***DATA SCIENCE AND DATA SCIENCE WITH BUSINESS STUDENTS ONLY***

The collection, storage and communication of data all create potential vulnerabilities to malicious exploitation. Security has become an important aspect of all kinds of data processing activity and therefore an important consideration for data scientists. In this module, you will gain a solid understanding of the main issues related to security in modern computer systems, networks and online environments. You will learn the foundations of computer security, techniques to secure complex digital systems, and gain practical skills in secure management of networked computer systems.

Pre-requisites: ECMM430 Fundamentals of Data Science.

Co-requisites: None.

As more aspects of human activity have been computerised, the security of digital systems against malicious or criminal exploitation has become ever more important. Trust is essential for commercial, financial, legal and governmental systems. Without robust information security, users cannot trust digital systems and the systems break down.

The aim of this module is to equip you with a range of knowledge and skills needed to make effective decisions in the context of information security. The module will cover the foundational concepts of computer security, including the nature of different kinds of malicious activity, technical features of digital systems that are vulnerable to exploitation (and how they can be protected), and modern technologies for enabling secure and trustworthy digital transactions.

The module will assume no knowledge beyond the mathematics and programming covered in pre-requisite ECMM430 Fundamentals of Data Science. The module will be taught in a one-week intensive block of lectures and associated practical work, together with individual self-study and coursework. Lectures will introduce the core topics, consolidated by practical exercises based on lecture material. Assessments will include assessed practical exercises and coursework.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

Topics will include:

• Malicious behaviours: hacking, malware, data theft, denial-of-service, online fraud
• Secure storage
• Data encryption and secure communication
• Cybersecurity, network security and online privacy
• Access control mechanisms
• Firewalls and Intrusion detection
• Malicious software and software security
• Authentication and digital signatures
• Blockchain and distributed ledgers

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to re-take some or all parts of the assessment, as decided by the Module Convenor. The final mark given for a module where re-assessment was taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: