Program Overview

Program Overview

The Doctoral Program in Information Security aims to form specialists capable of developing autonomous research in the interdisciplinary area of computer security, requiring mastery of subjects in Mathematics, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, including computational complexity, cryptography, system security, and information theory.

History

The program was created in 2007 at the Instituto Superior T嶰nico (IST) following the growing interest in postgraduate training in this domain. The teaching team has been teaching advanced disciplines in the domain since 2001 and has extensive experience in guiding doctoral and postdoctoral students. These teachers develop their research activities in top-level research units, namely IT and INESC-ID, with special relevance to SQIG and GSD.

Objectives

• Solid training in the relevant subjects for research in computer security.
• Contact with the forefront of research and development in the domain.
• Conducting research with a view to making significant original contributions.

Target Audience

Holders of a 2nd cycle degree, national or foreign, or a bachelor's degree (pre-Bologna) with 5 years, in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related fields who intend to pursue a scientific or technical career, academic or professional, in research and development in information security.

Professional Outcomes

Doctors in Information Security can:

• Conduct research and development activities in universities, research units, and high-tech companies, national or foreign.
• Lead teams responsible for information security in industry and services, in Portugal or abroad.

Program Structure

The course consists of the equivalent of 1 semester (30 ECTS) and 7 semesters of thesis (210 ECTS). The subjects are all optional, chosen from those indicated in the "Curriculum" section. Besides traditional subjects, some allow teaching bachelor's or master's degree subjects (Scientific Teaching and Dissemination), giving and attending seminars (Research Seminar in Information Security), or conducting exploratory research for the thesis (Advanced Topics in Information Security). Other doctoral subjects from T嶰nico (Free Option) can be taken. The schedules are variable and usually combined with the subject's responsible professor. Disciplines and seminars with foreign students are held in English.

Public Official Documents

The program's official documents include several despachos (orders) and registration numbers from DGES and A3ES, detailing the program's accreditation and alterations over the years.

Coordination

The program is coordinated by Carlos Ribeiro for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Curriculum Details

• Description
• Curriculum
• Dissertations
• Access Regime
• Financial Support
• Professional Status
• Curriculum Plan
• Discipline Pages
• Evaluations
• Class Schedules
• Thesis Proposal
• Professors
• Theses