MSc Cyber Security and Assurance (CSA)

The School of Information Risk Management (SIRM) has adopted the ISACA model curriculum in developing and designing an MSc program, which is built on the good foundation and rigorous practical training in the respective areas. The aim is to provide necessary knowledge through a combination of theory and practice. MSc (CSA) is aligned with best in class Cyber Security certifications including Cyber Security Nexus (CSX) Fundamental and Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM). CISM is one of the top paying certifications in the market.

The course equips students with knowledge of modern developments in the rapidly evolving fields of cybersecurity and assurance, providing a depth and breadth of knowledge and skills in these areas. The interdisciplinary nature of the course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to specialise and pursue a career in these fields, as well as providing them with an excellent opportunity to develop their academic and generic employability skills. The course will use a wide range of teaching and learning strategies and methods supported by appropriate blended learning approaches, learning technologies and tools to enhance student learning and promote engagement.

In addition to face-to-face teaching, where appropriate, asynchronous and synchronous modes of learning will be used to facilitate and promote student learning. SIRM will be using its Student Learning Centre, designated open access classrooms/IT labs and a specialist Cyber lab to accommodate and support student learning.

Students will be offered an ISACA® membership on behalf of SIRM. Students may then be encouraged to take the following industry-specific renowned qualifications:

• Certified Information System Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Cyber Security X Fundamentals (CSXf)
• Cyber Security X Practitioner (CSXp)
• Cyber Security X Specialist (CSXs)

The course emphasizes the risk exposures in an Information System environment and focuses on the internal controls to minimize these risks.

This course aims to:

• Equip students with the skills to design, implement and manage computer security using software and networking technologies;
• Develop understanding of the methods involved in handling Cyber incident and securing corporate assets and information;
• Equip students with an advanced knowledge of multi-disciplinary risk management in the context of cybersecurity principles, and to enable to recognise the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing Cyber-Security and Risk Management;
• Offer students the opportunity to study in a leading, interdisciplinary and research-intensive environment both Cyber-Security and Risk, security and risk management principles and practice;
• Stimulate student’s interest in the subject by using a variety of teaching and learning methods and engaging with a wide range of Cyber-Security and Risk management perspectives;
• Develop student’s ability to assess and manage both security and risk in a corporate environment;
• Give students the opportunity to develop a broad yet advanced understanding of the social and human factors as they apply to cybercrime and its governance issues.

Additional generic postgraduate aims:

• Develop and enhance student’s ability to identify research question(s) and conduct experimental or theoretical research, and to present the findings of such research in a clear, professional manner;
• Develop your transferable research skills and interdisciplinary knowledge for a wide range of information and technology and research careers;
• Develop intellectual, cognitive and transferable/generic key skills appropriate for master’s level study;
• Develop self-confidence and independence in undertaking a substantial individual research dissertation.

Modules

• Cyber Security Concepts and Management (20 Credits)
• Operations and Security of Information Systems Infrastructure (20 Credits)
• Cyber Security Architecture and Software Engineering (20 Credits)
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (20 Credits)
• Cyber Security Assurance and Risk Management (20 Credits)
• Cyber Crime, Governance and Insurance (20 Credits)
• Dissertation (60 Credits)

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in relevant field such as computing / IT from a recognised Institute
• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent (only for International students with no English language background)
• Fee deposit
• Interview (for international students, the interview can be conducted on skype)

Progression

You may seek work placement at SIRM (depending on availability) or SIRM's associated organisation(s) Or can further progress to Level 8 Doctorate studies (PhD) in Cyber Security / Info Risk Management (depends on your area of interest for research).

The School of Information Risk Management (SIRM) is a renowned centre who offers programs both at Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels in various disciplines including Cyber Security, Information Security and Assurance, Business Management, Health Care Management and Computing. SIRM programs are approved by various Universities to award degrees to our successful students. SIRM is a pioneer in using ISACA model curriculum for its Information Security and Assurance with CISA and CISM program in the United Kingdom. Since 2007, we have developed expertise in offering Information Security and Assurance; and Business Management programs in Partnership with various UK Universities including The University of Greenwich , The University of Gloucestershire , The University of Derby , The University of Chester and Anglia Ruskin University . SIRM has successfully achieved a partnership with funding contract with Brooklands College (which is a publicly funded college), for the provision of Level 4 and above Apprenticeships qualifications in Cyber Security. SIRM is an Approved Training Organisation for Skills and Funding Agency and is published on the Register of ROTO (Register of Training Organisations). SIRM has also successfully achieved to register on RoATP (Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers). We are also approved by ATHE (Awards for Training and Higher Education), ASIC (The Accreditation Services for International Colleges), AISABE (The Association of Information Security Auditors and Business Executives). SIRM is based in London , which is the heart of United Kingdom . Our campus is situated in Ilford , which is East of London with a 1-minute walk to Ilford train (overground) station and Town Centre. Liverpool Street and Central London are only 15 minutes by train from our campus. SIRM has formed a Corporate Department where training at the corporate level will be provided to both Public and Private . Our existing students will have a chance to join our corporate department to have work experience while studying at SIRM . This will ensure not only work experience but will provide you with a route to full-time employment at SIRM or any other associated organisation (depends on vacancy availability). The Cyber Security jobs are available all over the world and if you have UK degree, which is globally recognised, you can have a sense of security towards the future in your respective field. SIRM uses wide range of teaching, learning and assessment methods, which includes class lectures, tutorials and seminars (depending on the method of studying a student chose e.g. f/t, p/t or online). We place considerable emphasis on the importance of students' independent learning. We are committed to enhancing transferable, employability and study skills development work across the School and incorporating Personal Development Planning into degree programs. We aim to do this by providing support and advancement of learning and teaching at SIRM for both staff and students. Staff at SIRM works collaboratively with faculty, students, and the academic administration to develop an educational culture that values and rewards teaching, respects and supports individual differences among learners, and encourages the creation of learning environments in which diverse students can learn and excel.