Cyber Security

In Year 1, you’ll develop a grounding in computers, systems and networks, particularly in relation to identifying and preventing security breaches.

An independent work-based project underpins classroom content, so you will be applying your learning in the workplace from day one.

Computers and Security
Gain an understanding of the core concepts of computers and security by considering the design and operation of computers and computer networks, the implications of security and how computers may be programmed.

Principles of Programming
This introduces the principles of programming and develops an understanding of problem solving techniques for software development using a programming language.

Maths for Data Science
The module aims to introduce basic topics in data analysis, probability, statistics and hypothesis testing. This module will provide you with a range of processes and techniques to address data science and its theoretical foundation.

Systems Design
This introduces software engineering principles and practices necessary to developing quality software-intensive systems for business use. You’ll be introduced to working in teams to identify business requirements and turn these into practical, workable solutions.

Web Development
This module covers the business rationale for using the web as a solution to a business problem, together with the core technologies required to create such solutions. You will create structured websites using both scripts (eg HTML, CSS; JavaScript, PHP, MySql) and industry-standard software (eg Adobe DreamWeaver).

Independent Work-Based Project
This project applies theories and principles integrated from modules studied already. You’ll identify an issue/problem that needs solving and produce a piece of work that demonstrates understanding and application of theories and principles.

IoT Development

This module aims to deliver the knowledge required in understanding the Internet of Things (IoT), developing IoT devices and incorporating programming techniques to facilitate the process of data collection, actuation and communication in IoT devices. In this module you will learn about the types of IoT devices, various communication strategies and protocols. You will also learn how to develop your own IoT device and program it accordingly. Finally, you will analyse and examine the relation between IoT, Big Data and cloud and how we can get the most from IoT devices.

Supervised Professional Work Experience
For this module you’ll undertake a supervised work-based activity focussing on the application of learnt theories to your place of work, as well as how learning has impacted your employment. You’ll identify a workplace issue/project collaboratively with your employer, in which you’ll apply theory to the workplace and evaluate this application.

Operating Systems
This module investigates underlying architecture and operation of operating systems, from installation, essentials of system administration, command line, processes, file system concepts and use, to configuration and security of modern systems. It covers Windows, Unix, Linux, and Mac OS.

Ethical Hacking and Security
This module introduces the technical and non-technical components of ethical hacking. You’ll learn:

• how to recognise and analyse the required stages for an ethical hacker to compromise a Target of Evaluation
• how to critically evaluate networks and systems to identify vulnerabilities
• about security standards, policies and legislation.

Network Design and Configuration

This module provides an understanding of the principles of networking, network design and network architecture and infrastructures.

You’ll study a number of core networking topics, which include:

• networking principles
• network architecture and design
• network standards
• configuration of network devices
• routers and switches
• network trouble-shooting
• maintenance
• support and the provision of network redundancy
• fault-tolerance
• load balancing.

Cryptography & Security
This module will aim to provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts, theory and application of cryptography. You’ll study and examine a number of cryptographic techniques and encryption algorithms. The primary objective for students is to understand and synthesize the practical application of modern cryptography.

Cyber Security Management
This module reviews the management of cyber security within an organisation. You will:

• develop an information security plan
• evaluate the key concepts around applying an information security management system
• identify and apply appropriate governance
• understand security roles and procedures, risks and threat analysis, and organisational security policies.

Secure Coding
The module explores a range of recognised software security problems using motivational examples. This module looks at the fundamental sources of vulnerabilities arising at the programming level including inadequate handling of exception situations, poor understanding of the details of the programming language in use, incomplete descriptions of the interface between components, and insufficient care in the treatment of concurrency and threading issues, and how these relate to evolving threat models.

Advanced Networking & Security
This module builds on the network design and implementation principles from the year 2 module ‘Network Design and Configuration’.

The objective is to defend and protect the network infrastructure, architecture, protocols and applications in order to deliver secured protocols, applications, services and data. The cyber security framework of identifying, protecting, detecting, responding and recovery in relation to network security will be evaluated and critically analysed.

• You’ll become capable of analysing, designing and managing the requirements of a secure network architecture based on risk analysis and operational requirements in accordance with regulations and standards.

Malware Analysis
This module will enable you to practise your technical skills on malware detection, and attack technologies in both local and remote network environments. You’ll learn:

• about the creation of modern malware
• the techniques used to exploit system and network weaknesses
• the tools and skills needed to defend and recover from malicious attacks.

Secure Coding
The module explores a range of recognised software security problems using motivational examples. This module looks at the fundamental sources of vulnerabilities arising at the programming level including inadequate handling of exception situations, poor understanding of the details of the programming language in use, incomplete descriptions of the interface between components, and insufficient care in the treatment of concurrency and threading issues, and how these relate to evolving threat models.

Dissertation
This module provides the opportunity for you to study in depth a topic of your own choice within the subject area of your course. You’ll self-manage an academic investigation of an appropriate topic with support from an adviser.