Unit Outline

This unit focuses on the advanced concepts and implementations of cybersecurity solutions applied in organisational settings. The unit discusses cybersecurity frameworks and incident response processes from the applied perspective of security measures. Moreover, this unit provides a capstone-like experience through a project in which students apply their skills by developing a cybersecurity solution for a known cybersecurity threat. The project involves planning, analysis, design, implementation, and testing of the solution within an agreed time frame. The eForensics aspect of this unit introduces the fundamentals of the digital forensic process, applied tools, and techniques. Students develop their digital forensics skills by participating in a series of hands-on exercises where they apply an industry-proven eForensics toolkit for evidence acquisition, processing, and analysis.

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	Analyse modern-day digital security and safety measures required to design an effective cybersecurity solution
2	Design and implement a cybersecurity solution using preventive measures by applying ICT tools, techniques, and professional standards.
3	Explain the role of digital forensics in cyber security.
4	Justify the application of eForensic tools in digital forensics scenarios.
5	Evaluate eForensic artefacts by applying principles and techniques of digital forensics.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KIT215

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Nil.

Teaching arrangements


ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Lecture (On Campus)	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.	2	Once only (5 times)
	Workshop	A structured real-time (i.e. synchronous) activity that involves a mix of presentation of new information/ideas/skills and guided activities related to that information/ideas/skills. All students are expected to attend.	2	Once only (4 times)
	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	Once only (4 times)
	Independent Learning	Involving reading, listening to audio, watching video, and/or completing exercises and/or quizzes, self-study is individual work undertaken when the student chooses (i.e. asynchronous), most likely through engagement with MyLO. The content is examinable, and may need to be completed prior to attending classes and/or attempting assessment tasks.	1.50	Weekly

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, 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 are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

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

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Cybersecurity incident analysis	Week 6	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Cybersecurity planning, digital forensics, and Vulnerability Assessment quiz	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Cybersecurity Project Implementation	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 4:	Forensics toolkit assignment	Refer to Assessment Description	35 %	LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Cybersecurity incident analysis

Task Description:

Students will work in groups to research cybersecurity incidents of high impact that have occurred in the last 10 years. The template of this research will follow the "Anatomy of a cyber-attack" provided in weeks #2 and #3. The outcome of this research will be a 15-minute presentation by each group. This presentation will highlight the background, timeline, impact, and preventive measures in relation to the incident. Moreover, based on the incident, the group will recommend a set of digital forensic tools that can be applied for incident investigation. This assignment will enable students to learn about modern-day cybersecurity measures in place and explain their motivation and limitations to devise an effective incident response plan.

This assessment consists of both group and individual tasks.

The topics for this research will be posted in Week #2 on MyLO. Student groups will select the topic of their interest and research the relevant cybersecurity incident. The assessment will be due in Week #6.

Task Length:

15-20 slides, depending on the incident under discussion

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse a high impact cybersecurity incident and present the research using the required template	LO1, LO2
2	Evaluate the technical and non-technical factors of the incident	LO1, LO3
3	Recommend and justify appropriate countermeasures to defend against similar cybersecurity threats.	LO1
4	Recommend a set of digital forensic tools that can be applied for the investigation of similar threats.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Cybersecurity planning, digital forensics, and Vulnerability Assessment quiz

Task Description:

This individual assessment includes three in-semester quizzes. Each quiz is worth 5% of your grade and consists of 10 multiple-choice questions. They must be completed in one attempt and within a 30-minute timeframe. Students have one week to complete each quiz.

The first quiz, covering cybersecurity planning, will be due during Week #2. The second quiz, which covers the principles and processes of digital forensics and its scope during incident response, is due during Week #5. The third quiz, focusing on vulnerability analysis, is due in Week #12.

Task Length:

30 min.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answer questions correctly on the cybersecurity planning and modern-day cybersecurity topics based on provided information and discussions during the sessions	LO1
2	Answer questions correctly on principles of digital forensics and its scope within cybersecurity based on provided information and discussions during the sessions	LO3, LO5
3	Answer questions correctly on vulnerability analysis in the light of preventive measures based on provided information and discussions during the sessions	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Cybersecurity Project Implementation

Task Description:

Students will work in groups to design and develop an ICT solution that illustrates a specific cybersecurity threat to modern-day organisations and implements preventive measures. For the project's planning and design phase, students will create a scope of work, high-level requirements, design artifacts, and testing scenarios.

During the development phase, students will adhere to the project plan, implement the solution, and demonstrate the test cases. Upon submission, along with the project repository, students will provide a post-implementation critique addressing both technical and non-technical aspects of the project.

Technical aspects encompass a critical analysis of the implementation, its limitations, and test outcomes. Non-technical aspects cover social, legal, and economic factors related to the solution. This assignment will enable students to work as a team, producing an ICT solution to a recognised cybersecurity threat, following an industry-like development plan.

This assessment consists of both group and individual tasks.

The topics for the projects will be posted on MyLO during Week #3. The project design, which is worth 10%, is due in Week #8. The solution and critique, worth 15%, is due after Week #13. Throughout the semester, each team must attend two mandatory consultation meetings. The first meeting will occur during the design phase (Week #3 to Week #7), and the second during the solution phase (Week #9 to Week #13). Progress will be evaluated during these sessions, and feedback will be given. These consultation meetings, combined, will account for 5%.

Task Length:

An ICT solution with approximately 3 high-level use-cases, depending on the topic of the project.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate known measures and solutions to the cybersecurity threat	LO1
2	Incorporate the latest ICT practices and standards during the project design and solution phases	LO2
3	Develop a solution as per the project plan and design document.	LO2
4	Report the analysis of the test results, critique the solution's technical and non-technical aspects.	LO1, LO2
5	Complete a project plan document with scope of work and high-level requirements	LO2

Assessment Task 4: Forensics toolkit assignment

Task Description:

In this assessment, students will apply their digital forensics skills through the use of Access Data's forensic tools, such as Imager, Registry Viewer, and FTK. The assignment aims to allow students to apply digital forensics principles and techniques to various eForensic artefacts, including files, registry keys, logs, images, messages, and timestamps.

The assignment is divided into five parts. The first three parts, each worth 5%, are to be completed in Weeks #5, #7, and #9 tutorials respectively. The fourth part is a comprehensive digital forensics investigation test, covering all eForensic steps. This part is to be completed during the Week #10 tutorial within a 2-hour timeframe.

Task Length:

~6 hrs. 2 hrs per module covering evidence acquisition, analysis, and reporting

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Acquire eForensic artefacts with forensic integrity intact	LO4, LO5
2	Investigation and evaluation of the key eForensic artefacts	LO5
3	Report key eForensics artefacts post-investigation	LO4, LO5

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.