CS/ECE 5984: Special Topic: Fundamentals of Information Security

Spring 2013

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of information security. The course begins with introducing the basic concepts of information security, where classical cryptosystems are used as examples. The course then covers fundamentals of number theory and focuses on its applications to information security. Most of the important cryptographic algorithms will be covered, including symmetric cryptography, asymmetric cryptography, hash functions, secret sharing schemes, information theory, elliptical curve cryptography, etc. The practice of information security, practical algorithms and crypto standards that have been implemented and are in use are also surveyed.

Topics to be covered

• Overview of Cryptography and Classical cryptosystems
• Secret Key Cryptography: DES and AES
• Basic Number Theory
• Public Key Cryptography: RSA, Diffie-Hellman
• Hash Functions
• Digital Signatures
• Key Management
• Secure Electronic Transaction
• Secret Sharing Schemes
• Information Theory and Security
• Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Grades

Your grades will be determined as follows:

Class Attendance

The primary teaching method will be class lectures and discussions. The lectures will discuss topics presented in the textbook and cover additional material. Class attendance is expected in every class. 

Homework

Homework will be assigned to facilitate the classroom learning. The problem set will be posted on the class website at VT scholar. Students will work individually on their homework assignments; this is mandatory and homework will not be accepted otherwise. The due date for each assignment will be given at the time it is assigned (typically one to two weeks after it is assigned). Homework must be submitted through VT scholar site before its due time. No late submissions will be accepted.

Exam

There will be two exams, midterm and final, both close-book and close-note exams. Details will be given prior to the exam. 

Project

There are two options to complete a course project - a research project or a development project. For a research project, students are expected to research on a topic related to information security, actively read the state-of-the-art research papers on their topic of choice, submit a research paper and do a research paper presentation at the end of semester. The presentation is meant to demonstrate your understanding and update your fellow students on the current trends, technologies, and issues that related to the particular research topic of your choice. The development project is more programming/implementation oriented. Students are expected to define an information security related system and implement it. Through the development of the system, students are expected to gain hand-on experience and more in-depth understanding of the fundamental algorithms and principles in information security. It is also expected that a demonstration/tool is developed that can be used in the class room strengthening the learning experience of students, or be used to educate the general public on the basic concepts of information security, raising cybersecurity awareness.

Students are expected to work in teams. The recommended team size is 2.  Details will be discussed in class.

Tentative Course Schedule 

Jan 22 - Feb 19: Lecture 1 - 5

Feb 26: Midterm Exam

Mar 5- Apr 9: Lecture 6-10

Apr 16: Final Exam

April 23 - May 30: Project Presentation

* Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus throughout the semester.

All course materials, including lecture notes, homework assignments, solutions, etc. will be posted at scholar.vt.edu

Academic Honesty Policy

Virginia Tech has an established academic honor code, described at http://ghs.graduateschool.vt.edu/. Please review the code and be aware that I expect students to abide fully by this code.