Online, part-time

Advanced Cyber Security MSc

This module equips you with an in-depth understanding of the legal aspects of cybersecurity, computer-related crimes, and effective incident management.

You'll learn to identify and critically evaluate computer crimes and apply forensic techniques. You’ll also learn how to interpret local and international legislations like the UK Computer Misuse Act and the GDPR.

On completion of this module, you'll have the skills to independently research and implement advanced forensic methodologies to real-world scenarios.

This module explores both the theoretical and practical aspects of encryption through security properties, cryptographic ciphers, and algorithms. You’ll learn about symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, public-key infrastructure, and digital signatures.

This will help you to apply security protocols for key exchange, identification, and authentication. Using systematic approaches to select and implement various cryptographic techniques and protocols, you’ll become ready to address confidentiality, integrity, and authentication challenges.

On completion of this module, you’ll have a solid understanding of the mathematical techniques that underpin cryptography.

This module explores the fundamentals of networks and security protocols for both wired and wireless systems. You’ll study a range of network attacks along with their countermeasures, developing a robust understanding of network security principles and techniques.

The knowledge and skills you gain prepare you to analyse, critique, and implement strategies to secure networks against complex attacks.

On completion of this module, you'll be proficient in evaluating and applying network security protocols independently.

This module helps you develop the critical mindset of a security engineer, learning to design robust programs that resist sophisticated attacks. You’ll learn to identify vulnerabilities in system functionalities, analyse security techniques, and create effective countermeasures.

By understanding and anticipating potential threats, you’ll be prepared to optimise security in your programming practices.

On completion of this module, you’ll be able to evaluate, interpret, and apply security principles effectively in the development of secure systems.

In this module, you’ll explore foundational security concepts and develop a systematic approach to risk assessment and management. This is crucial for developing cost-effective cybersecurity strategies.

We’ll cover every aspect of security management, from auditing and continuity planning to effective risk communication. You’ll also enhance your understanding of security vulnerabilities, regulatory frameworks, and their practical implications in real-world scenarios.

On completion of this module, you’ll be prepared to analyse, critique, and manage security risks autonomously.

This module covers the essentials of information assurance, with a focus on penetration testing and ethical hacking. You will be challenged to critically evaluate system security through advanced testing techniques.

You’ll also learn about a range of vulnerabilities, including social engineering, web, database, and system attacks. By studying these areas, you'll learn to assess threats and develop robust security strategies.

On completion of this module, you’ll be ready to implement and report on penetration tests, interpret vulnerabilities, and apply effective mitigation strategies.

In this module, you'll explore the ethical, legal and rights-based challenges of the digital age. From both theoretical and practical perspectives, you'll examine how information technologies have reshaped societal values, creating new issues and transforming existing ones. 

You'll investigate key topics such as digital information creation, organisation and use, as well as the ethical principles shaping technological development and security. The module also covers the history of moral debates in computing and the evolving relationship between technology and ethics. 

Through an international perspective, you'll analyse real-world case studies and engage with contemporary debates, considering both the limitations of ethical critiques and how current practices respond. By the end of the module, you'll have a strong foundation to assess digital ethics in an evolving technological landscape. 

In this module, you'll critically evaluate relevant literature and develop the skills to search, analyse, and synthesise findings effectively. 

You'll conduct research, formulate research questions, and systematically review the latest scientific literature. Through this process, you'll learn to interpret and communicate complex information objectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 

Your final work will be a systematic literature review that will be assessed by the online module lecturer. 

This module prepares you for your portfolio dissertation by equipping you with a comprehensive understanding of research processes and methods. You'll learn how to formulate clear research questions and select the most appropriate methodologies to address them effectively. 

You'll evaluate different research approaches, apply them systematically to your chosen topic, and implement them in practice. By the end of the module, you'll have developed a well-structured research proposal. You'll also produce a research report that clearly outlines your methodology and its implementation, ensuring it is effectively communicated to a professional audience. 

In this module, you'll explore a range of statistical techniques for analysing datasets. You'll work with univariate, multivariate, and qualitative methods. You'll gain practical experience in selecting and applying statistical tools to real-world case studies. 

You'll learn to analyse results, assess the reliability of different approaches, and communicate your findings clearly. Through hands-on work with research and experimental data, you'll develop the skills to evaluate, compare, and justify statistical methods. This will help you make data-driven conclusions and contribute to research and professional practice. 

This module is designed to immerse you in the forefront of cybersecurity research and practice. You’ll gain in-depth insights into the latest advancements and evolving challenges within areas such as cryptography, AI security, and more.

Under the guidance of lecturers with cybersecurity expertise, you’ll engage rigorously with contemporary academic literature. Consequently, you’ll develop the skills to critically analyse, apply, and navigate complex cybersecurity concepts and research.

On completion of this module, you'll be well-prepared to tackle advanced problems and contribute to cutting-edge developments in the field.

This module explores how AI algorithms can enhance efficiencies but also pose risks to security and privacy from malicious uses.

You'll gain a thorough understanding of the very latest attack and defence dynamics in AI security and privacy. You’ll also learn to evaluate AI system robustness, perform threat modelling, and implement techniques to safeguard against adversarial attacks.

On completion of this module, you’ll be able to assess and fortify the security and privacy of AI applications.

This module equips you with the skills to handle vast and complex data sets. You'll explore specialised architectures, frameworks, and algorithms.

Through real-world examples, you’ll learn how to manage, organise, mine, analyse, and visualise large data streams effectively. You’ll also gain practical knowledge on identifying challenges within big data and applying cutting-edge technologies to overcome them.

On completion of this module, you'll be proficient in evaluating and using big data solutions in real-world applications.

This module explores foundational concepts like blockchain technology, bitcoin, and peer-to-peer contracts. It then examines advanced topics such as consensus in distributed systems and the CAP theorem.

You’ll develop critical skills to evaluate the roles of consensus protocols, assess various ledger technologies, and analyse their applications.

On completion of this module, you’ll have a contextual understanding of the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of electronic currencies and financial transactions.