COURSE CURRICULUM

This program offers a comprehensive exploration of cyber security, equipping you with both technical expertise and theoretical foundations in key areas of the field.The Cyber Security Landscapes module provides a critical overview of the cyber security landscape, grounding you in essential topics such as human and organisational aspects of cyber security, IT risk management, and technical areas like cryptography and infrastructure security, including network, hardware, and cyber-physical security.Incident Response & Investigation focuses on practical skills in security operations and incident management. You will learn to monitor networks and systems to detect signs of attacks, recover from security breaches, and investigate incidents to determine what occurred. This hands-on approach builds vital skills for any cyber security professional.The Research Practice module supports the development of masters-level research skills. It introduces you to research methodologies and helps you critically reflect on your own development within the context of your program, preparing you for the research required in your dissertation.Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing allows you to explore cyber security from an offensive perspective. You will learn how hackers operate and apply ethical hacking and penetration testing techniques to assess the security of systems. Ethical considerations, privacy issues, and the legal frameworks surrounding hacking will also be critically explored.In the Web & Network Security module, you will gain an in-depth understanding of security mechanisms, attacks, and defences in web applications. Focusing on the OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks, you'll apply your knowledge in practical security assessments of websites. You'll also learn about network security techniques like firewall rule configuration and VPN implementation.Systems Security develops both theoretical and practical expertise in protecting systems. You'll study security principles for safeguarding devices and networks, covering key techniques like access controls, authentication methods, virtualisation, and advanced sandboxing and containerisation practices.Finally, the Dissertation provides an opportunity to engage in independent, in-depth research on a cyber security topic of your choosing. This culminates in the formal presentation of your findings in a dissertation and viva, demonstrating your advanced understanding and scholarly competence in the field.This curriculum prepares you for a variety of roles in cyber security, offering both the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of modern security challenges.