Cyber Security and Technology (MSc)

How will I be taught?

The School of Computer Science and Informatics has a strong and active research culture which informs and directs our teaching. We are committed to providing teaching of the highest standard.

Modules are delivered through blended learning. Students will be guided through learning activities appropriate to a module, which may include: 

• weekly on-line interactive sessions to work with other students and staff (e.g. live streaming of presentations, discussions, guest sessions from industry practitioners, live-coding, team meetings, supervised hands-on practical sessions and lab exercises) 
• on-line resources that students will be guided through and can work through at their own pace (e.g. videos, web resources, e-books, quizzes), 
• face to face small group sessions (e.g. help classes, feedback sessions, practical hands-on activities) 

We regularly invite guest lecturers from industry, and we pride ourselves on our hands-on experiences of practical cyber security. Our industry partner – PWC - is actively involved in the delivery of two taught modules and MSc dissertation supervision.

Most of your taught modules will have further information for you to study and you will be expected to work through this in your own time according to the guidance provided by the lecturer for that module.

How will I be assessed?

Modules will be assessed via a combination of assessment of different types including coursework, examination, and presentations.

How will I be supported?

Cardiff University and the School of Computer Science and Informatics provides a supportive environment in which we are able to help and encourage our students.

At the start of your course you will be allocated a Personal Tutor who is an academic member of staff in the School and serves as a point of contact to advise on both academic and personal matters in an informal and confidential manner. Your Personal Tutor will monitor your progress throughout your time at university and will support you in your Personal Development Planning.

Outside of scheduled tutor sessions, our Senior Personal Tutor runs an open-door policy, being on hand to advise and respond to any personal matters as they arise.

In addition, this MSc programme offers you a unique opportunity to benefit from industrial mentoring.

You will be provided with regular feedback on formative and summative via written comments on work submitted or by provision of ‘model’ answers and/or through discussion in contact sessions.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Critically analyse a comprehensive range of complex cyber security problems utilising a range of knowledge of key cyber security concepts and terminology, cyber security governance and management, risk assessment, secure system and application development, malware analysis and penetration testing, digital and network forensics.
• Critically analyse and solve a comprehensive range of complex cyber security problems utilising knowledge of database systems security, cloud security, Operating Systems (OS) and OS security.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically evaluate the security landscape an unseen IT and organisational environment, utilising original thinking, appropriate solutions and methods to present the case for a suitable cyber security solution.
• Exercise original thinking, initiative and personal responsibility in decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations. 
• Choose (with justification) and apply creative methods for dealing with complex issues; make sound judgement in the absence of complete data. 

Professional Practical Skills:

• Conduct risk assessments and develop security strategy and policies, including considerations of technical security configurations, human factors affecting security policy, forensic responses and security monitoring, and accounting for professional roles and responsibilities in cyber security.
• Utilise a comprehensive range of effective tactics for response to cyber security threats, vulnerabilities and attacks in computer networks and operating systems.
• Protect cloud-based IT environments, database systems and Operating Systems of different types using a comprehensive range of techniques (including configuring secure cloud-based IT environments, mitigating common OS flaws and hardening OSs).
• Communicate cyber security ideas, principles and theories effectively by oral, written and practical means to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 
• Apply a range of security methods and techniques (e.g. risk assessment methodologies) using a wide range of the fundamental concepts behind development of secure systems and applications.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Work effectively both in a team and independently, taking responsibility for continuing professional development.
• Apply original, logical and analytic thinking to complex problems.
• Work independently to choose and defend appropriate research methodology, techniques and tools.
• Identify gaps in existing research and new practical cyber security problem that needs addressing.
• Develop and write an original academic report presenting persuasive argument which relies on trustworthy evidence.