Program Overview

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Master of Cyber Security

The Master of Cyber Security program prepares students to specialize in this field, meeting global demand and contributing to New Zealand's Cyber Security Strategy. It is the first of its kind in the country.

Points and Duration

• The total number of points to gain this qualification: 180 points
• The duration of the program: 1.5 years

Locations

• The study location where the qualification is offered: Hamilton

Area of Study

• The Faculty or School under which this qualification can be studied: School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Start Dates

• The trimesters in which this qualification can be started: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Why Study the Master of Cyber Security?

As students work towards their Master of Cyber Security (MCS), they will develop a thorough understanding of the technical, legal, policy, and management aspects of cyber security. They will learn about cloud computing technologies and computer infrastructure, as well as the law relating to cyber security.

Students will gain skills relating to detecting security breaches, preventative security, and offensive security. This includes computer system penetration testing. They will learn how to think innovatively and develop the ability to apply their knowledge so they can work at an advanced level as professionals in cyber security.

When studying cyber security at Waikato, students will have the opportunity to work with and learn from award-winning cyber security experts. The academics also have strong international connections with industry and government, such as the National Cyber Policy Office and INTERPOL.

Career Opportunities

• Cyber Security Analyst
• Entrepreneurs of new security products and services
• Penetration Testers/Security Assessment Consultants
• IT Security Consultant
• Malware Analyst

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

The Master of Cyber Security program consists of two parts:

Part 1

• COMPX508 Malware Analysis: This paper covers the cyber security topic of malware analysis to understand, analyze, and detect malicious code. Students will also be introduced to techniques that can be used to dissect and reverse engineer malware and benign binaries to perform behavioral analysis.
• Choose either:
  • COMPX511 Cyber Security Operations
  • COMPX517 Vulnerability Analysis and Exploitation
• COMPX527 Secure Cloud Application Engineering: This paper teaches students how to design, develop, and test cloud-native applications with a special focus on satisfying requirements.
• COMPX515 Security for Advanced Networks: This paper is a study on Internet security, covering the most relevant attacking and mitigation strategies. Networks have evolved considerably in the last decade, including the popularization of IoT and Software-Defined Networks, giving rise to new attacks and novel defensive approaches to mitigate them.
• 500 Level Elective: Students can choose from a range of elective papers, including but not limited to:
  • COMPX532 Information Visualisation
  • COMPX539 Usability Engineering
  • GEOGY538 Automated Spatial Analysis using Geographic Information Systems
  • GEOGY558 Applied Geographic Information Systems for Research and Planning
  • LEGAL526 Legal Aspects of Cyber Security
  • 500 level Computer Science papers

Part 2

• COMPX592 Dissertation: A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.

Entry Requirements

For admission into the MCS, students will need to have completed a relevant bachelor's degree or postgraduate diploma, normally in Computer Science or Computer Engineering. They will need an average of at least B in their 300 level or higher Computer Science papers.

International students will need to have an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.0 in any band).

Fees and Scholarships

• Estimated fees for domestic students: $9,299 - $10,441 per year
• Domestic tuition fees are approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
• Scholarships: Visit the Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.

Graduate Outcomes

Graduates will have:

• An advanced understanding and knowledge of cyber security from the point of view of preventative security, detection of security breaches, and offensive security (such as computer system penetration testing)
• An advanced understanding and knowledge of cloud computing technologies
• An advanced understanding and knowledge of computer infrastructure
• Immediately applicable theoretical and practical knowledge and skills
• A capacity to think innovatively and be able to use research-led knowledge to understand and advance professional practice

Graduates will have had the opportunity to develop the ability to:

• Design a well-structured, relevant, and integrated plan of research
• Carry out such research using appropriate methods of investigation and analysis
• Carry out technical analysis and have report writing skills to an advanced level
• Demonstrate a high standard of academic integrity and ethical awareness
• Work both independently and as effective team members
• Be intellectually flexible and adaptable
• Demonstrate advanced analytical thinking skills and the skills needed for self-directed learning, including the ability to acquire, understand, and assess information from a range of sources

Computing Facilities at Waikato

The computing facilities at the University of Waikato are among the best in New Zealand. Students will have 24-hour access to computer labs running the latest industry-standard software.

The University of Waikato is also home to New Zealand’s first cyber security lab, where the Cybersecurity Researchers of Waikato (CROW) operate from – the creators of the annual New Zealand Cyber Security Challenge.

Build a Successful Career in Cyber Security

Demand for trained professionals in cyber security is increasing globally at 3.5 times the rate of the overall job market. Once students have completed their training in this area, they will be qualified to do a number of different types of roles in an industry with a 'near zero' unemployment rate.

Our graduates are in high demand and most of our alumni work in the top public and private organizations in New Zealand and internationally.

Scholarships and Prizes

Sir William Gallagher Cyber Security Scholarship

The Sir William Gallagher Cyber Security Scholarship is for students intending to enroll in the dissertation or thesis part of a Master of Cyber Security. Candidates must have gained a 'B+' average for their most recent 120 points of study. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain industry experience through a research project at Gallagher.

Looking for More Scholarships?

Visit the Scholarship Finder for more information about possible scholarships.