Build a rigorous foundation in security concepts from cryptography and authentication to secure systems and human factors. Slides and hands‑on demos included — no textbook required.
0) No Textbook Required. All materials are provided via slides and in‑class demos.
1) Course Goals. Develop a systematic understanding of cybersecurity across hardware, software, networks, and human factors.
2) Learning Objectives.
Attendance is not mandatory, but random attendance checks contribute 10% of the grade.
Grades are based on straight percentages; minor adjustments may be made to ensure fairness across the distribution.
Abide by the University of Miami Honor Code. Do not seek external assistance on individual assignments/projects. For clarification, consult the instructor.
7) Online Discussion Forum. Register on Ed Discussion.
8) Final Grade Scales.
Class | Date | Day | HW | Quiz | Topics / Links |
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1 | Aug-18 | Monday | Importance of Cybersecurity. Notes |
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2 | Aug-20 | Wednesday | Overview | ||
3 | Aug-25 | Monday | Tutorial: decrypt homework | Symmetric Encryption | |
4 | Aug-27 | Wednesday |
Download HW1 (Part 1) Part 2: Generate your public key & add to table HW 1 deadline: Sep 15. Email Part 1 answers to TA (sxa1654@miami.edu). |
Demo: Encrypt/Decrypt Messages (bring your laptop)
Download your keys Sample code: generate asymmetric keys |
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5 | Sep-03 | Wednesday | Quiz 1 (Open book) | ||
6 | Sep-08 | Monday | Authentication, Authorization, Hash Functions | ||
7 | Sep-10 | Wednesday | Digital Signatures / Certificates | ||
8 | Sep-15 | Monday | Homework 2 | Access Control, MACs | |
9 | Sep-17 | Wednesday | Quiz 2 (Open book) | ||
10 | Sep-22 | Monday |
Database Today SQL questions · Answers · Patient Database |
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11 | Sep-24 | Wednesday | Single Point of Failure · BFT | ||
12 | Sep-29 | Monday | Single Point of Failure · BFT Part 2 / DDoS | ||
13 | Oct-01 | Wednesday | Quiz 3 (Open book) | ||
14 | Oct-06 | Monday | HW3 -- Read it! | Blockchain: Overview | |
15 | Oct-08 | Wednesday | HW for CSers: Install and Use Hyperleder Blockchain | Blockchains | |
16 | Oct-15 | Wednesday | Blockchain Smart Contracts · Blockchain Applications | ||
17 | Oct-20 | Monday | AI Security | ||
18 | Oct-22 | Wednesday | HW4 | Data Anonymization | |
19 | Oct-27 | Monday | Quiz 4 (Open book) | ||
20 | Oct-29 | Wednesday | Zero‑Knowledge Proof / Watermarking | ||
21 | Nov-03 | Monday | Secure Multi‑Party Computation / Differential Privacy / Threshold Signatures | ||
22 | Nov-05 | Wednesday | HW5 | Homomorphic Encryption | |
23 | Nov-10 | Monday | Federated Learning / Multi‑Modal Model | ||
24 | Nov-12 | Wednesday | Training Personalized LLMs for Specific Tasks | ||
25 | Nov-17 | Monday | Quiz 5 (Open book) | ||
26 | Nov-19 | Wednesday | Group Registration | Student Presentation 1 | |
27 | Nov-24 | Monday | Student Presentation 2 | ||
28 | Dec-01 | Monday | Student Presentation 3 |
Exercises | Grade % | Comments |
---|---|---|
Assignments | 30% | 5 times |
Quizzes | 40% | 5 times |
Final Exam | 20% | |
Attendance | 10% | Random checks throughout the term |