CMSC-652 Cryptology: Assignments (fall 2000)

Students may form groups of one, two, or three students to work on any of the assignments. For each assignment, each group must submit a written report, give an oral presentation to the class, and critique another group's report and presentation. Always, critiques are due at the class immediately after the report is due.

Assignment 1: Case-Study Specifications

(due September 13)
Write a thoughtful essay outlining what are the essential ingredients of an excellent security case study and how should such case studies be evaluated. Also, identify where security case studies can be found in the scientific literature.

Assignment 2: Review of Model Paper Case Study

(due October 18)
Identify and critically review a security case study that has been published in the scientific literature. Apply the criteria developed from Assignment 1. Each group must review a different paper that has been approved by the instructor.

Assignment 3: Final Project Case Study

Carry out a thorough case study of a computer system that uses security in a crucial way. Summarize your findings in a detailed and thoughtful case study. Write in a style suitable for publication in the scientific literture.