Integration of computer security laboratories into computer architecture courses to enhance undergraduate education

Abstract

Most computer science and engineering programs have two or more required computer architecture courses but lack suitable interfacing laboratory experience for other upper-level classes. Information assurance and network security tracks have been developed over the recent years without providing necessary and sufficient background knowledge in logic, storages and processor architecture. Integration of real-world applications is always a better approach to not only to excite the passive student body but also to explore the computer architecture subject area. At the intermediate level architecture knowledge can be extended to provide information and network security experiences to students. Such extensions to the course will provide proper interfacing to networking, operating systems databases and other senior level security related courses. This paper describes possible integration of security and privacy concepts into computer architecture course sequence with hands-on classroom activities, laboratories and web-based assignments.