CS 255: Computer Security


Course Description:

In this course, we will discuss various issues arising in the context of computer systems security and the principles underlying the design of secure computing environments. We will examine both theoretical and implementation issues. Topics will include cryptography, security models, authentication protocols, network security, intrusion detection, attacks and their countermeasures, and secure systems design.

Prerequisites:

Students must have taken a course in operating systems and/or networking.

Class times:

Mondays & Wednesdays 2:10pm - 3:30pm. The class meets in HMNSS 1405.

Office hours:

By appointment. Tel: 827-5318 E-mail: ravi@cs.ucr.edu.

Grading:

Class participation: 25%, project: 50%, exams: 25%.

About the project

The project is a major part of the class grade, and you should therefore expect to spend quite a bit of effort on it. Ideally, the project should be publishable. However, a project that may be publishable with some additional work would also be acceptable. The project may take several forms, but in all cases, its value depends on the new contributions it makes. A project could be a software (or hardware) system that implements and examines a new idea. Alternatively, it could be a theoretical contribution that combines or extends existing ideas in novel or interesting ways. To give you a sense of what to shoot for, here and here here are lists of projects that have been completed or suggested at other universities.

Project progress

Since projects are open-ended, you need to conform to these deadlines to make sure you will be able to finish it on time.

Readings:

The bulk of the readings are expected to be from the research literature. A list of readings from the literature will be made available. No textbook is specifically required, but the following books are likely to be useful: