MSc Cyber Security Technology

Program Overview

---

Overview of MSc Cyber Security Technology (Online)

With cyber crime on the rise, Northumbria University London is passionate about improving access to cyber security careers, increasing the number of qualified professionals in the industry.

We’ve designed this online cyber security degree for anyone who wants to start a career in cyber security without prior experience or qualifications.

What will I learn?

You will be taught by industry experts who will develop your knowledge of:

• Key concepts and principles of information governance and cyber security, including legislative and regulatory frameworks
• Proven and emerging practical toolkits for technical leaders
• Cloud Reference Architecture , security concepts relevant to cloud computing, and cloud data storage architectures
• Key concepts and technologies at all network layer levels
• Demands placed upon computer networks
• Security requirements needed to support current and emerging technologies and applications
• Security principles ,models andterminologies needed to secure modern computers (threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities; threat actor types; critical security controls; and cryptography types, algorithms, and attacks)

Explore the course modules below, and if you have an undergraduate degree in cyber security or already work in the field our MSc Cyber Security (Online) may be of interest.

Modules

All modules on this online cyber security degree are core modules and worth 20 credits, unless stated otherwise.

Information Governance and Cyber Security

This module will develop your knowledge of information governance and cyber security principles that underpin the management of an organisation’s information assets.

You will critically analyse the key concepts ,theories ,standards , andframeworks of information governance and security, including risk management. This will develop a practical foundation for a range of organisational approaches to information governance and cyber security.

You will then be able to evaluate an organisation’s approach to information governance, and advise on the design and implementation of an appropriate strategy for managing an organisation’s information assets to meet legal, regulatory, organisational, and/or societal needs for information governance and cyber security.

Indicative topics include:

• Key concepts and principles of information governance and cyber security
• Information governance, cyber security, risk, and business continuity frameworks and standards
• Legislative and regulatory frameworks
• Strategies, policies, and procedures
• Risk management and business continuity

You will be assessed by the development of an information governance and cyber security policy for an organisation. Alongside this, you will produce a report justifying the policy and recommending an implementation strategy.

Leadership in a Digital Age

This module will develop your knowledge, skills, and capabilities in leadership within a digital context. As such, you’ll be able to competently envision, develop, and deploy technological strategies and responses to challenges and opportunities in complex operational environments.

Multiple topics will be covered throughout this module including:

• The context of digital transformation (past, present, and future)
• Evolution of engineering and technology organisations
• Leading R&D, technology operations, as well as high-tech entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship
• The role, responsibilities, and performance of technical leaders
• Proven and emerging practical toolkits for technical leaders

You will be assessed through the creation of a narrative report , which sets out an original technical managerial challenge and the process, decisions, and steps taken to develop the solution.

Big Data and Cloud Security

This is one of our specialist modules designed to provide you with an in- depth understanding of cloud and Big Data security. You’ll develop skills in a variety of aspects of cloud security, which are becoming increasingly sought after by employers as more organisations use cloud storage for sensitive data.

During this module you will gain an understanding of key concepts, including:

• Cloud reference architecture
• Security concepts relevant to cloud computing
• Cloud data storage architectures
• Risks associated with cloud infrastructure
• Disaster recovery and business continuity management
• Cloud software assurance and validation
• Practical aspects of cloud and Big Data security using appropriate tools

You will be assessed through theanalysis, design, and implementation of security controls necessary to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability in a cloud and Big Data environment. In addition, you will produce a report demonstrating critical appraisal of the effectiveness of the security controls implemented in the cloud and Big Data environment.

Computer Networks and Security

This module will introduce you to the role and internal operation of computer networks, including relevant concepts and technologies at a layer’s level, demands placed upon computer networks, and the security requirements required to support current and emerging applications.

You’ll learn about the underpinning networking concepts and security considerations required to design and implement a secure network using appropriate technologies, and gain a critical appreciation of computer networks and security.

You will also study:

• The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, its role, and its layers :
  • The physical layer – fundamental data communications concepts, methods, and media
  • The data link layer – data transparency, error detection, Ethernet IEEE 802.3 protocol; wireless networks and the 802.11 protocol
  • The network layer – motivation, characteristics, and features of typical LAN and WAN
  • The transport layer – multiplexing, de-multiplexing, reliability, flow and congestion control
  • The application layer – principle and operation of application layer protocols such as http, smtp, ftp, telnet, and DNS
• Network security, including access control lists, cryptography, and shared keys
• System security and protection, including encryption and firewalls

Assessment for this module will consist ofa report presenting critical analysis and evaluation of the choices made during the design and implementation of a secure network, including ethical and social considerations.

Computer Security

This module builds on ‘Introductions to Computer Networks Security’ , providing a deeper understanding of critical computer security techniques and in-depth knowledge of countermeasures. You will learn about the relevant cutting-edge computer security principles, terminology, models, technologies, and industry standards required to secure modern computers.

During this module you will learn about:

• Security threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, and threat actor types
• Critical security controls, frameworks, and compliance
• Cryptography types, algorithms, attacks, and their usage
• Public key infrastructure
• Physical security and defence in depth
• Systems hardening and password cracking
• Identification and authentication access control systems
• Host-based IDS and firewalls
• Professional practice and related legal, ethical, and social issues

Assessment for this module will consist of submitting a report presenting critical analysis and evaluation of the optimal choices made to secure modern computers in a given scenario/organisational environment, including ethical/social considerations.

Contemporary Computing and Digital Technologies

This module offers an immersive journey into contemporary computing topics essential for addressing complex challenges in both business and society.

It will enable you to become a more agile and adaptive professional, ready to make meaningful contributions to business and society. You will rapidly develop new knowledge and skills that you can apply to your business and technical challenges.

We’ll run a range of activities that will deepen your technical understanding, improve your skills, and cultivate innovative thinking to tackle real-world problems effectively. This commences with virtual team work training designed to develop your leadership and team working skills, such as hackathons, virtual bootcamps, competitions,andconferences.

You will then undertake a project in which you will tackle a problem defined by a real business and use an applied research approach to solve it, demonstrating team working skills and leadership competences.

Professional Practices in Computing and Digital Technologies Project (60 credits)

This module will be delivered across the entire programme and is designed to build your confidence and capabilities as a postgraduate student and researcher, and graduate with the skills needed to progress into high-skilled employment or doctoral study.

Terms 1-3: Academic and Employability Skills

During the first three terms, you will develop your academic confidence, reading, writing, andstudy effectiveness. You will also build on your ability to analyse and use source material; take your language and communication skills to a higher level; and enhance your employability skills such as:

• Life-long learning
• Professional and career development
• Communication skills
• Intercultural competence
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Digital and information literacy
• Critical thinking
• Ethical practice
• Reflection
• Self-management
• Decision-making
• Problem solving
• Planning and organising

You will also have the opportunity to attend careers and employability workshops organised by our Careers Team.

Terms 4-6: Research Methods

During terms four to six, you will further develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods, which will enable you to:

• Identify a business problem
• Undertake a critical literature review
• Design appropriate research methodology
• Develop a research proposal that will lead into the dissertation stage

Terms 7 and 8: Dissertation****Your dissertation is the culmination of your Masters degree.

You will work alongside an academic tutor to complete a major research project. This will include attending individual and group project supervision and guidance sessions, which will further develop the skills required to complete a computing-related research enquiry.

You will learn how to identify a problem and how to design and implement an appropriate research methodology to answer your research questions and fulfil your research objectives.

Teaching

The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard will be used throughout this online cyber security degree. Modules will be split into weeks and further broken into smaller, manageable units. Your tutor will make weekly announcements to indicate which tasks need completing.

Teaching takes place through online tutorials, lectures and practicalsusing a combination of video, text, interactive tasks and concept check activities. You will be assessed through coursework, which includes presentations and projects where you can collaborate with other students in study groups which will be organised at the start of term. There are no exams on this programme.

There are also optional on-campus sessions for each module if you wish to attend.

Entry Requirements

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Academic requirements

• Minimum 2:2 honours degree from a recognised university in any degree discipline (except for Cyber Security), or
• Professional qualifications that are equivalent to an honours degree

Non-standard entry requirements

• If you don’t have standard academic qualifications, you may be considered for entry if you have demonstrable IT or general software development experience, professional development for over three years, and are able to fulfil the objectives of the distance learning programme. This would need to be evidenced by a personal statement and conversation with a member of the Northumbria University London academic team.

English Language requirements

• GCSE English grade A-C

If you have prior experience and/or qualifications directly relating to cyber security

If you have demonstrable technical expertise from either previous study, professional qualifications, or work experience, you may find our MSc Cyber Security (Online) programme more suitable.

United Kingdom

Academic requirements

• Minimum 2:2 honours degree from a recognised university in any degree discipline (except for Cyber Security); or
• Professional qualifications equivalent to an honours degree

Non-standard entry requirements

• If you don’t have standard academic qualifications, you may be considered for entry if you have demonstrable IT or general software development experience, professional development for over three years, and are able to fulfil the objectives of the distance learning programme. This would need to be evidenced by a personal statement and conversation with a member of the Northumbria University London academic team.

If you have prior experience and/or qualifications directly relating to cyber security

If you have demonstrable technical expertise from either previous study, professional qualifications, or work experience, you may find our MSc Cyber Security (Online) programme more suitable.

Fees and Funding

2024/25 tuition fee: £10,460 (£9,460 for the July 2025 intake)****Save £1,000 on tuition fees for our July 2025 intake.

For self-funded students, we have an interest-free payment plan to help spread the cost of your tuition fees following your initial deposit payment.

Find out more about payment plans, student loans and other discounts on our Finance page.

Additional costs

Access to a laptop/PC and a reliable internet connection is required for this online cyber security degree.

What’s included in your tuition fees?

Alongside running this online cyber security degree, your tuition fees also cover the cost of a range of excellent student services and experiences, including:

• Online contact time in class – typically in lectures, seminars, and tutorials
• Careers and Employment Service support who can help you improve your employability and secure placements, and run workshops – you will continue to have access to this support for up to 2 years after you graduate
• Academic support – our ACE Team run multiple sessions on academic writing, presenting, and exam techniques throughout the semester, as well as one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions
• Student support services , such as our Ask4Help Service – visit ourStudent Support page to find out more
• Online resource access – this includes our online library, available 24/7 withover 400,000 e-books and50,000 electronic journals
• Access to campus facilities (should you wish to visit our London campus), including computers, Wi-Fi, printers, quiet study spaces , and more

Career Opportunities

Cyber security is vital in most industries and, as such, the roles you could apply for aren’t limited to the cyber security sector alone. We’ve designed this online cyber security degree in consultation with industry partners to ensure that the cyber security knowledge and skills you gain are up-to-date and career-focused to give you the best possible chance at success in your career.

Typical careers and roles for Cyber Security Technology graduates include (but are not limited to):

• Cyber Security Engineer
• Cyber Security Analyst
• Cyber Security Consultant
• IT Security and Support Manager
• Information Security Professional
• Business Analyst

We have also developedspecific modules on the programme that lend themselves tospecialist cyber security roles such as:

• Big Data Security Analyst
• Big Data Developer
• Network Analyst
• Network Solution Architect
• Network Engineer
• Network Specialist
• Network Manager

Teaching Staff

Our teaching staff here at Northumbria University London are experts in their field, with a wealth of industry experience to help you get the most out of your studies. Meet one of our MSc Cyber Security Technology professors, Dr. Saber Farag, below.

MEET DR. SABER FARAG