MSc Cyber Security and Assurance (CSA)

The School of Information Risk Management (SIRM) has adopted the ISACA model curriculum in developing and designing an MSc program, which is built on the good foundation and rigorous practical training in the respective areas. The aim is to provide necessary knowledge through a combination of theory and practice. MSc (CSA) is aligned with best in class Cyber Security certifications including Cyber Security Nexus (CSX) Fundamental and Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM). CISM is one of the top paying certifications in the market.

The course equips students with knowledge of modern developments in the rapidly evolving fields of cybersecurity and assurance, providing a depth and breadth of knowledge and skills in these areas. The interdisciplinary nature of the course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to specialise and pursue a career in these fields, as well as providing them with an excellent opportunity to develop their academic and generic employability skills. The course will use a wide range of teaching and learning strategies and methods supported by appropriate blended learning approaches, learning technologies and tools to enhance student learning and promote engagement.

In addition to face-to-face teaching, where appropriate, asynchronous and synchronous modes of learning will be used to facilitate and promote student learning. SIRM will be using its Student Learning Centre, designated open access classrooms/IT labs and a specialist Cyber lab to accommodate and support student learning.

Students will be offered an ISACA® membership on behalf of SIRM. Students may then be encouraged to take the following industry-specific renowned qualifications:

• Certified Information System Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Cyber Security X Fundamentals (CSXf)
• Cyber Security X Practitioner (CSXp)
• Cyber Security X Specialist (CSXs)

The course emphasizes the risk exposures in an Information System environment and focuses on the internal controls to minimize these risks.

This course aims to:

• Equip students with the skills to design, implement and manage computer security using software and networking technologies;
• Develop understanding of the methods involved in handling Cyber incident and securing corporate assets and information;
• Equip students with an advanced knowledge of multi-disciplinary risk management in the context of cybersecurity principles, and to enable to recognise the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing Cyber-Security and Risk Management;
• Offer students the opportunity to study in a leading, interdisciplinary and research-intensive environment both Cyber-Security and Risk, security and risk management principles and practice;
• Stimulate student’s interest in the subject by using a variety of teaching and learning methods and engaging with a wide range of Cyber-Security and Risk management perspectives;
• Develop student’s ability to assess and manage both security and risk in a corporate environment;
• Give students the opportunity to develop a broad yet advanced understanding of the social and human factors as they apply to cybercrime and its governance issues.

Additional generic postgraduate aims:

• Develop and enhance student’s ability to identify research question(s) and conduct experimental or theoretical research, and to present the findings of such research in a clear, professional manner;
• Develop your transferable research skills and interdisciplinary knowledge for a wide range of information and technology and research careers;
• Develop intellectual, cognitive and transferable/generic key skills appropriate for master’s level study;
• Develop self-confidence and independence in undertaking a substantial individual research dissertation.

Modules

• Cyber Security Concepts and Management (20 Credits)
• Operations and Security of Information Systems Infrastructure (20 Credits)
• Cyber Security Architecture and Software Engineering (20 Credits)
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (20 Credits)
• Cyber Security Assurance and Risk Management (20 Credits)
• Cyber Crime, Governance and Insurance (20 Credits)
• Dissertation (60 Credits)

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in relevant field such as computing / IT from a recognised Institute
• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (only for International students with no English language background)
• Fee deposit
• Interview (for international students, the interview can be conducted on skype)

Progression

You may seek work placement at SIRM (depending on availability) or SIRM's associated organisation(s) Or can further progress to Level 8 Doctorate studies (PhD) in Cyber Security / Info Risk Management (depends on your area of interest for research).