Best Practices Managing Security and Privacy for Cloud Computing (AIT 670) Fall 2015. Online Dr. Massimiliano Albanese, Department of Information Sciences and Technology Contact Info. Email: . Phone: (703) 993-1629 or (703) 993-5799. Office Address. Nguyen Engineering Building, Room 5350, Fairfax Campus. Office hours. By appointment via Skype (ID: albanese.gmu). Emails receivd M-F will be responded within 48 hours.
|
Catalog Description
This course offers a survey of security and privacy issues in Cloud Computing systems, along with an overview of current best practices and available technologies. In this course, we examine cloud computing models, look into the threat model and security issues related to data and computation outsourcing, and explore practical applications of secure Cloud Computing.
Course Goals
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Prerequisites
Registration in MS, Applied IT program or permission of Instructor.
Course Expectations
Online Learning Community
This online course is taught via Blackboard Courses (log into myMason, select the Courses Tab, and the course can be found in the Course List). This course is offered completely online. Each week begins on Monday and ends on Friday. In our online learning community, we must be respectful of one another. Please be aware that innocent remarks can be easily misconstrued. Sarcasm and humor can be easily taken out of context. When communicating, please be positive and diplomatic. I encourage you to learn more about Netiquette.
Course Format
The course will employ lectures, a mid-term exam to assess progress, and a final exam. Students will be required to write a technical paper on a topic which must be approved in advance by the instructor, and give a presentation at the end of the course.
Textbooks and Reading Materials
Securing the Cloud |
The required textbook is available electronically through the Safari Tech Books Online collection. You can access this book by following these steps:
Recommended readings include publications from standardization bodies such as NIST, government agencies, and the research community. Below is a partial list of recommended readings.
Additional readings and lecture slides will be made available by the instructor through BlackBoard.
Course Outline
Below is an outline of the weekly modules.
Course Tools
The following tool will be used in this course.
Additional Resources & Information
Below is a list of additional and useful resources.
Grading Policy
Grading will be based on class participation, assignments, and exams. Points for course activities will accrue as follow:
Activity | Points |
Class participation (discussions, etc.) | 150 |
Mid-term exam | 150 |
Presentation | 100 |
Term paper (waived for students passing the CCSK by 12/10/2015) | 150 |
Final exam | 150 |
Total | 700 |
Final letter grades are assigned as follows. Breakpoints may be adjusted depending on overall class performance.
Point % range | Letter grade |
97% - 100% | A+ |
93% - 96.9% | A |
90% - 92.9% | A- |
87% - 89.9% | B+ |
83% - 86.9% | B |
80% - 82.9% | B- |
77% - 79.9% | C+ |
73% - 76.9% | C |
0% - 72.9% | F |
Students who wish to recover credits lost in other course activities can volunteer to give short presentations (4-5 content slides, 8-10 minutes) on a topic of their choice. Each short presentation will earn up to 30 points, for a maximum of two presentations per student during the entire course. Students must notify the instructor in advance of their intention to prepare a short presentation. Time and topic of the presentation must be approved by the instructor. Presentations must be submitted as narrated PowerPoint presentations.
Regular attendance is strongly recommended. Students will be held responsible for all material covered in class. Exams are given on the dates specified on the course schedule. Absence from taking any exam will result in a score of zero, unless cleared in advance with the instructor and arranged for a makeup session. Excusable absences are normally related to unavoidable and documented emergency situations.