ISA564 Security Laboratory

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

COURSE INFORMATION

TA INFORMATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class will be focused on current research in Security with emphasis in Network and Software Security including:

• Experiment with Attacks against Networks and Machines: 
• Denial-of-service (Dos) attack
• Host-based Attacks (Buffer overflows, Kernel rootkits)

• Hacking Fundamentals: 
• Reconnaissance, Scanning & Enumeration

• Examine the functionality of Botnets, Malware, Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware

• Defenses, Forensics, and Diagnostics for security: 
• Detect and Trace the attack either real-time or after the fact

• Steganography and Information Hiding

• Password Cracking Techniques

PREREQUISITES: ISA562 Information Security Theory/Practice

COURSE OBJECTIVE

This course provides hands-on experience in configuring and experimenting with commodity networked systems and
security software in a live laboratory environment, with the purpose of understanding real-world security threats.
This course will take both offensive and defensive approaches and expose students to a variety of real-world attacks,
including viruses, worms, rootkits, and botnets. Possible mitigation/defense mechanisms will also be covered.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

There is no textbook for this course. We will cover these topics using the provided slides, papers, and online material.

GRADING POLICY

You will be graded on a total of 500 points. Your grade will be calculated as follows:

1. Class Participation - 50 points
2. Homework Labs - 250 points (5 @ 50 points each)
3. Group Term Project - 200 points 

Class participation grades will be assigned as follows:

1. Attended every class*, often doing personal work, homework for other courses, browsing the web, other
   observable distractions, etc. Extent of class participation will not matter in this case - 25 points.
2. Attended every class*, no participation in classroom discussions, and no observable distractions - 30 points.
3. Attended every class, limited participation in classroom discussions, and no observable distractions - 40 points.
4. Attended every class, regular participation in classroom discussions, and no observable distractions - 50 points.

Homework Assignments will be graded as follows- 

Final letter grade will be calculated using the scale below-

Important NOTES

All homework assignments must be done individually by each student, unless explicitly required otherwise.

You are required to use your mason email to communicate with me. This is very important to protect your privacy.
For more information, please visit http://registrar.gmu.edu/privacy/

Online Computer Science Department Honor Code- http://cs.gmu.edu/wiki/pmwiki.php/HonorCode/HomePage

There will be NO CLASS on Tuesday October 15th, 2013.

COURSE POLICY

Use of electronic devices are strictly restricted to referring to course material including lecture slides posted on blackboard.

Electronic devices are limited to tablets and laptops. Cell phones cannot be used in place of laptops and tablets to access
course material during lecture. 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you have a documented learning disability or other conditions that may affect academic performance you should make
sure the necessary documentation is on file with the Office of Disability Services to determine the accommodations you
need. Talk with me to discuss your accommodation needs but any arrangements necessary have to be made via the ODS. 

CAMPUS RESOURCES

University Catalog

University Policies

University Libraries

The Writing Center

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Calendar of Religious Holidays

Diversity Statement

GMU Academic Calendar

Final Exam Schedule

Honor Code

Disability Resource Center

Dr. Avinash Srinivasan - Department of Computer Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.