Computer Systems Security: Planning for Success

Reviewed by Kim Perez, Professor, Tidewater Community College on 6/2/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The book is a great foundation but needs more content aligned with the Security+ certification exam since the majority of our students are required to take this course. It also lacks sections on ethics, privacy, and legal topics.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

I have only found minor errors and feel the book is overall accurate.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The content is extremely relevant and necessary in today's environment. I would also like to see some content on generative AI and how it is being used in computer security.

Clarity rating: 5

The text is clear and concise - and appropriate for my current students.

Consistency rating: 4

The book is consistent and easy to follow. Some sections could be better presented.

Modularity rating: 5

The chapters are well-defined and allow for modularity with no disruption.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The book is well organized and flows well with no disruption.

Interface rating: 5

I found no issues with navigation or interface.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

Only minor grammatical errors - do not significantly detract from the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I did not see any issues that violate inclusivity.

The book is a great foundation but needs more content aligned with the Security+ certification exam since most of our students must take this course. It also lacks sections on ethics, privacy, and legal topics.

Reviewed by Jan Pearce, Professor of Computer and Information Science, Berea College on 12/11/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

One can get a graduate degree in computer systems security, so full comprehensiveness in a usable text is not actually a desirable feature. This text is appropriately comprehensive for a beginning-level on the subject.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

While I have not yet used the text in my classroom, I have evaluated it for adoption, and I have found no inaccuracies.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Relevance and currency are of particular importance in computer systems security, and I have been impressed by this book thus far. Some of the labs will need to be kept up-to-date, but I do not see this as a failing of the text, just a necessity of the subject.

Clarity rating: 5

The clarity and lack of unexplained technical jargon is one of the key reasons that I have adopted this text for a beginning-level course on this topic.

Consistency rating: 5

I have not found any inconsistencies.

Modularity rating: 4

It is impossible in a text of this type not to have the material build upon what has come before. This text is designed to align with the objectives CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 exam, so that drive the organization. However, the text has been very well organized into chapters, sections, subsections, and even practical labs and review questions.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

While I have not yet used it, during my review I thought the organization seemed excellent. It seems very easy to follow.

Interface rating: 5

It is a simple interface in a hyperlinked pdf. I found it very easy to navigate.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I have found no grammatical or structural errors in the text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I have not found culturally insensitive, gender-insensitive, or other insensitive material in the text. For example, in discussing hacker culture, the presentation seems very appropriate.

I was very happy to find an open-source security book that is at a beginning level. I have adopted it for a course that I will be teaching in the summer of 2024.

Reviewed by Felix Olowononi, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity, Marymount University on 6/21/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text covers all areas and ideas of the subject appropriately. The labs are also great and helps the student understand the material very well.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Content is accurate, error-free and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The book is relevant and fits the objectives of the latest CompTIA Security + examination. This will help the authors to update the text as the objectives of the examinations of the examination changes in future.

Clarity rating: 5

The book is very clear and appeals to technical and non-technical readers. The use of diagrams are also very helpful.

Consistency rating: 4

In terms of terminology and framework, the text is quite consistent.

Modularity rating: 5

The text is easily and readily divisible into smaller reading sections that can be assigned at different points within the course.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

I think the author introduces the principle of Cryptography a bit to early (chapter 2) before foundational networking topics like Protocols (chapter 4) and Access Control (chapter 7).

Interface rating: 4

The interface of the book is very satisfactory and poses no element of confusion or distraction to the reader.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

The text has no grammatical errors. The language of presentation is suitable for all readers, independent of race or ethnicity.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

I believe the book is culturally sensitive and fits readers from all races and backgrounds.

The book serves as an introduction to the field of computer security. The author kept it simple to attract newcomers to the field and also put in screenshots of code that will appeal to advanced users. By aligning the book to the objectives of the popular CompTIA Security + SY0-601 certification examination, the book will serve many people who are transiting from other fields into the field of cybersecurity. Access to labs also puts the book above other similar ones.

Reviewed by Laurie Alfaro, Associate Professor, City Colleges of Chicago on 5/12/23

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This book might be good for a 101 course. It presents a high-level overview of a number of concepts related to Cybersecurity but doesn't go into much depth; a good primer on terminology and basic concepts.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

I didn't see any glaring inaccuracies

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

The field of Cybersecurity is rapidly evolving. By the time something is in print, it is already outdated.

Clarity rating: 5

Extremely clear and easy to understand

Consistency rating: 5

Consistent tone and voice

Modularity rating: 5

I appreciated how neatly the chapters map to a 15-week semester.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Each chapter builds nicely onto the next.

Interface rating: 5

I viewed the PDF version; no issues with the interface

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

No grammatical issues found

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

All examples were presented in a neutral way without reference to culture or ethnicity.