Systems Security

The course overviews principles, concepts, methods, and best practices in computer systems security. The students will obtain the necessary background and hands-on experience to design secure computer systems, study attacks and defense methods in computer systems, develop and test code to explore vulnerabilities, and apply practical defenses against software and hardware attacks. Topics covered in the course include:

• Hardware primitives

• Operating systems abstractions

• System-level attacks and defenses

• Secure systems engineering

The final grade of the course consists of the following components:

• Written Exam (weighting 50%)

• Group Assignment 1: Lab assignment on code scanning (weighting 10%)

• Group Assignment 2: Lab assignment on Finding Gadgets (weighting 10%)

• Group Assignment 3: Lab assignment on Systems Call Interposition (weighting 10%)

• Group Project: research project in systems security (weighting 20%)

Final grade calculation = 0.5 Written Exam + 0.1 * Group Assignment 1 + 0.1 * Group Assignment 2 + 0.1 * Group Assignment 3 + 0.2 * Group project

A passing final grade for the course can only be earned when for all components at least a 5.0 is earned, and the weighted final grade is at least a 5.8.

In case of an insufficient final result, repair options may exist in accordance with Article 17A, Times and number of examinations, sub 1, of the Teaching and Examination Regulations, for:

• Written Exam: Resit opportunity

• Group Assignment 1: Repair opportunity

• Group Assignment 2: Repair opportunity

• Group Assignment 3: Repair opportunity

• Group Project: Repair opportunity

Disclaimer: information may change depending on unforeseen circumstances or measures (see: TER Art 2, sub 5).