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Past Event
Special Series

Basics of Computer Systems, Networking, Encryption and Security: Computers 101 for HKS Students

Harvard Students

This four-part seminar is a basic introduction to computer systems, networking, and cybersecurity, including the lower-level protocols and technologies that bind the Internet together. After mastering the basics, we will move on to the layers above, where we will discuss security best practices, encryption, and actual attacks against computer systems and networks. Students need only have a basic knowledge of computer systems, but the class WILL be technical and hands-on. Students will be required to bring computers with them in order to complete in-class exercises throughout the course. This seminar will provide students with a robust understanding of the technical aspects of cybersecurity, preparing them for the full range of cyber- and technology-related courses offered at Harvard Kennedy School. Regardless of their prior background, students will gain technical proficiency that can be applied to a wide variety of careers upon graduation. 
 

Date: Time: - Location: Room 401
Cybersecurity

Sessions

Session 1: Computer Systems, Networking, and the Internet (October 26, 1 Brattle Square, Room 401, 1:00-3:00 PM)
An introduction to how computer systems (operating systems, processes, applications, host networking), computer networking (TCP/IP, LANs, WANs, DHCP, DNS, NAT, the Internet), and major protocols (HTTP, DNS, SMTP) function and fit together.


Session 2: Web Browsing and Network Security (November 2, Land Hall, 1:00-3:00 PM)
A deeper look at web browsing (HTTP, authentication basics, cookies, session management), cybersecurity basics (defense-in-depth, security vs. convenience, malware, product classes), and network security (firewalls, proxies, content filtering, hardening).


Session 3: Software Security, Encryption, and Defensive Cyber Applications (November 9, Land Hall, 1:00-3:00 PM)
Key concepts in software security (zero-days, antivirus, patching) and cryptography (high-level concepts, symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption / PKI, hashing), followed by an exploration of the cyber arms race and applied defensive techniques (SQL injection attacks, password hashing, password cracking, multi-factor authentication, salting).


Session 4: Offensive Cyber Operations and Hacking (November 16, Rubenstein 414, 3:00-5:00 PM)
This final session is dedicated to offensive cyber operations, including command and control malware, hacking tools, vulnerabilities and exploits (persistence, payloads, memory attacks), and advanced exfiltration techniques. Guest Instructor: Tucker Ward.

Instructors

Nand Mulchandani is a student in the mid-career MPA program at Harvard Kennedy School. Prior to HKS, he was a serial entrepreneur who co-founded and was CEO of multiple successful startups – Oblix (acquired by Oracle), Determina (acquired by VMware), OpenDNS (acquired by Cisco), and ScaleXtreme (acquired by Citrix). He started his career at Sun Microsystems, working on compilers, chip design, and programming languages. He has a BS in Computer Science and Math from Cornell University and a Master of Science in Management from Stanford Business School.


Utsav Sohoni is a student in the mid-career MPA program at Harvard Kennedy School. His professional background in computing includes cryptography, authentication, and secure web applications, and he worked on some of the early problems surrounding online credit card transaction security. Utsav is currently an active duty officer in the United States Navy, where he spent a number of years as a technical instructor.