Internet Applications and Security

Credits
6
Types
Specialization complementary (Computer Networks and Distributed Systems)
Requirements
This subject has not requirements , but it has got previous capacities
Department
AC
This subject covers research aspects of the very active area of Internet applications and its security. Focus is made on multimedia applications, but other areas, such as eHealth, are also considered. Therefore, content, metadata and transmission protocols are relevant.
Protection and privacy are considered for information and protocols, so all aspects of Internet security for applications will be reviewed.
Standards to achieve interoperability are key for understanding the relevant problems and their solutions.
Topics will be introduced, analyzed and discussed, focusing on the new approaches and techniques. Students will work on specific assignments that will be discussed with their peers in order to understand current solutions and think of other alternatives.

Teachers

Person in charge

Others

Weekly hours

Theory
3.6
Problems
0
Laboratory
0
Guided learning
0
Autonomous learning
7.51

Competences

Technical Competences of each Specialization

Computer networks and distributed systems

  • CEE2.1 - Capability to understand models, problems and algorithms related to distributed systems, and to design and evaluate algorithms and systems that process the distribution problems and provide distributed services.

    • Generic Technical Competences

    Generic

  • CG1 - Capability to apply the scientific method to study and analyse of phenomena and systems in any area of Computer Science, and in the conception, design and implementation of innovative and original solutions.
  • CG4 - Capacity for general and technical management of research, development and innovation projects, in companies and technology centers in the field of Informatics Engineering.
  • CG5 - Capability to apply innovative solutions and make progress in the knowledge to exploit the new paradigms of computing, particularly in distributed environments.

    • Transversal Competences

    Information literacy

  • CTR4 - Capability to manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualization of data and information in the area of informatics engineering, and critically assess the results of this effort.

    • Reasoning

  • CTR6 - Capacity for critical, logical and mathematical reasoning. Capability to solve problems in their area of study. Capacity for abstraction: the capability to create and use models that reflect real situations. Capability to design and implement simple experiments, and analyze and interpret their results. Capacity for analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

    • Basic

  • CB8 - Capability to communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to both skilled and unskilled public in a clear and unambiguous way.

    • Objectives

    1. Standards
      Related competences: CG1, CEE2.1, CB8, CTR4, CG5,
    2. Internet multimedia applications
      Related competences: CEE2.1, CB8, CTR4, CTR6, CG5,
    3. Internet security
      Related competences: CG1, CG4, CEE2.1, CTR6,

    Contents

    1. Introduction
      Subject introduction.
      Application layer.
      Web: HTTP.
      XML (eXtensible Markup Language).
      Standardization.
    2. Security in applications
      Threats and mechanisms.
      Cryptography.
      PKI (Public Key Infrastructure).
      Security and Privacy by Design.
      Security in application layer protocols.
      Security in formats (XML, JSON): Encryption, Signature.
      Specific security protocols: SAML, OAuth, JWT.
      Internet applications privacy, access control
      Example in eHealth.
      Security in multimedia content (DRM).
    3. Multimedia content
      Life cycle.
      Content architectures.
      Content types: Characters, Audio, Images, Video.
      Containers.
      Metadata.
    4. Multimedia content transmission
      HTML5 support to multimedia transmission.
      Streaming protocols.
      Streaming with HTTP.
      DASH.

    Activities

    Activity Evaluation act


    Development of topic 1


    Objectives: 1 2
    Contents:
    Theory
    6h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    6h

    Development of topic 2


    Objectives: 1 3
    Theory
    10h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    10h

    Development of topic 3


    Objectives: 1 2
    Theory
    4h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    4h

    Development of topic 4


    Objectives: 1 2
    Contents:
    Theory
    4h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    4h

    Presentations and discussion students' assignments


    Objectives: 1 2 3
    Contents:
    Theory
    24.6h
    Problems
    0h
    Laboratory
    0h
    Guided learning
    0h
    Autonomous learning
    77.4h

    Teaching methodology

    The course is very interactive with some introductory topics from the Professor and a few assignments in which students present papers and discuss conclusions.

    In particular, students prepare one assignment for analysis and discussion on specific advanced topics or standards, and another one more on research.

    In the first assignment, students present the results of their analysis and lead a discussion on this with rest of students.

    In the second one, students make a small research project led by the Professor (on a specific topic: what is done? what is not solved? ideas to solve it). They write a short paper and make a presentation where they answer questions and criticisms from the Professor and the other students.

    Evaluation methodology

    Tests on the topics developed by the Professor (T1 and T2).
    An assignment on analysis and discussion (A) and an assignment on research (R).
    (A) Analysis & Discussion of a document or topic. Students provide documentation + short presentation and lead class discussion. Students not presenting should make questions showing their understanding of the topic.
    (R) Research work. Students provide documentation + “long” presentation + interview (if needed).
    Final mark: (T1 * 0,2) + (A * 0,3) + (R * 0,3) + (T2 * 0,2)
    Assessment of A includes:
    Content (35%), Presentation (30%), Lead discussion (20%), Others' discussion (15%).
    Assessment of R includes:
    Content (35%), Presentation (25%), Questions (15%), Report (25%).
    T1 and T2 marks could be increased (factor F) with the evaluation of n (number to define) “dairy short tests” (mark D for every dairy test):
    Increase factor (F) = 0,25 * ( Σn Di )/ n
    The increased Ti mark would be: Ti * (1+F). 0 <= F <= 0,25.

    Bibliography

    Basic

    Previous capacities

    Basic knowledge of programming, communication networks and coding of audiovisual content.