CS 406 (Network Security and Cryptography - 1)

Instructor : Bernard Menezes

Course Description : The course involves an overview of various topics in computer security. The first half dealt with cryptography and the math needed to understand it (elementary number theory). Some of the protocols covered: RSA, AES, DES, SHA series and diffie hellman. The later half deals with other topics in security: DDos attacks, prevention and detection techniques, worms, viruses, buffer overflow attacks, SQL injection, etc.

Logistics :

• Three hours of lectures
• Grading - 3 quizzes and one endsem 4-5 assignments (in groups of 3-5)

Comments on Instructor : There is course textbook authored by the professor which is very useful. The initial lectures are math heavy as compared to the later half. The course is well taught.

Who will find it interesting : It serves as an excellent introductory course in the area of Security. It covers a broad range of topics which gives you a good sense of the area.