Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - CMPT 479 D100

Special Topics in Computing Systems (3)

AI in Security

Class Number: 4298

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, 11:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

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

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Current topics in computing systems depending on faculty and student interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

Machine learning have been used in cybersecurity to detect malicious activity and remediate flawed code, but also to compromise privacy and attack systems. On the other hand, the security & privacy of learned models remains an open question. This is a research-oriented course guiding students to understand and conduct scientific work in cybersecurity that uses machine learning. 

This course is conducted in two phases. Phase one consists of the following three lectures:

1. A primer on machine learning

2. Security and privacy

3. Statistical techniques used in research

Phase two consists of paper discussions, sharing, and project presentations. Students will learn to evaluate state-of-the-art work critically and find open directions in current work. Each topic is discussed for 1-2 weeks with 3 papers per week, and the topics are:

1. Security as a science

2. Network intrusion detection

3. Malware analysis and detection

4. Traffic analysis

5. Attacking and defending ML models

Grading

NOTES:

Grading Notes:

Assignments (40%)

Exams (30%)

Project (30%)

Materials

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.

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 C- 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).

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.