MIT9306 Penetration Testing

Unit Code

MIT9306

Level

Postgraduate

Campus

Sydney

Prerequisites

MIT8202 | MIT8204

Credit Points

Subject Description

MIT9306 Penetration Testing provides a comprehensive understanding of network security principles and system vulnerabilities and skills to ethically hack computer systems and expose their weaknesses. Students learn to leverage various tools and techniques to simulate cyber-attacks and identify potential weaknesses in computer systems through hands-on practical exercises. Students develop a deep understanding of cyber security concepts, ethical hacking methodologies, and best practices for conducting penetration tests and enhancing the security posture of organisations effectively.

Course

Master of Information Technology
Master of Information Technology (Cybersecurity)

Course Level

Level 2

Subject Type

☒ Specialisation (MIT Cybersecurity)

☒ Elective (MIT)

Study Mode: Face to face on site

Study Load: Full-time

Learning Topics

Penetration-testing methods, ethics and legal requirements
Planning and information gathering
Vulnerability assessment and scanning
Network, wireless, host and cloud exploitation
Social engineering and professional reporting

Subject Learning Outcomes

Exhibit competence in ethical hacking methodologies, tools, and techniques by identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and web applications.
Critically review the security posture of organisations enhancing their overall resilience against cyber threats.
Implement compliance of organisation’s services, policies and laws to national and international regulations and acts.
Critically reflect the findings in penetration testing reports, presenting the identified vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and providing recommendations for mitigation and prevention to stakeholders.
Analyse the most recent advancements in ethical hacking and penetration testing by exploring and assessing emerging advancements in offensive defensive methods.

Assessment

AIIHE uses a variety of assessment tools to guide and assess each student’s achievement of the subject learning outcomes. In this subject, students undertake practical labs 10 in-class practicals to work with different tools and experience various aspects of penetration testing, students are required to conduct a penetration testing on a target approved by the lecturer, write a report, and present the findings, and individual report students are required to write a report on one of the trending topics of penetration testing. These tasks assess the knowledge, applied skills, critical analysis, communication and collaborative capabilities relevant to the subject.

Summary of Assessment

Assessment Type	Due Date	Weighting
Assessment 1: Practical Labs	Weeks 2 to 12	40% (4% each)
Assessment 2: Individual Report and Presentation	Week 9	30%
Assessment 3: Individual Report	Week 12	30%

Learning Resources

AIIHE will update the topic coverage of the subject and the available relevant learning resources at the time of subject delivery. In the interim, AIIHE provides the following indicative list of relevant reference material. AIIHE also subscribes to eLearning Resources through the Canvas portal, and where relevant material is available, AIIHE will seek to source reference material from this system for staff and student access.