ECMM462 | 2025%2F6 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Fundamentals of Security	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	ECMM462	MODULE CONVENER	Dr Saif Alzubi (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	11

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	45

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Our modern life depends on the security of computerised systems ranging from social aspects (e.g. phishing) to technical and mathematical aspects (e.g. access control, encryption). In this module, you will learn the fundamental concepts required for starting a career in various areas related to security (e.g. cyber security, data security, information security, computer security). You will learn core security concepts (e.g. authenticity, confidentiality, anonymity, privacy) and core technologies (e.g. encryption, authentication, authorisation). Moreover, you will learn the basic attacks on security systems and approaches for reasoning about the correctness of security techniques.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module to create awareness of the need for security and privacy in modern life, and to introduce the fundamental security and privacy mechanism used in modern computer systems. We will explore topics such as fundamentals of computer security, technology and principles of network security, cryptography, authentication and digital signatures, access control mechanisms, privacy, and anonymisation.

In more detail, the aims of the module are to give you an understanding of:

the different types of security threats and their effect on data privacy and business functions the fundamental principles of information security
the fundamental principles of cryptography
the fundamental principles of secure and privacy-aware data processing

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Explain the fundamental information/cyber security concepts
2. Select the appropriate security controls for a cyber system

3. Select the appropriate privacy controls for a cyber system

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

4. Understand the role of cyber information security in online commercial, financial and other activities
5. Understand the security and privacy guarantees and the limitations of modern security and privacy controls

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

6. Assessing and understanding the limitations of technology
7. Understand risk and to manage risk

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module will cover:

Information Security Fundamentals

Integrity, reliability, and availability
Authentication, identification, and authorisation
Access control

Cryptography

Symmetric encryption Asymmetric encryption
Digital signatures, certificates, and public key infrastructures (KPIs)
Security protocols

Authentic and secure communication channels

Formal modelling of security protocols
Formal analysis of security protocols

Privacy

Differential privacy
Privacy-preserving technologies

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	33	Guided Independent Study	117	Placement / Study Abroad	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	22	Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	11	Tutorials or Practical Work
Guided Independent Study	117	Background Reading and Self-Study

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Tutorials and Practical Work	11 hours	1-7	Oral

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	30	Written Exams	70	Practical Exams	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Written exam	70	2 hours	1-7	Oral on request
Coursework	30	50 hours	1-7	Written

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-assessment
Written Exam	Written exam (2 hours, 70%)	1-7	Referral/deferral period
Coursework	Coursework (50 hours, 30%)	1-7	Referral/deferral period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by coursework and/or written exam in the failed or deferred element only. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 50%. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Monday 20th December 2021	LAST REVISION DATE	Tuesday 6th May 2025

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Cryptography, Privacy, Access Control, Cybersecurity, Information Security

Fundamentals of Security - 2025 entry