Securing Emerging Computing Platforms
Course Description
This is a seminar course that targets fundamental and recent research in securing modern computing platforms. While technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the fundamental problems of securing computer systems have emerged repeatedly in different forms across various platforms. Thus these computing platforms offer tremendous opportunities to study and investigate new exciting problems in the space of security and privacy. Topics in this seminar will include approaches to security in cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and threat intelligence platforms. We will examine selected seminal and current papers in the field. This seminar will provide context and further understanding of each area. Along with studying research papers on the aforementioned topics, students registered for three credit hours should work with the instructor to complete a research project. This seminar assumes prior knowledge of fundamental security concepts.
Organization
- Instructor: Pubali Datta
- Course number: COMPSCI 692W
- Class hours: Friday 10:10AM - 12:05PM
- Class location: Lederle Lowrise A215 (LGRC)
- Office hours: By appointment
- Office location: CS344
- Class communications: Canvas
- E-mail: pdatta@umass.edu (Note: Please include COMPSCI 692W in your email subject line for class related stuff!)
Requirements
Participate
Students will attend every class and actively participate in class discussions.
Read Literature
Students will read all of the assigned papers in advance of each class.
Present Literature
Students will present research papers and lead the ensuing class discussion.
Weekly Assignments
Each week, students will prepare summaries for the assigned readings. These
summaries will be submitted prior to the start of the class and graded by the
instructor. Details about paper review expectations will be discussed in the
first class as part of the introductory material.
Complete a Term Project
Students will conduct a major reserch project in security, with the chief
deliverable being a conference-style paper at the end of the semester. Project
topics will be discussed in introductory class material.
As part of the term project, there will be milestones throughout the semester (e.g., project proposals) that will
be graded as homework assignment. Projects teams may include groups of up to 2 students; however, groups of
greater size will be expected to make greater progress. The instructor will
advise each team/individual independently as needed. The project grade will be a
combination of grades received for a number of milestone artifacts and the final
conference-quality report.
| Grading Item | 1 credit | 3 credits |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly assignments | 40% | 20% |
| Presentations | 40% | 20% |
| Participation | 20% | 15% |
| Project | 0% | 45% |
Accommodation Statement
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing an equal educational opportunity for all students. If you have a documented physical, psychological, or learning disability on file with Disability Services (DS), you may be eligible for reasonable academic accommodations to help you succeed in this course. If you have a documented disability that requires an accommodation, please notify me within the first two weeks of the semester so that we may make appropriate arrangements. For further information, please visit Disability Services ( https://www.umass.edu/disability/)
Academic Honesty Statement
Since the integrity of the academic enterprise of any institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required of all students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Academic dishonesty is prohibited in all programs of the University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating dishonesty. Appropriate sanctions may be imposed on any student who has committed an act of academic dishonesty. Instructors should take reasonable steps to address academic misconduct. Any person who has reason to believe that a student has committed academic dishonesty should bring such information to the attention of the appropriate course instructor as soon as possible. Instances of academic dishonesty not related to a specific course should be brought to the attention of the appropriate department Head or Chair. Since students are expected to be familiar with this policy and the commonly accepted standards of academic integrity, ignorance of such standards is not normally sufficient evidence of lack of intent ( http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/codeofconduct/acadhonesty/).
Title IX Statement
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational settings that receive federal funds, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing a safe learning environment for all students, free from all forms of discrimination, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and retaliation. This includes interactions in person or online through digital platforms and social media. Title IX also protects against discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, including recovery. There are resources here on campus to support you. A summary of the available Title IX resources (confidential and non-confidential) can be found at the following link: https://www.umass.edu/titleix/resources. You do not need to make a formal report to access them. If you need immediate support, you are not alone. Free and confidential support is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year at the SASA Hotline 413-545-0800.