COURSE CURRICULUM

The course begins with Block 1: Foundation of Cyber Security and Engineering, covering key topics in programming, operating systems, encryption, and networks within a cyber security context. Students will learn procedural programming using C, explore memory management and processes in operating systems, and understand encryption techniques like symmetric and asymmetric ciphers. Networking concepts will focus on transport, network, and link layers, providing practical experience with tools like Wireshark for traffic analysis. The second part of the module introduces electronic and communication engineering concepts relevant to the cyber domain, such as Smart Grids and the Internet of Things, addressing challenges in system vulnerabilities and cross-connectivity. Block 2: Cyber Threat Intelligence and Network Security emphasizes the collection and analysis of threat data to create actionable intelligence, reviewing the intelligence cycle and different threat actors. The network security component covers host and network security, vulnerabilities, and intrusion detection, teaching students how to defend complex IT systems. Block 3: Malware Analysis, Penetration Testing, and Incident Response focuses on teaching students to think like attackers, perform penetration testing, and respond effectively to incidents. The module covers system reconnaissance, exploit identification, and reverse engineering of malware to analyze system compromises. Block 4: Digital Forensics with Legal, Ethical, and Research Methods examines the ethical, legal, and professional aspects of digital forensics, emphasizing evidence handling and preserving the chain of custody. Students will use industry-standard tools to investigate digital devices. Blocks 5 and 6 involve a self-managed PGT project, where students can choose from development, research, or consultancy projects to apply their skills in real-world scenarios, fostering deeper understanding and practical experience in cyber security and engineering.