Overview
This unit provides you with a thorough understanding of the managerial aspects of information security in a business organisation. You will complement your existing knowledge of information and communication technologies by studying the organisational and management issues relevant to information security. You will learn about the importance of information security plans, security risk management and compliance monitoring, and develop and apply security policies and best practices. Through case studies, you will consider information security strategies that support business objectives while being aware of legal and ethical obligations. As a result, you will have the knowledge and skills to contribute to information security governance in accordance with standards set by governments, professional bodies and industry.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: COIT20261 Network Routing and Switching
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Self-reflection
Students were struggling to identify topics when conducting risk management.
Introduce workshop exercises or supplementary materials that guide students in effectively identifying and prioritising key topics when conducting risk management, with practical examples and step-by-step strategies.
- Develop security policies and program for an organisations based on national and international standards and industry's best practice
- Apply appropriate security control mechanism to protect critical infrastructure
- Assess security risks and develop risk management strategies for an organisation
- Justify appropriate risk treatment options
- Integrate laws and ethics of information security management into the organisation's security framework.
- Information Management (IRMG)
- Information Security (SCTY)
- Risk Management (BURM);
- Continuity Management (COPL)
- Methods and Tools (METL)
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework defines knowledge, skills and tasks needed to perform various cyber security roles. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NICE Framework is used by organisations to plan their workforce, including recruit into cyber security positions.
This unit helps prepare you for roles such as Systems Security Analyst, Network Operations Specialist and Systems Administrator, contributing to the following knowledge and skills:
- K0002 Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).
- K0003 Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity and privacy.
- K0004 Knowledge of cybersecurity and privacy principles.
- K0038 Knowledge of cybersecurity and privacy principles used to manage risks related to the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information or data.
- K0040 Knowledge of vulnerability information dissemination sources (e.g., alerts, advisories, errata, and bulletins).
- K0263 Knowledge of information technology (IT) risk management policies, requirements, and procedures.
- K0267 Knowledge of laws, policies, procedures, or governance relevant to cybersecurity for critical infrastructures.
- K0276 Knowledge of security management.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 30% | |||||
| 2 - Presentation - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | |||||
| 2 - Communication | |||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | |||||
| 4 - Research | |||||
| 5 - Self-management | |||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | |||||
| 7 - Leadership | |||||
| 8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
CISSP Official Study Guide
9th Edition (2021)
Authors: Mike Chapple, James M. Stewart, and Darril Gibson
Sybex
Hoboken Hoboken , NJ , USA
ISBN: 9781119786238
Binding: Hardcover
CISSP Official Practice Tests
Edition: 3rd (2021)
Authors: Mike Chapple and David Seidl
Sybex
Hoboken Hoboken , NJ , USA
ISBN: 9781119787631
Management of Information Security
Edition: 6th (2018)
Authors: Michael E. Whitman and Herbert J. Mattord
Cengage Learning
Boston Boston , MA , USA
ISBN: 9781337405713
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- Virtual Box v7.0.14 (from https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads)
- VMware Workstation 17 Player (from https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html)
- Open SSL v3.2.1 Light (from https://slproweb.com/products/Win32OpenSSL.html)
- PuTTYgen v0.79 (from https://www.puttygen.com/download-putty#PuTTY_for_windows)
- Node.js v20.11.1 (https://nodejs.org/en/download/)
- Visual Studio Code v1.87 (https://code.visualstudio.com/Download)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.azad@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Information Security
Social Engineering Attacks
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Security Vulnerabilities, Threats, and Countermeasures
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Managing Identity and Authentication
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Controlling and Monitoring Access
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Security Assessment and Testing
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - In-class Test 1 Due: Week 5 during tutorial
Module/Topic
- MID-TERM BREAK -
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Managing Security Operations
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Compliance: Law and Ethics
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Security Governance, Principles and Policies
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - In-class Test 2 Due: Week 8 during tutorial
Module/Topic
Risk Management Concepts (Part 1)
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Risk Management Concepts (Part 2)
Personnel Security
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Protecting Security of Assets
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - In-class Test 3 Due: Week 11 during tutorial
Module/Topic
Preventing and Responding to Incidents
Chapter
Online resources supplied
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 - Oral Assessment Due: Week 12 during tutorial
Assessment 3 Due: Week 12 Monday (30 Sept 2024) 8:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No final exam in this unit
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Email: s.azad@cqu.edu.au; Office: Level 6, 120 Spencer Street, Melbourne Vic 3000; P +61 3 9616 0680 | X 50680.
If you have any queries, please email me and I will get back to you within one business day or so. For an individual discussion, please ring me during business hours (or leave a message if I am not in) and I will return your call as soon as possible.
1 In-class Test(s)
This is an individual assessment.
In this assessment, there will be three in-class tests: In-class Test 1, In-class Test 2, and In-class Test 3 in Week 5, Week 8, and Week 11. Each in-class test will carry 10 marks.
The in-class tests will assess your knowledge and understanding of security vulnerabilities (including social engineering) and countermeasures, security controls and monitoring, security assessments, managing security operations, risk assessments, risk management frameworks, security governance, policies, and ethics, law and compliance.
In each in-class test, you will first complete an online quiz on Moodle during the tutorial. Afterwards, your tutor will interview individual students to check their understanding. Online students will be contacted by the Unit Coordinator to schedule in-class tests via Zoom. In that case, it will be mandatory to have your webcam on during the whole session.
Further detail of this assessment will be provided on the Moodle unit website.
In-class Test 1 will be conducted in Week 5, In-class Test 2 will be conducted in Week 8, and In-class Test 3 will be conducted in Week 11.
The marks and feedback will be returned within 2 weeks after the completion of respective in-class test.
This assessment will assess your knowledge and understanding of security vulnerabilities (including social engineering) and countermeasures, security controls and monitoring, security assessments, managing security operations, risk assessments, risk management frameworks, security governance, policies, and ethics, law and compliance.
The detailed marking criteria will be provided on the Moodle unit website.
- Develop security policies and program for an organisations based on national and international standards and industry's best practice
- Assess security risks and develop risk management strategies for an organisation
- Justify appropriate risk treatment options
- Integrate laws and ethics of information security management into the organisation's security framework.
2 Presentation
This is a group assessment. Students must form teams of at least 3 students and a maximum of 4 students, with any larger teams at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.
For this assessment, you are required to work in a group to develop and deliver a presentation on an information security topic. You will be provided a list of topics to choose from for your presentation. You will conduct research on the chosen topic and present your findings in the presentation.
The presentations will be conducted during the tutorials in Week 9. Online students will be contacted by the Unit Coordinator to schedule presentations via Zoom. When the presentation is conducted via Zoom, it is mandatory to have your webcam on during the presentation. The presentation file must be submitted to Moodle by Week 9 Monday.
Further detail of this assessment will be provided on the Moodle unit website.
Week 9 Monday (9 Sept 2024) 8:00 am AEST
The presentation file must be submitted to Moodle by the above due date and time.
Week 11 Monday (23 Sept 2024)
The marks and feedback will be returned within 2 weeks after the submission due date.
This assessment will assess your knowledge on security risks, security controls, security governance, policies, and ethics, law and compliance, and capacity to apply that knowledge .
The detailed marking criteria will be provided on the Moodle unit website.
- Develop security policies and program for an organisations based on national and international standards and industry's best practice
- Apply appropriate security control mechanism to protect critical infrastructure
- Integrate laws and ethics of information security management into the organisation's security framework.
3 Written Assessment
This is a group assessment. Students must form teams of at least 3 students and a maximum of 4 students, with any larger teams at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.
There are two parts of this assessment task - Part A and Part B. It is mandatory to attempt both parts to complete this assessment.
Part A: Written Report (30 marks)
For this part, you will be required to produce a written report, completing a few tasks on the security controls, security risk assessment and risk treatment. You may need to apply international standards such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework, or NIST Risk Management Framework to produce your report. The written report is due on Week 12 Monday.
Part B: Oral Assessment (10 marks)
There will be an oral assessment on the written report, during which you will need to answer questions about your written report verbally. The purpose of the oral assessment is to clarify the your understanding of the written report.
For on-campus students, the oral assessment will be conducted face-to-face during the tutorial in Week 12. Online students will be contacted by the Unit Coordinator to schedule a oral assessment session. When the oral assessment is conducted via Zoom, it is mandatory to have your webcam on during the conversation.
Although this is a group assessment, the marks might vary based on the individual contribution.
Further details of this assessment task will be provided on the Moodle unit website.
Week 12 Monday (30 Sept 2024) 8:00 am AEST
The written report must be submitted to Moodle by the above due date and time.
The marks and feedback will be returned on the day of certification of grades.
This assessment will assess your knowledge on risk assessments and capacity to select appropriate risk treatment options and security controls.
The detailed marking criteria will be provided on the Moodle unit website.
- Apply appropriate security control mechanism to protect critical infrastructure
- Assess security risks and develop risk management strategies for an organisation
- Justify appropriate risk treatment options
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
