Program Overview

Introduction to Usable Security and Privacy (CS60081)

The Usable Security and Privacy course focuses on designing secure and private systems with a user-centric approach. It combines concepts from computer systems, human-computer interaction (HCI), and secure/private system design. The course introduces core security and privacy technologies, as well as HCI techniques for conducting robust user studies.

Course Description

All secure and privacy-preserving systems are ultimately used by humans, who might or might not understand the intended usage of these systems. The course will cover topics like passwords, definitions of privacy, usable encryption, authentication, privacy of archival data, usability of crypto libraries, and privacy notices.

Instructor and Teaching Assistants

• Mainack Mondal (Instructor)
• Rishabh Maurya (Teaching Assistant)
• Debranjan Pal (Teaching Assistant)

Course Information

Credit and Background Knowledge

• Credit (L-T-P): 3-0-0
• Background Knowledge: The course assumes familiarity with basic computer science/mathematics concepts, including:
  • Probability and statistics
  • Computer Networks and Operating systems basics
  • Basics of security (symmetric/asymmetric encryption/decryption, hashing, access control lists)
  • Computer programming (preferably in Python)

Lectures and Textbook

• Scheduled lecture timings: Monday 3:00 pm - 4:55 pm, Tuesday 3:00 pm - 3:55 pm
• The course will be conducted offline with a mix of live lectures and pre-recorded course videos.
• No specific textbooks; publicly available research papers/book excerpts will be posted on the course schedule page.

Coursework and Communication

• Coursework: Three tests and a project (in groups of 2-3)
• Submission: CSE Moodle will be used for submission of tests and assignments.
• Communication: The course schedule will be updated regularly, and Microsoft Teams will be used for general discussion and questions about course material.

Course Evaluation Components

• Mid and End Sem: 60% (mid/end semester examination as per institute regulations)
• Term project + assignment: 40% (students will work on course projects in small groups)

Project Details

• Students will work on course projects in small groups of 2-3.
• The project involves several steps, including:
  • Creating a group and picking a project topic
  • Meeting with the instructor and TAs to develop the project idea
  • Submitting a report specifying research questions, hypotheses, study design, and more
  • Designing questionnaires, scripts, scenarios, and interview protocols
  • Developing prototypes and software necessary for the user study
  • Conducting a study with at least 5 participants and submitting a final report

Honor Code

• Students are permitted to discuss problem sets with the course staff and fellow students, but assistance must be limited to discussion of the problem and general approaches to a solution.
• Each student must write out their own solutions to the problem sets, and consulting another student's solution is prohibited.

Grading

• Mid/end semester examination: 60%
• Term project + assignment: 40%

Wellness

• If a personal emergency arises that may impact work in the class, students should inform the instructors via a private chat message so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Copyright Policy

• All teaching materials in the class, including course slides, homeworks, assignments, practice exams, and quizzes, are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or redistributed without the instructor's explicit consent.