Montgomery College

Germantown Campus
NW246 Network Defense and Countermeasures
Course Syllabus – Spring 2011
Course Information
Course: Network Defense and Countermeasures
Section: NW 246
Days and Times: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (3 hours)
Dates: 02/02/11 – 05/11/11 (15 Sessions)
Location: HT319

Instructor:
Silvia M. Vargas
Sr. Systems Engineer/Network Security Consultant/PT Faculty
Cogent Systems/VATG, Inc/GW
Email: silvia.vargas@motgomerycollege.edu
Office Hours: By appointment before class time

Course Description:
The purpose of this course is to prepare students for Level One of the Security Certified Program (SCP).
The text maps clearly to the exam objectives for the current Security Certified Network Professional
(SCNP) exam. Designed to help students develop beyond the Security+ certification, this course provides a
solid foundation in network security fundamentals, but assumes familiarity with basic concepts. The course
focuses on how to protect a range of different operating systems against attacks, how to develop more
effective security strategies, and how to handle emergencies.

Specific topic coverage includes:

Performing Risk Analysis
Hardening Linux Systems

Creating Security Policies
Windows Server 2003 Security

Penetration Testing Techniques Fundamentals

Analyzing Packet Structures
Configuring Windows Server 2003

Cryptography Security

Internet and Web Security
Required Materials:
Textbook: Randy Weaver, Guide to Strategic Infrastructure Security. Course Technology Incorporated,
2008, ISBN: 1-4188-3661-3. ISBN-13: 978-1-4188-3661-0.

Instructor’s Topic Presentations:

The instructor’s presentations will be posted at the NW246 homepage under “Files” by 1PM the afternoon
of each class meeting. Students are responsible for bringing copies of presentations with them to class.

Course Requirements:
Attendance: I strongly recommend that you strive to attend all class meetings. The class format consists of
lectures with some hands-on computer work. Missing class means missing the opportunity to work on the
lab assignments. Students should be prepared to contribute to discussions on the session's topic and ask
relevant questions.

NW246: Network Defense and Countermeasures Syllabus - Spring 2011 (VARGAS)

 NW246: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Absences: Students should make every effort to attend each class session. If a student must miss a class
session, he/she should notify the instructor prior to the absence. It is the student's responsibility to obtain
class notes and materials from classmates.

Research Paper: Students should research a security trend in depth by selecting on a specific topic (in
advance) provided by the instruction. Paper should be between 5-6 pages long, double space. More details
to follow on a separate handout.

In-Class Team Project: Students will divide into groups of three/four, conduct some preliminary research,
select one of the topics provided by the instructor, register your selection with the instructor (to avoid
duplication) and then begin to research the details of the topic selected. The findings will be presented as
per the Course Schedule below. More details to follow on a separate handout.

Quizzes: There will be 3 quizzes on book material. These will be closed book quizzes and may vary from
five to ten multiple choice format questions.

Mid Term Exam: This exam will be a closed book exam and it will cover Chapters1 through 5. The format
will include multiple choice, short answer, fill in, etc.

Final Exam: This exam will be a take-home exam and it will cover Chapters 6 through 9. The format will
include multiple choice, short answer, fill in, etc.

Late Policies:
Assignments: Students must submit all assignments (individual and group) on the dates specified in the
Course Schedule or as specified in individual handouts as it is in the case with the Security Paper, Team
Exercise, and Final Exam. Electronic submissions must reflect a time stamp at or before the scheduled
time (Eastern Standard Time) on the due date and must be submitted as an email attachment in Microsoft
Word format. Make-up or late assignments are allowed only at the discretion of the instructor and will incur
a 5-point penalty daily.

Tests: May not be taken past the due date unless approved in advance. If for some reason you are not
able to take a test at the scheduled date, it will be the student’s responsibility to coordinate with the
instructor on a day to take the test. The student will have no more than one week to take the test.

Extra Credit:
I do not offer extra credit assignments. I believe it is very important to give every student the same
opportunity for success.

Special Note:
The contents of this course may be altered or changed at any time if the instructor deems it necessary. If
this should be the case, an updated syllabus will be distributed and reviewed to all students.

Other Policies:

Pagers and Cell Phones:

As a courtesy to the instructor and fellow students, all pagers and cell phones should either be turned off or
set to vibrate.
NW246: Network Defense and Countermeasures Syllabus - Spring 2011 (VARGAS)
 NW246: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Academic Honesty
Students are expected to follow the guidelines listed in the Student Handbook under the heading,
“Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct.”

Cancellation of Classes
Announcement of cancellation of classes due to inclement weather can usually be found at
www.schoolsout.com.

CADA Accommodations
Montgomery College is an ADA (American Disabilities Act) compliant institution and more than six percent
of the enrolled students have a registered disability. This not only includes physical disabilities but also
learning disabilities as well. I want to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to learn when
accommodations are provided. Any students, who may need an accommodation due to a disability, please
make an appointment to see me. A letter from Disability Support Services offices at the college authorizing
your accommodations will be needed.

Evaluation:
Research Paper ................................................................................................................ 20 Points
Team Project ..................................................................................................................... 25 Points
Quizzes.............................................................................................................................. 15 Points
Midterm.............................................................................................................................. 20 Points
Final Exam ........................................................................................................................ 20 Points
Total Available Points 100 Points

Grading Criteria:
Total Points Letter Grade
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
< 60 F

NW246: Network Defense and Countermeasures Syllabus - Spring 2011 (VARGAS)

 NW246: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Course Schedule:

Date Reading Assignment Class Topics

02/02/11 Course Overview 1. Introductions

Weaver - Chapter 1 (Performing Risk Analysis) 2. Syllabus Review/Discussion
3. Chapter Lecture
02/09/11 Weaver - Chapter 4 (Analyzing Packet Structures) 1. Online Lecture
Weaver - Chapter 5 (Cryptography)

02/16/11 Weaver - Chapter 2 (Creating Security Policies) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture

02/23/11 Weaver - Chapter 3 (Penetration Testing 1. Quiz #1: Chapter 1,2,4,5

Techniques) 2. Review Previous Class Topics
3. Chapter Lecture
03/02/11 Work on Wireless Technology Project Work-at-Home: Security Research
03/09/11 None In-Class Midterm Exam: Chapters 1-5
03/16/11 None Spring Break

03/23/11 Weaver - Chapter 6 (Internet and Web Security) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture
03/30/11 Weaver - Chapter 7 (Hardening Linux Systems) 1. Review Previous Class Topics
2. Chapter Lecture
04/06/11 Work on Team Project Research Work-at-Home: Team Project Research

04/13/11 Weaver - Chapter 8 (Windows Server 2003 Security 1. Quiz #2: Chapters 6 & 7
Fundamentals) 2. Review Previous Class Topics
3. Chapter Lecture (Part 1)
04/20/11 None 1. Team Project Presentations Due
04/27/11 Weaver - Chapter 8 (Windows Server 2003 Security 1. Review Previous Class Topics
Fundamentals) 2. Chapter Lecture (Part 2)
3. Security Research Paper Due
05/04/11 Weaver - Chapter 9 (Configuring Windows Server 1. Quiz #3: Chapter 8
2003 Security) 2. Review Previous Class Topics
3. Chapter Lecture
05/11/11 None Take-Home Final Exam: Chapters 6-9
Due by 6pm

NW246: Network Defense and Countermeasures Syllabus - Spring 2011 (VARGAS)