• CIT 1253 Network Security I
• 3 Credit Hours
• Instructor: Rick Williams
• Computer Information Technology Dept. (CIT)
• Office Location: M149
• Office Hours: By Appointment Only
• Email: rickw@northark.edu
• Phone: (870) 391-3233

 Please allow a 24-hour response time during the week.  For email and voicemail messages left on weekends, please allow up to 48 hours unless otherwise posted.  If I cannot respond within this time period, I will alert the class via email or in the Announcements section on our course site.

Course Description

This is a course designed to give students an overview on cybersecurity fundamentals.  By the end of the course, students will be able to describe the characteristics of criminals and defenders within the cybersecurity world.  Students will earn the CIA model of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability as they relate to data and cybersecurity tactics.  This course will also explain how professionals use technology, processes and procedures to detect and defend network resources and explain the laws applicable to the cybersecurity world.

 Prerequisites

 CIT 1103 (Network Fundamentals – CCNA 1) or permission of instructor      

Rationale

The purpose of this course is to expose students to the cybersecurity threats that exist in our world and prepare them to defend against them.  This course is an introductory course that provides an overview of cybersecurity which will be incorporated in all phases of networking and IT related fields.

Audience

This course is designed to appeal to anyone who is interested in the networking and technology field.  It uses real world examples and experiences to regularly engage students.

Next course in sequence

CIT 2403 – Network Security II

Northark General Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of general education will be common to all students regardless of major. When students have completed the general education component of their studies, they should be able to demonstrate mastery in:

• Critical thinking and problem solving across disciplines.
• Life skills in areas such as teamwork, interpersonal relationships, ethics, and study habits.
• Communicating clearly in written or oral formats.
• Using technology appropriate for learning.
• Understanding issues of a diverse global society.
• Using math and/or statistical skills.

Course Outcomes/Objectives

Familiarize students with terms, procedures, equipment, standards, and laws commonly used the cybersecurity industry.

• Students will identify terms, procedures, equipment, standards, and laws commonly used the cybersecurity industry.
• Students will demonstrate problem-solving techniques for resolving cybersecurity problems
• Students will identify real world examples of cybersecurity exploits and methods and how to defend against them

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have learned:

• Network authentication
• The types of attacks and malicious code that may be used against your network
• Examples of social engineering
• The threats and countermeasures for various Internet services such as email, web, etc.
• Technologies and concepts used for providing secure communications channels
• Methods to secure network media and data
• Various types of security hardware systems
• Security policies, procedures, standards and laws
• Best practices for disaster recovery
• Basics of computer forensics

Course Resources

• Online courseware through Cisco’s NetAcad site.
• Personal computer - The student is expected to have access to a computer with these system requirements. If you have any problems with your computer, i.e. computer crashes, internet goes down, or etc., it is your responsibility to have a backup plan. 
• Email Account—A Northark email account was issued to you automatically when you enrolled in your classes.  To access your email, navigate to Northark’s Portal site at https://portal.northark.edu/ics .  On the left in the Quick Links Section, you should see a link Office365.  You may also access your email from northark.edu/office.  Your email address will be your username@my.northark.edu  Password is the same one you use to get onto Portal.

On-Campus Resources

• Instructor is available by appointment
• Computer labs are available upon request and as the class schedule permits
• Learning Resource Center is available with computers and tutors that can provide writing assistance.

Download a complete copy of the syllabus here.