FIT3212 · Security automation and artificial intelligence

Overview

This unit introduces the principles and practice of applying automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to cybersecurity operations. It explores how modern security teams use automation to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability across the security lifecycle, and how AI and machine learning techniques can be applied to detect, analyse, and respond to threats. You will examine the role of automation in areas such as security monitoring, vulnerability management, incident response, and threat intelligence. The unit covers foundational concepts of scripting and orchestration (e.g., APIs, workflows, playbooks), as well as the integration of tools and systems within security operations. The unit also examines governance considerations for the use of automation and AI in security operations, including the role of human judgement and oversight in automated decision-making processes. You will also critically analyse the strengths and limitations of AI-driven security, including issues such as false positives, bias, and explainability, and evaluate potential failure modes that arise when automation and AI are integrated into security workflows.

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook publishes no assessment items for this unit yet.

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

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Critically evaluate AI capabilities in security automation across the cybersecurity lifecycle to support monitoring, detection, analysis, and response activities;
2. Apply programming and automation approaches to support key security functions such as data collection, analysis, vulnerability management, incident response, and threat intelligence processing;
3. Integrate, operate, and administer security tools and systems to support automated security processes and pipelines;
4. Evaluate the effectiveness, limitations, and risks of AI-assisted security approaches, and apply controls to manage those risks responsibly.

Workload

No workload detail published.

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