Network and Information Security MSc

The field of computer, network and information security is continually evolving and expanding. It is of increasing importance to industry and all networks and information systems across the world. New legislation, technologies, vulnerabilities and threats are emerging all the time, forcing constant updates to systems. These threats will not go away, meaning that no system can be designed and built without taking into account its security in an operational scenario from the outset.

This course gives you a technical understanding of both current and emerging technologies and the underlying theory of cryptography, networking and network security technologies. You will gain the skills you need to assess, plan, design and develop secure and reliable networks and systems.

The course is ideal for those wanting to differentiate themselves from candidates with an undergraduate degree only, as well as those already in industry wishing to advance their skills in this constantly evolving area. Many companies are actively recruiting security specialists and this course will prepare graduates for senior technical and management positions in many industry sectors.

What will you study?

This course will develop your critical awareness of current developments and future trends in cryptography and network security. Starting from the mathematical principles behind cryptographic algorithms, you will move up to secure network protocols.

In addition to the core cryptography and networking technologies, you also cover:

• dependable and highly available architectures – security and dependability are inextricably linked as you cannot implement many of the core concepts in secure systems if they are not dependable and reliable; and
• technologies used to combat threats – from secure authentication mechanisms and firewalls to information policies and user education to combat social engineering and data leakage.

As far as possible, you will be exposed to hands-on laboratory exercises, using and configuring the technologies presented and the tools to circumvent them.

Many of our staff in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. The full MSc consists of five core modules, three option modules and a dissertation project.

Core modules

• Cryptography
• Secure and Dependable Computing

• Secure and Dependable Computing

  In this module, you look at:

  • the fundamental principles and techniques employed in securing information, networks and architectures for providing highly available services;
  • the security risks inherent in computer networks and the steps that can be taken to counter such risks; and
  • data encryption algorithms, vulnerability assessment tools, firewalls and other security-related software.
  
   
• Network Security

• Network Security

  This module deals with the principles and techniques employed in securing information and networks. It covers:

  • identifying and implementing security policy, data encryption algorithms and different security protocols;
  • the role of vulnerability assessment tools;
  • assessing the security risks inherent in computer networks; and
  • the steps that can be taken to counter such risks.
  
   
• TCP/IP Networks

• TCP/IP Networks

  In this module, you gain an understanding of:

  • the use of layered architectures and protocols in the internet;
  • protocols used at the transport, network and link layers; and
  • how to design an IP network in an industrial report.
  
   
• Research Methods

• Research Methods

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  This module provides you with the skills and techniques you will need to undertake research for completing modules and your project. It will help you to:

  • select and justify a research topic;
  • develop the use of various resources to carry out a literature search; and
  • look at the structure and format of the project.
  
   
• Project/Dissertation (MSc only)

• Project/Dissertation (MSc only)

  To achieve an MSc, you will undertake a substantial project (worth one third of the course credits). The project is usually industrially linked and can be either research or development based.

  
   

Option modules (choose three)

• Broadband and Mobile Networks

• Broadband and Mobile Networks

  This module provides you with the opportunity to:

  • evaluate the business potential and technical challenges facing your organisation in an information environment that is increasingly building and using information systems utilising networks, including broadband and mobile networks; and
  • look at designing appropriate communications strategy and systems within the constraints of current communications technology.
  
   
• Building E-Business

• Building E-Business

  This module looks at building successful online businesses to:

  • create opportunities for new businesses; and
  • improve existing businesses.

  It covers technology, usability and customer experience topics. You will use prototyping and real business examples to look in detail at trends in:

  • consumer focused e-businesses;
  • server and delivery architectures; and
  • convergence, including implications of mobile devices, interactive television and multiplatform delivery.
  
   
• Component-Based Software Engineering

• Component-Based Software Engineering

  On this module you will:

  • analyse the benefits of component-based software in terms of development costs, re-usability, extendibility, and ease of maintenance, and to appreciate the trade-offs between development costs and performance;
  • evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of component technologies such as .NET, Enterprise JavaBeans and CORBA;
  • demonstrate proficiency in component oriented analysis and design; and
  • develop a business application using component technology.
  
   
• Corporate Data and Database Management

• Corporate Data and Database Management

  This module explores object-relational database systems and related issues, such as emerging approaches to data management – object-oriented, text, temporal, spatial, etc. You will look at:

  • a selection of appropriate database management systems – object-relational, object oriented, data warehousing, geographical systems and SQL; and
  • the storage and management of unstructured data such as images and multimedia data.
  
   
• Developing Object-Orientated Solutions

• Developing Object-Orientated Solutions

  This module covers the analysis, design and implementation of software systems using object-oriented (OO) techniques. It includes:

  • the principles of OO analysis;
  • the expression of designs using the Unified Modelling Language (UML);
  • object-oriented programming languages; and
  • the translation of UML notation into an initial system implementation.
  
   
• Digital Communications

• Digital Communications

  This module introduces you to the fundamental design principles of the physical layers used in data networks. It considers:

  • the principles behind the design of copper twisted pair and coaxial cable systems;
  • fibre optic links employed in gigabit ethernet; and
  • wireless communications.
  
   
• Electronic Commerce Technologies

• Electronic Commerce Technologies

  This module introduces you to the fundamentals of e-commerce technologies and security. It enables you to use mark-up and scripting languages to design and implement:

  • relational databases;
  • e-commerce sites; and
  • dynamic interfaces.
  
   
• Enterprise Networking

• Enterprise Networking

  Enterprise networking is about the principal hardware and software components required to implement a dependable and secure enterprise-scale computing infrastructure. This module covers:

  • the use of clustering technologies for high performance and highly available network infrastructures; and
  • enterprise network application, including the use of thin clients, voice-over IP and content management systems.
  
   
• Geographical Information Fundamentals

• Geographical Information Fundamentals

  This module provides you with an introduction to the fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial data and geographical databases. It incorporates a review of the underlying geographical and technological concepts.

  
   
• Internet Map Services

• Internet Map Services

  This module explores the main concepts associated with server and client-side development regarding:

  • internet map services; and
  • integrating back-end spatial databases in server-side development.

  You will also look at the evaluation and design of systems suitable for implementing internet and intranet-based map services.

  
   
• Internet Wireless Networks

• Internet Wireless Networks

  This module covers:

  • internet wireless networks and the trends in internet wireless networking;
  • personal area networks, such as Bluetooth and UWB;
  • wireless Wi-Fi LANs and Wi-MAX MANs;
  • cellular 2, 2.5 and 3G networks; and
  • the issues of accommodating mobility at the network and transport layers.
  
   
• IT and Entrepreneurship

• IT and Entrepreneurship

  Entrepreneurship builds new and better value chains by using innovation. Using IT can provide such innovation in the push for more efficient building models and this module illustrates the various factors needed to provide a platform for the entrepreneur.

  
   
• Knowledge Management

• Knowledge Management

  This module will help you to:

  • develop an appreciation of the ideas underpinning different theories of knowledge;
  • compare alternative approaches to gaining business value from knowledge management initiatives; and
  • design and plan knowledge management initiatives for a particular organisation in terms of its organisational culture, structure and business strengths.
  
   
• Location-Based Services, Applications and Technologies

• Location-Based Services, Applications and Technologies

  This module offers a comprehensive overview of the applications, opportunities and impacts of location-based services. It covers:

  • the current and emerging technologies for creating platforms for mobile content, services and applications;
  • location-based business models emerging in the mobile marketplace;
  • how to plan and design a system architecture suitable for developing location-based services for a range of applications and target audiences;
  • the legislative framework pertaining to location-based services; and
  • the social implications of the provision of personal location-based information.
  
   
• Multimedia Communications

• Multimedia Communications

  This module explores:

  • the technologies and applications of images, moving images, animations and sound in online and offline information systems;
  • the technologies and trends that support multimedia products and services; and
  • how internet architecture is adapting to provide quality of service for multimedia services.
  
   
• Network Design and Management

• Network Design and Management

  This module looks at:

  • how to analyse communications networks and user requirements;
  • the application of a design methodology to satisfy the network requirements of small- to medium-sized enterprises;
  • the simulation of proposed network designs; and
  • fault, configuration, security and performance management in networks using the FCAPS framework.
  
   
• Network Operating Systems

• Network Operating Systems

  This module provides you with an appreciation of the role that operating systems play in managing the resources in a computer network. In particular, it looks at how operating systems control networked resources for desktop, server and mobile platforms.

  
   
• Programming in Java

• Programming in Java

  During this module, you will:

  • learn how to write, compile, execute and debug applications written in the Java programming language using an integrated development environment (IDE); and
  • explore aspects of the Java language, such as exceptions, I/O and basic GUI development following an OO paradigm.
  
   
• Projects and Risk Management

• Projects and Risk Management

  This module provides an in-depth understanding of:

  • the project management process;
  • current issues;
  • developing techniques within the phases of project management;
  • the processes involved in risk management;
  • the dynamics of individual and group working; and
  • the specific areas relevant to project team handling.
  
   
• Requirements Engineering and Management

• Requirements Engineering and Management

  Requirements engineering is key to the success of developing IT systems. This module:

  • looks at the issues of the early stages of systems development;
  • explores different approaches that can be used to identify, record and manage requirements within the systems lifecycle; and
  • gives you an understanding and chance to model the business context into which information systems must fit.
  
   
• Software Engineering Tools

• Software Engineering Tools

  In this module you will:

  • learn how to select appropriate software engineering tools for different situations;
  • develop a strategy for introducing tools into an organisation; and
  • get hands-on experience of a modern integrated development environment (increasingly adopted by software engineers who want to improve software productivity as well as quality).
  
   
• Software Quality Assurance

• Software Quality Assurance

  This module allows you to:

  • identify appropriate approaches to software quality assurance for different situations and organisations;
  • use specific techniques for estimating software quality (metrics); and
  • relate the approaches taught to software quality assurance in a real business environment.
  
   
• Spatial Information Analysis and Modelling

• Spatial Information Analysis and Modelling

  This module covers:

  • the spatial, analytical and query capabilities of geographical information systems (GIS) in a range of application areas;
  • the selection and application of GIS techniques for spatial modelling, monitoring and problem solving;
  • project planning and management; and
  • theoretical and practical skills in spatial statistics and modelling within a GIS environment.
  
   
• Strategic Information Systems for E-Business

• Strategic Information Systems for E-Business

  This module provides an in-depth understanding of:

  • the use of information as a strategic resource; and
  • the implications for applying internet-based systems, particularly to achieve competitive advantage.
  
   
• Usability Engineering

• Usability Engineering

  This module emphasises the importance of usability to the success of information systems. It explores:

  • the characteristics of information systems users that determine user-based usability requirements;
  • usability deficiencies; and
  • how to relate designs to requirements.
  
   
• Visualisation and Image Processing

• Visualisation and Image Processing

  This module provides:

  • practical experience in handling geographic imagery;
  • an understanding of the types of digital imagery available;
  • their application and benefit to commercial, governmental and scientific activities; and
  • an exploration of the use of web technologies for the presentation and distribution of spatial data across the internet.
  
   
• Web Development in Java

• Web Development in Java

  You will gain an understanding of the major developments in the Java environment and their use in commerce and industry. You also cover advanced Java topics, including:

  • application of Java networking;
  • database access;
  • JavaBeans; and
  • the techniques for designing distributed applications for a large-scale environment.
  
   
• Wireless Communications

• Wireless Communications

  This module covers:

  • the fundamental principles of wireless communications;
  • the basic system design parameters adopted by broadcast digital radio DAB and DRM; and
  • the platforms used for digital television DVB and IPTV.
  
   

Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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