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Cyber Security / Applied Cryptography / Secure Systems Design
2,500 words
Secure Property Contract Exchange: Cryptographic Protocol Design, Threat Modelling and Post-Quantum Readiness
This Applied Theory of Cyber Security and Secure Design coursework places students in the role of a cyber security consultant engaged by Hackit & Run LLP, a legal firm specialising in UK and international property transactions. The firm wishes to implement a secure digital system for handling, exchanging and legally signing property contracts. Students must design and evaluate a secure communication protocol supporting interactions between the buyer’s solicitor, the seller’s solicitor and the buyer while addressing both first-time communications and previously established secure relationships. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a… Section A – Cryptographic Protocol Design, worth 45%, requires a complete secure communication protocol. Students must explain how trust is initially established, how later communications can be simplified without weakening confidentiality, integrity or availability, and how the buyer can digitally sign a contract in a manner enforceable under UK law. The design must justify specific cryptographic algorithms for functions such as key exchange, bulk encryption, digital signatures and hashing. The protocol must be presented through both a sequence diagram showing message flows and cryptographic operations and pseudocode explaining the key algorithmic stages. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a… Section B – Threat Modelling, worth 20%, requires a focused analysis using the STRIDE methodology. Students identify three realistic threats from different STRIDE categories and analyse the attack vector, asset at risk and potential effect on the legal transaction. Each threat must then be connected back to specific protocol defences, with residual risks acknowledged where controls cannot provide complete mitigation. The guidance encourages consideration of issues such as social engineering, insider threats, key-management failures and availability risks in addition to purely cryptographic attacks. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a… Section C – Security Evaluation Against Standards, worth 15%, requires students to evaluate the proposed system against a recognised cybersecurity standard or framework. Options include ISO/IEC 27001:2022, Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) and the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard. Students select three or four directly relevant controls or requirements, assess whether the proposed design satisfies them, identify gaps and recommend specific improvements. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a… Section D – Post-Quantum Readiness and Critical Reflection, worth 15%, examines how a future quantum-capable adversary could affect the protocol. Students identify vulnerable cryptographic components, discuss the NIST Post-Quantum Cryptography standardisation programme, and examine replacement algorithms such as ML-KEM for key establishment and ML-DSA for digital signatures. They must also evaluate a hybrid migration strategy combining classical and post-quantum algorithms, considering performance overhead, backward compatibility and the legal admissibility of post-quantum digital signatures. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a… The remaining 5% evaluates professional report quality, logical structure, technical language, integration of diagrams and consistent CUHarvard referencing. Higher-quality work is expected to demonstrate a sophisticated trust model, clear traceability between threats and controls, precise standards mapping, practical security recommendations and well-evidenced analysis of post-quantum migration. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a… Important for the public Reference Library: the brief states that the assessment document is intended only for Coventry University Group students and must not be passed to third parties or posted on any website. Therefore, publish only an original high-level description such as the overview above; do not upload or reproduce the original assignment brief publicly. 11b17febb9eeb4570f76f6ca95a831a…
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7COM1076
4,000 words
7COM1076 Network Design, Modelling and Evaluation Coursework
This 7COM1076 coursework requires students to design, model, emulate, test and evaluate networking environments for a new department building at the University of Hertfordshire. The assessment combines practical network modelling with theoretical analysis and evaluation, covering wireless and mobile networking, cloud networking, Software Defined Networking (SDN), network applications and contemporary networking technologies. The assignment is designed to develop practical knowledge through Python-based network emulation and critical understanding through academic research. Task 1 focuses on wireless and mobile networking. Students must use Python to emulate a building containing three WiFi access points and two user stations, identified as UE1 and UE2. The access points are connected using a physical linear topology, while the stations use Class C private IP addresses. The task requires configuration of SSIDs, passwords, channels, ranges and coordinates, with WPA2 encryption and standalone fail mode. The stations must also be configured with mobility, following specified movement sequences and speed ranges. Students must discuss the design and implementation, complete the configuration and mobility tables, provide the Python script used with the Mininet API, and include screenshots demonstrating mobility, access-point association and successful ping connectivity. Task 2 examines cloud services using Mininet and Render.com. Students must emulate a network containing three switches and two hosts and deploy a simple static website using Render.com. Host H1 must access the deployed webpage through the xterm environment. Deliverables include a discussion of the design and implementation, the Python script, evidence of configuring Render.com with the GitHub repository, commands used to connect H1 to the internet and access the webpage, screenshots of the webpage through xterm, and the HTML code of the website. Task 3 focuses on Software Defined Networking and connectivity. Students must emulate an environment containing ten hosts and three servers using a linear topology, with an ONOS controller enabled for control-plane programmability. The task requires configuration of assigned IP and MAC addresses, demonstration of connectivity between hosts and servers, and a UDP transmission using a duration of 600 seconds and bandwidth of 100 Mbps. Students must provide a design discussion, Python emulation script, ONOS GUI screenshot, full ping connectivity evidence and the required UDP transmission results. Task 4 is the analysis and evaluation component. Students must critically discuss three contemporary networking issues using academic sources. These include the challenges faced by a small-to-medium organisation providing services to the UK National Health Service when migrating from on-premises infrastructure to cloud computing; the opportunities and challenges of incorporating Software Defined Networking into future optical networks; and whether WiFi and 5G should coexist to provide ubiquitous services to users. The final report must use 12-point font, normal margins and Harvard referencing in accordance with University of Hertfordshire guidelines. The required report length is 4,000 words with a permitted variation of plus or minus 10%, excluding the title page, contents page, references and appendix, with a maximum page limit of 25 pages. The recommended structure includes an introduction, discussions and results for Tasks 1–3, the three Task 4 analysis sections, conclusion, references and an appendix containing the Task 1, Task 2 and Task 3 code. The assessment covers wireless and mobile networking, cloud and SDN networking, network applications, analysis and evaluation, MCQ tests and overall report quality. The marking allocation includes WiFi networking, mobility and ICMP, cloud configuration, SDN networking, cloud web page, UDP, three analysis sections, two MCQ tests and quality of the report.
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Security of Emerging Connected Systems
1,500 words
CW1: Policy and Legal Aspects Report – IoT System
This 1,500-word report for the Security of Emerging Connected Systems module examines the legal and security implications of a proposed Internet of Things (IoT) system designed for consumers to monitor food intake and bodyweight. The coursework requires students to provide an initial investigation of the potential legal pitfalls associated with the proposed product and identify appropriate solutions or mitigation measures. The report is worth 5 credits and is assessed as an individual written report. The proposed IoT system consists of several connected components. A smartphone application allows users to scan barcodes of processed food to record calorie and nutritional information against their health record. A kitchen scale communicates with the phone application to record the weight of ingredients used in home-cooked meals. A bathroom scale records the user's weight and provides light and sound reminders to encourage regular measurements. A UK-based server stores the collected information and generates individual user reports. The main purpose of the report is to ensure that the company understands the UK and international laws that may apply to the proposed system. Students must identify potential legal issues and recommend appropriate mitigation through technology, organisational policy, licensing arrangements or user agreements. The system definition is deliberately broad, so students should not make unsupported assumptions about its design. Where several options have different legal implications, the report should compare the relevant alternatives and explain their implications rather than presenting only one solution. The initial product is intended for UK residents, while the company is considering future expansion into the United States. Consequently, the report should focus primarily on UK law but also include a short section discussing legal aspects that may need to be reconsidered when entering the US market. The report is intended for company executives and may subsequently be provided to the R&D department. Therefore, high-level outcomes should be communicated early, while useful links to technical information such as encryption schemes, protocols and frameworks may be provided without extensive technical explanations in the main report. The assessment places 50% of the marks on understanding and coverage of UK and US law, 40% on technical recommendations and 10% on report presentation. Strong submissions are expected to provide comprehensive coverage of relevant legislation, connect legal issues with the wider security context, analyse technical recommendations for both regions, identify differences between UK and US requirements and support arguments with appropriate citations and a wide range of sources. The assignment learning outcomes focus on critically evaluating the role of security policy in protecting information assets and proposing appropriate policies for internet-based technologies. They also require students to demonstrate an understanding of key legislation relating to information security and how legislation influences organisational security policy. The final report should therefore combine legal analysis with practical security recommendations, addressing the proposed IoT system from both UK and US perspectives while remaining suitable for both technical staff and non-technical management.
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Cryptography
2,500 words
Cryptography – Secure Land Transaction Contract Exchange Protocol
This 2,500-word Cryptography coursework for Coventry University examines the design of a secure communication protocol for the remote exchange and signing of legal property transaction contracts. The assignment is based on a scenario involving Hackit & Run LLP (H&R), a firm of solicitors specialising in property transactions in the UK and overseas. Because property transactions are increasingly conducted through remote communications, H&R intends to establish a comprehensive system for secure document handling, exchange and digital signing that complies with legal requirements and remains enforceable under UK law. The scenario concerns a land transaction between Mrs. Harvey, the buyer, and Mr L.M. Facey, the seller. Students must devise a communication protocol involving three parties: H&R, the seller’s solicitor and Mrs. Harvey. H&R communicates with the seller through the seller’s solicitor rather than directly with the seller. The seller’s solicitor sends the contract to H&R, H&R forwards it to Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Harvey digitally signs the contract and returns it to H&R, and H&R then sends the signed contract to the seller’s solicitor. The assignment requires students to consider two communication scenarios between H&R and the seller’s solicitor: a situation where the two parties have previously communicated securely and a situation where they are communicating securely for the first time. Students must identify suitable encryption algorithms for the different stages of the contract exchange protocol and justify their algorithm choices. The work should demonstrate an understanding of appropriate cryptographic approaches for maintaining confidentiality, integrity and availability during secure communication. Students must clearly illustrate their proposed protocol using suitable graphics and pseudocode. A full functioning implementation using a programming language may be provided as a higher-level approach. The report must identify the strengths and limitations of the proposed protocol and discuss the findings. This requires students to connect cryptographic theory with a practical security protocol designed for a real-world legal transaction. The coursework assesses knowledge of modern cryptography, including symmetric-key cryptography, key exchange, asymmetric cryptography, digital signatures, digital certificates and authentication. Students are also expected to model, test and assess the suitability of cryptographic protocols and algorithms for different practical requirements and critically evaluate current research and technological developments in cryptography and its applications. The final submission is a written report of 2,500 words, excluding appendices and tables, with properly formatted references. The assignment is categorised as a report and is a normal coursework attempt. The brief does not specify a particular referencing style or academic level, so these fields should not be guessed when entering the assignment into the Reference Library.
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Cryptography
2,500 words
Cryptography – Secure Contract Exchange Protocol
This 2,500-word Cryptography assignment for Coventry University examines the design of a secure communication protocol for the digital exchange and signing of property contracts. The scenario is based on Lauren Order & Cashgrab LLP (LO&C), a UK and overseas property law firm seeking to establish a comprehensive document handling, exchange and signing system that supports remote property transactions while remaining consistent with legal requirements and enforceable under UK law. The assignment requires students to consider the exchange of contracts using the extended CIA model and to devise a secure communication protocol involving three parties: LO&C, the buyer's solicitor Hackit & Run (H&R), and the seller. The scenario specifies that LO&C communicates with the buyer through H&R, that LO&C and the seller collaborate on initial contract drafts, and that LO&C prepares and sends the final contract to the seller for approval and digital signing before forwarding the signed contract to H&R for the buyer's signature. LO&C and H&R have an existing secure communication relationship. A central requirement is the identification and justification of suitable encryption algorithms for the different stages of the contract exchange protocol. Students may select algorithms covered in lectures or undertake additional research to identify alternative algorithms. The report must explain why particular algorithms are appropriate at different stages of the protocol and demonstrate how the selected cryptographic techniques address the practical security requirements of the scenario. The protocol must be clearly illustrated using suitable graphics and pseudocode, with functioning code being an optional higher-level approach. Students are required to identify the strengths and limitations of their proposed protocol and discuss their findings. The assignment therefore combines theoretical knowledge of modern cryptography with practical protocol design and evaluation. Generative AI may be used to create suitable code where permitted, but students must demonstrate their understanding of the code. The assessed learning outcomes cover modern cryptographic concepts and techniques, including symmetric-key cryptography, key exchange, asymmetric cryptography, digital signatures, digital certificates and authentication. Students are also expected to model, test and assess the suitability of cryptographic protocols and algorithms for practical requirements and critically evaluate current research and technological developments in cryptography and its applications.
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Network Systems and Administration
3,500 words
Network Systems and Administration – Linux System and Network Administration Portfolio
This assessment is an individual portfolio for the Network Systems and Administration unit. It consists of two quizzes and a report based on a case study involving the development, implementation, configuration, testing, maintenance, and evaluation of a network solution using an industry-standard network operating system. The report requires students to justify their design and implementation decisions, provide a detailed testing strategy, develop a maintenance and disaster recovery plan, and critically evaluate the completed solution. The case study concerns Piranha, a small organisation in which the business owner has been maintaining a server containing information relating to finance, management, production, and sales. The student is required to undertake the role of Network Systems Administrator and configure an appropriate Linux-based network environment. The practical work includes creating a new user account with root access, confirming root privileges, verifying access to company files, and configuring group-based access controls for finance, management, production, and sales directories. Students must then establish a client-server network by installing a Linux distribution on a separate virtual machine in VirtualBox. SSH connections are required to verify user access and the configured file permissions. The assessment also requires students to use Wireshark to observe network traffic during SSH sessions, report on packet types and encryption, identify potential security vulnerabilities, and recommend improvements such as SSH keys and unique passwords. A maintenance schedule and a brief disaster recovery or backup strategy must also be proposed. The final report must document the practical work with clear explanations and screenshots showing commands, user accounts, and results. The report should be between 1,500 and 3,500 words. The assessment also includes Linux Essentials and Networking Essentials final grades. The marking criteria cover system and network administration, the maintenance plan, reflection and report writing, screenshots, references, and Harvard referencing.
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Cloud Computing / Big Data Technologies / Cyber Security
2,500 words
Cloud and Big Data Security Application: Design, Implementation and Evaluation
This assessment for the Cloud and Big Data Technologies module requires students to design, implement and evaluate an individual cloud-based or distributed data application. The project focuses on practical solutions involving the complex transformation, processing, storage and security of big data within cloud environments. Students are expected to demonstrate how distributed data can be organised in the cloud, how data pipelines can be used to access or process distributed databases, and how appropriate security controls can be incorporated into the resulting architecture. Students have considerable freedom when selecting their application. Suggested project directions include developing a data-science solution using SQL or MongoDB with cloud storage and an appropriate security policy; implementing privacy-preserving distributed processing using techniques such as Differential Privacy; creating multi-party authentication and group-based access-control mechanisms; or designing Multi-Level Security, Attribute-Based Encryption or Role-Based Access Control solutions. Projects may also examine distributed or cloud applications using security protocols such as SSH, SSL or IPsec. Creativity and originality are explicitly encouraged. The written component is a Design and Implementation Document of no more than approximately 2,500 words. It should present the project aims and objectives, application concept, cloud and security technologies, functional and security requirements, architecture and design decisions, protocols, access-control mechanisms, implementation process, achievements, problems encountered and overall evaluation. Relevant diagrams, such as interaction or sequence diagrams, may be used to explain system behaviour and architecture. The assessment also requires submission of the functioning Cloud and Big Data Security application and a 7-minute highlight demonstration video. The video should demonstrate the application's major features, implementation details, security functionality and, where appropriate, attack scenarios. Assessment places strong emphasis on the quality of the design and implementation documentation, originality, use of advanced features, and the overall effort and technical quality of the completed application. Students are therefore expected to demonstrate independent development rather than simply reproduce an existing tutorial.
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