42037 IoT Security
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): ( 32548 Cybersecurity OR (48730 Cybersecurity AND 30 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ03445 Networking and Cybersecurity major BSc ))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Recommended studies:
knowledge of network security, programming, and internet protocols is required. Knowledge of IoT communications and protocols is desirable.
Description
This subject provides the fundamental knowledge of Internet of Things (IoT) applications, including basic components such as IoT devices, low-powered networking and middleware solutions, and the relevant security and privacy issues regarding these components. Furthermore, students gain an understanding of why traditional cyber security tools and technologies are not suitable for IoT applications, and they learn a set of practical security tools and technologies useful for building secured and trustworthy IoT applications. Students gain fundamental knowledge of secured IoT applications such as bush fire monitoring systems, secured home automation systems, and intelligent and automated vehicular transportation systems. In addition, this subject aims to teach students, through industry-driven projects, to build secure IoT applications using a simulation environment on Contiki (an open-source operating system for IoT). The project derives from real-world applications like smart home, smart office, smart health, smart agriculture, etc. Through the subject, students understand the importance of securing IoT devices for a trustworthy environment.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand the current cybersecurity issues and challenges for the development security solutions in IoT networks. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design IoT applications that incorporate practical security tools and technologies. (C.1) |
| 3. | Develop and implement secured solutions using a simulated environment such as Contiki in a team environment. (D.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply theoretical, conceptual, software and physical tools and advanced discipline knowledge to research, evaluate and predict future performance of systems characterised by complexity. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
Teaching and learning strategies
IoT security is designed for students to experience active and interactive learning opportunities. Students will engage in various settings including classes, labs, and workshops. They are required to complete reading and viewing materials before each class and each lab. This pre-work material will be used in classes and labs to help students to complete lab tasks to engage in discussions as well as to ask questions. Feedback will be communicated each week verbally during the completion of lab and class tasks.
Content (topics)
Topics in this subject include:
- IoT Security: An Overview
- IoT Security Architecture and Protocols
- IoT Authentication and Cryptography
- REST-COAP Communications for IoT Security
- IoT Forensics
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Skills-based assessment 1
| Intent: | The lab presentation will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to develop IoT security solutions. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Quiz 1
| Intent: | The quiz will assess the student’s knowledge about the theoretical and some practical aspects of the subject. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 3: Skills-based assessment 2
| Intent: | The skills-based assessment will provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate their ability to develop IoT security solutions. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
Assessment task 4: Quiz 2
| Intent: | The quiz will assess the student’s knowledge about the theoretical and some practical aspects of the subject. |
|---|---|
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
S. Li and L. D. Xu. Securing the Internet of Things. Syngress, 2017.
Recommended texts
- B. Russell and D. V. Duren. Practical Internet of Things Security. Packt Publishing Ltd, Jan. 2016.
- S. Misra, M. Maheswaran, and S. Hashmi. Security Challenges and Approaches in Internet of Things. Springer International Publishing; 2017.
- F. Hu. Security and privacy in Internet of things (IoTs): Models, Algorithms, and Implementations. CRC Press, Apr. 2016.
References
Additional reference materials will be supplied to students when required.