This assignment will be an in-class test during week 11. It will replace the normal lecture during w/b 07 Dec 2009. It will be worth 20% of the module mark. The purpose of this test is to encourage you to study and learn materials enabling you to know enough about systems and security to be able to carry out an individual security investigation, which will be assignment 1.2 and worth 30% of the module mark.
The test will involve a number of short questions covering topics covered up to and including week 8. There will be a mock test in week 8. Questions will be in 2 sections.
Some questions will be fairly easy (assuming that you have covered the basics !) and will then become increasingly challenging, to enable the most dedicated students of systems security to distinguish themselves.
Your preparation should include completing the tutorial exercises as much as you can, making sure you have obtained a balanced coverage of all relevant topics if you are unable to complete them all. You should also very carefully read all of the lecture notes for weeks 1-8 and carry out some background reading of your own to reinforce the module materials, e.g. using the links suggested by teaching staff and using recommended books. Similar types of question will be asked in a mock test made available to you during the tutorial in week 8.
This is an open book written test, but because little time will be available to answer each question, bringing in a pile of unread textbooks won't help you. Instead you are advised to compile a logbook and summarise this while and after carrying out the tutorial exercises and make notes from background reading, and take this into the test.