Computer SecurityCS 436 / CS 636 / CS 736
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Module 019 lectures

Introduction to Computer Security

Foundational cybersecurity paradigms, the critical role of human factors, real-world cyber incidents (Colonial Pipeline, SolarWinds), and the core building blocks: CIA Triad, Authentication, and Access Control.

In plain language

Study-guide summary

Learn what computer security protects, why people are part of security, and how confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and access control work together.

Learning objectives

  1. 01Explain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability goals in your own words.
  2. 02Recognize how real incidents can affect people, businesses, and physical services.
  3. 03Distinguish authentication from authorization and apply least privilege.

Next up: What is Computer Security?

Lecture guide

Work through each lecture, check the available course material, then mark it complete.

  1. Source: Official slides are available; the repository does not contain a unique matching transcript.

    An exploration of computer security as the systematic protection of computing systems, hardware, software, data, operational integrity, and users in modern society.

    Topics: Definition of Cybersecurity · Ubiquitous Computing · Hardware vs Software Security · Digital Society

    Official slides

    Security is not merely avoiding viruses; it spans people, hardware, infrastructure, and society.

    Lecture 1.1 · Key ideas

    What is Computer Security?

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Provided course examples

Written practice

These prompts were supplied for this guide. They are not stored in the source repository.

Provided assignment · 10 pts · Module 1

Personal security assessment

Choose three online services you use regularly (for example Canvas, Gmail, Instagram, Discord, OneDrive, a banking app). Assess the security of each one.

  1. What information or assets are most valuable?
  2. Is MFA (multi-factor authentication) enabled?
  3. What could happen if the account were compromised?
  4. Which security goals would be affected: confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, access control?

Provided assignment · 5 pts · Module 1

Ethics: you find a grade vulnerability

Using the CAE Cybersecurity Code of Ethics: suppose you discover a vulnerability that lets you access another student's grades.

  1. What actions should you take?
  2. What actions should you avoid?
  3. Which three ethical principles apply, and why?

Research-informed practice · 12 pts · Module 1

Security goals and human behavior

A hospital requires staff to enter a 20-character password every five minutes. Some staff begin sharing accounts and writing passwords on badges.

  1. Identify two security goals or principles affected.
  2. Explain why the control creates new risk.
  3. Recommend one safer, more usable design.

Knowledge check

Module 1 quiz

Answer one question at a time. Each explanation points back to its source lecture.

Question 1 of 4

Score 0

Lecture 1.5 · Confidentiality

Which security property is violated when an attacker intercepts and reads an unencrypted email containing confidential medical records?