Information Technology Security Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Disability Statement

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Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ITSY-1342-001 Information Technology Security

Prerequisites

Prerequisite/Corequisite: CPMT 1351

Course Description

Instruction in security for network hardware, software and data, including physical security; backup procedures; relevant tools; encryption; and protection from viruses.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

In this course, you are expected to read all assigned materials and agree to abide by the rules and guidelines presented in the department academic integrity policy; by submitting an assignment, you acknowledge this policy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VG1NSpxZzc8HDz_ElcnwYALIMYy-tCSl/view?usp=drive_link

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

• The following are the hardware and software requirements needed to perform the end-of module Hands-On Projects.
  • Microsoft Windows 11
  • An Internet connection and web browser
  • Microsoft Office
• If you purchase the textbook bundle available at the AC Bookstore, you will receive an access code for Cengage Unlimited.
• CompTIA Security+ exam voucher. Optional. These can be purchased at a discounted rate using the instructions in your Blackboard course.

Student Performance

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE (as in catalog):

Instruction in security for network hardware, software and data, including physical security; backup procedures; relevant tools; encryption; and protection from viruses.

Hours (3 sem hrs; 3 lec, 1 lab)

End-of-Course Outcomes:  Employ the physical security of network infrastructure components using National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Guidelines and other best practices; develop backup procedures to provide for data security; use network operating system features to implement network security; identify computer and network threats and vulnerabilities and methods to prevent their effects; use tools to enhance network security; and use encryption techniques to protect network data.

Course Learning Objectives:

This Course is mapped to the learning objectives in the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Certification Exam.

The CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification is designed to validate the core skills required for a career in IT security and cybersecurity. The exam objectives cover a wide range of topics, including:

EXAM OBJECTIVES (DOMAINS)
The table below lists the domains measured by this examination
and the extent to which they are represented.

DOMAIN PERCENTAGE OF EXAMINATION
1.0 General Security Concepts 12%
2.0 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations 22%
3.0 Security Architecture 18%
4.0 Security Operations 28%
5.0 Security Program Management and Oversight 20%

Total 100%

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to maintain a high standard of individual honor in their scholastic work.  Students who are guilty of cheating, plagiarism, copying, or dishonesty may be excluded from class with a grade of F; or, in flagrant cases, may be suspended from the College.  The faculty of the CIS Department reserves the right to ask a student to verify any portion of a test by reproducing any specific section or all of the test in question.

Any action that comprises the computer systems at Amarillo College, including but not limited to hacking or cracking, can result in a grade of “F” in this course and possible further disciplinary action.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria/Grading Scale:  

• >89.5 = A
• >79.5 = B
• >69.5 = C
• >59.5 = D
• <59.5 = F

The following criteria will be used to determine your grade:

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:

Activity	Learning Environment	Percentage Weight	Additional Information
Labs	Cengage	25%	Drop Lowest Grade
Quizzes	Cengage	25%	Drop Lowest Grade
Attendance In-Class Labs   Final Exam/Post Assessment	In-Class Blackboard     Cengage	15% 20%     15%	Those not in attendance will be required to complete these at home and submit their screenshots of completed work.    Comprehensive 100 questions/100 minutes

All work is provided for each student at the beginning of the semester. It is your responsibility to ensure all work is completed by the scheduled dates.

NO assignment will be accepted after one week from the due date.

The purpose of this course is to prepare students to successfully pass the CompTIA Security+ certification – successfully taking this exam (SYO 701) prior to the Final Exam can be used as a replacement grade for the Final Exam.  Passing the exam will be considered sufficient demonstration of course concepts and mastery.

** This is an accelerated 8 week course and requires substantial work outside of class.

Attendance

1. All Week 1 assignments must be completed by the end of Week 1 Monday at 10 PM, in order to be considered Present in the course. Failure to complete all assignments by this date may lead to an administrative drop from the course.
2. Check your email daily.  The email address used by your instructor is the @amarillocollege.com email issued to each AC student.
3. Complete assignments by the scheduled date/time. 
4. Attendance for on-campus classes will be taken during each class period. Attendance for online classes will be monitored by access log-in dates recorded in Blackboard and Cengage.  Excessive absence and lack of participation may result in failure of the course.

5. Students should plan on spending a minimum of 10-12 hours per week on this course, outside of class. Actual amounts will vary depending on weekly assignments and topic complexity. Please schedule your time, so that you are able to devote the appropriate energy and effort to achieve success in this course.

6. Your instructor, Christopher George, can be contacted by email through the course in Blackboard. If Blackboard is not available, please email chrisgeorge@actx.edu.  In-person meetings or additional help are available if needed or desired. Please contact by email to set up a convenient day/time.
7. Emails are typically answered within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response within that time-frame, please resend your message as a reminder.

Calendar

Additional Information