Course Information

Santa Rosa Junior College
Spring 2024 Semester, Online

¹Office Time by phone or e-mail (see SRJC Canvas for contact info):

• Mondays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Course Description

An introduction to the fundamental principles and topics of Information Technology Security and Risk Management at the organizational level. It provides in-depth coverage of the current risks and threats to an organization’s data, combined with a structured way of addressing the safeguarding of these critical electronic assets. Additionally, the course provides the broad-based knowledge necessary to prepare students for further study in other specialized security fields. It is also intended to serve the needs of individuals seeking to pass the Computing Technology Industry Association’s (CompTIA) Security+ certification exam.

Prerequisites: Although this course has no administrative prerequisites, it is not designed for beginners, and the instructor recommends basic familiarity with computer usage.

Materials

Required Text: Rather than a printed textbook, this course uses the TestOut corporation's online, simulation-based training product TestOut Security Pro, including video lectures and demonstrations by TestOut instructors.

TestOut Security Pro uses TestOut's LabSim system, and costs $129 direct from the publisher, or $172 from the SRJC bookstore (if you are on financial aid, you may need to choose this option). To purchase and set up TestOut Security Pro for this course, please follow the Setting up "Security Pro" on SRJC Canvas instructions in your course Canvas site.

TestOut's LabSim system will run in most web browsers; please see TestOut's technical specifications.

You will have access to the entirety of TestOut Security Pro for 12 months after your purchase. And Security Pro is targeted at two certification exams:

• TestOut's own Security Pro certification
• The CompTIA Security+ certification

Therefore, Security Pro will prepare you well for the above certification exams, which can carry weight among employers.

• Software Required:
  • A web browser supported by Instructure Canvas, to open the SRJC Canvas course material. If your web browser doesn't open all the material, try a different one.
    
    

Assignments, Exams, and Grading

How to submit assignments:

• In the Modules section of the SRJC Canvas course, there are direct links to each Security Pro LabSim assignment. For scores to be returned from LabSim to Canvas each respective LabSim assignment must be accessed from the Canvas course.
• If you do not follow Canvas links to each of your assignments, your scores cannot be submitted to the Canvas gradebook. You must return to Canvas after you complete each LabSim assignment and link to the next assignment.
• Please see Setting up "Security Pro" on SRJC Canvas for details.

GRADING:

• I will assign letter grades based on exams and assignments, using the following percentages:

PASS/NO PASS: You may apply for a Pass/No Pass option in this course no later than 30% of the course duration; please see the Assignment Schedule for the date. You get Pass (P) for "C" level work or better, and the units don't affect your grade point average.   To change to Pass/No Pass, visit the SRJC Student Portal.

WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASS: YOU have the responsibility to withdraw from class if you decide to not complete the course. Please see the Assignment Schedule for the withdrawal deadline date. To officially withdraw from a class, you must visit the SRJC Student Portal, or submit a drop form to the Admissions and Records Office.  After the withdrawal deadline, I cannot give you a "W" grade, but instead must give you an A, B, C, D, or F, based on the assignments and tests you have completed (normally resulting in an F). Before withdrawing, please contact me; perhaps I can help.

Academic Integrity

CONDUCT: Please follow the SRJC Student Conduct Standards.  Please expect violation of any of these rules to reduce your grade, result in your removal from this course and/or other disciplinary action, which can appear on your record and transcripts.

The system maintenance and administration skills covered in this course require self-reliance and independent effort. As such, this course follows the Harvard rules on Plagiarism and Collaboration. Collaboration in the completion of assignments is prohibited. However, you may collaborate in some non-assignment activity, as described below.

• Permitted Collaboration
  • Exam and homework preparation
  • Lecture & chapter review
  • Lecture notes exchange
  • Practice problems not contained in assignments

• Prohibited Collaboration
  • Joint or cooperative development of answers
  • Modification and/or use of another's answers
  • Plagiarism or copying from other sources
  • Revealing and/or giving answers to another student
  • Viewing and/or receiving answers from another student

• Consequences of Prohibited Collaboration
  • The first offense will result in a penalty (rather than credit) of the assignment's maximum score.
  • A second offense will cause the student to be dropped from the course, or to receive an F grade in the course.
    

Special Needs

Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (707-527-4278).