Core Module Information
Module title: Network Security

SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10

Module code: CSN11111
Module leader: Sanaullah Jan
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Cyber Security and Systems Engineering
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

The aim of this module is to develop a deep understanding and provide with hands-on implementation experience of network security concepts. A focus has been made on discussing networking fundamentals and implementation in first half of the module. Considerable content in second part of the module has been focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)-based solutions in the cybersecurity domain. Developing exemplar AI models in practical for achieving security measures allow students to professionally design, implement, and analyse AI-based cybersecurity strategies. An outline of the main areas includes:• Introduction to network security and challenges: It focuses on discussing various network threats and attacks that can compromise the network security. Discussion then diverts to network defence strategies, for example, perimeter and defence-in-depth.• Access Control and Authentication: This lecture focuses on introducing and discussing various types of traditional centre of gravity of computer security, the “Access Control”. The list of concepts in this lecture covers trust and identity, attacks, models – access control models, network device access control, AAA, Layer 2, device hardening.• Firewalls: In this part of module, a discussion around different types and existing technologies of firewall is presented. Students get an opportunity to implement and deploy the concepts, such as host-based or network-based firewall, static packet filtering, stateful packet filtering, and multilayer firewall in the lab environment. • Fundamentals of Cryptography and Remote Access VPN: Fundamentals of encryption, decryption, and authentication are touched before diving deeper in developing remote access and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for network security, while also covering types (L2, L3 and L4/5) and technologies (IPSec and SSL).• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Discussion here covers introduction to various learning techniques including supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning in terms of various application domains, i.e., classification, regression and clustering.• Introduction to machine learning models: Various AI models are introduced and implemented including neural network, linear regression, k-means clustering, support vector machine, random forest, decision tree, deep neural network.• Data-Driven Cybersecurity: Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) vs Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) are introduced in terms of types, alert monitoring and sensor tuning; behavioural analysis, in-line vs out-of-line IDS/IDPS. Practical provides an opportunity to applying AI techniques to real-world intrusion detection problems. • Relevant state-of-the-art research in the domain: Discussions around recent research advances in the fields of network security and cybersecurity.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Develop an advanced knowledge, and critically evaluate, key network security principles and methods.

LO2: Develop analytical skills related to the academic principles and practical skills required to implement and support a complex network infrastructures, with regards to security.

LO3: Research, Design, implement, evaluate and critically analyse a system to a given set of network security requirements.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 1, In Person, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Sanaullah Jan
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 24 Weekly in-person lectures to discuss theoretical aspects of the Network Security and related concepts.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 20 Weekly practical lab sessions, usually after the lectures, to perform practical implementation and have hands-on experience of Network Security techniques covered during lectures.
Online Guided independent study 156 A learning approach where students take responsibility for their own learning process, with support and direction from academics through tutorials and research assessments. This method combines the independence of self-directed study and practical lab implementation with the guidance of a structured framework provided by academic staff.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Class Test 25 1~2 Week 7 HOURS= 90 Minutes A short answer closed-book in-class test via Moodle to assess students learning of the topics covered in first 5 lectures of the module.
Class Test 25 1~2 Week 13 HOURS= 90 Minutes A short answer closed-book in-class test via Moodle to assess students learning of the topics covered in last 5 lectures of the module.
Project - Practical 50 2~3 Exam Period HOURS= 6000-8000 Words A Network Security problem oriented research-based, academic written report to be submitted in Week 15. It demonstrate an understanding of the problem specification, and the technical approach taken to develop the network with the specified requirements. The report should contain motivation, aim and objectives of the project withreference to the current works in literature.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader