Entry requirementsEntry Requirements: This course is designed for Honours graduates. While any discipline is acceptable, all entrants must have IT skills and extensive experience of the sector, or be graduates in computing or a related area.
Academic titleMSc Computer Systems Security
Course descriptionThis specialist course focuses on the technical aspects of computer system security and systems administration. This award focuses upon penetration testing and provides up-to-date, relevant and practical information on the technical aspects of computer security. This field is becoming increasingly important as the use of information systems becomes more widespread in the lives of individuals, business and society.
This course equips students for careers that require in-depth knowledge of security issues at a technical and managerial level. Potential careers include systems administrator or security penetration tester.
Course Content
The topics covered include:
* Project Management and Research Methodology
* Security Management
* Wireless Security
* Network Security
* Practical Windows Security
* Practical UNIX Security
* Individual Project
How To Study
Each module is taught in a five-day block of lectures and you will need to spend a substantial amount of time working independently on reading
and preparing for assessments. This should represent about 160 hours of work. Before each module, you will be sent a pack that will contain work for you to complete before the module starts. Typically, this will be directed reading to introduce you to concepts that underpin the module. Most of the assessment is by coursework. While the style of coursework may vary, most will be the submission of a research-style paper or essay. Each module usually has two essays/papers of around 3,000 words.
Career prospects
This course equips students for careers that require in-depth knowledge of security issues at a technical and managerial level. Potential careers include systems administrator or security penetration tester. Career opportunities are excellent and the demand for specialists in this area continues to rise as companies become increasingly dependent on computers and the internet