Cyber Security Principles in Information Systems Research

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Catalog course description:

Study of the technical, managerial, and organizational issues in systems security, including systems security models, analysis of business processes and technology for systems security, and information assurance. Research issues and trends are identified and discussed. Prerequisite: Admission to ISSCM Ph.D. or permission of instructor.

Prerequisite: None

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Understanding fundamental principles of cyber security analysis, including threat intelligence, vulnerability management, and incident response.

• Identifying and analyzing security threats, including malware, social engineering attacks, and insider threats.

• Developing incident response plans, including containment, eradication, and recovery strategies.

• Conducting risk assessments and implementing risk mitigation strategies.

• Understanding legal and ethical considerations in cyber security, including privacy laws and professional responsibilities.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Quizzes	45%
Virtual Labs	45%
Discussions	10%
Bonus Points	10 points

Virtual Labs: The main objective of this course is to provide students with hands-on cybersecurity experiences. Each module is accompanied by multiple virtual labs specifically designed for that chapter, enabling them you to gain practical, real-world cybersecurity skills. The virtual labs provide step-by-step guidelines to navigate you through the machines and successfully complete the assignments. It is essential to carefully watch the training provided at the start of each lab and diligently follow the instructions.

Quizzes: Each module includes several sets of short quizzes, each consisting of 10 questions and covering a specific subset of the chapter's topic. Based on the total number of quizzes, the importance of the topic, and the number of virtual labs, I will select 1 to 3 quizzes from each chapter to be mandatory. These selected quizzes are mandatory and will count toward your final score. If you receive a low score on the mandatory quizzes, you have the opportunity to improve your grade by taking an extra quiz from the remaining optional quizzes in the chapter. I will then drop your lowest score. For example, if a chapter has five quizzes and two are mandatory, and you score 60% on one of them, you can take one of the three remaining quizzes. If your score on the additional quiz is higher than 60%, I will replace your previous score with the new one.

These quizzes carry significant weight in determining your final grades and provide an opportunity to thoroughly review the module content. Since regular testing occurs on a weekly basis, there will be no mid-term or final exam. It is crucial to review the course materials thoroughly before attempting each quiz. Please note that you will have only one attempt for each quiz, and they must be completed before the specified deadlines.

Discussions: Upon completing each chapter, I will post a question or topic on Canvas for you to discuss. It is essential that your responses to the discussion questions are based on your understanding and knowledge. You may seek help from Generative AI (GAI) tools such as ChatGPT to broaden your knowledge or deepen your understanding. However, it is critical to submit the prompt you used to reach your final response. You cannot directly copy the discussion question into ChatGPT and submit its response, as this will result in a grade of 0. Instead, you can engage in a meaningful discussion with ChatGPT, seek its advice, or use its insights to formulate your response. For example, if you ask ChatGPT about a concept or topic you are not familiar with, it is important to submit the thread of your conversation with the GAI tool that led to your final solution. Otherwise, no points will be awarded for your response. Additionally, using GAI tools to edit your answers is encouraged.

Bonus Points: As previously mentioned, this course aims to adequately prepare students for the esteemed CompTIA Security+ certification exam. Therefore, it is crucial for students to be thoroughly tested on the core topics covered throughout the textbook. At the end of the semester, I will provide a set of comprehensive quizzes covering all the topics addressed during the semester. These quizzes will be accessible for a period of 10 days, allowing students to choose a suitable time within that window to complete them.

You can take up to 4 quizzes, and I will select the top 2 scores for a chance to earn up to 10 bonus points. Please note that these quizzes are optional, and choosing not to take them will not result in any loss of points.

All individual assignments (Virtual Labs, Quizzes, Exercises and bonus questions) must be done by only you. Individuals should not work on these assignments together. Students may seek the general advice of others (any student or faculty), but at no time should a student seek or accept the answer to an assignment exercise from anyone else. A single failure to follow this policy will result in a grade of 0 on that assignment; subsequent violations of this policy will result in a grade of F for the course. Please ask the instructor if you have questions about this policy, prior to seeking the advice or direction of another person.

The letter grade will be based on the following distribution:

Letter Grade Distribution

Points	Grade
940-1000	A
900-939	A-
870-899	B+
830-869	B
800-829	B-
770-799	C+
730-769	C
700-729	C-
670-699	D+
630-669	D
600-629	D-
0-599	F

Grades are truncated, not rounded. For example, a total score of 899 will earn a B+ grade and not A-.

Late/missed assignments:

It is the student’s responsibility to communicate in advance with the professor if they anticipate missing assignments, exams, or other coursework due to a university-approved excuse. In such instances following policy holds:

Present relevant documentation of a relevant University-approved excuse to the professor.

Arrange to complete all missed work in advance of the absence whenever practicable as judged by the professor. When missed work cannot be completed in advance, the students would be provided with the opportunity to make up the work. Students should be aware, however, that not all kinds of work can be made up. The professor has the discretion to deny make-up work if (i) alternative assignments place an unreasonable demand on the professor, (ii) the original assignment is such that not completing it at the originally assigned time impedes student learning.

Missing the deadline without approved excuses will result in 20% penalty. All assignments that are submitted after the deadline will receive at most 80% of the grades.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Academic Security+ Courseware & Voucher, ISBN: 9781642745528

This option is recommended for those of you who are enrolled in the “First Day Complete” program.

An alternative option is available for students who have opted out of the First Day Complete program. Please email m_farokhnia@uncg.edu to provide details about possible alternatives.