General Information

Course description

Network measurement is a growing field within security, influencing topics ranging from network security to censorship to privacy to machine learning. This course covers traditional advanced network security and emerging empirical methodologies through the lens of modern papers across computer security. Course goals include broader understanding of empirical considerations (ranging from technical to ethical), and the ability to apply sound and rigorous methodologies to the students’ own research across all areas of network security.

Prerequisites

  • CS 4235 Undergraduate Introduction to Information Security or equivalent

  • CS {3|4}251 Undergraduate Computer Networking or equivalent

  • CS 4237 Undergraduate Computer and Network Security or equivalent is helpful but not required

Class meetings

  • When: T/Th 3:30-4:45pm

  • Where: Instructional Center 105

Who should take 8803-EMS?

8803-EMS is primarily intended for PhD students (motivated seniors and MS students are also welcome!) who want to learn about both the fundamentals and latest research advances in network security.

Grading policy

  • Participation (10%): Attending and engaging with (asking questions, participating in discussion) class meetings.

  • Discussion Lead (during lecture) (10%): Presenting 1-2 paper summaries (pending enrollment) at some point throughout the semester. (Sign-up information pending).

  • Paper Summaries (written) (10%): Writeup and submit a brief paper summary and questions by noon the day before each lecture (beginning week 2). 3-5 will be selected at random for evaluation. Format:

    • What are the paper’s main contributions? (3-5 sentences max)

    • What parts of the paper are questionable? (E.g., methodology, omissions, relevance, presentation, ethics.) (3-5 sentences max)

    • What parts of the paper do you find unclear? (Optional)

    • Most homeworks will include an additional specific question or sometimes two regarding the topic, such as challenging you to come up with and defend a proposed solution. (3-5 sentences max)

  • Project (70%): A final project, including proposal, demo/presentation and write-up.

    • Proposal presentation (10%, Sep 26/28, Oct 17/19)

    • Demo & presentation (20%, Dec 5)

    • Write-up (40%, Dec 14)

All students must follow the academic integrity and Georgia Tech Honor Code.

Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)

  • You may not use ChatGPT or any similar AI tool to generate summaries of the papers you are assigned.

  • You may use such tools to improve the quality of your own original writing.

  • Any use of such tools must be clearly disclosed in the assignment submission, and must include all input prompts given to the tools.

  • You are responsible for all content generated by any such tools as if you had written it yourself.

Staff/TA

  • Office hours: TBD

  • TA: TBD

  • Feel free to send us an email to make an appointment (Email)