COMP20390

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Describe key cybersecurity concepts, including threats, vulnerabilities, risks, and common attack lifecycles.
• Explain the role of core security controls such as authentication, access control, cryptography, and basic protections for web systems and data.
• Identify common cybersecurity risks linked to user behaviour and organisational practices, and suggest appropriate mitigations.
• Discuss the ethical, legal, and governance dimensions of cybersecurity and apply this understanding to practical security scenarios.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

This module will be taught primarily through lectures covering a range of introductory topics in cybersecurity. Learning will be supported through the use of practical examples and case-based discussion, enabling students to relate key concepts to on-going cybersecurity challenges. Students will be expected to engage in independent study to consolidate and extend their understanding of the material introduced in class. Critical writing will be developed and assessed through the module assignment. Guidance will be provided on the appropriate, ethical, and policy-compliant use of AI tools in the module, consistent with University academic integrity requirements.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.