CSC210 - Firewalls and VPNs

Outline info
Semester
School
Last revision date 26-Jan-2026 1:13:50 AM
Last review date 16-Mar-2026 12:15:14 AM


Subject Title
Firewalls and VPNs

Subject Description
This course explores network security basics, including how hackers access online networks and the use of
Firewalls and VPNs to provide security countermeasures. Students focus on both managerial and technical
aspects of security. Coverage includes packet filtering, authentication, proxy servers, encryption, bastion hosts,
virtual private networks (VPNs), log file maintenance, and intrusion detection systems.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1.   Explain the need for network security
2.   Install a Linux server operating system
3.   Demonstrate general knowledge to administer a Linux server
4.   Evaluate the foundations of network security including threats, attacks, current standards of security policies,access controls and access controls approaches and methodologies
5.   Evaluate the need for firewall technology and packet filtering
6.   Analyze the requirements of firewall configuration, administration, proxy servers, application-level firewalls and bastion hosts
7.   Compare Linux IPTables to firewall ACLs
8.   Assess VPN (virtual private network) technology
9.   Compare open source VPNs to commercial technology
10. Design a Firewall Implementation
11. Design a VPN Implementation



Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.

Prerequisite(s)
None

Topic Outline
Explain the need for network security

1. Review reasons for securing data
2. Discuss the definition of information security and critical characteristics of information
3. Discuss the role of the security professional and the key information security terms

Install a Linux server operating system

1. Discuss Unix vs. Linux and Linux distributions
2 Discuss File Systems and why each is used
3. Perform the install of a Linux Server

Demonstrate general knowledge to administer a Linux server

1. Discuss Package Managers
2. Discuss File and directory manipulation commands
3. Discuss where to find configuration files
4. Describe Access controls used in information security
5. Use package manager to install an application
6. Use a file editor to configure an application

Evaluate the foundations of network security including threats, attacks, current standards of security policies,
access controls and access controls approaches and methodologies


1.Describe current threats to information security
2. Discuss common characteristics of attacks on information assets
3. Discuss information security policies, standards and practices
4. Describe Access controls used in information security
5. Discuss types of VPN's and typical VPN setups
6. Explain the authentication process and how firewalls implement the authentication process
7. Discuss authentication systems and password security issues

Evaluate the need for firewall technology and packet filtering

1. Describe the need for firewalls to secure information including features, security, components and tasks
2. Discuss types of firewall protection
3. Evaluate different firewall categories and firewall limitations
4. Discuss Packets and Packet Filtering
5. Analyze packet filtering methods and specific rules for packet filtering
6. Design a basic firewall implementation

Analyze the requirements of firewall configuration, administration, proxy servers, application-level firewalls
and bastion hosts


1. Explain the importance of firewall rules and restrictions
2. Report on firewall configuration strategies
3. Discuss the design of firewall configurations including functionality, security principles and advanced
     functions
4. Discuss the use of proxy servers and reverse proxy servers, including the benefits of their use
5. Compare proxy server based firewalls
6. Discuss the installation and use of bastion host technology
7. Discuss the use of bastion hosts including positioning, configuring, backups and testing

Compare Linux IPTables to firewall ACLs

1. Discuss IPTables configuration
2. Discuss Chaining within IPTables
3. Compare IPTables configuration to Firewall ACLs

Assess VPN (virtual private network) technology

1. Discuss the use of encryption and cryptography
2. Discuss the use of encryption and cryptography
3. Introduce the principles of cryptography and cryptographic controls
4. Discuss attacks on cryptosystems
5. Discuss VPN components and operation
6. Discuss types of VPN’s and typical VPN setups
7. Examine the types of tunnelling protocols and remote access connections used with VPN’s
8. Discuss VPN best practices

Compare open source VPNs to commercial technology

1. Discuss the open source software initiative, along with pros and cons for using open source
    software
2. Examine available open source VPN servers
3. Discuss how open source differs from commercial VPN implementations
4. Compare open source VPNs to commercial hardware and software VPN servers

Design a Firewall Implementation

1.Design a firewall implementation based on provided requirements.

Design a VPN Implementation

1. Design a VPN implementation based on provided requirements.




Mode of Instruction
Online

Reference Material
None

Required Supplies

None

Student Progression and Promotion Policy

http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/student-progression-and-promotion-policy.html

Grading Policyhttp://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/grading-policy.html

A+ 90%  to  100%
A 80%  to  89%
B+ 75%  to  79%
B 70%  to  74%
C+ 65%  to  69%
C 60%  to  64%
D+ 55%  to  59%
D 50%  to  54%
F 0%    to  49% (Not a Pass)
OR
EXC Excellent
SAT Satisfactory
UNSAT Unsatisfactory

For further information, see a copy of the Academic Policy, available online (http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academics-and-student-services.html) or at Seneca's Registrar's Offices. (https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/registrar.html).


Modes of Evaluation
Online Assignment 1 - 20%
Online Assignment 2 - 20%

Online Activity 1 - 10%
Online Activity 2 - 10%
Online Activity 3 - 10%

Test 1 - 15%
Test 2 - 15%

Approved by: Sheri Ladoucier