Unit Outline

This unit provides students with a general introduction to system administration and network security, and is comprised of four modules that explore the role of an administrator in modern business settings. The four modules cover administration of common computing environments (Unix and Windows), common services (web, database and containers), and issues relevant to network security. Within the modules, topics include user and group creation, access control, permissions, scripting, resource management, configuration management, system security, vulnerabilities and vulnerability assessment. On completion, students will be equipped to administer computer systems that meet business requirements for functionality, capacity, availability, reliability, and security.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

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


1	Configure and secure a range of server platforms for business use
2	Identify security issues using relevant tools
3	Evaluate and administer server platforms to comply with industry standards and best practice, and implement security requirements.
4	Assess and document system and network security issues for use by people at all levels of the business

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KIT501

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Nil

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Lecture	A real-time (i.e. synchronous) interactive activity involving the whole class whose primary purpose is the presentation and structuring of information/ideas/skills to facilitate student learning. All students are expected to attend.	1	Weekly
	Tutorial	A structured real-time (i.e. synchronous) activity in a small-group setting where the primary purpose is the clarification, exploration or reinforcement of subject content presented or accessed at another time or place (e.g. lecture, preparatory work). It is reliant on student-teacher and student-student interaction and dialogue for achievement of its learning outcomes. The students enrolled in the tutorial are expected to attend.	2	Weekly
	Practical	A structured real-time (i.e. synchronous) activity in a small-group setting where the primary purpose is the clarification, exploration or reinforcement of subject content presented or accessed at another time or place (e.g. lecture, preparatory work). It is reliant on student-teacher and student-student interaction and dialogue for achievement of its learning outcomes. The students enrolled in the practical are expected to attend.	2	Weekly

Attendance/Engagement Expectations

It is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, family commitments) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

How will I be Assessed?

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT TASK 1:	Prac Exam 1	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 2:	Prac Exam 2	Week 6	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 3:	CyberSecurity Report	Week 9	20 %	LO2, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 4:	Prac Exam 3	Week 10	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
ASSESSMENT TASK 5:	Prac Exam 4	Week 13	20 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Prac Exam 1

TASK DESCRIPTION:

This Module 1 practical test is held during each student's regularly-scheduled tutorial. Students are given multiple tasks to complete relating to Unix system administration, as well as a quiz on MyLO to further assess their understanding of the material covered.

TASK LENGTH:

45 minutes

DUE DATE:

Week 4

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Complete a series of tasks commonly used in administering Unix systems	LO1, LO3
2	Answer a series of questions about Unix vulnerabilities, threats, and security risks, relevant to the module content	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Prac Exam 2

TASK DESCRIPTION:

This Module 2 practical test is held during each student's regularly-scheduled tutorial. Students are given multiple tasks to complete relating to Windows system administration, as well as a quiz on MyLO to further assess their understanding of the material covered.

TASK LENGTH:

45 minutes

DUE DATE:

Week 6

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Complete a series of tasks commonly used in administering Windows systems	LO1, LO3
2	Answer a series of questions about Windows vulnerabilities, threats, and security risks, relevant to the module content	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: CyberSecurity Report

TASK DESCRIPTION:

Students must research and report on either a CyberSecurity incident that has occurred in the past 2 years, or a general topic on system or network administration or security. The topic must be negotiated with the unit coordinator to ensure that it is unique across the cohort, and that it is relevant and appropriate.

TASK LENGTH:

2500 words

DUE DATE:

Week 9

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Research a computer security topic exploring vulnerabilities and topologies	LO2, LO4
2	Prepare a professional report using citations and referencing	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Prac Exam 3

TASK DESCRIPTION:

This Module 3 practical test is held during each student's regularly-scheduled tutorial. Students are given multiple tasks to complete relating to Web, Database and Container configuration, configuration management tools, as well as a quiz on MyLO to further assess their understanding of the material covered.

TASK LENGTH:

45 minutes

DUE DATE:

Week 10

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Complete a series of tasks commonly used in administering Web, Database and Container servers	LO1, LO3
2	Answer a series of questions about vulnerabilities, virtualisation, containers and configuration management	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 5: Prac Exam 4

TASK DESCRIPTION:

This Module 4 practical test is held during each student's regularly-scheduled tutorial. Students are given multiple tasks to complete relating to network security topics, as well as a quiz on MyLO to further assess their understanding of the material covered.

TASK LENGTH:

45 minutes

DUE DATE:

Week 13

WEIGHT:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOME


1	Complete a series of tasks commonly used in the evaluation of vulnerabilities in systems and networks.	LO2, LO3
2	Answer a series of questions about vulnerability assessment and security protocols	LO2, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late Penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.