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HE Unit Template
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Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
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ITECH2507 - Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
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20270200
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Course
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Unit
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3.1
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2026-09-21
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2026-09-10
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Information Technology
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Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
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Information Technology
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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020113
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Networks and Communications
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020113 - Networks and Communications
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/itech2507">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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6
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Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree
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Intermediate
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1
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<p>This unit delves into Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) and Penetration Testing (Pen Testing), equipping students with advanced skills and deep knowledge to proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. Analyze vulnerabilities, evaluate penetration testing methodologies, and design & execute ethical penetration tests. Explore advanced topics like cloud security and social engineering, then craft effective countermeasures and mitigation strategies. The unit concludes with penetration testing frameworks and report creation, culminating in a project where you apply your skills in a simulated environment.</p>
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<p>Topics may include:<br>
1. Introduction to VAs & Pen Testing, Ethical Hacking Principles, Regulatory Compliance<br>
2. Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing Life Cycle<br>
3. Vulnerability Scanner Types & Methodologies<br>
4. Prioritizing Vulnerabilities based on Severity & Exploitability<br>
5. Reconnaissance Techniques like Information Gathering, and Footprinting<br>
6. Enumeration Techniques like Identifying Services, Systems, Users<br>
7. Gaining Initial Access (Exploiting Vulnerabilities, Social Engineering)<br>
8. Privilege Escalation Techniques<br>
9. Security Testing Techniques and Methodologies including web applications and wireless networks<br>
10. Penetration Testing Frameworks & Reporting Standards</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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ITECH2507 - Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
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ITECH2507 - Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit delves into Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) and Penetration Testing (Pen Testing), equipping students with advanced skills and deep knowledge to proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. Analyze vulnerabilities, evaluate penetration testing methodologies, and design & execute ethical penetration tests. Explore advanced topics like cloud security and social engineering, then craft effective countermeasures and mitigation strategies. The unit concludes with penetration testing frameworks and report creation, culminating in a project where you apply your skills in a simulated environment.</p>
Unit content
<p>Topics may include:<br> 1. Introduction to VAs & Pen Testing, Ethical Hacking Principles, Regulatory Compliance<br> 2. Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing Life Cycle<br> 3. Vulnerability Scanner Types & Methodologies<br> 4. Prioritizing Vulnerabilities based on Severity & Exploitability<br> 5. Reconnaissance Techniques like Information Gathering, and Footprinting<br> 6. Enumeration Techniques like Identifying Services, Systems, Users<br> 7. Gaining Initial Access (Exploiting Vulnerabilities, Social Engineering)<br> 8. Privilege Escalation Techniques<br> 9. Security Testing Techniques and Methodologies including web applications and wireless networks<br> 10. Penetration Testing Frameworks & Reporting Standards</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Information Technology
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
020113 - Networks and Communications
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/itech2507">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=ITECH1502" target="_blank">ITECH1502</a>"</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
1
<p>Analyze the root causes of and security implications of system and network vulnerabilties, considering organisational and societal impact.</p>
2
<p>Evaluate and select penetration testing methodologies and tools, justifying their appropriateness for specific contexts and compliance requirements.</p>
3
<p>Assess and prioritise identified vulnerabilities based on exploitability, business risk, and legal/ethical frameworks governing authorised testing.</p>
4
<p>Compare and contrast leading vulnerability assessment tools, critically evaluating their suitability for different network configurations and security needs.</p>
5
<p>Produce a professional penetration testing report that clearly communicates findings, evaluates organisational risk, and recommends mitigation strategies aligned with legal and ethical obligations.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Lab Reports: Following each hands-on lab session, students will submit a lab report documenting their work. Reports should detail the tools used, the procedures followed, the results obtained, and any challenges encountered.</p>
<p>Lab Reports</p>
<p>20%-40%</p>
1, 2, 3
2
<p>Students complete a practical investigation involving a simulated vulnerability assessment task in a student selected industry. This task demonstrates their abilities related to tool selection, analysis of scan results and selection of the most critical vulnerabilities.</p>
<p>Vulnerability Assessment Project</p>
<p>20%-40%</p>
1, 3, 4
3
<p>Students demonstrate their ability to perform a penetration testing project, by working through each step in the PT methodology, including tool selection, triage of results, and production of a professional penetration testing report.</p>
<p>Penetration Testing Capstone Demonstration</p>
<p>30%-50%</p>
2, 3, 5
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Information Technology
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
020113 - Networks and Communications
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/itech2507">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: ITECH2507 - U3.1