Learning is divided into lecture and practical sessions over one semester. The practical sessions will provide students with hands on experience in configuring, managing and administrating a secure computer domain. It will also provide the opportunity to implement and reinforce material presented in the lectures.
Module Aim:
To provide learners with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for deploying and
administering a secure computer domain.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1
Explain best practice as related to managing and administering systems and services securely.
LO2
Compare and contrast client/server and peer to peer system architecture.
LO3
Integrate directory services, DNS, DHCP and a web server to provide domain services as part of a computer system.
LO4
Create and implement robust computer security policies manually and via scripting.
LO5
Interpret the role of regulation such as GDPR, as it applies to system administration.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content
Server Systems
Analysing operating systems software capable of providing an array of secure services to clients. Investigating the requirements of the software and the limitations of the operating system. Evolution of server software releases and determining the version to implement.
Security Policy
Security policy standards and governance. Information security, network security, non-technical security. Policy types and examples. Contingency planning and security policy enforcement.
Directory Services
Directory services model, functionality and structure. Example implementations of LDAP and tree designs (root, branches and leaf objects). Objects, schema and organisational units.
DNS
Role of DNS and decentralised structure. Root servers and zones. DNS namespace forward and reverse lookups. Authoritative vs. Non-authoritative. Recursive vs. Non-recursive. Security issues with DNS.
DHCP
DHCP role in a network, static vs dynamic addressing. DHCP operating and interaction. Configuration of service and creation of scopes. Security issues with DHCP.
Web Server
Implementation of HTTP and HTTPS. URI, URL and URNs. HTML and GET/POST requests. HTTP status codes. Vulnerabilities of HTTP.
Securing Systems
Securing servers and systems, server OS and application hardening. Examining and protecting against common vulnerabilities on a domain.
Scripting
Automation and configuration via a command line interpreter/scripting environment. Pipelines and filtering. Testing and securing systems using shell tools and utilities.
Legal Regulations
Examination, analysis and interpretation of relevant legislation such as GDPR, as it applies to the role of a systems administrator.
Assessment Breakdown
%
Continuous Assessment
20.00%
Project
40.00%
End of Module Formal Examination
40.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Short Answer Questions
Diagnostic Assessment
1,2
20.00
Week 6
Project
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Project
Systems Project
3,4
40.00
Week 10
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type
Assessment Description
Outcome addressed
% of total
Assessment Date
Formal Exam
End of Semester Exam
1,5
40.00
End-of-Semester
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment