COMP 5407F (Fall 2005): Authentication and Software Security

Last updated: 11 Oct. 2005, 11:30pm

Official outline: Specialized topics in security including those selected from: advanced authentication techniques, user interface aspects, electronic and digital signatures, security infrastructures and protocols, software vulnerabilities affecting security, untrusted software and hosts, protecting software and digital content.
Essential Course Details Office Hours: 1:30-2:30pm, Monday and Wednesday. Check here for exceptions.

Marking Scheme: (Note: no extensions on project dates)
25% - Project 1: Software Vulnerability Tracking (click here for more details).
--- Start: immediately (first day of class). Due: Monday Oct.17 (in class).
35% - Test: Monday Oct.31 (in class).
40% - Project 2: Research Paper (optional implementation) (click here for more details).
--- 15% (approx. 30 minute class presentation, over period Nov.16 - Dec.5)
--- 25% (written report) due: Monday Dec.5 (in class).

Policy re: Unethical Behaviour. Any student submitting work including portions originating from someone else, without crediting the original source, is subject to a mark of minus 100% (-100%) on the entire work item. For example, if a project is worth 20%, the 20% is lost plus an additional 20% penalty, making the best possible course mark 60%. If the infraction involves copying from another student, then both students may be penalized. You may, and often should, discuss work with others, but each student must write up submitted work individually. In addition to the above, harsher penalties following from any standard university policies will be pursued where appropriate.

Special Needs Students. Students with disabilities requiring academic accommodations in this course are encouraged to contact a coordinator at the Paul Menton Centre (PMC) for Students with Disabilities to complete the necessary lettters of accommodation. After registering with the PMC, make an appointment to meet and discuss your needs with the instructor at least two weeks prior to the first in-class test or midterm exam, to ensure sufficient time for necessary arrangements. The deadline for submitting completed forms to the PMC for formally scheduled exam accommodations is typically early November for fall term courses.

Topics of Study. The topics of study will be from the list given in the official outline at the top of this page. The course varies from year to year, but a view at a previous year's Topics of Study will give a representative idea. Details for this year's classes, including readings, will be updated here as the term progresses.

References and Sources. Lectures will largely be drawn from recent research papers, and supplementary material given in class; students are thus expected to attend all classes. Online sources will be used where possible. For those wishing to brush up on background reading, recommendations include Stallings (2002) or Kaufman, Perlman and Speciner (2002), as found in this list. A few of these are available in their entirety free online, as noted. Links to research papers covered in the course will be added as the term progresses (see above).

For comments on this page, please mail to: vanoorschot --at-- scs.carleton.ca.