IenC Systems: Risk and Control

This module is about assessing and overcoming risks in ICT to ensure systems are maintainable in the long term in complex multi-actor environments and that they do not create new risks. You learn to understand the different hardware components that make up ICT systems and the different organisational, inter-organisational and large-scale systems designs. You learn how to use this knowledge to assess the risks different ICT systems pose for individuals, organisations and society. You will also learn the different strategies to reduce these risks and determine if and how to apply them.

The theoretical background will be explained during the course during different lectures and guest lectures. In different groups, you will then apply the theory to several cases in which you will assess risks and identify strategies for reducing them. You will present your case to the other students in the course, after which they can ask questions about it, and there will be a more in-depth discussion of the case, the strategies chosen, and the considerations made.

The assessment during the course consists of two parts. The first one is an individual exam, which contains a mix of knowledge questions and simple cases for which you will need to assess and address risks. The individual exam will be 60% of your final grade. The second part of your assessment will be based on a final case assignment for which you will assess risks and identify a strategy for dealing with that risk in your group. For this part, the assignment report and its presentation will be 40% of your final grade. You need to score at least a 5 for each part and at least a 5.75 for both parts together to pass the course