Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Virtualization and Cloud Security (Face-to-Face)

CYBR 3900-01

Course: CYBR 3900-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: CSIS
CRN: 30401

Course Description

This course provides an introduction into the technologies behind virtualized cloud computing environments. Students will gain hands-on experience utilizing Amazon Web Services by implementing Infrastructure and Configuration as code in a serverless environment depended upon for DevOps cloud administration. Students will be prepared to sit for the Comptia Cloud+ and/or AWS Certified Developer certification exams.  (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): CYBR 3650 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C-

Required Texts

Primary Textbooks:

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes:
SLO 1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
SLO 2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
SLO 3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
SLO 5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
SLO 6. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Decide which virtualization types would be best for a given scenario
  2. Implement basic host and network-based virtualization
  3. Support software development operations utilizing AWS
  4. Be able to configure AWS API though AWS Management Console
  5. Harden cloud infrastructure or platforms

Course Requirements

To succeed in this course, the student must (1) attend all classes of instruction and/or actively observe all electronically published instructional presentations, (2) work with the software outside of scheduled class times, for a minimum of 90 hours that are typically required for a 3-credit course, and (3) focus on mastering the student learning outcomes published for this course. 

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Cloud Deployments and AWS
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 1: Introduction to Amazon Web Services
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 1: Introducing Cloud Computing Configurations and Deployments   
  • Module 1 Lecture (20 pts) 
  • Module 1 Lab: Exercises 1.1-7 (20 pts) 
  • Module 1 Quiz (Piper Ch1) (20 pts)

Module 2: Cloud Compute, Networking, and Deployments
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 2: Introduction to Compute and Networking 
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 2: Cloud Deployments  
  • Module 2 Lecture (20 pts)  
  • Module 2 Lab:  Exercises 2.1-9 (20 pts)  
  • Module 2 Quiz (Piper Ch2) (20 pts)    

Module 3: AWS Data Storage and Cloud Security
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 3: AWS Data Storage
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 3: Security in the Cloud   
  • Module 3 Lecture (20 pts)  
  • Module 3 Lab: Exercises 3.1-3 (20 pts)
  • Module 3 Reflective Metacognition Discussion Post (20 pts)    
  • Module 3 Quiz (Piper Ch3) (20 pts)   

Module 4: AWS Database Services and Cloud Security Implementation
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 4: AWS Database Services 
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 4: Implementing Cloud Security 
  • Module 4 Lecture (20 pts)
  • Module 4 Lab: 4.1-12 (20 pts)  
  • Module 4 Quiz (Piper Ch4) (20 pts)  

Module 5: AWS Encryption and Maintaining Cloud Operations
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 5: Encryption on AWS 
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 5: Maintaining Cloud Operations   
  • Module 5 Lecture (20 pts)  
  • Module 5 Lab: Exercises 5.1-3 (20 pts)  
  • Module 5 Quiz (Piper Ch5) (20 pts) 

Module 6: Cloud Deployment Strategies, DRP and BC
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 6: Deployment Strategies
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 6: Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, and Ongoing Maintenance 
  • Module 6 Lecture (20 pts)
  • Module 6 Lab: Exercises 6.1-4 (20 pts) 
  • Module 6 Quiz (Piper Ch6) (20 pts)   
  • Midterm Project (100 pts) 

Module 7: Deployment as Code and Cloud Management
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 7: Deployment as Code
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 7: Cloud Management 
  • Module 7 Lecture (20 pts)  
  • Module 7 Lab: Exercises 7.1-3 (20 pts)  
  • Module 7 Quiz (Piper Ch7) (20 pts) 

Module 8: Infrastructure as Code and Cloud Management Baselines
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 8: Infrastructure as Code 
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 8: Cloud Management Baselines, Performance, and SLAs   
  • Module 8 Lecture (20 pts)  
  • Module 8 Lab: Exercises 8.1-3 (20 pts)   
  • Module 8 Quiz (Piper Ch8) (20 pts)  

Module 9: Secure Configuration, Container Management and Troubleshooting
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 9: Secure Configuration and Container Management
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 9: Troubleshooting 
  • Module 9 Lecture (20 pts)  
  • Module 9 Lab: Exercises  9.1-9  (20 pts)
  • Module 9 Quiz (Piper Ch1) (20 pts)    

Module 10:  Authentication, Authorization and Troubleshooting Networking and Security Issues 
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 10: Authentication and Authorization
  • (Piper, 2025) Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Networking and Security Issues and Understanding Methodologies   
  • Module 10 Lecture (20 pts)
  • Module 10 Lab: Exercises 10.1-4 (20 pts)
  • Module 10 Reflective Metacognition Discussion Post (20 pts)      
  • Module 10 Quiz (Piper Ch10) (20 pts)   

Module 11: Refactoring to Microservices and Serverless Compute
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 11: Refactoring to Microservices 
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 12: Serverless Compute
  • Module 11 Lecture (20 pts) 
  • Module 11 Lab: Exercises  11.1-4 and 12.1-9 (20 pts) 

Module 12: Serverless Applications and Modern AWS Deployment Frameworks
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 13: Serverless Applications 
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 14: Modern AWS Deployment Frameworks
  • Module 12 Lecture (20 pts)
  • Module 12 Lab: Exercises  13.1-7 and 14.1-9 (20 pts)     

Module 13: Cloud Monitoring, Troubleshooting and Optimization
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 15: Monitoring and Troubleshooting
  • (Brandon, 2025) Chapter 16: Optimization
  • Module 13 Lecture (20 pts) 
  • Module 13 Lab: Exercises 15.1-5 and 16.1-3 (20 pts)    

Module 14: Final Project
  • Module 14 Lecture (20 pts)
  • Module 14 Reflective Metacognition Discussion Post (20 pts)  
  • Final Project (100 pts)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  • Lecture Participation can only be earned by being present in class and contributing to the group learning environment. There is no make up for not being present.
  • Discussion Posts will not be accepted late, as fellow students are requiring your posts to be on time for the Peer Review and comment process.
  • Lab Assignments will be penalized 2% per day they are late up to 50% of the total grade.
  • Quizzes are due at the date and time indicated on CANVAS and no quizzes will be accepted after their due date.
  • Midterm Project will be penalized 2% per day they are late up to 50% of the total grade.
  • Final Project is due at the date and time indicated on CANVAS and NO FINAL PROJECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THEIR DUE DATE.
It is in your best interest to plan accordingly and not procrastinate in this course in order to succeed in learning the materials and technical skillsets. 

In truly exceptional situations, like medical emergencies, with documentation I am willing to adjust due dates to allow for some flexibility within the academic calendar semester.

THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT AVAILABLE FOR THIS COURSE.

CALCULATION OF GRADES:
NOTE: This class is worth 1000 points!!!
To calculate a student grade, take the total points as shown and divide by 10.  This score will be the final grade based upon the grading scale for this class.
 
GRADE CURVING/EXTRA WORK POLICY:
No grades are curved. There are no other extra points available to be awarded. 

Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE:
It is always a student’s responsibility to drop/withdraw from class by the published drop/withdraw date. Students enrolled in class at end of term will be issued a grade. The instructor is not required to provide makeup provisions for missed coursework unless there is a documented medical excuse.
 
PARTICIPATION:
Participation in each class is vital to class.  Classes will normally be conducted utilizing a combination of lecture and discussion. For the classroom experience to be meaningful and interesting, students MUST come to class prepared and be willing to contribute to the discussion.  The student is expected to read the material and participate in class discussions. In particular, the student is highly encouraged to share personal experiences and thoughts with other classmates and the instructor.
 
ABSENCES:
Attendance is critical to success in the course. Should the student miss class, it is the student’s responsibility to make up all missed work. Any student who misses a deliverable and/or test must present a documented reason for the absence within one week of the occurrence.  It should be stressed not to miss a test or deliverable.  If the student has an emergency situation, please notify the Professor, and a decision will be made on how to handle the situation.  

Course Fees

 There is a fee of $20.25 for this course. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.