Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - CMPT 786 G100

Cloud and Network Security (3)

Class Number: 5557

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Wed, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The course covers network attacks as well as techniques to defend against them. This includes protocol-specific attacks (e.g., TCP/IP and BGP) and generic attacks (e.g., Denial of Service); infrastructure topics such as centralized control, SDN, virtualization, NFV, intrusion detection; and new technologies related to containers, IoT, access, 5G.

COURSE DETAILS:

Many of the most dangerous attacks on computer systems involve the exploitation of the network infrastructure. In this course, we will explore different network attacks as well as techniques to defend against them. This course covers protocol-specific attacks (e.g., Border Gateway Protocol) and generic attacks (e.g., Denial of Service); infrastructure topics such as distributed and centralized control, Internet-scale problems, Software Defined Networking (SDN), virtualization, Network Function Virtualization (NFV), intrusion detection; and new technologies related to cloud and edge environments. We will discuss various network attacks, vulnerable traffic flows, reasons for the security guarantees of the network, and the design of secure networked systems. Some components of the course require real-time participation during the scheduled lecture and/or exam times.

Topics:

  • A brief review of network infrastructure, layers, and applications, software-defined networking
  • Network Security and Possible Attacks
  • Operational Network Security
  • Cloud Security
  • Advanced Topics

Grading

  • Assignments 15%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final Exam 30%
  • Final Project 25%
  • Quizzes 10%

NOTES:

Students must attain an overall passing grade (55%) on the weighted average of exams (Midterm and Final) in the course in order to obtain a clear pass (C or better).

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach
James Kurose and Keith Ross
8th Edition, Pearson, 2021
9780136681557

Computer Security: A Hands-on Approach
Wenliang Du, 2019, 9781733003933, 2nd Edition

Network Security Essentials
William Stallings, 6th edition, 9780134527338
http://williamstallings.com/NetworkSecurity/NetSec6e-Student/

The Real Internet Architecture
Pamela Zave and Jennifer Rexford,9780691255804
https://cna.scholar.princeton.edu/


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 Graduate 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).

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

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.