Information Security PG (6682.5)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Information Security PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Technology Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit examines the information security threats and vulnerabilities of IT-based information systems. A risk management approach is used to develop an understanding of the policies, practices and technologies needed to provide for an appropriate level of security. Information security policy is considered and the various security needs, from managerial to technical, are examined in the context of current and future information systems.
This unit may be cotaught with 11487 Information Security.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand organisational information security practices;
2. Analyse and evaluate information security risks in personal and organisational situations and report on these evaluations as appropriate;
3. Participate in the design of information security requirements; and
4. Critique and explain information security issues in light of current research.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

Enrolment in 846AA Master of Information Technology OR

Must have completed 18 credit points AND 6677 Systems Analysis and Modelling G OR

Students enrolled in version 1 or 2 of 309JA Master of Business Informatics or in version 4 or 5 of 973AA Master of Information Technology and Systems must have completed 9 credit points at G or PG level.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

11487 Information Security 7162 Information Security

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Abu Barkat Ullah
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Abu Barkat Ullah
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

There is no required textbook for Information Security.

The following books are set as recommended readings:

  • ISACA (2019), COBIT 2019, ISACA https://www.isaca.org/cobit/pages/default.aspx

  • ISO27000 series – Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems

  • Whitman, ME & Mattord, HJ (2019), Management of information security, 6th edn, Cengage Learning

  • Awad, A & Fairhurst, M. (2018), Information Security : Foundations, Technologies and Applications, Institution of Engineering & Technology

  • Chopra, A & Chaudhary (2019) Implementing an Information Security Management System : Security Management Based on ISO 27001 Guidelines, Apress L. P.

  • Vacca, J and Vacca, J (2013) Computer and Information Security Handbook, Elsevier Science & Technology

  • Chapple, M (2021), CISM Certified Information Security Manager Study Guide.John Wiley & Sons

A range of academic articles relating to Information Security will also be used to support the teaching of this unit.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Students should keep a copy of all assessment items that are submitted at least until unit grades have been published at the end of semester.

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass this unit, students have to obtain total marks of 50% or greater. Some scaling of marks and academic judgement may be applied to determine students' final grades - in this process no student will be disadvantaged.

All work quoted from any source should be appropriately referenced using the "Harvard (2021)" referencing style as described in the link below (note that there is multiple versions of the Harvard referencing style, and you should use the one described here).

http://canberra.libguides.com/referencing

Students who are not familiar with referencing academic work should undertake the Academic Integrity Module.

The unit convenor reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Activities  Hours
Weekly lecture: 2 hours per week, 12 weeks                            24
Weekly Tutorial:  1 hour per week, 11 weeks                            11
Preparation for tutorial work and other general reading: 3 hours per week, 11 weeks    33
Tutorial works 7.5 hours, 4 times 22
Security evaluation Assessment  40
Final Assessment  20
Total  150

Participation requirements

Attendance at classes is not compulsory but it is advisable for students to attend as many classes as possible. Students should also be aware that the subject will be examined on material covered in classes, including lectures and tutorials and it is the individual student's responsibility to ensure that they are sufficiently familiar with this material. Attendance at classes is one of the best ways of ensuring this familiarity. Do not make the mistake of assuming that the materials provided online perfectly substitute for class attendance.

Announcements are made throughout the unit, typically to clarify requirements for assignments. Any such announcements will be made using your student email account and/or placed on the unit web site. Such announcements are deemed, within two working days, to be made to the whole group. Announcements made at an organised session are deemed to be made to the whole group.

Required IT skills

Information Security PG is an advanced level unit and it is generally expected that students will have a fair degree of sophistication in their knowledge of IT related matters. Students should also possess the ability to use a word processor for the production of assignments and various on-line searching tools from the Internet and the library to undertake various assignments in the unit.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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