Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - CMPT 318 D100

Special Topics in Computing Science (3)

Cybersecurity

Class Number: 5239

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 225 with a minimum grade of C-. Additional prerequisites to be determined by the instructor subject to approval by the undergraduate program chair.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Special topics in computing science at the 300 level. Topics that are of current interest or are not covered in regular curriculum will be offered from time to time depending on availability of faculty and student interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces cybersecurity and explores cyber situational awareness concepts and threat intelligence models. Cyber security analytics and probabilistic modeling for threat detection and response (mitigative action) will play a central role. Coursework involves using the R language and software environment for statistical computing and graphics. Fundamental principles and practices of cybersecurity risk assessment, intrusion detection and prevention methods and their application to critical infrastructure protection will be discussed in detail.

Topics

  • Cyber threat analysis and intrusion detection
  • Advanced persistent threats and zero day exploits
  • Probability theory and probabilistic modeling
  • Stochastic processes and Markov models
  • Anomaly detection and scoring methods
  • Time series analysis and forecasting
  • Risk assessment and management
  • Blockchain technology

Grading

NOTES:

The course has three tests (worth 30% of the total grade), three graded assignments (worth 20%) and a term project organized as group project with a final report and presentation in class (worth 45%). There will also be reading assignments and several tutorials. Class participation accounts for up to 5% of the total grade. This grading scheme is tentative and to be finalized during the first week of classes.

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

An Introduction to Statistical Learning with Applications in R
G. James, D. Witten, T. Hastie, and R. Tibshirani
Springer
2017
ISBN: 9781461471370

How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk
Douglas W. Hubbard and Richard Seiersen
John Wiley & Sons
2016
ISBN: 9781119085294

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html