Study information

Fundamentals of Security and Project - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEFundamentals of Security and Project CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODECOMM462Z MODULE CONVENERDr Saif Alzubi (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Our modern life depends on the security of computerised systems ranging from social aspects (e.g. phishing) to technical and mathematical aspects (e.g. access control, encryption). In this module, you will learn the fundamental concepts required for starting a career in various areas related to security (e.g. cyber security, data security, information security, computer security). You will learn core security concepts (e.g. authenticity, confidentiality, anonymity, privacy) and core technologies (e.g. encryption, authentication, authorisation). Moreover, you will learn the basic attacks on security systems and approaches for reasoning about the correctness of security techniques. Research Project: In this module, you will work on a research problem in an area relating to your programme of study, applying the tools and techniques that you have learned throughout the modules of the programme. This is an independent project, supervised by an expert from the relevant area, and culminates in writing a dissertation in the form of a research paper, describing your research and its results. 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module to create awareness of the need for security and privacy in modern life, and to introduce the fundamental security and privacy mechanism used in modern computer systems. We will explore topics such as fundamentals of computer security, technology and principles of network security, cryptography, authentication and digital signatures, access control mechanisms, privacy, and anonymisation.

In more detail, the aims of the module are to give you an understanding of:

  • The different types of security threats and their effect on data privacy and business functions the fundamental principles of information security
  • The fundamental principles of cryptography
  • The fundamental principles of secure and privacy-aware data processing
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Explain the fundamental information/cyber security concepts 
2. Select the appropriate security & privacy controls for a cyber system

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

3. Understand the role of cyber information security in online commercial, financial and other activities 
4. Understand the security and privacy guarantees and the limitations of modern security and privacy controls

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

5. Assessing and understanding the limitations of technology 
6. Understand risk and to manage risk

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module will cover:

Information Security Fundamentals

  • Integrity, reliability, and availability
  • Authentication, identification, and authorisation
  • Access control

Cryptography

  • Symmetric encryption Asymmetric encryption
  • Digital signatures, certificates, and public key infrastructures (KPIs)
  • Security protocols

Authentic and secure communication channels

  • Formal modelling of security protocols
  • Formal analysis of security protocols

Privacy

  • Differential privacy
  • Privacy-preserving technologies
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 66 Guided Independent Study 234 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities 66 Asynchronous online learning activities, skill-based exercises and practical work
Guided independent study 200 Project work
Guided independent study 34 Background reading and self-study Including preparation for online content, reflection on taught material, wider reading and completion of assessments 

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Weekly assigned work/exercises/quizzes/ forum discussion at the end of each sub-session and the end of week activities  1 hour per week All Written feedback provided summarising performance and key areas for improvement 
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Project task (practical work and report) 70 Code notebook and 4 pages-word report All Written
Pitch Deck Project Presentation 30 90 hours All Written
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Project task (practical work and report) Code notebook and written report (70%) All Referral/deferral period
Pitch Deck Project Presentation Pitch Deck Project Presentation (30%)  All Referral/deferral period
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by coursework in the failed or deferred element only. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 50%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

  • Computer Security: Art and Science Book by Matt Bishop 2019, Second edition
  • Applied Cryptography, second edition: protocols, algorithms, and source code in C Book by Bruce Schneier 2017
  • Mathematical Logic for Computer Science Book by M. Ben-Ari 2012 Third edition 
  • Differential privacy: A survey of results
  • Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice Book by William Stallings 2023, Eighth edition 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

  • ELE

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE 30
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING Yes
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 30th September 2025 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 1st October 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Cryptography, Privacy, Access Control, Cybersecurity, Information Security

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.