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The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building

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"Complementary Security"

NS 684

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Professor Craig T. Johnson

NS 684 Complementary Security

Office hours by appointment

(301) 461-2945

E-mail: ctjohnson@capitol-college@edu

Course Description:

In today's world of heightened alert it is not possible to protect ourselves from every threat. We must identify potential threats and our vulnerabilities, assessing criticality and our tolerance for risk. In addition we know that while technology and physical security remain a critical element of any security program, people ultimately make the difference but are often overlooked.

Complementary Security will discuss security disciplines that are important to the rounded Information Security (INFOSEC) or information warfare professional. Areas that will be discussed in this course are personnel security, physical security and operational security relative to how they interface with information technology. Alternative countermeasures will be identified and discussed. Quantitative and qualitative methods for determining criticality will define the priorities to be selected for a solid and strengthen security posture.

In addition, this course will review the prevailing terrorist threats to this technology and how these adversaries have used this technology to execute their bidding.

The course overview presents material to students as if they are information warfare professionals needing knowledge of all aspects of security to protect their critical core areas. Finally, discussions will address authentication standards in practice with such applications as RADIUS, TACACS+, Kerberos and biometrics that are used as countermeasures to thwart unauthorized penetrations.

Course Objectives:

Understand authentication standards and practices

Explore the prevailing threats to information technology systems and the "best practices" to protect them.

Learn Personnel security objectives and techniques relative to information technology.

Learn Physical security objectives and techniques relative to information technology.

Understand operational security, including the provision for back-up facilities and procedural security

Required Texts:

Effective Physical Security (Second Edition)

289 pp., 1997

Contemporary Security Management

393 pp., 2002

Course Profile

	Who should take this course? Comment: Anyone seeking an overview of the security profession and how it interfaces with information technology.
	How is this course relevant to me? I am a network specialist or a technical person. I leave the security issues to the security professionals. Comment: Security is necessary for everyone regardless of your expertise and especially for information technology professionals.

I am not sure I will do well in this course because I do not know anything about security. Comment: This course has application for the expert or the novice. We approach the class as if each student is considered a Vice President for an organization responsible for security for their firm. You must grasp all that the course will teach you and apply it to your imaginary firm. The course is interactive and we learn from each other.

Comments from previous students:

"I wanted to know more about physical security and that is why I took the class..."

"NS-684 provided relevance to some of the issues that I am dealing with in my work environment...a really good class."

"I initially had concerns with this class because I did not think it was relevant to my degree program. But I quickly learned that NS 684 has application."

Contact Information

Telephone: (301) 461-2945
FAX: (301) 515-6223
Postal address: Capitol College; 11301 Springfield Road; Laurel, Maryland 20708; (301) 369-2800 or (800) 950-1992
Electronic mail: General Information, counseling or student assistance:; ctjohnson@capitol-college.edu