Cyber Security

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

   
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Effective Term: 2025/05
Institute / School :Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Unit Title: Cyber Security
Unit ID: ITWSU2027
Credit Points: 15.00
Prerequisite(s): Nil
Co-requisite(s): Nil
Exclusion(s): Nil
ASCED: 029999
Other Change:  
Brief description of the Unit

This subject focuses on, but is not limited to, the implementation and management of security and privacy policies of organisations within the standards and legal framework that is also applicable to the Australian standards. Knowledge gained in this subject will benefit students aspiring to careers in the Cyber Security industry.

Grade Scheme: Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)
Work Experience Indicator:
No work experience
Placement Component: No
Supplementary Assessment:Yes
Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment
Course Level:
Level of Unit in CourseAQF Level(s) of Course
5678910
Introductory                                                
Intermediate                                        
Advanced                                                
Learning Outcomes:
Knowledge:
K1.

Explain the cyber security theories that are used in implementing a secure network/system in organisations.

K2.

Identify access operations and ownership issues using modern authentication, authorisation and access control mechanisms

K3.

Explain various cryptographic techniques and algorithms in accomplishing security demonstrating knowledge of key concepts in symmetric and assymetric encryption

and cryptography

K4.

Identify security threats and risks associated with web and related technologies 

Skills:
S1.

Apply the relevant standards and the legal framework related to security and privacy and to security and privacy policies in organisations

S2.

Use corrective and preventative measures against these threats and risks in organisations

Application of knowledge and skills:
A1.

Examine security issues within various networked systems, operating systems and application software and the general causes that lead to system security failures

A2.

Analyse the security issues specific to databases, and protection of sensitive information and statistical systems within an organisation

Unit Content:

· Complexities of working in the Cyber Security Industry

· Legal and ethical issues of working in cyber environment

· Threats, vulnerabilities, and exploits

· Network architectures and recognise their potential vulnerabilities

· Reconnaissance methodologies to discover weaknesses in computing environment

· The differences between vulnerability management policies and vulnerability management maturity models

· Concepts of exploiting vulnerabilities to hack into a system using common penetration testing tools and frameworks

· The principles of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, and public key infrastructure

· Data classification levels and email marking standards associated with the dissemination of sensitive and classified information

· Data classification levels and email marking standards associated with the dissemination of sensitive and classified information

· Threats in social networks via Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Methodologies and demonstrate the capturing of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) using OSINT

· Usage of website security assessment tools to identify weaknesses and potential web attack vectors

· The types of forensic investigations from a cybersecurity perspective, differentiating between software and hardware digital forensic tools

· The resources required to navigate the cybersecurity landscape as a potential cybersecurity professional

Graduate Attributes:
Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptorDevelopment and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
Level
FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in:

•   Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication

•   Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening

•   Showing empathy for others

•   Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills

•   Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.

N/A - Not Applicable
FEDTASK 2
Leadership

Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Creating a collegial environment

•   Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect

•   Inspiring and convincing others

•   Making informed decisions

•   Displaying initiative

N/A - Not Applicable
FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity

Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Reflecting critically

•   Evaluating ideas, concepts and information

•   Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas

•   Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts

•   Forming creative solutions in problem solving.

Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor
FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy

Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information

•   Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely

•   Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media

•   Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups

•   Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.

N/A - Not Applicable
FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset

Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in:

•   Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts

•   Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen

•   Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses

•   Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others

•   Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.

N/A - Not Applicable
 Learning Outcomes AssessedAssessment TasksAssessment TypeWeighting
1.K2, S1, S2, A1, A2

Tutorial online quizzes

Quiz

40%

2.K1, K2, K3

Tutorial session quiz

Quiz

20%

3.K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, A1, A2

Online exam

Online exam

40%

Adopted Reference Style:
APA  ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:
 Standard / Competency