ITS 271 - Securing Desktops/Mobile Devices

Credit(s): 3

Prerequisite(s): ITS 210, ITS 218.
This course will provide advanced technical information and relevant skills to successfully secure end-user devices, including desktop and laptop systems, tablets, cellular phones, and other portable computing equipment. Building on existing knowledge and skills in the areas of server management, network management, and security, students will gain mastery-level knowledge of security issues and best practices. Course content covers client/server exposures and protections (authentication options, packet signing and encryption of network traffic, appropriate implementation of permissions and rights); malware threats and treatments; transmission choices and precautions (wired, wireless, remote desktop access, virtual private networking (VPN)); cloud computing considerations; and corporate mobile device best practices. Hardening of the operating system and application software is also covered. Course content will focus on business-focused security practices. (Intermittently)

Course Learning Outcomes

Evaluate and apply best practices in client/server security, including but not limited to authentication, transmission, operating system hardening, auditing, access control, and encryption.
Identify and classify malware by threat type, method of introduction, and protection strategies.
Evaluate the advantages and exposures of current communication technologies, including wired, wireless, remote access, and protocol-level choices.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of cloud-based computing technologies, including public, private, and hybrid configurations.
Examine security trends and vulnerabilities in mobile computing devices.
Develop best-practices toolkits for effective management of devices.