A.6 FIREWALL PROJECTSThe implementa

A.6 FIREWALL PROJECTS
The implementation of network firewalls can be a difficult concept for students to
grasp initially. The IRC includes Network Firewall Visualization tool to convey and
teach network security and firewall configuration. This tool is intended to teach and
reinforce key concepts including the use and purpose of a perimeter firewall, the use
of separated subnets, the purposes behind packet filtering, and the shortcomings of
a simple packet filter firewall.
The IRC includes a .jar file that is fully portable, and a series of exercises. The
tool and exercises were developed at U.S. Air Force Academy.
A.7 CASE STUDIES
Teaching with case studies engages students in active learning. The IRC includes
case studies in the following areas:
• Disaster recovery
• Firewalls
• Incidence response
• Physical security
• Risk
• Security policy
• Virtualization
Each case study includes learning objectives, case description, and a series of
case discussion questions. Each case study is based on real-world situations and includes
papers or reports describing the case.
The case studies were developed at North Carolina A&T State University.
A.8 WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
Writing assignments can have a powerful multiplier effect in the learning process in
a technical discipline such as computer security. Adherents of the Writing Across
the Curriculum (WAC) movement ( http://wac.colostate.edu/ ) report substantial
benefits of writing assignments in facilitating learning. Writing assignments lead to
more detailed and complete thinking about a particular topic. In addition, writing
assignments help to overcome the tendency of students to pursue a subject with
a minimum of personal engagement, just learning facts and problem-solving techniques
without obtaining a deep understanding of the subject matter.
The IRC contains a number of suggested writing assignments, organized by
chapter. Instructors may ultimately find that this is the most important part of their