Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - CMPT 403 D100

System Security and Privacy (3)

Class Number: 4888

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 9 – Dec 6, 2026: Fri, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 201 or CMPT 300 or ENSC 351, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Starting from cybersecurity principles, students will learn to protect systems from attacks on data confidentiality, integrity, system availability, and user privacy. By modeling system security, students will learn to find weaknesses in software, hardware, networks, data storage systems, and the Internet, and identify current security practices to protect these systems.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is an introduction to the principles of computer security. Students will study techniques to protect computer systems from attacks on data confidentiality, system integrity and availability. By modeling, analyzing, and evaluating the security of computer systems, students will learn to find weaknesses in software, hardware, networks, data storage systems, mobile applications, and the Internet, and identify current security practices and defenses to protect these systems.


  1. Introduction
    • Course introduction
    • CIA principle
  2. Software Security
    • Attack techniques (buffer/integer overflow, XSS, SQL injection, botnet, spyware, etc.)
    • Defense methods (malware scanning, code review, program analysis, software testing, patching, etc.)
  3. Cryptography and Security
    • Symmetric/Asymmetric encryption, MAC, signature
    • SSL/TLS
  4. Network Security
    • Attacks (impersonation, DoS, botnet, etc.)
    • Defense (firewall, VPN, tor, etc.)
  5. Data Security and Privacy
    • Access control
    • Error correction and backup
  6. Other topics (tentitive)
    • Mobile security
    • Research topics

Grading

  • Assignments 45%
  • Exams 55%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Text:
Security is an area evolving fast. So the material covered in many textbooks is outdated today. Nevertheless, it's not bad to use the following textbook as a reference.

Security in Computing
5th Edition,
Charles P. Pfleeger, Shari Lawrence Pfleeger, and Jonathan Margulies
9780134085043

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.

  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a D or higher.

 

  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

 

  • Use of AI tools by students for completing graded scholarly activities and course submissions that has not been explicitly authorized by the instructor  will be considered as plagiarism under SFU’s Code of Academic Policy (http://www.sfu.ca/policies/teaching/t10-02.htm).  Following this policy, instructors will report all instances of plagiarism to the academic integrity board.  

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.