COMPUTER AND NETWORK SYSTEMS SECURITY
Program Outline
Major: CNSS
Length: 1Year
Delivery: 3 Semesters
Credential: Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Effective: 2011-2012
Location: Barrie
Start: Fall
Description
The Computer and Network Systems Security post graduate program prepares students for careers involving the development, evaluation, and support of IT security solutions. Building on previous educational experience, students learn to create cost effective and secure computing environments. Graduates are able to categorize, design, implement, and integrate technical and managerial safeguards to ensure the security of networked computer systems. As well, graduates acquire the skills to formulate, propose, and organize security policies and procedures to protect corporate information assets including legal, regulatory and governance issues.
Career Opportunities
The need for organizations to generate secure network and information systems has created demand for skilled computer and network systems security specialists. Chief Information Officers and Information Technology Managers charged with the need to plan and implement security controls and infrastructure to protect corporate information systems will increasingly require the skills of security specialists.
Career opportunities will be available in both public and private sector organizations. Graduates will gain employment as network and systems administrators or technicians, with a focus on providing generalized systems support services formulated toward network and systems security. Typical job titles include Data Security Analyst, Information Security Administrator, and Computer Security Consultant.
Field placement settings sometimes require an up-to-date criminal reference check as a condition of acceptance for placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference check no sooner than one month before placement begins. Checks conducted earlier may not be considered current.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- collect, analyze and review information for the identification of essential data and systems including possible threats, damage and loss.
- establish organizational policies for proper use and protection of information assets including contingency and disaster plans for backup, recovery and/or replacement of systems and data.
- review legal, ethical, regulatory and corporate governance issues.
- implement and configure networking hardware devices such as servers, routers, and switches as well as wireless devices for optimum security.
- deploy and manage desktop and server operating systems and optimize system settings in order to harden information systems.
- install specific hardware and applications software for secure transmission in web and e-commerce systems including but not limited to access control, authentication, and encryption.
- select and apply prevention techniques and countermeasures for dealing with malicious threats to information such as viruses, worms and Trojan horses.
- install and configure network monitoring and security management utilities for the identification and measurement of possible system attacks or misuse.
- manage network operations including policies, standards and procedures to define users in terms of what they can do, resources they can access, and operations they are allowed to perform.
- apply and use network and operating system utilities with an emphasis on deploying preventative measures and procedures.
- formulate and implement a migration plan that allows for the safe upgrading of networks, operating systems, and/or application software while maintaining stability and security.
- acquire the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to prepare for industry-recognized information security certification exams.
Program Progression
Sem 1 - Fall 2011
Sem 2 - Winter 2012
Sem 3 - Summer 2012
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a college diploma or university degree with a focus in computer studies, or equivalent work experience in computer networks and operating systems.
Selection Process
Applicants will be asked to submit a current resume and letter of interest to the Program Coordinator. Academic and experiential learning of all applicants will be assessed.
Graduation Requirements
12 Mandatory Courses
1 Internship
Graduation Eligibility
To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.
Mandatory
NETS1006 Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery
NETS1015 Security Management
NETS1016 Security Trends and Issues
NETS1024 Computer Security
NETS1025 Network Security 1
NETS1026 Operating Systems Security 1
NETS1027 Network Security Architecture
NETS1028 Operating Systems Security 2
NETS1029 Securing Wireless Networks
NETS1030 Network Security 2
NETS1031 Cyberspace Security
NETS1032 Auditing, IDS and Forensics
Internship
NETS1033 Internship
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
NSSxxxx - Computer Security 42.0 Hours
This course examines how controlling access to desktops, servers and individual computer systems is a critical component for systems security. Students learn the vario
NETS1006 Contingency Planning and Disaster Recovery 42.0 Hours
This course examines the methods and techniques used to safeguard organizations from serious threats to the normal continuation of business activities due to disastrous events and unplanned disruption to essential services. Students learn the difference and relationship between Business Recovery Planning and Disaster Recovery Planning, and how to apply the principles of each. Emphasis is placed upon the practical application of vulnerability and risk assessment, planning, strategies for recovery and implementation of plans and policies.
NETS1015 Security Management 42.0 Hours
This course emphasizes the development and promotion of an information security mission for an organization in accordance with its overall goals and objectives. Students learn how to identify the roles and responsibilities of each member of an organization in order to develop controls that provide security while maintaining adequate access. Issues such as employment practices, procedures, legal, ethical, regulatory and corporate governance issues are discussed along with policy formation, security awareness training, and data classification.
NETS1016 Security Trends and Issues 42.0 Hours
In this course, students examine the most current trends and issues related to computer, network, and web security. Students research and discuss related news items from resources such as the Internet, trade publications, association newsletters, and the popular media.
NETS1024 Computer Security 42.0 Hours
This course exams how controlling access to desktops, servers and individual computer systems is a critical component for systems security. Students learn the various types and techniques of desktop hardening, rights and permissions, as well as authentication and identification techniques. The issue of file and data ownership is examined. The various types of computer attacks are studied, along with prevention methods such as virus protection, monitoring, and proper password protection.
NETS1025 Network Security 1 42.0 Hours
Students learn that controlling network information access is a vital factor in IT systems security. Various types and techniques of network access control, rights and permissions are studied, as well as local network and remote access authentication and identification techniques. This course also examines the equipment, methods and protocols used for the transmission and protection of information. Other topics studied include email and facsimile security, attacks and countermeasures, fraud and abuse.
NETS1026 Operating Systems Security 1 42.0 Hours
This course is designed for students to learn the latest security industry recommendations and how to properly harden Windows servers and workstations in a variety of settings. Students learn how to protect Windows based systems from attacks, reconfigure the operating system to fully protect it, and scan hosts for known security problems. By the end of the course, students have a solid understanding of the security architectures used by Windows operating systems.
NETS1027 Network Security Architecture 42.0 Hours
This course examines the concepts and techniques for designing and implementing reliable, secure and manageable networked systems. Students learn to analyze business and technical requirements, examine traffic flow and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, and select protocols and technologies based on performance and security goals. Integrated design is examined for the secure interoperation of wireless, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Voice over IP (VoIP), redundancy and Ethernet scalability.
NETS1028 Operating Systems Security 2 42.0 Hours
In this course, students learn how to secure all major aspects of Linux/Unix operating systems, balancing security issues with the purpose of the system and the needs of the organization. Students learn how to tune kernel and operating system parameters, deactivate components, and tighten the components that remain. Students also examine major server applications, including WWW, email, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Domain Name System (DNS).
NETS1029 Securing Wireless Networks 42.0 Hours
In this course, students gain the knowledge and skills to defend against security issues within wireless networks. Students learn to detect weaknesses in existing networks, design and configure an effective security solution, secure wireless networks against threats and attacks, analyze and react to wireless denial-of-service (DOS) attacks, use encryption to provide privacy and authenticity, and implement the latest wireless security standards to protect wireless data networks.
NETS1030 Network Security 2 42.0 Hours
The Network Security II course focuses on the overall security in a network. It extends on the knowledge gained in Network Security 1 with students installing and configuring Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) and Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Topics include security technologies, products, and solutions; firewall and secure router design, installation, and configuration; IPS implementation using routers; and VPN implementation using routers and firewalls.
NETS1031 Cyberspace Security 42.0 Hours
Students examine the economic foundations of electronic commerce and the main technologies used to implement online business activities. Electronic commerce software, payment systems, purchasing, data interchange, supply-chain management, auction sites, virtual communities and their respective security threats and countermeasures are examined. Legal, ethical and regulatory internet issues are also studied.
NETS1032 Auditing, IDS, and Forensics 42.0 Hours
In this course, students explore network forensic components responsible for detecting, blocking, and tracking network intrusions. Students learn how to configure Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), firewalls, and network analysis tools to protect network resources, as well as penetration testing. Steps in recovering digital forensic evidence from IT devices are examined. The various categories of IDS, firewall, and network analysis products are compared and evaluated.
NETS1033 Internship 560 hours
The Internship component of the Computer and Network Systems Security program has been designed as a process by which students integrate their academic education with work experience related to their program of study. This integration reinforces skills and theory learned during academic semesters, develops professional contacts, job knowledge and career path, improves human relations and communication skills and promotes personal maturity and financial independence.
Adults with significant life and work experience may receive credits toward a college certificate or diploma program through an assessment process.
More information about Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
NOTE: Information contained in College documents respecting programs is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. The college reserves the right to add or delete programs, options, courses, timetables or campus locations subject to sufficient enrolment, and the availability of courses.
Last Update: March 08, 2012.