Secured systems engineering

linfo2144  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Secured systems engineering
5.00 credits
30.0 h + 15.0 h
Q2
> Schedule
Teacher(s)
Bertrand Van Ouytsel Charles-Henry (coordinator); Cassiers Gaëtan;
Language
English
> French-friendly
Main themes
This course introduces software security by exploring the fundamentals of cybersecurity, software attacks, and vulnerabilities, such as those found in cryptographic protocols, RFID cards, and biometric passports.
Students will examine techniques for protecting against attacks and gain familiarity with malware analysis. Advanced topics include integer and buffer overflows, static and dynamic malware analysis, and practical exercises involving setting traps and analyzing intrusions and malware.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Given the learning outcomes of the "Master in Computer Science and Engineering" program, this course contributes to the development, acquisition and evaluation of the following learning outcomes:
  • INFO1.1-3
  • INFO2.1-5
  • INFO5.3-5
  • INFO6.1,6.4-5
Given the learning outcomes of the "Master [120] in Computer Science" program, this course contributes to the development, acquisition and evaluation of the following learning outcomes:
  • SINF1.M1
  • SINF5.2-6
  • SINF6.1,6.4-5
Students completing successfully this course will be able to:
  • Analyzing the security of applications by identifying and assessing security risks, searching for vulnerabilities in code, designing and applying methodologies to ensure the absence of security flaws;
  • Understanding and analyzing malware as well as aspects of operational security;
  • Designing and analyzing systems using authentication mechanisms while ensuring the security of these systems;
Students will have developed methodological and operational skills. In particular, they will have strengthened their ability to:
  • write a concise technical report on the security of an application, appropriately using terminology and theoretical concepts;
  • implement a secure solution by applying best development practices;
  • develop tools for evaluating the security of an application or protocol and, where applicable, exploiting a vulnerability;
  • consider ethical dimensions (particularly regarding privacy, confidentiality of information, etc.) in their professional practice;
  • argue about the widespread use of computing tools and the security risks it entails, especially concerning privacy protection.
 
Content
The course offers an introduction to IT system security through a variety of topics.
 
 Examples of topics covered in previous years:
  • Privilege escalation and separation.
  • Memory security (buffer overflow, stack overflow, exploits on dynamic memory allocations): attacks and countermeasures; undefined behaviour.
  • Static and dynamic malware analysis.
  • Design of secure communication protocols (example: TLS).
  • Machine authentication systems: cryptography fundamentals, certificates, TOFU, etc.
  • User authentication: password security, multi-factor authentication, single sign-on (SSO).
  • Software supply chain: secure distribution, updates, dependencies, traceability.
  • Incident response
Teaching methods
Lectures, Literature reading, Practical session
Evaluation methods
Evaluation for the June session:
  • Written exam (70% of the final mark)
  • Oral assessment of practical session during the quadrimester (30% of the final mark)
Evaluation for the August session:
  • Written exam (100% of the final mark)
Other information
INFO2144 vs INFO2347:
  • INFO2144 is a course that explores the above topics in greater depth.
  • INFO2347 is a general introduction to cybersecurity, with a particular focus on network and web application security.
Prerequisite(s):
  • A general knowledge of computer systems and programming is required. It is not necessary to take INFO2347 in order to take INFO2144.
Online resources
https://moodle.uclouvain.be/course/view.php?id=3593
Bibliography
Available on moodle.
Disponible sur moodle. 
Faculty or entity
> INFO


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Electrical Engineering
ELEC2M
5
Master [120] in Computer Science and Engineering
INFO2M
5
Master [120] in Computer Science
SINF2M
5
Master [120] in Mathematical Engineering
MAP2M
5
Master [120] in Data Science Engineering
DATE2M
5
Master [120] in Data Science: Information Technology
DATI2M
5