DAT171 Information Security and Linux

Contents and structure

In this subject the students will acquire basic knowledgeof information security and installation, administration and operation of a Linux system.

Content

• Classical cryptography
• Symmetric and asymmetric encryption, message confidentiality and authentication
• Installation and configuration of Linux
• Applications for network security
• Key distribution and administration
• User authentication
• Digital signatures
• Installation and configuration of Linux
• UNIX/Linux system administration, including backups, printer management, etc.
• Management of operating systems and system components
• Network file systems (NFS)
• Setup and use of systems such as LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol)
• Security in UNIX and databases: users, rights, roles, authorization, configuration of firewalls
• Resource Sharing Windows / Linux (Samba)

Learning Outcome

After completing this subject, the students shall be able to:

Knowledge

• Describe the principles of secure operation of UNIX and database systems
• Explain the procedures for installation, configuration and maintenance of individual components of such systems
• Evaluate a number of risk factors associated with the operation of such systems
• Have knowledge on security challenges in distributed systems and on methods and technologies to manage these

Skills

• Perform installation and configuration of Linux systems
• Troubleshooting and repairing existing installations
• Plan and carry out preventive maintenance of Linux systems
• The students must be able to assess security threats in a given computer network

General competence

• Find and use information from vendor documentation and other relevant sources
• Write user documentation and instructions
• The students must be able to convey academic information related to theory, problems and solutions in the subject of information security

Entry requirements

General admission requirements for the study programme.

Recommended previous knowledge

DAT102 Algorithms and Data Structures, DAT103 Computers and Operating Systems, or equivalent subjects.

Teaching methods

Lectures and practical exercises on the lab.

Teaching materials in English, lectures in English or in Norwegian. All exercises have to be answered in English.

Compulsory learning activities

8 compulsory exercises must be completed within the given deadlines and approved before the exam can be taken. Deadlines for the exercises will be published at the beginning of the semester. These exercises consist of practical tasks on computers and network at the lab. Implementation of the exercises require equipment available at the lab, and can therefore not be implemented elsewhere. The course is equipped with a lab that allow the students to work on the exercises also outside the scheduled lab sessions.

In order to take the exam, the deadlines must be respected.

An exercise that is not approved can be handed in two more times in the same semester.

Approved exercises also give access to postponed examination the following semester. Before a new or postponed exam can be taken the next time the subject is taught, new exercises must be delivered. This is because the technologies used in the course is in constant development. The learning outcome from the exercises must be up to date with the standards and technologies used in the course.

Assessment

Oral exam, with examination for 40 minutes.

Time and place for examination will be announced at the subject's pages in Canvas.

Grading scale is A-F where F is fail.

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