University of Virginia

School of Continuing and Professional Studies

 

Understanding Cyber Crime Course Syllabus:

 

Course Number, Title and Credits:

BUS: 5080 - Understanding Cyber Crime

(3 Graduate Credits)

 

Instructor:

Randall E. Sylvertooth, D.Sc.

rs7bg@virginia.edu

resylvertooth@yahoo.com

(440) 991-7765

 

Semester, Dates, Format:

Summer Semester 2017 (6/12/2017 – 8/4/2017)

Online: https://collab.itc.virginia.edu/portal

Course prerequisite: No course prerequisite is required.

 

Course Description:

The Understanding Cyber-Crime course will study the ongoing and ever evolving effects of cyber-crime in today’s world. The fast pace of never ending resources and technology innovations makes an adversarial threat more frequent to various types of cyber-attacks.

Students will explore and understand the threats, technologies, criminal groups of cyber-crime and any countermeasures which can be taken against such threats. The objective of this course will also explore current cyber policy issues both in private and the public-sectors, such as the new Cyber Space Security Policy Plan Review Study.

The more detailed concepts in cyber-crime topics which this course will explore are:

 

1.      Understanding attacks on corporate and private industry IT enterprises and manipulation of their IT systems.

2.      Understanding the major cyber-crime threat actors and their tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs).

3.      Understanding the various types of attacks in cyber-crime, i.e. ransomware, skimming, phishing.

4.      Understanding tools and techniques in detecting and documenting cyber-crime.

5.      Creating cyber-crime threat and risk assessments and mitigation plans.

 

Textbook/Reference Materials:

1. Spam Nation by Brian Krebs
2. Cybercrime & The Darknet: Revealing The Hidden Underworld of the Internet by Cath Senker

 

Course Delivery:

The course will be conducted online on UvaCollab. The course will consist of class discussion posts, case study exercises, projects, reports and examinations. Each week there will be an introduction to an important topic, fundamental or building block that will be required for student analytical review and writing. Many of the case studies will serve as the foundation of other cybersecurity subject matter that will be covered in greater detail in other courses of the student’s pursuit of the Cybersecurity Management Certificate Program. Each of the case studies will be supported by readings in the assigned textbook, white papers and other related articles.

 

Course Objectives/Outcome:

On successful completion, the student will be able to:

Understand cybercrime threats and how to create and manage a risk mitigation plan for cybercrime.

 

Course activities to meet objectives:

The course will be delivered online through the use of notes, reports, white papers and multi-media articles. The professor encourages interaction with classmates, especially for discussion posts.

 

Preparation and student expectations:

Reading Assignments: Students are expected to read all assigned readings before the class in which the topic will be discussed. Students are also encouraged to read as much outsourced and third party readings as possible to enhance their insight into the course subject matter. The professor will provide additional links to informational sources such as related white papers and reprinted articles during on-line class sessions.

 

As a preliminary preparation for this course, it is necessary that the students effectively review all materials and complete the individual assignments by their due date. Late assignments will usually be reflected by a reduction in grade.

 

Course Policy:

Online participation will be mandatory.  To comply with accreditation standards students must log on and complete one case study discussion posting per week in addition to weekly lectures, and scheduled assignments to maintain clock hours required to receive graduate credit.

 

All work done outside of class and in conjunction with the course must be typed and double space. The professor reserves the right to impose other formatting instructions as the need arises i.e., footnotes should be included at the end of assignments instead of at the bottom of each page, etc.

 

Students should be prepared to devote several hours per week to conduct research in support of weekly assignments. Before each class, each student should study the assignment chapters in the text and designated reading materials assigned by the professor. Each student is expected to participate in classroom discussions and case study activities.

 

The Academic Honor System

The University of Virginia academic honor system embodies many of Mr. Jefferson's principles.  The purpose of the Honor System is to sustain and protect a community of trust in which students can enjoy the freedom to develop their intellectual and personal potential.  The concept of an honor system implies that students commit themselves to the pursuit of truth.  At the Division of Continuing Education, course is conducted in the spirit of the Honor System.  The instructor will indicate which assignments and activities are to be done individually or which permit collaboration.  The following pledge should be written out at the end of all quizzes, examinations, individual assignments and papers:  "I pledge that I have neither given nor received help on this examination (quiz, assignment, etc.)"  The pledge should be signed by the student.  If you have any questions about the Honor System, you may contact the Honor Committee in Charlottesville, VA at 434-924-3452.

 

 Evaluation and Grading Criteria: Student grades will be determined by on-line class participation, course assignments, mid-term examination, case study work, final projects and final presentations.

 

A take home mid-term examination and an individual project paper with slides and presentation will be given in order for the student to comprehend fundamental concepts and their application within understanding cybercrime. The take home mid-term examination along with the student’s final project will also assure development of a workable knowledge base in cybersecurity and proficiency in applying those concepts learned for real world requirements and situations. The details for the individual paper, slides and presentation will be provided during the course.

 

The professor will further assign case studies each week that will draw upon the student’s knowledge and proficiency of cybersecurity concepts and principles. The case studies should challenge your ability to review, analyze and write an affective case study report.

 

The following table features the percentage breakdown of each assignment area towards the final grade:

 

Quality of Discussion Posts	15%
Weekly Case Studies	15%
On-line Class Participation	10%
Mid-term Examination	25%
Final Individual Paper and Slides	25%
Individual Presentations	10%
Total	= 100%

 

Grading Scale:

A	95-100
A-	90-94
B+	86-89
B	82-85
B-	79-81
C+	75-78
C	71-74
C-	68-70
F	67 AND BELOW

 

Schedule of Assignments

 

Summer 2017	Topic Discussion	To Do
6/12	Intro to Understanding Cyber Crime On-line class – Uva Collaborate	Reading Assigned Spam Nation Case Study 1 Assigned Class Discussion Post Assigned
6/19	Understanding Cybercrime Threat Groups	Class Discussion Post Due 6/16 Case Study I Due - 6/18 Case Study II Assigned Class Discussion Post Assigned
6/26	Cybercrime tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) On-line class – Uva Collaborate	Class Discussion Post Due 6/23 Case Study II Due - 6/25 Case Study III Assigned Class Discussion Post Assigned
7/3	Tor – Onion Router and The Dark Web	Class Discussion Post Due -6/30 Case Study III Due - 7/2 Mid-Term Examination Assigned Class Discussion Post Assigned
7/10	Mid-Term Examination Due	Class Discussion Post Due - 7/7 Mid-Term Examination Due- 7/10 Reading Assignment – cybercrime and The Darknet Class Discussion Post Assigned Case Study IV Assigned
7/17	Understanding Cybercrime Risks On-line class – Uva Collaborate	Class Discussion Post Due 7/14 Case Study IV Due – 7/16 Class Discussion Post Assigned Case Study V Assigned
7/24	Organizations developing Cybercrime Risk Mitigation Strategies	Class Discussion Post Due – 7/21 Case Study V Due – 7/23
7/31	Individual Papers Due Individual Slides Due Class Presentation - 7/31 On-line class – Uva Collaborate	Final Week – 8/4

 

Class Projects:

 

Project Paper: Each student must select and complete a term project. The instructor will approve the topic. The format of the project paper will use the standards of the APA format. In addition, special review sessions online will be conducted to assist students on focusing on the subject matter and to formulate projects slides for presentation.

 

Suggested project paper (15 – 20 pages Times-New Roman doubled spaced):

·         Title Page (Use APA format)

·         Table of contents

·         Executive summary / Abstract of the topic/subject and what was accomplished

·         Introduction (purpose, methodology, structure)

·         Formulation of the problem and elaboration

·         Conclusions and/or requirements

·         References and bibliography

·         Appendices

·         15 PowerPoint Slides in relation to the project paper for presentation

 

Case Study Analysis:

For case analysis, consider the following proposed process:

·         Read the case carefully and consider the key issues.

·         Determine which aspects are the most important to consider. For each aspect/area of importance identified, do the following:

·         Identify key/relevant/critical items and compile facts, identify problems, elements for more in depth analysis and record in comparative matrices. Use tables to support suppositions, insight, observations and conclusions.

·         Consider and document the actions that should be taken to correct the particular negative impacts into positive or negligible outcomes.

·         Determine the positive or negative impact that each item will have against one and another by evaluating the effect of these collective impacts. Be sure to discuss the positive and negative influences caused by their collective interactions. For negative influences, recommend a solution(s) to alleviate the potentially detrimental effects.

·         Make sure to include your opinion and thoughts to the case study.