Course overview
With the dramatic increase in high-profile cybersecurity incidents reported in the media, the demand for highly skilled security professionals is growing significantly as businesses across the globe seek to protect their networks and data. Our MSc Cyber Security provides you with a critical understanding of information governance and assurance, combined with technology risk management practices.
In addition to developing the key skills for handling security incidents, you will learn how to identify new and existing threats and the methods by which to reduce them.
Update for September 2021 intake: As a result of Covid-19 and social distancing requirements, we are intending to teach this course using a mix of on-campus and online teaching. For students unable to travel due to travel restrictions in place in their country, students will be able to start online and join us when travel to London is possible. Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding intakes and delivery.
Our MSc Cyber Security has been awarded provisional certification by the NCSC.
Campus locations
Job outcomes
- Software Engineering
- Network Design and Management
- Network Security
- Artificial Intelligence
- IT Consultancy
What you'll learn
- Demonstrate complex and specialised knowledge and skills in the field of cybersecurity
- Appreciate innovations, advances and major issues at the frontiers of cybersecurity and their implications
- Deal with complex issues both creatively and systematically, and show originality in tackling and solving problems
- Use and evaluate a variety of software, tools and techniques relevant to cybersecurity practices
- Work both individually and as a member of a team, recognising different team roles and multi-cultural environmental issues
- Communicate balanced judgements effectively (in writing and verbally) at the appropriate business and technical level with users, management, customers and technical specialists, justifying work in the content of wider theories and practice, including when considering incomplete or ambiguous data
Study method
- In-class
- Blended
- Online
Locations
- England
- London
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Duration study load
- 1 year
Entry requirements
- Minimum 2:2 (second class) honours degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a related subject
Assessment
You will be assessed using a mix of coursework and exams.
Delivery
Teaching on this programme is delivered through tutorials, lectures and practicals, totalling between 12-13 hours per week. You will also be expected to engage in independent study, around 29 hours per week.
You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers and academics who use their industry experience to demonstrate how the theories you will learn translate into real-life situations.
Subjects
Topics include:
- Key concepts and principles of information governance and security
- Information governance, security, risk and business continuity frameworks and standards
- Legislative and regulatory frameworks
- Strategies, policy and procedures
- Risk management and business continuity
- Embedding information governance and security (incl. roles, responsibilities and culture)
The main objective of this module is to provide you with in-depth coverage of the fundamental concepts, principles and technologies for network security. This module will provide you with a theoretical and practical understanding of two important aspects related to security namely, data security and network security.
The module will cover a number of topics including cryptography, classical systems, IP protocol security, private and public-key cryptography, cryptographic protocols, hash functions, authentication, signature schemes, email and web security, viruses, and firewalls.
The concepts introduced in lectures are reinforced with the help of extensive hands-on laboratory workshops. You will also have the opportunity to develop practical networking skills by using the Cisco IOS, the configuration of firewalls, switches and routers. You will also explore the wider impact of security via a consideration of related legal, ethical and social issues.
This module is designed to be suitable for a variety of networking professional roles including those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of 802.11 protocols, security and enterprise deployment. Additionally, it is suitable for wireless network administrators and support or design staff requiring a greater understanding of the new technologies and applications of modern converged networks and delegates seeking Certified Wireless Network Associate (or similar) certification. You will study the following areas:
- Enterprise wireless deployment elements and methodologies
- Basic RF characteristics for mobile systems
- 11 protocol operation and technologies
- Wireless security issues and attack vulnerabilities
This module will provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the processes used in assuring the security of information during use, sharing, storage, transmission and disposal. It will cover the protection of the integrity, authenticity, availability and confidentiality of all classes of information.
The module is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the resilience of business activities during threats and disruptive events thus enabling the assessment of potential risks to the business which could result from disasters or emergencies.
A breakdown of the key areas of information risk assessment – context establishment, an information risk assessment will be followed by the various elements of risk analysis and evaluation. An examination of the treatment of identified risks will be used to illustrate that mitigation is not the only option that organisations. The last element of the module will explore the important aspect of communicating the result of the risk management process with key stakeholders.
This module will enable you to develop a deep understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of Ethical Hacking. An essential part of a modern organisation’s e-security.
The module includes testing and analysis to determine vulnerabilities. Carrying out such work requires a special skill set, which crosses, legal issues, psychology, computer networks along with a detailed understanding of system vulnerabilities and exploits. Additionally, you will be exposed to a collection of industry standard hacking tools and will learn how to apply these ethically to determine system vulnerabilities.
In this module, you will learn about research and the processes involved in carrying out research and project management, and you will apply them to develop a master’s project proposal. This will include research approaches and methods of research, including literature searching, evaluation and review and project management tools and techniques. You will also consider relevant legal, ethical and social issues and good professional practice.
This module aims to enable you to undertake a substantial academic research project at Masters Level and present the results from this work in both written and oral forms. Your project itself will be a major piece of independent and original research centred at the forefront of your programme discipline within the wider sphere of computer science and digital technologies field.
About Northumbria University London
QA Higher Education works in partnership with Northumbria University to deliver courses at the Northumbria University London Campus. The London Campus offers industry-focused Business, Computing, IT, Cyber Security and Project Management courses amid the buzz of London’s business and financial district.
Our academic experts and professional support staff are committed to giving students an educational experience that will set them up for life. We offer cutting-edge courses that are at the forefront of current knowledge and practice and are informed by global perspectives.
In light of Covid-19, start dates may vary and these courses may initially be delivered online until a point where normal campus teaching can be resumed. Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding intakes and delivery.
