DSC8058 : Security and Trust in Digital Systems (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Dr Essam Ghadafi
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Â鶹´«Ã½ City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to provide students with an advanced understanding of the principles and practices required to design, analyse, and evaluate secure and trustworthy digital systems. It introduces core concepts from information security, cryptography, and risk management, and applies them to contemporary computing environments.
The module introduces key system-level concepts and fosters critical analysis of security challenges in contemporary digital infrastructure
Outline Of Syllabus
- Core security principles in digital systems, including confidentiality, integrity and
availability, threat modelling, and secure design approaches such as least privilege and
defence in depth.
- Practical use of cryptographic techniques, including encryption, authentication, hashing and
key management, with emphasis on real-world applications and common failures.
- Risk and trust in digital systems, including risk assessment approaches, trust models, and
evaluation of system security and assurance.
- Governance and ethical considerations, including data protection principles, security policies,
and the role of regulation in shaping secure systems.
- Security challenges in networked and distributed systems, including identity and access
management, data flows, and common system-level vulnerabilities.
- Analysis of real-world security incidents, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities and
evaluating mitigation strategies.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Assessment and completion of Security and Risk Assessment Report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Preparation and completion of formative assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 35:00 | 35:00 | Assessment and completion of Secure System Design and Evaluation report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Applied tasks, including threat modelling, risk analysis, system security |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 1 | 26:00 | 26:00 | Directed reading linked to weekly topics |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Case studies, discussions, and critical evaluation |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Review of lecture materials and supporting content |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 38 | 1:00 | 38:00 | Lecture preparation & follow-up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Background reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Q&A, feedback sessions |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures introduce key principles in security, cryptography, risk, and trust, supporting core knowledge and critical understanding. Practical sessions enable application of theoretical concepts to realistic scenarios, including threat modelling, risk analysis, and system-level evaluation, supporting analytical and problem-solving skills.
Small group teaching facilitates discussion and critical evaluation of case studies, enabling engagement with real-world security challenges and development of higher-order analytical skills. Structured guided learning, including lecture materials and directed reading, supports engagement with key concepts and research-informed content. Guided independent study, including assessment preparation and independent learning, supports self-directed learning, critical inquiry, and application of knowledge in coursework.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Security and risk assessment report based on a defined system scenario, focusing on evaluation of risks, trust considerations, and system-level vulnerabilities (1500 words) |
| Report | 1 | M | 60 | Secure system design and evaluation report based on a given case study, including development of a security architecture and justification of design decisions (2500 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | Feedback from Assessment 1 supports the development of the secure system design, evaluation, and justification elements of Assessment 2 |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment strategy is designed to support the development of both analytical and design skills. The first assessment focuses on security and risk analysis, requiring students to evaluate a system scenario and identify risks and vulnerabilities. This supports critical thinking and the application of core security principles. It also provides a formative element to support students with the second assessment.
The second assessment builds on this by requiring the design and evaluation of a secure system. Students are expected to justify their design decisions and consider trade-offs between security, usability and trust, supporting more advanced evaluative and problem-solving skills.
Taken together, the assessments provide a balanced approach, enabling students to demonstrate both understanding and application.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: