Cyber Security

The Dissertation is the single largest piece of assessed work undertaken by the student and is designed to synthesize the range of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course. The Dissertation provides students with an opportunity to conduct a sustained and intensive investigation into one project area, drawing on programme-related cognitive and practical skills and to present their findings in a formal manner in accordance with academic conventions.

Independent Learning Hours: 600
Assessment
001: 100% Dissertation / Major Project: 16,000 words or equivalent

This module is concerned with the operation and improvement of information security. As such, it encompasses three roles commonly defined in the security community: Security and Information Risk Advisor; Security Architect; and Security Officer.

It also incorporates six domains commonly recognized by the security industry: Access Control; Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning; Information Security Governance and Risk Management; Software Development Security; Security Architecture and Design; and Physical and Environmental Security.

Scheduled Contact Hours: 20
Independent Learning Hours: 130
Assessment
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 4000 words or equivalent

This module is concerned with secure information storage at network end-points, and its secure transmission between them, in a way that can be assessed and audited for compliance with stated security objectives, policies, standards and processes. As such, it encompasses three roles commonly defined in the security community: Communications Security Officer, Auditor, and Accreditor.

It also incorporates four domains commonly recognized by the security industry: Telecommunications and Network Security; Cryptography; Security Operations; and Legal, Regulations, Investigation and Compliance.

Lectures and associated laboratory sessions.

Assessment
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 4,000 words or equivalent

This module aims to give students an in-depth study in the practical and theoretical skills required to read, understand, and undertake academic research in the computing-related disciplines. This includes planning and preparing a detailed proposal for a project suitable for a Master’s dissertation. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are studied and practical data collection and analysis is also included. Research paradigms and research ethics for research with or without human participants are outlined and explored.

Scheduled Contact Hours: 20
Independent Learning Hours: 130
Assessment
001: 100% Portfolio: Individual:

This module offers students an opportunity to investigate challenges associated with the human factors element of cyber security and focuses in particular on managing and mitigating the complex, ever-evolving elements of cyber risk in socio-technical systems in organisations Scheduled Contact Hours: 20
Independent Learning Hours: 130
Assessment
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 4,000 words or equivalent

This module will aim to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of cyber security.

The intention is for students to critically evaluate and synthesize a number of subjects relating to the field of cyber security. This will include comprehending the five core components of cyber security risk management: identification, protection, detection, response and recovery. By implementing this framework, students will be in an improved position to critique, analyse and advance the security posture of an organisation, therefore, reducing their risks.

This module is designed to encompass the three roles commonly defined in the security industry: Security and Information Risk advisor, security architect and security officer.

Scheduled Contact Hours: 30
Independent Learning Hours: 120
Assessment
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 4,000 words or equivalent

Malware Analysis is one of the key areas of Cyber Security as defined by GCHQ. It involves developing technical knowledge of different attack methods and includes Malware detection and analysis. The current cybersecurity scenery continues to evolve and increase, and so does cyber threats and attacks.

Current malicious software can range from simple adware to a nation-level cyber-weapon and, due to this, the ability to identify, analyse and provide an effective response to such a threat is invaluable to the cybersecurity field.

This module enables students to practice technical knowledge on malware detection and different attack technologies both in a local network or remotely. It develops a level of understanding behind the creation of modern Malware, the techniques used to exploit weaknesses in systems and networks, and the tools and skills needed to defend and recover from malicious code attacks.

Learning and Teaching Activities
Scheduled Contact Hours: 20
Independent Learning Hours: 130


Assessment
001: 50% Assignment: Individual: 2000 words
002: 50% Assignment: Individual: 2000 words

Blockchain technology has been drawing the attention of academics and
industry. It has been considered as a game changing technology with
various real-world applications. The technology has been used in a wide
spectrum of innovative applications including finance, cryptocurrency,
Internet of Things, education, smart property, energy, healthcare, digital
identity, social media, gaming and etc. Even though the digital currency
Bitcoin is the best-known Blockchain application today, the technology is
set to play a much broader role in cybersecurity innovation. This module
is an introduction to the design, analysis, and applications of blockchain
technology.

Learning and Teaching Activities
Scheduled Contact Hours: 24
Independent Learning Hours: 126


Assessment
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 4,000 words or equivalent

This module will aim to provide students with the knowledge and understanding to design secure organisational system architectures.

Learning and Teaching Activities
Scheduled Contact Hours: 24
Independent Learning Hours: 126

Assessment
001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 4000 words or equivalent