This course requires demonstrated competency in the three modules presented as course content.  That means that failure in any of the competencies will result in a failure for the course,  Grading comes primarily from the exams (65%) and from 13 labs assigned during the semester.  Labs are the hands-on demonstration of the ability to do basic cybersecurity tasks required by industry and for CompTIA+ certification 

Exams/Grading:       

            Grading Policy:  In order to receive a successful grade for the course, the student must pass an objective exam on each of the three competencies. Each exam may be taken up to three times, with the highest score used as the score for grading purposes. 

The final grade will be calculated as the average of the three competency exams and by the results of the labs.  Exams count for 300 total points (53.4%), labs for 260 points (46.6%) of the grade.  You cannot pass on labs or exams, alone.

            Grade Scale:   A = 90% or above
B = 80% or above
C = 70% or above
D = 60% or above

                                      F= failure to pass all five competency exams

Readings are found in the following course schedule.  The text used in the class is 

CompTIA Security+ Guide to Network Security Fundamentals, 7th Edition

ISBN-13: 978-0-357-42437-7

Loose-leaf Edition: 978-0-357-42438-4

Mark Ciampa Ph.D.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020920904

Course Rationale:

            To introduce students to a broad range of network-related topics: including, protocols, transmission media, architecture, hardware and operating systems. In addition, students will study elements of network maintenance, security, and troubleshooting.

Book Course Objectives

This course provides a comprehensive, trustworthy framework of practices for assuring information security. Students will learn how the various roles and functions within cybersecurity practice can be combined and leveraged to produce a secure organization. Concepts will not be presented as stagnant theory; instead, they are interwoven in a real world “adventure” story that runs throughout. This approach grabs students’ attention and assists them in visualizing the application of the content to real-world issues that they will face in their professional life. The content of the course is based on the Department of Homeland Security's Essential Body of Knowledge (EBK) for IT Security.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes:              Competencies / Learning Objectives

At the completion of this course, the student will have demonstrated the ability in:

1. Competency #1: (1,2,3,4)

1.Introduction to Security

2.Threat Management and Cybersecurity Resources

3.Threats and Attacks on Endpoints

4.Endpoint and Application Development Security

1. Competency #2: (5,6,7,8,9,10)

5.Mobile, Embedded, and Specialized Device Security

6.Basic Cryptography

7. Public Key Infrastructure and Cryptographic Protocols

8. Networking Threats, Assessments, and Defenses

9. Network Security Appliances and Technologies

10. Cloud and Virtualization Security

1. Competency 3: (11,12,13,14,15)

11. Wireless Network Security Access Management

12. Authentication Business Continuity

13. Incident Preparation, Response, and Investigation

14. Cybersecurity Resilience

15. Risk Management and Data Privacy