Spring 2020 Security Courses


COMPSCI 461/661 Secure Distributed Systems

A course devoted to the study of securing distributed systems, with blockchain-based cryptocurrencies serving as our real platform of interest. Topics such as elliptic curve cryptography, fundamental results of distributed systems, cryptoeconomics and finance, network efficiency, and network attacks such as double spends, selfish mining, and denial of service attacks.
 

COMPSCI 590A System Defense & Test

A course on detection and analysis of vulnerabilities in systems from the perspective of an "ethical hacker". Topics include tools and techniques for penetration testing, information gathering, social engineering, and defenses. We also cover malware, DOS attacks, SQL injection, buffer overflow, session hijacking, system hacking, network sniffing and scans, WiFi security, IDS evasion, metasploit tools, and setting up honeypots.

COMPSCI 590K Advanced Digital Forensics Systems
(previously COMPSCI 590F)

This course offers a broad introduction to the forensic investigation of digital devices. We cover the preservation, recovery, harvesting, and courtroom presentation of information from file systems, operating systems, networks, database systems applications, media files, and embedded systems. The primary goal of the class is to understand why and from where information is recoverable in these systems. We also cover relevant issues from criminology, law, and the study of privacy.

COMPSCI 590F Cyber Effects:  Reverse Engineering, Exploits Analysis, and Capability

This course covers a broad range of topics related to security and operations based on real-world studies of network operations and attack and hands-on exercises. Topics will include computer architecture and assembly language, principles of embedded security, the essentials of exploit development and analysis (e.g., Ghidra and CVE), and discussion of real-world events and techniques. This new course is taught by professionals from MITRE.