make-up quiz, mid or final will be held except for valid medical reasons, in which case the student must present medical documents as proof.
• Sharing assignment or quiz specifications or posting them online (to sites like Chegg, CourseHero etc.) is considered academic misconduct. You are never permitted to post, share, or upload course materials without explicit permission from your instructor.
• If you are ever in doubt about anything, consult with instructor.