Course Descriptions
CISS 300
Introduction to Information Systems Security
1 Unit
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: Some experience and/or coursework in networking.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC
This course provides an introduction to network-based and Internet-based security applications and standards. Topics include cryptography, security protocols, network security applications, encryption, hash functions, digital signatures, viruses and key exchange.
CISS 301
Ethical Hacking
2 Units
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: CISC 323, 356; and CISS 300
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 27 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
With the threats of cyber-terrorism and corporate espionage increasing, the need for trained network security professionals continues to grow. This course covers penetration-testing tools and techniques that White Hat Hackers and security testers used to protect computer networks. This course provides a structured knowledge base for preparing security professionals to discover vulnerabilities and recommend solutions for tightening network security and protecting data from potential attackers. The issue of ethics is also discussed.
CISS 310
Network Security Fundamentals
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISN 330 with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 45 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
Organizations today are linking their information systems across enterprize-wide networks and Virtual Private Networks, as well as increasing their exposure to the Internet. Each connection magnifies the vulnerability to unauthorized access. This course provides the fundamental knowledge needed to analyze risks to the system and implement a workable security policy that protects information assets from potential intrusion, damage or theft. Students will learn which countermeasures to deploy to thwart potential attacks. This course will also prepare students for CompTIA's Security+ Exam.
CISS 320
Implementing Network Security and Counter Measures
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) provide a significant cost savings by allowing remote users and multiple sites to securely communicate across a public network. A thorough understanding of the many standards and technologies available is essential for a successful VPN implementation. In this course, students will gain the knowledge required to evaluate, implement and manage secure remote-access technologies. In addition, with the growing reliance on e-commerce, network-based services and the Internet, organizations are faced with an ever-increasing responsibility to protect their systems from attack. Internet Detection Systems (IDS) are the latest and most powerful tools for identifying and responding to network- and host-based intrusions.
CISS 330
Implementing Internet Security and Firewalls
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
With the increased connectivity to the Internet and the wide availability of automated cracking tools, organizations can no longer simply rely on operating system security to protect their valuable corporate data. The firewall has emerged as a primary tool used to prevent unauthorized access. Students will learn how to allow access to key services while maintaining your organization's security, as well as how to implement firewall-to-firewall Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
CISS 341
Implementing Windows Operating System Security
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better.
Advisory: CISC 308.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
As organizations increasingly come to rely on Windows-based networks, it is essential that system administrators have a complete understanding of the security models integral to Windows Server and Workstation. This course will provide indepth explanations of operating system security features as well as step-by-step configuration guides for proper operating system configuration. It also provides the knowledge and skills students will need to know in order to maintain the integrity, authenticity, availability and privacy of data.
CISS 342
Implementing Linux Operating System Security
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISC 323 with a grade of "C" or better.
Advisory: CISS 310.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
The UNIX family of operating systems is prized by developers and other IT professionals for their flexibility and openness. Vulnerabilities in standard configurations, however, can make UNIX systems susceptible to security threats. For the many organizations that depend upon UNIX systems, protection against intrusion is an absolute requirement. This course provides the knowledge and skills you need to establish security for the Linux platform. It will present in-depth explanations of operating system security features as well as step-by-step configuration guides for proper operating system configuration. This course also will cover the knowledge and skills students will need to maintain the integrity, authenticity, availability and privacy of data.
CISS 350
Disaster Recovery
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
This course teaches students how to identify network vulnerabilities and how to take the appropriate countermeasures to prevent and mitigate failure risks for an organization. Students will gain an understanding of the steps needed for good disaster recovery including, how to prepare a disaster recovery plan, the various risks associated with an enterprise network, the diverse job functions of employees in a Disaster Recovery Plan, and the methods needed to implement a plan once it is complete. In addition, each student will develop a Disaster Recovery Plan with a group for a real or fictitious organization.
CISS 355
Information Systems Security and Assurance Principles
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
The purpose of the course is to provide students with an overview of a Business Continuity Plan as it relates to disaster recovery. Accordingly, students will be exposed to a wide-spectrum of security activities, methods, procedures and methodologies related to this field. This course also examines the inspection and protection of information assets; detection of and reaction to threats; examination of pre- and post-incident procedures; technical and managerial responses; and security planning and staffing functions as they relate to assurance principles.
CISS 360
Computer Forensics and Investigation
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better.
Advisory: CISC 308.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
This course is an introduction to the methods used to properly conduct a computer forensics investigation beginning with a discussion of ethics, while mapping to the objectives of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) certification. Topics covered include an overview of computer forensics as a profession; the computer investigation process; understanding operating systems boot processes and disk structures; data acquisition and analysis; technical writing; and a review of familiar computer forensics tools.
CISS 365
Physical Security and Asset Protection
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
This course provides students and professionals with the necessary managerial, technical, and legal material to support decisions to secure a Local Area Network. It covers physical security techniques for an entire facility from the outside perimeter to the inside office space. Further topics will include personnel, and security management; public, and private police interactions; information system asset protection; legal liability issues; and ways to prepare for an emergency response.
CISS 370
Cryptography and Network Security
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISC 324 and CISS 310 with grades of "C" or better
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
For most businesses today there is a heightened understanding of the need to protect systems from network-based attacks; protect data and resources from disclosure; and to guarantee the authenticity of data and digital messages. Cryptography is a core technology that protects systems from network-based attacks and it has practical, readily available encryption applications to enforce network and Internet security. It also happens to be intellectually stimulating and fun. This course will encourage students to explore various encryption methods using different software applications.
CISS 385
Database Security and Auditing
3 Units
Prerequisite: CISS 310 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory: CISA 320
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 48 hours LEC; 18 hours LAB
This course focuses on three areas of databases: security, auditing and implementation. Some of the topics included are security architecture; security models for databases, and users; privileges and roles administration; password policies; virtual private databases; and auditing. In addition, students will learn how to fully implement database security on a sample database using practical scenarios and hands-on projects.