Network Security and System Administration

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

• describe how technologies such as virtualization, software packaging via container-based technology, software-defined networking (cloud) and automation influence the development of modern network technology,
• analyze and implement methods to create, optimize, monitor, debug and test scalable network architectures with respect to both WAN and LAN technologies based on the CIA triangle,
• analyze, assess and implement methods to mitigate/prevent cyber security threats to infrastructure, network devices, computer systems and operating systems,
• analyze and evaluate suitable implementations for secure data and information handling both during transport and at rest,
• analyze and evaluate non-functional requirements,
• perform risk analysis within an organisation‘s/company‘s infrastructure,
• produce and present well-structured and well-written documentation.

The course‘s one focus is on understanding, and the ability to apply, methods and tools for modern network security found in IT environments and network operations, where the students, on the basis of a given problem formulation, themselves can design, implement and demonstrate a coherent infrastructural security solution for a fictitious organization . The final product is evaluated for its overall function, security and capacity. This includes work methods for design, implementation, analysis and verification/validation, testing and documentation.

The second focus of the course is mainly on managing basic functions in cloud solutions such as networks, virtual machines/compute instances and storage. Here, the technical and soft skills needed to design and deploy cloud solutions are covered. Important concepts included are infrastructure as code (IaC), virtual machines, containers and server operating systems. Initially, general cloud concepts are explained and then the theoretical basis is given for managing the cloud manually via, for example, a web console. Later in the course, cloud services are instead  built via IaC tools, and then other common services in cloud technology, such as container orchestration, backup, monitoring and network logging are treated, both theoretically and practically. Finally, script programming is introduced via PowerShell, which is often used both in the cloud and on-premises for various IT administrative purposes.

• Project assignment with written and oral presentation
• Laboratory work with written and oral presentation
• Written exam

The grading scale used for the final course grade is U–G.

Grades are reported as follows:

• Project - 3 Credits | U–G
• Laborations - 3 Credits | U–G
• Written exam - 1.5 Credits | U–G