System architecture and integration

What it covers

This unit introduces how computer systems are structured and how multiple systems are integrated into larger systems-of-systems, with consideration of their security implications. The unit examines how systems interact through interfaces and integration mechanisms such as APIs and services, and discusses relevant aspects of computer architecture and operating systems in the context of system integration. It explores how data is stored, managed, and flows within and across components and systems, and how applications, data, services, and devices are connected within larger system contexts. You will identify system boundaries, trust relationships, and attack surfaces, and analyse how design and integration decisions can introduce vulnerabilities. The unit develops a shared approach to reasoning about systems, data, and security, providing a foundation for understanding and analysing the security of interconnected systems.

Assessment

When and where