With today's advancing technologies comes the increasing threat of cybercrime. The National Cyber Security Strategy makes clear the importance of good network defences in securing the UK. GCU has developed a suite of programmes which provide the opportunity to be at the forefront of defending cyberspace from sophisticated malicious attacks and future threats.
Cyber Security and Networks covers the protection of computer equipment, information and services from unauthorised access, change or destruction. It will inform you of the latest technologies, help you understand legal, ethical and professional responsibilities and provide a broad awareness of the industry.
Your career
These programmes will prepare you for entering the communication networks, security engineering and digital forensics sector, an industry which employs one in three of all jobs within the IT sector. This sector is becoming increasingly complex, with particular need for digital forensics, digital security, ethical hacking, wireless and mobile specialist skills.
We would expect digital security graduates to embark on a range of career pathways including government agencies, law enforcement or associated private sector agencies, business, supporting specialist roles such as forensic practitioners, penetration testers (ethical hackers) and security and forensic consultants.
International student start dates
For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018 . This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.
There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.
Professional accreditation
The School of Engineering and the Built Environment is an accredited Cisco Academy. The curriculum material from the professionally recognised Cisco Certified Network Associate qualification and Cisco Certified Network Professional is integrated into this programme. With additional work and assessments, you can work to complete these Cisco Certified qualifications.
Placement
The programme features an optional one-year sandwich placement which can be undertaken after completion of Year 3. The placement consists of a year of practical paid work experience in a suitable company position. The different types of posts undertaken can be of quite a diverse range but will always relate to your area of study. Recently students have been placed with companies such as IBM, Dell Corporation, National Australia Group, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Strathclyde Police among others. The placement can provide valuable experience to enhance your career prospects following graduation.
HM Forces
In partnership with HM Forces, GCU has identified this programme is being particularly suited to military and ex-military men and women. Visit the HM Forces Careers Zone for more information on the services we provide.
Assessment methods
The programme aims to provide graduates with cognitive and practical skills and knowledge of emerging theories, methods and principles. The aim is to establish well-rounded graduates knowledgeable of current and emergent technologies, understand legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of practitioners and have a broad awareness of the industry. The programme will encourage students' creative thinking, expand knowledge, confidence and professional values, and has been developed to address contemporary issues in the field of networking infrastructures. A number of integrated approaches are employed to achieve the necessary aims, objectives and learning outcomes required. To this end, a variety of teaching and learning methods and strategies are applied.
Assessment methods used to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes include examinations, coursework, class tests, practical assessments, presentations, computer-based exercises, and written reports. We aim to sustain existing and seek further industrial partnerships that provide access to case studies and projects, work experience and real-world problems. The school is also academic partners with The Council for Registered Ethical Security Testers. The course provides a career orientated learning experience from a school that is an approved provider of professional certification for, amongst others Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle and 7Safe.
Teaching methods
The programme places a significant emphasis on developing advanced practical technical skills and then benchmarking these against industry standard professional qualifications, allowing us to assess students by a number of different methods, depending on the nature of the module studied. The programme of study develops the soft skills expected by employers, such as writing, research and team working skills. In keeping with the relevant nature of this course, students are expected to solve realistic problems drawn from industry. In the third year, students will have the opportunity to undertake an industrial placement and continue to the Honours year at the end of this period. Students who follow this programme of study can expect to be taught in the best suite of network and security engineering labs in Scotland, and possibly the UK, providing an unmatched hands-on learning experience. Our substantial Netlab system allows us to offer remote access to our equipment enabling many of the practical labs to be undertaken off-campus.