Program Overview

Cyber security is essential for all organisations, with hacking, malicious code and social engineering ever present threats to data. This programme provides holistic coverage of cyber security, from governance and policy, to cryptography, penetration testing and digital forensics. Grounded in core computer science, the programme develops the knowledge and skills to design, develop and manage secure systems to produce highly employable cyber security professionals.

During your year of study you will gain an understanding of key topics such as security management, cryptography, network and system security, computer forensics, and protection in application scenarios. You'll also benefit from being taught a wide variety of hands-on skills, which enable you to implement, configure and manage many of the typical controls you will encounter in practice - including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, authentication and access mechanisms, and forensic case management tools. The project will enable you to explore and develop in-depth knowledge on a particular area of security. You'll become a subject expert and push the boundaries of the current understanding.

Key Features

• Curriculum, facilities and staff certified by the UK National Cyber Security Centre.
• Benefit from world-leading research-active staff at the forefront of knowledge, conducting research within the Centre for Cyber Security, Communications and Network Research (CSCAN).
• Strong alignment of learning to industry recognised certifications, such as AccessData Forensic Examiner (ACE), and EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
• A significant focus upon practical laboratories using state-of-the-art security and forensic facilities.
• You will spend a significant proportion of your time in our Security and Forensics Laboratory putting theory in practice whilst working alongside world-leading academics.
• Access to our new engineering and design facility. Students in engineering, science and the arts have access to a range of specialist equipment and innovative laboratories. You'll also have access to specialist laboratories equipped with various hardware and software configurations.
• Benefit from the courses extensive links with major professional bodies and societies such as the BCS, ISACA, IFIPTechnical Committee 11 and the Chartered Institute of Information Security.
• Take the opportunity to make career inroads through strong industrial links with major organisations such as Kaspersky, Microsoft, IBM, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and various UK government departments.
• Build on the foundation which this programme offers and take the opportunity to progress onto a research degree at MPhil or PhD level.
• The University has been awarded Academic Partner status by the Chartered Institute of Information Security, in recognition of the significant base of security-related expertise within the institution. This link encourages and enables a dialogue between academia and the wider community of security practitioners.