MSc Cyber Security (Technology)

This module will develop your knowledge of information governance and cyber security principles that underpin the management of an organisation’s information assets.

You will critically analyse the key concepts, theories, standards, and frameworks of information governance and security, including risk management. This will develop a practical foundation for a range of organisational approaches to information governance and cyber security.

You will then be able to evaluate an organisation’s approach to information governance, and advise on the design and implementation of an appropriate strategy for managing an organisation’s information assets to meet legal, regulatory, organisational, and/or societal needs for information governance and cyber security.

Indicative topics include:

• Key concepts and principles of information governance and cyber security
• Information governance, cyber security, risk, and business continuity frameworks and standards
• Legislative and regulatory frameworks
• Strategies, policies, and procedures
• Risk management and business continuity

You will be assessed by the development of an information governance and cyber security policy for an organisation. Alongside this, you will produce a report justifying the policy and recommending an implementation strategy.

This module will develop your knowledge, skills, and capabilities in leadership within a digital context. As such, you’ll be able to competently envision, develop, and deploy technological strategies and responses to challenges and opportunities in complex operational environments.

Multiple topics will be covered throughout this module including:

• The context of digital transformation (past, present, and future)
• Evolution of engineering and technology organisations
• Leading R&D, technology operations, as well as high-tech entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship
• The role, responsibilities, and performance of technical leaders
• Proven and emerging practical toolkits for technical leaders

You will be assessed through the creation of a narrative report, which sets out an original technical managerial challenge and the process, decisions, and steps taken to develop the solution.

This is one of our specialist modules designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of cloud and Big Data security. You’ll develop skills in a variety of aspects of cloud security, which are becoming increasingly sought after by employers as more organisations use cloud storage for sensitive data.

During this module you will gain an understanding of key concepts, including:

• Cloud reference architecture
• Security concepts relevant to cloud computing
• Cloud data storage architectures
• Risks associated with cloud infrastructure
• Disaster recovery and business continuity management
• Cloud software assurance and validation
• Practical aspects of cloud and Big Data security using appropriate tools

You will be assessed through the analysis, design, and implementation of security controls necessary to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability in a cloud and Big Data environment. In addition, you will produce a report demonstrating critical appraisal of the effectiveness of the security controls implemented in the cloud and Big Data environment.

This module will introduce you to the role and internal operation of computer networks, including relevant concepts and technologies at a layer’s level, demands placed upon computer networks, and the security requirements required to support current and emerging applications.

You’ll learn about the underpinning networking concepts and security considerations required to design and implement a secure network using appropriate technologies, and gain a critical appreciation of computer networks and security.

You will also study:

• The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, its role, and its layers :
• The physical layer – fundamental data communications concepts, methods, and media
• The data link layer – data transparency, error detection, Ethernet IEEE 802.3 protocol; wireless networks and the 802.11 protocol
• The network layer – motivation, characteristics, and features of typical LAN and WAN
• The transport layer – multiplexing, de-multiplexing, reliability, flow and congestion control
• The application layer – principle and operation of application layer protocols such as http, smtp, ftp, telnet, and DNS
• Network security, including access control
• lists, cryptography, and shared keys
  System security and protection, including encryption and firewalls

Assessment for this module will consist of a report presenting critical analysis and evaluation of the choices made during the design and implementation of a secure network, including ethical and social considerations.

This module builds on ‘Introductions to Computer Networks Security’, providing a deeper understanding of critical computer security techniques and in-depth knowledge of countermeasures. You will learn about the relevant cutting-edge computer security principles, terminology, models, technologies, and industry standards required to secure modern computers.

During this module you will learn about:

• Security threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, and threat actor types
• Critical security controls, frameworks, and compliance
• Cryptography types, algorithms, attacks, and their usage
• Public key infrastructure
• Physical security and defence in depth
• Systems hardening and password cracking
• Identification and authentication access control systems
• Host-based IDS and firewalls
• Professional practice and related legal, ethical, and social issues

Assessment for this module will consist of submitting a report presenting critical analysis and evaluation of the optimal choices made to secure modern computers in a given scenario/organisational environment, including ethical/social considerations.

This module offers an immersive journey into contemporary computing topics essential for addressing complex challenges in both business and society.

It will enable you to become a more agile and adaptive professional, ready to make meaningful contributions to business and society. You will rapidly develop new knowledge and skills that you can apply to your business and technical challenges.

We’ll run a range of activities that will deepen your technical understanding, improve your skills, and cultivate innovative thinking to tackle real-world problems effectively. This commences with virtual team work training designed to develop your leadership and team working skills, such as hackathons, virtual bootcamps, competitions, and conferences.

You will then undertake a project in which you will tackle a problem defined by a real business and use an applied research approach to solve it, demonstrating team working skills and leadership competences.

This module will be delivered across the entire programme and is designed to build your confidence and capabilities as a postgraduate student and researcher, and graduate with the skills needed to progress into high-skilled employment or doctoral study.

Terms 1-3: Academic and Employability Skills

During the first three terms, you will develop your academic confidence, reading, writing, and study effectiveness. You will also build on your ability to analyse and use source material; take your language and communication skills to a higher level; and enhance your employability skills such as:

• Life-long learning
• Professional and career development
• Communication skills
• Intercultural competence
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Digital and information literacy
• Critical thinking
• Ethical practice
• Reflection
• Self-management
• Decision-making
• Problem solving
• Planning and organising

You will also have the opportunity to attend careers and employability workshops organised by our Careers Team.

Terms 4-6: Research Methods

During terms four to six, you will further develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods, which will enable you to:

• Identify a business problem
• Undertake a critical literature review
• Design appropriate research methodology
• Develop a research proposal that will lead into the dissertation stage

Terms 7 and 8: Dissertation

Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters degree.

You will work alongside an academic tutor to complete a major research project. This will include attending individual and group project supervision and guidance sessions, which will further develop the skills required to complete a computing-related research enquiry.

You will learn how to identify a problem and how to design and implement an appropriate research methodology to answer your research questions and fulfil your research objectives.