MSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
University of Portsmouth - Offered by CEG Digital, United Kingdom
First Year Course Fee
USD 7,594
Course Accredited By
PC
As the world grows increasingly technology-reliant, cyber security and digital forensics have become recognised as two incredibly important areas for organisations to manage.
Cyber security differs significantly from cybercrime – with the latter being used to describe the illegal and/or harmful behaviours carried out online. While students of our MSc Cybercrime will strive to understand the driving forces behind online criminal activity, cyber security deals with the process of predicting, avoiding, and reacting to these acts. With this Master’s course, you’ll also learn key techniques to investigate digital crimes and security breaches, and help safeguard your organisation’s success.
By taking this course, you’ll develop a systematic understanding of cyber security and forensics concepts, including how to securely protect and investigate an organisation’s digital assets and systems.
In addition to learning from our experienced academics, you’ll also be given remote access to our dedicated Forensic IT and Cyber Security laboratories. With this, you can gain firsthand experience with specialist software and forensic tools.
You’ll also have the opportunity to attend an online court hearing with a judge presiding as part of your assessments.
Our Master’s emphasis on providing students with real-world insights and practical skills will allow you to effectively and immediately apply your learnings to your career.
On this course, you’ll:
- Gain familiarity with a range of cyber security disciplines to help you develop, implement, and audit security systems and foster a proactive security management culture
- Study the design and conduct of forensic IT investigations – including crime scene management, forensic tools, and their application
- Build a theoretical understanding of the principles involved with searching for and collecting digital evidence from data storage devices and large datasets
- Discover how to research and navigate the evolving legal, social, and ethical challenges relating to the presentation of digital evidence
- Hone the interpersonal skills needed to work effectively in your field, and learn how to regularly appraise and improve your own performance
- All assessments for this course are based on coursework submitted online. Your performance is assessed through:
- Written assignments
- Research reports
- Online court hearing
- Your final project
- You'll also receive formal and informal tutor feedback to help you improve future work.
Enrollment Cycles
- September 2023
- February 2024
- May 2024
- A first or a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject or equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience
- English language proficiency at IELTS level 6.0 with no component score below 6.0 (or other acceptable proof), if English is not your first language
Computer Forensic Investigation and Cryptography (30 credits) On this module, you’ll learn how to develop a holistic approach to the investigative process and experience being a part of a virtual court. You’ll explore the practical aspects of conducting a forensic investigation of digital evidence, and familiarise yourself with cryptography and steganalysis.
Mobile Forensics: Issues and Practice (30 credits) Your studies for this module will provide a strong grounding in mobile systems architecture, mobile applications, and mobile forensic analysis. The coursework will encourage you to consider the wider business and social contexts in which mobile devices are used and abused.
Computer Security (30 credits) This module offers an essential introduction to computer security concepts and their application within interconnected systems. You’ll be challenged to critically analyse different approaches to securing such systems, and learn how to apply risk evaluation techniques to quantify your solutions.
Systems, Security and Hacking (30 credits) Gain a comprehensive overview of the art and architecture of computing systems, and study different models of computer and data security. The module will also cover the topic of data hacking, which will equip you with the knowledge and skills relevant to ethical hacking.
Master’s Study Project (60 credits) Your Master’s Study Project will give you the chance to apply your learnings to research and address a real-world problem. For example, you can choose to take on a specific cyber security challenge faced at your current organisation.
Previous dissertation topics by our on-campus students include:
- Analysing forensic techniques for game consoles
- Detection and prevention of DDoS attacks for online businesses
- Development of forensics methods for drones
- Steganography threats in the process of evidence collection
including a £250 acceptance fee