CYMS6600 Special Topics in Cybersecurity

Syllabus of Record

Computer and Information Systems Department

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Instructor: Office: Wheatley 229
E-Mail: Phone: 412-397-6051
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:45 pm

COURSE INFORMATION
Suggested Textbooks:

Weekly readings provided by the instructor.

Textbooks and other course materials: Students are expected to have their textbooks and other course
materials (lab books, digital media, etc.) at the start of the course. Failure to have these course materials
will not be accepted as justification for failure to be prepared for class, missed or incomplete
assignments, failure to prepare for exams, quizzes and other course evaluations, or inability to complete
other course requirements. The only exception to this policy will be situations in which the textbooks
and/or other course materials are not available from the publisher as determined by availability in the
RMU Bookstore.

Course Description: The primary goal of INFS6600 Special Topics in Cybersecurity

is to cover specialized and emerging topics in cybersecurity. The content for the course reflects the
evolving changes in cybersecurity and topics are updated to address emerging trends and technologies
in the field. The course focuses on state-of-the-art topics such as cloud computing security, securing
Artificial Intelligence, blockchain technology for IT security, among others. This course provides a
gateway to both introducing and reexamining emerging trends, technologies, and research in the
cybersecurity domain. 3 Credits
Course Prerequisites: Complete 18-21 Credits
Substitution:INFS6850
 Course Learning Outcomes:
The Course Learning Outcomes should be updated according to the evolving nature of the course.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1 Examine the general architecture, operations, designs of the Internet of Things (IoT) and their
security attacks, exposures, threats, and strategic measures for their secure usage and operation.
2 Assess the motives and methods of insider threats on company and organization information,
data, and processes.
3 Infer the relationship between trust and policy in secure computer systems, and the pivotal role
of a formal security policy model.
4 Apply the techniques and approaches for designing secure technology in computer systems,
including information hiding and layering.
5 Assess the potential threats in cloud computing and the obstacles of building secure cloud
computing platforms.
6 Outline the concepts of the reference monitor and the nature of the root of trust provided by
cryptographic attestation.
7 Evaluate the design of blockchain and AI technologies and associated cyberthreats.
Mapping Program Outcomes to Course Learning Outcomes:
At the time of graduation, Cybersecurity graduates Course Learning Outcomes
should be able to:
1 Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply 7
principles of computing and other relevant disciplines
to identify solutions.
2 Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based 1-6
solution to meet a given set of computing
requirements in the context of the program’s
discipline.
3 Communicate effectively in a variety of professional
contexts.
4 Recognize professional responsibilities and make
informed judgments in computing practice based on
legal and ethical principles.
5 Function effectively as a member or leader of a team
engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s
discipline.
6 Apply security principles and practices to maintain 1-6
operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Suggested Course Evaluation:

Your final grade will be calculated using weighted percentages, with each of the following
categories contributing, as listed:
Assignments/Discussion 600 points
Group Project . . . . . . . . 400 points
_____
1000 points

Note: The above is an approximation and is subject to change during the semester as announced by
the instructor.

Late Assignments: Any assignment handed in late ... after the time due but within one week ... will
have 10% deducted from the assignment grade. Any assignment handed in more than one week after
the date due will receive a 0 (zero) assignment grade.

Undergraduate Grading Scale:

93-100 A …90-92 A- …87-89 B+ …83-86 B …80-82 B- …77-79 C+ …70-76 C …60-69 D …
Below 60 F

TOPIC OUTLINE: This outline should change according to the focus of the
course.

EST. REFERENCE TO
WEE DESCRIPTION TIME TEXTBOOK MATERIALS,
K 8 TUTORIALS, or READING
Week SUPPLEMENTS
s

1 Security Issues and Threats in Cloud Computing 1 Assigned Weekly readings

week PowerPoint Presentation

2 1 Assigned weekly readings

Security of the Internet of Things week PowerPoint Presentation

3 Security of Industrial IoT(IIoT) 1 Assigned Weekly readings

week PowerPoint Presentation

4 Cyber-Physical Systems 1 Assigned Weekly readings

week PowerPoint Presentation

5 Prevention and Detection of Insider Threats 1 Assigned Weekly readings

 week PowerPoint Presentation

1.
6 Supply Chain Security 1 Assigned Weekly readings
week PowerPoint Presentation

7 Blockchain Technology for Information 1 Assigned Weekly readings

Technology Security week PowerPoint Presentation

Review 1 Presentations
8 week

FINAL NOTE TO STUDENTS

The instructor reserves the right to modify any schedule or policy in this class syllabus at any time
throughout the class. Modifications may be made as necessary to improve the learning experience or
learning environment of the students.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Reading Assignments and Instructional Videos: The student is responsible for doing all assigned
readings and watching all provided instructional videos. Material to be covered in class is to be read
and reviewed by the student prior to attending the lecture addressing that subject, as outlined by the
instructor. The student is responsible for grasping all material and concepts presented in class, which
may or may not originate from the textbook.

All Written Assignments:

● The student is responsible for submitting assignments when scheduled by the instructor.
Absence from class does not excuse the student from submitting the assignment or any
assignments made during the class period. A student who misses a class should check with the
instructor or with another student to determine if an assignment was made during the class that
was missed.
● Each student is expected to address the assignments individually. Students can help on an
individual assignment, but a student may not copy all or part of another's work. Any, two or
more individual assignments found to be too much alike or copied will be subject to a final
grade of ZERO for all parties concerned, and the incident will be reported to the RMU
Integrity Board. The instructor reserves the right to orally review submitted assignments with
students to modify the grade based on the results of the review.
● If you gather information the Internet, you must include the citation in your answer!

Follow Up: If a student does not fully understand a reading assignment or lecture subject and would
like further explanation, the student is responsible to raise the topic(s) for discussion in class. Don't be
 afraid to ask … you are probably not the only one who needs the help. If further explanation is
required on an individual basis, the student is encouraged to see the instructor during office hours by
making an appointment.

Required Examinations: The midterm exam will be administered during the 4th week and will focus on
the assigned readings, instructional videos, and class discussions up to the midterm date. The final
exam will be taken during the last week of class and will focus on the lectures, readings, and
assignments from the midterm on.

Use of Blackboard: Most instructor-provided materials will be available via a third-party course
delivery software platform referred to as Blackboard. You should have already obtained your
Blackboard course login, password, and access instructions via RMU g-mail. Note that the Blackboard
course login ID and password may be different from your RMU network and Sentry Secured Services
login ID and password. You access the Blackboard software platform via the web at this address:
http://rmu.blackboard.com

DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES:

Attendance: Because class time is used for required activities, discussion, clarification of
assignment and project specifications, assignment reviews, and necessary question/answer sessions,
routine class attendance is essential. You should make every effort to be at each of the scheduled
classes. Missing classes puts your understanding of assignment and project expectations in
jeopardy, and missing classes puts your grade in jeopardy. If you miss more than 25% of
scheduled classes, you will receive a letter grade F for the course (departmental policy).

Note: Should you miss a class due to illness or for personal reasons, it is your responsibility to let the
instructor know prior to class. You can obtain information on assignments and projects from the
instructor during office hours, from other class members, or from Blackboard.

Requirements for Masks:

The university may issue a requirement that all students wear appropriate masks (no shirts or bandannas)
covering their mouth and nose while in the classroom if local, state or national health guidance
recommends or requires masking. Students who are not vaccinated should wear a mask in the classroom
at all times. Instructors will ask students who are in non-compliance with these requirements to
immediately comply. If a student does not comply immediately, the campus police will be called. The
student will be removed and a Student Conduct report filed. The student will be marked absent from
class.

COVID-19 Attendance Policy:

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all students are encouraged to remain home or in their residence
hall room when experiencing any signs of illness. Students who test positive for the virus or who must be
quarantined after exposure to the virus will be excused from class attendance. Instructors will be notified
by the Dean of Students Office if a student is in quarantine or has contracted the virus. A student who is
absent due to observed symptoms of COVID-19, is in quarantine due to suspected exposure, or who has a
confirmed case of COVID-19, is entitled to makeup work missed if the student fulfills the instructor
notification requirements of the policy. Students are not to be penalized for any missed assignments,
projects, examinations, tests, etc. or to have their daily grades automatically reduced when covered by this
policy. While the faculty member must allow the student to "make up" or complete any assignments, etc.,
that were missed due to officially sanctioned obligations, faculty members are under no obligation to tutor
or otherwise provide missed instruction. Faculty will determine when make-up exams are scheduled and
when missed assignments are due. Students must notify the Dean of Students Office at 412-397-6483 to
be excused from class attendance and for this policy to be in effect. Instructors will be notified by the
Dean of Students Office.

Cheating: You are expected to act honorably at all times. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated and
will result in a grade of zero for the exam or assignment in question, for all parties involved. A second
offense will result in a grade of F for the course. The instructor will be the sole judge of when cheating
has occurred. The instructor reserves the right to review an assignment orally with a student, with the
option to adjust the grade based on the results of the review. All incidents of cheating will be reported to
the Academic Integrity Committee at the university, which may impose further sanctions.

Conduct: Students are expected to exhibit conduct that, in the opinion of the instructor, is courteous to
the instructor and to the other students. No cell phone use or text messaging in classroom will be
tolerated by the instructor. Use of constant text messaging will cause lowering of student’s grade.

The instructor has the right to change the course material and requirements at anytime during the course.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
Academic Integrity Policy: The fundamentals of Academic Integrity are valued within the
Robert Morris University community of scholars. All students are expected to understand and
adhere to the standards if Academic Integrity as stated in the RMU Academic Integrity Policy,
which can be found on the RMU website at www.rmu.edu/academicintegrity. Any student who
violates Academic Integrity Policy is subject to possible judicial proceedings which may result in
sanctions as outlined in the Policy. Depending upon the severity of the violation, sanctions may
range from receiving a zero on an assignment to being dismissed from the university. If you have
any questions about the policy, please consult your course instructor.

Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism, taking someone else's words or ideas and representing them as
your own, is expressly prohibited by Robert Morris University. Course work submitted for
homework assignments, take-home tests, or exams must be your own work. The submitted work
should indicate reference sources other than those provided in the course. The instructor may
question you for detailed explanation in order to determine that submitted work is your own
work. The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not
produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. Additional forms of
student academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to:
● Copying the work on another during an examination or turning in a paper or an assignment
written, in whole or in part, by someone else;
● Copying from books, magazines, or other sources, including Internet or other electronic
databases like ProQuest and InfoTrac, or paraphrasing ideas from such sources without
acknowledging them;
● Submitting an essay for one course to a second course without having sought prior
permission from your instructor;
● Giving a speech and using information from books, magazines, or other sources or
paraphrasing ideas from sources without acknowledging them;
● Knowingly assisting others in the dishonest use of course materials such as papers, lab data,
 reports and/or electronic files to be used by another student as that student's own work.
● NOTE on team or group assignments: When you have an assignment that requires
collaboration, it is expected that the work that results is credited to the team unless
individual parts have been assigned. However, the academic integrity policy applies to the
team as well as to its members. All outside sources must be credited as outlined above.

Students in this class and in all courses are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic
integrity. Cheating, plagiarism in written work, receiving and providing unauthorized
assistance, and sabotaging the work of others are behaviors that are inconsistent with standards
of academic integrity. Students/candidates are expected to do their own work. Plagiarism is
defined as using someone else's work ideas, or words without giving the author credit for using
them. This can mean many things, including downloading papers from the Internet, using a
friend's paper, inaccurately quoting or paraphrasing ideas or words from a text. In the
academic community, people earn their living through the use of their work ideas, and words.
Their reputation is built, in part, by others using their ideas and giving credit to the author.
Therefore, you have the responsibility, both legal and ethical, to cite their work properly.
Plagiarism is a major offence in the academic community of which you are a part.
Students/candidates who commit blatant acts of plagiarism will fail the course and may be
required to present a defense to be allowed to continue in the department.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Robert Morris University welcomes students
with disabilities into all of the University's educational programs. If you have (or think you may
have) a disability that would impact your educational experience in this class, please contact
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) to schedule a meeting with the SSD Coordinator.
He/She will confidentially discuss your needs, review your documentation, and determine your
eligibility for reasonable accommodations. To learn more about SSD and available supports, please
visit the SSD Website at rmu.edu/ssd, email [email protected], call (412)-397-6884, or visit the SSD
office, located in Nicholson Center, Room 280.