FIT1057 · Introduction to cybersecurity

Overview

This unit provides a foundational introduction to cybersecurity, covering core concepts, principles, and practices used to protect systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. You will explore the cyber environment, including common vulnerabilities, threats, and risks. You will also examine the role of policy, governance, and ethical decision-making in cybersecurity, including considerations of privacy and professional responsibility. In addition, you will develop an awareness of emerging cyber threats and technologies, and how they influence both cyber attacks and defensive practices. By the end of the unit, you will be able to explain fundamental cybersecurity concepts, reason about risks and threats, and communicate security issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, providing a foundation for further study in cybersecurity.

Areas of study: Computer networks and security Cybersecurity

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Special considerations and short extensions are not available for this assessment piece: Post-class reflective pieces worth 15%.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify security, privacy, and ethical considerations in common computing scenarios, including risks arising from cyber threats, and describe how practitioners respond responsibly, including when AI-enabled tools are used;
2. Describe the cyber environment, including common threat types and their impacts on individuals, organisations, and society, and recognise emerging trends and technologies influencing cybersecurity practice;
3. Communicate introductory cybersecurity concepts, risks, and issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences using written, verbal, and visual forms appropriate to the audience and purpose;
4. Describe the purpose of cybersecurity policies, procedures, and governance practices, and explain how they support the management of information risks in organisational contexts;
5. Explain common classes of vulnerabilities in systems and participate in guided activities to identify and describe potential weaknesses;
6. Identify information assets in simple systems and describe basic approaches to protecting their confidentiality, integrity, and availability in response to common threats.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled teaching activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.