OVERVIEW

The course will introduce state-of-the-art methodologies for protecting several data types (e.g., databases, time series, graphs, longitudinal data, and transactional data) via anonymization techniques. Furthermore, the course will provide some insights into attacks on de-anonymization of different data sources in some real-world scenarios.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning the theoretical and practical bases of the anonymization of personal data, with a special reference to state-of-the-art techniques for the anonymization of multidimensional data, graphs, time series, longitudinal and transactional data, as well as some legal bases on the protection of personal data.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Regular attendance and active participation in the proposed educational activities, along with individual study, will enable students to understand and explain the classical problems encountered in the context of data protection and privacy. In particular, students will be able to:

• understand data anonymization and privacy from a technical and a regulatory perspective;
• explain anonymization algorithms for various data types, with practical activities;
• implement different de-anonymization techniques for different data sources.

PREREQUISITES

To be successful in this course, students should have knowledge on:

• Programming
• Foundations of algorithms and data structures
• Algebraic and statistical foundations

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and hands-on activities which are preparatory for the completion of the assignments/project discussed during the oral exam.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Topics covered during the course are the following:

• Multidimensional and complex data 
• Synthetic data generation
• Privacy preserving test data
• Threats to anonymized data
• Graph data and anonymization techniques on graphs (only for the 9 CFU version of the course)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides, scientific papers and links to relevant material will be suggested and made available on the AulaWeb page of the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

According to the calendar approved by the Degree Program Board: https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11964/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of the following parts: (i) a written test for admission to the oral examination and (ii) an oral examination during which students will discuss their assignments/project.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test, which serves as the admission to the assignments discussion, consists of some closed and open-ended questions related to the topics covered in class. The test allows the evaluation of the student's theoretical knowledge acquired during the course. Once the written test is completed, the schedule for the oral examinations is agreed upon. The written test and the assignments/project discussion take place in the same session.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information, please refer to the course’s AulaWeb module or contact the instructor.