MIT9306 Penetration Testing
Unit Code
MIT9306
Level
Postgraduate
Campus
Sydney
Prerequisites
MIT8202 | MIT8204
Credit Points
10
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 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
- Students must attempt all assessment tasks, and achieve an overall mark of at least 50%, to pass this subject.
- Assessment in this subject is consistent with and informed by the AIIHE Assessment Policy and Procedure.
| 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.
Prescribed Reading
- Wilson, R.S. (2024). CompTIA PenTest+ Guide to Penetration Testing. Cengage.
- Maurushat, A. (2019). Ethical hacking. The University of Ottawa Press. Available May 15, 2024 from https://ruor.uottawa.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/d55069bb-d54d-4670-adbb-0ee6192ae936/content.
Texts and References
- Sheikh, A. (2021). Certified ethical hacker (CEH) preparation guide: Lesson-based review of ethical hacking and penetration testing. Apress.
Recommended Reading
- Walker, M., 2019. CEH Certified Ethical Hacker All-in-One Exam Guide. McGraw Hill Professional.