Cyber Security - MSc

Security measures for adequate protection of valuable information assets are essential not only to guard business success and reputation but also because it is an obligation to comply with legal requirements, appropriate standards and relevant domain regulations. This module provides students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts, methods, processes, tools and practices underlying good information security management.  

This module provides guidance on how to secure Operational Technologies of which Industrial Control Systems (ICS) take a central position. It covers includes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Internet-of-Things, and otherwise Embedded devices especially those used in Critical Systems. The module addresses their unique performance, reliability and safety requirements. The module provides an overview of OT and typical system topologies, identifies typical threats and vulnerabilities to these systems, and provides recommended security countermeasures to mitigate the associated risks, along with codes of practice and standards used in different industries such as Manufacturing, Power, Automotive or Medical. 

Digital forensic investigation techniques are an essential part of the body of knowledge of every cyber security specialist. They facilitate informed timely management of cyber security breaches. Their understanding is important to develop and deploy effective controls for monitoring, detecting and responding to information security incidents within the scope of criminal, civil and enterprise investigations. 

Coding bugs and design flaws make software (such as web applications and services) vulnerable to attack. Vulnerability management addresses software defects discovered after deployment. To avoid the introduction of vulnerabilities in the first place, however, requires the adoption of secure software development practices, such as threat modelling, automated code review and fuzz testing.  

The module provides you with an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of Advanced Ethical Hacking and information security within a global context. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for a secure network communication system.  

This module prepares you for the research project that you will undertake towards the end of your master’s course. It equips you with knowledge and transferable skills that will also help you in your subsequent career, for example, when you are asked to write a report or to carry out an IT project. You will become familiar with the research literature in your discipline, research methodology and research ethics, as well as project management tools, methods and techniques. 

You are enrolled on occurrence B or C of the Individual Master’s Project module because you are studying on our MSc Cyber Security course or MSc Advanced Computer Science course, respectively. Before embarking on your project, you must have passed CMP7158 Research Methods and Project Management or received an exemption. 

You are expected to devote 600 hours of study time to the project once you have completed all your taught modules. If you are a part-time student, however, you may be permitted to start your project early as you only study one taught module in each semester of your second year.