Cyber 101: Fundamental Concepts of Security and Risks in Cyberspace

Professor: Ablon
Units: 0.5
Elective Course
Concentration: Quantitative Methods

In the age of commercial data breaches, digital currencies, and (alleged) nation-state cyberespionage, cyberspace has become an increasingly prevalent topic for technologists and policy makers. This course aims to introduce students to fundamental concepts surrounding the technology and policy aspects of cyber: what it is, and what you can do in, through, and with it. Students will be introduced to basic technologies associated with computer networks and cyber security, including networking basics, cryptography, software and hardware design. These will be described at a level sufficient for meaningful follow-on topics given any background (technical or non-technical) of Pardee RAND students. We will then connect these concepts to the current and future issues that policy makers face in their decisions both to protect and attack through cyberspace. Central to this discussion is an examination of how policy makers assess risk, including evaluating vulnerability and threat. We will also discuss current events and trends.