Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module COMP3761: Applied Security
Department: Computer Science
COMP3761: Applied Security
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- COMP2211 Networks & Systems
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To introduce contemporary topics in cybersecurity
- To gain experience applying techniques in security analysis and testing
Content
- Human factors in cyber security (e.g., social engineering, attacker groups, security governance, use of AI agents).
- Advanced security techniques to assess and protect computer systems (e.g., binary exploitation, reverse engineering, systems security)
- Embedded & hardware security (e.g., device analysis, firmware analysis & extraction, side channels, ICS)
- Case-studies of complex real-world attacks (e.g., StuxNet).
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Understanding of how human factors can be used to attack and protect systems.
- Understanding of how hardware and software systems can be attacked and protected.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Ability to conduct the security assessment of a socio-cyber-physical system.
- Ability to propose relevant security controls and assess their impact.
- Ability to analyse previous and ongoing attacks against complex systems.
Key Skills:
- An ability to communicate technical information
- Ability to effectively work in small groups
- Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures provide the students with the theoretical background of the material, and aid understanding with examples.
- Workshops enable students to gain experience putting the concepts into practice and testing.
- The in-year tests assess the students’ application of methods and techniques.
- The assignment is undertaken in groups and consists of a written assignment supported by code or an equivalent output (e.g. experimental or mathematical results, security policies, etc.)
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | 1 per week | 1 hour | 20 | |
| Workshops | 20 | 1 per week | 2 hours | 40 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 140 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Coursework | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| In-Year Test | 1 hour | 40% | |
| Assignment | 60% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Example formative exercises and an in-year test are given during the course.
â– Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.