Master in Cybersecurity (MSc, Online)

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

Students will cover a range of governance and management topics which will enable them to determine, establish and maintain appropriate governance, delivery and creation of cybersecurity solutions for information, systems and network security. They will understand the underlying technologies of secure systems and gain a critical awareness of the inherent risks and related privacy issues of their use in the cybersecurity environment by applying concepts such as the principles of least privilege, separation of risk, defence in depth and secrecy.


Technology Management for Organisations

Students will learn to apply the principles, policies and procedures of cybersecurity and data science to provide resilient and robust organisational solutions for secure and valuable information. They will develop techniques and use tools that will enable them to undertake critical analysis of the challenges and opportunities of using cybersecurity to mitigate and manage risk to data and enable business continuity in the case of data breaches.

Cyber Resilience and Incident Response

Students will consider cybersecurity in design and development using the concepts of secure design across a range of platforms and problem areas. They will study applied cryptography, secure programming and defensive programming. They will gain the knowledge and skills to undertake first-response in cyber breach and associated incidents. They will acquire the technical knowledge and skills to respond to breaches and implement proactive measures to potentially prevent their occurrence.


Cybersecurity and User Experience Design

Students will study the two themes of cybersecurity and usability in software design. They will learn to understand the trade-offs and challenges these themes present. They will research challenges in the areas of usable security through a survey of past and recent research in usable cybersecurity. They will examine the nature of usability and the user experience, as it applies to cybersecurity, the impact of user psychology, user models, usage contents and usability evaluation techniques.


Computing Masters Project

Students will develop a practical deliverable and investigate an area of academic research through the support of a sponsor for example: an IT strategy; an investigative study; a technically challenging artefact (e.g. a feasibility study, design, implementation, re-engineered solution); or undertake a theoretical review based on a novel research question (provided by a research active member of staff). They will underpin the project with a literature review that is a conceptual framework of their study – a systematic synthesis of concepts, assumptions, expectations, beliefs, and theories that supports and informs their research.


* Modules may change each year