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ECE 5584 - Network Security (3C)

Course Description

Fundamentals of network security. Network security architecture, user and attacker perspective. Practical applications and security standards. Protocol design principles and their impact on computer and network security. Authentication systems. Email security. Firewalls and intrusion detection. Security for wireless systems.

Why take this course?

Cybersecurity has become a national priority because it is critical to a broad array of societal concerns, including personal privacy, financial accountability and national security. Security problems represent at enormous challenge to the safety and functionality of modern networked computing systems. Many career paths open to computer science and engineering graduates require them to have a good understanding of cybersecurity challenges arising in the context of networking. This course is part of a set of three new courses and one revised course in cybersecurity. This course focuses on more advanced security issues in the context of networking.

Learning Objectives

  • Distinguish among network security objectives of confidentiality, integrity, authentication, non-repudiation and availability.
  • Apply design principles of authentication systems.
  • Analyze the objectives of real-time secure handshake protocols and locate design pitfalls.
  • Compare the key management problems for symmetric cryptography-based and asymmetric cryptography-based security protocols.
  • Appraise the architecture and functionality of the Kerberos authentication system.
  • Assess the objectives of network security protocols such as Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) and Transport Layer Security (TLS); compare security mechanisms used to meet these objectives.
  • Distinguish threats to email and threats enabled by email; choose among various security mechanisms employed to protect email security.
  • Specify the basic principles of network intrusion detection systems.
  • Compare the unique security challenges in wireless networks; apply various wireless network security standards.

    • Resources & Links

    Textbook List

    The Fall 2024 ECE textbook list is available online for students.
    The Spring 2025 ECE texbook list is available online for students

    Graduate Advising Contacts

    Graduate Advising contacts

    Graduate Program Director and CPE Admission Officer
    Paul E. Plassmann

    Director, Extended Campus and Vice Chair, Graduate Committee
    Joseph G. Tront

    EE Admission Officer
    Gregory D. Earle

    Admissions/Recruiting Contact

    Laura Villada, Graduate Recruiting and Admissions Coordinator. vlaura@vt.edu