Computer Science 661 - Secure Distributed Systems

This is a class devoted to the study of securing distributed systems, with blockchain-based cryptocurrencies serving as our real platform of interest. We'll start with the fundamentals of Lamport's, Fischer's, and Douceur's results that fence-in all consensus system, and discuss Byzantine fault tolerance. We'll also look at the efficiency of the network architectures for peer-to-peer/distributed system communication and attacks on their security, such as denial of service attacks. And we'll review relevant applied cryptography such as elliptical curves. We'll discuss in detail the mechanisms of Bitcoin and Ethereum and we'll program distributed applications for Ethereum. Other topics include economics and finance. The course is based on a "flipped classroom."

Open to Graduate Computer Science students only. COURSE PREVIOUSLY COMPSCI 690P. THE COURSE IS BASED ON A FLIPPED CLASSROOM. MUCH OF THE COURSE CONTENT IS DELIVERED ONLINE AND STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO VIEW OR READ THESE MATERIALS AHEAD OF CLASS MEETINGS IN PREPARATION FOR DISCUSSION. PHYSICAL ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED FOR IN-PERSON SECTIONS. ATTENDANCE AT INTERACTIVE SESSIONS FOR THE ONLINE SECTION IS REQUIRED. ONLINE STUDENTS MUST COMPLETED PROCTORED EXAMS (BY COMING TO CAMPUS OR HIRING A SERVICE) AT THE SAME DAY/TIME AS IN-PERSON STUDENTS.

REGISTRATION FOR UNIV SECTION (IN-PERSON) IS OPEN TO CS GRADS (CICS RA OR TA CONTRACTED). STUDENTS NEEDING SPECIAL PERMISSION MUST REQUEST OVERRIDES VIA THE ON-LINE FORM: https://www.cics.umass.edu/overrides.

CPE LECTURE 01 IN-PERSON. CPE LECTURE 02 IS ONLINE THROUGH SKYPE ON TUESDAYS FROM 10-11:15AM. REGISTRATION FOR CPE SECTIONS (EITHER IN PERSON OR ONLINE): https://www.umass.edu/cpe.