Duration
30h Th, 12h Labo., 30h Proj.
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course covers security of computer networks. It is composed of the following chapters:
- End-point authentication
- Securing applications (email)
- Securing DNS (DNSSEC)
- Securing TCP connections (SSL/TLS)
- Network-layer Security (IPsec)
- Securing routing (prefix filtering, RPKI, BGPsec)
- Securing LANs (WiFi, switched Ethernet)
- Anonymity (mixers, onion routing, TOR)
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of the course students will understand well the basic concepts of network security.
The projects bring out self-learning and team work capabilities, and help improve the writing skills of the students.
Teaching, and all support material, in English allow students to improve their knowledge and skills in this language.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
- Computer network architecture and protocols (TCP/IP, routing, switching)
- Secret-key and public-key cryptography principles
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
- Lectures describing in detail the theoretical and practical concepts of the course.
- Labs designed to explore selected concepts in greater depth and reinforce understanding.
- Practical project assignments in groups of 2 students.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Theory is held in person. Projects are primarily carried out remotely.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
Reference books:
James F. Kurose and Keith W. Ross. Computer Networking - A Top-Down Approach (9th Edition), Pearson 2025.
Charlie Kaufman, Radia Perlman, Mike Speciner. Network Security - PRIVATE Communication in a PUBLIC World (3nd edition). Pearson 2022.
Slides are available on ecampus.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Further information:
The evaluation is threefold: the projects, the labs, and the written exam on the theory. The final grade is a weighted arithmetic mean consisting of 15% labs, 25% project, and 60% written exam.
At the written exam, the student has to answer a series of questions covering different parts of the course and demonstrate a clear and in-depth understanding of the material. A student who was not present at the lab sessions or has not completed his/her project is not allowed to take this exam.
The projects assessment will be based on (1) the completeness of the software that will have to pass a series of functionality tests, (2) the quality of the code, (3) the quality of the report, and (4) an oral examination in which students will be asked questions about their project to demonstrate their understanding of the design, implementation, and results.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The course is organized during the second term (from February to May), on Tuesdays from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. All lectures in English.
Contacts
Professor: Savvas Kastanakis, s.kastanakis@uliege.be
Teaching assistant: Lev Malcev, lev.malcev@uliege.be