MSc Cyber Security (Infrastructures Security)

Programme overview

Digital technologies drive economic growth, yet create new cyber risks demanding ever more sophisticated solutions. There is worldwide demand for new and innovative approaches to tackle global cyber-threats specific to large-scale infrastructures, from energy production to finance through to healthcare and smart transportation. The cyber security of such infrastructures is paramount – their disruption can have large-scale impacts on society as well as massive business losses. There is a major shortage of cyber security professionals globally, and the specialist nature of critical infrastructures makes the problem even more acute.

A strong ethos of rigorous experimental and empirical cyber security research underpins the MSc, facilitated by a state-of-the-art testbed for studying critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and Internet of Things (IoT) security, and bespoke teaching equipment. You’ll learn to apply foundational cyber security techniques to infrastructure and will develop the skills for engineering scalable solutions. You'll be exposed to real-world problems that are practical and challenge-oriented, but underpinned by rigorous research.

Careers

This programme is informed by the skills gap identified by industry. Following graduation from this MSc students will have the opportunity to play a fundamental role in delivering cyber security on a large-scale through their careers. Graduates will be keenly sought after in roles in network security, Industrial Control Systems Security and Operational Technology, capable of critically evaluating and synthesising research literature, developing and deploying systems, and communicating with others in their field and in other disciplines. Top graduates from this degree will be able to proactively advance the development of infrastructures security or move onto doctoral studies in cyber security.

An upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalant) in engineering (preferably computer science, electrical or electronic engineering) or a related subject. Other disciplines will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Programming skills are essential.